Tag: Reunion Church

Simple Grace: Glorification | 7-27-2025

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Updated: 5/8/2026

Sermon Prep

This was the third sermon in a row and I was feeling a bit exhausted from being so short-staffed while our team was out on the Taiwan mission trip. The tech once again wasting working and so only 18 minutes was recorded. I was just gassed from the month of July overall.

Work was going great, but overwhelming too as I was preparing to go on short-term medical leave for my upcoming hernia surgery in August. It was a lot and this flurry of things caught up to me on this message. On that note, here’s the YouTube recording warts and all, along with my message notes below:

Sermon Notes

Opening Prayer

  • Father God, lead us this morning as we search the scriptures. Thank you for your Son whose sacrifice is our salvation. Would you speak through me, in spite of me, and beyond me. May you, Holy Spirit, dwell within us as you teach us today. Amen.

Intro

  • Why I hate Subaru’s. When the coolant system set my car on fire and almost killed me.

“Grace is the free, unearned and undeserved favor of God given through Jesus Christ that pardons sin, empowers righteousness, restores relationships, and transforms the entire person. A divine gift and an active presence that renews the soul.” – Andrew Morrison, Reunion Church

Main Point

  • Lately we’ve talked about the spiritual journey (justification, sanctification; glorification).
    • Today we’ll learn how grace is fueled by the power found in Jesus’ resurrection. 
  • God’s grace doesn’t just save you from sin, but resurrects you into a new life with him.

Grace and Resurrection | 1 Corinthians 15:10-14, 17-23, 42-49, 57-58 (NRSVue)

“[10] But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me has not been in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I but the grace of God that is with me. [11] Whether then it was I or they, so we proclaim and so you believed. [12] Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say there is no resurrection of the dead? [13] If there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not been raised, [14] and if Christ has not been raised, then our proclamation is in vain and your faith is in vain…”

  • The Corinthians viewed their bodies and the physical at large as less than the spiritual.
  • Grace is the source of power for our good works and compels us to live like Christ.

“[17] If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile, and you are still in your sins. [18] Then those also who have died in Christ have perished. [19] If for this life only we have hoped in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied. [20] But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have died. [21] For since death came through a human, the resurrection of the dead has also come through a human, [22] for as all die in Adam, so all will be made alive in Christ. [23] But each in its own order: Christ the first fruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ…”

  • No resurrection means no good news. Grace isn’t a vague comfort, but a cornerstone.
    • As Christians we believe in the bodily death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus.

“[42] So it is with the resurrection of the dead. What is sown is perishable; what is raised is imperishable. [43] It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power. [44] It is sown a physical body; it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a physical body, there is also a spiritual body. [45] Thus it is written, “The first man, Adam, became a living being”; the last Adam became a life-giving spirit. [46] But it is not the spiritual that is first but the physical and then the spiritual. [47] The first man was from the earth, made of dust; the second man is from heaven. [48] As one of dust, so are those who are of the dust, and as one of heaven, so are those who are of heaven. [49] Just as we have borne the image of the one of dust, we will also bear the image of the one of heaven…”

  • Grace empowers us as we’re made new now and anticipate what’s not yet in eternity.
    • In the same way, the Kingdom of God is both here now and not yet.

“[57] But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. [58] Therefore, my beloved brothers and sisters, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the work of the Lord because you know that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.”

  • Grace emboldens us to persevere knowing that our good works are never in vain.
    • We’re no longer victims to sin, but victors through Jesus’ resurrection power.
      • Saved from sin, but still dealing with the damage of our sinful decisions.

Why It Matters

“[7] But we have this treasure in clay jars, so that it may be made clear that this extraordinary power belongs to God and does not come from us. [8] We are afflicted in every way but not crushed, perplexed but not driven to despair, [9] persecuted but not forsaken, struck down but not destroyed, [10] always carrying around in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be made visible in our bodies. [11] For we who are living are always being handed over to death for Jesus’s sake, so that the life of Jesus may also be made visible in our mortal flesh. [12] So death is at work in us but life in you. [13] But just as we have the same spirit of faith that is in accordance with scripture—“I believed, and so I spoke”—we also believe, and therefore we also speak, [14] because we know that the one who raised Jesus will also raise us with Jesus and will present us with you in his presence. [15] Indeed, everything is for your sake, so that grace, when it has extended to more and more people, may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God. [16] So we do not lose heart. Even though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day. [17] For our slight, momentary affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all measure, [18] because we look not at what can be seen but at what cannot be seen, for what can be seen is temporary, but what cannot be seen is eternal.” –  2 Corinthians 4:7-18 (NRSVue)

  • Without the physical resurrection of Jesus, the Christian faith is pointless and powerless.
    • Grace is a present power in weakness because the resurrection is active in us.

“[14] For the love of Christ urges us on, because we are convinced that one has died for all; therefore all have died. [15] And he died for all, so that those who live might live no longer for themselves but for the one who for their sake died and was raised. [16] From now on, therefore, we regard no one from a human point of view; even though we once knew Christ from a human point of view, we no longer know him in that way. [17] So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; look, new things have come into being!” –  2 Corinthians 5:14-17 (NRSVue)

  • The resurrection doesn’t just change our destiny, but rather it re-creates our identity.

Power Text

“[1] What then are we to say? Should we continue in sin in order that grace may increase? [2] By no means! How can we who died to sin go on living in it? [3] Do you not know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? [4] Therefore we were buried with him by baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we also might walk in newness of life. [5] For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.” – Romans 6:1-5 (NRSVue)

Outro

  • We were blind, but now we see. Lost, then found. Dead to sin, yet now alive in Christ.

Final Thoughts

I don’t look back at this message fondly. I just remember the end of a long month covering for people and working extra hard, which impacted the quality of this message. It wasn’t a prep problem, but a performance problem in that I just didn’t preach all that good in my opinion. To me, it felt like quoting big blocks of text with little to no explanation and none of it flowed very well.

After this crazy month, I took a well-earned break to write more of my book and didn’t preach again for about 2 months. I also stepped back from serving altogether since I had to be bed-ridden for the first part of my hernia surgery recovery. The picture for this one came from a family fishing day in late August and that day I was a lot more relaxed. With that, Godspeed and Jesus bless.

