Hey friends,

Here’s the sermon I preached yesterday.

It was ok, I’m no Mike Todd or Steve Furtick but I shared a simple message to my church that may encourage you.

Title: Remind, Warn and Encourage.

As a pastor of a wonderful church, it’s my job to often remind, warn and encourage the folks God has allowed me to minister to.

Big Idea:

* Remind: Apostle’s Creed and The Gospel

The Apostle’s Creed: We believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth. And in Jesus Christ, His only Son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried; He descended to the dead; the third day He rose again; He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty, and He will come again to judge the living and the dead. We believe in the Holy Spirit; one holy church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting.

Gospel:

Tim Keller describes the gospel...“The gospel is this: We are more sinful and flawed in ourselves than we ever dared believe, yet at the very same time we are more loved and accepted in Jesus Christ than we ever dared hope.”

 The simple gospel: (1) God made you and wants to have a relationship with you, (2) but your sin separates you from God. (3) Jesus took the punishment your sins deserved, (4) so if you repent from sins and trust in him for your salvation, you will be forgiven, justified, and accepted freely by grace, and indwelt with his Spirit until you die and go to heaven.

How do we live out this revelation in community? Thru the indwelling power of Christ thru the Holy Spirit

[Gal 2:20 NLT] 20 My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Paul’s central message was “Not I, but Christ” and “Christ in you, the hope of glory.”

* Warning

The woman caught in adultery (go and sin no more) and Zacchaeus (I will payback) were both challenged to change after an encounter with Jesus.

Who is influencing who?

B. Stewardship

In the game of life Stewardship is both a good defense and offense.

“living in light of eternity changes our priorities- Rick Warren

[Pro 21:20 NLT] 20 The wise have wealth and luxury, but fools spend whatever they get.

Financial pressure affects our marriage, health and quality of life.

I want to stay in my pastoral lane. Allow me to encourage to

Work unto the Lord

Work Smart and Hard: Learn the 10 commandments of working in a hostile environment by TD Jakes

Give a portion back to God. God blesses whatever you put him first in.

Keep a portion for yourself. Commit to saving money every time you make money.

Try to Live on 80-70 percent. Only fools spend everything they get.

* Encouragement

Your story is not over til it’s over and even then it’s not over

The Story of Leah:  [Gen 29:17, 30-35 NLT]

She went from feeling rejected, ugly, and unappreciated to giving birth to the pillars of Israel and to Judah who was a descendant of Yeshua ben Yosef the Messiah himself.

You may feel rejected but know your story is not over.

If this was the 4th best newsletter you ever read, the 26th best sermon you’ve heard and want to buy me coffee

https://www.buymeacoffee.com/BGpy6TM

* Consider any misspellings my gift to you. Bad Grammar is a feature not a bug.

If Cleo don’t trust you, I’m gonna…

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