Stewardship and Balance in Health

Aug 15, 2024

Healthy Me Sermon Notes

Introduction

  • New sermon topic: "Healthy Me"
  • Continuing from previous topic: stewardship
  • Key tagline: "We are owners of nothing, but the stewards of everything."

Stewardship of Self

  • We are stewards of everything, including our lives and health.
  • Our lives and health belong to God.
  • Reference: Jeremiah 10:23 - Acknowledgment of human limitations in planning life.
    • "I know, Lord, that our lives are not our own. We are not able to plan our own course."

Responsibility for Health

  • Each person is accountable for their health.
  • Getting healthy is an act of stewardship.
  • Reference: Jeremiah 33:6 - God's will for health and healing.
    • "I will bring health and healing to it; I will heal my people and will let them enjoy abundant peace and security."
  • Long story short: God desires us to live in good health and experience abundance.

Concept of Wholeness

  • Sermon title: "Healthy and Whole"
  • Reference: 1 Thessalonians 5:23 - God’s will for us to be whole and healthy in spirit, soul, and body.
  • God desires balance across all aspects of life: physical, mental, and spiritual health.

Statistics on Health in Church

  • Statistics: 20% of Americans are obese.
  • Obesity rates among Christians are twice as high compared to the general population.
  • Possible reason: Churches focus more on spiritual aspects than physical health.

Being an Example

  • As Christians, we should be an example ("typos") in our health.
  • It's hard to be an example if we are not balanced physically, mentally, and spiritually.
  • Distinction between imperfect individuals striving for improvement versus those leading unhealthy lifestyles.

Accountability for Health

  • Getting healthy is an expression of accountability to God.
  • We must not ignore unhealthy areas in our lives.
  • Two Acts of Health:
    1. Stewardship: Health as a responsibility given by God.
    2. Worship: Honoring God through our health.

Biblical Insight

  • Reference: 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 - Our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit.
    • "You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies."
  • Loving God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength (Mark 12:30) requires a healthy body, soul, and spirit.

Interconnectedness of Health

  • Physical, mental, and spiritual health are interconnected.
  • Issues in one area can affect overall health.
  • Example: Addressing causes of depression requires holistic approaches.

God’s Care for Elijah

  • Reference: 1 Kings 17-19: God’s dealings with Elijah after he faced fear and depression.
    • God cared for Elijah's physical needs first: food, rest, and drink.
  • God addressed Elijah's mental and spiritual states after ensuring his physical wellbeing.

Maintaining Health

Steps for Health:

  1. Routine: Establish daily routines for eating, resting, and exercising.
    • "The secret of your future is hidden in your daily routine." - Mike Murdock
  2. Restriction: Set boundaries to maintain balance and avoid unhealthy situations.
  3. Rest: Learn to stop striving and start surrendering.

Conclusion

  • Importance of maintaining physical, mental, and spiritual health as acts of worship and accountability to God.
  • Hope for more lessons on health in future sermons.
  • Final Thoughts: Strive for wholeness in all aspects of life.