Simple Grace: Justification | 7-20-25

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Updated: 5/5/2026

Sermon Prep

This was the midpoint of my trilogy on grace in 2025. The week before this message was on sanctification and the week after was on glorification. Thematically, this really should be the first of the trilogy but it all worked out. The through-line was there and had an overall arch I intentionally pointed out on each sermon.

Of the three sermons this was, like it’s placement chronologically, right in the middle both for quality and how long the sermon was ironically. As I went along I liked each sermon a little less and the length was shorter each time so interesting correlation there. This one isn’t a bad sermon, but it just wasn’t as good as the last one. With that, here’s the YouTube recording and the sermon notes below:

Sermon Notes

Opening Prayer

  • Father God, lead us this morning as we search the scriptures. Thank you for your Son whose sacrifice is our salvation. Would you speak through me, in spite of me, and beyond me. May you, Holy Spirit, dwell within us as you teach us today. Amen.

Intro

  • Have you ever not known who you are? EX: Jackie Chan’s Who Am I?

“Grace is the free, unearned and undeserved favor of God given through Jesus Christ that pardons sin, empowers righteousness, restores relationships, and transforms the entire person. A divine gift and an active presence that renews the soul.” – Andrew Morrison, Reunion Church

Main Point

  • Last week we learned about sanctification, but today will be about justification.
  • As Christians, you are not what you do but what Christ has done for you.
    • Justification is just as if you’ve never sinned. An identity status.

Grace and Identity | Ephesians 1:3-14, 2:1-10 (NRSVue)

“[3] Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, [4] just as he chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless before him in love. [5] He destined us for adoption as his children through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of his will, [6] to the praise of his glorious grace that he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. [7] In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace [8] that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and insight [9] he has made known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure that he set forth in Christ, [10] as a plan for the fullness of time, to gather up all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. [11] In Christ we have also obtained an inheritance, having been destined according to the purpose of him who accomplishes all things according to his counsel and will, [12] so that we, who were the first to set our hope on Christ, might live for the praise of his glory. [13] In him you also, when you had heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and had believed in him, were marked with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit; [14] this is the pledge of our inheritance toward redemption as God’s own people, to the praise of his glory.”

  • The Ephesians were obsessed with how they were perceived in civic life, religious practice, and social status. Paul recenters their focus on God’s grace defining them.
    • The Temple of Artemis, one of the 7 Wonders of the Ancient World, was here.
      • Whereas Corinth was a melting pot, Ephesus was a spiritual epicenter.
  • Your identity in Christ isn’t achieved or accomplished, but an acknowledged status.
    • In the same way you’re like your parents, you’re also like Christ (i.e. Christian).
  • Sin separates us from God and his grace unites us back to him through Jesus’ sacrifice.

“[1] You were dead through the trespasses and sins [2] in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the ruler of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work among those who are disobedient. [3] All of us once lived among them in the passions of our flesh, doing the will of flesh and senses, and we were by nature children of wrath, like everyone else, [4] but God, who is rich in mercy, out of the great love with which he loved us [5] even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— [6] and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, [7] so that in the ages to come he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. [8] For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God— [9] not the result of works, so that no one may boast. [10] For we are what he has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we may walk in them.”

  • We are redeemed, being restored, and will be reunited to God in the resurrection.
    • In other words: we’re justified, being sanctified, and will be glorified.

Why It Matters

“[26] Then God said, “Let us make humans in our image, according to our likeness, and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the air and over the cattle and over all the wild animals of the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps upon the earth.” [27] So God created humans in his image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.” – Genesis 1:26-28 (NRSVue)

  • We’re so focused on building our own brand and image that we’ve forgotten that we’re imagers of God meant to represent him on Earth. Our identity has been damaged by sin.

“[17] So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; look, new things have come into being! [18] All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and has given us the ministry of reconciliation; [19] that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting the message of reconciliation to us. [20] So we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us; we entreat you on behalf of Christ: be reconciled to God. [21] For our sake God made the one who knew no sin to be sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” –  2 Corinthians 5:17-21 (NRSVue)

  • In Christ, this identity is redeemed and we’re being restored to his original design for us.
    • Jesus didn’t save us from our sin because he had to but because he loves you.

Power Text

“[14] For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. [15] For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you received a spirit of adoption. When we cry, “Abba! Father!” [16] it is that very Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God, [17] and if children, then heirs: heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if we in fact suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him.” –  Romans 8:14-17 (NRSVue)

  • Our identity is a gift of God’s grace and has been given to us as children of God.
    • Grace redefines us as his children who are cherished, chosen, and loved.

Outro

  • “We give glory to God simply by being ourselves. God created us for union with Himself: This is the original purpose of our lives. And God is defined as love (1 John 4:16)… Our identity rests in God’s relentless tenderness for us revealed in Jesus Christ.” –  Brennan Manning, Abba’s Child (Colorado Springs: NavPress, 2015), 34-35.
  • Who are you? A child of God who is loved and redeemed or a stranger at arm’s length?

Final Thoughts

This was a run-of-the-mill message on the shorter side that was right under 25 minutes. Like usual when you’re down volunteers and leaders, there’s lots of tech issues. The sound was bad. The set-up was stressful. Being short-staffed is always a race against time to make sure everything is set-up just well enough to keep the ship sailing.

But what I remember most now almost a year later is my baby girl sleeping on my shoulder before worship, which was emotional. I cried during worship and just took in the moment before I went up to teach. Not only was the cute and tender moment with my daughter enough to cry, but I think it was a way to calm my nerves from the morning set-up stress. Shane snapped this pic and texted it to me after service, so it made it even better because I had no idea he did that but I’m glad he did. It’s one of my favorite father-daughter moments captured.

Like last week, I continued hovering at each table instead of sticking to one Table Talk group. I don’t always do this, but when there’s enough leaders I prefer it. I get a lot of FOMO when I miss out on a good conversation at church. It was a good message that continued our trek through Shawn Reinsel’s Simple Grace book. With that, Godspeed and Jesus bless.

