SERMON NOTES WITH APPLICATION - "ESTABLISHING YOUR GROOVE" PT I - PROVERBS 21:5 (MSG)

Pastor William Mathis
5 hours ago
2 min read

Series: FOCUS

“ESTABLISHING YOUR GROOVE – PT I”

Proverbs 21:5 (MSG)Theme: High And Lifted Up

“Careful planning puts you ahead in the long run; hurry and scurry puts you further behind.”

BIG IDEA (For Everybody)

Your future isn’t just shaped by big dreams—it’s shaped by small, repeated decisions.Groove is what happens when vision meets sustainable routine.

God isn’t rushing you.Life doesn’t reward panic.Wisdom flows like irrigation—steady, intentional, life-giving.

POINT 1: PAY ATTENTION TO DETAILS

(Reflect. Ponder. Read the fine print.)

What This Means

Details determine direction.Haste skips steps.Wisdom slows down just enough to notice what matters.

In money, haste looks like greed.In speech, haste looks like carelessness.In life, haste looks like regret.

Cliff Note (Plain Talk)

Speed feels productive—but attention is what makes progress real.

Practical Application

Christian: Pray, but also plan. Faith isn’t careless.
Non-Christian: Mindfulness beats impulse every time.
Gen Z/Millennial Word: Read before you react. Pause before you post.
Black Community Word: We’ve learned to survive fast—now it’s time to build smart.
This Week: Slow one daily habit down and do it with intention.

POINT 2: PREPARE FOR THE LONG TERM

(Pace yourself. Think irrigation, not flash floods.)

What This Means

Irrigation doesn’t rush—it sustains.It waters consistently so growth can happen over time.

Vision without pacing leads to exhaustion.Planning creates margin for life, joy, and creativity.

Cliff Note (Plain Talk)

If you sprint everything, you won’t finish anything.Groove is about longevity, not hype.

Practical Application

Christian: God’s promises unfold—rarely explode.
Non-Christian: Sustainable habits beat extreme bursts.
Families / Professionals: Build routines that still leave room to breathe.
Black Community Word: We’re not just surviving this season—we’re setting up the next generation.
This Week: Ask yourself, “Can I keep living like this for five years?” Adjust accordingly.

POINT 3: PREVENT BURNOUT

(Be kind to yourself. Rest. Laugh. Replace negativity.)

What This Means

Burnout isn’t a badge of honor.Grinding without joy drains your soul.

Like Stella, groove isn’t about escaping responsibility—it’s about reclaiming your humanity.

Rest doesn’t mean lazy.Fun doesn’t mean unfocused.Joy doesn’t mean unserious.

Cliff Note (Plain Talk)

You don’t lose your groove from slowing down—you lose it from running empty.

Practical Application

Christian: Sabbath is spiritual discipline, not indulgence.
Non-Christian: Rest is maintenance, not weakness.
Gen Z Word: Healing is productive.
Black Community Word: We deserve rest, pleasure, and peace—not just resilience.
This Week: Schedule something that restores you—and protect it.