Building a Legacy: Investing in Our Future
Summary
### Summary
In today's sermon, we reflected on the rich history and prophetic journey of our church, which began during World War II under the vision of Reverend Robert C. Sellers. From its humble beginnings at 9th and Louisiana streets, the church has grown and moved to various locations, each step marked by divine guidance and community support. The prophecy that our church would be a lighthouse to Little Rock has been a guiding light for nearly 80 years, and it continues to inspire us today.
We are now at a pivotal moment in our church's history, embarking on the construction of a new Life Center. This 12,250 square foot facility will include a multi-purpose gymnasium, a commercial kitchen, new offices, and additional parking. It will serve as a hub for various church activities, from youth events to community outreach, and will be a space where we can dream new dreams and expand our ministry.
The sermon also emphasized the importance of the next generation. We invited the children and teenagers to the platform, highlighting that they are not just the future of our church but its present. We are building this Life Center with them in mind, ensuring that they have the resources and space to grow in their faith and leadership.
We were reminded of the prophetic words from Isaiah 54, urging us to enlarge our house and make room for the blessings that God is about to pour out. This is a season of increase, expansion, and growth. We are called to run with the vision, to invest not just in a building but in the people who will fill it. The financial goal for this project is $5.1 million, and we have already raised $4.2 million. We are now seeking to raise the remaining $900,000 through faith promises and sacrificial giving.
### Key Takeaways
1. Historical Legacy and Prophetic Vision: Our church's journey from its inception during World War II to its current state is a testament to God's faithfulness and the power of prophetic vision. The prophecy that our church would be a lighthouse to Little Rock has guided us for nearly 80 years and continues to inspire our mission and growth. [03:06]
2. Building for the Future: The new Life Center is not just a building; it is a manifestation of our commitment to future generations. This facility will provide the space and resources needed for various ministries, ensuring that we can continue to grow and serve our community effectively. [06:03]
3. Investing in the Next Generation: The children and teenagers of our church are not just the future; they are the present. By investing in the Life Center, we are investing in their spiritual growth and leadership development, ensuring that they have the tools and space to thrive. [27:41]
4. Faith and Sacrifice: Achieving our financial goal for the Life Center will require both faith and sacrificial giving. We are called to make faith promises, trusting that God will provide the resources needed to fulfill our commitments. This is a collective effort that will require each of us to step out in faith. [50:00]
5. Prophetic Season of Growth: We are entering a prophetic season of increase, expansion, and growth. Isaiah 54 calls us to enlarge our house and make room for the blessings that God is about to pour out. This is a time to dream big and trust that God will fulfill His promises. [21:38]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[02:06] - Early Church History
[03:06] - Prophecy of the Lighthouse
[04:03] - Moving to Broadway
[05:01] - Vision for the Life Center
[06:03] - Life Center Details
[06:51] - New Lobby and Offices
[08:05] - Outdoor Event Area
[09:38] - Prophetic Season of Growth
[16:43] - Isaiah 53: The Suffering Messiah
[17:47] - The Power of Jesus' Sacrifice
[19:20] - Peace and Healing Through Christ
[20:50] - Isaiah 54: Enlarge Your House
[21:38] - Prophetic Vision for All
[24:59] - Why We Need the Life Center
[27:41] - Investing in the Next Generation
[28:35] - Children and Teenagers on Stage
[31:02] - The Future of TAG Church
[33:28] - Shaping the Future
[37:02] - Call to Financial Commitment
[50:00] - Faith and Sacrifice
[51:00] - Faith as the Door to Miracles
[52:33] - Partnership with God
[53:35] - Faith Activates the Miraculous
[55:13] - Sacrificial Giving
[59:36] - What Am I Willing to Sacrifice?
[01:10:03] - David's Devotion to God's House
[01:14:40] - Time to Pray and Commit
[01:24:32] - Rejoicing in Our Commitment
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Isaiah 54:2-3 (NIV): "Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back; lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes. For you will spread out to the right and to the left; your descendants will dispossess nations and settle in their desolate cities."
2. Habakkuk 2:2 (NIV): "Then the Lord replied: 'Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets so that a herald may run with it.'"
3. Isaiah 53:3-5 (NIV): "He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces he was despised, and we held him in low esteem. Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed."
