Celebrating 16 Years: Faith, Growth, and Unity
Summary
Today, as we celebrate our 16th anniversary at Canvas Church, I reflected on the incredible journey we've embarked upon since our humble beginnings. Sixteen years ago, we started with just 18 people in a living room, driven by a vision that was not fully clear but was powerfully compelling. From those early days, our mission was crystallized around three core principles: love God, love people, and serve others. This vision was inspired by a profound encounter with Luke chapter 10, where the parable of the Good Samaritan leaped off the page, reshaping my understanding of our mission.
Our journey has been marked by significant milestones and miraculous provisions. From meeting in a small living room to transitioning to various venues as we grew, each location has been a testament to God's faithfulness. We faced challenges, such as the abrupt need to leave a perfect venue at Mabane Middle School, which led us to a less ideal location in Alachua Elementary's cafeteria. Yet, even in what seemed like a setback, God was at work, preparing us for greater things.
The move to the old food line complex, now known as the Oak Hill Plaza, was a pivotal moment. Purchasing this complex for a fraction of its worth and seeing it transformed into our current facility is nothing short of a miracle. This venue has allowed us to grow exponentially, breaking attendance records and significantly impacting our community and beyond.
Throughout these years, our commitment has been to not just be a church but to be the church. This means actively serving and not just attending. As we've grown in numbers and comfort, the challenge has been to maintain the spirit of active participation and service that characterized our early days. It's crucial that every member of our community engages actively in the life of the church, contributing to our mission of reaching out and serving.
Looking forward, the scripture from Isaiah 43 resonates deeply, reminding us that God is always doing a new thing. It's essential that we remain open to the future God has for us, ready to follow wherever He leads. We stand today on the shoulders of those who have served and given selflessly over the years, and it's upon their legacy that we will continue to build.
As we move forward, let us remember that our strength lies in our unity and collective effort. Just like the Belgian draft horses that can pull significantly more weight together than individually, we too can achieve far greater things together. This unity and shared commitment to serve will propel us into the future God has prepared for us, a future filled with hope, growth, and continued miracles.
Key Takeaways:
1. Vision Rooted in Scripture: The revelation from Luke chapter 10 about loving God, loving people, and serving others has been the cornerstone of our church. This scriptural foundation has guided every decision and direction of our ministry, reminding us that our actions must align with these fundamental biblical principles. [23:57]
2. Miraculous Provisions and Growth: Reflecting on our journey from a living room to a large renovated complex shows God's hand in providing miraculously for our needs. These provisions are not just historical recounts but are active testimonies that encourage our faith and commitment to God's future plans for us. [34:55]
3. The Importance of Active Participation: As our church grows, maintaining a spirit of active service is crucial. Each member's engagement is not just beneficial but essential for the health and growth of our community. This engagement echoes the biblical principle that faith without works is dead. [54:05]
4. Anticipating the New Things God Will Do: Isaiah 43 reminds us to not dwell on past victories but to anticipate the new things God is preparing. This forward-looking mindset ensures that we are always ready to move with God’s timing and embrace the new paths He is paving for us. [44:12]
5. Unity Multiplies Effectiveness: The analogy of the Belgian draft horses illustrates the exponential potential of our unified efforts. When we come together in service and giving, our collective impact far exceeds what we can achieve individually, fulfilling God's promise of blessing in unity. [57:13]
Chapters:
- 0:00 - Welcome
- 0:13:12 - Celebrating 16 Years: A Journey of Faith and Growth
- 0:23:04 - Vision and Revelation from Luke Chapter 10
- 0:34:30 - Miraculous Provisions: The Story of Our Church Facility
- 0:52:05 - The Call to Active Participation and Service
- 0:56:41 - Unity and Its Impact: The Strength of the Belgian Draft Horse
- 1:00:00 - Looking Forward: Embracing the New Things God Has Planned
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Luke 10:25-37 - The Parable of the Good Samaritan
2. Isaiah 43:16-19 - God’s Promise of New Things
3. Psalm 133:1-3 - The Blessing of Unity
#### Observation Questions
1. What are the three core principles that the vision of Canvas Church is built upon, as inspired by Luke 10? ([23:57])
