It's Time for More | Shawn Johnson | Sermon Notes — Hello Pastor

Sermon Notes

It's Time for More

Red Rocks Church • Jan 28, 2025 • 52 min

Start a Devotional

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

Summary

On Red Rocks Church's 20th anniversary, Pastor Shawn Johnson encourages believers to cultivate intentional gratitude and step into God's promise of "immeasurably more." By building personal "memorials" that recall past deliverances and answered prayers, believers strengthen their faith for present battles and future calling. When we intentionally remember what God has brought us through, we are emboldened to pray bold prayers and trust Him to do far beyond all we could ask or imagine.

Themes

Gratitude and ThanksgivingRemembering God's FaithfulnessFaith for BreakthroughOvercoming Fear and AnxietyTrusting God's Power

Key Points

1.
God holds plans to give His people a hope and a future, assuring believers that their best days are ahead rather than behind them.
2.
Expressing gratitude in every circumstance is a direct biblical command and God's explicit will for believers.
3.
The church is meant to function as a spiritual hospital for healing rather than a courtroom of judgment and pretense.
4.
Establishing spiritual memorial stones allows believers to look back on past deliverances and remain anchored in faith during trials.
5.
Reflecting on how God previously delivered us builds an "I've been here before" faith that gives courage to face current giants.
6.
Intentionally rehearsing God's marvelous works during seasons of struggle aligns our hearts with truth and drives away fear and spiritual opposition.
7.
By trusting in God's power at work within us rather than self-reliance, He is able to accomplish infinitely more than we could ever ask or imagine.

Sermon Moments

“The Courtroom vs. Hospital Metaphor: Church shouldn't be a courtroom where people dress to impress and hide their flaws, but a hospital where people openly bring their brokenness to the Great Physician.”

“The Heritage Square Theme Park Train: Preaching through the constant interruption of a theme park train horn, choosing gratitude over frustration while trusting God to grow the ministry.”

“The $10 Home Depot Lighting Boards: Crafting simple stage setups with budget materials during the early years, demonstrating that God's presence isn't dependent on production value.”

“Joshua's 12 Memorial Stones: God commanding Israel to stop and build a memorial after crossing the Jordan River so future generations would remember His power before facing future battles.”

“David's 'I've Been Here Before' Faith: How David found the courage to face Goliath by remembering that the same God who delivered him from the lion and bear would deliver him again.”

“The Unexpected Arvada Expansion: Receiving an unsolicited call offering a church property right after a month of prayer, proving God provides in unexpected ways.”

“Pastor Shawn's Personal Memorial: Reflecting on deliverance from addiction, suicidal ideation, and panic attacks as enduring proof of God's power to carry us through present struggles.”

This Week

Keep a daily journal or notebook to record specific answered prayers and things you are grateful for.

On one page of your journal, write down past deliverances and current blessings; on another page, write out bold, expectant prayers trusting God to answer.

Choose to give thanks intentionally in the middle of difficult or uncertain circumstances, rather than waiting for conditions to change.

Share stories of God's past faithfulness with your family and children so that future generations will know His power.

Reframe your approach to church as a spiritual hospital, dropping pretense and being honest about where you need God's healing.

When facing intimidating challenges, reflect on your past "memorial stones" to remember how God rescued you in previous battles.

Shift your focus from self-improvement to inviting the Holy Spirit's power to work within you for real breakthrough.

Remember This

Being thankful for what God has brought you through builds the faith needed to believe Him for immeasurably more in your future.

A Challenge for You

Start focusing more on what God has done and let it build your faith for what He can do, so you have a testimony you never thought you would have because He really is the God of immeasurably more.

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