Celebrating Growth and Seeking God's Expansion

 

Summary

In today's gathering, we celebrated the incredible work God has done through Granite United Church in 2024. As we met virtually, we reflected on the Hebrew words for praise, "yada" and "halal," which remind us to acknowledge and worship God for His mighty works. This year, our church has seen significant growth and impact, with a 26% increase in people taking steps of faith, a 106% increase in baptisms, and a 22% rise in overall attendance. We've also expanded our reach through community partnerships, supporting families locally and globally, and launching new initiatives like our third daycare.

Our mission remains clear: to be a Great Commandment, Great Commission church, moving New England towards becoming fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ. We are committed to growing spiritually, numerically, and biblically, and to multiplying services, launching campuses, and starting network churches. As we look forward to 2025, we are inspired by the prayer of Jabez, asking God to bless us, expand our territory, and keep us from harm. We seek His presence and guidance as we continue to take kingdom ground and impact lives for His glory.

As we close out this year, we are reminded that God's faithfulness fuels our faith for the future. We are excited about the opportunities ahead and are committed to turning decisions into disciples, reaching more people, and expanding our influence. We invite everyone to join us in this mission, to pray for God's will to be done, and to be part of the story of what He is doing through Granite United Church.

Key Takeaways:

1. The Power of Praise: Understanding the Hebrew words "yada" and "halal" deepens our worship, reminding us to acknowledge and celebrate God's works. Praise is not just an expression but a recognition of God's presence and power in our lives. [07:46]

2. Celebrating Growth: This year, Granite United Church has experienced significant growth in faith steps, baptisms, and attendance. These numbers reflect God's work in our community and our commitment to His mission. [20:16]

3. The Prayer of Jabez: Inspired by Jabez's prayer, we seek God's blessing, expansion of our territory, and His protection. This prayer guides us as we strive to increase our influence and impact for God's kingdom. [37:44]

4. Expanding Influence: We are praying for God to enlarge our territory, which means increasing our reach and impact. This involves launching new campuses, expanding community initiatives, and reaching more people with the gospel. [43:43]

5. God's Presence and Protection: Recognizing our need for God's constant presence, we pray for His guidance and protection as we advance His kingdom. We are committed to building a spiritual family that brings people into God's presence. [51:57]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [02:30] - Church at Home Introduction
- [07:46] - Understanding Praise: Yada and Halal
- [14:57] - Celebrating Generosity and Impact
- [20:16] - Growth and Achievements in 2024
- [23:19] - The Mission and Vision of Granite United
- [37:44] - The Prayer of Jabez
- [41:40] - Seeking God's Blessing and Expansion
- [43:43] - Enlarging Our Territory
- [45:49] - Praying for New Campuses and Leadership
- [51:57] - God's Presence and Protection
- [53:35] - Invitation to Know Jesus
- [59:20] - Closing Prayer and New Year Dedication

Study Guide

Bible Reading:

1. 1 Chronicles 4:9-10
2. Psalm 34:1
3. Psalm 46:8-10

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Observation Questions:

1. What are the meanings of the Hebrew words "yada" and "halal," and how do they relate to our understanding of praise? [07:46]

2. What significant growth did Granite United Church experience in 2024, and how were these achievements celebrated? [20:16]

3. How does the Prayer of Jabez reflect a desire for God's blessing and protection? [37:44]

4. What specific community initiatives and partnerships did Granite United Church engage in during 2024? [14:57]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the Prayer of Jabez challenge believers to seek God's blessing and expansion of influence in their lives? [37:44]

2. In what ways does understanding the Hebrew words for praise deepen a believer's worship experience? [07:46]

3. How can the growth and achievements of Granite United Church in 2024 serve as a model for other churches seeking to expand their influence and impact? [20:16]

4. What role does community partnership play in fulfilling the Great Commission, as demonstrated by Granite United Church's initiatives? [14:57]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on the Hebrew words "yada" and "halal." How can you incorporate a deeper sense of acknowledgment and celebration of God's works in your daily life? [07:46]

2. Considering the growth at Granite United Church, what steps can you take to contribute to the spiritual and numerical growth of your own church community? [20:16]

3. The Prayer of Jabez asks for God's blessing and protection. How can you incorporate this prayer into your personal prayer life, and what specific areas of your life do you seek God's expansion and protection? [37:44]

4. Granite United Church has been involved in various community initiatives. What local community needs can you identify, and how can you or your small group address them? [14:57]

5. As Granite United Church looks forward to 2025, they are committed to turning decisions into disciples. How can you be more intentional in your discipleship efforts, both personally and within your church? [51:57]

6. How can you actively participate in expanding your church's influence, whether through inviting others, serving, or supporting new initiatives? [45:49]

