Confirmation, Power to Live - April 22, 2001

Sermon 4-22-01 confirmation, power to live

American Graffitti……taking requests
Sermon provided by request
Scripture usually 40 days after easter, but fits today
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Jesus…power/authority/lordship
I am with you
What does that mean???? Power
What would you do if you knew you could not fail

We fail…we have failed, we will fail
What would you do if you could not fail
Buy a lottery ticket/Ask prettiest girl to prom

If I knew I could not fail, I would apply my all to success
I would apply all my energies
God has done his part, what is mine
Softball, bring shoes & glove
What is my part in this equation???

1. realize youre not perfect…you will fail
pain & stress is good
they drive us to pray
I pray for others…..
I pray for me….I am important to Jesus too

2. I would give
tithes X 2 = RETURN ON INVESTMENT
I DIDN'T REALLY UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF TITHING UNTIL I STARTED TITHING. THEN I REALIZED THAT I ALWAYS HAD A "MEANS TO THE END". GOOD THINGS JUST HAPPENED. PEOPLE ARE OFTEN INTIMIDATED BY 10% OF WHAT THEY
MAKE. MY PHILOSOPHY IS THAT YOU START SMALL, AND HE WILL BLESS YOU WITH MORE. SOME PEOPLE THINK THAT CHURCHES "WASTE MONEY". WELL, IN MY OPINION,
THAT'S NOT MY PROBLEM... I DID WHAT THE BIBLE HAS INSTRUCTED ME TO DO AND WHAT HAPPENS TO IT AFTER THAT, IS THE PERSON WHO'S IN CHARGE PROBLEM. I CAN'T ALWAYS TITHE AS MUCH AS I SHOULD BUT, I DO THE BEST THAT I CAN EVERY SUNDAY. START SMALL AND GROW..
Church’s job to call people to faithfulness
Priorities on a big scale picture

3. live clean

PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR FAMILY. BE THERE FOR YOUR SPOUSE. YOUR CHILDREN.. YOUR
IN-LAWS...AND EVEN STRANGERS... GIVE WILLINGLY EXPECTING NOTHING IN
RETURN.. YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN THE FAVOR MAY BE RETURNED.. AND IF SOMEONE
"NASTIES" ON YOU, SO BE IT. THEY HAVE TO LIVE WITH IT. REMEMBER,
"VENGEANCE IS MINE"... TAKE THE ATTITUDE IN HOUSEHOLD THAT YOU ARE GOING TO
GIVE MORE THAN YOU RECEIVE AND THE OTHER WILL THINK THE SAME.. THIS WILL MAKE FOR SOME "GREAT HARMONY"

4. forgive…
let go/forgive & choose your battles X 4 = LESS ULCERS, WRINKLES AND LOWER
BLOOD PRESSURE
LET GO OF THE PAST. THE HEART ACHES. THE ILL THOUGHTS. THE FEARS. LEARN
FROM THEM AND GO ON. IF YOU DWELL ON THEM, YOU MAY MISS SOME OF THE
BLESSINGS THAT ARE IN STORE FOR BY WASTING ALL THAT ENERGY ON BATTLES THAT
YOU CANNOT WIN. AND IF YOU DO WIN ONE, WHAT HAVE YOU ACCOMPLISHEd

Conclusion…
These steps can help lead us to joy, health, prosperity
Implement these, you will fail less often
You will be successful in the things that God calls us to do

Not softball, Go make disciples