Embracing Transformation: Faith, Vision, and Generosity

 

Summary

In today's gathering, we celebrated the transformative power of God through the stories of life change witnessed in the baptisms. Reflecting on the early church's tradition of sharing testimonies, we embraced this moment to recount how God is actively working in our community. As we look back on 2024, we are filled with gratitude for the incredible milestones achieved, from hosting our first VBS with over a hundred children and volunteers to providing Christmas gifts for 130 foster children. We also welcomed a discipleship pastor to our team, celebrated over 60 baptisms, and initiated a building campaign that has already seen significant financial support. Most importantly, we remained committed to teaching the Bible in ways that transform lives.

Looking ahead to 2025, we draw inspiration from the story in Mark 8, where Jesus gradually heals a blind man. This narrative resonates with our church's journey, as we seek clarity and vision for our future. We recognize that while our mission remains constant—to make disciples, baptize, and teach—the way it unfolds is unique to our community. We are committed to making disciples, partnering with families, and multiplying healthy churches. Although our vision is not yet fully clear, we trust that God will reveal more as we remain faithful and obedient.

In terms of our church's financial health, we are grateful for the generosity that has allowed us to exceed our budget needs. However, as our attendance has doubled, our giving has only increased by 10%. We encourage those who consider this their church home to prayerfully consider supporting our mission financially. Ultimately, we trust that God will provide as we continue to walk in faith and unity.

Key Takeaways:

1. Celebrating Life Change: The stories of life change through baptisms remind us of the early church's tradition of sharing testimonies. These moments are powerful reminders of God's active work in our community, encouraging us to reflect on our own spiritual journeys and the transformative power of faith. [02:42]

2. Gradual Vision and Clarity: The story of Jesus healing the blind man in Mark 8 illustrates the gradual process of gaining clarity and vision. Just as Jesus healed in steps, our church's vision unfolds gradually. This teaches us patience and trust in God's timing, knowing that He reveals His plans as we are ready to receive them. [04:53]

3. Commitment to Discipleship: Our primary mission is to make disciples who live and love like Jesus. This commitment shapes every aspect of our church's activities and priorities. By focusing on discipleship, we ensure that our resources and efforts align with our core purpose, fostering spiritual growth and transformation. [06:29]

4. Partnering with Families: We recognize the vital role families play in discipling children and students. While the church supports this journey, the primary responsibility lies with parents and caregivers. By equipping families with resources and support, we empower them to fulfill their highest calling of pointing their children towards Jesus. [09:26]

5. Financial Stewardship and Generosity: As our church grows, we face the challenge of aligning our financial resources with our expanding ministry needs. While God has provided abundantly, we encourage those who are part of our church family to consider supporting our mission financially. This not only sustains our ministry but also deepens our connection to the work God is doing in our midst. [12:42]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [02:42] - Celebrating Life Change
- [04:53] - Gradual Vision and Clarity
- [06:29] - Commitment to Discipleship
- [09:26] - Partnering with Families
- [12:42] - Financial Stewardship and Generosity
- [15:05] - Closing Prayer

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
- Mark 8:22-25: The story of Jesus gradually healing a blind man.

#### Observation Questions
1. What was the initial reaction of the blind man after Jesus first touched his eyes? How did his vision change after the second touch? [04:53]
2. How does the sermon describe the early church's tradition of sharing testimonies, and how is this reflected in the church's current practice? [02:42]
3. What are some of the milestones the church achieved in 2024, as mentioned in the sermon? [02:42]
4. How has the church's financial situation changed with the increase in attendance, and what challenge does this present? [12:42]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. What might be the significance of Jesus healing the blind man gradually rather than instantly? How does this relate to the church's vision for the future? [04:53]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that the church's mission is both constant and unique to its community? [06:29]
3. How does the sermon emphasize the role of families in the discipleship process, and what support does the church offer to them? [09:26]
4. What does the sermon suggest about the relationship between financial giving and one's connection to the church community? [12:42]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you experienced a gradual change in your spiritual life. How did patience and trust in God's timing play a role in that process? [04:53]
2. How can you actively participate in the church's mission to make disciples and teach the Bible in your daily life? What steps can you take this week to align with this mission? [06:29]
3. In what ways can you support the church's vision for 2025, especially in areas where clarity is still needed? How can you contribute to this vision through prayer or action? [09:26]
4. Consider your role within your family or community. How can you better support the spiritual growth of those around you, especially children and students? [09:26]
5. Reflect on your current financial giving to the church. Is there a way you can increase your support to align with the church's growing needs and mission? [12:42]
6. How can you share your own story of life change with others in your community to inspire and encourage them in their faith journey? [02:42]
7. What specific actions can you take to deepen your connection to the church and its mission, beyond financial support? Consider volunteering or participating in small groups. [12:42]

