Topical Sermon - PMin 5073 - Preference Posture Presence - Sermon

Intro Story

Let me tell you about one of the most consistent “debates” I have these days.

It’s about something very serious...

Which Disney princess are we watching tonight?

Me: “How about Moana?” My daughter: “No Daddy, Belle.” Me: “We watched Belle four times already this week.” Her: “But she’s my favorite!” Me: “What about Moana 2?” Her: “No, Belle. Belle is perfect.”

This is the nightly negotiation in our house. But here’s the thing—I usually give in. Why? Because my preference isn't the priority. Loving her is.

Research Firm, YouGov found from polling:

Most-Loved Movies (Among Viewers): Moana – 54%

Favorite Princesses (Overall) - Cinderella – 13%

Spiritual Insight

That’s exactly what the Holy Spirit has been pressing on me lately:

So much of spiritual maturity is about learning to release our preferences and step into a posture of surrender—because we’re called to something greater.

Preferences Are Natural—But They’re Not Eternal

We all have preferences—what we wear, eat, listen to, or even how we think church or life should go.

But God’s call on our life isn’t based on what we prefer—it’s based on who He’s making us to be.

Romans 12:2 challenges us not to conform to the world’s pattern:

“Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.” —Romans 12:2 (CSB)

Don’t follow the world’s way — Let go of preference-led living.

Be transformed by renewal — Let God reshape your thinking.

Discern what God wants — Surrender leads to clarity.

Choose His will over yours — His way is always best.

Preferences aren’t inherently bad—but they shouldn't steer our lives or define our growth.

We’re called to:

Run toward what we may not know

Love people we’ve never met

Carry hope into uncomfortable places

That’s the heartbeat of the Great Commission—to go into all the world, not just the parts we like or prefer.

We are called to treat others with dignity, not favoritism; to reflect God's justice, mercy, and grace without filters.

Releasing Preferences Builds Real Love and Real Purpose

Releasing Preferences Builds Real Love and Real Purpose

Philippians 2:3–5 (CSB) — “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves…”

Back to Disney. It’s a silly example, but it reveals something deeper:

Laying down your preference is an act of love—and an act of faithful obedience.

Deuteronomy 10:17 (CSB) — “For the Lord your God is the God of gods and Lord of lords, the great, mighty, and awe-inspiring God, showing no partiality and taking no bribe.”

Personal Example

My life: freestyle worship rap.

I weep inside for it. It’s the most intimate posture I've found on this side of heaven.

It’s my deep preference, and it’s good.

Currently, I spend my daylight hours optimizing sales teams and helping companies—and I genuinely love that.

But my heart’s deepest desire? It’s in worship rap.

Yet, I release that preference daily because God has called me to something greater right now:

Investing in others

Leading with love

Choosing to follow His plan for me

The Ultimate Choice Was the Cross

On the cross Jesus saw all of you—your pain, your past, your struggles, your sin—when He gave all of Himself.

Jesus did not prefer the cross. He prayed:

“Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me.”

Key Verses

Matthew 26:39 (CSB) —

“Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed,

‘My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.’”

Knox Chamblin: In verse 39, the first petition, the conditional clause is positive; verses 42 and 44 become a growing awareness that the cup will not be taken away until He empties it. [5]

The “cup” in Scripture represents unavoidable divine judgment, wrath, or affliction

David Renwick - “The cup that Jesus is about to embrace, but wants removed, therefore involves the anticipation of two types of pain: physical and spiritual. But there is more pain than this in the garden.”

Matthew 26:42 (CSB) — “Again, a second time, he went away and prayed, ‘My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.’”

“Again, a second time…” shows deepening surrender.

First prayer wrestles; second accepts.

“He went away and prayed”—alone and intentionally.

“My Father…” centers the relationship in trust.

“If this cannot pass unless I drink it…” — full acceptance of the cross.

Acts 4:12 (CSB) — “There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to people by which we must be saved.”

Timothy Mejida:

“He will drink the cup. He will not resist it even though he can, and in this way he is showing them an example of the servant Son-of-Man, demonstrating sacrificial leadership among his flock.”ik ;grklbfskl; c;

God Uses Surrendered Preferences to Shape Our Purpose

God shapes something profound in us through surrender

Whether it’s Disney movies at home, freestyle worship rap, or how we engage at church.

The more we release our preferences, the more clearly we step into His greater purpose.

Purpose leads to deeper fulfillment and lasting impact—far beyond temporary satisfaction.

Conclusion: Circle Back to the Intro

Tonight—spoiler alert—we’re probably watching Belle again.

And I’ll sit there, arm around my little girl, humming “Tale as Old as Time...”

And I’ll remember: This is what love looks like—

Choosing people

Laying down self

In Heaven

Preference gives way to posture.

Unity is the culture. No one clings to personal identity or status—everyone is one in Christ, bowing in reverence.

Worship becomes wholehearted. There’s no arguing about styles or settings—there’s only a unified cry around the throne.

Surrender is the rhythm.

Hymn Reflection

As Amazing Grace says:

“When we’ve been there ten thousand years, bright shining as the sun, we’ve no less days to sing God’s praise than when we first begun.”

Just as Jesus’ journey didn’t stop in Gethsemane

Just as the hymn didn’t stop with Newton’s original lines…

It’s as if that final stanza answers Jesus’ prayer in the garden

“Unless I drink it…” And now, because He did, we will sing—ten thousand years and more.

Call to Action

You can have that posture today. You can give your life to Jesus. You can receive His forgiveness. You can ask Him to live in your heart and lead your life. You can choose to follow Him—for the rest of your days.

Choose Jesus. Posture your heart. Let Him change everything.