Assessing Resources for Spiritual Growth and Planning

Devotional

Day 1: Assessing Resources Before Commitment

Jesus teaches us to evaluate our resources before committing to a task, emphasizing the importance of preparation and foresight. This principle applies to our spiritual journey and our church's future. We must understand the commitment we are making and ensure we have the resources to see it through. In Luke 14:28-31, Jesus uses the analogy of building a tower and going to war to illustrate the necessity of planning and resource assessment. This wisdom is not only applicable to our personal lives but also to our collective efforts as a church community.

As we grow and expand, it is crucial to take stock of our current state and resources. This involves not just financial resources but also human resources, time, and spiritual readiness. By doing so, we can make informed decisions that align with God's will and ensure that we are prepared for the challenges and opportunities ahead. [26:35]

Luke 14:28-31 (ESV): "For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish.’ Or what king, going out to encounter another king in war, will not sit down first and deliberate whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand?"

Reflection: What significant task or commitment are you considering right now? Have you taken the time to assess your resources and seek God's guidance in this decision?

Day 2: Remarkable Growth and God's Blessings

Our church has experienced significant growth in attendance and financial contributions, which are clear indicators of God's blessings. This growth challenges us to be more strategic in our planning to accommodate the increasing number of attendees and ensure we continue to serve effectively. The increase in on-campus attendance by 11.5% and the 46% growth in our Wednesday night service are testaments to God's work among us. Financially, we are up by 7.5%, and we have baptized 59 people since January, showcasing the spiritual impact we are making.

With this growth comes the responsibility to plan for the future. Our building committee is proposing additional parking spaces and an office complex to meet our expanding needs. This strategic planning is essential to continue serving our growing congregation and to ensure that we are prepared for future growth. [29:11]

Isaiah 54:2-3 (ESV): "Enlarge the place of your tent, and let the curtains of your habitations be stretched out; do not hold back; lengthen your cords and strengthen your stakes. For you will spread abroad to the right and to the left, and your offspring will possess the nations and will people the desolate cities."

Reflection: How can you contribute to the strategic planning and growth of our church? What specific actions can you take to support our expanding needs?

Day 3: Stewardship and Generosity

Stewardship is about managing our resources wisely and being generous. Our church tithes 10% of all contributions to missions and aims to give away an additional 10% to help those in need. This practice of generosity has opened the floodgates of God's blessings, allowing us to serve our community better. Stewardship is not just about financial resources but also about time, talents, and spiritual gifts. By being good stewards, we honor God and reflect His generosity to others.

Generosity is a core value of our church, and it is through this generosity that we can make a significant impact on our community and beyond. By giving generously, we are participating in God's work and experiencing the joy of serving others. This principle of stewardship and generosity is a testament to our commitment to being a church that blesses others. [38:04]

2 Corinthians 9:6-8 (ESV): "The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work."

Reflection: In what ways can you practice generosity in your daily life? How can you be a better steward of the resources God has entrusted to you?

Day 4: Leadership Transition

Preparing for future leadership is crucial. We are implementing a gradual transition plan to ensure continuity and stability. This approach allows new leaders to grow within our church's culture and values, ensuring a smooth transition when the time comes. Leadership transition is not just about filling positions but about mentoring and developing future leaders who are aligned with our mission and vision.

By investing in leadership development, we are ensuring that our church remains strong and vibrant for generations to come. This process involves identifying potential leaders, providing them with opportunities to grow, and gradually transitioning them into leadership roles. This strategic approach ensures that our church remains stable and continues to thrive. [45:04]

1 Timothy 4:14-15 (ESV): "Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you. Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress."

Reflection: Who are the potential leaders in your life that you can mentor and support? How can you contribute to the leadership development within our church?

Day 5: Discipleship and Spiritual Growth

Discipleship is at the heart of our mission. We have a structured plan to help our members grow spiritually, moving from being spiritual infants to mature adults. This plan, known as the discipleship wheel, outlines the expectations and responsibilities at each stage of spiritual growth. Discipleship involves intentional relationships, teaching, and accountability, helping individuals grow in their faith and become more like Christ.

Our goal is to create a culture of discipleship where every member is actively engaged in their spiritual growth and helping others grow as well. This involves regular Bible study, prayer, and participation in small groups. By focusing on discipleship, we are fulfilling the Great Commission and helping our members become mature followers of Christ. [47:21]

Colossians 1:28-29 (ESV): "Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me."

Reflection: Where are you on your spiritual journey? What steps can you take to grow in your faith and help others grow as well?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Good morning, everyone. Today, we delve into Luke 14:28-31, where Jesus speaks about the importance of assessing resources before embarking on a significant task. This principle is not only crucial for our spiritual lives but also for our church's future. We are in a series called "The Games People Play," and today we focus on the game Risk, which involves strategy, foresight, and effort. Just like in the game, we need to evaluate our current state and resources to make informed decisions about our future.

