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Sermon Title: The Power of Gratitude

Scripture Focus:
1 Thessalonians 5:18 – “In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”
Philippians 4:6 – “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.”

Introduction: The Missing Ingredient

Many people pray. Some people fast. But not enough people thank.

Gratitude is often the missing ingredient in the life of a believer. It’s easy to overlook it when life is difficult—but gratitude is not just a reaction; it’s a weapon, a perspective, and a path to joy.

I. What Is Gratitude and Why Does It Matter?

Gratitude is a heart posture that says:

• “God, You don’t owe me anything, but You’ve given me everything.”

Illustration:
A little girl once knelt by her bedside and prayed, “God, thank You for my family, my shoes, my toys, and even the broccoli I don’t like—because some kids don’t have food.” Her mother asked, “Why did you thank God for something you don’t like?” She said, “Because God gave it, and He knows what’s best.”

Gratitude shifts the focus from what we lack to what we already have

II. Complaining Costs More Than We Think

Let’s take a biblical look at some who complained:

1. The Israelites (Numbers 11)

• They were miraculously delivered from slavery in Egypt.
• God fed them with manna from heaven.
• Yet they cried out for meat, despising God's provision.
• Result: God's anger burned; many died. Complaining delayed and destroyed their destiny.

2. Miriam (Numbers 12)

• Complained about Moses’ leadership and marriage.
• Result: Struck with leprosy.

3. The Ten Spies (Numbers 13–14)

• Focused on giants rather than God’s promise.
• Result: They never entered the Promised Land.

Lesson: Complaining clouds your vision, poisons your faith, and slows your progress

III. The Quiet Strength of the Grateful

Now let’s look at those who had every reason to complain—but chose gratitude:

1. Joseph (Genesis 37–50)

• Betrayed by his brothers.
• Wrongfully accused.
• Forgotten in prison.
• But he never complained. He said: “You meant it for evil, but God meant it for good.”

2. Job

• Lost wealth, children, health.
• His wife said, “Curse God and die.”
• Job replied, “Shall we accept good from God and not trouble?” (Job 2:10)

3. Jesus

• Mocked, beaten, crucified.
• Instead of bitterness, He said: “Father, forgive them.”

Illustration:
Corrie ten Boom, a Holocaust survivor, once thanked God for the fleas in her barracks because they kept the guards away, which allowed her to teach Bible studies. What others saw as pests, she saw as protection.

IV. What Gratitude Unlocks

• Peace: Philippians 4:6–7 — Peace comes after thanksgiving.
• Access: Psalm 100:4 — “Enter His gates with thanksgiving...”
• Joy: Gratitude multiplies joy.
• Contentment: 1 Timothy 6:6 — “Godliness with contentment is great gain.”

Short Story:
A man once wrote in his journal: “Bad day. My car broke down. The coffee spilled on my shirt. Boss was upset.” Then he flipped the page and wrote:
“Great day. I have a car. I had coffee. I have a job.”
Same day. Different atti

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Sermon Title: All Things

Text: Romans 8:28

“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”

Introduction

Romans 8:28 is one of the most quoted, yet sometimes most misunderstood scriptures in the Bible. It doesn't say everything is good, but that all things work together for good — to them that love God. That means the good, the bad, the ugly, the unfair, the painful, and the joyful — God takes every thread and weaves it into a beautiful purpose.

Let’s dive into this powerful promise and explore the mystery and majesty of “All Things.”

Talking Points

1. God Is in Control of “All Things”

• Nothing catches God by surprise.
• Like a puzzle, individual pieces may look confusing, but together they reveal a complete picture.

Illustration:
A boy was helping his grandfather put together a puzzle. Frustrated, he cried, “This piece doesn’t fit anywhere!” The grandfather smiled and said, “Keep working on it, and you’ll see where it belongs.” Later, the boy placed the strange-looking piece in the perfect spot.
🗝️ Sometimes life feels like that – but God knows where every piece fits.

2. All Things Don’t Always Feel Good

• Some of us are dealing with sickness, loss, betrayal, or struggle.
• The verse doesn't say all things are good — but that God makes them work together for good.