7. Reflect on the statement, "God's faithfulness fuels our faith for the future." How can you remind yourself of God's past faithfulness to inspire confidence and hope for the coming year? [53:35]

Devotional

Day 1: The Depth of Praise
Understanding the Hebrew words "yada" and "halal" enriches our worship by reminding us to acknowledge and celebrate God's mighty works. Praise is not merely an expression but a profound recognition of God's presence and power in our lives. As we reflect on these words, we are encouraged to see praise as an active acknowledgment of God's ongoing work in our lives and the world around us. This understanding invites us to engage in worship that is both heartfelt and transformative, recognizing that our praise is a response to God's faithfulness and love. [07:46]

Psalm 100:4-5 (ESV): "Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name! For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations."

Reflection: How can you incorporate the understanding of "yada" and "halal" into your daily worship, making it a more intentional and heartfelt practice?


Day 2: Celebrating Spiritual Growth
Granite United Church has experienced remarkable growth in faith steps, baptisms, and attendance, reflecting God's work in the community and the church's commitment to His mission. This growth is not just about numbers but about lives transformed and hearts turned towards God. As we celebrate these achievements, we are reminded of the importance of nurturing our spiritual growth and encouraging others in their faith journeys. This celebration is a testament to the power of community and the impact of living out our faith together. [20:16]

Colossians 1:9-10 (ESV): "And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God."

Reflection: In what ways can you actively contribute to the spiritual growth of your community, and how can you celebrate the growth you see in others?


Day 3: The Prayer of Jabez
Inspired by the prayer of Jabez, we seek God's blessing, expansion of our territory, and His protection. This prayer guides us as we strive to increase our influence and impact for God's kingdom. It is a call to step out in faith, trusting that God will provide and protect as we pursue His purposes. By embracing this prayer, we open ourselves to the possibilities of what God can do through us when we align our desires with His will. [37:44]

1 Chronicles 4:10 (ESV): "Jabez called upon the God of Israel, saying, 'Oh that you would bless me and enlarge my border, and that your hand might be with me, and that you would keep me from harm so that it might not bring me pain!' And God granted what he asked."

Reflection: What specific area of your life do you feel God is calling you to expand or step into, and how can you pray for His guidance and protection in this journey?


Day 4: Expanding Our Influence
We are praying for God to enlarge our territory, which means increasing our reach and impact. This involves launching new campuses, expanding community initiatives, and reaching more people with the gospel. As we seek to expand our influence, we are reminded of the importance of being intentional in our efforts to share God's love and truth with others. This expansion is not just about physical growth but about deepening our impact and making a lasting difference in the lives of those we encounter. [43:43]

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 personally contribute to the expansion of God's kingdom in your community, and what steps can you take to reach out to those who have not yet heard the gospel?


Day 5: God's Presence and Protection
Recognizing our need for God's constant presence, we pray for His guidance and protection as we advance His kingdom. We are committed to building a spiritual family that brings people into God's presence. This commitment requires us to rely on God's strength and wisdom, trusting that He will lead us as we seek to fulfill His purposes. By prioritizing His presence, we create an environment where others can encounter God and experience His transformative love. [51:57]

Psalm 91:1-2 (ESV): "He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, 'My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.'"

Reflection: In what ways can you cultivate an awareness of God's presence in your daily life, and how can you create spaces for others to experience His protection and guidance?

Quotes



"This year, we saw 734 people raise their hands indicating that they were saying yes to a step of faith or saying yes to Jesus. They were crossing the line of faith. Just so you know, that is a 26 % increase. Everything here is an increase. All these numbers are a positive. It's a 26 % increase over 2023. We saw a 69 % increase. We saw 425 people walk forward in our services and say, please give me a Bible. We saw 106 % increase in baptisms this year. That's right. We saw, 164 people baptized go loud and proud for Jesus. Dream teams, those who serve at least once a month at Granite United or serve on some team, whether it's a frequent, infrequent serve, 12 % increase this year." [00:20:16] (58 seconds)


"to God be the glory, but here's the thing, which, and I'll say it again, God has chosen to do some of his best work in and through his kids, I love you, Granite, thank you so much for your faithfulness, now listen, some of you are getting a little antsy, right, you're like, some of you, you're not used to being on the iCampus, this is what we do every week on iCampus, right, but you're not used to it, so here's what I'm going to do, I'm going to give you a little break, going to let you relax for a second, if you haven't given yet, I want to encourage you to go to graniteunited .com slash giving, be a part of the story, if you're not an online recurring giver, why don't you set up that, set that up today, let that be your giving step in 2025, move from a physical giver to an online recurring giver, because we got more work to do, but to give you an opportunity, just to catch your breath, and to give God glory, in a public praise, we're going to sing another worship song, this worship song talks about how good our God is, how great it is, the things that he's done, I mean, listen, what God has done in 2024 is going to be fuel for 2025, so let's worship together, we'll come back, and I'm going to give you a short message, and we're going to talk about the prayer of Jabez, but let's worship together, here we go," [00:24:59] (91 seconds)


