Key points
1Many believers live and act as though Jesus is still dead, even though He is risen and alive.
Pastor Brent opens by recounting the resurrection morning, when Mary and the women found the tomb empty and the angel declared Jesus risen. He notes this news shook the Roman Empire, yet many Christians live functionally as though their Savior is dead rather than alive and active.
I ain't got this
A story from life
Conversation with church members Warren and Elizabeth about their late-life conversion
2We can make our own plans, but the Lord gives the right answer.
Working through Proverbs 16:1, Pastor Brent recalls a church mother telling him as a new believer to use his pencil to make plans but give God the eraser. He says surrendering to Jesus means letting Him determine the plans rather than gripping our own agenda.
you do what you wanna do with that pencil, but you make sure you give God the eraser
A story from life
Memory of a church mother's advice about giving God the eraser on his plans
3Discovering God's will comes from waking up each day wanting to please Him, not from anxious planning.
He tells of advising a 20-year-old, Joanna, that spending less time worrying about the future and more time simply trying to put a smile on God's face is how you discover His direction, sharing that his own five-year benchmarks never worked out as planned.
Spend less time being worried about your future and spend more time simply putting a smile on his face
A story from life
Coffee conversation with a young adult named Joanna about worrying less and pleasing God more
4The Lord examines our motives, so we must keep asking why we're really doing what we do.
From Proverbs 16:2, Pastor Brent challenges listeners to check whether their motives are pure in work, in checking on someone, or in posting on social media, giving concrete either/or examples where the same action can spring from a good or a hidden, impure motive.
5Committing our actions to the Lord leads to success in every area of life, not just spiritual ones.
He illustrates this from Proverbs 16:3 with his own unexpected transition into a groups pastor role, where admitting he didn't know what he was doing and inviting God in led to growth from 40 to 85 groups in twelve weeks, then points to Chick-fil-A's Dan Cathy committing the business to Christian principles as an example of a plan submitted to God.
A story from life
Account of taking on the groups pastor role and seeing growth from 40 to 85 groups
Illustration
Example of Chick-fil-A and founder Dan Cathy committing the business to Christian principles by closing on Sundays
6God allows trouble as part of building with Him, and two questions help us respond rightly.
Using Proverbs 16:4, he acknowledges the enemy opposes those building with the Lord and things can look like they're going off the rails, but encourages asking 'Lord, what are You trying to teach me?' and 'What's one thing I can be grateful for?' rather than staying stuck in a 'woe is me' state.
We don't got this. So because we don't got this, guess what we got to do? We got to build with him not without him
7Pride must be killed because it keeps us from doing the hard things God calls us to.
From Proverbs 16:5, Pastor Brent confesses his own struggle with pride and selfish ambition, telling a story of being assigned to hold flags and drive a golf cart after preaching, reacting with wounded pride, and being humbled by the Holy Spirit to realize no task is beneath a shepherd.
Proverbs 16:5; Matthew 16:24· relatedA story from life
Story of being assigned to put up flags and drive a golf cart after transitioning to a new church, and struggling with pride
8Unfailing love and faithfulness is a person, Jesus, and making Him Lord changes what we're comfortable doing.
Working through Proverbs 16:6, he explains that Jesus alone atones for sin, and when He becomes Lord of your life the Holy Spirit makes you uncomfortable with sin you used to tolerate, turning you to run from evil and toward God.
Pride stops you from doing hard things
9When your life pleases the Lord, even non-physical enemies like fear, anxiety, and worry are made to be at peace with you.
From Proverbs 16:7, Pastor Brent broadens 'enemies' beyond people to spiritual struggles such as depression, anxiety, worry, and fear, teaching that having the Lord as light in your heart can quiet things that used to torment you.
10Godliness matters more than accumulated wealth or status, because none of it transfers to eternity.
He unpacks Proverbs 16:8 by returning to his conversation with Warren and Elizabeth, who realized late in life that their accomplishments meant little in the end, and encourages the congregation to pursue success but hold it loosely, since heaven's reward will dwarf anything built on earth.
11The Lord determines our steps, so the real choice is whether we hand Him the eraser on our plans.
Closing on Proverbs 16:9, Pastor Brent returns to the image of the pencil and eraser, challenging listeners at every age to admit 'I ain't got this' and let God determine their steps rather than clinging to self-made plans.
the home you build here on earth will pale in comparison to the mansion he's building you in heaven
Application
Pastor Brent's charge is to stop saying 'I've got this' and instead build your life with Jesus, not without Him.
Give God the eraser on your plans
Whatever plans you're making for your family, finances, or career, commit them to the Lord instead of gripping them yourself, trusting Him to determine your steps.
Check your motives daily
Ask yourself 'why am I doing this' about your work, your relationships, and even your social media posts, making sure the reason behind the action is actually pure.
Root out pride
Identify where pride keeps you from doing hard or humble tasks, and let the Holy Spirit examine and prune that area of your heart this week.
Make Jesus Lord of your life
If you've never given your life to Jesus, take the step now by confessing with your mouth and believing in your heart that He is Lord, as Pastor Brent led people to do in the prayer of salvation.
Text Jesus to 21999
Those who prayed to receive Christ or stood during the invitation are asked to text the word Jesus to 21999 so the church can walk with them and help them grow in faith.
Take it into your week
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