Devotional

Day 1: Celebrating Transformative Faith
In the early church, sharing testimonies was a powerful tradition that highlighted God's active work in the community. Today, we continue this practice by celebrating life changes through baptisms, which serve as vivid reminders of the transformative power of faith. These stories encourage us to reflect on our own spiritual journeys and recognize the ongoing work of God in our lives. As we witness these transformations, we are reminded of the importance of sharing our own testimonies to inspire and uplift others. [02:42]

"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." (Ephesians 2:10, ESV)

Reflection: Think of a recent moment when you experienced a change in your spiritual life. How can you share this testimony with someone who might need encouragement today?


Day 2: Trusting in Gradual Revelation
The story of Jesus healing the blind man in Mark 8 illustrates the gradual process of gaining clarity and vision. Just as Jesus healed in steps, our church's vision unfolds gradually, teaching us patience and trust in God's timing. We are reminded that while our mission remains constant, the way it unfolds is unique to our community. As we seek clarity for our future, we trust that God will reveal His plans as we remain faithful and obedient. [04:53]

"And I will lead the blind in a way that they do not know, in paths that they have not known I will guide them. I will turn the darkness before them into light, the rough places into level ground. These are the things I do, and I do not forsake them." (Isaiah 42:16, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you are seeking clarity? How can you practice patience and trust in God's timing this week?


Day 3: Commitment to Discipleship
Our primary mission is to make disciples who live and love like Jesus. This commitment shapes every aspect of our church's activities and priorities. By focusing on discipleship, we ensure that our resources and efforts align with our core purpose, fostering spiritual growth and transformation. As we engage in this mission, we are reminded of the importance of living out our faith in tangible ways that reflect the love of Christ to those around us. [06:29]

"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age." (Matthew 28:19-20, ESV)

Reflection: Identify one person in your life whom you can mentor or disciple. What steps can you take this week to begin or deepen this relationship?


Day 4: Empowering Families in Faith
We recognize the vital role families play in discipling children and students. While the church supports this journey, the primary responsibility lies with parents and caregivers. By equipping families with resources and support, we empower them to fulfill their highest calling of pointing their children towards Jesus. This partnership between the church and families is essential for nurturing a strong foundation of faith in the next generation. [09:26]

"These words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise." (Deuteronomy 6:6-7, ESV)

Reflection: How can you intentionally incorporate faith-based conversations and activities into your family's daily routine this week?


Day 5: Practicing Financial Stewardship
As our church grows, we face the challenge of aligning our financial resources with our expanding ministry needs. While God has provided abundantly, we encourage those who are part of our church family to consider supporting our mission financially. This not only sustains our ministry but also deepens our connection to the work God is doing in our midst. Practicing financial stewardship is an act of faith and trust in God's provision. [12:42]

"Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." (2 Corinthians 9:7, ESV)

Reflection: Reflect on your current financial giving. Is there an area where you feel called to increase your support for the church's mission? How can you take a step of faith in this area today?