Simple Grace: Sanctification | 7-13-2025

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Photo Cred: (1) | Updated: 5/4/2026

Sermon Prep

This was an insanely busy summer for our church given roughly 12 people were leaving for our Taiwan mission trip in July and that meant a lot was riding on those who stayed behind which included me. This time in particular was mostly leaders or faithful laity which left me with a couple core leaders to steer the ship for a few weeks. To take the pressure off of everyone, I volunteered to teach 3 weeks in a row and that was rough since work wasn’t slowing down either. In fact, it was my best month to date in the new role but the workload was a lot.

But before those 3 weeks in a row started, I began mapping out how to approach these sermons at the beginning of the month. I treated it as a trilogy since there seemed to be a through-line in the messages I was covering that spanned the spiritual journey. This one focused on sanctification, the next one justification, and then lastly glorification. That birds eye view helped me approach each message and tackle them one-by-one. We were also doing the sermon series through the Simple Grace book by Shawn Reinsel again so that familiarity was super useful too.

In hindsight, I don’t think my teaching thrives when I go back-to-back weeks, unless the series or section of scripture demands more attention. In this case the through-line made sense, but it revealed to me that I do my best preaching as a complimentary and occasional voice in our church. Not as someone who leads our church in God’s word and teaches on a weekly basis like most pastors do at most churches. I think I’m more in-line with a guest teacher or a leading a catechism/Sunday School. Anyways, here’s the YouTube recording and the notes for this message:

Sermon Notes

Opening Prayer

  • Father God, lead us this morning as we search the scriptures. Thank you for your Son whose sacrifice is our salvation. Would you speak through me, in spite of me, and beyond me. May you, Holy Spirit, dwell within us as you teach us today. Amen.

Intro

  • Story of defeating the Blazing Inferno Spider Mech in MechAssault 2: Lone Wolf.

“Grace is the free, unearned and undeserved favor of God given through Jesus Christ that pardons sin, empowers righteousness, restores relationships, and transforms the entire person. A divine gift and an active presence that renews the soul.” – Andrew Morrison, Reunion Church

Main Point

  • Sanctification is the ongoing process of the Holy Spirit shaping the soul to be like Christ. 
  • The Spirit empowers spiritual growth by his grace alone through faith and good works.

Grace and Sanctification | Galatians 3:1-5 + Galatians 5:7-8, 16-25 (NRSVue)

“[1] You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? It was before your eyes that Jesus Christ was publicly exhibited as crucified! [2] The only thing I want to learn from you is this: Did you receive the Spirit by doing the works of the law or by believing what you heard? [3] Are you so foolish? Having started with the Spirit, are you now ending with the flesh? [4] Did you experience so much for nothing?—if it really was for nothing. [5] Well then, does God supply you with the Spirit and work miracles among you by you doing the works of the law or by you believing what you heard?”

  • Paul was correcting the churches of Galatia who fell into legalistic works without faith.
    • Judaizers in Galatia taught that Christian growth required the Mosaic law.
    • Paul said “if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died for nothing.” – Galatians 2:21b (NRSVue)
      • See Romans 8:1-4 and 2 Thessalonians 2:13 for more.

“[7] You were running well; who prevented you from obeying the truth? [8] Such persuasion does not come from the one who calls you… [16] Live by the Spirit, I say, and do not gratify the desires of the flesh. [17] For what the flesh desires is opposed to the Spirit, and what the Spirit desires is opposed to the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to prevent you from doing what you want. [18] But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not subject to the law. [19] Now the works of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, debauchery, [20] idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, anger, quarrels, dissensions, factions, [21] envy, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these. I am warning you, as I warned you before: those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. [22] By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, [23] gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things. [24] And those who belong to Christ have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. [25] If we live by the Spirit, let us also be guided by the Spirit.”

  • The Galatians began to receive God’s grace through faith which inspired good works.
    • Over time, they fell into the lie that it was their good works that saved them.
      • Putting the cart before the horse thinking what enslaves them saves.
        • The Mosaic law doesn’t deliver us from sin, but damns us.
    • The law pressures us to perform, while grace produces good works organically.

“[14] What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but does not have works? Surely that faith cannot save, can it? [15] If a brother or sister is naked and lacks daily food [16] and one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and eat your fill,” and yet you do not supply their bodily needs, what is the good of that?… [26] For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is also dead.” –  James 2:14-16, 26 (NRSVue)

  • Our good works are a natural result of our cooperation with God’s grace as we trust him.

Why It Matters

  • Sanctification isn’t powered by our efforts, but by the Spirit who empowers our growth.
    • God’s grace doesn’t just save us from sin, but molds us to be more like him.

“[21] “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven. [22] On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ [23] Then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; go away from me, you who behave lawlessly.’” –  Matthew 7:21-23 (NRSVue)

  • We’re children of God (justification), but overtime we become more godly (sanctification). Just as we go from infants to adults, sanctification operates the same.

Power Text

“[11] For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all, [12] training us to renounce impiety and worldly passions and in the present age to live lives that are self-controlled, upright, and godly, [13] while we wait for the blessed hope and the manifestation of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. [14] He it is who gave himself for us that he might redeem us from all iniquity and purify for himself a people of his own who are zealous for good deeds.” –  Titus 2:11-14 (NRSVue)

  • Christianity is relational, not ritualistic. There’s no formula. We just humbly trust God.
    • St Anthony the Great puts it best: “The truly intelligent man pursues one sole objective: to obey and to conform to the God of all… For knowledge of God and faith in Him is the salvation and perfection of the soul.” – “On the Character of Men and on the Virtuous Life,” in The Philokalia: The Complete Text, vol. 1, trans. G.E.H. Palmer, Philip Sherrard, and Kallistos Ware (London: Faber and Faber, 1979), 329.

Outro

  • Sanctification is the spiritual journey where we learn to not achieve, but abide in Jesus.
    • Justification is the beginning, glorification is the end, and sanctification is the path to get from one point to the other. The dotted line between A and B.
  • Like the Galatians, we get distracted and forget that grace got us here in the first place.

