Passing It On

We finished the series called “Your Move” this past Sunday at First United Methodist Church Waco. The series was about how the Bible gives answers that help us determine our best move when it comes to making decisions about the stewardship of our time and money. The last message was titled “Passing It On”.

Ripple effect on water. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

We are to be intentional about growing, about what we feed our soul, and doing what’s most important. When we ask for God’s help to fulfill our purpose, there is a ripple effect that gets bigger and bigger. What we pass on keeps the ripple effect going for many years. Below is an outline of the message. The words in black are notes provided by the church staff and the notes in blue are notes I added as I listened to the Podcast.

1. BE INTENTIONAL ABOUT GROWING.
“Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.” – 2 Corinthians 4:16 (NIV)

The outward body will waste away but the inner body can keep growing and getting stronger. God does not see the outward appearance but He sees the heart. He cares about your character. Paul the apostle was not a handsome guy or a good speaker but he had all the things that matter like joy, generosity, and peace. We need to spend as much time on our inner being as we do our outer being.

“… Be honest in your estimate of yourselves, measuring your value by how much faith God has given you.” – Romans 12:3 (NLT)

We need to live our faith.

2. BE INTENTIONAL ABOUT WHAT YOU FEED THE REAL YOU.
“See how very much our heavenly Father loves us, for He allows us to be called his children, and we really are! …” – 1 John 3:1 NLT)

We feed our bodies and our souls. We are feeding our souls with every television show we watch, every book we read, and every conversation we have.

“Remember that I commanded you to be strong and brave. Don’t be afraid, because the Lord your God will be with you everywhere you go.” – Joshua 1:9 (NCV)

The Word will change what you do, change where you go, and change what you give. God will build within you and me something to pass on.

Here is a link to the video shown during the sermon of those recently baptized by immersion. The inner life is transformed and the outward life is never the same.

3. BE INTENTIONAL ABOUT SETTING PRIORITIES.
“But Jesus told him, ‘Anyone who puts a hand to the plow and then looks back is not fit for the Kingdom of God.’ ” – Luke 9:62 (NLT)

Set the unimportant aside and do what is most important. The Apostle Paul’s ministry started something that keeps going on and on like the ripple after throwing a rock in a pond. The ripple effect gets bigger and bigger until it’s a mighty work.

“If you try to keep your life for yourself, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for Me, you will find true life.” – Matthew 16:25 (NLT)

4. BE INTENTIONAL ABOUT YOUR PURPOSE.
“Through Christ, God made peace between us and Himself, and God gave us the work of telling everyone about the peace we can have with Him…. So we have been sent to speak for Christ!” – 2 Corinthians 5:18b, 20a (NCV)

We’ve been sent to speak for Christ. We share the message with our words, our resources and also our deeds.

“… use your worldly resources to benefit others and make friends, In this way, your generosity stores up a reward for you in heaven.” – Luke 16:9 (NLT)

5. BE INTENTIONAL ABOUT SEEKING GOD’S HELP.
“…and He will give you all you need from day to day if you live for Him and make the kingdom of God your primary concern.” – Matthew 6:33 (NLT)

“Jesus replied, ‘Let me assure you that no one has ever given up anything … for love of Me and to tell others the Good News, who won’t be given back a hundred times over… All these will be his here on earth, and in the world to come he shall have eternal life.” – Mark 10:29-30 (LB)

What we pass on creates a ripple effect for many years. Feel free to use this outline and message to study or pass on to others. There is a Podcast of all sermons at this link First United Methodist Church Waco Podcast.