Sermon Tone Analysis

Good Morning & Welcome to New Hope!

We’ve been in this series this entire month titled Me, Myself, & I. It’s been a stewardship series, even though we’ve only talked about finances once, we believe that we’re simply stewards / managers of what our gracious God has given us.

He owns it all - talents, time, resources.

It’s all about Him; not us.

It’s our desire to seek and follow His will for our lives, while getting out of the way.

I don’t normally do this.

This is kind of risky.

But following Jesus and being a disciple is risky business.

So this morning to wrap up the series, I’ve invited my good friend from high school to come and share with us and his name is Brian - can you give him a warm New Hope welcome?

As you can see by the following pictures, we played sports together.

It’s funny how in every team picture I could in my yearbooks we were next to each other.

He’s actually the guy that talked me into playing golf in high school - I have him to blame!

If you’ve received a 2nd chance, will you please stand up.

If you’ve received a 3rd, 4th, 5th, or 6th chance…please stand up.

But let me ask you… Which one of these guys looks like they might make some shady decisions?

If you’re hear this morning and you question the existence of God; you question whether or not He is real; you question whether or not Christianity is real; you question whether or not this is all just made up to prey on weak people… Look around at the living testimonies in front of you.

Look around at each of these God stories.

Look around at how God works in the lives of people to heal, restore, redeem, make new, make whole.

It’s interesting… for those who were able to watch Brian’s story on YouTube… Even though Brian and I were good friends in high school, I didn’t know what was going on in his life.

If you’re hear this morning and you don’t have a relationship with Jesus, or don’t know what it means to have a relationship with Him, and you’d like to know more, I’m asking you to be bold and step out of your seat and come forward.

Someone will come along side you to help you and pray for you.

So Brian… as we begin...

Can you tell us a little about your childhood growing up?

Can you pinpoint to one thing/event/decision that attributed to the decisions you were making?

What would you say to students/youth regarding the decisions they make?

What would you say to parents regarding how they parent?

What/Who was it that helped you to make a turn in your life?

What was the hardest part about changing your life around?

What do you still battle today?

What would you say to someone who has taken a similar path?

What would you say to someone who feels stuck/trapped in this lifestyle?

What are the things that keep you on the right path today?

What’s most important to you today?

How is God currently using you & your story?

Why’s it important for you to share with us this morning?

What’s most important to you today?

What would you say to those who are serving in recovery ministry today?

Invitation:

Send out: Baptism / Heaven Series