Biblical Example:
Joseph was thrown in a pit, sold into slavery, and falsely accused. But at the end of it all, he could say in Genesis 50:20:

“You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good.”

🗝️ God takes what was meant to break you and turns it into something that builds you.

3. All Things Are Working According to God’s Purpose

• “To them that are the called according to His purpose.”
• Your life has divine meaning, even when it doesn’t make sense.

Short Story:
There was a man who lost his job, got sick, and was in a car wreck — all within a few months. But later, he testified:

“That season led me to start my own business, slow down, and return to church. I didn't see it then, but God was working all things together.”

🗝️ Pain can be a platform. Problems can lead to purpose.

4. God Mixes All Things for Good – Like a Master Chef

• A cake’s ingredients by themselves are not tasty — flour, eggs, oil, salt.
• But when mixed, stirred, and baked — it becomes something good.

Illustration:
God is the Master Chef. He takes the bitter (loss), the bland (waiting), the sweet (blessings), and the spicy (trials) — and mixes it all for your good.
🗝️ Even when you don’t understand the recipe, trust the Chef!

5. Love God & Trust His Process

• The promise of Romans 8:28 is conditional — “to them that love God.”
• You may not know what God is doing, but loving Him means you trust Him anyway.

Biblical Example:
Job lost everything, but still declared,

“Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him.” (Job 13:15)

Closing Application

Tell the congregation:

• Don’t throw in the towel.
• Don’t judge the story too soon.
• Don’t confuse a moment with a final outcome.

Because God is saying:

“I’m not finished yet — I’m still making all things work t

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Title: Working Together Gets the Job Done

Scripture Focus: Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

I. INTRODUCTION: WHY TEAMWORK MATTERS

Start with a relatable image:

Key Statement: God never intended for us to work in isolation. From the beginning, He said, “It is not good for man to be alone.” (Genesis 2:18)

II. BIBLICAL EXAMPLES OF WORKING TOGETHER

1. Moses and Aaron

• When God called Moses to lead the Israelites, Moses felt inadequate.
• God sent Aaron to assist him (Exodus 4:14-16).
• Result: Together, they confronted Pharaoh and led a nation out of bondage.

2. Nehemiah and the People of Jerusalem

• Nehemiah couldn’t rebuild the walls of Jerusalem by himself.
• Families, priests, and goldsmiths worked side-by-side with him (Nehemiah 3).
• Result: The wall was completed in just 52 days despite opposition!

3. Jesus and the Disciples

• Jesus could have ministered alone, but He chose 12 disciples.
• He sent them out two by two (Mark 6:7).
• After Pentecost, the church grew rapidly because the believers were in one accord (Acts 2:1, 42-47).

III. EXAMPLES OUTSIDE OF THE BIBLE

1. The Tuskegee Airmen

• African American pilots during WWII faced racism and rejection.
• But by working together with their support crews, they flew missions with unmatched excellence and protected bombers with the lowest loss rate.
• Result: They changed the course of history and opened doors for generations.

2. Civil Rights Movement

• Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is a key figure, but he didn’t march alone.
• From pastors to mothers to college students, thousands worked together for justice.
• Result: Laws changed, hearts changed, and a nation was moved.

IV. MODERN-DAY ILLUSTRATION: THE BRIDGE BUILDERS

V. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: HOW TO WORK TOGETHER

1. Recognize Every Person's Value
   (1 Corinthians 12:14-27 — We are one body with many parts)
2. Put the Mission First
   (Philippians 2:2 — Be of the same mind, having the same love)
3. Celebrate Others’ Success
   (Romans 12:15 — Rejoice with those who rejoice)
4. Forgive Quickly and Communicate Openly
   (Ephesians 4:2-3 — Be patient,

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Message Title: Together We Stand, Divided We Fall

Theme Statement:

Unity strengthens, division destroys. God's plan for victory is always tied to people walking together in love, obedience, and purpose.

I. Introduction

• Quote: "United we stand, divided we fall" – traced back to Aesop’s fable The Four Oxen and the Lion.

