11:00AM Sunday Service. God Math - I rest my case

Devotional

Day 1: Jesus rested his case through obedient suffering.

Dear brothers and sisters, even when the crowd and rulers declared him guilty, Jesus refused to waste his breath arguing; he let his obedience and suffering speak for the truth, rested in the Father's verdict, and carried out what was required without compromise or spectacle—an example to trust God's vindication rather than fighting every worldly accusation. [16:56]

Mark 15:21-24 (ESV)
21 And they compelled a certain man, Simon of Cyrene, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to carry his cross.
22 And they brought him to the place called Golgotha (which means Place of a Skull).
23 And they offered him wine mixed with myrrh, but he did not take it.
24 And they crucified him and divided his garments among them, casting lots for them, to decide what each should take.

Reflection: When you feel wrongly judged this week, what is one concrete action you will take to "rest your case" before God rather than arguing (for example: pray for 10 minutes, write a short prayer of surrender, or wait 24 hours before responding), and when will you do it?

Day 2: Serve the least—participate, don't merely spectate.

Dear brothers and sisters, God calls his people out of the pews and into the streets; seeing needs is not enough—when someone is hungry, thirsty, sick, or alone, step in and act as if you were serving Jesus himself, and let thanksgiving be shown in generous hands and not just words. [21:23]

Matthew 25:35-40 (ESV)
35 For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me,
36 I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.
37 Then the righteous will answer him, saying, "Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink?
38 And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you?
39 And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?"
40 And the King will answer them, "Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me."

Reflection: Name one local person or ministry serving the "least of these" and schedule a specific time this week to serve them (deliver a meal, volunteer an hour, or donate needed items); who will you contact and on what day will you go?

Day 3: God's math: all things work together.

Dear brothers and sisters, when life doesn't add up and seasons feel confusing, stay in God's equation—keep trusting, keep showing up, and remember that even the broken pieces are being reordered by a Father who works all things for good for those who love him; your disappointment is not the final calculation. [05:11]

Romans 8:28 (ESV)
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

Reflection: Pick one situation in your life right now that "doesn't add up." Write three simple, concrete trust-actions you'll do this week to "stay in the equation" (for example: pray with a friend, journal God’s past faithfulness, act in faith on one small step) and commit to when you'll do each one.

Day 4: Don't take a sip—resist compromise in weakness.

Dear brothers and sisters, temptation comes hardest when the body or mind is weak and the world offers a quick "sip" that promises relief; be alert—refuse the temporary fix that mortgages your future, strengthen your spirit through truth, and build practical barriers so you won't be tempted to drink what will harm your testimony. [24:01]

1 Corinthians 10:13 (ESV)
No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

Reflection: Identify one specific temptation you have been close to giving into. What is one immediate, practical step you will take today to remove access to that temptation (delete an app, avoid a place, set an accountability check-in), and who will you tell to keep you accountable?

Day 5: Value relationships over status and possessions.

Dear brothers and sisters, when people divided Jesus' garments they were overvaluing his clothes while missing the person on the cross; don't let houses, cars, titles, or church status replace the priority of your soul, family, and honest relationship with Jesus—choose the hard work of humility and reconciliation over chasing what looks good. [31:06]

Matthew 6:19-21 (ESV)
19 "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal,
20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.
21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

Reflection: What is one status symbol or activity you are currently prioritizing over your relationships or spiritual life? Name one concrete change you will make this week to rebalance (for example: a phone-free dinner, skipping an event to spend time with family, or a weekly Sabbath), and when will you begin?

Sermon Summary

I opened Mark 15:21-26 and sat with Jesus on the road to Golgotha—Simon of Cyrene pulled from the crowd to carry the cross, wine mixed with myrrh offered but refused, soldiers gambling away a tunic while the Son of God is nailed to wood. Not exactly a “Thanksgiving” passage at first glance, but it is if you see it through God math. Our math says, “This doesn’t add up.” God’s math says, “All things work together.” The problem is we jump out of the equation too soon. If we’ll stay in it, we’ll see the sum that God has been working toward all along.

I talked about gratitude that names names. At a beach wedding, the groom didn’t just say “thanks”—he told people why: the distance they traveled, the money they spent, the gifts they gave. That’s our cue with God. Your thanksgiving and mine won’t sound the same, but both should sound specific. Name the reasons. You may not have what your neighbor has, but you’ve got breath, you’ve got a story, and you’ve got evidence of grace.

