What’s Keeping You Growing sermon from Mark 1

When I cut off all the white mold infested leaves of my cantaloupe plant in an effort to keep the disease from spreading, I inadvertently cut off its life source. That plant didn’t die immediately, but it did die slowly when I cut off its way of making food. Likewise, in our busy lives, how are we cutting off our sources of spiritual life too? In Mark 1:32-39, all the people were clamoring for Jesus’ attention and his healing powers. How did Jesus respond? I believe the Bible has something to show us about how we should live, even when everyone else wants your attention and there are so many distractions everywhere telling us what to do. Check out my sermon today called “What’s Keeping You Growing” linked below. May it encourage you!

I preached this sermon as the main scheduled preacher this semester for the Young Adult Ministries (YAM) English speaking college ministry of The Lord’s Church in Waco (TLCW). This semester, I’m scheduled to preach twice a month. Come and worship with us if you are local! The Lord’s Church Waco is located in Waco, Texas, about a 40 minute drive from my home in Temple.

Scroll down below to watch a recording of the sermon and to read the benediction Scripture I used at the close of our service. Scroll down even further to watch my ‘After Sermon Preaching Tips‘ video 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 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!

The handout I printed and held up to those present is here:

Benediction modified from 2 Peter 3:18 (NIV)

May you grow in the grace and knowledge and practices of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for the benefit of ourselves, but also for the benefit of our neighbors in this watching, waiting world. To him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.

Sermon Scripture Mark 1:32-39 (NIV)

32 That evening at sundown they brought to him all who were sick or oppressed by demons. 33 And the whole city was gathered together at the door. 34 And he healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons. And he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him.35 And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed. 36 And Simon and those who were with him searched for him, 37 and they found him and said to him, “Everyone is looking for you.” 38 And he said to them, “Let us go on to the next towns, that I may preach there also, for that is why I came out.” 39 And he went throughout all Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and casting out demons.

Ideas for spending time with God

Would you like to know what I wrote in my pre-conference/cohort survey response? I wrote, “spending time with my family for dinner or to share updates, being involved in different communities, meeting regularly with a group of women online to check in, pray, and talk about Scripture, looking at nature/being in nature, taking walks at night…”

Other ideas are to join in Simple Presence by Shalem Institute, Scripture Lectio by Sejana, Evolving Enneagram CPE group…. all of these communities/opportunities are mentioned here . And there are SO MANY other ways I have spent time with God in different seasons of my life that are not listed and SO MANY ways that YOU have as well that are meaningful too. Use these as ideas, not as an exact prescription for you. The goal is to be with God. How you do it varies! It can and does look different for each of us.

Preaching Tips Background Video

In this video share, I give a brief summary of my sermon preached today, how I came up with the sermon topic when the one I planned didn’t seem like it was the one I needed to preach today. (I just wasn’t feeling it anymore y’all!) So I talk about trusting the leading of the Holy Spirit in our sermon preparation and also I share the preaching audio book, “Witness of Preaching” 3rd edition by Thomas Long. “Church is a community of faith where people come to offer their commitment, energy, and intelligence for the mission of Jesus Christ. The gospel beckons come to me all who that are weary and carry heavy burdens. But it also says, that the disciples of Jesus are also called to take up their cross, and follow me.” I’ve started which really helped me remember the purpose of preaching from someone further alone in their preaching journey. Check it out!

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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