Faith in Action: The Power of Generosity
Summary
### Summary
Today, we gathered to celebrate the spirit of expansion and the incredible impact our church has had over the past year. We reflected on the achievements made possible through the generosity and commitment of our 1,295 expansion partners, who collectively raised $4.2 million. This funding enabled us to feed over 475,000 students through the Healthy Lunches program, serve 80,000 hot meals in our community kitchens, and distribute 32,005 Christmas boxes to families in need. These efforts are not just about numbers or statistics; they are about people experiencing the love and care of Jesus through tangible acts of kindness.
We delved into the story of the boy with five loaves and two fish from the Gospel of John, illustrating the power of small acts of faith when placed in Jesus' hands. This story serves as a powerful reminder that God can multiply our seemingly insignificant contributions to meet the needs of many. The boy's willingness to offer his small meal resulted in a miraculous feeding of thousands, demonstrating that our little, when given in faith, can have a profound impact.
As we look forward to the next year, we aim to grow our expansion partners to 2,000 and raise $5 million. This will enable us to not only continue our current initiatives but also expand our reach and impact. The essence of expansion is not about the financial goals but about people—people who need to experience the love of Jesus through our actions. We are called to be aware of the needs around us, willing to offer what we have, and responsive to God's call to make a difference.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Power of Small Acts of Faith: The story of the boy with five loaves and two fish teaches us that God can multiply our small acts of faith to meet the needs of many. When we offer what little we have to Jesus, He can use it to create a significant impact. This encourages us to trust God with our resources, no matter how small they may seem. [07:28]
2. Expansion is About People, Not Numbers: While financial goals and statistics are important, the heart of expansion lies in impacting people's lives. Our efforts in feeding students, serving hot meals, and distributing Christmas boxes are all about showing the love of Jesus to those in need. This reminds us that our mission is to bring hope and transformation to individuals and communities. [03:28]
3. Faith Overcomes Obstacles: The disciples' responses to Jesus' question about feeding the crowd highlight the difference between seeing obstacles and seeing opportunities. Philip saw the impossibility, while Andrew saw a small opportunity. This teaches us to focus on what we can offer in faith rather than being overwhelmed by the challenges. [12:23]
4. God Multiplies Our Sacrifices: The boy's willingness to give up his meal resulted in a miraculous multiplication that fed thousands. This illustrates that God can take our sacrifices, no matter how small, and use them to achieve His purposes. It encourages us to be generous and trust that God will use our contributions for His glory. [18:59]
5. Awareness, Willingness, and Responsiveness: To live as expanders, we need to be aware of the needs around us, willing to offer what we have, and responsive to God's call. This involves seeing opportunities over obstacles, trusting Jesus with our resources, and taking action to make a difference. These principles guide us in our mission to impact and change our generation with the reality of Jesus. [33:45]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[01:46] - Celebrating Expansion Achievements
[03:28] - The Heart of Expansion
[05:22] - The Boy with Five Loaves and Two Fish
[07:28] - The Power of Small Acts of Faith
[12:23] - Faith Overcomes Obstacles
[18:59] - God Multiplies Our Sacrifices
[27:32] - The Potential of Collective Effort
[33:45] - Awareness, Willingness, and Responsiveness
[42:06] - Invitation to Know Jesus
[43:09] - Prayer and Celebration
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- John 6:1-14 (The story of the boy with five loaves and two fish)
#### Observation Questions
1. What was the initial reaction of Philip when Jesus asked where they could buy bread to feed the crowd? ([06:21])
2. How did Andrew respond differently from Philip regarding the boy's small meal? ([07:28])
3. What was the outcome after Jesus took the five loaves and two fish and gave thanks? ([08:14])
4. How many baskets of leftovers were collected after everyone had eaten? ([08:14])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Jesus asked Philip where they could buy bread, even though He already knew what He was going to do? ([06:21])
2. How does the story of the boy with five loaves and two fish illustrate the concept of faith overcoming obstacles? ([12:23])
3. In what ways does the boy's willingness to give up his meal demonstrate the principle that God can multiply our sacrifices? ([18:59])
4. How does the sermon emphasize that expansion is about people and not just numbers? ([03:28])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt your contribution was too small to make a difference. How can the story of the boy with five loaves and two fish change your perspective on small acts of faith? ([07:28])
