This week's sermon at Riverwood Church was a deeply personal journey for me, exploring the intersection of my engineering background and my faith. I shared my story, hoping to inspire others to examine their own expectations – both in their professional lives and their relationship with God.
For years, my demanding career kept me away from church. The structure of my work, the problem-solving mindset I honed at companies like DuPont and John Deere, seemed worlds away from the spiritual realm. Yet, a simple church sign one day drew me in. Riverwood's focus on practical, relatable biblical teachings resonated with me. I found that the principles of faith could be applied to every aspect of life, just like the data-driven solutions I used in engineering.
My faith journey has been marked by what I consider miracles, a direct result of increased prayer and religious practice. This experience led me to deliver my first sermon, focusing on the often-unmet expectations we place on our faith and how to realign them with God's will.
Prayer, I believe, is a direct line to God, a 24/7 lifeline for our spiritual well-being. It's about reverence, gratitude, and trusting in God's perfect plan. Even unanswered prayers are part of His plan; they don't signify a lack of care. I used the Bible as my primary data source, supplementing it with a concise ChatGPT definition of prayer. I also shared a personal anecdote: my prayer for a BMW, which ultimately led to receiving an even better car – a Lexus – a year later. This experience highlighted the importance of trusting God's timing and His perfect will, even when it differs from our expectations.
I also discussed different approaches to prayer, comparing my experiences with the advice of my grandmother. I emphasized praying to God through Jesus Christ, referencing 1 Timothy. The Lord's Prayer, found in Matthew 6:9, served as a framework for understanding the importance of seeking daily resources for success and the significance of forgiveness. I used the example of Darryl Strawberry, a baseball player who prayed for better stats but neglected to utilize the resources already at his disposal.
The sermon also addressed the apparent contradiction in the Bible regarding poverty and prosperity. I defined prosperity holistically, encompassing physical, spiritual, emotional, and financial well-being. While the Bible acknowledges poverty as a reality, it also emphasizes the importance of compassionate action towards those in need. I shared a personal experience encountering homelessness in Waterloo, sparking a conversation about the root causes and the need for tangible solutions.
I introduced the FIST framework (Finance, Influence, Skills, Time) as a practical approach to helping the poor. I contrasted this with a solely prosperity-focused gospel, highlighting the need for action alongside prayer. I also discussed the potential obstacles to prosperity, including a weak relationship with Jesus and the allure of material possessions. I emphasized the importance of tithing and prioritizing faith over material wealth.
Sin, or "poison," was another key topic. I discussed the Ten Commandments and the seven deadly sins, emphasizing the importance of confession and seeking forgiveness. I used examples from popular culture (Britney Spears' "Oops!...I Did It Again") and historical figures (Jimmy Carter) to illustrate the process of genuine confession.
The sermon concluded with a discussion of temptation, using 1 Corinthians 10:13 as a guide. I used the analogy of a vortex to illustrate how easily temptation can lead to sin, and how much easier it is to escape before being fully engulfed. I emphasized that God always provides a way out, but we must actively seek it. I addressed common temptations, including those from online sources, and encouraged self-discipline and seeking God's guidance.
Ultimately, the sermon was a call to action. It was a plea to re-evaluate our expectations, to strengthen our relationship with God through prayer, and to actively participate in His work in the world. It was a reminder that while God's plan is perfect, our actions are crucial in aligning our lives with His will.
