October Sermon Archive
Sunday Summary
Here's a quick summary of Rev. Macon's sermons.
October 29, 2017
What Will You Gain When You Lose?
Matthew 19:16-30- (NIV)
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,’ 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. 23 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly I tell you, it is hard for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven. 24 Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” 25 When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, “Who then can be saved?” 26 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” 27 Peter answered him, “We have left everything to follow you! What then will there be for us?” 28 Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29 And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life. 30 But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first.
In Matthew, Mark and Luke, we learn about this young, rich man that has turned his back on Jesus. He's in a position of power and authority and used to calling his own shots. He's drawn to Jesus who, at the time, was blessing children. Jesus told him, unless you become like these little children, you won't enter the Kingdom of God. The young man, however, thinks he has to buy something to receive eternal life. Do you find yourself asking God, "why" sometimes? Trying to make sense of what he's doing because it just seems backwards? Don't worry, we've all been there. It's God telling us, sometimes we have to lose to gain. It's exactly the point that Jesus was trying to drive home with the young man. You might have a fat bank account and a skinny spirit. Which is going to get you into Heaven? Hint: It's not the fat bank account. Let's be clear here. Jesus is not, we repeat, Jesus is not condemning folks who are rich. He, nor God, are against you having material things. The problem happens when you find yourself in the situation of the young man and you begin to trust in your riches instead of trusting in God. We've told you before, praise is rent to God for your blessings. So thank him for being blessed with what you have, but just remember, God isn't impressed by what you have. Don't let those worldly possessions define you. You're so much more than that. Be blessed!
October 22, 2017
When the Bottom Falls Out
Daniel 2:17-23, 27, 28 - (NIV)
17 Then Daniel returned to his house and explained the matter to his friends Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah. 18 He urged them to plead for mercy from the God of heaven concerning this mystery, so that he and his friends might not be executed with the rest of the wise men of Babylon. 19 During the night the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision. Then Daniel praised the God of heaven 20 and said: “Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are his. 21 He changes times and seasons; he deposes kings and raises up others. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning. 22 He reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with him. 23 I thank and praise you, God of my ancestors: You have given me wisdom and power,
you have made known to me what we asked of you, you have made known to us the dream of the king.” 27 Daniel replied, “No wise man, enchanter, magician or diviner can explain to the king the mystery he has asked about, 28 but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries. He has shown King Nebuchadnezzar what will happen in days to come. Your dream and the visions that passed through your mind as you were lying in bed are these...
In Chapter 1, Daniel and his three friends had been stripped of their heritage. They were forced to assimilate into Babylonian society. By Chapter 2, Daniel has worked his way up and gained some prestige, and then, the bottom falls out. The king has a dream and wants his soothsayers and magicians to interpret it. However, he wants them to interpret the dream without him telling them what the dream was. Well, they couldn't do it, and the king orders all of them to be put to death. In this group? Daniel. Has this happened to you? Right when you thought you had it all together, the bottom just falls out? We have! Some days it feels like if it's not one thing, it's another. What Daniel is teaching us here though, is how to respond to these bottom falling out situations. Notice, when this happens to Daniel, he doesn't run to the bar, or to his dealer. As humans, we sometimes look for temporary fixes (which aren't really fixes) to make us feel better. We go everywhere for answers, except where we should be going. Daniel teaches us here that we need to fall to our knees and ask God to help us fix our problem. We can't fix everything, but God can. He goes to his three friends and asks them to stop what they are doing and pray with him. When they prayed, they received the answer. If prayer isn't your first response when the bottom falls out, it should be your next response. After he receives his answer, Daniel then gives God the praise. Have you seen Coach Carter? Remember the part of the movie when Samuel L. Jackson gets on his players for boasting during a game? They would bump their chests and yell out: "I did that!" "That was me!" Let's be real, we do the same thing! We are quick to credit ourselves, instead of crediting God for allowing and helping us get through those situations. To close, Rev Macon also gave us the following:
Praise is rent for the blessings you're already living in.
Let that sink in for a second. We praise God for the blessings he gives us. We open our mouths and shout to the highest. God has blessed you in many ways. Ask yourself, are you behind on your rent? Be blessed!
October 15, 2017
I'm Next
Mark 5:21-29 - (NIV)
21 When Jesus had again crossed over by boat to the other side of the lake, a large crowd gathered around him while he was by the lake.22 Then one of the synagogue leaders, named Jairus, came, and when he saw Jesus, he fell at his feet. 23 He pleaded earnestly with him, “My little daughter is dying. Please come and put your hands on her so that she will be healed and live.” 24 So Jesus went with him. A large crowd followed and pressed around him. 25 And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years. 26 She had suffered a great deal under the care of many doctors and had spent all she had, yet instead of getting better she grew worse. 27 When she heard about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, 28 because she thought, “If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed.” 29 Immediately her bleeding stopped and she felt in her body that she was freed from her suffering.
