Deepening Faith and Expanding Outreach in 2024
Summary
In a recent address to the congregation of Granite United Church, Pastor Anthony Milas shared an inspiring vision for the year 2024, emphasizing the importance of personal accountability and collective action in faith. He began by underscoring the concept of salvation and the belief that as children of God, individuals will be held accountable for their use of gifts, talents, treasure, and time. The focus was not on earning salvation, which is understood as a gift through being born again in Christ, but rather on stewardship of one's life and resources in service to God's kingdom.
Pastor Milas reflected on the church's history, recalling the early days when he and his wife, Christy, joined a struggling congregation. Through dedication and faith, they witnessed a transformation, with the church now thriving and breaking barriers within the region. This growth is celebrated as evidence of God's power to effect change and as a testament to the congregation's commitment.
The message highlighted the belief that God has a grand vision for everyone's life, a plan that encompasses both personal growth and the broader mission of the church. Pastor Milas encouraged the congregation to adopt a "deep and wide" approach—deepening their understanding of God's word and widening their outreach to connect more people with the church and its mission. This approach is rooted in the commandment to love God with all one's heart, mind, soul, and spirit, and to love one's neighbor as oneself.
The address also touched on the importance of being proactive in one's faith journey, challenging individuals to consider what steps they could take if they knew they could not fail. Pastor Milas urged the congregation to pray for a heart that breaks for what breaks God's heart, aligning their passions and actions with God's desires. He cited the example of Jesus' compassion for the crowds he encountered, which serves as a model for the church's mission to reach out to those in need.
Pastor Milas called for a commitment to action, asking the congregation to consider what they would do about the truths they learn from the Bible. He emphasized the need for transformation through application, not just information. The church's vision for 2024 includes specific goals such as increasing attendance, multiplying small groups, and expanding outreach efforts. These goals are seen as steps toward fulfilling the church's mission and bringing glory to God.
In conclusion, Pastor Milas extended an invitation to those who do not yet know Jesus Christ as their savior, offering a prayer for salvation and welcoming new believers into the family of God. He reiterated the church's commitment to going "deep and wide" for the glory of God in 2024, expressing confidence in God's promise to do immeasurably more than can be asked or imagined.
Key Takeaways:
- Personal accountability in faith is not about earning salvation but about how one stewards their life and resources for God's kingdom. This stewardship reflects a life lived in service to God and others, and it is a measure of one's commitment to the faith. [14:44]
- The history of a church community can serve as a testament to God's transformative power. Reflecting on past struggles and growth can inspire current and future actions, reinforcing the belief that with God, all things are possible, even in the most challenging circumstances. [15:51]
- A "deep and wide" approach to faith involves both a deepening of one's understanding of God's word and an expansion of outreach to connect more people with the church's mission. This dual focus ensures that personal spiritual growth is coupled with the practical application of faith in the world. [09:44]
- Setting actionable goals for a church community can provide direction and motivation for its members. Goals such as increasing attendance, multiplying small groups, and expanding outreach efforts are concrete ways to measure progress and keep the congregation aligned with its mission. [19:26]
- The invitation to salvation is an open call to all, and the welcoming of new believers into the family of God is a celebration of the church's purpose. This inclusivity reflects the church's commitment to sharing the love of Christ and the transformative power of faith with everyone. [24:02]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Ephesians 3:20 - "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us."
2. Matthew 19:26 - "Jesus looked at them and said, 'With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.'"
3. Matthew 9:35-38 - "Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, 'The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.'"
#### Observation Questions
1. What does Ephesians 3:20 say about God's ability to work within us? How does this relate to the vision for 2024 shared by Pastor Milas? [05:27]
2. According to Matthew 19:26, what is the difference between human capability and God's power? How did Pastor Milas use this verse to encourage the congregation? [07:59]
3. In Matthew 9:35-38, what actions did Jesus take when he saw the crowds? How does this passage connect to the church's mission to go "deep and wide"? [21:19]
4. Pastor Milas mentioned the importance of personal accountability in faith. What are the four areas he emphasized that we will be held accountable for? [14:00]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the promise in Ephesians 3:20 inspire believers to set and pursue ambitious goals for their personal and church life? [05:27]
2. What does it mean to have a "deep and wide" approach to faith, and how can this dual focus impact both personal spiritual growth and community outreach? [09:44]
3. How can the compassion Jesus showed in Matthew 9:35-38 serve as a model for the church's mission to reach out to those in need? [21:19]
4. Pastor Milas challenged the congregation to consider what they would do if they knew they could not fail. How does this challenge align with the teachings in Matthew 19:26? [20:46]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on Ephesians 3:20. What is one specific, ambitious goal you can set for yourself in 2024, trusting that God can do immeasurably more than you ask or imagine? [05:27]
2. Pastor Milas emphasized the importance of stewardship. How can you better manage your gifts, talents, treasure, and time to serve God's kingdom this year? [14:00]
3. The "deep and wide" approach involves deepening your understanding of God's word and expanding your outreach. What is one practical step you can take to deepen your faith and one step to widen your outreach? [09:44]
4. Jesus had compassion for the crowds in Matthew 9:35-38. Identify a group or individual in your community who is "harassed and helpless." How can you show compassion and support to them this week? [21:19]
5. Pastor Milas asked the congregation to pray for a heart that breaks for what breaks God's heart. What specific issue or need in your community can you commit to praying for and taking action on? [20:46]
6. Considering the goals set for Granite United Church in 2024, such as increasing attendance and multiplying small groups, what role can you play in helping achieve these goals? [19:26]
7. Pastor Milas invited those who do not know Jesus to accept Him as their savior. How can you share the message of salvation with someone in your life who has not yet accepted Christ? [24:02]
Devotional
Day 1: Stewardship Reflects Commitment
Stewardship is not merely about managing resources; it's a reflection of one's commitment to God and the values of His kingdom. It involves the responsible use of gifts, talents, treasure, and time, not to earn salvation but to honor God through service. This stewardship is a tangible expression of faith in action, demonstrating a life lived in alignment with God's purposes. [14:44]
Luke 12:48 - "But the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked."
