This Is Not About You | Herbert Fontnette | Sermon Notes — Hello Pastor

Sermon Notes

This Is Not About You

Herbert Fontnette

Strong Tower Ministries • Aug 2, 2026 • 80 min

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

Summary

In this message from Mark 1:1–8, Pastor Herbert Fontnette confronts the modern tendency to make faith and church life all about ourselves. Looking at the life and ministry of John the Baptist, we are reminded that true gospel ministry calls for humility, repentance, and pointing everyone to Jesus Christ. Spiritual power does not come from outward luxury or human recognition, but from the Word of God and the indwelling Holy Spirit.

Themes

HumilityRepentance and ForgivenessThe Gospel of Jesus ChristThe Power of the Holy SpiritChrist-Centered Living

Key Points

1.
The gospel and church life do not center on us; our ultimate calling is to point others to Jesus Christ.
2.
Modern culture often conditions believers to treat God like a drive-thru, expecting everything to happen according to personal desire.
3.
God will often humble believers when they become addicted to self-importance or hearing their own names praised.
4.
Pastors and church leaders are not the stars of the show; their role is solely to elevate the Savior.
5.
John the Baptist preached a message of repentance in the wilderness, demonstrating that everyone—regardless of social or economic status—needs Jesus.
6.
Water baptism is an outward show of an inward conversion, requiring genuine repentance and a change of direction.
7.
True spiritual power does not depend on expensive clothing or outward status, but on the living Word of God.
8.
Jesus baptizes believers with the Holy Spirit, who lives inside us to empower us to live, speak, and act rightly.

Sermon Moments

“I'm just glad that the Lord picked somebody like me to talk about a God like Him.”

“This is not the drive-thru to Burger King. You can't just pull up to the window and have it your way.”

“When you are addicted to hearing your name called, God will allow you to go into a season where ain't nobody calling your name.”

“In the modern church, we have lifted the individual called the pastor to the height that God never intended... you shouldn't flock to the pastor, you need to be flocking to the one that the pastor ought to be talking about.”

“It ain't just people that's broke that need Jesus, it's people that's living high on the hog... everybody needs Jesus!”

“How is it that his diet was crazy, his clothes looked crazy, but he was preaching with power, but yet us in 2026, we got all the expensive clothes... but we ain't got no power?”

“Which means to tell me that there's power in the Word!”

This Week

Examine your heart daily to surrender selfish attitudes and put God's will above your personal preferences.

Refuse to elevate human leaders or yourself, making sure all praise and glory go to Jesus Christ.

Practice genuine repentance by turning away from sin and changing your life's direction.

Rely on the authority and power of God's Word rather than material status or appearance.

Invite the Holy Spirit to empower your daily speech, temper, and relationships.

Remember that everyone you meet—whether wealthy or struggling—needs the saving grace of Jesus.

Boldly share the message of Christ with others, pointing them to the Savior who sets people free.

Remember This

This life and the gospel are not about us; our entire purpose is to humble ourselves, repent, and point others to Jesus Christ.

A Challenge for You

Open your mouth and testify that Jesus is Lord, praising Him for His saving grace and the gift of the Holy Spirit!

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