Category: Sermon Notes

2026 THEME: Still the ONE!

SERIES THEME: Break Those Chains!!

Title: The Elephant in the Room

Scripture: Pr. 4:23-27; 2 Cor. 10:3-5

I. THE COMMONALITY OF THE ELEPHANT

Statistics to consider:

• • • Globally, 1 every 40 second
    • Nearly 1 million worldwide
    • Every 15 minutes in the U.S.
    • 1 in 5 involve a war vet
    • Males= 5 times more often
    • 2 nd leading cause of death among college students
    • Females highest aged 45-54
    • 3 rd leading cause aged 15-24
    • 4 th leading cause aged 10-14
    • For every successful, 25 unsuccessful

From: Unanswered by Dr. Jeremiah Johnston

II. DEALING WITH THE ELEPHANT

Question: Is suicide the “Unpardonable Sin?” (NO) See Eph. 1:13

What does Elijah teach us?

1. 1. 1. 1. No one is (immune).
         2. God speaks to us (in the quiet).
         3. You are (not alone) and you don’t have (to do this) alone.
         4. Jesus is (still listening) and (healing) the hopeless.

Next week: Cory and Cassidy Fountain- Team Expansion in England

2026 THEME: Still the ONE!

SERIES THEME: Break Those Chains!!

Title: Hot Under the Collar

Scripture: Eph. 4:26-27

I. DESCRIBING ANGER

5 levels of anger:

1. 1. 1. 1. (Irritation).
         2. (Indignation).
         3. (Wrath).
         4. (Fury).
         5. (Rage).

Several observations about anger:

1. 1. 1. 1. Anger is a (God-given emotion).
         2. Anger is not necessarily (sinful).
         3. Anger must have (safeguards).

II. DEFEATING ANGER’S PULL

5 responses people have:

1. 1. 1. 1. (Repress it).
         2. (Suppress it).
         3. Express it (negatively).
         4. Express it (positively).
         5. (Confess it).

Practical help from the Scripture:

1. 1. 1. 1. (Be slow) to anger. Eccl. 7:9
         2. Know you can’t do this (on your own).
         3. (Don’t hang out) with angry people.
         4. Get out of (God’s way)!

2026 Theme: Still the ONE!
Series Theme: Break Those Chains!
Next week: The Elephant in the Room
Scripture: Pr. 4:23-27; 2 Cor. 10:3-5

2026 THEME: Still the ONE!

SERIES THEME: Break Those Chains!!

Title: A Tough Thing to Do

Scripture: Mt. 18:21-32; Luke 15:25-32

I. DEFINING FORGIVENESS

What it IS NOT:

1. Waiting for time (to heal all wounds).
2. Letting the guilty (“off the hook”).
3. (Reconciliation).
4. Excusing (unjust behavior).
5. (Not stuffing) your anger.
6. (Not denying) the hurt.
7. Not being a (doormat).

What it IS:

1. Dismissing the (debt).
2. Dismissing the demand you are (owed something).
3. Dismissing, canceling, or (setting someone free).

II. DEPICTING FORGIVENESS

Two biblical examples:

1. Matthew 18:21-35
2. Luke 15:25-32

2026 Theme: Still the ONE!
Series Theme: Break Those Chains!
Next week: Hot Under the Collar
Scripture: Eph. 4:26-27; multiple other Scriptures

2026 THEME: Still the ONE!

SERIES THEME: Break Those Chains!!

Title: Making Yourself Small

Scripture: Pr. 14:30; I Peter 2:1-3

“Envy and jealousy invading my mind/Envy and jealousy they make me so small.”
Sweet Comfort Band (1984)

I. MAKING YOURSELF SMALL

The word literally means (to boil within).

Envy- a “have not” who resents everyone else who does have.
Jealousy- has something but afraid of losing it. Shakespeare called it (the green sickness)

What are the symptoms of envy?

1. (Comparison)
2. (Criticizing and complaining)
3. (Ingratitude)
4. (Hatred)

II. OVERCOMING YOUR SMALLNESS

How do we get rid of envy and jealousy?

1. (Renounce) envy and jealousy as sin.
2. (Remember) the other person in prayer.
3. (Reaffirm) God’s greatness to you.
4. (Rekindle) God’s love in your heart.

2026 Theme: Still the ONE!
Series Theme: Break Those Chains!
Next week: A Tough Thing to Do
Scripture: Matt. 18:21-35; Lk. 15:25-32

2026 THEME: Still the ONE!

SERIES THEME: Break Those Chains!!

Title: 3 Essentials & 3 Nails

Scripture: Psalm 13:1-6; Joshua 1:1-9

“Our enemy (speaking of Satan) likes to isolate us so that he can elevate our struggles as being unique and unrelatable. But thankfully, God given us the Scriptures that are full of shared struggles and overwhelming grace.”  Giglio

I. THREE ESSENTIALS TO BELIEVE

“We are a bunch of imperfect people pursuing a perfect God.” Red Rocks Church

3 essentials we must believe:

1. You are not (crazy).
2. You are not (alone). Psalm 139:7-12 and Ps.13
3. This (will end).

II. 3 NAILS TO DRIVE

Nail #1- God is with you…even if you (can’t feel it).
Nail #2- God is working…even if you (can’t see it).
Nail #3- God has a plan…even if you (can’t understand it).
Next week: Making Yourself Small- Pr. 14:30; I Peter 2:1-3

Next week: 2026 Theme: Still the ONE!
NEW Series Theme: Break Those Chains!
Series: week: Making Yourself Small
Scripture: Pr. 14:30; I Peter 2:1-3

2026 THEME: Still the ONE!

SERIES THEME: Break Those Chains!!

