October Theme – “Crucified with Christ: Dying to Self, Living to God”
SUNDAY’S SERMON SUMMARY
This Service exposes control as a quiet, counterfeit peace that disguises itself as wisdom, responsibility, and even spirituality, while actually springing from fear. Using the butterfly-in-the-cocoon picture and the warnings of Proverbs 3:5–6, it shows how “helping” can become “handling,” how gripping chokes the very peace we pray for, and how only open hands receive God’s guidance. From Abraham’s impatience to Peter’s step onto the waves, Scripture illustrates that faith begins where explanations end: we must return the wheel to the rightful Owner. The message insists you cannot have peace and control at the same time—if you choose control, peace leaves; if you choose peace, control must die. It reminds believers that God has never needed our help to stay sovereign and that surrender is not weakness—it’s the doorway through which His strength flows. Every act of release becomes an act of worship that invites the Holy Spirit to replace anxiety with assurance and striving with supernatural rest.
When trust feels like losing—when prayers seem unanswered and obedience leads to hardship—the sermon reframes delay as divine development, pointing to Joseph’s path and the Cross itself: God’s greatest victories often wear the disguise of defeat. True worship is stillness-as-warfare, praise-in-the-storm, and holy surrender that lets heaven move. The call is practical and pastoral: write down what you can’t fix, pray, release it, and confess, “God is in charge—I am at rest.” The altar invitation (“Drop the Reins”) and the warfare prayer lead worshipers to renounce fear, relinquish outcomes, and enthrone Christ over thoughts, timing, and results—because freedom is not found in control, but in Christ, and the moment you let go, God begins to fight for you. It closes by declaring that real faith isn’t proved when we see results, but when we trust in the silence and stay steady in surrender. This is where the believer moves from pressure to peace and from performance to presence, learning that the most powerful victory begins with the simplest word: “Yes, Lord.”
GO TO www.belmontbaptistchurch.com/sermons and listen to Sunday’s message.
Beats From Your Pastor’s Heart
The Quiet Tyrant
“Be still, and know that I am God.” — Psalm 46:10
The Subtle Voice of Fear
Control doesn’t begin as rebellion—it begins as fear. We tell ourselves, “If I don’t handle this, it’ll fall apart.” But that fear becomes a quiet tyrant, demanding more and more of our strength until we are weary and worried. The truth is, control promises safety but delivers stress. God never asked us to fix everything; He asked us to trust Him in everything. Real faith often looks like stillness—not because we’ve given up, but because we’ve given over. When you stop fighting to be God, you finally feel the peace of knowing you’re not.
The Illusion of Control
We think control makes us strong, but it’s actually the greatest thief of strength. Like Martha, we hurry and handle, convinced that peace will come once everything is under control. But peace isn’t found in managing outcomes—it’s found in meeting with Jesus. The more we cling, the more things slip through our fingers. Every moment we choose to pause instead of panic, to trust instead of tangle, we reclaim the rest our soul was created for. God’s sovereignty doesn’t need our supervision—it needs our surrender.
The Power of Release
Every believer must face this truth: you can’t hold everything together and hold onto peace at the same time. The same hands that grasp for control cannot receive grace. When you finally release what you’ve been carrying—your family, your fear, your future—heaven moves. The knot in your chest loosens, the tears fall freely, and peace fills the space control once occupied. It’s not weakness to let go; it’s wisdom. For in letting go, you’re saying, “Lord, I trust You more than I trust my understanding.”
Martha was busy serving while Mary sat still at Jesus’ feet. One was distracted by control; the other was devoted in trust. Jesus said Mary had chosen the “good part” that would not be taken away.
Prayer: Lord, forgive me for every time I’ve tried to control what only You can command. Teach me to rest in Your timing and to trust that You are God—even when I can’t see how You’ll work it out.
Challenge: Today, when anxiety rises, whisper these words: “God is in charge—I am at rest.” Release one specific thing you’ve been trying to control and place it in His hands.
MONDAY’S PRAYER REQUESTS
Kay Woodson
Cheryl Knight’s Brother
Jean Partee’s Sister
Kathryn Rains
Deon Lotter
Doris Loyd
Mike Bryan
Mike Hollinhead
Nancy Brown – Rehab
The Barksdale Family – Bobbi Jackson’s Brother In Law Passed Away
Allysa Elliott
Amy Garner’s Dad
Annette Ford
Andrea Nix– Friend of the Shelnutt’s
Angela Bryan’s Sister
Ann Stanley
Carol Lawhead – Park Place Rehab in Monroe
Danny Jarrard
Darlene Wiggins
Debbie Foskey
Doris Loyd
Dr. and Mrs. Davis
Eric Magnusson’s Mother
Eric Ward
Friend of Linda Hodge
Gayle Sparks
George & Linda Alexander
James Burnette
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
Linda Mays
Lonzo Christian
Lori Blount’s Mother
Mary Williams
Mary Williamson – Dana Jackson’s Mom
Mrs. Franklin
Nora Allison
Ron And Johnnie Barry – Friends Of Ashton & Glenda Bateman
Rose Fuller – Pruitt-Monroe Nursing Home, Forsyth GA
Scott Lanier
Scotty Nix
Sheila Simmons
Stephanie Seivers – Friend of the Shellnutts
Steve Michaels
Tom Witcher