In this sermon, Pastor Bob Rotola shares how God unexpectedly changed his sermon content at the last moment to speak directly to those in attendance. What follows is a deeply personal and Spirit-led call to spiritual transformation. Through scripture, heartfelt exhortation, and prayer, the message centers on humility, service, and answering God’s call with the words, “Here am I, Lord — send me.”

Read the summarized highlights of the sermon below, listen to the full sermon here, or watch it here.

Sermon Highlights

A Divine Change of Plans

Pastor Rotola begins by sharing how God completely changed the pastor’s message the morning of the sermon. Although the pastor had carefully prepared what he believed was “a masterpiece from heaven,” he heard God say, “Scrap it.” Initially confused, he later understood why: “Because several people decided to come this morning that weren’t going to come, I changed it all.”

This, he explains, reveals God’s deep love and personal care for each individual present: “That’s how much God loves you.”

Engage in Personal Transformation

Drawing from 1 Thessalonians 1:9, the pastor emphasizes the need for believers to “turn to God from idols to serve the living and true God.” He urges listeners not to delay their spiritual growth or devotion, saying, “It is not time to give God a rain check … Jesus and no rivals.”
Transformation, he stresses, requires complete surrender: “He doesn’t want 99% of you. He wants 100% of you.” The message calls for immediate, wholehearted commitment to God, without excuses or distractions.

Prioritize Your Home

Referencing Deuteronomy 24:5, Pastor Rotola reminds men especially to “put your home first.” He repeats the phrase for emphasis: “You have to put your home first, men. You have to make home a priority.” He encourages husbands to “bring happiness to the wife you have married,” adding practical advice: “Surprises. Happiness. Words of affirmation. Hugs. Kindness.”

He also cautions wives not to make their husbands feel guilty for their shortcomings but instead to “pray for your husbands, intercede for your husbands, honor and respect them.”

Open Your Eyes to the Harvest

In John 4:34–35, Jesus says, “My food … is to do the will of Him who sent me and to finish His work.” The pastor uses this to emphasize the need for believers to stay outwardly focused on the spiritual harvest around them: “Open your eyes. Look at the fields. They’re ripe for harvest.”
He reminds the congregation that the call of God extends beyond personal and family life: “If it only stays inward, we lose our reason why. The harvest is ripe right now.”

Practice Servanthood and Humility

Pastor Rotola speaks about serving God with humility and sincerity rather than seeking recognition.“As long as your focus is, ‘I want a little limelight,’ God just gets away from you and watches you do your thing your way.”

He cites the words of Isaiah 6:8, “Here am I, send me,” as the model response to God’s call.
He urges everyone to take the back seat and let God lead, saying, “If you decrease, He increases.”

A Call to Action

In a prophetic sense, the pastor declares that God is calling His people to “personal accountability,” “commitment to home,” and “commitment to your personal calling.”
He emphasizes that God’s message is one of renewal and empowerment: “Transformation must begin with you. Judgment must begin with the house of God.”

Pastor Rotola reminds the congregation that God can take what is broken and “not only fix it but use it to fix things around you.” Quoting God’s promises, he proclaims: “I have a plan for you … a future and a hope. It does not involve evil conquering you — it involves you conquering evil.”

A Call to Renewal and Prayer

The sermon concludes in a prayer of recommitment. The pastor leads the congregation to say “yes” to God’s call: “Here am I, Lord, send me.”

He prays for God to “fuse together families,” “fuse together callings,” and make the church “a house of prayer, a house of power.”

Finally, he invites anyone who has not yet fully given their heart to Christ to make that decision today: “If you haven’t made your peace with Jesus, today is your day. Do not put it off.”

Tune Into the Word With Word of Life Church

Word of Life Church is dedicated to making the world a better place by spreading the Word and love of God. Our mission is to create an authentic and welcoming worship community, empowering Christians to live a life of faith and service in the name of Jesus.

To that end, we have two convenient locations serving North and South Wichita. We also offer accessible church services to support you in your journey. If you’re unable to attend in-person church services, you can watch our live stream sermons or listen to our podcast sermons from the comfort of your home or preferred location. If English isn’t your primary language, you can take advantage of our weekly international and Spanish-language services.

Our church offerings include a variety of worship experiences, such as Life Groups, youth programs, and service initiatives for individuals of all ages, all designed to offer community and opportunities to engage with God and enhance a mindset of gratitude. Contact us today to find out how we can serve you!