Catalyst Church of Carrollton

The Gift of Hope

In this powerful sermon, Ben Bonner takes us on a journey through the profound theme of light in the Bible, exploring how Jesus' light dispels darkness and brings hope into our lives. From the powerful declaration in John 8:12, "I am the light of the world," to the message of God's unwavering presence in our hearts, Ben reminds us that following Christ means stepping out of darkness and into the life-giving light of His glory. He delves into the significance of light shining in the darkness, as seen in scriptures like John 1:5 and Revelation 21:23, showing how God's light illuminates not only the world but our very souls.

Through the example of the shepherds in Luke 2 and the eternal hope found in Colossians 1:27, Ben encourages us to embrace the light that keeps on giving—hope, peace, and the knowledge of God's glory. 

Here are the sermon notes:

“Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.” John 8:12 NLT

“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. ”John 1:5 NIV

“That night some shepherds were living out in the fields near Bethlehem. They were keeping their sheep safe. Then an angel of the Lord appeared to them. A bright light from God shone all around them. That frightened them very much.” Luke 2:8-9 EASY

“This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.” 1 John 1:5 NIV

And the city has no need of sun or moon, for the glory of God illuminates the city, and the Lamb is its light.” Revelation 21:23 NLT

“For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.” 2 Corinthians 4:6 NIV 

The gift to keep on giving-

Hope- Christ in you, the hope of glory.” Colossians 1:27 NKJV

 

The Gift of Faith

In this heartfelt Christmas sermon, Ben reminds us of the unshakable power of faith, even in the most uncertain circumstances. Drawing from the story of Mary’s extraordinary journey upon learning she would carry the Savior of the world, Ben challenges us to trust God’s plan, no matter how unexpected or overwhelming life may feel.

Perfect for the Christmas season, this message will uplift your spirit and renew your faith in God’s promises. Tune in and discover the gift that can transform your life.

100!!

In this powerful sermon titled "100", Ben reflects on his journey as he celebrates his 39th birthday. We all face moments of struggle and frustration where we fall short of the ideals we strive for. But Ben reminds us, through a raw and relatable message, that even when we’re not perfect, we can still keep it 💯. Drawing inspiration from passages like Romans 7:14, Galatians 6:9, and 1 Corinthians 9:27, Ben challenges us to press on, stay disciplined, and trust that God's plan for us is beyond what we can imagine.

Join us as we celebrate Ben’s 39th birthday with a sermon that will leave you motivated to stay on track, stay true, and keep pushing forward.

Sermon notes: 

Keep it 💯-

 

I ain’t there yet. 

 

Like, I gotta admit, I'm not totally down with the things I end up doing. It's like, there are things I really wanna do, but I never actually do 'em. Instead, I end up doing the stuff I totally despise. Ya feel me? Romans 7:14 Gen Z 

 

Good guys don’t finish last. Quitters don’t finish at all. 

 

And let's not get tired of doing good deeds, 'cause eventually we'll see some awesome results if we don't give up. Galatians 6:9 Gen Z

 

I stay in control of my own body and make sure it obeys me, so that even after telling others the truth, I won't be disqualified myself. 1 Corinthians 9:27 Gen Z

 

The sky is not the limit! 

 

Bruh, like, with God, nothing is even off-limits. It's literally all possible, you know? Luke 1:37 Gen Z

 

So, like, don't go around flexing on people, okay? 'Cause everything is yours, man! Whether it's Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or whoever's popular, or life, or death, or things happening now, or things yet to come – you've got it all! 1 Corinthians 3-21-22 Gen Z Bible 

Stay Humble My Friends

In this inspiring sermon, "Stay Humble My Friends," we are reminded of the power of humility through the example of Jesus Christ. The sermon delves into Philippians 2:1-9, emphasizing how we should follow Christ's model by prioritizing others over ourselves, embracing kindness, forgiveness, and unity. When we humble ourselves and put others first, we make room for God's greatness in our lives. This message encourages us to live with selflessness, reflecting the humility of Christ as the ultimate path to honor and glory.

 

Sermon Notes: 

“You belong to Christ and he helps you to be strong. His love comforts you. You are able to help one another because his Spirit is in you. You can be kind to each other, and you can forgive each other. Because of that, this is how you can make me completely happy: In your mind, think about things in the same way as each other. Love one another completely. In your spirit, agree with one another. Work together for the same purpose. In the way that you live, do not just try to help yourself. Do not be proud. Instead, respect other people. Think about other people as more important than yourself. Do not think only about the things that you want to do for yourself. Each of you should think also about how you can help other people. Think about things in the same way that Christ Jesus thought: He had the same nature as God. He was completely equal with God. But he did not try to keep hold of that. Instead, he chose to leave heaven. He took for himself the nature of a slave. He was born as a human. And when he lived as a man, he made himself even more humble. He obeyed God completely, so that he died. He even died on a cross! Because of that, God raised Jesus Christ to the most important place. God gave him the name that is greater than every other name.” Philippians 2:1-9 EASY

**When you become small, God becomes big. **

Keep it Simple: Gratitude Isn't Negative

Keep it Simple: 10% Gratitude

Appreciate The Present

In this powerful sermon, we explore the transformative power of shifting our focus from what we lack or have lost to appreciating the blessings that are right in front of us. Drawing from Philippians 1:21, Philippians 4:11-13, and Philippians 4:8, we’ll uncover the secret to finding contentment in all circumstances. Learn how to embrace the present moment and find strength through Christ, regardless of your situation. It's a call to stop dwelling on what you don’t have and instead appreciate the people, opportunities, and blessings God has already placed in your life. Tune in for a fresh perspective on gratitude, contentment, and living fully in the present with a heart that reflects Christ’s love and peace.

