Sermon Notes: DON’T BREAKDOWN! BREAKTHROUGH!

“Don’t break down! BREAKTHROUGH!”

Romans 5:1-5

INTRODUCTION

HAPPY MLK DAY!

The world is filled with hopelessness and despair!  Life today offers us plenty of reasons to be hopeless!  Prospects of war and missile strikes between the U.S. and Iran; proliferations in nuclear weapons; pressures at the U.S. borders; political incivilities and improprieties in Washington, D.C.; permeations of overt and covert racism and disenfranchisement; plummeting stock markets; pains caused by mass shootings in churches and public venues; and the pounding and destruction of “mother nature” are just a few.

As we continue navigating 2020, statistics prove that the fourth (October, November, and December) and first (January, February, and March) quarters of any calendar year are historically times where we see increases in sadness, disappointment, hurt, loneliness, and frustration.  Each of the aforementioned factors is inextricably intertwined with higher incidences of suicides, murders, deaths, alcoholism, divorces, foreclosures, and credit card debt.  The more shocking fact than any of these is that all these satanic systems are occurring at unscriptural and undeniable rates among Christians!  This is not God’s will!

Life can literally break you down if you allow it!  But today’s sermon is simple!  It’s a message of hope because hope is the antidote to despair!  You might be wondering, “Why hope?”  “Hope in whom?”  “Hope in what?”  On this MLK weekend, Dr. King’s “Dream” is a constant reminder of why we should hope!  Dr. King (as does Pastor Kirbyjon Caldwell) also reminds us that we don’t always get what we deserve!  We get what we’re willing to fight (and even in some cases die) for!  So, don’t break down!  BREAKTHROUGH!

II. SYMBIOTIC RELATIONSHIPS

1. Symbiosis is a close union of two dissimilar species for mutual benefit!
2. God’s and Paul’s “Big Three” share symbiotic relationships!
3. King’s “Evil Triplets” share symbiotic relationships!

III. GOD’S “BIG THREE”                            1 John 5:6-8

1. 1. FAITH – The just shall live by faith!      Habakkuk 2:4; Hebrews 11:1
   2. LOVE – It casts all fear!           1 Corinthians 13:13; 1 John 4:18
   3. Hope – God never defines it for a reason!                                      Romans 8:24

IV. PAUL’S “BIG THREE”

1. 1. Perseverance earns you a crown!                        James 1:12
   2. Character develops under pressure!       Zechariah 13:9; Isaiah 48:10
   3. Hope against hope!                     Romans 4:18

V. KING’S “EVIL TRIPLETS”

1. Racism – We are all image bearers of God!      Genesis 1:26; Galatians 3:28
2. Materialism – Where is your treasure?         Matthew 19:21; Mark 8:36
3. Militarism – Study war no more!                                                         Isaiah 2:4

VI. CONCLUSION

God promises that hope will NEVER disappoint us!  Since this is true, then there’s no reason why we shouldn’t become more assured and fortified in the promises of God!  With disappointment of being “let down” off the table, be all in!  Don’t break down!  Instead, allow the love of God and the power of the Holy Spirit to help you soar to new heights and dimensions as you position yourself for God’s BREAKTHROUGH!

Source:   King, Martin Luther. Where Do We Go From Here: Community or Chaos?, Boston, MA: Beacon Press, 1967.

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