I had an awesome privilege of ministering the preached word on Sunday, May 18th for the first annual Singles Day at Kenwood Northeast Missionary Baptist Church, Rev. James Booker, Pastor. The theme was Living Single, Scripture Romans 14: 12-23.
I spoke from the subject, "S.W.A.G. InC.: How to Get Your SWAG On in Christ." SWAG InC stands for Singles/Saints Working and Growing In Christ. I am glad that between Mother's Day and Father's Day, to see an emphasis placed on singles since the Millennial generation, the majority of whom are single, have surpassed Baby Boomers as the largest generation. The reality is there is a lot of brokenness in society and in the church. According to one report, approximately 72% of school age African American children nationally are being raised in single parent households. Many believers are divorced, widowed. I told the congregation I was a single mother, and did not get married until age 38. Singles, unlike married couples, have the best opportunity, in an undivided way, to devote themselves to the Lord. Before looking for the ideal mate, they should strive to become the ideal mate through developing a relationship with God.
In order to get your swag in Christ, singles should...
S - Watch out for the "sin" in single. Don't do anything that could potentially cause another believer to stumble or fall. What is okay or you, may not be for someone else (Romans 14:15, 23). Believers should not condone nor participate in activities contrary to the Word of God. Singles are not sinless but should sin less.
W - Work, serve in the church and community in ways that advance the kingdom of God. Being upwardly mobile include laying up treasures in heaven."...Bearing fruit in every good work,..." (Colossians 1:10).
A - Use "and," the conjunction has a function in developing the complete person. A lot of believers want to work or grow but not both, "...Bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God..." (Colossians 1:10b). .
G - Grow in knowledge of who God is. Dr. Kevin Cosby states in book, And Jesus Grew, Now How About You? Growing Beyond Life's Stuck Places, that believers should grow in four areas, but that growing in favor with God is most important, "no mater how wise you are, and no matter how much people like you, if you don't grow in your vertical relationship with God, the other three areas will have little impact on your life" (p. 11).
InC. - Operate In Christ. "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind" (Romans 12:). Unless you operate in Christ, with a Christ consciousness, you may start out with "swagger," according to the world's standard, but you will end up "stagger." God wants to keep you from falling.
