Building a Future: Faith, Community, and Growth

Devotional

Day 1: Trusting in God's Provision

When we step out in faith, God provides the resources we need to accomplish His work. This year, our church witnessed God's provision in completing a $120,000 exterior renovation of our building. This project, which included a new paint job and roof repairs, was fully funded by God's grace. It serves as a powerful reminder that when we trust in God and take bold steps in faith, He meets our needs in ways we could never imagine. [10:31]

"And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:19, ESV)

Reflection: Think of a recent situation where you needed provision. How did you see God provide for you? How can you trust Him more in your current circumstances?

Day 2: Creating Spaces for Community

We are excited about the new 2,200 square foot entryway building that will serve as a space for community and fellowship. This project, estimated to cost between $800,000 and $900,000, will create a welcoming environment for our church family and visitors. It underscores the importance of creating spaces where relationships can flourish and God's love can be shared. As we build this new entryway, we are reminded of the significance of community in our spiritual journey. [12:46]

"Let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." (Hebrews 10:24-25, ESV)

Reflection: How can you contribute to fostering a sense of community within your church or neighborhood? What practical steps can you take this week to build stronger relationships with those around you?

Day 3: Preparing for Growth

Brunswick County is one of the fastest-growing counties in the nation, and our church is preparing for this growth by planning a balcony that will add 200,000 seats to our sanctuary. This expansion reflects our commitment to making room for those God is sending to our community. It is a testament to our belief that God has a purpose for every person who walks through our doors. As we prepare for this growth, we are reminded of the importance of being ready to welcome and serve new members of our community. [16:21]

"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." (Isaiah 54:2, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you prepare your heart and home to welcome new people into your life? How can you be more intentional about making room for others in your daily routine?

Day 4: Commitment to Christian Education

Our dedication to Christian education is evident in the development of Southeastern Christian Academy. Over the past two years, we have raised over $1.4 million to build 26,000 square feet of educational space. Phase two, which includes an additional 14,000 square feet, is currently under construction. This project highlights our commitment to providing a Christ-centered education that will impact future generations. As we invest in this academy, we are reminded of the importance of nurturing the next generation in the ways of the Lord. [18:54]

"Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it." (Proverbs 22:6, ESV)

Reflection: How can you support the spiritual and educational growth of the children and youth in your community? What specific actions can you take to invest in their future?

Day 5: Aligning with God's Vision

We are inviting our congregation to prayerfully consider how they can support these initiatives. By aligning our hearts with God's vision, we can see miracles happen. We encourage everyone to take a pledge card and seek God's guidance on how they can contribute to building a foundation for future generations. Together, we can ensure that our church remains a beacon of hope and a place of spiritual growth for years to come. [43:17]

"Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established." (Proverbs 16:3, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to align more closely with God's vision? How can you seek His guidance and take practical steps to contribute to His work in your community?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Today, we celebrate the incredible work God is doing in our church and the vision He has given us for the future. This year, we completed a significant exterior renovation of our church building, a $120,000 project that was fully paid for by God's grace. Now, we are moving forward with plans for a new 2,200 square foot entryway building that will provide a spacious, welcoming area for community and fellowship. This project is estimated to cost between $800,000 and $900,000, and we are trusting God to provide the necessary funds.

In addition to the entryway, we are also planning for future growth by designing a balcony that will add 200,000 seats to our sanctuary. This expansion is in response to the rapid growth of Brunswick County, which is one of the fastest-growing counties in the nation. We believe that God is sending people to this region for a purpose, and our church is poised to be a significant part of their spiritual journey.

Our commitment to Christian education is also evident in the ongoing development of Southeastern Christian Academy. Over the past two years, we have raised over $1.4 million to build 26,000 square feet of educational space. Phase two of this project, which includes an additional 14,000 square feet, is currently under construction and will be completed in two months. This phase will provide more classrooms and facilities to accommodate the growing number of students.

As we look to the future, we are asking our congregation to prayerfully consider how they can support these initiatives. We believe that when our hearts align with God's vision, miracles happen. We invite everyone to take a pledge card and seek God's guidance on how they can contribute to building a foundation for future generations. Together, we can ensure that our church remains a beacon of hope and a place of spiritual growth for years to come.

###

Key Takeaways

1. growing counties in the nation, and our church is preparing for this growth by planning a balcony that will add 200,000 seats to our sanctuary. This expansion reflects our commitment to making room for those God is sending to our community. It is a testament to our belief that God has a purpose for every person who walks through our doors. [16:21]
4. Commitment to Christian Education: Our dedication to Christian education is evident in the development of Southeastern Christian Academy. Over the past two years, we have raised over $1.4 million to build 26,000 square feet of educational space. Phase two, which includes an additional 14,000 square feet, is currently under construction. This project highlights our commitment to providing a Christ-centered education that will impact future generations.

5. Call to Action: We are inviting our congregation to prayerfully consider how they can support these initiatives. By aligning our hearts with God's vision, we can see miracles happen. We encourage everyone to take a pledge card and seek God's guidance on how they can contribute to building a foundation for future generations. Together, we can ensure that our church remains a beacon of hope and a place of spiritual growth for years to come.

