Pastor Johnson breaks down this sermon into 5 points.

1. Trust, Preservation, and God as the Ultimate Source

• Psalm 16:1–3 — Trust and Preservation: Pastor Johnson expounds on "Preserve me, O God" (Psalm 16:1), emphasizing God's protection in an unpredictable world. This preservation is likened to salting hams or canning to prevent spoilage—God keeps believers from "going bad." Trusting God as a refuge alleviates worry and provides safety.
• Recognition of God as Giver: Based on Psalm 16:2, Pastor Johnson asserts that all blessings—houses, cars, children—are gifts from God. This echoes Job's declaration, "The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away," promoting gratitude in both abundance and loss.
• National Heritage of Faith: "In God We Trust" on U.S. currency reflects America's religious foundations, built by pioneers who trusted God for their sustenance and future.

2. Personal Testimony and Gratitude

• "If It Had Not Been for the Lord": Pastor Johnson recounts growing up in a rural shack with minimal clothing and worn-out shoes, contrasting this with current blessings to underscore God's provision—and the conviction that life would be "messed up" without Jesus.
• The Tommy Johnson Story: Pastor Johnson was repeatedly misidentified as "Tommy Johnson" in high school, who received accolades meant for him. Though Tommy was voted "most likely to succeed," he later died from drug addiction—a reminder that earthly predictions are fallible and life outcomes depend on following God's plan.
• Gratitude as a Pathway to Blessing: Pastor Johnson teaches that God loves grateful people and that an appreciative attitude leads to continued favor. Cultivating gratitude positively affects one's outlook and outcomes.

3. Commitment and Identity in Christ

• Living by Faith (Galatians 2:20): Pastor Johnson cites Galatians 2:20 ("I am crucified with Christ... yet not I, but Christ liveth in me") to explain that the Christian life is Christ living through the believer—rooted in His love and sacrifice.
• Being "Hooked on Jesus": Devotion to Christ is described as being "stuck on Jesus"—a lifelong commitment that makes returning to a life without God unthinkable after having "tasted" His goodness.
• Trials as Formative Experiences: God allows hardships—like a child learning to walk—as necessary for growth. He may permit struggles but will not leave believers down. "I have never seen the righteous forsaken nor his seed begging bread."

4. Being on God's Winning Team

• The Sports Analogy: Life is compared to a competition with winners and losers. God never loses—like a doctor who never loses a patient or a lawyer who never loses a case. Believers should want to be on "the Lord's team."
• Staying on the Team: Just as teams trade underperforming players, God may remove the uncommitted. Staying on His team requires "playing hard" through prayer, fasting, and seeking God's help with personal struggles. The responsibility lies with the individual.
• God's Validation (Psalm 56): Psalm 56:9 ("When I cry unto you, then shall my enemy turn back") confirms God is for us. His response—financial blessing, improved health, or removal of negative influences—is proof of His support.

5. Practical Spiritual Counsel

• Prayer for Daily Preservation: Pastor Johnson advises praying "Lord, keep me" before work, school, or travel, acknowledging life's unpredictability.
• Dealing with Negative Influences: Believers should call on God when facing opposition and create healthy boundaries—following Jesus' example of telling negativity, "Get behind me." Surround yourself with people who bring joy, not strife.
• The Blessing of Gathering: Citing Peter's statement, "It is good for us to be here," Pastor Johnson highlights the value of worship in helping believers avoid conflict and receive God's word.

We hope you enjoyed this sermon.

Join us this Wednesday at 630pm for our MidWeek Refuel. Join us in service at 3002 Chelsea Avenue Memphis TN 38108, you will be glad you did!