Jesus Himself emphasized unity: The Four Oxen and the Lion – Aesop’s Fable (Short Version)

Once upon a time, four oxen lived together in a field. They were close companions, always grazing together and keeping watch for danger. A lion lurking nearby wanted to eat them, but every time he tried to approach, the oxen would stand back-to-back, forming a circle. Their horns faced outward, and the lion could never get close.

So the lion waited. Eventually, the oxen began to quarrel and went their separate ways, each grazing in a different corner of the field. Now that they were alone and divided, the lion attacked — and one by one, he devoured them.

“If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand.” — Mark 3:25 (NIV)

Illustration: The Bundle of Sticks

A father gave his sons a bundle of sticks and told them to break it. They couldn’t. Then he told them to break the sticks one by one — and they easily did.
Moral: Unity brings strength. Separation brings weakness.

II. Biblical Examples of Unity & Division

A. Unity that Brought Victory:

1. The Tower of Babel (Genesis 11:1-9)

Even though their purpose was wrong, their unity was powerful:

“The people are one… now nothing will be withheld from them which they imagine to do.” (v.6)

• God confused their language because even in rebellion, unity was strong.

2. Joshua and the Israelites (Joshua 6)

• The walls of Jericho fell when the people obeyed and shouted together.
• No one did their own thing — they followed God's order in unity.

3. The Early Church (Acts 2:1, 42-47)

“When the day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.” (v.1)

• The church grew because they shared everything, prayed together, and stayed in unity.

B. Division that Led to Defeat:

1. Israel in the Wilderness (Numbers 14)

• Fear divided the people after the 10 spies gave a bad report.
• Because of disunity and unbelief, a whole generation died in the wilderness.

2. Kingdom Split Under Rehoboam (1 Kings 12)

• Rehoboam refused wise counsel and caused a split: Israel and Judah divided.
• Internal division weakened both kingdoms — neither was ever as strong again.

III. Real-World Examples

A. The 300 Spartans (Battle of Thermopylae)

• Vastly outnumbered, but their unity and strategy made them a legend.
• Unity can make a small group powerful.

B. Civil Rights Movement (1960s)

• Led by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., diverse people united under one cause.
• Peaceful, collective action changed the world.

“We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools.” – Dr. King

C. Family Illustration

• A family that prays, eats, and faces struggles together is stronger.
• But when there's bickering and division, the enemy gets a foothold.

IV. Why Unity Matters

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“United in the Cave: From Brokenness to Brotherhood”

I. The Place of Unity – The Cave of Adullam (1 Sam. 22:1–2)

• David was fleeing for his life from Saul.
• He hides in a cave, not a palace. And yet God sends him people—not the powerful, but the powerless.
• These were men who were distressed, in debt, and discontented—life had broken them.
• But something about David attracted them. It wasn’t his throne—it was his heart.

Spiritual Insight: Unity doesn't begin in comfort. It begins in common struggle.

II. The People of Unity – The Misfits Who Became Mighty (1 Sam. 22:2)

• 400 of them came. No money. No titles. No hope.
• But David became their captain—not just militarily, but spiritually and emotionally.
• Under his leadership, they were transformed—these are the very same men called David’s mighty men in 2 Samuel 23.
• The Cave became a training ground.

Illustration: Just like the church—God doesn’t fill the pews with perfect people. He fills them with people He’s perfecting.

III. The Pain of Unity – The Ziklag Test (1 Sam. 30:1–6)

• Fast forward: These same men were now David’s army.
• At Ziklag, they returned from battle to find their city burned, and their wives and children taken.
• Verse 4: “Then David and the people that were with him lifted up their voice and wept, until they had no more power to weep.”

Here’s the turning point:

“And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him…” (1 Sam. 30:6)

• These same men who once found safety in David’s leadership were now ready to kill him.
• Their grief turned into blame. That’s what pain can do—it fractures unity if not handled right.
• But the power of unity is seen not in the absence of conflict, but in the decision to rise above it.

IV. The Path to Unity – David Strengthened Himself in the Lord (1 Sam. 30:6–8)

• David didn’t defend himself. He didn’t retaliate.
• He went to God. “But David encouraged himself in the Lord his God.”
• Then he inquired of God, and God told him to pursue, overtake, and recover all.
• This moment saved their unity—because David went to God first, then led with clarity and strength.