Then we followed Jesus into three charges and three verdicts. First: innocent of being just a spectator. Simon was “compelled” to carry the cross; so are we. We don’t come to be entertained; we come to be engaged, especially with “the least of these” (Matthew 25). Second: innocent of taking a sip. When weak and beaten, Jesus refused the numbing cup. Temptation often comes as anesthesia, not a frontal assault. Don’t mortgage your future to pay rent on today. Anchor your mind in sound doctrine so you can recognize the counterfeits. Third: innocent of overvaluing status. While soldiers divided garments, they missed the Person. If we prize houses, titles, and platforms more than we prize a living relationship with Jesus—and the people entrusted to us—we’re counting the wrong things. Serve, yes; give, yes; but don’t sacrifice your soul or your family on the altar of church activity. Balance it.

Finally, when people render verdicts on you, do what Jesus did: rest your case with the Father. Argue less; live louder. Let your obedience be the evidence. God will close the file in your favor, in His time.

Key Takeaways

1. Stay in the equation with God. When life doesn’t add up, our reflex is to declare the problem unsolvable and walk away. Faith stays in the math until God reveals what He’s been adding, subtracting, and multiplying behind the scenes. Patience is not passivity; it’s participation in God’s timing. Hold your place in the process and watch the sum change. [05:11]
2. Thankfulness needs names and reasons. Vague gratitude evaporates; specific gratitude roots deep. Tell God what you’re thankful for and why—trace the miles He covered, the money He provided, the mercy He extended. Specific thanksgiving sharpens memory and strengthens faith for the next stretch of road. It turns “thanks” into testimony. [08:35]
3. Let actions speak; rest your case. There are fights your words will never win—but your life can. Jesus answered false verdicts with faithful obedience, letting the Father close the argument. When you stop sparring with fools and start stacking evidence with integrity, heaven files the brief on your behalf. Live your defense. [15:05]
4. Hold truth; refuse the numbing sip. Temptation often offers relief more than rebellion, especially when you’re tired, lonely, or wounded. Numbing compromises feel small in the moment, but they mortgage tomorrow. Feed your mind with sound teaching, set wise boundaries, and let the Spirit strengthen what’s shaky. Put the cup down. [24:30]
5. Don’t overvalue status; treasure relationships. The soldiers valued Jesus’ garments more than His presence; we can do the same with houses, jobs, and titles. Status can be replaced; a soul cannot. Prioritize your life with God and the people He’s given you, and serve from that overflow. If you must choose, choose relationship. [32:28]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:31] - Scripture reading: Mark 15
[03:27] - Prayer and title: God Math
[04:25] - When life doesn’t add up
[06:14] - Beach wedding gratitude story
[09:29] - Be thankful in every season
[12:51] - Human verdicts vs. the Father
[15:05] - Let actions speak, not arguments
[16:19] - From spectator to participator
[20:59] - Serve the least of these
[23:29] - Don’t take a sip; hold truth
[30:29] - Don’t overvalue status
[33:03] - Balance church, family, and soul
[39:05] - Closing prayer and send-off

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Mark 15:21–26 — 21 And they compelled a passerby, Simon of Cyrene, who was coming in from the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to carry his cross. 22 And they brought him to the place called Golgotha (which means Place of a Skull). 23 And they offered him wine mixed with myrrh, but he did not take it. 24 And they crucified him and divided his garments among them, casting lots for them, to decide what each should take. 25 And it was the third hour when they crucified him. 26 And the inscription of the charge against him read, “The King of the Jews.”

Observation Questions

What three specific details does Mark give about what happened as Jesus was led to be crucified (who carried the cross, what drink was offered, what the soldiers did with his clothes)? How do those three details shape the scene? (Passage: Mark 15:21–24)
The preacher said “God math says all things work together” and warned that people often “jump out of the equation too soon.” What words or phrases in the sermon help explain what it means to “stay in the equation”? [05:11]
In the wedding story the groom didn’t just say “thanks”—he named why he was thankful. What examples did the preacher give of specific things we can name when we thank God? [08:35]
The preacher pointed out that the soldiers “divided his garments” and missed the Person. What does the sermon show about how overvaluing status or stuff can blind someone to deeper realities? [31:54]

Interpretation Questions

What might the refusal of the wine mixed with myrrh (Mark 15:23) signify about Jesus’ choice under suffering, and how does the preacher interpret that refusal as a model for resisting “numbing” temptations? [24:30]
How should one understand the significance of Simon of Cyrene being “compelled” to carry the cross (Mark 15:21) in light of the sermon’s claim that Christians are called to be participators rather than spectators? [16:56]
What does the preacher mean when he says Jesus “rested his case” with the Father, and how does that reframe the Christian response to unfair verdicts or criticism? [15:05]
How does the preacher connect the soldiers’ focus on garments (Mark 15:24) to a broader warning about prioritizing status over relationships and spiritual health? [31:54]