"there's just if you have a prayer request please feel free to share it in the comments on the iCampus our iCampus hosts will pray for you they'll reach out to you we have a prayer team we just want to connect with you there are so many prayer requests but here's the incredible thing to know that God holds us that he gives us a peace that passes all understanding and God has been good he's been faithful and life happens I'm just so grateful that this isn't all there is can a brother get an amen and so we need to be praying for each other but we also need to understand that man while we're here God continues to have a plan and a purpose for our lives so we're on this side of eternity we entered into January 2024 adding some things to kind of our granite vocabulary we have these things called granitisms and we say what does the Bible say where does the Bible say it in proper context not taking things out of context and twisting them to make them say what we want them to say now there is application there's inspiration there's illumination you got to rightly divide the word of God so what does the Bible say where does the Bible say it in proper context and then here's what we also said what are you going to do about it because at the end of the day man we got to be comfortable with being uncomfortable we really talked about going deeper and wider in 2024 going deeper knowing the word of God and the God of the word more than on a superficial level than just agreeing with everything that this idea of what are you going to do about it and wrestling with the tension that God's word is not for information here it is it's for transformation only through application but that's not easy it is easy to find God's will because God's word is God's will God's will is God's best God's best brings God's blessings it's easy to find the will of God open up the word of God and as we open up the word of God now the now we battle now we got you know the flesh you know the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak sometimes and that's what Paul said in his writings but we said we're going to go deeper and we did and I'm so proud of our church and how we grew deeper and wider you saw the numbers the total of church attendance up by 22 % and we're grateful for that but we have thousands of more people that need Jesus we said we were going to go wider which meant multiplication starting more services, finding love, Lawrence a home, starting more small groups getting in a position to launch more campuses and yes we have a long way to go we have leadership steps to take we have leaders that actually leaders who are leading need to take steps like we've got to get into a position now where God as we just sang he has been so so faithful where his faithfulness fuels our faith for our future right for 2025 so I hope you can see from our earlier celebrations that we are growing forward and to God be the glory can a brother get an amen to God be the glory and as we close out 2024 and we look forward to 2025 I'm going to share the prayer Jabez with you it's found in 1 Chronicles 4 9 -10 all right this is called the prayer of Jabez Jabez doesn't get a lot of print in the Bible very little is said about Jabez but what is said about Jabez and what he prayed and how God granted him his request" [00:34:01] (0 seconds)


"God granted him his requests. So let's break this down real quick. Now, don't, are you, if you're scrolling, stop your scroll, lean in for a second, 10 minutes, we're going to be done. All right. The first thing that Jabez prayed was God bless me. God bless me. He asked for God's blessing. And I don't believe when it's because of what, how the Bible describes him, that he was more honorable than his brothers, that I believe that tells us that, that Jabez had a pure heart. He had a heart that was focused on God, a heart that was pure. And he had a heart that was focused on God. And he had a heart that was chasing after the things of God. And so when Jabez said, God bless me, I don't believe it was for selfish reasons. Uh, I believe he knew that, that God's blessings in his life would allow him to honor God more and to bless others. I really do believe that. And you say, well, why do I believe that? Because of the context of what he prayed. Well, as you go through these prayer requests, you understand that he had a heart for God and a heart for others. He wanted to leverage his influence. So, so he prayed, God bless me. And I want to encourage us as we can go, go into 2025. Granted, don't be afraid to pray. God bless us. I wanted to bless us. I wanted to bless you. I wanted to bless our church. I wanted to position us to be in a greater position to bless him and to bless others. Remember what we learn when we studied the word halal is this, that when we praise God with our hallelujah, it blesses God." [00:40:08] (92 seconds)


