Sermon Notes · Hardliners, Week 1 · November 8, 2026
Shadow Boxing
Kevin Weatherby, Save the Cowboy
1Draw a Hard Line
I was driving from Kentucky down to Gulf Shores when "Beer for My Horses" came on. I was singing right along with it when one line grabbed hold of me. It says it is time to saddle up and draw a hard line.
2Evil Has a Hard Line
Evil has a hard line: destroy all good.
But here is the problem. The Church is the embodiment of good on this earth, and I think the Church has soft lines and does nothing.
3Hard Lines with Ourselves
Do you struggle with any of these desires? Be honest and check every one that has a hold on you.
Acceptance by others. How powerful is the need for acceptance in your life?
Being loved by others. Is this a motivating factor in your decisions?
Pleasure. Are you dominated by whatever is fun or makes you feel good at the moment?
Sex. Do you have desires for sexual pleasure outside the boundaries of God's will?
Wealth and security. Are these a priority in your life?
Achievement. Has a healthy desire to excel become competitive and out of control?
Notoriety or fame. Do you seek prestige without considering the cost?
Happiness. What will you do or become in the pursuit of happiness?
Personal attractiveness. Are you consumed with a desire to look better than others?
Control. Do you long to control other people or be in positions of power and authority?
Self-acceptance. Are you discontent with yourself and how God made you?
List and questions from Dr. Charles Stanley, "The Battle for Self-Control," In Touch Ministries.
"Would you say that your life is under control?"(Dr. Charles Stanley)
Galatians 5:24-25 (NLT)
"Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives."
4Shadow Boxing
We can see the problems. But did you know you can't fix them?
Trying to fight yourself by yourself is shadow boxing, and you will never win that fight.
So what do we do?
A lit match casts no shadow.
We have to let the light of God shine through us and burn away our iniquities.
1 John 1:7 (NLT)
"But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin."
5This Is Repentance
Hard line
Turn away from sin
Hard line
Follow God and God alone
To follow God is the only way to Jesus.
And Jesus is the cure to all that is wrong, because He is the only One that is right.
Acts 3:19 (NLT)
"Now repent of your sins and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped away."
6Take It Home
Look back at the list. Which one of those desires do you need to draw a hard line on this week?
