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Sermon Summary: This sermon concludes the "Bless" series, focusing on the final 'S' which stands for "Story." The message emphasizes the importance of sharing personal testimonies about how Jesus has transformed one's life. It addresses common reluctances to sharing faith stories and provides practical advice on how to prepare and deliver one's testimony effectively. The sermon underscores that sharing our stories is not about imposing beliefs but about offering hope and the good news of Jesus to others.

Key Points:

- Sharing your story is a crucial part of evangelism and loving your neighbor - Common excuses for not sharing include feeling unworthy, fear of imposing beliefs, and discomfort - A three-step model for sharing your story: life before Jesus, how you met Jesus, and life since meeting Jesus - The importance of living a life that aligns with your testimony - Preparation and practice are key to being ready to share your story - Prayer is essential in seeking opportunities to share your faith - The process of blessing others through your story may take time and patience

Scripture Reference: John 9:24-25 (The story of the blind man healed by Jesus) Romans 10:14 1 Peter 3:15

Sermon Summary:

This sermon explores the importance of kindness as a practical expression of God's love. It emphasizes how Christians are called to show kindness to others, just as God has shown kindness to us. The message encourages believers to be sensitive to the needs of others, respond spontaneously with acts of kindness, and be willing to sacrifice in order to serve others. The sermon ties this call to kindness to the broader theme of blessing others, using the acronym BLESS (Begin with prayer, Listen, Eat, Serve, Story).

Key Points:

Kindness is love in action, a language that the deaf can hear and the blind can see We should respond to people with sensitivity, recognizing that everyone is hurting in some way Acts of kindness should often be spontaneous, following the Holy Spirit's prompting True kindness involves sacrifice and may come at a personal cost We are all like Mephibosheth, crippled by sin, but invited to the King's table through Christ's kindness

Scripture Reference:

2 Samuel 9:1 - "David asked, 'Is there anyone still left of the house of Saul to whom I can show kindness for Jonathan's sake?'"

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Sermon Summary:

This sermon explores the concept of being blessed, broken, and given in the context of Christian living and evangelism. It emphasizes the importance of understanding our identity in Christ, overcoming personal brokenness, and using our lives to serve others. The speaker encourages listeners to move past excuses and embrace their calling to share meals and build relationships with others as a means of sharing the gospel.

Key Points:

Prayer is foundational to evangelism and should precede all other actions Meals were central to Jesus' ministry and can be powerful tools for connection We are blessed by God to recover our true identity and calling Our brokenness, when surrendered to Jesus, can become a source of beauty and purpose We are called to give our lives in service to others and for God's kingdom Overcoming excuses (physical, mental, calendar) to engage in relational evangelism The importance of remembering our identity in Christ before reaching out to others The concept of being "spent" for God's purposes rather than drained

Scripture Reference:

Luke 9:16-17 Luke 22:19 Luke 24:30 John 6:35 Philippians 2:17

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Sermon Summary: This sermon explores the importance of listening as part of the "BLESS" strategy for sharing the gospel. It emphasizes the need to listen first to God, then to others, and finally to our surroundings. The pastor stresses that a burning heart for God leads to a flaming tongue for evangelism and that intentional, compassionate listening is crucial for effective ministry and personal spiritual growth.

Key Points: Prayer is the foundation for all aspects of blessing others We must listen to God first before listening to others Listening to people involves understanding their hearts, not just their words We need to be aware of and listen to our community's needs and idols Intentional and compassionate listening is essential for showing Christ's love The goal of Christian life is not just to endure until heaven, but to participate in God's redemptive work

Scripture Reference: Proverbs 18:13 - "He who answers before listening, that is his folly and his shame."