Your Sanctification Story

Who was I in 2017?Who am I in 2025?Who will I be in 2032?
20yrs old
Sin: alcohol, porn
PMCC, then LifeGate
Volunteer
Single, nokids
Anabaptist
Deconstructing faith
Content creator
Learned apologetics
Aurora, Colorado		28yrs old
Sin: anger, lying
Reunion Church
Pastor
Married, 1yr old baby
Protestant???
Reconstructing faith
SaaS sales
Learning history
Reunion, Colorado		36yrs old
Sin: pride, workaholic
New Church or RC???
Pastor???
Married, 1-4 kids
New convention???
Deconstructing faith
PT writer; SaaS sales?
Learn Greek/Hebrew
New place or state???
  • What’s your sanctification story? Where has God’s grace guided you?

Final Thoughts

After my first of three messages, the reception was surprisingly excellent and some people were saying it was my best message yet which is always encouraging. In my opinion, we also had some of the best Table Talks in our church’s history. What especially stood out was the sanctification story activity with a lot of people saying they loved it.

Great response overall. Even with what felt like half of the church was on the Taiwan trip, those who remained had a great Sunday service. Of the three messages in this trilogy, this was by far and away the best from my perspective and the congregation’s perspective. With that, Godspeed and Jesus bless.

1 Corinthians: Live Free, Diet Hard | 3-30-2025

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Updated: 4/30/2026

Sermon Prep

Coming off the heels of the last message, I was very intentional in my prep to shorten my sermons moving forward. To avoid getting lost in the sauce and keep the main thing the main thing. So when it came time to preach this message, I gave myself some unwritten rules. First, I used to allow my sermons to extend beyond 3 pages to fit whatever the topic was for that message, yet with this one I intentionally kept it to strictly 3 pages. I also limited myself to 1 quote from someone outside of the Bible and also cut down on the biblical cross references too.

To this day, I still follow these unwritten rules when teaching and so much so that I have it down to a science. For instance, I know that for every page of written text in my notes, that’s about 10 minutes of preaching material. I use the exact same sermon framework every single time which our teaching team calls the Reunion Standard. I think this has helped me more accurately measure the failure or success or a sermon versus before I taught at Reunion Church when I would loosely follow a 3-point public speaking structure I learned in college from my Public Speaking class.

Lastly, between this message and the last one we were finalizing moving out of my in-laws place and for the first time having our own space as a family. Our baby girl was almost 6 months and God orchestrated this beautiful new place for us to live once I finally decided to be open to renting again. Weird how when we humble ourselves, God almost always has something for us. Either way, here’s the YouTube recording and the notes for this message below:

Sermon Notes

Opening Line

  • PMCC Thrive small group with Adam, Elijah, and Jeanette.

Intro

  • Learned the importance of loving others in spite of knowledgeable differences.

Main Point

  • A conviction is a moral belief and personal preference with spiritual significance.
    • EX: drinking, fast food, movies, music, politics, religion, smoking; social media.
  • The convictions of your faith matter, but unity among Christians matters more.

Live Free, Diet Hard | 1 Corinthians 8 (NRSVue)

“[1] Now concerning food sacrificed to idols: we know that “all of us possess knowledge.” Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. [2] Anyone who claims to know something does not yet have the necessary knowledge, [3] but anyone who loves God is known by him. [4] Hence, as to the eating of food offered to idols, we know that “no idol in the world really exists” and that “there is no God but one.” [5] Indeed, even though there may be so-called gods in heaven or on earth—as in fact there are many gods and many lords— [6] yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist. [7]  It is not everyone, however, who has this knowledge. Since some have become so accustomed to idols until now, they still think of the food they eat as food offered to an idol, and their conscience, being weak, is defiled. [8] “Food will not bring us close to God.” We are no worse off if we do not eat and no better off if we do. [9] But take care that this liberty of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. [10] For if others see you, who possess knowledge, eating in the temple of an idol, might they not, since their conscience is weak, be encouraged to the point of eating food sacrificed to idols? [11] So by your knowledge the weak brother or sister for whom Christ died is destroyed. [12] But when you thus sin against brothers and sisters and wound their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. [13] Therefore, if food is a cause of their falling, I will never again eat meat, so that I may not cause one of them to fall.”

  • Food in this context wasn’t just a meal, but was often sacrificed to idols and pagan gods.
    • Civic, religious, and social gatherings were all connected in Corinthian culture.
      • Business, networking, politics, and religion were one and the same.
      • Feasts or parties were where you wanted to be seen, where you would make business deals with patrons, and even socialize with friends.
      • A patron was someone who helped clients financially and legally by way of their influence, power, and wealth. Clients had to prove their loyalty. 
  • Some knew it’s just food, but not all so love vs belittling them (1 Corinthians 8:1).
    • God knows all things, so there’s no need to be a know-it-all to weaker believers.
      • Don’t just know about God, but be known by him and remain in him.
  • In verses 1, 4, and 8 Paul uses Corinthian slogans to explain his argument.
    • Verse 4 combines one of these slogans and Scripture (i.e. Deuteronomy 6:4).
  • Early Christian Creed (1 Corinthians 8:6)
    • A creed is the rule of faith and the symbol of faith. This means a creed is both a set of beliefs affirmed aloud and an outward action that brings us together.
      • A modern example would be singing worship songs out loud at church.
  • The phrase “is destroyed” can be translated as “destroys himself,” which is an indirect middle implying that weaker Christians bear some responsibility (1 Corinthians 8:11).
    • If a weaker Christian struggles with alcohol, then why are they at a bar?
    • Read Proverbs 7:7-9 (NRSVue)

“[7] and I saw among the simple ones, I observed among the youths, a young man without sense, [8] passing along the street near her corner, taking the road to her house [9] in the twilight, in the evening, at the time of night and darkness.”

Why It Matters

  • Their conscience matters more than your convenience, so use wisdom with convictions.
  • Sacrificing freedoms can save faith for weaker Christians. It’s us for them, not versus.

