August Sermon Archive
Sunday Summary
. Here's a quick summary of Rev. Macon's August sermons.
August 27, 2017
The Pathway to Abundance
Philippians 4:10-13 (NIV)
10I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. 11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
It seems like we talk about Paul a lot at HGOP Church, and we do because his message is so important! In the above scripture, Paul is telling us how he's been through trials and tribulations, but whatever state he's in, he knows he can make it through. We, as Christians, have to rejoice, like Paul, through our trials. It's part of God's process. I know, I know, you're probably thinking, "What!? These folks are crazy! How am I supposed to rejoice when I'm going through hell?" Well, last week, Rev. Macon gave us a playbook for just that. First, rejoice in your substance. As you're going through your trials, think of God's goodness, mercy and grace. Be thankful for what you've got and know that what you have comes from God's own hand. Second, rest in your situation. In verse 11, Paul tells us that he's learned to stop complaining about his state and has become content with any circumstance. Try it! Don't complain, but rejoice! See if you feel differently or if your outlook changes. A couple things here though. Don't confuse contentment and self-satisfaction. As people, once we get satisfied with ourselves, we have a tendency to put God on the back-burner. Additionally, remember that contentment IS self-surrender. This is not self-pity, but coming to the realization, you have someone to lean on during this trial. God's here for you! Third, realize your strength. Paul tells us that he can do all things through Christ. That, folks, is POWER! That verse gives us victory and reassures us we'll be okay because we are strong! We are powerful!
Remember, abundance is not name it and claim it. Paul is teaching us this secret path to abundance is found through learning, leaning on, knowing God. Not everyone will find this path throughout their lives because they haven't come to know or learn about God. Will you?
August 13, 2017
Would You Pass that Test?
Genesis 22:1-2 - (NIV)
1 Some time later God tested Abraham. He said to him, “Abraham!” “Here I am,” he replied. 2 Then God said, “Take your son, your only son, whom you love—Isaac—and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on a mountain I will show you.”
We take all kinds of tests throughout our life, right? In school we take basic skills tests, placements tests, driving tests, college tests - so many tests! Here's the thing, when God gives you a test, he know where you are. He's testing you so you know where you are. Everyone you know is just coming out of a test, going into a test, or headed towards a test. God tested Abraham. For years, Abraham and his wife, Sarah, believed in God's word that they would have a son named Isaac. They waited and waited and then waited some more! Then once God gave them the son, he tested Abraham by telling him to sacrifice that son he waited so long for! We live in a right now society, and when God says wait, we become discouraged. You can imagine how Abraham was feeling when God said wait and then wanted to take back the gift of Isaac. Take comfort in knowing however, that while we are waiting, God is working. He tested Abraham with the wait and the sacrifice and this situation applies to us today. How might you ask? Why did God test Abraham (and us) like that? Well, one, God sometimes needs to remind us how strong we are. Our tests make us stronger and more resilient. Think about Abraham and Sarah waiting all those years for Isaac. That takes strength! Two, God also has to test us to ensure that our gift has not become more important than the gift Giver, or God. We see this with Abraham. To be sure Abraham still puts God first, he asks him to sacrifice the son he waited so long for. Here's some encouragement. When you're going through your test, understand God hasn't left you and he already knows how the test is going to turn out. You are strong. Show him that you know are strong too and pass that test!
The Pathway to Abundance
Philippians 4:10-13 (NIV)
10I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. 11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
It seems like we talk about Paul a lot at HGOP Church, and we do because his message is so important! In the above scripture, Paul is telling us how he's been through trials and tribulations, but whatever state he's in, he knows he can make it through. We, as Christians, have to rejoice, like Paul, through our trials. It's part of God's process. I know, I know, you're probably thinking, "What!? These folks are crazy! How am I supposed to rejoice when I'm going through hell?" Well, last week, Rev. Macon gave us a playbook for just that. First, rejoice in your substance. As you're going through your trials, think of God's goodness, mercy and grace. Be thankful for what you've got and know that what you have comes from God's own hand. Second, rest in your situation. In verse 11, Paul tells us that he's learned to stop complaining about his state and has become content with any circumstance. Try it! Don't complain, but rejoice! See if you feel differently or if your outlook changes. A couple things here though. Don't confuse contentment and self-satisfaction. As people, once we get satisfied with ourselves, we have a tendency to put God on the back-burner. Additionally, remember that contentment IS self-surrender. This is not self-pity, but coming to the realization, you have someone to lean on during this trial. God's here for you! Third, realize your strength. Paul tells us that he can do all things through Christ. That, folks, is POWER! That verse gives us victory and reassures us we'll be okay because we are strong! We are powerful!
Remember, abundance is not name it and claim it. Paul is teaching us this secret path to abundance is found through learning, leaning on, knowing God. Not everyone will find this path throughout their lives because they haven't come to know or learn about God. Will you?
August 13, 2017
Would You Pass that Test?
Genesis 22:1-2 - (NIV)
1 Some time later God tested Abraham. He said to him, “Abraham!” “Here I am,” he replied. 2 Then God said, “Take your son, your only son, whom you love—Isaac—and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on a mountain I will show you.”
We take all kinds of tests throughout our life, right? In school we take basic skills tests, placements tests, driving tests, college tests - so many tests! Here's the thing, when God gives you a test, he know where you are. He's testing you so you know where you are. Everyone you know is just coming out of a test, going into a test, or headed towards a test. God tested Abraham. For years, Abraham and his wife, Sarah, believed in God's word that they would have a son named Isaac. They waited and waited and then waited some more! Then once God gave them the son, he tested Abraham by telling him to sacrifice that son he waited so long for! We live in a right now society, and when God says wait, we become discouraged. You can imagine how Abraham was feeling when God said wait and then wanted to take back the gift of Isaac. Take comfort in knowing however, that while we are waiting, God is working. He tested Abraham with the wait and the sacrifice and this situation applies to us today. How might you ask? Why did God test Abraham (and us) like that? Well, one, God sometimes needs to remind us how strong we are. Our tests make us stronger and more resilient. Think about Abraham and Sarah waiting all those years for Isaac. That takes strength! Two, God also has to test us to ensure that our gift has not become more important than the gift Giver, or God. We see this with Abraham. To be sure Abraham still puts God first, he asks him to sacrifice the son he waited so long for. Here's some encouragement. When you're going through your test, understand God hasn't left you and he already knows how the test is going to turn out. You are strong. Show him that you know are strong too and pass that test!