Take this message with you through a journey of Scripture, reflection, and prayer.
Summary
Themes
Pastor's Points
Key Points
- 1.Stubbornness won't let you reframe your speech, keeping you complaining instead of confessing.
- 2.Stubbornness won't allow us to recognize our stuff; you cannot improve or adjust what you refuse to own.
- 3.Stubbornness won't let you rethink your strategy; just because a method worked in the past does not make it right for your present.
- 4.Stubbornness won't let us release our grudges, causing people to waste precious breath on bitterness.
- 5.Stubbornness won't let us repurpose our suffering into spiritual growth and a better future.
- 6.God frequently warned His people against being 'stiff-necked'—a metaphor for an ox refusing to turn when its master pulls the reins.
- 7.Some adversity and some opportunities are undeserved, but God is redemptive and can turn public embarrassment into freedom from people's opinions.
Sermon Moments
“God described His people as stiff-necked, using the agricultural image of an ox refusing to turn when the master pulls the reins.”
“God will use embarrassment as an instrument to deliver you from the prison of opinions held by people who aren't critical to your destiny.”
“Your cross may put you in proximity to someone else on theirs, making your assignment to minister in your misery.”
“Marry the mission, but date the method.”
“Some people stay changed only as long as they remember what the belly of the whale felt like.”
“Inheritance is what you leave for your children; legacy is what you put inside of them.”
This Week
Remember This
Self-sabotage is often driven by stubbornness rather than sinfulness, keeping us stuck until we yield to God's direction and own our need for change.
A Challenge for You
Write your dreams and plans in pencil, giving God a complete and pre-emptive 'yes' to alter your direction according to His divine calling rather than your personal convenience.These are personal sermon notes shared to help you remember the message — not a replacement for Scripture, your church, or your pastors.
4 passages. Tap one to see how it was used, hear it, or read it.
How each passage was used is drawn from what the pastor said at that moment, then checked.