Power Text

  • Read Romans 14:1-3, 15-21 (NRSVue)

“[1] Welcome those who are weak in faith but not for the purpose of quarreling over opinions. [2] Some believe in eating anything, while the weak eat only vegetables. [3] Those who eat must not despise those who abstain, and those who abstain must not pass judgment on those who eat, for God has welcomed them… [15] If your brother or sister is distressed by what you eat, you are no longer walking in love. Do not let what you eat cause the ruin of one for whom Christ died. [16] So do not let your good be slandered. [17] For the kingdom of God is not food and drink but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. [18] The one who serves Christ in this way is acceptable to God and has human approval. [19] Let us then pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding. [20] Do not, for the sake of food, destroy the work of God. Everything is indeed clean, but it is wrong to make someone stumble by what you eat; [21] it is good not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything that makes your brother or sister stumble.”

  • The strong-minded believed that those who thought they needed to observe food laws were weak-minded and looked down upon them as inferior for lacking knowledge.
  • There’s more to life than convictions, so build up the Christian who may be struggling.

Outro

  • Read Ephesians 4:1b-6 (NRSVue)

“[1] I… beg you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, [2] with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, [3] making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace: [4] there is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling, [5] one Lord, one faith, one baptism, [6] one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all.”

  • Let love guide your public decisions when exercising your convictions and rights.

“embrace a mutual unity in things necessary; in things non necessary liberty; in all things charity.” – Marco’ Antonio de Dominis, Archbishop of Spalato, Croatia

Final Thoughts

In retrospect, the changes I implemented in my sermon prep turned out great. The message flowed well and the congregation resonated with it too. Although I did have a major blunder by mispronouncing Shema as schema which was corrected later that day by my father-in-law Kenny. He knows a lot more Hebrew then I do and my notes just autocorrected the word and I didn’t catch it, so that was embarrassing.

It also was a huge benefit to this message in particular that I had recently finished the chapter of my book on convictions, so I was very versed in this topic. Overall, it was received well and the Table Talks were good. With that, Godspeed and Jesus bless.

2 Samuel: Bathsheba and Uriah | 10-13-2024

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Updated: 11/13/2024

Sermon Prep

I’ve never prepped for a sermon as much as I did for this latest message. Last one before taking a break and focusing on family bonding while on paternity leave. I really sunk my theological teeth into this final sermon of 2024. Not only did I prep over a month for this, but also studied so much that there were several key things left out. Here’s a few of the leftovers that didn’t make the cut, but not everything:

  • Could or did Bathsheba consent to sex?
    • Consent is a modern construct, so ANE people didn’t think that way.
    • What the king commanded was law (i.e. Nebuchadnezzar II in Daniel 1-4).
    • We need to be trauma-informed on tough topics for the needs of the neighborhood.
  • Does Uriah know that David slept with Bathsheba?
    • David’s guards who took Bathsheba could’ve known (2 Samuel 11:4, 9).
    • Uriah was by the gates where those very guards may have stood watch.
  • Is Uriah knowingly trying to shame David by not going home?
    • Uriah would’ve had to stone Bathsheba because of the Law.
    • Said no to king’s command and brings up sleeping with his wife, not David (2 Samuel 11:8-13).
  • After this worst episode, David named one of his sons in honor of Nathan (1 Chronicles 3:5).
    • This fact implies either friendship with or even respect for Nathan.

This was one of the few messages where I asked for a lot of feedback. A lot of deliberation on my part on what to include and what to shy away from. Given the sensitivity and the grey areas involved with this subject, we as a leadership team decided to just keep the main thing the main thing. David sinned and there’s a right way to repent.

Since we break off into small groups and sometimes with total strangers immediately after our messages, we’re very careful what we do teach about. Given that, it’d be unwise to let loose untrained leaders to guide groups focused on these sensitive subjects. There’s nothing worse then having someone unequipped address issues without the care and gentleness required to do so. Now here’s the notes I did use and the recorded message for this sermon.

Sermon Notes

Opening Line

  • Grew up watching whodunit detective dramas with my Mom (i.e Midsomer Murders).

Intro

  • Today we’re going to learn about a howcatchem → see crime, then solve the case.

Main Point

  • David’s worst episode is written as a minimal facts approach (i.e. the Corinthian Creed).
  • Sin has collateral consequences on others, but there’s a right way to correct the damage.

A King’s Crime

  • Read 2 Samuel 11:1-27a.
  • David should’ve been at war, but disobeyed and stayed home (2 Samuel 11:1, 12:26-32).
  • Bathsheba was either bathing at home or publicly at the Siloam Pool (2 Samuel 11:2).
    • Never told she’s naked or on the roof. Bathing at dusk/sunset was modest in ANE.
      • Too hot to bathe during the day; people walking by can’t see her.
  • Uriah was of the 30 mighty men and became an Israelite convert (2 Samuel 11:4, 23:39).
    • Eliam was also of the 30 mighty men; Uriah’s from Anatolia (Syria/Turkey).
  • He was loyal, so Uriah wouldn’t abandon Israel in their hour of need (2 Samuel 11:9-13).
    • Great display of covenant love for the king and the nation at large (2 Samuel 5:1).
  • Uriah unknowingly was the messenger of his own death sentence (2 Samuel 11:14-17).
    • He and a group of soldiers were unnecessarily slaughtered to cover up sin.

A King’s Correction

  • Read 2 Samuel 11:27b-12:23.
  • bat (בַּת) is daughter and also the beginning of Bathsheba’s name (2 Samuel 11:3, 12:3).
  • Nathan waited years for God’s timing before approaching David about his sin.
    • “Once we prayerfully determine the right thing to do, we must still contemplate the right way to do it (240).” – Zack Eswine, Sensing Jesus
    • Nathan’s story and Bathsheba’s lament shows she loved Uriah (2 Samuel 12:1-4).
  • Absalom’s coup in David’s latter reign is prophesied here (2 Samuel 12:10-12, 16:22).
  • David had true repentance as he pleaded for God’s grace (2 Samuel 12:16-18, Psalm 51).
    • Accepted God’s will, even when he didn’t get his way (2 Samuel 12:20-23).