Our church has seen remarkable growth. Our on-campus attendance has increased by 11.5% from last year, and our Wednesday night service has grown by 46%. Financially, we are up by 7.5%, and we have baptized 59 people since January. These numbers are a testament to God's blessings and our collective efforts. However, with growth comes the need for strategic planning. Tonight, our building committee will present a proposal for additional parking spaces and an office complex to accommodate our expanding needs.

We also discussed the importance of stewardship, leadership, and discipleship. Stewardship involves managing our resources wisely, and we are committed to being a generous church. Leadership is about preparing for the future, and we have a plan to transition leadership roles gradually. Discipleship is our core mission, and we have implemented a structured plan to help our members grow spiritually.

Finally, I challenged everyone to express gratitude to God for His blessings and to make small sacrifices, like attending less crowded services or parking further away, to make room for newcomers. Let's continue to pray for guidance and thank God for His abundant blessings.

###

Key Takeaways

1. Assessing Resources Before Commitment: Jesus teaches us to evaluate our resources before committing to a task, emphasizing the importance of preparation and foresight. This principle applies to our spiritual journey and our church's future. We must understand the commitment we are making and ensure we have the resources to see it through. [26:35]
2. Remarkable Growth and God's Blessings: Our church has experienced significant growth in attendance and financial contributions, which are clear indicators of God's blessings. This growth challenges us to be more strategic in our planning to accommodate the increasing number of attendees and ensure we continue to serve effectively. [29:11]
3. Stewardship and Generosity: Stewardship is about managing our resources wisely and being generous. Our church tithes 10% of all contributions to missions and aims to give away an additional 10% to help those in need. This practice of generosity has opened the floodgates of God's blessings, allowing us to serve our community better. [38:04]
4. Leadership Transition: Preparing for future leadership is crucial. We are implementing a gradual transition plan to ensure continuity and stability. This approach allows new leaders to grow within our church's culture and values, ensuring a smooth transition when the time comes. [45:04]
5. Discipleship and Spiritual Growth: Discipleship is at the heart of our mission. We have a structured plan to help our members grow spiritually, moving from being spiritual infants to mature adults. This plan, known as the discipleship wheel, outlines the expectations and responsibilities at each stage of spiritual growth. [47:21]
### [47:21]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[24:23] - Introduction to the Game Risk
[25:29] - Assessing Resources
[26:35] - Jesus' Teaching on Commitment
[27:58] - Practical Application in Church
[29:11] - Church Growth Statistics
[30:43] - Parking and Attendance Challenges
[32:03] - Expressing Gratitude to God
[33:32] - Children's Camp Experience
[35:14] - Vision for the Future
[36:41] - Stewardship and Generosity
[38:04] - Financial Principles
[40:50] - Missional vs. Financial Decisions
[42:32] - Leadership Transition Plan
[45:04] - Gradual Leadership Transition
[46:32] - Office Space and Parking Proposal
[47:21] - Discipleship and Spiritual Growth
[50:20] - Sacrifice and Service Times
[52:28] - Call to Prayer
[59:55] - Baptisms and Closing

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

In Luke 14:28-31, what examples does Jesus use to illustrate the importance of assessing resources before committing to a task?
According to the sermon, what are some of the key statistics that demonstrate the growth of the church? [29:11]
What are the three main areas of planning mentioned in the sermon for the church's future? [35:14]
How does the pastor describe the process of leadership transition in the church? [45:04]

Interpretation Questions

Why does Jesus emphasize the need to calculate the cost before building a tower or going to war in Luke 14:28-31? How does this apply to our spiritual lives and church planning?
How does Proverbs 27:23 relate to the church's need to assess its current state and resources? [27:58]
What does the pastor mean when he says, "Missional trumps financial"? How does this principle guide the church's decisions? [40:50]
How does the concept of gradual leadership transition help ensure the stability and continuity of the church? [45:04]

Application Questions

Reflecting on Luke 14:28-31, is there a significant task or commitment in your life that you need to assess more carefully before proceeding? How can you apply Jesus' teaching to this situation?
The church has experienced remarkable growth and blessings. How can you personally express gratitude to God for the blessings in your life and in the church? [32:03]
Stewardship involves managing resources wisely and being generous. What steps can you take to improve your stewardship of time, talents, and finances? [36:41]
Leadership transition is crucial for the future of the church. How can you support and pray for the current and future leaders of your church? [45:04]
Discipleship is at the heart of the church's mission. What specific actions can you take to grow spiritually and help others in their spiritual journey? [47:21]
The pastor mentioned making small sacrifices, like attending less crowded services or parking further away, to make room for newcomers. What small sacrifices can you make to help your church accommodate its growth? [50:20]
The sermon emphasized the importance of prayer for guidance and gratitude. How can you incorporate more intentional prayer into your daily routine to seek God's direction and express thankfulness? [52:28]