Application Questions

Identify one person, ministry, or local need you are currently only spectating about. What is one concrete step you will take this week to move from spectator to participator (call, volunteer, give, invite)? [18:12]
When was the last time you used “thanks” without naming why? This week, write out three specific things you will thank God for and why—then share one of them with someone in the group. [08:35]
Name a recurring area of temptation that comes to you as a “numbing sip” when you are tired or discouraged (social media, drink, quick compromise, gossip, etc.). What boundary or practical guard will you put in place this week to refuse that sip? (For example: turn off the app at 8pm, set an accountability text, avoid a certain place or person for now.) [24:30]
Think of a recent situation where others judged you unfairly or you felt condemned. What would “resting your case with the Father” look like in that situation—what actions, rather than words, can you take to let God defend you? Set one measurable action to take in the next 7 days. [15:05]
Evaluate one area where you may be overvaluing status (job title, social image, church activity). What relationship (spouse, child, parent, close friend) has been neglected because of that emphasis? Name one practical thing you will do this week to restore balance (a 30‑minute undistracted meal, a sibling call, a family night). [32:28]
The sermon encouraged specific thanksgiving that becomes testimony. Who in your life needs to hear how God has provided for you? Plan to tell one person next week one specific way God has moved in your life. [08:35]
The preacher urged generosity toward “the least of these.” Identify one small, doable act of service for a neighbor, coworker, or local ministry you will do within two weeks (deliver a meal, pay for groceries, volunteer an hour). Commit to it and report back to the group. [21:23]

Sermon Clips

``But when you calculate it according to God's math, God, the Word of says, God says all things work together. All things work together. All things work together. Listen, this ain't new math. This is old math. This is God math. God math says all things. So, yes, all the stuff that you are going through, dear brothers and sisters, will add up and make sense in the end. [00:05:00] (22 seconds) #GodMath

``We tell our kids to be thankful.So why aren't you thankful?Uh-oh.Speaker, I don't think they heard me.You tell your kids to be thankful for what it is that you gave them during the holiday.So why aren't you thankful to God for the stuff that you got?Because he didn't have to do it.But he, come on.And that's what Mike said.He said, you didn't have to do it, but you did it anyway.And we got to get back to saying, God, you didn't have to do it, but you did it anyway.And I am thankful. [00:10:16] (35 seconds) #GratefulToGod

``You might not have gotten everything on your Christmas list.Come on, grown Christians.For many of us as Christians, our prayers ain't nothing but a Christmas list.You got toys.You got junk.You got stuff on there that you don't need, but it's what you want.We got to understand that we have to be thankful in whatever season that we are in.But it is hard when you don't see every season as all things work together for my good. [00:10:50] (44 seconds) #ThankfulInEverySeason

``What happens when everybody calls you guilty, but you know you're innocent?What do you do, dear brothers and sisters, when everybody that said they ride and die with you begin to jump out in the car?What do you do, dear brothers and sisters, when everybody sat there and said, baby, I'll never leave you.I'll never leave you.And then the next thing you know, they won't answer your call.Instead of Jesus cussing these folks out, Jesus sat there and said, your verdict is not the same as the verdict of my father in this case. [00:13:14] (39 seconds) #GodsVerdict

``He sat there and said, y'all have delivered a verdict, but I'm waiting on my father to rest his case. I'm waiting on my father to deliver what it is that he is trying to say.Because watch this for all of y'all court people and understand court.The phrase, I rest my case, indicates a concise way that enough evidence has been presented in an argument or discussion to prove a particular point.And nothing else needs to be said. [00:13:55] (38 seconds) #WaitOnGodsVerdict

``He sits there and says, I know you're paying attention, but now it's time for you to get involved.Come on.And too many times, dear brothers and sisters, uh-oh, we are just spectators and not participators.Uh-oh, I'm about to step on toes, Brittany.I'm about to step on toes, Demetri.I'm about to step on toes, Levi.We don't come to church just to spectate.Uh-oh, let me say that again.We don't come to church just to see what it is that pastor is going to say.No, we come to church to participate and not spectate because we know that we are called to get involved with the things of God. [00:17:40] (45 seconds) #ParticipateNotSpectate

``Hey, listen, when was the last time you took somebody that couldn't pay you back out to eat?It's easy to take people back out to eat that you know going to take you out to eat later.But when was the last time you did something for the least of these, realizing that you was also doing that for God?Can I step on your toes no more?We just on point one.We got two more. [00:22:01] (32 seconds) #GiveWithoutExpecting

``Because I don't know about you, but I found myself lately tightening up when I see a homeless person.Because we know in our mind they're going to ask for something.Y'all quiet.But they are the least of these.When are we going to challenge ourselves as courageous worship church to getting back to doing stuff for the least of these?You got your house, you got your car, what else you need?You got your man, you got your job, what else you need?Now it's time for us, dear brothers and sisters, to be thankful and do it for the least of these.Are we innocent of the charges of being just a spectator?I just want to get my blessing.That ain't true Christianity. [00:22:36] (57 seconds) #ServeTheLeast

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