### Observation Questions
1. What prophecy from Isaiah 54 was highlighted in the sermon, and how does it relate to the current vision for the church? [20:50]
2. According to the sermon, what are some of the key features and purposes of the new Life Center? [06:03]
3. How did the church's history and prophetic vision serve as a guiding light for its growth and mission over the past 80 years? [03:06]
4. What financial goal was set for the construction of the Life Center, and how much has already been raised? [40:44]
### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the prophecy in Isaiah 54:2-3 encourage the church to prepare for growth and expansion? What practical steps can the church take to "enlarge the place of your tent"? [20:50]
2. In what ways does the vision for the new Life Center reflect the church's commitment to future generations? How does this align with the message in Habakkuk 2:2? [43:38]
3. How does the suffering and sacrifice of Jesus described in Isaiah 53:3-5 inspire the church to engage in sacrificial giving for the Life Center project? [16:43]
4. What does the sermon suggest about the role of faith and sacrificial giving in achieving the church's financial goals? How can members apply this in their personal lives? [50:00]
### Application Questions
1. Reflecting on Isaiah 54:2-3, what specific actions can you take to help "enlarge the place of your tent" in your personal life or within the church community? [20:50]
2. The sermon emphasized the importance of investing in the next generation. How can you personally contribute to the spiritual growth and leadership development of the children and teenagers in our church? [27:41]
3. Considering the financial goal for the Life Center, what steps of faith and sacrifice are you willing to take to contribute to this vision? How can you encourage others to do the same? [50:00]
4. How does the prophetic vision of being a "lighthouse to Little Rock" inspire you to participate in the church's mission and outreach activities? What specific role can you play in this vision? [03:06]
5. The sermon mentioned the importance of faith promises. What does making a faith promise mean to you, and how can you trust God to provide the resources needed to fulfill your commitment? [50:00]
6. Reflect on the story of the church's founding and its growth over the years. How does this history inspire you to be part of the current and future vision of the church? [02:06]
7. How can the message of Jesus' sacrifice in Isaiah 53:3-5 motivate you to live a life of service and sacrifice for others? What practical steps can you take to embody this message in your daily life? [16:43]
Devotional
Day 1: God's Faithfulness Through History
Our church's journey from its inception during World War II to its current state is a testament to God's faithfulness and the power of prophetic vision. The prophecy that our church would be a lighthouse to Little Rock has guided us for nearly 80 years and continues to inspire our mission and growth. This rich history reminds us that we are part of a larger story, one that God has been writing for decades. As we reflect on our past, we see how each step, each move, and each challenge was met with divine guidance and community support. This legacy is not just a history lesson but a call to continue trusting in God's promises and His vision for our future. [03:06]
Isaiah 46:9-10 (ESV): "Remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose.’"
Reflection: How can you draw strength and inspiration from the history of our church to trust God with your personal journey today?
Day 2: Building a Legacy for Future Generations
The new Life Center is not just a building; it is a manifestation of our commitment to future generations. This facility will provide the space and resources needed for various ministries, ensuring that we can continue to grow and serve our community effectively. The Life Center will include a multi-purpose gymnasium, a commercial kitchen, new offices, and additional parking, making it a hub for youth events, community outreach, and other church activities. This project is a tangible expression of our faith and our dedication to creating a space where new dreams can be born and our ministry can expand. [06:03]
Nehemiah 2:18 (ESV): "And I told them of the hand of my God that had been upon me for good, and also of the words that the king had spoken to me. And they said, 'Let us rise up and build.' So they strengthened their hands for the good work."
Reflection: What steps can you take today to contribute to building a legacy that will benefit future generations in our church and community?
Day 3: Empowering the Next Generation
The children and teenagers of our church are not just the future; they are the present. By investing in the Life Center, we are investing in their spiritual growth and leadership development, ensuring that they have the tools and space to thrive. This investment is crucial as it provides a nurturing environment where young people can explore their faith, develop their gifts, and prepare to lead. Highlighting the importance of the next generation, we invited the children and teenagers to the platform, emphasizing that they are integral to our church's mission and vision. [27:41]
1 Timothy 4:12 (ESV): "Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity."
Reflection: How can you actively support and encourage the young people in our church to grow in their faith and leadership?
Day 4: Faith and Sacrificial Giving
Achieving our financial goal for the Life Center will require both faith and sacrificial giving. We are called to make faith promises, trusting that God will provide the resources needed to fulfill our commitments. This is a collective effort that will require each of us to step out in faith, believing that God will honor our sacrifices and multiply our contributions. The financial goal for this project is $5.1 million, and we have already raised $4.2 million. We are now seeking to raise the remaining $900,000 through faith promises and sacrificial giving. [50:00]
2 Corinthians 9:6-7 (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."
Reflection: What is one specific way you can step out in faith and contribute sacrificially to the Life Center project?