Why It Matters

  • David’s sin had collateral consequences: a wife was taken, a husband murdered, soldiers slaughtered, and a newborn died. In all, God was dishonored by David’s disobedience.
  • “David was self-deceived. Your greatest flaws, the habits of the heart that are killing you the most by definition, are the ones you don’t see.” – Timothy Keller, The Sinner Sermon
  • When we don’t repent, we deceive ourselves into thinking everything is under control.

Power Text

  • Read Psalm 51:1-11, 16-17.
  • Repentance is the changing of your ways and your will (i.e. body + soul → Acts 26:20b).

Outro

  • Read 1 John 1:6-10.
  • It’s better to examine yourself and confess your sin, then to get caught and exposed.
  • Repentance is the first step to being redeemed, restored, and reunited to God.

Final Thoughts

This was not only one of my greatest messages, but also one of my more technical in the precision that I said things as well. For context, we know people who have similar things to David in our community and we also know people who’s stories are related to Bathsheba or Uriah’s situation too. It’s a brutal balancing act to acknowledge the depravity of sin and that there’s hope for those who repent.

There’s no easy way to do both simultaneously, especially to a large public audience. That’s where trusting the Holy Spirit to provide exactly what to say is so important. It’s his word and I’m just a vessel to communicate his message. In this case, I think the message was clear and resonated with our congregation. With that, Godspeed and Jesus bless.

Philippians: I Can’t Do All Things | 7-3-2022

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Photo Cred: (1) | Updated: 5/26/2023

Sermon Prep

Last time I mentioned that life was so busy leading up to my wedding that I had only journaled twice in-between sermons. Well since late-June of 2022 up until the day of this sermon, I journaled nothing. I was doing the final weeks of prep before my USS Nationals show on June 25th in New Hampshire and that last minute training ate up a good chunk of my time. Of course the upcoming wedding ate up the rest, so with the little time post-competition I penned this message.

My final placing was 2nd to last for that show. I beat one guy in the Open Men MW (198-) class and gave arguably my worst Strongman performance ever in competition zeroing 3 of the 5 events. It was quite the dud of a showing on my part and I wasn’t even in very good shape. I showed up weighing 13lbs underweight with an incredibly lackluster strength physique going into my toughest show ever and yet I loved it.

My then-fiancée, Glory, traveled and supported me there. Which made the competition more about enjoying the show than just trying to win it. This experience in retrospect I think had a strong effect on this message in that I truly can’t do all things. I can’t win everything I try and I can’t do everything on my own, but we’ll get to why in the notes section. Speaking of which, here were the notes for this sermon:

Sermon Notes

Opening Line

  • Tonight, we’ll be in Philippians 4:10-23.
  • What should be our mindset on giving/receiving?

Intro

  • Read Philippians 4:10-23.
  • Mom’s mental breakdown grieving Grandma Rachel.

Transition To Main Point

  • To express gratitude to God for us all supporting each other, while also carefully highlighting some important Christian aspects of giving and receiving.

Main Point

Six Themes on Gifting (4:10-20)

  • Gratitude (4:10) -> “I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have received your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but had no opportunity.”
  • Contentment (4:11-13) -> “Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”
  • Partnership (4:14-16) -> “Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble. And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only. Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again.”
  • Fruitfulness (4:17) -> “Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit.”
  • Worship (4:18) -> “I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God.”
  • Faith (4:19-20) -> “And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.”

Goodbye For Now (4:21-23)

  • “Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me greet you. All the saints greet you, especially those of Caesar’s household. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.”

Why It Matters

  • Gratitude + Contentment (materials needs)
  • Partnership + Fruitfulness (social needs)
  • Worship + Faith (spiritual needs)

Explain the 1st + 2nd Mountain Concept

“All their lives they’ve been taking economics classes or living in a culture that teaches that human beings pursue self-interest-money, power, fame. But suddenly they are not interested in what other people tell them to want… The world tells them to be a good consumer, but they want to be the one consumed-by a moral cause. The world tells them to want independence, but they want interdependence-to be enmeshed in a web of warm relationships. The world tells them to want individual freedom, but they want intimacy, responsibility, and commitment. The world wants them to climb the ladder and pursue success, but they want to be a person for others… They’ve gone from self-centered to other-centered.”

David Brooks, The Second Mountain
  • The Christian life is other-centered, not self-centered. We die to self to help someone else. It’s a giving mindset.
  • Give to your neighbors, the church, your community, and even people you hate.
  • I can’t do all things, therefore God gives. You can’t do all things, likewise God gives. In all things, be giving to others as God has given to you.

Final Thoughts

As you can tell, I was reading The Second Mountain by David Brooks during the summer of 2022 and started reading it in New Hampshire during USS Nationals. It had a big impact on me and especially this message I shared with Reunion Church. If there’s one thing you can extract from my life, I’m not afraid to leverage the culture for the sake of Christ.

Call it more of a Pauline approach to be culture-centered than say Peter who was incredibly church-centered. Both have their merits and all Christians take after either one or the other. I just prefer using the culture of my time to communicate Christ to all people. With that said, Godspeed and Jesus bless.

Footnotes

  1. https://www.pexels.com/

Philippians: A Prayer for the People | 4-10-2022

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Photo Cred: (1) | Updated: 1/12/2023

Sermon Prep

This was Reunion Church‘s real first foray into preaching through a book in the Bible. As this is our teaching pastor’s favorite epistle from Paul and a more inspiring book, it was the perfect book for us to start in Philippians. It was also our first-time basing our sermons around the outlines in a Bible commentary, which took a minute for me to be completely sold on it. I just had a hard time at first preaching a sermon I felt like someone else already did, but I got over it once this series got going.

What also stands out from this sermon timeframe in particular is I was just past one month of dating my now-wife Glory and man was I in love. I tried to look back and see if I journaled anything during this period of time, but found nothing. I was living in the moment and really didn’t make time to journal at all because I just had her on my mind all the time.

What’s also interesting was that I knew I wanted to marry her way early on into the relationship. So as Resurrection Sunday was fast approaching, which is the day I did propose I was just dying to ask her to marry me every moment we were together. I had a plan to propose at 3 months of dating on June 4th and started ring shopping, but yeah I couldn’t wait. I proposed with no ring and all the hope in the world that she would say yes, which of course she did.