Sermon Clips

1. "The number of resources you have to measure is one troop. And the number of resources you have to have determines your ability to win the game. That's true in life, right? The number of resources, the amount of resources that we have determines our ability to win the game. Well, Jesus is talking about in the passage we read, assessing your resources before you begin a task. The specific task that Jesus is talking about is the decision to follow him. He doesn't want us to start following him and then not be able to do it." [26:35] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "How many people start following Jesus and then they can't finish and their friends ridicule them for that decision? Then he talks about a king. He only has 10,000 soldiers. He's going to fight a guy with 20. He said, that king needs to sit down and go, listen, am I going to lose everything my country needs? Am I going to lose everything my country has by engaging in this war? Maybe it'd be a better idea to try to find peace." [27:58] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "Our year to date attendance over 2023 has grown 11 and a half percent. That's average attendance on campus. Now that's crazy. When you stop and think that average attendance for a church goer now is once a month, once a month, and you're an average church attender. And we've grown 11 and a half percent. Our Wednesday night service, listen to this one, has grown 46%. 46%. Now that's a lot of people who made the decision to move from one of the other services to open up space, just like today." [29:11] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "Some of those 80 people that have been baptized, they were your kids. It may have been you or your friends, people you love, right? And while we, while we go to God for a lot of things, we don't often go to God and just go, thanks. This has been great, God. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. So how do we do that? Well, typical, let, let, we started off, we'll sing a song. So this is what it looks like in the Baptist church. Sing something. Praise God, come whom all blessings flow. And that's about half the people singing, right?" [32:03] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "I realized that our inhibited nature of Baptist worship keeps us from experiencing so many things, right? And the thing we do worse is say thank you to God. So I'm going to challenge you now, right? Because while Baptists are bad at saying thanks to God, they're good at cheering at football games. I mean, right? Go nuts, lose their mind, watching the Thunder player, whatever. I want to challenge you. I don't want you to, you know, be made to do something you don't want to do, but some of you, everybody can clap. Some of you, we've had people stand up. We've had people shout." [33:32] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6. "If you will just be patient, you will see what it is he wants you to do, and just trust that. So, and I could tell you story after story of things we planned, and then the wheels would fly off, and it would be, oh, and God would go this way, not that way. So what I'm telling you falls under that umbrella that we're going to make a plan because that's a responsibility of leadership, but it all falls under the umbrella of God's will. Proverbs 16, 9 says, the mind of a person plans his way, but the Lord directs his path." [35:14] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7. "In this church, ten percent of all the money that's given goes directly to missions. It's not even a choice. Ten percent. That's a tithe. That's what the word means, ten percent. A few years ago, we made the decision to try to give away another ten percent. So this is twenty percent, right? And that looks like helping people with food, and that looks like being involved in the Eastern Oklahoma County Resource Center. That looks like helping people pay their bills. That looks like helping people with food. That looks like helping people with tools. It looks like helping different ministries." [38:04] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

8. "Missional trumps financial. And you cannot put your church in a place where you make a decision that straps them financially. Listen to me because this is true personally. There will be people and God will say, I want you to do this. And your answer will be, I can't, God, because I don't have the money. We've made a financial decision that keeps us from being missional. I can't obey God because I have, in this area, I've let things get out of control. And our church can't do that. Our financial decisions have to be trumped by our missional call. And that's reaching people and building disciples." [40:50] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

9. "We decided years ago that we wanted to build a team here that would transition into leadership when other leaders, leadership transitioned out, right? Somebody came to me and they said, you can't do that. Well, why not? Well, you got to wait till somebody leaves to know what God's will is. And I'm like, wait a minute. We have an eternal God, not bound by time. He is not up there going, I wish you would resign so I could get the next guy up there. No. So instead of praying, waiting until the last minute to pray for something, why don't we start praying now that God would bring the leaders he wants in this church to us?" [43:47] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

10. "We more clearly understand what God has called us to do now in the life of this church than ever before. We've always been a growing church and people like to show up here, but we've never really been a discipling church. And three years ago, God dropped a guy in our lap, Matthew Costner. And Matthew, when God dropped him in our lap, he dropped a plan for discipleship in our lap. And Matthew began to challenge us. Hey, what are we doing to develop people? And out of that came the discipleship." [47:21] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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