This sermon was short and to the point: It doesn't matter what number you are in line, but if you have faith, you're up next. Let's start with the definition of a miracle. During his sermon, Rev. Macon defined a miracle as something extraordinary that happens by bypassing normal to bring about the supernatural. Despite what your haters might say, miracles can still happen today. Those haters will sew doubt into your faith making you believe that what God did in the Bible isn't possible today. It is. As Christians, we have to know what God can do. But we can't only know; we have to also prepare and ready our minds that we are ready for change. We are ready to allow God to step in and perform miracles in our lives. When you combine knowing, a made-up mind, and faith, Rev. Macon says, "You're NEXT." Be blessed!
October 1, 2017
A Fishing Trip Like No Other
Luke 5:1-11 - (NIV)
One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret, the people were crowding around him and listening to the word of God. 2 He saw at the water’s edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets. 3 He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat. 4 When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.” 5 Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.” 6 When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. 7 So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink. 8 When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” 9 For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, 10 and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon’s partners. Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.” 11 So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.
By this point in the Bible, Jesus had built his reputation. People knew who he was and gathered to hear him preach and speak. Why? Those people knew they would receive strength, hope, power and deliverance from Jesus's words. This fishing trip was about catching men - not fish. Jesus used the fishing boat as his pulpit and had it filled to the brim with his people. Today, Rev Macon explained to us three ways the church should be like the boat.
1. Church should be intimate and close. Since Jesus's boat was full, people had to stand very close to each other. Church should be the same way. It should be close. You come to church to get your cup refilled and ready to take on your week. Think of your church like the corner of a boxing ring. A boxer goes to the corner to get fuel and strength to step back into the ring and fight a little longer. 2. Church should be a place of instruction. It's a place for you to come and learn the Word of God. It's a place of teaching. 3. The church is also a place of frustration and irritation. Wait, what? Yes, we know. Why go if you're going to frustrated and irritated? Just like the men who were fishing, they toiled all night and caught nothing. Do you sometimes feel that way? You pour out your heart and receive nothing in return? We get it. Our message? Keep pouring. Keep pouring your heart and soul into doing God's work. Remember, it's not about the people that attend or the one's that help. God sees your work. Don't give up, and as always, be blessed!
What Will You Gain When You Lose?
Matthew 19:16-30- (NIV)
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,’ 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. 23 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly I tell you, it is hard for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven. 24 Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” 25 When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, “Who then can be saved?” 26 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” 27 Peter answered him, “We have left everything to follow you! What then will there be for us?” 28 Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29 And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life. 30 But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first.
In Matthew, Mark and Luke, we learn about this young, rich man that has turned his back on Jesus. He's in a position of power and authority and used to calling his own shots. He's drawn to Jesus who, at the time, was blessing children. Jesus told him, unless you become like these little children, you won't enter the Kingdom of God. The young man, however, thinks he has to buy something to receive eternal life. Do you find yourself asking God, "why" sometimes? Trying to make sense of what he's doing because it just seems backwards? Don't worry, we've all been there. It's God telling us, sometimes we have to lose to gain. It's exactly the point that Jesus was trying to drive home with the young man. You might have a fat bank account and a skinny spirit. Which is going to get you into Heaven? Hint: It's not the fat bank account. Let's be clear here. Jesus is not, we repeat, Jesus is not condemning folks who are rich. He, nor God, are against you having material things. The problem happens when you find yourself in the situation of the young man and you begin to trust in your riches instead of trusting in God. We've told you before, praise is rent to God for your blessings. So thank him for being blessed with what you have, but just remember, God isn't impressed by what you have. Don't let those worldly possessions define you. You're so much more than that. Be blessed!
October 22, 2017
When the Bottom Falls Out
Daniel 2:17-23, 27, 28 - (NIV)
17 Then Daniel returned to his house and explained the matter to his friends Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah. 18 He urged them to plead for mercy from the God of heaven concerning this mystery, so that he and his friends might not be executed with the rest of the wise men of Babylon. 19 During the night the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision. Then Daniel praised the God of heaven 20 and said: “Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are his. 21 He changes times and seasons; he deposes kings and raises up others. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning. 22 He reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with him. 23 I thank and praise you, God of my ancestors: You have given me wisdom and power,
you have made known to me what we asked of you, you have made known to us the dream of the king.” 27 Daniel replied, “No wise man, enchanter, magician or diviner can explain to the king the mystery he has asked about, 28 but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries. He has shown King Nebuchadnezzar what will happen in days to come. Your dream and the visions that passed through your mind as you were lying in bed are these...