But before any of that happened and before that life-changing day just one week later, I preached this sermon on a simple Sunday. Not knowing what was next or that my life would change forever in a week. We were just living and loving every moment together with the joy of the Lord. So on that simple Sunday, here’s what I shared:

Sermon Notes

Opening Line

  • As we continue Philippians, turn to 1:9-11.
  • What should be our mindset long-term?

Intro

  • Pray Philippians 1:9-11 over Reunion Church.
  • Intercede = to go between the needs of others.
  • Story of [close friend] at court.

Transition To Main Point

  • Paul’s Prayer is a trio: petition, purpose; praise.
  • Philippians 1:9, 1:10-11a, 1:11b

Main Point

To Petition: “And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment”

Philippians 1:9
  • Knowledge of God leads to limitless love.
  • Love is active, not static. Unending.
  • Love in action is informed + understanding.
  • Know what’s right, then know what’s best.

To Purpose: “so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ”

Philippians 1:10-11a
  • Test everything to find what’s better, then what’s best (1:10a).
  • Jesus’ return in the future defines how we prepare ourselves in the now (1:10b).
  • Jesus returning is a moment we joyfully anticipate (1:10c).
  • Since we’re right with God, we should live rightly (1:11a).

To Praise: “to the glory and praise of God.”

Philippians 1:11b
  • To honor God is our highest aim.
  • Our end goal is to extol God, which means to upwardly raise his name.

Why It Matters

  • Our mindset determines our measures for loving people. With the right loving mindset, methods + motives become clearly defined.
  • Intercede for the sake of others in your care. Pray for people you know to carry on in faith.
  • Change your perspective. How are you producing a right life? Is a good life just about you?
  • Your impact is etched into the fabric of eternity. In knowing the big picture, life isn’t puzzling.
  • Life is a collective pursuit. A mass migration towards meaning. Worship God in the joy of every earthly thing.
  • We’re united in life together no matter how you split us up.

Final Thoughts

As I look back at this message 9 months after the fact, it’s strange which things stand out to me. I remember really only the intro and outro, which I think resonated well with the audience. I sort of brought the house down in my close and open with a very personal story of interceding for a close friend who I’m omitting given it was a child-custody battle in court. It’s their business, not ours so I reserve that right to protect their privacy.

I think the layout of the structure was good from a verse-by-verse approach and I distinctly remember that I felt brilliant for my last few lines of my outro. I love when I can pack-a-punch verbally in saying something super short, but incredibly powerful. That level of word efficiency is what I aspire for in anything I write. To hear more thoughts on this one, check out the Reunion Church podcast episode where Andrew and I talk all about it. With that said, Godspeed and Jesus bless.

Footnotes

  1. https://www.pexels.com/

Reunion Values: We Train and Send Out Excellent Leaders | 3-6-2022

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Photo Cred: (1) | Updated: 9/3/2022

Sermon Prep

In early March, I was flying on a kite. I just had my first date on the 4th with my future wife. I had been recently promoted at work. I’ve never felt more fit in the gym training for USS Nationals, which was a Strongman show in June. Nothing could be better.

That positivity and sense of peace really poured into everything I did. Especially here with this sermon. It was a less personal teaching and more knowledgeable about the discipleship process we do at Reunion Church. Not necessarily the most invigorating, pulse-pounding message yet one that’s needed to balance those ones out too.

I can’t recall the prep all that much given I was feeling so good. All I could think about was my girlfriend. So this prep felt like a breeze and went well. Anyways, here’s my notes from that message:

Sermon Notes

Opening

  • Reunion Values -> the why behind the what
  • Tonight, we’ll continue w/ Value 6.

Intro

  • What is an excellent leader?
  • Like who? Any examples?
  • Cory teaching creative content role:
  1. He selected me based on potential
  2. He schooled me in his own process
  3. He sent me out to make it on my own

Transition To Main Point

  • Jesus trains and sends out excellent leaders. To create legacy is to build leaders.
  • His Leadership Process:
  1. Chose Peter (Luke 5:1-11)
  2. Chose the 12 (Luke 6:12-16)
  3. Sent the 12 (Luke 9:1-6)
  4. Sent the 70 (Luke 10:1-3)

“[Jesus] had started his ministry by exposing some curious converts to the nature of ministry. This was the four-month come and see period. It was followed by the ten-month come and follow me training period, when those curious converts became established disciples. The third phase of training, come and be with me, was a twenty-month segment when those established disciples were transformed into equipped laborers.“

Bill Hull,  Jesus Christ, Disciplemaker (P. 198-199)

Main Point

  • Like Jesus exemplified, we too must train and send out excellent leaders.
  • Why? Because life with God is a shared experience, not selfish enlightenment.
  • Jesus led his disciples, so that they could eventually lead their own.
  • How? Be led by a personal teacher and then lead a teachable person. That’s it.

Why It Matters

  • Jesus led personally and leads us to persons who need his care.
  • He could do everything himself, but he invites us into the process (i.e. Adam, Moses; Jonah).
  • Don’t just call for change, be the change.

Final Thoughts

For some reason, I remember more about the success of the small group that followed this sermon than the actual sermon. I loved learning under Hannah Morrison and how she navigates the small group setting. I hope she knows just how good she is at small groups and being a leader who can teach us.

As far as my preaching performance, it was good. Nothing extraordinary, yet that’s alright. Sometimes after the last one being deeply touching, the next doesn’t need to be that way.

We’re not here to play heartstrings, but submit to God’s word for us today. I’m just the translator in that process. With that, Godspeed and Jesus bless.

Footnotes

  1. https://www.pexels.com/

Reunion Values: We Want People to Belong Before They Believe | 3-13-2022

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Photo Cred: (1) | Updated: 9/3/2022

Sermon Prep

This of the 3 sermons I taught on Reunion Church‘s values, was the most difficult to pen. I really didn’t like that I couldn’t match theme and text. Meaning, I just couldn’t for some reason or another connect the two when the other sermons were so seamless. The pieces were present, but it still puzzled me.