2. The sermon highlighted that expansion is about impacting people's lives, not just achieving financial goals. How can you personally contribute to this mission in your community? ([03:28])
3. Philip saw the impossibility of feeding the crowd, while Andrew saw a small opportunity. How can you train yourself to see opportunities rather than obstacles in your daily life? ([12:23])
4. The boy's meal was multiplied to feed thousands. What small sacrifice can you make this week, trusting that God will use it for a greater purpose? ([18:59])
5. The sermon calls us to be aware of the needs around us, willing to offer what we have, and responsive to God's call. Identify one need in your community and discuss how you can respond to it this week. ([33:45])
6. How can you cultivate a heart of generosity, trusting that God will use your contributions for His glory? Share a specific example of how you plan to do this. ([18:59])
7. The sermon mentioned the goal of growing expansion partners to 2,000 and raising $5 million. How can you encourage others in your church or community to join in this mission? ([03:28])
Devotional
Day 1: The Power of Small Acts of Faith
When we offer our small acts of faith to Jesus, He can multiply them to meet the needs of many. The story of the boy with five loaves and two fish from the Gospel of John illustrates this beautifully. The boy's willingness to offer his small meal resulted in a miraculous feeding of thousands. This teaches us that our seemingly insignificant contributions, when placed in Jesus' hands, can have a profound impact. It encourages us to trust God with our resources, no matter how small they may seem. [07:28]
John 6:9-11 (ESV): "There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are they for so many? Jesus said, 'Have the people sit down.' Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, about five thousand in number. Jesus then took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated. So also the fish, as much as they wanted."
Reflection: Think of a small act of faith you can offer to Jesus today. How can you trust Him to multiply it for His purposes?
Day 2: Expansion is About People, Not Numbers
While financial goals and statistics are important, the heart of expansion lies in impacting people's lives. Our efforts in feeding students, serving hot meals, and distributing Christmas boxes are all about showing the love of Jesus to those in need. This reminds us that our mission is to bring hope and transformation to individuals and communities. The essence of expansion is not about the financial goals but about people—people who need to experience the love of Jesus through our actions. [03:28]
Matthew 25:35-36 (ESV): "For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me."
Reflection: Identify one person in your community who needs to experience the love of Jesus. What practical step can you take today to show them His love?
Day 3: Faith Overcomes Obstacles
The disciples' responses to Jesus' question about feeding the crowd highlight the difference between seeing obstacles and seeing opportunities. Philip saw the impossibility, while Andrew saw a small opportunity. This teaches us to focus on what we can offer in faith rather than being overwhelmed by the challenges. By shifting our perspective from obstacles to opportunities, we can trust that God will use our faith to overcome the impossible. [12:23]
Mark 9:23-24 (ESV): "And Jesus said to him, 'If you can! All things are possible for one who believes.' Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, 'I believe; help my unbelief!'"
Reflection: What is one obstacle in your life that seems insurmountable? How can you shift your focus to see the opportunity for God to work through your faith?
Day 4: God Multiplies Our Sacrifices
The boy's willingness to give up his meal resulted in a miraculous multiplication that fed thousands. This illustrates that God can take our sacrifices, no matter how small, and use them to achieve His purposes. It encourages us to be generous and trust that God will use our contributions for His glory. When we offer our resources, time, and talents to God, He can multiply them in ways we cannot imagine. [18:59]
2 Corinthians 9:10-11 (ESV): "He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God."
Reflection: What is one small sacrifice you can make today for the sake of others? How can you trust God to multiply it for His purposes?
Day 5: Awareness, Willingness, and Responsiveness
To live as expanders, we need to be aware of the needs around us, willing to offer what we have, and responsive to God's call. This involves seeing opportunities over obstacles, trusting Jesus with our resources, and taking action to make a difference. These principles guide us in our mission to impact and change our generation with the reality of Jesus. By being attentive to God's leading, we can make a significant impact in our communities. [33:45]
Isaiah 6:8 (ESV): "And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, 'Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?' Then I said, 'Here I am! Send me.'"