Title: A Sling and 4 Stones

Scripture: Mt. 6:25-34

I. THE GIANT IN FRONT OF US

“Worry is an old man with bended head, carrying a load of feathers which he thinks are lead.”
Corrie Ten Boom

The sling we have to handle:

1. Worry keeps you from (enjoying what you have). V.25
2. Worry makes you (forget your worth) v.26
3. Worry is (completely useless) v. 27
4. Worry erases (God’s promises) from your mind. V.28-30
5. Worry makes us (like others) v. 31-32

II. KILLING THE GIANT (The 4 stones)

One solid truth before the stones: we need to (establish our priorities).
We also need to (set a course of action). 4 stones:

1. Don’t dwell on tomorrow’s (stress).
2. Don’t dwell on yesterday’s (messes).
3. Don’t dwell on yesterday’s (successes).
4. Don’t dwell on yesterday’s (distresses).

“Jesus can carry what is worrying you because He had already carried what was meant to kill
you. He had already carried your sorrows and buried them in His grave.” Giglio

Next week: 2026 Theme: Still the ONE!
NEW Series Theme: Break Those Chains!
Series: week: 3 Essentials & 3 Nails
Scripture: Psalm 13:1-6; Joshua 1:1-9

2026 THEME: Still the ONE!

SERIES THEME: Break Those Chains!!

Title: Fear Loses its Grip

Scripture: Psalm 34

I. PERSONAL TESTIMONY

Scripture: I Samuel 21:10-15
What was David’s response to the above situation?

1. His first response was one of (praise). (1-3)
2. His second response is giving testimony to God’s (constant presence) (4-7)

II. PERSONAL TEACHING

The (goodness of God) is satisfying. 8 words show us: Those 8 words are “Taste and see that the
Lord is good”

1. We are invited to (personally experience) Him.
2. We are invited to (actively pursue) Him.
3. We are invited to be (fully satisfied) in Him.

Next week: 2026 Theme: Still the ONE!
NEW Series Theme: Break Those Chains!
Series: week: A Sling and Four Stones
Scripture: Matthew 6:25-34

2026 THEME: Still the ONE!

SERIES THEME: Break Those Chains!!

Title: Getting Free!

Scripture: Col. 2:16-3:4

I. DIE TO BE FREE (Col. 2:16-23)

Paul says we are released in three ways:

1. We are released from the chains of (reputation). (16,18)

• Legalism = salvation based on Christ + (human works).

2. We are released from the chains of (religion). (16-19)

3. We are released from the chains of (regulations). (20-23)

• An emphasis on the (temporal) versus (eternal).

II. FREE TO BE RAISED (Col. 3:1-4)

Our freedom in Christ is not based on what we do or don’t do. It is based on our (identity in
Him).

What does freedom in Christ look like?

1. We are free to be (redirected). (3:1)
2. We are free to be (reshaped). (3:2)
3. We are free to be (redefined). (3:3-4)

Next week: 2026 Theme: Still the ONE!
NEW Series Theme: Break Those Chains!
Series: Fear Loses its Grip
Scripture: Psalm 34

2026 THEME: Still the ONE!

SERIES THEME: The “Perfect” Christian

Title: You Have the Power!

Scripture: James 5:13-20

I. THE POWER OF FAITHFUL PRAYER

Prayer has a path through James. It starts in 1:5. It emerges again in 4:1-2. And then again here in chapter 5. Over and over in Scripture we are told to ask. Turn to Mt. 7:7-11. Turn to Hebrews 4:16.

A simple way to track your prayers:

• A(doration)
• C(onfession)
• T(hanksgiving)
• S(upplication)

II. THE POWER OF HEARTFELT PRAYER

3 things to know before we start:

1. Sometimes there is a direct relationship between (personal sin) and (sickness).
2. Sometimes there is (NO) direct relationship between personal sin and sickness.
3. It is not God’s will that everyone (be healed).

So what are we to do? James tells us:

1. Pray for the (suffering).
2. Pray for the (sick).
3. Pray for the (wayward).

Next week: 2026 Theme: Still the ONE!
NEW Series Theme: Break Those Chains!
Series: Getting Free!!
Scripture: Col. 2:16-3:4

2026 THEME: Still the ONE!

SERIES THEME: The “Perfect” Christian

Title: Straight Talk

Scripture: James 5:1-12

I. WARNING TO THE WICKED WEALTHY

Some important items to note:

1. He is speaking about the wealthy (outside the church).
• See Mt. 6:19-20
2. The problem is not wealth, it is (greed).
• Wealth is a (gift from God). The problem

II. WORDS TO THE WEARY WAITER

Practical advice from verses 7-12:

1. (Be patient and endure). (7-8)
2. (Don’t grumble) about each other. (9-11)
• Grumble means “to groan within oneself” or “to sigh”
3. (Don’t swear). (12)
• To swear means “to grasp something sacred firmly, for the purpose of
supporting what you’re saying or doing.”

A brief recap:

1. The problem is not wealth, it is greed.
2. Be patient and endure.
3. Don’t grumble about each other.
4. Don’t swear.

Next week: 2026 Theme: Still the ONE!
SERIES THEME: The “Perfect” Christian
Series: You Have the Power!
Scripture: James 5:13-20