Embracing God's Promises: A Year of Abundance

Devotional

Day 1: Embracing God's Promises with Faith

This year is a time to step into the abundance that God has prepared for us, moving from a place of lack to a place of abundance. Just as the Israelites transitioned from the wilderness into the Promised Land, we are invited to believe that this is our year to see God's promises fulfilled in our lives. This journey is not about simply naming and claiming blessings, but about standing on the faithfulness of God, who is inherently faithful and true to His word. As we declare this year as our year of promise, we are encouraged to engage in a time of fasting and consecration, setting ourselves apart to seek God more deeply. [00:38]

Joshua 21:45 (ESV): "Not one word of all the good promises that the Lord had made to the house of Israel had failed; all came to pass."

Reflection: What specific promise from God are you holding onto this year, and how can you actively trust in His faithfulness to see it fulfilled?

Day 2: The Transformative Power of Fasting

Fasting is a spiritual discipline that aligns us with God's purposes. It is not merely about abstaining from food but is a time to draw closer to God, both individually and corporately, as we seek His face and His will. When we fast corporately, there is a cumulative spiritual energy that builds as we pray and seek God together. This month, we are called to a corporate fast, gathering every evening on Zoom to pray and seek God's face. This is a small sacrifice for a significant spiritual return, as we position ourselves to receive what God has for us. [06:52]

Isaiah 58:6 (ESV): "Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke?"

Reflection: How can you incorporate fasting into your spiritual routine this week, and what specific intention will you bring before God during this time?

Day 3: Building an Intergenerational Church Community

The church is a family where all generations are valuable. We are called to break down silos and build relationships across generational lines, passing on faith and wisdom from one generation to the next. Each generation, from the youngest to the oldest, has a unique role and gift to offer. This year, we are called to intentionally build relationships across generational lines, creating a vibrant and unified body of Christ. [36:00]

Psalm 145:4 (ESV): "One generation shall commend your works to another, and shall declare your mighty acts."

Reflection: Identify one person from a different generation in your church community. How can you reach out to them this week to learn from their experiences or share your own?

Day 4: Stepping into Spiritual Parenthood

We are called to be spiritual fathers and mothers, nurturing and guiding others in their faith journey. While we have many instructors, we lack true spiritual fathers and mothers who nurture and guide us in our faith journey. This is a unique role within the church, emphasizing the importance of spiritual relationships and mentorship. We are called to step into this role, to become spiritual parents to those around us, and to invest in the spiritual growth of others. [48:46]

1 Thessalonians 2:11-12 (ESV): "For you know how, like a father with his children, we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory."

Reflection: Who in your life could benefit from your spiritual guidance and mentorship? How can you begin to nurture this relationship today?

Day 5: Trusting the Spirit and Building Unity

Trusting the Spirit of God within us and our leaders is crucial. As we follow the pattern God has given us, we build a unified and vibrant church, ready to embrace the responsibilities of spiritual parenthood. This trust and unity are essential as we seek to fulfill God's purposes for our community. By trusting in the Spirit, we can overcome challenges and work together to build a strong, intergenerational church family. [56:46]

Ephesians 4:3-4 (ESV): "Eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call."

Reflection: In what ways can you contribute to the unity of your church community this week, and how can you encourage others to trust in the Spirit's guidance?

Sermon Summary

This year is a year of promise, a time when we are called to step into the abundance that God has prepared for us. Just as the Israelites moved from the wilderness into the land of more than enough, we are invited to believe that this is our year to see God's promises fulfilled in our lives. This is not about simply naming and claiming blessings, but about standing on the faithfulness of God, who is inherently faithful and true to His word. As we declare this year as our year of promise, we are encouraged to engage in a time of fasting and consecration, setting ourselves apart to seek God more deeply.

Fasting is not just about abstaining from food; it is a spiritual discipline that draws us closer to God and aligns our hearts with His purposes. When we fast corporately, there is a cumulative spiritual energy that builds as we pray and seek God together. This month, we are called to a corporate fast, gathering every evening on Zoom to pray and seek God's face. This is a small sacrifice for a significant spiritual return, as we position ourselves to receive what God has for us.

Moreover, this season is about embracing the intergenerational nature of the church. Each generation, from the youngest to the oldest, has a unique role and gift to offer. We are reminded that the church is a family where all generations stand as equal recipients of God's grace. This year, we are called to break down the silos that separate generations and to intentionally build relationships across generational lines. This is a time to pass on the faith, wisdom, and experiences from one generation to the next, creating a vibrant and unified body of Christ.

Paul's words in 1 Corinthians 4 remind us of the importance of spiritual fatherhood and motherhood. While we have many instructors, we lack true spiritual fathers and mothers who nurture and guide us in our faith journey. We are called to step into this role, to become spiritual parents to those around us, and to invest in the spiritual growth of others. This is a season to rise up, to take responsibility, and to pass on the richness of the gospel to the next generation.