2. How did the move to the Oak Hill Plaza demonstrate God's miraculous provision for Canvas Church? ([34:09])
3. What analogy did the pastor use to illustrate the power of unity within the church? ([56:41])
4. According to Isaiah 43, what does God promise to do for His people, and how does this relate to the future of Canvas Church? ([44:12])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the parable of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10 shape the mission of loving God, loving people, and serving others at Canvas Church? ([23:57])
2. Reflecting on the journey of Canvas Church, what role do you think faith played in overcoming the challenges and setbacks mentioned in the sermon? ([30:26])
3. In what ways does the promise in Isaiah 43:19 ("Behold, I am doing a new thing") encourage the church to look forward to the future rather than dwell on past successes? ([46:59])
4. How does the analogy of the Belgian draft horses pulling together relate to the concept of unity and collective effort in the church? ([56:41])
#### Application Questions
1. The pastor emphasized the importance of active participation in the church. How can you personally contribute to the mission of loving God, loving people, and serving others? ([54:05])
2. Reflect on a time when you experienced a setback or challenge. How did your faith help you navigate through it, and how can this experience encourage others in your small group? ([30:26])
3. Isaiah 43:19 speaks about God doing a new thing. What new thing do you feel God is calling you to embrace in your life or in your service to the church? ([46:59])
4. The pastor mentioned the importance of not just attending church but being the church. What specific steps can you take to move from being a spectator to an active participant in your church community? ([54:05])
5. The analogy of the Belgian draft horses shows the power of unity. How can you foster a spirit of unity and collaboration within your small group or church community? ([56:41])
6. The sermon highlighted the miraculous provisions and growth of Canvas Church. How can you cultivate a mindset of gratitude and faith in your own life, trusting God for future provisions? ([34:09])
7. Considering the pastor's call to action, what is one specific way you can serve or give back to your church community this week? ([54:35])
Devotional
Day 1: Vision Anchored in Divine Love
Our journey as believers is deeply rooted in the scriptural mandate to love God, love people, and serve others, as vividly illustrated in the parable of the Good Samaritan from Luke chapter 10. This foundational vision not only guides our actions but also shapes our community's ethos. It reminds us that our faith is not just about personal salvation but about actively participating in the transformation of the world around us through love and service. This vision is not static; it evolves and adapts, always pushing us towards greater engagement with our faith and our community. [23:57]
James 2:14-17 ESV: "What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, 'Go in peace, be warmed and filled,' without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead."
Reflection: How can you demonstrate your love for God and others in a practical way this week?
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Day 2: Witnessing God’s Provision in Our Midst
Reflecting on our church's history, we see clear evidence of God's miraculous provision, from the acquisition of our current facility to the growth in our congregation. These are not just stories from the past but are active testimonies that bolster our faith and commitment. They remind us that God is continually at work, providing for our needs in ways that often surpass our understanding and expectations. This acknowledgment of divine provision encourages us to trust in God's future plans for us, knowing that He has always paved the way for us. [34:55]
2 Chronicles 16:9 ESV: "For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward him."
Reflection: Can you recall a moment when you experienced God’s provision unexpectedly? How did it change your perspective on trusting God?
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Day 3: The Vital Role of Active Participation
As our church community grows, it becomes increasingly important to maintain a spirit of active participation. Each member's engagement is crucial, not just for the health of our community but for personal spiritual growth. Active service is a tangible expression of our faith, reflecting our commitment to living out the principles we uphold. This engagement is essential; it's the lifeblood of our church, ensuring that we are not merely a congregation but a vibrant, living community of faith. [54:05]
1 Peter 4:10-11 ESV: "As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ."
Reflection: What is one way you can increase your active participation in the church community this month?