Application: Leaders who go to God in crisis help restore trust. Members who stay faithful in pain become pillars of unity.

V. The Power of Unity – Recovery and Restoration (1 Sam. 30:9–20)

• David and the same men who were ready to stone him… turned around and fought with him.
• Together, they recovered all—every wife, every child, nothing missing.
• After the battle, David shared the spoil with everyone, even those who were too exhausted to fight (vv. 21–24).

Unity doesn’t just win battles—it shares victories.

🔥 How Can We Become Distressed, in Debt, and Discontented Today?

1. Distressed (Emotional and Mental Pressure)

Then: These men were running from Saul's oppression and the instability of Israel.

Now: We become distressed when:

• Life feels out of control.
• We’re under pressure from work, family, sickness, or society.
• We face betrayal, disappointment, or major transitions.

Examples Today:

• Being laid off and unable to provide.
• Broken relationships or family drama.
• Anxiety, depression, or fear of the future.

Biblica

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ON JANUARY 10, 2003, a young man named Terry Drier was in the water twenty hours after his boat had capsized. He gave a valiant effort at survival, although he later confessed he felt certain that he was going to die. After that long while, a helicopter located him and sent word to a ship on its way to the Persian Gulf. The name of the ship was the USS Comforter. This vessel was on its way to do battle and paused to deliver one man. They went out of their way to save one man and there was a doctor on board who nursed him back to health. Many people today are treading water, and they don’t know how much longer they can hang in there. People are tired and feel like all is lost. All we must do is look up and see that our Deliverer is hovering nearby. He knows exactly where deliverance can be found. The God of all comfort will make sure that the comfort we need comes our way.

Have you ever needed someone who was truly able to help—someone who not only wanted to help but had the power to do something about your situation? We serve a God who is not limited by time, strength, resources, or knowledge. Jesus Christ is ABLY qualified to handle every situation in your life. Whether it’s saving your soul, lifting you when you fall, or giving you more than you could imagine—He is able.

This lesson is built on eight powerful scriptures that show what Christ is able to do for you.

Lesson Summary Points

1. He is able to save to the uttermost (Hebrews 7:25)
   Story: Imagine a lifeguard who doesn’t just rescue swimmers near the shore but even dives into the deep sea to save someone. That’s Jesus—He goes all the way to save us.
2. He is able to keep you from falling (Jude 24)
   Illustration: Like a parent holding a toddler's hand as they walk, Jesus holds us up and keeps us from stumbling when we trust Him.
3. He is able to build you up (Acts 20:32)
   Illustration: Think of construction. The Word of God is like the builder’s tools—strengthening, shaping, and elevating our lives.
4. He is able to make you stand (Romans 14:4)
   Short Story: A man was accused of being too weak to stand on his own. But God gave him the strength, and he rose in confidence—God makes us stand when others think we will fall.
5. He is able to aid those who are tempted (Hebrews 2:18)
   Story: A recovering addict prayed, “God, I can’t do this alone.” Strength came, temptation fled. God aids those who cry out.
6. He is able to subdue all things (Philippians 3:21)
   Illustration: Like a general who conquers every enemy, Jesus subdues anything that rises against you—even your old self.
7. He is able to make all grace abound (2 Corinthians 9:8)
   Short Story: A struggling single mom received unexpected help just when she thought she couldn’t go on. That’s grace abounding in action.
8. He is able to do exceedingly abundantly (Ephesians 3:20)
   Illustration: God doesn’t give you the minimum—He goes above and beyond your expectations.

TRUE or FALSE (Circle T or F)

1. T / F – Jesus can only save people who are already good.
2. T / F – Hebrews 7:25 says Jesus always lives to intercede for us.
3. T / F – God is unable to keep us from falling.
4. T / F – The Word of God has the power to build us up.
5. T / F – We are left to stand or fall on our own in life.
6. T / F – Romans 14:4 shows God supports us even when we feel judged.
7. T / F – Jesus does not understand temptation.
8. T / F – Hebrews 2:18 says Jesus helps those who are tempted.
9. T / F – God can subdue only some probl

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