Sermon notes:

“For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” Philippians‬ ‭1‬:‭21‬ ‭NIV 

“I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” ‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4‬:‭11‬-‭13‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.” Philippians‬ ‭4‬:‭8‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Appreciate The Promises

In this episode, we dive into a powerful message from Philippians 3:12-15, where Paul reminds us that no matter where we are in life, God isn’t finished with us yet. The race isn’t over, and the best is always ahead! Appreciate The Promises is all about leaving behind past struggles and focusing on the incredible future God has in store for us. Life can be tough, but when we keep our eyes on what’s to come, we can trust that God’s promises are worth the effort. Tune in to be reminded that the best is always yet to come, and God has an incredible plan for your life—no matter where you're at today!

 

Sermon Notes: 

“I am not saying that I have already reached that place in my life. I have not yet completely become the person that God wants me to be. But I am trying very hard to reach that place. That was Christ's purpose when he first made me his own. My Christian friends, I do not think that I have reached that place yet. But this is what I do: I do not think about past things that have already happened. Instead, I try hard to reach the things that are in front of me. I am like a runner who wants to reach the end of the race. I run straight towards that place, so that I can win God's gift. Because I belong to Christ Jesus, God has called me to live with him in heaven. That is God's gift to me at the end of the race. All of us should agree to live like that, if we properly understand God's message. If you think differently about these things, God will show you clearly what is right.” ‭‭Philippians‬ ‭3‬:‭12‬-‭15‬ ‭

Appreciate The Process

In this inspiring episode, we dive into the powerful message of gratitude and the importance of embracing our current season. Drawing from Philippians 1:12-18, we explore how even the most challenging circumstances can serve a greater purpose in spreading God’s good news. 

Tune in to discover how gratitude can transform your perspective and help you get everything you can out of this season. This isn’t just a time to escape from; it’s a time to grow from. Let’s embrace the process together!

 

Sermon Notes: 

“My friends, I want you to know this. The trouble that has happened to me has helped more people to know about God's good news. I am in a prison because I am Christ's servant. The soldiers in the king's house and all the people here know that. Also, because I am in a prison, most of the other believers here trust the Lord even more. The Lord has made them brave, so that they are not afraid to speak God's message to people. It is true that some of these Christians are jealous of me. They want to show that they are better than me. That is why they tell people the message about Christ. But other Christians speak about Christ because they want to help me. They tell people about him because they love me. They know that God has put me here in this prison. And he wants me to show people that the good news is true. Those other people speak about Christ because they want to seem important. They do not really want to help people. They just want to cause trouble for me while I am here in this prison. But it does not matter to me! All of them are telling people about Christ. That is the most important thing. Whether they speak because of wrong reasons or because of right reasons, they are speaking the message about Christ! Because of that, I am happy. Yes, I will continue to be happy.” Philippians‬ ‭1‬:‭12‬-‭18‬ ‭EASY‬‬

Gratitude is Getting Everything You Can Out Of This Season.

Love Is The Only Thing

Welcome to "Love is the Only Thing," a transformative podcast where Ben dives deep into the heart of what it means to love through trials, triumphs, and everything in between.  Ben explores the profound wisdom found in scripture, reminding us that love isn’t just important—it’s the only thing that truly counts.

Join us as we unpack the complexities of loving well in a world often divided by conflict and strife. Discover how to forgive, support one another, and live harmoniously, all while understanding the importance of sharing each other’s burdens.

Whether you're seeking to deepen your faith or find practical ways to embody love in your relationships, this podcast is for you. Tune in and learn how to make love your guiding principle—because love truly is the only thing that matters.

 

Sermon notes:

Love isn’t the main thing, it’s the only thing.

...The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love. ‭‭Galatians‬ ‭5‬:‭6‬ ‭NIV‬‬

 “For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” But if you are always biting and devouring one another, watch out! Beware of destroying one another.”‭‭Galatians‬ ‭5‬:‭14‬-‭15‬ ‭NLT‬‬

“But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!” ‭‭Galatians‬ ‭5‬:‭22‬-‭23‬ ‭NLT‬‬

“Owe nothing to anyone—except for your obligation to love one another. If you love your neighbor, you will fulfill the requirements of God’s law.”‭‭Romans‬ ‭13‬:‭8‬ ‭NLT‬‬

“Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony.”

‭‭Colossians‬ ‭3‬:‭14‬ ‭NLT‬‬

“Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality. Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them. Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all! Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone. Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, “I will take revenge; I will pay them back,” says the Lord. Instead, “If your enemies are hungry, feed them. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals of shame on their heads.” Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.” ‭‭Romans‬ ‭12‬:‭9‬-‭10‬, ‭13‬-‭21‬ ‭NLT‬‬

“Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself. Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ. If you think you are too important to help someone, you are only fooling yourself. You are not that important.” Galatians‬ ‭6‬:‭1‬-‭3‬ ‭NLT‬

“I am not overstating it when I say that the man who caused all the trouble hurt all of you more than he hurt me. Most of you opposed him, and that was punishment enough. Now, however, it is time to forgive and comfort him. Otherwise he may be overcome by discouragement. So I urge you now to reaffirm your love for him.” ‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭2‬:‭5‬-‭8‬ ‭NLT‬‬

“Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.” Ephesians‬ ‭4‬:‭32‬ ‭NLT‬‬