Sermon Notes For Music Lovers - April 26, 2020
To kick off his series ‘Relationship Goals: Reloaded’, Pastor Mike Todd welcomed Jonathon McReynolds to open worship with his latest single ‘People’.
There’s a dope reprise that comes after the single, that Mike Todd delivers inspirational context and ad-libs. Is he about to become the Diddy of religion?
He reminds us that although hurt people, hurt people, we are delivered by God. We won’t be affected by those who disappointed us and damaged our perspective.
As we learn to approach relationships with a renewed mind and heart, we are reminded that all things new have manuals on how to effectively use them. In this life, our manual for living a life of purpose with others can be found in the Good Book, the God Book, the Bible.
Pastor Mike reminds us in his series kickoff that the words continue to help us because they are written.
There’s power in spoken word, but there's longevity in the written word.
If we could live by the principles of God, we would avoid a lot of the problems of life.
The more principles you learn from the word of God, the less you have to pray about what to do.
Principles simplify Life.
Principles protect us.
When you violate principles, you violate yourself.
Our relationship with God defines our ultimate relationship goal. That direct relationship dictates our relationships here on Earth.
“Joyful are people of integrity, who follow the instructions of the Lord. Joyful are those who obey his laws and search for him with all their hearts. They do not compromise with evil, and they walk only in his paths. You have charged us to keep your commandments carefully.”
Psalms 119:1-4
Principle: The first foundational original law established by which a creature or a created thing is designed to function or be regulated.
Anything that is not a principle is an opinion.
Principle always comes FIRST.
Check this out: When a King and Queen have a child, they call their first-child a prince or princess, because they are first in line for the throne.
Satan is the Prince of Darkness.
The prince of ignorance.
In Hebrew, ignorance is darkness.
The area of your life, where you are most ignorant, Satan has the most control of you.
Ignorance is darkness. When one knows too little, there is not much to process and there will be little choices available.
By no means am I bringing up this debut album, 'Time Will Tell' by Domani to say that he is the prince of the darkness. If anything, he's just the prince of the south by way of being the urban legend, T.I.'s son. He's got a dope track called 'Darkness' with a killer sample from Khruangbin. In Darkness, you see a great representation of how we get so comfortable in the darkness and we justify our comfort. Fortunately, Domani carries his light through rap and made a pretty solid album that I don't think many folks talk about.
Domani - Darkness
Lyrics
I see clear when the lights in the room is all blown out
I see clear in the night when the stars and the moon
Say I see clear when I should not be seeing a thing
I see clear and I swear I do
Cuz I see better in the darkest
I see better in the darkness
Guess what? Knowledge equals light.
Common - The Light
Lyrics
There are times when you'll need someone
I will be by your side
There is a light, that shines
Special for you, and me
Wherever light is, darkness cannot stay.
Carry the light everywhere you go. Let the light run through you.
Tom Misch - It Runs Through Me
Lyrics
You can't take this away from me
The way I hit the melody
The waves bring clarity
Running through me
You can't take this away from me
Oh the way I hit the melody
The waves bring clarity
Running through me
“Then he stooped down again and wrote in the dust. When the accusers heard this, they slipped away one by one, beginning with the oldest, until only Jesus was left in the middle of the crowd with the woman. Then Jesus stood up again and said to the woman, “Where are your accusers? Didn’t even one of them condemn you?” “No, Lord,” she said. And Jesus said, “Neither do I. Go and sin no more.” Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.”
John 8:8-12
T.I. - Bring Em Out
Lyrics
Bring 'em out, bring 'em out
Bring 'em out, bring 'em out
Bring 'em out, bring 'em out
It's a bit of a stretch to associate this song, but I get it. This reference is referring to our light being a beacon for those who we surround ourselves with. Our light shines in different ways and those ways are how we help others and ourselves. It drives out the darkness and we bring them out.
“You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.”
Matthew 5:14-16 NLT
Kanye West - Flashing Lights
Lyrics
Flashing lights, lights
Flashing lights, lights
Flashing lights, lights
“There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death.”
Proverbs 14:12
Principles of God our Creator
Knowledge
Understanding
Obedience
Application
Tyler the Creator obviously has NOTHING on God Our Creator, but they both claim to be creators. Let's just wonder if Tyler the Creator's 'RUNNING OUT OF TIME' represented how we prolong living in relationship with God properly by looking to the world to define how we shape our relationships - Just a thought and a good song break.
Tyler the Creator - RUNNING OUT OF TIME
“Long ago God spoke many times and in many ways to our ancestors through the prophets. And now in these final days, he has spoken to us through his Son. God promised everything to the Son as an inheritance, and through the Son he created the universe. The Son radiates God’s own glory and expresses the very character of God, and he sustains everything by the mighty power of his command. When he had cleansed us from our sins, he sat down in the place of honor at the right hand of the majestic God in heaven.” - Hebrews 1:1-3
He spoke principles into place and those principles are still functioning. The grass withers and the flower fades, but the word of God stands.
If you read the manual, you get all the benefits.
Warning: Read the manual, before you touched the product.
Ask yourself: Could your relationships be better if you read the manual (The Bible)?
Let's break down the word manual
Manu = make.
Manu + facture = Factory that makes it.
Manual + ly = The maker's thoughts on paper.
“Some Pharisees came and tried to trap him with this question: “Should a man be allowed to divorce his wife for just any reason?” “Haven’t you read the Scriptures?” Jesus replied. “They record that from the beginning ‘God made them male and female.’ ” And he said, “‘This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.’ Since they are no longer two but one, let no one split apart what God has joined together.”
Matthew 19:3-6
To get the manufacturer’s guarantee in relationships you must read the manual. The manual will teach you properly. Failure to read could result in serious injury or property damage.
Music Soulchild - teachme
Lyrics
I was told the true definition of a man was to never cry
Work 'til you tired got to provide
Always be the rock for my fam', protect them by all means
And give you the things that you need
Your relationship, in God's hands, will get the manufacture's guarantee in relationship.
Here's a playlist that I created that I'll be contributing to throughout the series. It has songs featured from the sermon, as well as some that I think relate to the series. Be sure to follow for more updates. Be blessed, but also be disciplined.
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