Sermon for October 18, 2015 at the Beaufort Church of the Nazarene, Beaufort, South Carolina

INTRODUCTION:

ME:

OUR SERMONS OFTEN CALL US TO BE MORE CHRISTLIKE -- more forgiving, merciful and loving.

BUT AS I REFLECT ON THIS...I realize before I get to that point...I first have to recognize my own need...for forgiveness and mercy...to seek it...to ask for it.

SO, I HAVE TO CONFESS: I can be hard-headed...obstinate...difficult to get along with.

LITTLE THINGS CAN IRRITATE ME...bigger things can sometimes make me go crazy.

THE LORD KNOWS...my wife knows...and now you know.

FOR EXAMPLE...take the simple act of eating.

AS A CHILD...it was drilled into me there is a right way to eat...and a wrong way to eat... in the company of others.

WHEN EATING HOT SOUP...the proper way was to gently blow on the spoonf…