Category: Sermon Notes

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

2026 THEME: Still the ONE!

SERIES THEME: The “Perfect” Christian

Title: Playing God

Scripture: James 4:11-17

I. PLAYING GOD WITH OTHERS

Check out Proverbs 6:16-19

(Slander) is a devastating sin. Slander needs only one thing: (a malicious tongue).

How do we play God with others?

1. By (speaking against) them.
2. By (judging) them.

II. PLAYING GOD WITH YOURSELF

My concern: Playing God by thinking we are the (master of our fate, the captain of our soul).

In James 4:13-14 James says some pretty blunt things:

1. (Death is certain).
2. We are not the (final authority) over our lives.
3. (Self-reliance) is a dead-end street.

Compared to eternity, (life is short). Ps. 90:10

Next week: 2026 Theme: Still the ONE!
SERIES THEME: The “Perfect” Christian
Series: Straight Talk
Scripture: James 5:1-12

2026 THEME: Still the ONE!

SERIES THEME: The “Perfect” Christian

Title: Whose Friend Are You?

Scripture: James 4:4-10

I. FRIENDSHIP WITH THE WORLD

James asks who started this and gives 2 answers:

1. (Evil desires/inner desires) (4:1b)
2. (Worldly motivation) (v.4)

The result? (spiritual adultery)

II. FRIENDSHIP WITH GOD

Where it all starts:

1. (Recognize) the power that is ours.
2. Humility is the sign of a (reborn life).

Commands we are given:

1. Humble ourselves or (submit).
2. (Resist) the devil.
3. (Draw near) to God.
4. Come with (clean hands and a pure heart).
5. Come with (repentance)

A “seeable” action plan:

• • • • • Submit (sincerely).
        • Resist the devil (forcefully).
        • Seek God (sincerely).
        • Repent (completely).
        • Treat sin (seriously).

Next week: 2026 Theme: Still the ONE!
SERIES THEME: The “Perfect” Christian
Series: Playing God
Scripture: James 4:11-17

2026 THEME: Still the ONE!

SERIES THEME: The “Perfect” Christian

Title: On Being a Wise Guy

Scripture: James 3:13-4:3

I. GODLY WISDOM VS HUMAN WISDOM

Two verses to consider: Eccl. 1:18 and 2:17

Godly wisdom is (genuine); human wisdom is (counterfeit).

II. GODLY RESULTS VS HUMAN RESULTS

Human wisdom:

1. (Bitter jealousy and selfish ambition)
2. (Boasting) and lying.
3. (Earthly, unspiritual, demonic)
4. (Disorder) and (evil) of every kind

Godly wisdom:

1. (Pure)
2. (Peace loving)
3. (Gentle)
4. Willing to (yield to others)
5. (Full of mercy) and (good deeds)
6. Shows no (favoritism)
7. Always (sincere)

Next week: 2026 Theme: Still the ONE!
SERIES THEME: The “Perfect” Christian
Series: Whose Friend are You?
Scripture: James 4:4-10

2026 THEME: Still the ONE!

SERIES THEME: The “Perfect” Christian

Title: An Open & Shut Case

Scripture: James 3:1-12

I. SMALL, BUT POWERFUL

If we want to reach God’s goal for us as Christ-followers, we must (control our tongue).
Two things James says:

1. The tongue is (small), but (powerful). See also Mt. 15:10-11, 17-19
2. The tongue is (necessary), but (dangerous).

II. HELPFUL, BUT INCONSISTENT

James is saying our tongues need to produce (good fruit) not (bad fruit).
See Mt. 12:34. What do we need to do?

1. (Cauterize) our lips. Is.6:5
2. Pray continually for (control).
3. (Discipline ourselves) regarding the use of our tongue.

Next week: 2026 Theme: Still the ONE!
SERIES THEME: The “Perfect” Christian
Series: On Being a Wise Guy
Scripture: James 3:13-18