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Sermon Summary:

This sermon explores the concept of being blessed, broken, and given in the context of Christian living and evangelism. It emphasizes the importance of understanding our identity in Christ, overcoming personal brokenness, and using our lives to serve others. The speaker encourages listeners to move past excuses and embrace their calling to share meals and build relationships with others as a means of sharing the gospel.

Key Points:

Prayer is foundational to evangelism and should precede all other actions Meals were central to Jesus' ministry and can be powerful tools for connection We are blessed by God to recover our true identity and calling Our brokenness, when surrendered to Jesus, can become a source of beauty and purpose We are called to give our lives in service to others and for God's kingdom Overcoming excuses (physical, mental, calendar) to engage in relational evangelism The importance of remembering our identity in Christ before reaching out to others The concept of being "spent" for God's purposes rather than drained

Scripture Reference:

Luke 9:16-17 Luke 22:19 Luke 24:30 John 6:35 Philippians 2:17

5-Day Devotional Download

Sermon Summary: This sermon explores the importance of listening as part of the "BLESS" strategy for sharing the gospel. It emphasizes the need to listen first to God, then to others, and finally to our surroundings. The pastor stresses that a burning heart for God leads to a flaming tongue for evangelism and that intentional, compassionate listening is crucial for effective ministry and personal spiritual growth.

Key Points: Prayer is the foundation for all aspects of blessing others We must listen to God first before listening to others Listening to people involves understanding their hearts, not just their words We need to be aware of and listen to our community's needs and idols Intentional and compassionate listening is essential for showing Christ's love The goal of Christian life is not just to endure until heaven, but to participate in God's redemptive work

Scripture Reference: Proverbs 18:13 - "He who answers before listening, that is his folly and his shame."

We're challenged to embrace the second greatest commandment: loving our neighbors. The sermon series 'BLESS' unpacks five everyday ways we can love our neighbors and change the world. We're reminded that loving our neighbors isn't always easy, especially in our modern 'back deck' culture. However, by beginning with prayer, we can ask God to bless us indeed and enlarge our territory, just as Jabez did in 1 Chronicles 4:10. This isn't about material blessings, but about expanding our sphere of influence and opening our eyes to the opportunities around us. We're called to let our light shine, as Jesus teaches in Matthew 5:16, making a ripple effect that can impact eternity. This message challenges us to see that our 'someday' for making a difference is today, encouraging us to live intentionally and sacrificially for God's glory.

Key Points:

• Love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength, and love your neighbor as yourself
• Begin with prayer to ask God for blessings and increased influence
• Open your eyes to opportunities to love your neighbors that are already around you
• Make your life "ripple" for eternity by impacting others positively Intentionally and sacrificially love your neighbors to fulfill God's purpose for your life

Scripture Reference:

• Mark 12:30-31 (The two greatest commandments)
• 1 Chronicles 4:10 (The prayer of Jabez)