Embracing Bold Faith and God's Vision Together
Summary
God is inviting us into a season of bold faith, rooted in the assurance that He can do immeasurably more than we could ever ask or imagine. As we gather on this significant day, we remember that our journey as a church has always been about trusting God’s vision, not just our own plans. Fifty years ago, a small congregation took a leap of faith by purchasing this land, believing that God had greater things in store. Their willingness to step into the unknown set the stage for generations of ministry, and today, we stand on the threshold of a new chapter, called to expand our reach and deepen our impact.
Drawing from the story of Joshua and the Israelites as they prepared to enter the Promised Land, we see that God’s leading often requires us to pause, listen, and surrender before we move forward. Joshua’s encounter with the commander of the Lord’s army reminds us that the real question is not whether God is on our side, but whether we are truly aligned with Him. The call to “take off your sandals” is a call to humility, reverence, and readiness to obey, recognizing that the ground we stand on is holy because God is present and at work.
This season is about more than buildings or budgets; it’s about relationships—first with God, and then with others. We are challenged to identify “our one”—someone in our lives who needs the love and friendship of Jesus—and to commit ourselves to genuine, sacrificial friendship, regardless of the outcome. At the same time, we are invited to make a financial commitment that stretches us, trusting that God will multiply our collective generosity to accomplish His purposes.
Before making these commitments, we pause to remember Christ’s ultimate commitment to us through the Lord’s Supper. His sacrifice is the foundation and model for our own. As we bring our commitments forward, we do so not out of obligation, but as a response to God’s faithfulness and love, trusting that He will weave our individual acts of obedience into a greater story of transformation for our church and community.
Key Takeaways
- God’s Vision Requires Our Surrender, Not Just Our Effort
True progress in God’s purposes begins with surrender, not strategy. Like Joshua before Jericho, we must first humble ourselves, recognize God’s presence, and be willing to obey even when the next step seems unconventional or uncomfortable. The call to “take off your sandals” is a reminder that God’s battles are won on holy ground, in reverence and dependence, not by our own might or plans. [30:57]
- Aligning with God Means Asking the Right Questions
Joshua’s instinct was to ask if the mysterious figure was for or against him, but God’s messenger redirected the question: Are we on God’s side? This shift challenges us to examine whether our plans and ambitions are truly aligned with God’s vision, or if we are simply asking Him to bless what we have already decided. The invitation is to join God in what He is already doing, rather than asking Him to join us. [28:50]
- Relationships Are at the Heart of God’s Mission
The imagined vision is fundamentally about relationships—deepening our bonds within the church and reaching out to those who do not yet know Christ. Identifying “your one” is not about seeing people as projects, but about genuine friendship and sacrificial love, regardless of whether they ever respond to the gospel. This commitment reflects the heart of Jesus, who never gives up on anyone. [37:00]
- Generosity Flows from Remembering Christ’s Sacrifice
Our financial commitments are not about meeting a budget, but about responding to the extravagant generosity of Christ, who gave everything for us. When we remember His body broken and His blood shed, we are moved to give sacrificially and joyfully, trusting that God will use our gifts—no matter the size—to accomplish more than we can imagine. [45:01]
- Obedience Prepares the Way for God’s “Immeasurably More”
The journey into God’s promises is marked by obedience, even when the outcome is uncertain. Like Joshua, we are called to listen, respond, and step forward in faith, trusting that God will bring unity, provision, and transformation as we align ourselves with His vision. Our collective obedience becomes the foundation for the next season of ministry and blessing. [01:00:01]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[02:00] - Announcements and Volunteer Opportunities
[07:30] - Sun Area Working Witness Volunteer Call
[15:33] - Stories of God’s Faithfulness in Ministry
[18:45] - Praying Bold Prayers for God’s Vision
[20:36] - Remembering Our Church’s Promised Land
[22:51] - Lessons from Israel’s Wilderness Journey
[25:41] - Joshua’s Encounter Before Jericho
[28:50] - Aligning with God’s Side
[30:57] - The Call to Holy Ground and Surrender
[32:32] - Responding to God’s Vision, Not Our Own
[35:12] - The Relational Commitment: Identifying Your One
[39:59] - The Financial Commitment: Sacrificial Generosity
[43:31] - Preparing Our Hearts: The Lord’s Supper
[52:46] - Communion: Remembering Christ’s Friendship
[57:15] - Praying Over Our Commitments
[01:00:01] - Will We Align with God’s Vision?