Day 5: Embracing a Season of Growth
We are entering a prophetic season of increase, expansion, and growth. Isaiah 54 calls us to enlarge our house and make room for the blessings that God is about to pour out. This is a time to dream big and trust that God will fulfill His promises. As we embark on this journey, we are called to run with the vision, to invest not just in a building but in the people who will fill it. This season of growth is an invitation to trust in God's provision and to be part of something greater than ourselves. [21:38]
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: What dreams and visions has God placed in your heart for this season of growth, and how can you take practical steps to pursue them?
Quotes
1. "I believe we are stepping into a prophetic season, a season of increase, a season of expansion, and a season of growth. The word of the Lord and Isaiah 54 tells us to enlarge your house. Build in addition. Spread out your penthouse heart. your home and spare no expense for soon you will be bursting at the seams." [09:38] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Tag Church, we are that lighthouse. We are that city on a hill that cannot be hidden. Come on, I invite you. Let's do this together. Let's run. We're your church. We're your church. Build it from the ground up. We're your church." [11:08] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Can I remind us today that it was not for his sins that he was smitten, stricken, and afflicted. It was not for his sins because he had no sins. It was not for his sins because he was perfect in all his ways. It was not for his sins because he had never sinned. It was for your sins and it was my sins. That he was afflicted, that he was stricken, and that he was smitten by God. He paid our price. He was our substitute. He was our suffering lamb. Somebody ought to give him praise today that he suffered in your stead." [16:43] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "If you need peace this morning, this verse reminds us that the chastisement, the chastisement of our peace was upon Him. If you need peace in your mind today, He paid for that peace 2,000 years ago. If you're facing depression, oppression, disappointment, if you're sad today, if you're unhappy today, if you're anxious today, if you're worried today, if you're paranoid today, the chastisement of our peace was upon Him. Hallelujah." [19:20] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "The Messiah didn't come to suffer and to shed his blood just for a few. He didn't come just to suffer and to shed his blood for only the Jew and not the Gentile. He didn't come and shed his blood and suffer only for the nation of Israel. But he came and he suffered and he shed his blood not for just a few, but for all. For the Jew and the Gentile. For Israel and America. For every Middle Eastern nation you can name. For God so loved the world that he gave his only son. Aren't you thankful today that he did not die? For a few, but he died for all. And if he died for all, that means he died for me. And if he died for me, that gives me hope. Hallelujah. My hope is in him today." [22:50] (61 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "My heart is beating for the next generation. It's going to be a building for everyone. All ministries and all ages. But my heart today is beating for the next generation. Tag church family. Hear me today. We cannot sell the next generation short. We owe it to the future of tag church. We owe it to the sons and the daughters of this house. To not underestimate their value and their worth. We owe it to them. And we cannot sell it. Sell them short." [27:41] (49 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "This is the future of tag church. Oh, we got tots coming over this way. They're still rolling in here. Come on, kids, pastors, next gen pastor. Get up here with them. Come on. I know you've been clapping for a while, but we want to tell the next generation. We love you. We love you. We love you. We believe in you. You are the future of tag church. Amen. Y'all stay up here. Just stay standing. Y'all can be seated, though. I want you to get a picture this morning of not only the future of tag church, but church family. This is the church. This is the church. This is the church. It's not just the future. This is our church." [31:02] (82 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "Are you ready to shape the future of TAG Church by investing, not in a building, but investing in the church? I'm going to ask it again. Are you ready to shape the future of our church by investing in the church? Not brick and mortar, but in people. Come on, one more time. Kids, we love y'all. We love you guys. We believe in you. Kids, while I've got you here, I want you to hear your pastor. We believe in you. You are our future. You're not just our future, though. You are the church now." [34:33] (47 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "Faith is the language of God. Faith is the language of heaven. Something activates the miraculous when faith is released. How many of you have tested it in your life over the years of following Jesus? Amen. If your hand's not up right now, you're not saved. Because the only way to get saved is by faith. See, you've all exercised faith. Every hand should have went. You've all tested this. Whether it was faith for salvation." [54:05] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "When we work with God, God works with us. I'm telling you, you may work with people and people let you down. You may go into business with business partners and they may let you down. You may hire people and they quit on you. You may go into partnerships with neighbors and with friends and with family and people will let you down. But when you join hands with God, when you go into partnership with God, He will never let you down. When we work with God, He works with us." [52:01] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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