We're challenged to embrace the second greatest commandment: loving our neighbors. The sermon series 'BLESS' unpacks five everyday ways we can love our neighbors and change the world. We're reminded that loving our neighbors isn't always easy, especially in our modern 'back deck' culture. However, by beginning with prayer, we can ask God to bless us indeed and enlarge our territory, just as Jabez did in 1 Chronicles 4:10. This isn't about material blessings, but about expanding our sphere of influence and opening our eyes to the opportunities around us. We're called to let our light shine, as Jesus teaches in Matthew 5:16, making a ripple effect that can impact eternity. This message challenges us to see that our 'someday' for making a difference is today, encouraging us to live intentionally and sacrificially for God's glory.

Key Points:

• Love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength, and love your neighbor as yourself
• Begin with prayer to ask God for blessings and increased influence
• Open your eyes to opportunities to love your neighbors that are already around you
• Make your life "ripple" for eternity by impacting others positively Intentionally and sacrificially love your neighbors to fulfill God's purpose for your life

Scripture Reference:

• Mark 12:30-31 (The two greatest commandments)
• 1 Chronicles 4:10 (The prayer of Jabez)

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Sermon Summary:

This sermon explores the concept of gluttony, expanding its definition beyond just food to encompass overindulgence in various aspects of life. The pastor emphasizes that gluttony is allowing our senses and desires to dictate our actions, rather than relying on God's wisdom and self-control. The message highlights the importance of having a plan to combat impulsiveness and understanding our true spiritual hunger, which can only be satisfied through a relationship with Jesus Christ. The sermon concludes with a powerful reminder of God's unconditional love and the transformative power of choosing Christ over our earthly cravings.

Key Points:

• Gluttony is not just about overeating but overindulging in any desire
• The "monster of more" constantly tempts us to want more than we need
• Gluttony involves letting our senses dictate our actions instead of seeking God's wisdom
• Having a plan is crucial to combat impulsive behavior and temptation
• True contentment comes from seeking something greater than personal satisfaction
• Jesus knew who He was dying for and loves us unconditionally despite our flaws
• God always provides a way out of temptation when we rely on Him

Scripture Reference:

• Genesis 25:29-34 (The story of Esau selling his birthright to Jacob for a bowl of stew)

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Sermon Summary:

This sermon addresses the human tendency to constantly compare ourselves to others, leading to envy and dissatisfaction. The speaker emphasizes that there is "no win in comparison" and encourages listeners to find contentment and peace by focusing on God's view of them rather than measuring themselves against others. The message highlights the futility of always seeking more and the importance of finding tranquility in what God has provided.

Key Points:

• Constant comparison to others leads to dissatisfaction and envy
• There is "no win in comparison" - it's meaningless and like chasing the wind
• Envy can lead to destructive behaviors and attitudes
• It's better to have "one handful with tranquility" than two handfuls with toil
• We should take our cue about ourselves from God, not from comparing to others
• Finding peace and acceptance in God's view of us is the path to contentment

Scripture Reference:

• Ecclesiastes 4:4-8 (primary focus)
• Proverbs 14:30 (supporting reference)

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Sermon Summary:

This sermon addresses the challenging topic of lust and sexual temptation, framing it as a spiritual battle that all Christians face. Pastor Jody emphasizes that God's warnings about sexual purity are not meant to deprive us of pleasure, but to protect us from harm and draw us closer to Him. Using the analogy of an airboat tour and the repeated warning to "keep your hands inside the boat," the sermon illustrates how God's commandments regarding sexual purity are meant to safeguard us from the dangers of lust, which is compared to alligators lurking in the water.

Key Points:

• Lust is a heart issue that begins in the mind before manifesting in actions
• Our culture complicates the battle against lust through constant sexual stimulation
• Lustful desires are impossible to fully satisfy and lead to a cycle of increasing hunger
• Uncontrolled lust ultimately leads to disaster in various aspects of life
• Practical steps to combat lust include monitoring your eyes, defantasizing myths about relationships, acknowledging the struggle, and guarding your relationships
• The importance of nurturing one's relationship with Jesus and, for married couples, working on their marriage
• Resisting temptation through the power of the Holy Spirit and focusing on God's truth

Scripture Reference:

• Matthew 5:27-30