Get Energized! Series

“Get Energized!”

Props for illustrations through sermon:

Sling Shot – with nerf balls, frozen water bottle –unfrozen water bottle- a ball-a cell phone.

Introduction: What is energy?

From my research I have discovered that energy changes things:

a. Energy makes a ball move.

a. Have ball to throw! Have the ball that lights up when it bounces.

b. Energy makes ice melt or water freeze.

a. Have frozen water bottle

c. It takes energy to cook an egg.

d. Energy makes things work – like computers, cell phones and the like.

a. Have cell phone to show!

There are two basic kinds of energy:

Kinetic energy is energy in motion, anything that moves or changes uses kinetic energy.

Potential energy is the energy something has because of where it is or its condition.

Example a ball has potential energy before it is thrown, this sling shot has potential energy that is stored in the band because when I stretch it out it has elastic potential energy. When I release it the energy launches the ball into the air. Shoot into audience!

Opening Illustration: Energy drinks illustration – show the energy drink for the promo of the Saturday service. This drink has energy in and when you drink it is released into your body. Take a drink of the energy drink!

Premise of the energy drink: from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Energy_drink#Desirable_effects

Energy drinks are soft drinks advertised as providing energy to improve physical activity of the drinker, as compared to a typical drink. Rather than providing food energy (as measured in calories), these drinks are designed to increase a user's mental alertness and physical performance by the addition of caffeine, vitamins, and herbal supplements which may interact to provide a stimulant effect over and above that obtained from caffeine alone

Desirable effects:

A variety of physiological and psychological effects attributed to energy drinks and/or their ingredients have been investigated.

Two studies reported significant improvements in mental and cognitive performances as well as increased subjective alertness. Excess consumption of energy drinks may induce mild to moderate euphoria primarily caused by stimulant properties of caffeine and may also induce agitation, anxiety, irritability and insomnia.

Adverse effects:

Caution is warranted even for healthy adults who choose to consume energy beverages. Consumption of a single energy beverage will not lead to excessive caffeine intake; however, consumption of two or more beverages in a single day can… Adverse effects associated with caffeine consumption in amounts greater than 400 mg include nervousness, irritability, migraines, sleeplessness, increased urination, abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmia), and stomach upset.

In the US, energy drinks have been linked with reports of nausea, abnormal heart rhythms and emergency room visits. The drinks may cause seizures due to the "crash" following the energy high that occurs after consumption.

History

The first drink marketed as being designed to improve the performance of athletes and sports stars arrived in the sixties. It was invented for the football team at the University of Florida, known as the Gators — hence its name, Gatorade. Designed to aid hydration and lengthen performance levels, it claimed that its ingredients were formulated for just such things. However, Gatorade is safer than many energy drinks and is known more as a sports drink.

Energy drinks are typically attractive to young people. Approximately 65% percent of its drinkers are between the ages of 13 and 35 years old, with males being approximately 65% of the market.

People buy these drinks to get energized – to think clearer and be perked up – what if you could get that same feeling the natural way and by a spiritual energy boost.

Thesis: We need to allow the Holy Spirit to energize us God’s way! And we need to ask God to launch us into motion for eternity!

Scripture Texts:

Romans 5:6:

“You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.”

Romans 8:3:

“For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering…”

T.S. - Notice Romans challenges us to get energized by the Spirit and by the presence of God! So how do we do that?

I. Get energized God’s way!

a. Compare with energy drink boost.

i. It causes a boost in cognitive performance.

1. God’s Word and presence also boost cognitive performance such as Wisdom, knowledge, insight, thinking:

a. James 1:5: “If any of you need wisdom, you should ask God, and it will be given to you. God is generous and won’t correct you for asking.”

b. 1 Kings 4:29: “Solomon was brilliant. God had blessed him with insight and understanding.”

c. Psalm 111:10: “Respect and obey the Lord! This is the first step to wisdom and good sense. God will always be respected.”