In Chapter 1, Daniel and his three friends had been stripped of their heritage. They were forced to assimilate into Babylonian society. By Chapter 2, Daniel has worked his way up and gained some prestige, and then, the bottom falls out. The king has a dream and wants his soothsayers and magicians to interpret it. However, he wants them to interpret the dream without him telling them what the dream was. Well, they couldn't do it, and the king orders all of them to be put to death. In this group? Daniel. Has this happened to you? Right when you thought you had it all together, the bottom just falls out? We have! Some days it feels like if it's not one thing, it's another. What Daniel is teaching us here though, is how to respond to these bottom falling out situations. Notice, when this happens to Daniel, he doesn't run to the bar, or to his dealer. As humans, we sometimes look for temporary fixes (which aren't really fixes) to make us feel better. We go everywhere for answers, except where we should be going. Daniel teaches us here that we need to fall to our knees and ask God to help us fix our problem. We can't fix everything, but God can. He goes to his three friends and asks them to stop what they are doing and pray with him. When they prayed, they received the answer. If prayer isn't your first response when the bottom falls out, it should be your next response. After he receives his answer, Daniel then gives God the praise. Have you seen Coach Carter? Remember the part of the movie when Samuel L. Jackson gets on his players for boasting during a game? They would bump their chests and yell out: "I did that!" "That was me!" Let's be real, we do the same thing! We are quick to credit ourselves, instead of crediting God for allowing and helping us get through those situations. To close, Rev Macon also gave us the following:
Praise is rent for the blessings you're already living in.
Let that sink in for a second. We praise God for the blessings he gives us. We open our mouths and shout to the highest. God has blessed you in many ways. Ask yourself, are you behind on your rent? Be blessed!
October 15, 2017
I'm Next
Mark 5:21-29 - (NIV)
21 When Jesus had again crossed over by boat to the other side of the lake, a large crowd gathered around him while he was by the lake.22 Then one of the synagogue leaders, named Jairus, came, and when he saw Jesus, he fell at his feet. 23 He pleaded earnestly with him, “My little daughter is dying. Please come and put your hands on her so that she will be healed and live.” 24 So Jesus went with him. A large crowd followed and pressed around him. 25 And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years. 26 She had suffered a great deal under the care of many doctors and had spent all she had, yet instead of getting better she grew worse. 27 When she heard about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, 28 because she thought, “If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed.” 29 Immediately her bleeding stopped and she felt in her body that she was freed from her suffering.
This sermon was short and to the point: It doesn't matter what number you are in line, but if you have faith, you're up next. Let's start with the definition of a miracle. During his sermon, Rev. Macon defined a miracle as something extraordinary that happens by bypassing normal to bring about the supernatural. Despite what your haters might say, miracles can still happen today. Those haters will sew doubt into your faith making you believe that what God did in the Bible isn't possible today. It is. As Christians, we have to know what God can do. But we can't only know; we have to also prepare and ready our minds that we are ready for change. We are ready to allow God to step in and perform miracles in our lives. When you combine knowing, a made-up mind, and faith, Rev. Macon says, "You're NEXT." Be blessed!
October 1, 2017
A Fishing Trip Like No Other
Luke 5:1-11 - (NIV)
One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret, the people were crowding around him and listening to the word of God. 2 He saw at the water’s edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets. 3 He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat. 4 When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.” 5 Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.” 6 When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. 7 So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink. 8 When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” 9 For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, 10 and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon’s partners. Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.” 11 So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.
By this point in the Bible, Jesus had built his reputation. People knew who he was and gathered to hear him preach and speak. Why? Those people knew they would receive strength, hope, power and deliverance from Jesus's words. This fishing trip was about catching men - not fish. Jesus used the fishing boat as his pulpit and had it filled to the brim with his people. Today, Rev Macon explained to us three ways the church should be like the boat.
1. Church should be intimate and close. Since Jesus's boat was full, people had to stand very close to each other. Church should be the same way. It should be close. You come to church to get your cup refilled and ready to take on your week. Think of your church like the corner of a boxing ring. A boxer goes to the corner to get fuel and strength to step back into the ring and fight a little longer. 2. Church should be a place of instruction. It's a place for you to come and learn the Word of God. It's a place of teaching. 3. The church is also a place of frustration and irritation. Wait, what? Yes, we know. Why go if you're going to frustrated and irritated? Just like the men who were fishing, they toiled all night and caught nothing. Do you sometimes feel that way? You pour out your heart and receive nothing in return? We get it. Our message? Keep pouring. Keep pouring your heart and soul into doing God's work. Remember, it's not about the people that attend or the one's that help. God sees your work. Don't give up, and as always, be blessed!