July Sermon Archive
Sunday Summary
. Here's a quick summary of Rev. Macon's July sermons.
July 30, 2017
Challenge to the Church
Ephesians 4:1 - (NIV)
I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called.
This book is written by Paul and it's personal. The previous three chapters of Ephesians, Paul is telling us "why" the challenge has been given to the church, and chapter four starts the "how" to carryout this challenge. This challenge is personal. Paul uses the "I" and he's making the challenge to you. He's calling you! Paul wants us to come with him in this challenge and work together as God's called people. We are worthy of this challenge! Take note, Paul is a prisoner in a Roman jail at this time, but he identifies himself as a prisoner of the Lord. Paul wrote 14 books while he was imprisoned. What does this mean? Whatever binds you, prison, addiction, God can still use you, and when you've done God's work, he'll release you from your situation! Paul is telling us to walk worthy in our vocations. Each and everyone one of us has a calling on our lives. We are tasked with building God's kingdom by walking according to God's Word. You don't have to be a preacher, or perfect, or the best at scripture. God will use just like he used Paul. Be blessed!
July 23, 2017
The Assurances of the Secret Place
Psalms 27:1-5 - (NIV)
The Lord is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid? 2 When the wicked advance against me to devour me, it is my enemies and my foes who will stumble and fall. 3 Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then I will be confident. 4 One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple. 5 For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent and set me high upon a rock.
Did you know that Psalms reads like a diary of David and each one holds a powerful message from someone needing to be uplifted? This specific text offers us assurances of (1) personal guidance and (2) personal guardianship. Let's talk about personal guidance. If you notice in the above scripture, Rev Macon pointed out the "I/me" usage. We have to know God for ourselves and develop a personal relationship with Him. We have to go to God ask for help and remind him that due to our relationship, we have nothing to fear. He offers us guidance to continue on, bravely! Next is personal guardianship. Of course, there are times when we get afraid and doubt ourselves. Well, good news! The text above tells us that God offers us guardianship during these times. We have nothing to fear! In times of trouble, God will hide us in his pavilion, protecting and providing for us while we are there. This means that when enemies approach, they have to go through God first to even get to us because he's on guard.
July 16, 2017
How to Miss Jesus
Matthew 19:16-22 - (NIV)
16 Just then a man came up to Jesus and asked, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?” 17 “Why do you ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, keep the commandments.” 18 “Which ones?” he inquired. Jesus replied, “‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, 19 honor your father and mother,’[a] and ‘love your neighbor as yourself. 20 “All these I have kept,” the young man said. “What do I still lack?” 21 Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” 22 When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth.
(1) We miss Jesus when we think salvation is something we can do. Strange right? We think if we live good enough, act good enough, do good deeds, we'll find salvation. Well, it's much simpler than that! If you know Jesus Christ as your Savior, everything you need to be saved has already been done. We are saved by grace through faith. (2) We miss Jesus when we get the wrong idea about the Savior. We don't worship a "good master," but we bow down before the Savior. Like Rev Macon said last week, God knows what we need before we ask him. He knew we needed a Savior.
July 2, 2017
Matthew 6:8 - (NIV) Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.
God has a plan for each our lives and sometimes we get in the way of God's blessing trying to take control. As the Scripture says, he knows exactly what we need before we ask him. God sometimes has to subtract to add to our lives, divide in order to multiply and pull us down to lift us up! It's up to us to trust in the Lord and know that through all of our ups and downs, God knows what he's doing!.