July Sermons

“He named the place ‘The Lord Will Provide,’ and it is still said today, 'On the mountain of the Lord it will be provided.”

On Our Grounds:

·       Tests often arise in familiar situations, reflecting our beliefs and values.

·       Purpose: To reveal our strengths and areas for growth, challenging our faith and commitment to God.
·       Purpose: To refine our character and prepare us for future responsibilities.

For Our Growth:

·       Tests provide opportunities for spiritual development. Through trials, we cultivate patience, resilience, gratitude, and trust in God.

For God's Glory:

·       God’s tests highlight His power and faithfulness. When we endure and remain steadfast, we bring glory to God.

·       Purpose: To demonstrate God’s sovereignty as a testimony to others.

Faith is not intended to believe that God will do all sorts of wonderful things for us. Although God can do so. Faith enables us to trust God when God has given directions.

Faith as a Transaction: Many people see faith as a means of getting what they want from God, like a transaction where belief leads to specific outcomes. We must emphasize trust in God's will instead.

Immediate Results: There’s often an expectation of quick answers to prayers or immediate results from faith. God’s timing may differ from our own, requiring patience and perseverance.

Conditional Belief: Some believe faith is only valid if it leads to favorable circumstances. Faith persists despite adversity, trusting God's plan regardless of personal situations.

Personal Control: Many equate faith with individual control over life events. We must surrender control and accept God’s guidance.

Lack of Doubt: Some think faith means never doubting or questioning. There is room for doubts and struggles, recognizing them as part of a deeper faith journey.

“Melchizedek, the king of Salem, brought out BREAD and WINE. He served as the priest of God Most High and blessed Abraham, declaring, ‘Blessed be Abraham by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth. Praise be to God Most High, who has handed your enemies over to you.’ In response, Abraham gave him a tenth of all he had.”

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“In the same way, Christ also didn’t promote Himself to become high priest. Instead, it was the one who said to Him, “You are My Son. Today I have become Your Father, as He also says in another place, You are a priest forever, according to the order of Melchizedek.”

“The Lord has sworn a solemn pledge and won’t change His mind: You are a priest forever in line with Melchizedek.”

Recognition of God’s Sovereignty:

By tithing, Abraham demonstrates his recognition that his victory was not solely due to his military prowess but rather the result of God's intervention.

Establishing a Pattern: 

Abraham's tithing sets a precedent for giving a portion of one's blessings back to God, highlighting the biblical themes of stewardship and faithfulness, and emphasizing gratitude as a response to God's provisions.

Spiritual Implications:

Tithing symbolizes trust in God’s continued provision and reflects a heart of worship and gratitude.

Spiritual Awakening:

Thank God for insight and awakening that led to spiritual growth as I learned to trust in God’s provision and seek purpose beyond material wealth.

Acknowledgment of Divine Help:

I am encouraged to recognize and express gratitude for the blessings and deliverances already experienced in daily life.

Escaping Dangerous Situations: 

Thank God for the deliverance from challenging circumstances that God brought me out of.

Navigating Life Changes:

Major and minor life transitions often require wisdom. God has guided me.

"Sarah, Abraham’s wife, had not been able to have children. She had an Egyptian maid named Hagar. Sarah said to Abraham, “God has not seen fit to let me have a child. Sleep with my maid. Maybe I can get a family from her.” Abraham agreed to do what Sarah said.”

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·       Career Decisions

·       Relationships

·       Financial Decisions

·       Conflict Resolution

·       Technology and Social Media

Trust in God’s Timing

“Patience is not simply the ability to wait—it's how we behave while we're waiting.” — Joyce Meyer

 The Consequences of Human Intervention

“When we try to take God's place, we often create more problems than solutions.” — Unknown

God’s Faithfulness Despite Our Flaws

“God’s grace is sufficient for us, even when we stumble.” — 2 Corinthians 12:9

The Importance of Prayer and Seeking Guidance

“Prayer is not a spare wheel that you pull out when in trouble; it is a steering wheel that directs the right path throughout.” — Unknown

“Then a famine came to the land. Abraham went down to Egypt to live; it was a hard famine. As he drew near to Egypt, he said to his wife, Sarah, “Look. We both know that you’re a beautiful woman. When the Egyptians see you, they’re going to say, ‘Aha! That’s his wife!’ and kill me. But they’ll let you live. Do me a favor: tell them you’re my sister. Because of you, they’ll welcome me and let me live.” When Abraham arrived in Egypt, the Egyptians took one look and saw that his wife was stunningly beautiful. Pharaoh’s princes raved over her to Pharaoh. She was taken to live with Pharaoh. Because of her, Abraham got along very well: he accumulated sheep and cattle, male and female donkeys, men and women servants, and camels. But God hit Pharaoh hard because of Abraham’s wife Sarah; everybody in the palace got seriously sick. Pharaoh called for Abraham, “What’s this that you’ve done to me? Why didn’t you tell me that she’s your wife? Why did you say, ‘She’s my sister’ so that I’d take her as my wife? Here’s your wife back—take her and get out!” Pharaoh ordered his men to get Abraham out of the country. They sent him and his wife and everything he owned on their way.”

Protection of the Innocent: In situations where telling the truth could endanger innocent lives, God’s grace appears to permit allowances to protect others.

Confidentiality in Care: In professional settings, such as healthcare or counseling, maintaining confidentiality may require withholding certain truths to protect a person's privacy and dignity.

Avoiding Harmful Confrontation: In delicate situations where honesty might lead to unnecessary harm or conflict, grace and compassion may guide a more sensitive approach.

Situational Ethics: Some theologians argue for a situational ethics approach, suggesting that in exceptional cases, the greater good may take precedence over strict truth-telling.

It is important to recognize that habitual lying, manipulating, deceiving, fraud, deception, misinforming, misrepresenting, distorting, and bamboozling are not condoned. Instead, this sermon serves as an example of how God can work through specific circumstances where difficult choices must be made. Even when we blow it, God can repair our situations.

“Wiggle room” refers to flexibility or leeway in a situation that allows for adjustments, variations, or exceptions. In a spiritual context, it implies that God provides space for human imperfection, allowing for growth and learning rather than strict condemnation.

While wiggle room provides flexibility and grace in navigating life, it is essential to recognize its limits. Wiggle Room Is Not:

·         Justifying Unethical Behavior

·         Avoiding Accountability

·         Harming Others

·         Disregarding Community Standards

·         Exploiting Compassion

Reflect on Intentions: Consider your motivation. Are you acting out of fear, love, or a desire to protect others?

Evaluate the Context: Assess the circumstances surrounding your decision. Is there a greater good at stake?

Seek Counsel: Discuss your dilemmas with trusted mentors or spiritual leaders for insight.

Consider Consequences: Think about the potential outcomes of your decision. Will it harm others?

Consider Consequences: Think about the potential outcomes of your decision. Will it harm others?

God's Patience with Imperfection: This teaches us that God understands our defects and imperfections and gives us time to evolve. God allows us to navigate challenges without abandoning us. THANK GOD FOR WIGGLE ROOM…

Grace in Mistakes: We can find comfort in knowing that God’s grace allows us room to make mistakes and still be part of God’s plan. THANK GOD FOR WIGGLE ROOM…