JUNE THEME – SET Free To LIVE Free – Embracing Liberty Through Christ
SUNDAY’S SERMON SUMMARY
We’ve shouted that “Whom the Son sets free is free indeed,” but if we’re honest, many in the church are still living like prisoners—saved, but stuck. Somewhere along the way, we traded transformation for emotion and called it freedom. We cried at the altar but never canceled the appointment with compromise. We prayed the prayer, but kept the number of the bondage. We wear Christian titles, but excuse bitterness, carnality, and delay under the mask of “process.” Freedom has been reduced to a feeling, but true freedom is a decisive break, a burned bridge, a sealed door. It is not just a moment—it’s a movement. The Holy Spirit didn’t come to make us feel better—He came to make us new. But we’ve confused mercy with permission and grace with a license to return to what God already crucified. Like the crippled man in John 5, some are still blaming others for their delay while the Healer is standing inches away saying, “Will you be made whole?” And instead of rising, we rehearse the reasons why we’re still broken. But heaven is not looking for explanations—it’s waiting for obedience. You’ve been here too long. It’s time to rise, take up your mat, and walk.
The danger of delay is real. Every time we hear truth and stay seated, our hearts grow a little harder. Every time we circle the same mountain of fear, regret, or offense, we train our spirit to tolerate spiritual paralysis. What was once a holy encounter becomes a place of hindrance. And just like the children of Israel, we camp where we were supposed to pass through. But God says, “You’ve dwelt long enough in this place—now take your journey.” Burn the bridge to what nearly destroyed you. Don’t decorate the prison God unlocked. Don’t explain away what Jesus already called you out of. The excuses must die here. The cycle must end here. The mat you’ve laid on for 38 years? Pick it up and never lay on it again. Stop making peace with dysfunction. Stop naming what crippled you as part of your identity. You are not your failure. You are not your father’s sin. You are not the divorce, the addiction, the pain, or the fear. You are a blood-washed, chain-breaking child of God. And if you really believe that, then rise. Move. Obey. Break the cycle. Burn the exit. And never turn back. Freedom is here—but you can’t stay here.
GO TO www.belmontbaptistchurch.com/sermons and listen to Sunday’s message.
Beats From Your Pastor’s Heart
THE DANGER OF DELAYED OBEDIENCE
“Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.” — 1 Samuel 15:22b
Delayed obedience is one of the most respectable-looking sins in the church today. We mask it in religious language—”I’m praying about it,” or “I’m waiting on clarity”—even when we already know what God has said. But God doesn’t bless delay when He’s already made His will known. Every moment we wait to obey is a moment we trust ourselves more than Him.
When God gives a command, He’s not looking for our edits—He’s looking for our surrender. Delayed obedience can rob us of divine timing, spiritual authority, and even open doors. It often isn’t the devil closing doors—it’s our delay that forfeits the opportunity. The longer we wait, the louder our excuses become and the duller our spiritual ears grow. Disobedience is not just doing the wrong thing—it’s not doing the right thing at the right time.
Obedience doesn’t require understanding; it requires trust. It says, “God, I don’t need to see how it will all unfold. I just need to move when You say move, go when You say go, speak when You say speak.” Partial obedience and delayed obedience carry the same result: disobedience. And disobedience always distances us from God’s best.
In 1 Samuel 15, King Saul was commanded to completely destroy the Amalekites, including their livestock and their king. Instead, he spared what was appealing and justified it as a religious act—he kept the best to sacrifice to the Lord. But God had not asked for sacrifice—He had asked for obedience. Samuel’s confrontation was sharp and clear: “To obey is better than sacrifice.” Saul lost his kingdom because he obeyed in his way, not God’s way. His delay and deviation proved that he feared people more than God, and he forfeited divine favor because he couldn’t obey immediately and completely.
Picture a soldier in battle whose commanding officer gives him a direct order: “Move now.” But the soldier hesitates, wanting more details. While he delays, lives are lost and the moment is gone. His intention may not have been rebellion, but the outcome is still catastrophic. In the same way, when God gives us clear instruction and we delay, the consequences can be unseen but severe. Kingdom assignments carry eternal weight. When we hesitate, the damage isn’t always visible—but it’s real.
Prayer: Father, I confess that I have delayed when You’ve called me to move. I’ve made excuses, second-guessed Your promptings, and sometimes waited for perfect conditions instead of trusting Your perfect timing. Forgive me. Renew in me a heart that responds quickly, humbly, and fully. I choose to walk by faith, not by hesitation. Teach me to hear Your voice clearly—and to obey immediately. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Challenge: What is one thing God has already told you to do that you’ve postponed? Maybe it’s a conversation, a step of faith, a surrender, or a calling you’ve delayed responding to. Don’t wait another day. Obey now. Journal what you sense God saying—and take the next step today.
MONDAY’S PRAYER REQUESTS
Sadie Almand – Baby just delivered and in NICU – Pray Pray Pray
Linda Mays
Ann Stanley
Doug Stephens
Lynn Garner’s Daughter
Mary Williams – Rehab
Sarah Parker
Jason Parker – James & Sarah’s Son – stroke
Scotty Nix
Andrea Nix– Friend of the Shellnutts
Stephanie Seivers – Friend of the Shellnutts
Jill Haines
Angela Bryan’s Sister
Danny Jarrard
Darlene Wiggins
Doris Loyd
Dr. and Mrs. Davis
Eric Magnusson’s Mother
Eric Ward
Friend of Linda Hodge
Gayle Sparks
George & Linda Alexander
James Burnette
James Garner
Jessica Headrick
John McClain’s Mother
June Cronan’s Sister
June Davis
Kailey Bateman
Kathryn Raines
Kim McClain’s Mother
Kim’s Sisters – Ann & Brenda
Lee Cronan
Lillianna Magnusson’s Mom
Linda Breedlove’s Sister – Sarah
Lonzo Christian
Lori Blount’s Mother
Mary Williams
Mary Williamson – Dana Jackson’s Mom
Marynell Ford
Mike, Gwen, Michael Rice Family – Friends of Blount’s – Car Accident
Mrs. Franklin
Nora Allison
Pastor Driskell
Rose Fuller – Pruitt-Monroe Nursing Home, Forsyth GA
Roy Loyd
Scarlett – Marynell’s Granddaughter
Scott Lanier
Steve Michaels
Theresa Bain’s Granddaughter
Tom Witcher