Reflection: How are you currently using your God-given talents and resources to serve others and glorify God?
Day 2: Testimony of Transformation
The transformative power of God can turn the most challenging situations into testimonies of hope and growth. Reflecting on the history of a church community can inspire believers to trust in God's ability to work through them, no matter the obstacles. This belief in God's power encourages a forward-looking faith that anticipates and works towards future victories. [15:51]
Isaiah 43:19 - "See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland."
Reflection: Can you recall a time when you witnessed God's transformative power in your life or community? How has that experience shaped your faith?
Day 3: Deep and Wide Faith
A balanced faith journey involves both deepening one's understanding of God's word and widening the outreach to others. This approach ensures that personal spiritual growth is not isolated but is connected to the practical application of faith in serving and loving others. It is a call to love God fully and to extend that love to neighbors in tangible ways. [09:44]
Ephesians 3:17-19 - "So that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ."
Reflection: What are some ways you can deepen your understanding of God's word and simultaneously reach out to others this week?
Day 4: Goals for Spiritual Growth
Setting specific, actionable goals for spiritual growth helps individuals and church communities stay focused on their mission. These goals, such as increasing attendance and expanding outreach, are not just numbers but represent lives being touched and transformed by the love of Christ. They provide a roadmap for the journey of faith, marking progress and inspiring continued effort. [19:26]
Habakkuk 2:2-3 - "Then the Lord replied: 'Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets so that a herald may run with it. For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it lingers, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay.'"
Reflection: What personal spiritual growth goal can you set this week, and what practical steps will you take to achieve it?
Day 5: Inclusivity in Salvation
The invitation to salvation is an open call to all, reflecting the inclusive heart of God. Welcoming new believers into the family of God is a celebration of the church's purpose to share the transformative love of Christ. This inclusivity is central to the church's mission, as it seeks to reach out to everyone with the message of hope and redemption. [24:02]
Romans 15:7 - "Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God."
Reflection: How can you demonstrate the inclusive love of Christ to someone who may feel outside the reach of God's love this week?
Quotes
1) "God's desire is to do not only a great work in you but through you, and God's Got Something Great in store for you so he can bless you to be a blessing in his church so that we can bless our communities." [06:05] (Download)
2) "We really do believe God has a great plan for all of our Lives, he's got a great plan and a great purpose for all of our lives and for our church, and all of that is ultimately to bring glory to God." [09:09] (Download)
3) "Vision determines what you say yes to and no to. Vision determines where we're going to invest our time, our talent, our treasure, and ultimately Vision will be your greatest reason for not tapping out on God." [12:43] (Download)
4) "Each of us will give a personal account to God. We're going to stand before God and we are going to give an account not for salvation but what we did with our gifts, talents, treasure, and time." [14:44] (Download)
5) "When you have a god-sized vision for what could and should be, you're going to run after it and you're going to desire its fruit. So don't tell me what God can't do." [15:51] (Download)
6) "We live in a here and now and we've got to keep our eyes on a when and then, because every knee will bow to me and every tongue will declare allegiance to God." [14:00] (Download)
7) "We're going to go deep and wide, deep meaning knowing the word of God so that we can know the god of the word in a deeper and better way." [09:44] (Download)
8) "We serve the Unstoppable all powerful Creator, The God Who says nothing is impossible for him, and he said I'm going to do something great in and through you." [07:23] (Download)
9) "We've always claimed Ephesians 3:20, which gives us permission to dream and ask big, and then God says I'll do the immeasurable. To God Be The Glory." [19:26] (Download)
10) "If you're here today and you don't know Jesus Christ as your savior, God loves you and he wants a relationship with you. God's plan and vision for your life is your first step." [23:22] (Download)
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