Reflection: Are you aware of the needs around you? What is one way you can be more responsive to God's call to make a difference today?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "Expansion is not just about numbers. Expansion is not just about statistics. It's not just about finances. But truly, expansion is all about people. People like you and I that have discovered the wonder of Jesus, that we would go out into their lives and have an opportunity presented. Whether it's through a school lunch, whether it's through a hot meal in our community kitchens, whether it's through one of the Christmas boxes, or the many other things we're a part of, that people would discover that there is a God in heaven who loves and cares for them." [03:28](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Isn't it interesting that not only did one meal feed conservatively 10,000 people, but 10,000 people that day, there wasn't just a physical miracle, hunger being met, there was a spiritual miracle where people saw that Jesus is the answer. Could it be true that expansion is not just about facts and figures? It's about people, people like you and I, that one day we were lost, but now I've found that they would discover that surely Jesus is the way. The truth and the life." [08:14](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "The boy offers up the little that he has, and he says, hey. It ain't much, but I believe the boy got to a point where he realized, this isn't lack, this is little, and the little in the hands of Jesus, we discover, became a whole lot. See, I want you to capture this, because most of us, me included, would be like Philip. In our climate, in our day, in our age right now, we know there is plenty of need." [13:38](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "God can always take whatever is given in faith and multiply its impact beyond its natural reality because God is a God of multiplication. I want you to capture the significance of this multiplication moment. Verse 8, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, spoke up. There's a young boy here with the five loaves and two fish, but what good is that to the crowd? I mean, it's a fair and reasonable question to round off the statement, but then Jesus says, just tell everyone to sit down, take a chill pill." [18:59](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Expansion is about people, and expansion is about Jesus wanting to use you and me. And there's an amazing couple in our church who've been a part of life a long time, Pete and Rita, and I'm gonna ask you to be encouraged by this incredible, powerful testimony of what God's done and is doing through them." [22:45](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "I want you to capture this, because most of us, me included, would be like Philip. In our climate, in our day, in our age right now, we know there is plenty of need. The numbers are out there, and when Jesus comes and asks the question of where are we going to buy the food? It's interesting. It's interesting to me. He asks where, which is a silly question if you know where they were located, because there was nowhere they could get to just go and buy the food, even if they had the money to get it there in time to feed the crowd. But Jesus was not looking for food. He was not looking for resource in that moment. He was looking for faith." [14:59](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "And so I looked at that and I said, okay, if we were to say that there is 21 meals in a week, three, six, nine, 12, 15, 18, 21, brilliant. If we all had 21 meals a week, this is assuming we all eat three meals a day. Some people are bulking for Jesus, so they might have a few more, but let's assume we all eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner, which would total 21. And we assumed that each one of us 8,000 partners decided we would trust Jesus each week this year, in the next 12 months, with one meal. What could take place?" [28:09](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Expansion is about creating a future for those that believe there is no future. Expansion is about creating an opportunity for others that are yet to discover the wonder of Jesus step into the fullness of his grace. Expansion for you and I is an opportunity to not just be aware, not just be willing, but to respond. At some point when we read this scripture, the boy actually had to release the food. He was aware there was a situation at hand. The Bible says he was willing, but he actually had to let go." [36:03](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Expansion is not just about physically feeding people or physically building buildings to create home for people. It's not just physically about enriching the church in New Zealand through Kingdom Partnership. Actually, expansion is about people discovering that there is a God in heaven. Who loves and cares for them, and there is a hope in a hopeless situation. There is an opportunity. We see from this passage that not only were the multitudes fed, they came back to a point and exclaimed, surely, he is it." [37:39](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "And I'm praying that on the other side of expansion, on the other side of eternity, there would be the ones who discovered there was someone who cared for them, but ultimately they would discover the one who can set and save their lives. This is why Acts 20 verse 35 says, it is more blessed to give than receive, it gives greater joy. Expansion is not just about the dollars we collectively raise, not just about the projects that money enables, and it's not really just even about mouths that get fed. It's about enabling the gospel to go forth. It's enabling people to discover God loves them." [40:05](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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