"Enlarge our territory and our influence so we can share and serve more with our communities, right? I mean, share more locally, nationally, and globally that we can be sharing God's love in greater ways. Somebody write these, uh, uh, type these verses into the, in the, um, in the chat. Second Corinthians nine, verse 10 and 11, second Corinthians nine, 10 and 11. Here's what these verses say about God's blessings in our lives. All right. And enlarging our influence, enlarging our territory. Second Corinthians nine, verse 10, the Bible says for God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat in the same way. He will provide and increase your resources and then produce a, now listen, it doesn't say, and he will increase your resources period. There's no period there. Why? Because it's not about us. It's about asking God to increase our influence. Increase our territory, enlarge our territory so we can be in a position to be a greater blessing to him through blessing others. Listen to the scripture. He will increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you. A great harvest of generosity in you. This is what separated Jabez from everyone else. Why he was more honorable. God, I want you to bless me. I want you to enlarge my territory. I want you to enlarge my influence. I want, I want more resources so I can bring you more glory by having a greater kingdom impact. All right. Verse 11. Yes, you will be enriched in every way so that you can always listen to these two words. Be generous, be generous, be generous. And when you take your gifts to those in need, they will thank God, man. That's our prayer that in 2025, that we will expand our ministry opportunities." [00:43:43] (123 seconds)


"Because Jabez knew as he continued to take more kingdom ground, as he had greater influence, as he had greater impact, the spiritual warfare would also be great. Yeah. So he prayed and asked for God's protection. And that's kind of what we're going to do. Full steam ahead for us, Granite United 2025. Let's go. Go. I'm excited about January, this next year, but we're going to be praying as we bring people into God's presence so they can experience God's power. They can have a changed perspective, a Jesus first perspective, a moving from a secular worldview to a biblical worldview. We're going to be asking God for his protection, his covering, for his boldness and courage. We're going to pray what they prayed in the book of Acts for courage and boldness, and that God would go before us. So as I close this year, will you, and I'm asking you for these four things, you know, will you begin praying, not my will, but thy will be done? Because we're moving forward. I'm so proud of our church." [00:52:10] (71 seconds)


"Remember his word, his will, his will, man, it's God's best. God's best brings God's blessing. And let's keep praying that prayer, Jabez. God, man, let's be more honorable. Second thing, will you, will you do what needs to be done? So people who don't know what we know can come to know what we know, you know, that you will be part of this story. Will you pray and ask God to increase your faith, your capacity, your capacity to serve your capacity to give your capacity to share your story your capacity to invite will you ask God for those things will you ask God to help you and I see the invisible so we can achieve the possible through his through his power not by might not by not by your not by power not by might but by my spirit says the Lord and here's the last thing here's the last thing um just close this out real quick if you don't know Jesus as your savior and you're joining us here today listen all of this isn't about building a church it is about building a people of God it's about bringing people into the presence of God there are so many hurting people in this world shattered dreams they feel hopeless they feel helpless and the reason is because as we talked about at Christmas time they don't know the prince of peace remember you shall call him he is the mighty god right he is everlasting father he is a wonderful counselor he is prince of peace and i just want to encourage you right now if you don't know jesus christ is your savior here's the deal god's not mad at you he wants a relationship with you he does he wants a relationship with you and the bible says this for whosoever shall call upon the name of the lord shall be saved if you don't know jesus christ is your savior today could be your day today's the day if you're here this long in this service online it's because the holy spirit is speaking to you right now and he wants to bring you back to the father through the son and again the bible says for whosoever you're included in it shall call right what do you got to do you got the contact information it's it's to name jesus but you gotta make the call shall call upon the name of jesus shall be forever saved if you're ready to do that i want to help you do that quietly in your heart just pray a prayer like this it's not complicated just say dear lord jesus i'll pray that in your heart you can pray it out loud if you're by yourself dear lord jesus today i'm asking you to be my savior today lord i'm inviting you into my life jesus today i say yes today lord i acknowledge that i'm a sinner i do believe you're the risen savior and today to bet to the best of my ability i'm crossing the line of faith i want to turn the direction of my life and begin following you so thank you for a clean heart thank you for a new start thank you for bringing me back into the father's family i pray in jesus name hey if you just prayed that prayer do me a favor put a little hand emoji in the comments that's like i do put a little hand emoji um and then you can also at the end of the service when we get off here you can go to grannyunited .com the and there's a connection card there we love to hear um about your decision today welcome to the family of god granite i'm so proud of you for not only coming to church today but staying online the numbers have been fantastic and i'm proud of all of you looking forward to" [00:53:35] (0 seconds)


"Open up doors that no man can close. God, do the supernatural. Do. God, we pray for miracles. We pray for more opportunities. God, I pray you raise up that next couple for the next campus launch, God. I pray you raise up that team. I pray, God, that you would increase the resources at Granite United. Lord, for what you've done locally, nationally, and globally, we pray for more. Not more for us. More for your glory. God, thank you for allowing us to be a part of this story. Thank you for technology that we can gather together during this time. We dedicate and commit this new year to you, thanking you for what you've done. Thanking you by faith for what you will do. We love you. We pray this in your name, Jesus, and all God's kids said, amen, amen, and amen. I love you guys. I'm proud of you." [00:58:52] (63 seconds)


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Transcript
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