Quotes

"Well, super fun day, getting to see stories of life change. Today really was all about that, about baptisms. I have just literally a few, like literally a few minutes. And so again, the sermon today is really the stories of life change through the baptisms. And I was thinking about how, you know, the early church centuries ago, you read through the book of Acts, and just repeatedly people just gather to tell stories about what God is doing in their life. And that's kind of what we did today. So just really sweet and special for our church." [00:00:00]

"2024, I think this is important. We were able to add a discipleship pastor to our team, which means that someone, he wakes up every day thinking about you and how he can help you learn to live and love like Jesus. I think that's super important. We had last year more than 40 baptisms, another 20, by the way, this morning across all of our services. So a lot of people telling stories of life change. We added about 10 small groups in 2024." [00:01:56]

"There's something about this story that connects for me to our church and our church family, because we have been asking God to help us see, to help give us some vision for the future. Every church in the world has the same mission. That was given to us by Jesus, right? Go into the world, he said, make disciples, baptize them, teach them to obey everything that I have commanded. That is the mission of the church of Jesus Christ, across time, across the globe." [00:03:39]

"And it's like, we have stubbed our toe, we have bruises from the journey so far, but we've been asking God to make our vision clear, to give us sight. Kind of like the friends are asking Jesus to give sight to their friends. Go back to the story, verse 23. Jesus took the blind man by the hand and he led him outside the village. This is kind of weird what happens next. It says, when Jesus had spit on the man's eyes, he put his hands on him and Jesus asked, do you see anything?" [00:04:22]

"many times heals people, and many times heals people who are blind, gives them sight. But this story is unique. This is the only example we have of this in Scripture where Jesus heals gradually. He heals in steps. It's sort of a process where it's not just instantaneous, but it's gradual. Why? What about this story? Why did he do that? Well, we don't really know, but if I could speculate, I would venture that maybe one reason is that Jesus sees the heart of the man he's talking to. He knows him." [00:05:12]

"or that maybe the guy wouldn't see the treasure that it is to be healed, or whatever reason, Jesus moves at a pace that he thinks that he knows we can handle. And I believe that this story for me, I read this story and I go, man, that kind of relates to the story of our church, our little church family, is that we believe God has given us direction. He has given us a vision, and yet there's still some clarity we need." [00:05:50]

"The truth is, I don't have the answers of exactly what it's going to look like. And I don't know the timeline of exactly when these things are going to take place. All I'm going to say is, this is what God is telling us, like where he's leading us. This is the vision he's giving us for this church. And so we think we're just going to follow it and take little steps and little steps. And God, as we're ready, will reveal more to us." [00:06:53]

"This happens all the time in our individual lives, right? God doesn't go like skywriting, like, hey, do this for the rest of your life. He goes, wake up today and be faithful, and wake up the next day and be obedient, and then a little bit at a time, and he shows us more. And we think that's what's going on here at Fusion. So let me just share really fast what we think is clear that God is calling Fusion to do. Three really quick things. One is this. You won't be surprised. One is to make disciples." [00:07:41]

"this church, they said, make disciples, make disciples, make disciples. We exist to help people learn to live in love like Jesus. And so everything that we do is going to point to that. If it doesn't point to that, we're not going to do it because as a church family, our time and resources are too valuable to waste. And so we're going to point everything towards making disciples. Second is that we're going to partner with families. Here's the thing. We love kids and we put a ton of energy resources, some of our best people into kids and students because we love them." [00:08:42]

"Your role, parents, caregivers, grandparents, foster parents, like that's your primary role. And it is your highest calling to disciple your kids. Your greatest adventure and greatest calling is not to get your kids to baseball practice and band lessons. It's to point them towards Jesus." [00:09:32]

"And so we want to champion that, but we want to give you resources. We want to help you. We want to equip you because raising kids is, man, it's hard. And I know like I need help. I need a church that doesn't just sort of stand behind me, but who resources me in that way. And I know you do too. And so we're beginning to define what it looks like right now to partner with families, but we know that that is part of our DNA and part of our vision. Finally, the third thing is that we want to multiply healthy churches." [00:10:31]

" strategy. And so know that our heart, we have increased this number a lot, but our heart is that it would be even higher, but we want to do it right. And so we are spending the year sort of realigning our global strategy and global partnerships and some cool stuff that we're going to be talking about soon. But we want to see that number go up to be a higher percentage. And obviously, you know, we have chosen to run pretty lean and mean with our staffing. And so we're going to continue to do that. And we believe that is the church family's job to sort of carry the church." [00:11:52]

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Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?