JUNE THEME – SET Free To LIVE Free – Embracing Liberty Through Christ
SUNDAY’S SERMON SUMMARY
GO TO www.belmontbaptistchurch.com/sermons and listen to Sunday’s message.
Beats From Your Pastor’s Heart
TEAR DOWN YOUR “SHOULD” CHECKLIST
“Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.” Galatians 5:1
Paul’s words remind us that Jesus has already broken the chains of legalism and performance. We are called to stand firm in that freedom, not to slip back under a heavy burden of “shoulds” that only drag us into guilt and exhaustion.
In Matthew 23:23, Jesus rebukes the Pharisees: “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.”
Here, the religious leaders carried an elaborate checklist—rituals, tithes, meticulous rules—and loved to boast that they “should” do every minute detail correctly. Yet their hearts were hardened: they neglected justice and mercy, the very heart of God. Their “should” mentality became a yoke heavier than any yoke of oppression because it elevated their own performance above genuine relationship with God.
Imagine walking all day while carrying a stack of heavy books. Each cover reads: “I Should Pray More,” “I Must Be Perfect,” “I Have To Serve,” “I Should Tithe” and so on. Even though each book has a good intention on the cover, lugging them around weighs you down. You begin to hunch, move slower, and feel crushed by the sheer number of expectations. In the same way, we carry “shoulds” that look admirable on the outside—like being a faithful parent, a diligent worker, or a perfect spouse—but when piled together, they suffocate our joy and obscure God’s grace. No one can carry that stack forever; eventually, we break down under the pressure.
Identify and Tear Up Your “Should” List
- List Three “Shoulds”
Take a moment now to write down three “should” statements that press on your heart today. For example:- “I should pray more.”
- “I must be perfect at my job.”
- “I have to fix everyone’s problems.”
- Confront Their Weight
Look at that list and feel the weight of each “should.” Notice how each statement subtly says, “If I don’t do this, God (or others) won’t be pleased with me.” Recognize that these “shoulds” can creep in when we equate God’s love with our own performance. - Tear It Up or Delete It
Once you’ve named those “shoulds,” physically tear up the paper or delete the digital note where you wrote them. As you tear or delete, visualize Jesus removing that weight from your back. Declare aloud: “Lord, I release these demands. I stand firm in Your grace, not my performance.” - Rest in God’s Grace
After tearing up the list, sit quietly and take several deep breaths. Remind yourself that God’s love is not earned by checking boxes. Let Galatians 5:1 echo in your mind: “Christ hath made us free.” Allow His grace to fill the space where those burdens once pressed you.
Prayer – Heavenly Father, forgive me for letting “shoulds” enslave me. I confess that I often measure my worth by how many tasks I complete or how perfectly I perform. Thank You that Jesus has set me free from that yoke of bondage. Your love for me is not based on my performance but on Christ’s finished work on the cross. Teach me to rest in Your grace each day. Help me hear Your voice above the whisper of “I have to…,” and remind me that in Christ, I am already enough. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Challenge – Whenever you catch yourself thinking, “I have to…” pause and pray, “Jesus, I choose Your grace instead.” Then, instead of forging ahead out of obligation, do the next thing in faith—trusting that God’s love sustains you more than a checklist ever could.
Reflection Questions:
- Which of your “shoulds” are the heaviest?
- How does Galatians 5:1 encourage you to walk in freedom today?
- What difference might it make to replace “I should” with “I choose” in your daily decisions?
As you move throughout today, remember: Jesus calls you to freedom, not performance. Tear down your “should” checklist and walk lightly in the grace He freely gives.
WEDNESDAY’S PRAYER REQUESTS
Sadie Almand & Unborn Baby
Paula Ferus – Cataract Surgery 6/3
Ann Stanley – Transferred to Piedmont Atlanta
Doug Stephens
Mary Williams – Rehab
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
Jodi Bateman
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