Yo,
Here’s today’s sermon.
You can probably hear it in 10min in 1.25 speed. I preach short for a few reasons but one of the reasons is we have a sermon recap discussion where 2 or 3 members of my church board will share their takeaways.
Going the Extra Mile: The Necessity of Effort for Advancing God's Kingdom
Scriptures: [Mat 5:41 NLT] 41 If a soldier demands that you carry his gear for a mile, carry it two miles.
[Gal 6:7-9 ESV] 7 Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. 8 For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. 9 And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.
[Heb 6:10 ESV] 10 For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for his name in serving the saints, as you still do.
Building a great church requires great people who are willing to put forth great effort, intelligently handle inconvenience, and make sacrifices with a smile
the same principles that apply to building a great church can also be applied to building a great life. Effort, comfort in discomfort, and willingness to sacrifice are all important pillars to building a fulfilling life.
One thing I learned: Entropy. Gravity, Inertia, Resistance and Age is real
* "My dear, here we must run as fast as we can, just to stay in place. And if you wish to go anywhere you must run twice as fast as that." - Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland
* You have to get ahead just to stay even
* "Great effort springs naturally from great attitude." - Pat Riley
I. Effort:
Scripture: "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters" - Colossians 3:23
Quality is never an accident. It is always the result of intelligent effort.- John Ruskin
"The difference between try and triumph is just a little umph!" - Marvin Phillips
* About the only thing that comes to us without effort is old age. - Gloria Pitzer
Next Step: Reflect on your current level of effort in your service to God's Kingdom. How can you increase your effort?
Big Idea #2: Understanding Inconvenience
Scripture: "For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us." - Romans 8:18
An inconvenience is an unrecognized opportunity. - Confucius
God Inconvenience: Abraham and Moses in the OT
Jesus and Inconvenience: Fisherman’s Boat, Zacchaeus throw me a lit party, Blind man let me spit on your eyes and tell you to walk to a lake, Let me ask you to extend your messed up hand when you snuck into the temple, Watch Jesus tell pro fisherman how to fish, Watch Jesus walk with a man to heal his daughter then stop and heal another women, Watch the apostles go on their first mission journey then have to feed thousands.
Next Step: Identify an inconvenience you face in serving God's Kingdom. Pray for strength to endure and find joy in the opportunity to sacrifice for God.
Big Idea #3: Embracing Sacrifice
"Then Jesus said to his disciples, 'Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.'" - Matthew 16:24
Sacrifices were a pivotal part of Old Testament worship of God.
* The burnt offering.
* The grain offering.
* The peace offering.
* The sin offering.
* The trespass offering.
As living sacrifices, we are to imitate Christ and give our complete devotion to God (Matthew 22:37; Ephesians 5:1-2). We must freely offer our whole being to God (including our thoughts, will, heart and actions).
"Sacrifice is a part of life. It's supposed to be. It's not something to regret. It's something to aspire to." - Mitch Albom
We’re spiritually wired to sacrifice a part of our present for the future but the enemy has come and convinced everyone to sacrifice their future for the present.
Sacrifice is giving up something now to have a better tomorrow, debt is giving up a better tomorrow to have something now.
Sacrifice is giving up something to a higher principle. Saying, “It’s more important to me to pursue this higher aim than to enjoy what I have in the present.” That’s sacrifice
Next Step: Identify an area in which you can make a sacrifice for God's Kingdom. Pray for the courage to follow through and trust in God's provision.
Conclusion
"And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." - Colossians 3:17
"The difference between try and triumph is just a little umph!" - Marvin Phillips
Next Step: Commit to giving your best effort, embracing inconvenience and sacrifice, and trusting in God's provision and guidance as you serve His Kingdom.
Recap:
What is Effort?
Are you willing to be inconvenienced?
How can we learn to sacrifice with a smile?
If this sermon was a blessing and you feel led to buy me a cup of coffee or a new book
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/BGpy6TM
