MLCC Sermon Notes
May 22, 2022
“The Messy Middle”
Phil Payne
Life can be Simple…and Life can be complex. All at the same time.
“The test of first rate intelligence is the ability to hold two opposed ideas in mind at the same time and still retain the ability to function” - F Scott Fitzgerald
Can you hold 2 opposing ideas together at the same time? It is easier not to. It is easier to be on one side or the other. Screen time / Covid / Our jobs / Money/ etc
Philippians 3: 1-11 and Philippians 3: 12-20
Seem to be opposing ideas. What is it Paul? Is it all faith in Jesus for our salvation? Or do we “work out our salvation with fear and trembling?” Do we Strive? Strain? Press on for the prize?
The Messy middle.
Ephesians 2:8-10
For it is by Grace you have been saved, through faith and not of yourselves….
For we are God’s workmanship created in Christ Jesus to do good works…
The path of spiritual growth in the riches of Christ is not a passive one. Grace is not opposed to effort. It is opposed to earning. Effort is action. Earning is attitude. You have never seen people more active than those who have been set on fire by the grace of God.
-Dallas Williard
Where do you live? Where is your relationship with God?
Past / Present / Future
Paul labored in Grace - I Corinthians 15:10
The need for discipline does not change when we come to all that is involved in walking in the holiness and power of Christ.
Solitude and Silence. Study and worship. Fasting and Sacrifice (of time, energy, money), journaling and prayer, confession and service are all disciplines.
GRACE is not opposed to Effort…it is opposed to Earning. There is a difference.
Philippians 3:12 “That I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me”
James 1:22 - But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
Questions to consider:
Is your walk with Jesus mostly in the past? The present? Or the future? Where do you want it to be?
Who do you actively discuss your Faith journey with? Who invites you to continue to grow as a Christian?
What are your Goals for Spiritual growth in your life? Pick one or two and practice them this week.
- Read Scripture - I want to commit to read every day for 60 days.
- Download the Bible App on your phone and use it daily.
- Download a worship album and listen to it while you are driving.
- Read a book on Spiritual Disciplines and practice one of them
- Spend one day fasting and concentrating in prayer.
- Pray MORE - I want to actively PRAY every day (Tweet, Text or Email God every day)
- Make a JOY list of things to be grateful for and meditate on this list for 5 minutes a day.
- Practice Kindness each day by doing a random act for someone. Pray and ask God to help you develop a heart of Kindness.
- Practice a heart of Gratitude. Send out a note of thanks to someone this week. Practice the discipline of not complaining for an entire day.
- Memorize Scripture - I will memorize 1 verse a week for 1 month.
- Spend time this week in silence and solitude listening to God.
- Make an appointment with a Spiritual Director.
- Evangelism - Share your faith story this week with someone you meet.
- Evangelism - Invite your neighbors over for a meal. Learn their story and share yours.
- Service - Serve an elderly person in our community by cleaning up their yard.
- Service – Volunteer at Church for 2 hours this next week.
