Slow and See | Taylor Madu | Sermon Notes — Hello Pastor

Sermon Notes

Slow and See

Social Dallas • Oct 20, 2024 • 49 min

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

Summary

In this message, Pastor Taylor Madu explores Mark 6, where Jesus calls His disciples to rest and feeds the five thousand, illustrating that a truly full life is rooted in intentionality rather than chaotic busyness. By intentionally slowing down, we move from merely looking at crowds to truly seeing individuals, reflecting El Roi—the God who sees us in our pain and history. Rather than running from trials or becoming overwhelmed by our insufficiency, we are invited to trust God's refining process, offer thanks for what we have, and rest in Jesus as our Good Shepherd.

Themes

Intention Over BusynessEl Roi: The God Who SeesCompassion for IndividualsEnduring God's ProcessGratitude in Insufficiency

Pastor's Points

1.

Give us eyes to see

2.

Give us strength to endure

3.

Give us grace to be grateful anyways

Key Points

1.
Give us eyes to see: Slowing down allows us to move from just looking at crowds to truly seeing individuals with compassion.
2.
Give us strength to endure: God often allows us to face our challenges repeatedly until we are set free, using the process to refine our character.
3.
Give us grace to be grateful anyways: Offering gratitude over our small or insufficient resources allows Jesus to multiply them into abundant provision.
4.
A full life is defined by intentionality rather than busyness, following the pattern of Jesus who consistently slowed down to give undivided attention to people.
5.
Jesus embodies El Roi, the God who sees every individual in their pain, isolation, and personal history, inviting us to see others through His eyes.
6.
When we try to rush or escape difficult circumstances, we risk missing how God wants to use our process to minister to those around us.
7.
By directing the crowd to sit on green grass, Jesus pointed to His identity as the Good Shepherd from Psalm 23, in whose presence we lack nothing.

Sermon Moments

“A full life is not a busy life; a full life is an intentional life.”

“If the devil can't make you bad, he'll make you busy.”

“God will make you face it until you're free from it.”

“Where we see a problem, Christ sees opportunity.”

“In the presence of the Good Shepherd, we lack nothing; in the presence of the Good Shepherd, we have all that we need.”

“In the hands of Jesus, our not enough becomes enough.”

“Gratitude turns what we have into enough.”

This Week

Intentionally slow down your daily pace to notice, listen to, and truly see the individuals around you rather than rushing past them.

Stop running from persistent trials or uncomfortable situations, asking God for the strength to face and endure them until you experience real freedom.

Express genuine thanksgiving to God over areas in your life where you feel insufficient or lack enough resources.

Pray daily for eyes to see people with Christ-like compassion rather than judging or dismissing them based on outward behaviors.

Establish healthy boundaries around your core priorities, such as faith and family, to guard against chaotic busyness.

Rest in Jesus as your Good Shepherd (Psalm 23), trusting Him to bring structure, order, and soul refreshment when life feels overwhelming.

Surrender people-pleasing and the pressure to satisfy every human expectation, anchoring your identity and approval completely in Christ.

Remember This

When we slow down and allow El Roi—the God who sees us—to direct our lives, we gain the strength to face our trials with gratitude and see others with Christ's compassion.

A Challenge for You

"Do you see? We will be a people who see... God help us to see. Give us strength for the journey to continue to press through no matter what comes our way... and I want to encourage you to be a grateful people despite."

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