Sermon Tone Analysis
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Introduction
[Slide - 2] *William Carey (Father of Modern Missionary Movement)
I. Attempt Great Thing For God + Expect Great Things From Him
Early Life
York, ME
Early Life
Grandmother Church
York, ME
First responded to the Gospel at a young age
Grandmother Church
Fully surrendered
A. Put God To The Test
First responded to the Gospel at a young age
Fully surrendered
Fully Surrendered + God-Given Desire to Pastor (July 2012)
[Slide - 3-4] I felt like Peter telling God if I could walk on water
Two meanings of “test”
[Slide - 5] Unacceptable kind of testing - Test God b/c one lacks faith
Israelites were in need and their immediate reaction was to grumble against God and fight with Moses (cf.
:3)
This showed a lack of trust in God to take care of them
[Slide - 6] Acceptable kind of testing - Test God b/c one has faith in Him
Only situation given in the Bible in which God tells His people to “test” Him
God invites Israel to test Him in tithes and offerings and see that He proves His faithfulness in response
I sought out that day to see whether “seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things” would really “be given unto me”
Transition: [Slide - 7] That meant that I had to...
The Israelites in Malachi’s day were invited to test God because they had faith in Him.
Answer: In the Bible, there are examples of both an acceptable and unacceptable kind of testing God.
It’s acceptable to “test” God in regard to tithes and offerings, for example, but unacceptable when the test is rooted in doubt.
This is the only situation given in the Bible in which God tells His people to “test” Him.
Interestingly, the Hebrew word used for “test” in this verse is bachan, which means “to examine, scrutinize, or prove (as in gold, persons, or the heart).”
Just as gold is “tested” with fire to prove its quality, God invites Israel to test Him in tithes and offerings and see that He proves His faithfulness in response.
B. Hold Nothing Back - I Had To Get Out Of The Boat
Going to PCC
18yrs.
old first time on a plane (Momma’s boy)
Homesick at school
You might say going to college and deciding not to transfer to a different school is not a follow Jesus’ or not decision.
For you it might not be, but for me it was.
PCC = Pastoral training + abandoning everything for Christ’s call on my life
Leaving = Saying “No” to God’s clear plan for my life
Going to a strict school taught me to say “Yes” to God
While there God gave me a “help-meet”, my wife Rachel (from York, ME + w/intertwined past)
Gave me an opportunity to get to do things I would never do otherwise
Taking position at Calvary Bible Church
Said “No” to free housing and Rachel guaranteed teaching position at PCC
Leaving West Campus
260 acres w/nearly 1/2 mile of waterfront property
Sailing, kayaking, etc.
Less than 30 minutes from the College, a little-known oasis on Perdido Bay awaits college students who are up for a Saturday adventure.
With 260 acres and nearly a half-mile of waterfront property, West Campus provides students with scenic views and a variety of land and water activities.
May before finals - Dr. Barnhart’s reaction in class
Wonderful 5-years at CBC + MVBC
Following God’s leading “home” to New England + Bethany
Felt Lord’s leading summer 2014
Gave resignation March 2015
Left end-of-June 2015 w/o a position
God has provided a position, home, proximity to family and friends
Transition: Now, if you know your Bible, Peter’s walking on water is not the end of the story, is it?
No, Peter began with great faith but he found himself scared of strong waves around him and lost faith in Christ.
[Slide - 8]
I too, during this journey, have doubted.
So how did I persevere, you might ask?
How did I continue?
How did I keep going in the face of strong opposition?
These questions led me to the next Biblical Principle that has guided me through life.
[Slide - 9] It’s a simply yet profound principle:
II.
Jesus Is Enough
The Church Became My Family
A. Jesus Didn’t Promise It Would Be Easy
[Slide - 10]
The cross was an instrument of shame and suffering (even death)
You might say going to college and deciding not to transfer to a different school is not a follow Jesus’ or not decision.
For you it might not be, but for me it was.
When Jesus said that the way to follow him was to take up our cross, he was telling me:
PCC = Pastoral training + abandoning everything for Christ’s call on my life
Leaving = Saying “No” to God’s clear plan for my life
To be willing (without murmuring, or God-criticism, or cowardice) to do whatever God has called me to do, all for your allegiance to him
Church friends became my family
During
[Slide - 5 Total] What would it signify if you were to take up your cross (not someone else’s)?
At least four things:
[Slide - 11] Endure voluntary hardship for Jesus!
Opposition: A cross was used to execute criminals who had the state of Rome in opposition to them.
Shame: This execution was reserved for the worst criminals, and the victim was usually naked on a cross for hours.
Suffering: This kind of execution was designed to prolong excruciating pain.
Death: The aim of crucifixion was death, not torture followed by release.
When Jesus said that the way to follow him was to take up our cross, he meant at least this:
Phil
To treasure Jesus more than we treasure human approval, honor, comfort, and life.
Be willing (without murmuring, or God-criticism, or cowardice) to be opposed, to be shamed, to suffer, and to die — all for your allegiance to him – endure voluntary hardship for Jesus!
treasure Jesus more than we treasure human approval, honor, comfort, and life.
To “take up your cross” meant to treasure Jesus more than we treasure human approval, honor, comfort, and life.
Our suffering is not a tribute to Jesus unless we endure it because we cherish Jesus.
We do right, we follow Jesus even when it’s hard and not in our “best interest” on the service
College + Seminary wasn’t easy
Calvary Bible Church was a challenging ministry
Moving up homeless was tough (Andrew’s comment - apartment)
Transition: And through these times Jesus has shown me over and over that He is “enough”
B. Jesus Promised That He Was Enough
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