Lord, I Will Follow You, But... | Charles Blake II | Sermon Notes — Hello Pastor

Sermon Notes

Lord, I Will Follow You, But...

Charles Blake II

West Angeles Church of God in Christ • Jun 14, 2026 • 132 min

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

Summary

When Jesus calls us to follow Him, we often respond with valid-sounding excuses or hesitation, putting our family, work, or comfort first. Pastor Charles Blake II teaches that true discipleship requires wholehearted commitment and letting go of generational patterns, fears, and life's 'buts.' When we surrender our lives completely to Christ, God redeems our past, secures our future, and replaces everything we feared losing with His eternal goodness.

Themes

Discipleship and CommitmentOvercoming ExcusesBreaking Generational CursesThe Power of 'But God'Surrender and Faith

Key Points

1.
The word 'but' functions as an interruption that halts spiritual momentum and derails divine potential.
2.
Jesus demands radical, wholehearted commitment rather than casual church attendance or emotional escapes.
3.
Most excuses for delaying obedience are not inherently evil, but good things prioritized over God become dangerous distractions.
4.
Following Christ requires abandoning ungodly ways of thinking and generational patterns passed down by family.
5.
Total surrender to Jesus does not destroy your life; it preserves and elevates everything you were afraid of losing.
6.
There will never be a 'perfect' time in the future to follow Christ, so immediate obedience is necessary.
7.
Scripture transforms tragic human 'buts' into victorious 'But God' declarations that bring redemption and deliverance.

Sermon Moments

“The word 'but' is one of those words that by its very nature signifies a point of interruption, a changing of direction, a stoppage.”

“Church to some of us has become a form of entertainment, but Christ looks into our hearts and says, 'Follow me.'”

“Most of our reasons for not doing what God calls us to do seem like good, valid reasons—they are not evil reasons.”

“Following Christ may mean abandoning the way your family taught you to think and live if it doesn't line up with the Word.”

“Martin Luther King Jr. understood that people had to love their families while stepping away from the hatred their families taught them.”

“There will never be a right time in the future to follow Christ; the right time is right now.”

“Everything that you are afraid of losing, you will actually save by following our Savior.”

“I was on my way to hell, but God sent His Son Jesus to save me and give me a new life.”

This Week

Identify specific excuses or 'buts' you have used to delay total surrender to God.

Choose to break ungodly generational habits or mindsets learned from family that do not align with Scripture.

Prioritize daily communion and relationship with Christ over career, secondary obligations, and social expectations.

Surrender your fears of losing control or personal security into God's trustworthy hands.

Renew your mind daily through God's Word to ensure your responses reflect Christ rather than past upbringing.

Commit to active obedience today instead of waiting for ideal life circumstances in the future.

Speak 'But God' over difficult situations, trusting Him to turn trials into moments of divine deliverance.

Remember This

When we stop offering excuses and surrender fully to Jesus, God steps into our life to turn every tragic human 'but' into a victorious 'But God' moment.

A Challenge for You

Don't let any excuse or fear keep you from God's purpose; step out in faith right now and commit your life completely to Christ.

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