[01:07:08] - Bringing Our Commitments Forward and Closing
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
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### Bible Reading
- Joshua 5:13-15
When Joshua was near the town of Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with a sword in hand. Joshua went up to him and demanded, “Are you friend or foe?”
“Neither one,” he replied. “I am the commander of the Lord’s army.”
At this, Joshua fell with his face to the ground in reverence. “I am at your command,” Joshua said. “What do you want your servant to do?”
The commander of the Lord’s army replied, “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy.” And Joshua did as he was told.
- Ephesians 3:20-21
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, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
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### Observation Questions
1. In Joshua 5:13-15, what is unusual about the way the commander of the Lord’s army responds to Joshua’s question? What does Joshua do after hearing the commander’s answer?
2. According to Ephesians 3:20-21, what is Paul’s prayer and what does it say about God’s ability?
3. The sermon described a moment when Joshua was told to “take off your sandals” because he was on holy ground. What did this action symbolize in the story? [[30:57]]
4. The pastor mentioned that the church’s journey has always been about trusting God’s vision, not just their own plans. What example from the church’s history was given to illustrate this? [[20:36]]
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### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think the commander of the Lord’s army refused to take sides and instead challenged Joshua to consider if he was aligned with God? What does this teach about our own approach to God’s plans? [[28:50]]
2. The instruction to “take off your sandals” was given before any battle plan was revealed. What does this suggest about the relationship between surrender and action in following God? [[30:57]]
3. The sermon emphasized that God’s vision is about relationships, not just buildings or budgets. Why might God prioritize relationships in His mission for the church? [[35:12]]
4. How does remembering Christ’s sacrifice through the Lord’s Supper shape the way we approach our own commitments and acts of generosity? [[45:01]]
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### Application Questions
1. The commander’s question to Joshua was not “Is God on our side?” but “Are we on God’s side?” In your own life, are there areas where you’ve been asking God to bless your plans instead of seeking to align with His? What would it look like to surrender those plans this week? [[28:50]]
2. The call to “take off your sandals” is a call to humility and readiness to obey. Is there a specific area where God is asking you to pause, listen, and surrender before moving forward? What step of obedience might He be inviting you to take? [[30:57]]
3. The sermon challenged everyone to identify “your one”—someone who needs the love and friendship of Jesus. Who is one person in your life that God might be calling you to pursue with genuine, sacrificial friendship? What is one practical way you can show them Christ’s love this month? [[35:12]]
4. The church’s history includes people taking bold steps of faith, like purchasing land without knowing exactly what God would do. Is there a bold step of faith God is inviting you to take right now, even if the outcome is uncertain? What is holding you back? [[20:36]]
5. When it comes to generosity, the sermon said our giving should be a response to Christ’s extravagant generosity, not just about meeting a budget. How does remembering Christ’s sacrifice change your perspective on giving—whether time, money, or talents? [[45:01]]
6. Before making commitments, the church paused to remember Christ’s ultimate commitment through the Lord’s Supper. How can you make space in your week to remember and reflect on Jesus’ love and sacrifice, and let that shape your actions? [[45:01]]
7. The journey into God’s promises is marked by obedience, even when the outcome is uncertain. What is one area where you sense God calling you to step out in faith, and how can your small group support you in that? [[01:00:01]]
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Close in prayer, asking God to help each person surrender their plans, align with His vision, and step forward in bold faith—trusting that He can do immeasurably more than we could ever ask or imagine.
Devotional
Day 1: God Can Do Immeasurably More Than We Imagine
God invites us to pray bold prayers and trust that He is able to do far more than we could ever ask or imagine, working through His power within us. When we align our hearts with His vision and surrender our plans, we open ourselves to experience His abundant provision and guidance in ways that surpass our understanding. As we continue to seek Him, let us remember that our faith is not in our own abilities, but in the God who delights in doing the impossible for His glory and the good of His people. [19:04]
Ephesians 3:20-21 (NIV)
"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, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to trust God for “immeasurably more” than you can currently see or imagine? Will you bring that to Him in prayer today, believing He is able?
