I didn't prepare for my sermon this week... Don't cast stones at me yet! Read below.
A pastor will typically spend his days studying the scriptures. Then, the study results in a some kind of outline. Some pastors love the 3 point sermon. Some pastors like to free verse. It's almost like rap. It just happens. There is no right or wrong. It's a matter of preference. I know some pastors who wait for God to speak to them before they write their sermon. I know some pastors who prepare their sermon like a skilled strategists (usually those with Engineering backgrounds; no knock on the Engineers of the world).
How I usually prepare for my sermon throughout the week.
Typically, I'll be thinking about my sermon series months in advance. I believe in sharing the pulpit, so Pastor Steve will pinch hit for me 1-2 times a month.
Monday - Rest and Reflect, Connect with God, Serve my Family
Tuesday - Study the Passage(s)
Wednesday - Study the Passage(s), Create an Outline
Thursday - Revise the Outline, Fill in with Illustrations
Friday - Write the Sermon
Saturday - Create the Sermon PowerPoint, Revise the Sermon
Sunday Morning - Prepare to Preach the Sermon
All throughout the week, prayer is vital for any sermon preparation.
So this week, I didn't prepare for my sermon... I experienced my sermon.
We're in the fourth week of our series on Stewardship (The Treasure Principle). This week's study was on "The Roadblocks to Giving". We were seriously considering the purchase of a larger home. We're just about to make a counter-offer and purchase the home, when we realized that God was leading us to "let it go." The very sermon I was preparing for was a message from God to my wife and I. We had to seriously consider if this purchase would actually become a "roadblock to our giving." As we seeked God and His Kingdom, we heard God speak to us through the Scriptures and His people.
To hear more, go the Media Page on the Church website and listen to the Feb 25 Sermon.
His grace is sufficient,
Pastor Marcus
Monday, February 26, 2007
Thursday, February 22, 2007
Money, Money, Money
For some strange reason, one of the earliest music groups that I listened to was "ABBA". Now, you might be thinking, "ABBA!" How old were you? Well, at that time, I was around 6-7 years old. It just so happened that one of my closest 1st grade friend was a guy named Drew Henley. His dad worked for some Laser Disc company and so he would bring Laser Discs home for the family to watch. One of the discs that we watched was "ABBA".
And still all throughout this time, I remember many of the songs. One of those songs was "Money, Money, Money." The music video was pretty simple: the ABBA singers side profiles with of course "money" in the scenes with a black background. It's almost surreal.
Money was a frequent topic of conversation from my dad. In fact, my dad pursued money with a feverish passion. I understand why. He grew up poor in the countryside parts of South Korea. He was the oldest of 5 brothers. His father was unwise with his money and eventually abandoned the family. My dad ended up working when he was only 10 years old. He knows what it means to starve and not be able to eat whatever he desired. My 5th uncle broke his wrist and because the family couldn't afford a real doctor, they put a make shift cast on him and eventually it infected his wrist and it shriveled up. Yet despite their many years of hardship, my uncle would get his PhD and become the director of a Economic Think Tank for the Korean government. My dad would move to America in 1970 and work 2 full-time jobs. He started off pumping gas, then bought a gas station. Yeah, I know, that leap seems pretty big, but once again, his pursuit of success was passionate. He then went into small business ownership: Dairy Store, Kosher Restaurant(s), Liquor Store. He would eventually become a Doctor of Oriental Medicine (Acupuncture). An example of the American Dream.
So what I learned from him was the value of hard work, the power of money and the pursuit of your dreams. In fact, when I was in high school, I was as strongly motivated to make a lot of money as well. Then, my purpose in life changed with the introduction of Jesus into my life. My father and family was greatly disappointed at my new love in life (Jesus). They wanted Him to be a hobby. Eventually, I would go on to Graduate Studies and become a pastor (since 1995).
The turning point for my father was when one day we were driving around and he said these unforgettable words, "Marcus, I realize that money isn't everything." I just about fell out of the car in shock. I was hearing these words from someone who bled money. But what I realized was that he finally met the true love of his life as well, Jesus.
We began a series on Stewardship entitled "The Treasure Principle." It's based on Randy Alcorn's book. What's powerful about the book is the testimonies of people who experienced the Treasure Principle: "You can't take it with you, but you can send it on ahead."
More to come.
What can you expect next week? I didn't prepare for my sermon (Feb19-24) this week, I EXPERIENCED my sermon... Stay tuned...
And still all throughout this time, I remember many of the songs. One of those songs was "Money, Money, Money." The music video was pretty simple: the ABBA singers side profiles with of course "money" in the scenes with a black background. It's almost surreal.
Money was a frequent topic of conversation from my dad. In fact, my dad pursued money with a feverish passion. I understand why. He grew up poor in the countryside parts of South Korea. He was the oldest of 5 brothers. His father was unwise with his money and eventually abandoned the family. My dad ended up working when he was only 10 years old. He knows what it means to starve and not be able to eat whatever he desired. My 5th uncle broke his wrist and because the family couldn't afford a real doctor, they put a make shift cast on him and eventually it infected his wrist and it shriveled up. Yet despite their many years of hardship, my uncle would get his PhD and become the director of a Economic Think Tank for the Korean government. My dad would move to America in 1970 and work 2 full-time jobs. He started off pumping gas, then bought a gas station. Yeah, I know, that leap seems pretty big, but once again, his pursuit of success was passionate. He then went into small business ownership: Dairy Store, Kosher Restaurant(s), Liquor Store. He would eventually become a Doctor of Oriental Medicine (Acupuncture). An example of the American Dream.
