My Last Sermon

What God has taught me over 50 years.

Introduction -

How long did it take you to prepare your sermon? 50 years.

1. Trust in God for everything. Psalm 37:2-5, Proverbs 3:5-6

Proverbs 3:5–6 ESV

5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

If we want to be a giant of the faith, we have to trust Him for progressively bigger things.

2. Never resist a generous impulse. Psalm 37:21, 26; 1 John 3:17

1 John 3:17 ESV

17 But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him?

Be a giver not a taker.

3. Humility solves every relationship problem. Psalm 37:11, Philippians 2:3

Philippians 2:3 ESV

3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.

The only people interested in what you have to say are those who really love you and they are probably only interested in you, not what you say. A smile changes so much.

4. There is something I am wrong about, and it might be a big deal. Psalm 37:8, 27, 1 John 2:1

1 John 2:1 ESV

1 My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.

Do not be surprised at anyone’s sin or failure.

5. If we don’t hear God speak, it’s not because He isn’t speaking. Psalm 37:34, John 10:27

John 10:27 ESV

27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.

6. God wants to bless us. Psalm 37:4, 22; 1 Chronicles 4:10

1 Chronicles 4:10 ESV

10 Jabez called upon the God of Israel, saying, “Oh that you would bless me and enlarge my border, and that your hand might be with me, and that you would keep me from harm so that it might not bring me pain!” And God granted what he asked.

We will never be as _______ as we’d like to be and if we are, it won’t make us happy. Happiness isn’t being as ______ as we’d like to be. Psalm 37:1-2, 16

Psalm 37:1–2 ESV

1 Fret not yourself because of evildoers; be not envious of wrongdoers! 2 For they will soon fade like the grass and wither like the green herb.

7. Hardship is God’s path to maturity. Psalm 37:24, 39-40

Psalm 37:23–24 ESV

23 The steps of a man are established by the Lord, when he delights in his way; 24 though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong, for the Lord upholds his hand.

We will fall when we are following God’s path!

8. Prayer is God’s idea of teamwork. Psalm 37:9, James 1:14-18

James 1:14–18 ESV

14 But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. 15 Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death. 16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. 17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. 18 Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

When God prompts you to pray. Anywhere, anytime, with anyone, about anythings.

9. Victory in the Christian life is through reckoning, renewing and resisting. Psalm 37:8, Romans 6:11, 12:2, James 4:7

Romans 6:11 ESV

11 So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.

Romans 12:2 ESV

2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

James 4:7 ESV

7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

We must think about what we think.

10. God has never failed me when I trusted Him. Psalm 37:25

Psalm 37:25 ESV

25 I have been young, and now am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his children begging for bread.