Day 2: Surrendering to God’s Leadership in Uncertain Times
Like Joshua before Jericho, we often find ourselves at a crossroads, facing uncertainty and feeling the weight of leadership or responsibility. In these moments, God calls us not to charge ahead with our own plans, but to pause, humble ourselves, and listen for His direction. True progress comes when we recognize that the battle is not ours, but the Lord’s, and we respond in reverence and obedience, ready to follow wherever He leads—even if the first step is simply to take off our sandals and acknowledge His presence and holiness. [30:57]
Joshua 5:13-15 (ESV)
"When Joshua was by Jericho, he lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, a man was standing before him with his drawn sword in his hand. And Joshua went to him and said to him, 'Are you for us, or for our adversaries?' And he said, 'No; but I am the commander of the army of the Lord. Now I have come.' And Joshua fell on his face to the earth and worshiped and said to him, 'What does my lord say to his servant?' And the commander of the Lord's army said to Joshua, 'Take off your sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy.' And Joshua did so."
Reflection: Where in your life do you need to pause, humble yourself, and ask God for His direction instead of pushing forward with your own plans?
Day 3: Commitment Flows from Christ’s Commitment to Us
Before we make any commitment to God’s vision, we must remember and rest in the all-in commitment Christ has already made to us through His sacrifice on the cross. Our acts of service, generosity, and faithfulness are a response to the love and grace we have received. As we participate in communion and reflect on Jesus’ body broken and blood shed, we are reminded that He sees us, knows our brokenness, and has given everything for us—not out of obligation, but out of love. [45:01]
Luke 22:19-20 (ESV)
"And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, 'This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.' And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, 'This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.'"
Reflection: As you remember Christ’s sacrifice for you, how does His love and commitment inspire you to respond in your own commitments today?
Day 4: Relationships Are at the Heart of God’s Vision
God’s imagined vision for us is deeply rooted in relationships—both with one another and with those who do not yet know Jesus. We are called to identify and invest in “our one,” someone local who needs the love and friendship of Christ, not as a project, but as a person worthy of compassion, empathy, and genuine care. This commitment means rearranging our lives, seeing others as God sees them, and being willing to walk alongside them regardless of the outcome, trusting that God’s love will shine through us. [35:56]
John 13:34-35 (ESV)
"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."
Reflection: Who is “your one”—the person God is calling you to love and invest in? What is one practical step you can take today to show them Christ’s love?
Day 5: Responding in Faithful Obedience to God’s Call
God’s plans for us require not just belief, but action—faithful, sacrificial steps of obedience, even when the path is uncertain or the goal seems too big. Like Joshua and the Israelites, we are invited to move forward, trusting that God has already prepared the way and will provide what is needed as we say yes to His vision. Our willingness to listen, surrender, and act—whether in relationships, generosity, or service—demonstrates our trust in God’s faithfulness and our desire to be part of His unfolding story. [01:00:51]
James 2:17 (ESV)
"So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead."
Reflection: What is one step of faithful obedience God is asking you to take today, even if it feels risky or uncomfortable? Will you say yes and trust Him with the outcome?
Quotes
Those involved, in fact, I wonder, is there anybody here today that was a part of the High and Vine Street Church, the small church before we moved and bought this land here today? Is anybody here? Let's see your hand. Let's stand out. I want to see you. It's a dark room. I know. We've got a couple hands back there, right, in the back of the room. All right, got a couple people standing, right? We have people who have been a part of this church for at least, for more than 50 years, but we're certainly here in the moment in when God was leading a small little church in town in Sealands Grove to say, here's an opportunity to trust the immeasurably more of God and let's, go buy this open field land. SU wasn't developed the way that it is today, right? But let's go buy this land over here and let's trust that God has got some immeasurably more plans for us. And you and many others who were a part of the church in those days took that bold step of faith. You had the visions to do and to respond as God would lead you to building this and having this experience here on our property. [00:20:51]
The excitement and the anticipation of what God would do was so great for the church people in that time that when they purchased this land, they dubbed this our promised land. And, you know, when you think about that, it sounds cute. And you can, your mind naturally goes to where that probably comes from in the story in the book of Exodus, where God is bringing his people from captivity, right? It's the story that God led and gave to the forefathers of God's people, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and ultimately was inherited through the leadership of Moses and Joshua as they one day eventually came to live in the land of promise that was given to them. [00:22:09]