Key Takeaways

1. Year of Promise: This year is a time to step into God's promises, moving from a place of lack to abundance. It requires faith and a deep belief in God's faithfulness, as we declare this year as our year of promise. [00:38]
2. Power of Fasting: Fasting is a spiritual discipline that aligns us with God's purposes. It is not just abstaining from food but a time to draw closer to God, both individually and corporately, as we seek His face and His will. [06:52]
3. Intergenerational Church: The church is a family where all generations are valuable. We are called to break down silos and build relationships across generational lines, passing on faith and wisdom from one generation to the next. [36:00]
4. Spiritual Parenthood: We are called to be spiritual fathers and mothers, nurturing and guiding others in their faith journey. This is a unique role within the church, emphasizing the importance of spiritual relationships and mentorship. [48:46]
5. Trust and Unity: Trusting the Spirit of God within us and our leaders is crucial. As we follow the pattern God has given us, we build a unified and vibrant church, ready to embrace the responsibilities of spiritual parenthood. [56:46]
** [56:46]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:38] - Year of Promise
[01:43] - Faith Declaration
[02:39] - Standing on God's Promises
[03:12] - Entering the Year of Promise
[06:52] - Corporate Fasting Invitation
[08:38] - Uganda 2025 Mission
[09:54] - Generations for Jesus
[12:22] - Generational Roll Call
[14:08] - Blessing the Newborns
[15:18] - Generation Alpha
[16:59] - Generation Z
[21:22] - Millennials Rising
[24:22] - Generation X
[27:00] - Baby Boomers and Builders
[34:38] - Intergenerational Unity
[36:00] - Embracing Generational Gifts
[37:42] - 1 Corinthians 4: Spiritual Parenthood
[48:46] - Becoming Spiritual Parents
[56:46] - Trusting the Spirit
[58:16] - Generational Fast Pattern
[60:27] - Up Close and Personal
[62:13] - Accepting the Assignment
[63:42] - Closing Prayer and Dismissal

Sermon Clips

We thank you for this season of fasting that we're in called Generations for Jesus. We pray. God, that you would excite our hearts about what it looks like to work, to live and to love intergenerationally from the youngest to the oldest God. It is your hallmark. From the Old to the New Testament to present day. It is what you're doing, God, to redeem a lost world. Thank you that you called us to this time of fasting. Thank you that you are showing us the value of the generations. That no generation is insignificant. That we all are significant in the eyes of you, Jesus. [00:09:21] (60 seconds)

The Christian church is a remarkable entity. It is the only agency in Western civilization which has all members of the family. As part of its clientele from birth to death. Did you know that we experience birth in the Christian church and we experience death and everything in between on any given weekend? Most churches, including Mount Olivet Baptist Church, can look around and see all the generations. [00:11:36] (44 seconds)

Titus tells us in chapter... That older men and women need to be intentional about building relationship with younger generations. In Psalm 78, David calls the whole people of God to tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord. You see, the kingdom practice of the Christian faith is one where each generation comes together. And passes on the faith one to another. By creating unique environments where all of this can happen. Are you tracking? [00:36:52] (47 seconds)

He's emphasizing the importance and recognizing the unique role of those who have contributed to our life by acknowledging the many voices and influences in our personal journeys it's like paul taking his hat off and saying well done very important necessary but then paul begins to introduce a new relational dynamic that only exists in the christian church in verse 15 he says for though you have countless guides you do not have many fathers this word father in the greek is pater which signifies this paternal and you can include maternal relationship representing responsibility authority care and nurturing in the gospel did you hear that in the gospel in the gospel [00:42:22] (82 seconds)

I see a lot of mothers and fathers. In this building. Even if I look at the generations. There are many mothers and fathers. That God is saying. Okay. It's time now. You've watched long enough. You've observed long enough. It's time to step in. It's time to step in. It's time to step in. It's time to occupy. It's time to. Reach a place. Reach down a generation. And bring someone close. [00:51:31] (38 seconds)

He says from Paul to Timothy, he says, Timothy, I know you've got a lot of folks that are pouring into you in different ways. And that's great. He says, but I don't see many fathers. And then he steps into that place. And then he gives some specific instructions found in verse six. And this is where it gets very interesting. Because he says, therefore, I urge you to imitate me. This is where the rubber meets the road, folks. [00:53:56] (43 seconds)

Knowing that Christ physically is not here, but I am full of the spirit of God, imitate me. And that word imitate is the word, it has two meanings that kind of mean the same thing. One is mimic and one is pattern. So mimic like a mime is literally mimicking. What I see you do, I do. Pattern is like someone who's making a close. There is a pattern that the father gave Paul to lead the church. And he's saying, that's the pattern I want you to continue to lead in. Are you with me? [00:54:53] (55 seconds)

At the end of the day, it really comes down to trusting the Spirit of God inside of you. Because if the Spirit of God inside of me, the pastors, the leaders, yourself, is alive, then he will be telling us the same thing. The same thing. And so really, that is where it all begins. Is this deep trust relationship we have with our Father in Heaven. And then giving one another the benefit of the doubt. [00:56:58] (46 seconds)

So the question for each of us is how many of us, and if I, if I go back, you know, and you don't have to raise your hand, but how many builders, how many boomers, how many Gen X's and millennials, let's just stop there, you know, are ready to step into that place of paternity and maternity because this is the place. This is the season to do it. As we fast together, I pray that God would give you revelation about stepping into that place. No longer spectating, but engaging. [00:59:13] (56 seconds)

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