Someone asked me if I get nervous when I know I’m about to speak (preach). I said no- well, unless it’s somewhere new I’m preaching, I don’t really get nervous. Later when I thought about that question more, I realized that a more fuller response would be to share that I don’t get nervous- I get prayerful. I NEED the Lord to preach to ME because how else can I preach anything to someone else? I ask God what do WE and specifically what does THIS GROUP OF PEOPLE need to hear from you, through me? That is the question. Sometimes I don’t really know until it’s done. This sermon this week is my response to the question – with all of the different people in media (and in our families and work/school spaces) all claiming the name of the Lord- and yet all of our lives and priorities look completely different – what are we supposed to do with that? This sermon is me refocusing myself and the hearer of our calling. I didn’t get to preach my entire manuscript, but I do reference Jeremiah 24:6-7, which I am titled, “Our Calling (as people of faith)” – check out a recording of the sermon below.
I know you have eyes to see it. There are different versions of ‘christianity’ out there in the world and in our faces every day. And with that, what is God calling US to as people of faith? There is something that God asks of us and it DOES cost. Are we willing to pay the price? Do we really want to open up all the closed off (or so we think) areas of our lives to the Lord’s touch? Because that would mean changing some things. And that would be uncomfortable and usually pretty difficult. But, we are not (and never have been) doing this alone. God continues to be with us, and others who have went astray, time and time again. Return to the Lord. God wants more from you as a Christ-follower. No one else can do this life with God but you and God. But we can sharpen one another and cheer each other on, together, as we live our our calling, as people of faith.
As you can hear from my ‘After Preaching Tips‘ video, (scroll all the way down to the end of this blogpost) I came to this topic today because of all the media and news and busyness that has been consuming me lately. I needed to get back to what was God asking of ME to do? Who am I to BE as a person of faith? I preached this sermon on 14 September 2025, as one of 4 sermons during the time of our lead pastor’s absence (due to a sabbatical) for my home church, Impact Temple Church, in Temple Texas.
I am always hopeful that these offerings would bless and encourage you in your own journey with God and in your ministry of service to others. Feel free to reach out to me or leave a comment below, anytime. Blessings and peace!
Prayer
David Robinson, a ‘Simple Presence’ Daily Zoom by Shalem Institute participant and leader this morning shared these words as he closed out our time together. It was particularly moving to me and so I intended on sharing his words with the church to close our my time of preaching as well, but it didn’t work out that way. I’m still sharing it here:
Our shared calling is to embody the brave, the grace of peace, love, and hope. To live what we pray to be – the blessing we ask of others – with faith, and through faith.
We work for justice for the poor and for the creatures without a voice of their own.
May God bless us all, with the clarity of God’s prayer for us.
Amen.
Details about the ‘Simple Presence’ daily online gathering is found here.
Jeremiah 24:6-7(NIV)
6 My eyes will watch over them for their good, and I will bring them back to this land. I will build them up and not tear them down; I will plant them and not uproot them. 7 I will give them a heart to know me, that I am the Lord. They will be my people, and I will be their God, for they will return to me with all their heart.
Preaching Tips Background Video
In this video, I’m still kinda preaching my sermon – but I hope that what you’ll get from this reflection is all the ways that God provides what we need. I trust that God is my translator in these matters, effectively speaking to the listener whatever it is that God is trying to say to them, through me. Indeed, there are things that God is calling us to do as people of God. So let’s examine ourselves to see how God is shaping us. Are we willing? Check it out below!
My ‘After Sermon Preaching Tips‘ videos are where I’m keeping up my routine of sharing a few thoughts after I preach (right before I walk back into my home from my car!). I’d love to hear what resonates with you, in your particular roles of ministry (or however you’ve come to find this particular video)!
You can watch my After Preaching Tips video playlist here.
You can find the rest of my Sermons here! https://sejanashines.com/preaching and my Sermons playlist here.
Here’s a new link with all kinds of ways to connect with me! https://lnk.bio/sejanashines.
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