Sermon Notes

“The Way to Live Joyfully and Shine Brightly”

by John Roberts on May 01, 2022

“The Way to Live Joyfully and Shine Brightly”

 

Date:  May 1, 2022

Speaker:  John J Roberts

Text:  Philippians 2:12-18

 

Introduction

 

 

 

Live YOUR best Life. 

Ephesians 2:8-10, Romans 6:23

 

The life of God is a gift of grace. 

 

 

Working out your salvation is not “working for” your salvation but making salvation operational. 

 

 

“Grace is opposed to earning, but not opposed to effort.” 

- Dallas Willard

 

Matthew 5:14-16.

 

 

Two things to keep in mind:

First, we can’t live out someone else’s life! 

 

Second, we cannot live out someone else’s vision for our life. 

 

Matthew 11:28-30, Romans 12:1-2

 

 

Look for God EVERYWHERE

14:1-4:  Children of Israel in the wilderness.

 

 

We get grumbly, and it’s often with God, when we think he’s the cause of the hard stuff in our lives

 

 

 

I Prayer in the Night: For Those Who Work, or Watch or Weep – Tish Harrison Warren  

 

 

 

What you believe about God and how he interacts in the world really matters. 

 

 

 

Perhaps Paul is challenging us to welcome God as a companion who comes to walk with us in our pain and suffering and distress to walk with us? 

 

Love the most the ONE WHO LOVED YOU FIRST.

When Paul says… “Hold a fast to the WORD of life” he’s speaking of holding fast to Christ himself. 

 

 

 

Remember your Baptism, Pray in the Spirit, Flee to the Eucharist.”

 

 

 

“If the written word of the Bible could be changed into a spoken word and become a single voice, this voice, more powerful than the roaring of the sea would cry out: “the Father loves you!”

 -Raniero Cantalamessa

 

 

 

 

Conclusion

  1. How will you live joyfully in this coming week? How will God take your take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—this week and shine like the sun through it into the world around you? 
  2. What is something challenging in your life right now, that perhaps you have been complaining about? Stop for a minute and ask God where he can be at work in it.

 

Here are some exercises for the week?

  1. Prayer for the morning…

Lord Jesus, you are the light of the world.  As I walk with you today would you illuminate the darkness within me, and around me.  Awaken me to the opportunities as I walk through the day to be light in the darkness.  Open doors to conversations where I can encourage the discouraged… give hope to the hopeless.  Help me to join you in your work in the places where my life has influence. 

  1. Try to routinely refocus your attention around the possibility that God is involved in what’s going on in your life… by asking the question in both the positive and challenging circumstances… “God what do you want to do with me in this moment?

Intentionally ask the question in the midst of your circumstances… “How can I be a light in this moment?”

  1. Examen for the end of the day:
  • Did I see anyone through the eyes of Christ today?
  • Where did I notice God at work?
  • Was I able to be present to God’s presence today… and did I intentionally present my every day, ordinary, walking around life to Him as worship?

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