### [16:21]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[10:31] - Exterior Renovation Completed
[11:34] - Vision for New Entryway Building
[12:46] - Community and Fellowship Space
[13:58] - God's Provision and Future Plans
[15:05] - Brunswick County Growth
[16:21] - Planning for Sanctuary Expansion
[17:35] - Southeastern Christian Academy Phase One
[18:54] - Phase Two Under Construction
[20:12] - Financial Miracles and God's Provision
[21:35] - Aligning with God's Vision
[41:17] - Call to Partner with Us
[42:02] - Building for Future Generations
[43:17] - Prayer and Pledge Commitment
[44:36] - Ways to Give and Support

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What recent renovation project did the church complete, and how was it funded? ([10:31])
What is the purpose of the new 2,200 square foot entryway building? ([12:46])
How many additional seats will the planned balcony add to the sanctuary? ([16:21])
How much money has been raised for the Southeastern Christian Academy over the past two years, and what is the current status of phase two? ([18:54])

Interpretation Questions

How does the completion of the $120,000 exterior renovation demonstrate God's provision? ([10:31])
Why is creating a welcoming community space important for the church's mission? ([12:46])
What does the rapid growth of Brunswick County signify for the church's future plans and vision? ([15:05])
How does the development of Southeastern Christian Academy reflect the church's commitment to Christian education? ([18:54])

Application Questions

Reflect on a time when you experienced God's provision in your life. How did it strengthen your faith? ([10:31])
How can you contribute to creating a welcoming environment in your church community? What specific actions can you take? ([12:46])
Considering the rapid growth of Brunswick County, how can you prepare to welcome new members into the church? ([15:05])
In what ways can you support the development of Christian education in your community? Are there specific skills or resources you can offer? ([18:54])
How can you align your personal vision with God's vision for your life and community? What steps can you take to seek His guidance? ([41:17])
What role do you feel called to play in supporting the church's future initiatives? How can you prayerfully consider your contribution? ([43:17])
Think about the future generations of your church. What legacy do you want to leave for them, and how can you start building that foundation today? ([42:02])

Sermon Clips

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "How about, isn't it exciting to hear what God is doing in our church? And I'll tell you this, if this is your first Sunday here, maybe you're visiting and you've only been here a few times. I think this is a great Sunday, a great opportunity to hear what God is doing to build your faith and see how God's moving in our church." [10:31] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "When you came in today, there was a bracelet in these little fish bowls out here. We call them fish bowls, but they were bowls that you could get. And on these bracelets, on one side, it says God's not done yet. And on the other side, it says the best is yet to come. And we truly believe that God is still yet to do the great things that he has planned here at Highest Praise Church in our community." [13:58] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "They don't know it yet, but they might be moving here for some relaxation, but they don't, what they really don't know is they're moving here for revival. Like, God is going to do something. They'll be moving to just slow down and take some time. But how many know that we're going to accelerate and advance the kingdom of God? They don't know it yet, but they're here to experience the glory of God like never before." [15:05] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "I believe that the world needs Jesus. And there's a gospel to be preached and there's a harvest to see saved. And so as we do that, we believe that this is the place where God has planted us on this campus, on this corner. And by doing that, we're preparing for what God's going to do." [16:21] (7 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "I know that when our hearts align with the vision that God has given this place, that's when we begin to see miracles take place. And as much as you wanna see this take place, as much as I wanna see it take place, how many know that God wants to see this happen more than all of us? He wants to see it happen." [41:17] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

### Quotes for Members

1. "And so as we move into what God, we feel like as God is doing now, everyone say now, we feel like God is doing something now. And last year about this time when we came up, we celebrated 25 years of Highest Praise Church. We had a big birthday party around here. If you weren't here in June, we were able to celebrate what God had done, but also kind of cast vision for what he felt he was going to do. Well, last year was kind of what he was going to do. We're there now. And so where we were talking about what he was going to do, we're standing in the midst of it. It's present day now." [11:34] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "And so we're looking forward to that as God just brings life and builds relationships and brings community to our church family. And that'll be the nice, beautiful building. Now, for this to be done, we spent about a year of design and planning because we are dealing with an original sanctuary of our church right next door that was built in the late 80s, early 90s. This building, which was built in the early 2000s, and trying to come up and build a building that connects and joins those has been a challenge. But thank God he's given us, put us in the path where we can build a building that connects and joins those has been a challenge." [12:46] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "And so as we plan for that, as we begin to plan for what God is going to do, we are now also drawing plans simultaneously to for in the future, everybody say in the future, in the future, to build a balcony that goes in this room. Look at that. Right here behind your head, which will go from that corner that juts out here to my left, to about the end of where the media room is to my right. It will be an overhang. It will add an additional 200,000 seats to our sanctuary. Come on, God. That is unsaved family. Come on, y'all. Those are that neighbor that you don't know, the sisters that's not saved yet. We're preparing a way and making a place for them. And they're going to come in Jesus name." [16:21] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "And so in phase one, we were able to see God move and it built over 26,000 square feet. Phase two is an additional 14,000 square feet. That is absolute miracle. 14,000 square feet. The other miracle is that we last year, when we came, we, we didn't do a pledge campaign or take up an offering. As a matter of fact, we didn't say anything else really about it except until today. And today is an opportunity because what God blessed us to do, we started construction in phase two in February of this year. We haven't had a offering or a pledge campaign, but we have been able, that phase two is at 14,000 square feet was about a two and a half million dollar project. And we were able to so far pay down 750,000 of that 2.5 million without a dime received in this building or by church. It's an absolute miracle that God provided that way." [20:12] (56 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "You know, we're not about having the biggest buildings or the most buildings or anything like that. You know what we're about? We're about being here for the long term. Across the world and even this year in churches, you see doors of churches closing and pastors failing, but our heart is to be here for generations to come. And today we have an opportunity to be a church that isn't temporary, but that is built on the foundation of the vision that God has placed on this house." [42:02] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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