We know in the story that Moses, Moses heard from the Lord that he was the one to go back to Pharaoh and lead God's people out of captivity and into their promised land. And reluctantly, right, feeling inadequate, not feeling like he could do anything and certainly could do something of this task. The Lord gently walked with Moses and helped him to do all the things that he needed to, to help lead his people out of captivity into the wilderness. Little did he realize it would be a 40 -year wandering journey, right? But over 40 years, God's people found themselves wandering in the wilderness. Yes, in part because of their disobedience, but also and primarily because in this season of time, God was using this series to prepare their hearts and their minds and their lives so that they would be ready to fully experience and use and live out their occupation in the land that was being promised to them. [00:22:51]
Ever since we built the education wing over here on this side of our building back in 1992, there has been a dream to continue to expand our ministry space to be able to meet the many ministry needs that God is bringing in our church and through our church for us to continue to serve him and to serve others. But for many reasons, some self -inflicted, some that are outside of our control, time never proved to be... [00:24:04]
The reasons for this are many, but today we stand in a unique place as God has readied us finally to start moving forward into the immeasurably more that God began to promise to our church family over 50 years ago. [00:24:31]
In this recent season of celebration, of evaluation, and of prayer, the Lord has brought me to kind of an interesting part of the wandering story of Joshua and the Israelites as they are preparing to end their wandering days in the wilderness, and they're preparing to enter into the land of Canaan through the way of Jericho and beginning to inherit and occupy this land that has been promised to them. The wandering is about over, and now is the time for them to move. And so if you have your Bibles this morning, I want to invite you to turn with me to Joshua chapter 5, and we're going to pick up a small excerpt of this story as they prepare to move toward Jericho. [00:24:50]
I share this portion of the story with us this morning because here we see Joshua and God's people standing here in a crisis moment, in a moment of decision. They are readying themselves. The wandering days are over. They're moving forward in the faith that has been given them toward the land of Jericho. And on their way, they are stopped by this man who is standing in front of them with a sword drawn in his hand. In other words, this man is standing ready for battle. [00:26:21]
And so Joshua, being the great leader that he is, recognizes the situation and begins to formulate his plan and his strategy to keep the Israelites moving forward. We're done with the wandering. We're tired of waiting. God has opened the door for us to inherit our promised land. We have to be able to be able to go forward. But the next move will be all, will make all the difference in the world. [00:27:02]
The man stood there basically and inverted the question that Joshua asked the man. And he asked Joshua the same question. Are you friend or foe of the Lord? [00:29:00]
The battle ahead was not going to be Joshua or God's people's battle. Now, this brought incredible encouragement to Joshua because this response, he realized that the journey ahead was not really up to him. [00:29:20]
He and his people were aligned with and ready to fight for and with God and his plans. They had been wandering for 40 years and learning what it means to be the people of God and to follow the instructions that were given to them through the 10 commandments and all of the laws and rules that they had been learning to follow through their wandering days. [00:29:33]
With this realization, Joshua fell with his face to the ground in reverence. Joshua surrenders himself and the army that he is leading to this commander of the Lord's army. [00:30:06]
His leadership humbles himself to the commander of the Lord's army. And in this moment, he hears the instructions that are given. You want to win this battle. You want to inherit the land that has been promised. You want to no longer be stuck in the days of wandering and waiting. [00:30:39]
Now here we have this beautiful picture, this beautiful picture of Joshua standing in this unique moment. It's not the mountain. He's not isolated. The army's behind him. The army, commander of the Lord's army in front of him. But the instruction has given him, here's your battle strategy. [00:31:27]
Yeah, well, it might down the road. But right here and right now, your battle strategy begins by simply taking off your sandals. [00:31:46]
Because this is holy ground. Because this isn't your battle. [00:31:56]
Because this isn't your job or your situation to fix. [00:32:00]
You just need to walk in the ways that I lead you. [00:32:04]
Today, as we gather, we make our commitments to the imagined vision that God has laid out for us. We first and foremost have to recognize that this is God's vision and that we are simply joining him in his plans. [00:32:46]
Today, we declare our commitment to God and his plans that we prepare ourselves to be available to God's vision of service and to do so wholeheartedly and without reservation. [00:33:02]
Today, we're going to be making generous and sacrificial commitments to partner with him in his plans to do immeasurably more than we could ever ask or imagine. [00:33:23]
But none of these commitments, none of this effort that we are being asked of the Lord to faithfully respond mean anything without our remembrance of what Christ has already committed and done for you and me on the cross. And so this morning, we are going to prepare our hearts by putting all of what we think is important aside, all of the blocks that would keep us from knowing what to say yes to or how to respond. [00:43:47]
He knows how to help us experience and live out the imagined vision that he is calling us into. The question is, will we follow the lead of Joshua and bow down in reverence before him so that we can ready ourselves and listen to the instructions that he's given? [01:00:22]
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