Usually when a disconnect like that happens, it throws me off in the performance of preaching. If I don’t quite get it, neither will the audience. The orator has to understand first and I just didn’t give my self enough time. Preaching back-to-back weeks is tough, especially when you’re unsure of what the layout needs to look like. Either way, here’s the notes of what I ultimately shared:

Sermon Notes

Opening

  • Reunion Values -> the why behind the what
  • Tonight, we’ll end our series w/ Value 7

Intro

  • Where did you belong in high school?
  • Kyle Story
  1. Alone and sat by himself.
  2. Befriended him at lunch.
  3. Created belonging with his own group.
  4. Developed trust to share my faith.

Transition To Main Point

  • Like Kyle and I, Jesus created belonging before people believed.
  • Belonging changes hearts, belief cements the change.
  • Belonging is the group assurance that you can be your authentic self.

“From that city many of the Samaritans believed in him because of the word of the woman who testified, “He told me all things that I have done.” So when the Samaritans came to Jesus, they were asking him to stay with them; and he stayed there two days. Many more believed because of his word; and they were saying to the woman, “It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves and know that this one is indeed the savior of the world.”“

John 4:39-42

Main Point

  • Jesus invites us to belong before we believe.
  • Here at Reunion Church, we do the same.
  • We want all people to belong here, even before they believe in what we do here.

Why It Matters

  • A lot of church world is believe, then belong.
  • This is just putting the cart before the horse.

“Information and choice doesn’t transform a person. People transform based on where they find their identity.“

Jessie Cruickshank

Where you find your identity is where you belong. Where do you belong? Let’s pray.

Final Thoughts

I can be very critical of myself and my own work. In my heart, I know this isn’t the worst sermon in the world. It gets the job done. But I do obsess over how to craft the best message when I’m preparing and speaking.

When it’s not up to my high bar, I’m a little disappointed. Yet my performance isn’t why people tune in and hear the message in the first place. They need and desire God. I just need to step aside and allow that to happen. With that, Godspeed and Jesus bless.

Footnotes

  1. https://www.pexels.com/

Reunion Values: We Befriend and Uplift Those the Rest of the World Has Given Up On | 1-30-2022

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Photo Cred: (1) | Updated: 9/3/2022

Sermon Prep

Re-reading old journal entries of mine during this month, I was going through a lot. I was tired and exhausted from the pace of life. My mind was bogged down and muddled.

I had a well-earned promotion coming up at work. The end of the fiscal year was within 30 days, so I had my best month-to-date in January. Producing 3x my average sales performance, which was astounding but grueling.

I was trying the dating scene going back-and-forth on the various apps trying to find connection. It didn’t really work. A couple conversations, but nothing beyond that. I was also mustering the courage to ask out my now wife on a date, but wasn’t ready yet.

Ministry was tiring too. We had survived the holidays and were moving into the slow season of church. My body ached too from training for USS Nationals, which is one of the biggest Strongman shows of the year. All-in-all, I was worn out.

I remember that David Margosian was almost too sick to teach the first value in our sermon series (2), so I began prep for it. I think he had a cold or something. At the last second, he said he was good to go and taught but I had already worked some things out. I took those ideas and scattered them throughout this message and other messages in the series.

Ideas like “Church isn’t just 4 walls per se, but is with those we walk with day-to-day.” or even the simpler “Jesus always went after the willing, not the worthy.” There were a lot of interesting, but untapped concepts from those notes. I especially liked this one:

“The Kingdom of God is a people, not a place… Artificial growth is committees, but organic growth is communities… Too many of us are focused on ministries and not the mission of Jesus. We would rather have a comfortable life, instead of a life that crafts godly character.“

That was all from that incomplete sermon and more, but that’s how it goes sometimes. Focusing on this though, I really enjoyed the prep because it was similar to our first value as a church. So I took those previous concepts and tweaked them for our second church value, which is the one I taught on this night (3). Here’s what I actually taught and my notes for this sermon:

Sermon Notes

Opening

  • Reunion Values -> the why behind what we do
  • Tonight, we’ll continue w/ Value 2

Intro

  • Therapy day is the one time a month I engage with my feelings because I’m a robot.
  • Therapy -> First Memories
  • Jack (One-ear, Transformers, etc.)

Transition To Main Point

  • Everyone is an outsider somewhere, but not when we’re with God.
  • For every group that excludes, God’s always including you.
  • No matter where you go, you will always be a child of God.

“We are children, perhaps, at the very moment when we know that it is as children that God loves us- not because we have deserved his love and not in spite of our undeserving; not because we try and not because we recognize the futility of our trying; but simply because he has chosen to love us. We are children because he is our father… before we loved him, he loved us.“

Frederick Buechner, The Magnificent Defeat (P. 135)

Matthew 9:36-38 (ESV) + Mark 10:13-16 [small groups]

“When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”“

Matthew 9:36-38

Main Point

  • 2nd Value = We befriend and uplift those the rest of the world has given up on.
  • Jesus befriends and uplifts outsiders that the world gave up. We dare to care for those outsiders.
  • Find the people that don’t belong anywhere and include them in your life somewhere.

Why It Matters

  • If Jesus in his greatest loving act brought you in when no one would, then the least you can do is befriend the lonely and uplift the unloved.
  • Jesus saw everyone and we need to see them too.

Transition Out

  • I’m thinking about a lot of friends who used to be alone, but I could go on-and-on about that.
  • Who can you befriend and uplift?
  • Find them and friend them.
  • This is what Jesus did and does.
  • Do likewise.

Final Thoughts

This was personal for me. I really believe in this value whether or not I’m apart of this local church. It means something. To be there for the destitute. The downtrodden. The outcast.

I think that conviction was conveyed in the delivery of this sermon. I recall the emotions I felt from the audience in the room. They had a visceral connection to the message I believe because of God’s great love for them. Shining through every letter of this sermon.

I hope they still know they’re loved. I know I need the reminder every now and again. To hear more thoughts, check out the Reunion Church podcast episode where Andrew and I talk about this message. With that, Godspeed and Jesus bless.

Footnotes

  1. https://www.pexels.com/
  2. https://youtu.be/H-wNCQScPws