So what I learned from him was the value of hard work, the power of money and the pursuit of your dreams. In fact, when I was in high school, I was as strongly motivated to make a lot of money as well. Then, my purpose in life changed with the introduction of Jesus into my life. My father and family was greatly disappointed at my new love in life (Jesus). They wanted Him to be a hobby. Eventually, I would go on to Graduate Studies and become a pastor (since 1995).
The turning point for my father was when one day we were driving around and he said these unforgettable words, "Marcus, I realize that money isn't everything." I just about fell out of the car in shock. I was hearing these words from someone who bled money. But what I realized was that he finally met the true love of his life as well, Jesus.
We began a series on Stewardship entitled "The Treasure Principle." It's based on Randy Alcorn's book. What's powerful about the book is the testimonies of people who experienced the Treasure Principle: "You can't take it with you, but you can send it on ahead."
More to come.
What can you expect next week? I didn't prepare for my sermon (Feb19-24) this week, I EXPERIENCED my sermon... Stay tuned...
Sunday, February 04, 2007
The Treasure Principle
Have you ever went treasure hunting as a kid? If you were smart, you went digging with a map. You wouldn't want to dig for buried treasure in your parent's backyard.
Of course, if you recall the popular kids movie, "Goonies" then you were loving the adventure of finding a cavern of treasures.
As you grow up, your search for buried treasure turns into a pursuit for wealth. Of course, we still seek after hidden treasure in the form of a Lotto ticket. The more practical person will pursue "treasure" through the pursuit of wealth building.
What is the Greatest Treasure?
Jesus taught (Matthew 13:44 - “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.") that the greatest treasure in the world is membership in God's Kingdom. In other words, a relationship with a Holy God is the greatest treasure.
Christians lives their lives as if they've won a local bingo prize or some white elephant Christmas gift, when we've won the jackpot of all time. We didn't earn this treasure. We were given this treasure by the sacrifice of our Lord Savior Jesus Christ.
The traveler recognizes the incredible worth of his treasure and "in his joy" (right attitude) goes and "sells everything that he owns" (right actions) for the sake of this treasure.
The sacrifice of our lives and our giving pales in comparison to the sacrifice of God's Son. Is it worth the temporary sacrifice to gain the greatest treasure of all?
When we realize our greatest treasure, then we can starting living out the Treasure Principle.
The Treasure Principle: You can't take it with you, but you can send it on ahead.
Randy Alcorn teaches this biblical principle in his book, "The Treasure Principle." As I've studied this, it's a simple truth. I've always known this principle. But as I've studied it and evaluated my own lifestyle, the significance of this principle is more powerful.
It's hard enough to stay in synch with God's will. I may have heard this lesson at different times in my christian life. But when my heart and life is in synch with the hearing of God's truth, there is a powerful conviction that drives me from the inside out.
There are times when we learn about trials, but when when we're not going through a hardship, the message isn't as powerful and real. When the situation and the sermon connects, amazing things happen. God happens. God works. We are changed.
I'm excited to preach on this topic because it's something that I need to grow in.
I share this past Sunday, that my motive truly is my love for the Vine Family. I want to make sure that you know the Treasure Principle so that you can have a eternal treasures waiting for you in heaven. What is this treasure? Tough to say.
Stay tuned for more about stewardship.
Shalom
Of course, if you recall the popular kids movie, "Goonies" then you were loving the adventure of finding a cavern of treasures.
As you grow up, your search for buried treasure turns into a pursuit for wealth. Of course, we still seek after hidden treasure in the form of a Lotto ticket. The more practical person will pursue "treasure" through the pursuit of wealth building.
What is the Greatest Treasure?
Jesus taught (Matthew 13:44 - “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.") that the greatest treasure in the world is membership in God's Kingdom. In other words, a relationship with a Holy God is the greatest treasure.
Christians lives their lives as if they've won a local bingo prize or some white elephant Christmas gift, when we've won the jackpot of all time. We didn't earn this treasure. We were given this treasure by the sacrifice of our Lord Savior Jesus Christ.
The traveler recognizes the incredible worth of his treasure and "in his joy" (right attitude) goes and "sells everything that he owns" (right actions) for the sake of this treasure.
The sacrifice of our lives and our giving pales in comparison to the sacrifice of God's Son. Is it worth the temporary sacrifice to gain the greatest treasure of all?
When we realize our greatest treasure, then we can starting living out the Treasure Principle.
The Treasure Principle: You can't take it with you, but you can send it on ahead.
Randy Alcorn teaches this biblical principle in his book, "The Treasure Principle." As I've studied this, it's a simple truth. I've always known this principle. But as I've studied it and evaluated my own lifestyle, the significance of this principle is more powerful.
It's hard enough to stay in synch with God's will. I may have heard this lesson at different times in my christian life. But when my heart and life is in synch with the hearing of God's truth, there is a powerful conviction that drives me from the inside out.
There are times when we learn about trials, but when when we're not going through a hardship, the message isn't as powerful and real. When the situation and the sermon connects, amazing things happen. God happens. God works. We are changed.
I'm excited to preach on this topic because it's something that I need to grow in.
I share this past Sunday, that my motive truly is my love for the Vine Family. I want to make sure that you know the Treasure Principle so that you can have a eternal treasures waiting for you in heaven. What is this treasure? Tough to say.
Stay tuned for more about stewardship.
Shalom
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