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Day 4: Embracing the New Paths God Prepares
The scripture from Isaiah 43 reminds us not to dwell on past victories but to be open to the new things God is preparing. This forward-looking mindset is crucial for spiritual growth and readiness to move with God's timing. It challenges us to remain adaptable and receptive to God's leading, ensuring that we are always prepared to step into the new paths He is paving for us, filled with potential and promise. [44:12]
Isaiah 43:18-19 ESV: "Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert."
Reflection: What new thing might God be trying to do in your life, and how can you prepare yourself to embrace it?
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Day 5: The Power of Unity in Our Collective Effort
The analogy of the Belgian draft horses powerfully illustrates how much more we can achieve together than individually. Our unity is not just about numbers; it's about the collective spirit and shared commitment to serve and give. This unity multiplies our effectiveness, enabling us to accomplish far greater things than we could alone. It's a testament to the strength and potential of our community when we come together in shared purpose and vision. [57:13]
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 ESV: "Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken."
Reflection: How can you contribute to strengthening the unity within your church community this week?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "We don't know how many people God wants us to reach. We don't know the impact that God wants us to have. Not only in North Florida, but only God knows around the world what he wants to do with our church. And wherever he leads us, we cannot be so in love with the past that we are not anticipating and ready for the future." [49:19]
2. "I'm just telling you that the hand of God in our life and in your life, even when you don't understand it, even when you can't trace the hand of God, you can trust the heart of God because God has a plan for your life and for your family, and even in moments when you can't possibly fathom what He's doing, I promise you He is up to something." [34:55]
3. "I want you to listen to the verse. Do not cling to the events of the past or dwell on what happened long ago. Here it is, behold. Stand in awe of this, God said. I am going to do a new thing. The reason why I feel like the Lord wanted me to share this with you today, to wrap all of this together, is so that we don't miss this." [46:59]
4. "I can only stand in awe and be amazed at what God has done and continues to do through our church. 16 years ago, when we met with those 18 people in the living room, we just shared a dream. I didn't even really know what it was gonna be. I've shared this with you so many times when people would ask me, well, what's gonna be so different about your church?" [37:39]
5. "When they yoke two Belgian draft horses together they can pull a combined weight of 32,000 pounds. Their unity does not add to their effectiveness; their unity multiplies their effectiveness. And can I tell you that's what the Bible said all along. When we unify, this church says no, I'm not just gonna come because I like the preaching and I like the worship." [56:41]
### Quotes for Members
1. "God is looking for fully committed hearts and fully devoted hands. Fully committed hearts and fully devoted hands. And I want to stop for just a minute. And I want to personally honor. I want to thank. I want to celebrate. And I want to give honor to the hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of people who have and are giving and serving and praying and working and believing." [50:30]
2. "It is the will of God for you to be a part of this life-giving church. Not to just find a great place that you enjoy I'm glad you do but this isn't the church. It's gotta be more than that. You gotta engage. Don't just receive God's word and the great ministry here. Give back so that others can receive too. Don't just be served. Stand up and serve someone else." [54:05]
3. "The reason I told you that is because while we stopped and celebrated those, I want to say something to you as your pastor. Please hear me now. And you are not involved. You are not serving. And you are not giving. I want to challenge you as your pastor to not allow the ease and the comfort of where God has taken us that we lose our cage-fighter spirit." [52:05]
4. "We honor the past, we celebrate the present, but we build for the future. We should honor the past. I just shared that with you, that God told Israel to make sure they honor the past, to rehearse the past, to reflect on the past, to make sure their children knew what God had done in the past. And we certainly do that today." [39:00]
5. "Do not cling to the events of the past. Do not dwell on what happened long ago. Behold, I am doing a new thing. In fact, it is happening already. And you can see it even now. I will make a road through the wilderness, and I will give you rivers of water even there." [44:12]
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