Can I Borrow Your Boat? | Stephen Chandler | Sermon Notes — Hello Pastor

Sermon Notes

Can I Borrow Your Boat?

Stephen Chandler

Union Church • Aug 10, 2026 • 41 min

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Take this message with you through a journey of Scripture, reflection, and prayer.

Summary

In this message, Pastor Stephen Chandler challenges believers to view their daily lives and personal stories as platforms for sharing the Gospel with others. By surrendering our trials, past failures, and intimate moments to Jesus, we allow Him to preach His goodness to those who might never step into a church. When we make guiding lost people to Christ our primary pursuit, God promises to supply our needs and transform our lives beyond what human effort could ever accomplish.

Themes

Evangelism and DiscipleshipSurrender and TrustOvercoming ShameFaithfulness in TrialsKingdom Priorities

Pastor's Points

1.

Will I let God use my story?

2.

Will I let God transform my story?

3.

Will I let God change my story?

Key Points

1.
Will I let God use my story?
2.
Will I let God transform my story?
3.
Will I let God change my story?
4.
Followers of Jesus are given a divine commission to go into the world and make disciples rather than remaining passive.
5.
God holds believers responsible for faithfully sharing His truth and warning others, even though we are not accountable for how they respond.
6.
When we yield our personal struggles and intimate life details to Jesus, our stories become powerful platforms for Him to preach His goodness.
7.
The enemy uses shame and regret to silence believers, but remembering that Jesus is the hero of our story brings freedom from shame.
8.
When bringing lost people to Jesus becomes our main pursuit, God promises to supply our needs and expand our lives beyond human effort.

Sermon Moments

“God did not just save you to save you; the spiritual truth and encouragement you receive is meant to feed others in your life.”

“Christianity is not about merely coming to church, but about being equipped to go into the world and make disciples.”

“God asks to step into the intimate, broken parts of your life to preach His goodness to those who may never walk through church doors.”

“The enemy tries to shame you to silence your testimony because he already lost you, but fears who you might reach.”

“People are not watching you; they are watching the One sitting in your boat telling a redemptive story through your life.”

“Jesus stepping into your story is not only about using you for His Kingdom, but also about supernaturally blessing and transforming your life.”

“You are best equipped to reach the person who is currently living exactly where you used to be before Christ saved you.”

This Week

Identify someone in your sphere of influence who does not know Christ and share how God has worked in your life.

Surrender a past trial, heartbreak, or failure to God, trusting Him to use your healing to encourage someone else.

Reject shame and regret over past mistakes, acknowledging that Jesus is the true main character of your story.

Obey God by stepping out in faith again in an area where you previously experienced failure or disappointment.

Commit to actively serving in your local church to help build God's Kingdom rather than remaining a passive spectator.

Align your daily priorities so that sharing the Gospel and serving others takes precedence over chasing worldly success.

Intentionally look for opportunities to share the hope and peace of Christ with people living where you used to be.

Remember This

When we surrender our lives and struggles to Jesus as a platform to reach others, He frees us from shame and supernaturally provides for our needs.

A Challenge for You

Will you let God borrow your boat?

These are personal sermon notes shared to help you remember the message — not a replacement for Scripture, your church, or your pastors.