God Made a Way: Celebrating Zion Hill’s New Foundation

Nov 02, 2025

Devotional

Day 1: Christ Is the Only True Foundation

Every work we do, every ministry we build, and every legacy we leave must be rooted in Jesus Christ, for He alone is the unshakable foundation upon which the church stands. No matter how grand our achievements or how much effort we pour into our service, it is Christ who holds everything together and gives it lasting value. As we celebrate milestones and dedicate our resources, let us remember to build with care, ensuring that our motives and actions are anchored in the love and truth of Jesus. Our faithfulness is not about the size of our contribution, but about the faithfulness to the foundation that has already been laid—Christ Himself. [22:23]

1 Corinthians 3:10-11 (ESV)
"According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building upon it. Let each one take care how he builds upon it. For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ."

Reflection: In what area of your life are you tempted to build on something other than Christ? What would it look like to realign your efforts and intentions to rest on Jesus as your foundation today?

Day 2: Remembering God’s Faithfulness—Our Ebenezer

Throughout history, God’s people have marked moments of victory and provision by remembering that it was the Lord who helped them every step of the way. Just as Samuel set up a stone and called it Ebenezer, meaning “stone of help,” we are called to pause and recognize that every blessing, every answered prayer, and every milestone is a testimony to God’s faithfulness. When we look back at the journey—through challenges, setbacks, and triumphs—we see that it was God who made a way, often in ways we could not have imagined. Let us give thanks and set up our own “Ebenezers,” reminders that thus far, the Lord has helped us. [39:09]

1 Samuel 7:12 (ESV)
"Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen and called its name Ebenezer; for he said, 'Till now the Lord has helped us.'"

Reflection: What is one specific way God has helped you or your community in the past year? How can you mark or remember this as your own “Ebenezer” today?

Day 3: God’s Presence Cannot Be Contained

No building, no matter how magnificent, can contain the fullness of God’s presence; He is far greater than anything we can construct or imagine. Solomon, in dedicating the temple, realized that even the heavens cannot contain God, much less a house built by human hands. This humbles us and reminds us that our greatest works are only possible because of God’s greatness and grace. Our efforts, our places of worship, and our celebrations are meaningful not because of their size or beauty, but because God chooses to dwell with His people, meeting us where we are. [46:32]

1 Kings 8:27 (ESV)
"But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain you; how much less this house that I have built!"

Reflection: When have you been tempted to limit God to a building, a tradition, or a routine? How can you open your heart to experience His presence in every part of your life today?

Day 4: God Dwells With Us—Emmanuel

God’s desire has always been to dwell with His people, and He fulfilled this most fully in Jesus, who is called Emmanuel, “God with us.” From the tent of meeting in the wilderness to the incarnation of Christ, God has continually drawn near, making His home among us. Jesus, the Word made flesh, tabernacled with us, showing us the glory and grace of the Father. Even now, through the Holy Spirit, God is present and active in our lives, inviting us to seek Him and find Him, for He is never far from any one of us. [53:41]

Matthew 1:22-23 (ESV)
"All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: 'Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel' (which means, God with us)."

Reflection: Where do you most need to remember that God is truly with you today? How might you invite His presence into a specific situation or relationship right now?

Day 5: Our Work Is for God’s Glory, Not Our Own

Every act of service, every gift given, and every sacrifice made is ultimately for the glory of God, not for our own recognition or comfort. The church, its ministries, and even its parking lots are entrusted to us for a season, but they belong to God and exist to serve His mission. We are stewards, called to use our resources, talents, and opportunities to bless others and point them to Christ. As we celebrate what has been accomplished, let us humbly acknowledge that it was all God, and recommit ourselves to serving His purposes with gratitude and faithfulness. [38:19]

Colossians 3:23-24 (ESV)
"Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ."

Reflection: What is one area of service or responsibility where you need to shift your focus from seeking recognition to seeking God’s glory? How can you offer that work to Him today?

Sermon Summary

Today is a day of celebration and gratitude, as we recognize not just the completion of a newly paved parking lot, but the faithfulness of God who has made a way for Zion Hill time and time again. From the earliest days of this church, founded by former slaves in 1864, to the present moment, God’s hand has been evident in every chapter of our story. The building we worship in, over a century old, stands as a testament to the perseverance and faith of those who came before us. Just as they rejoiced at the completion of this sanctuary in 1916, we now rejoice in the improvements that allow us to serve our community better.

Yet, the true foundation of all we do is not concrete or asphalt, but Jesus Christ. As Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 3:10-11, no other foundation can be laid except Christ himself. Every act of giving, every hour of labor, every prayer offered for this church and its mission is built upon that unshakable cornerstone. The parking lot is not just a practical improvement; it is a symbol of our ongoing commitment to steward what God has entrusted to us, to serve not ourselves but God’s mission and the people He loves.

The journey to this day was not without obstacles. It took two years of persistent prayer, sacrificial giving, and the combined efforts of many—some visible, some behind the scenes. There were moments when only God could orchestrate the solution, as when a member’s timely help restored our cable just in time for the paving. These moments remind us that God is always at work, often in ways we do not see, bringing together the right people and resources at the right time.

Throughout scripture, God’s people have marked moments of victory and provision with acts of dedication—raising stones of remembrance, building temples, and offering prayers of thanksgiving. Today, we follow in that tradition, dedicating not just a parking lot, but our lives and our work to God’s glory. We are reminded that no building, no accomplishment, can contain the greatness of God. He chooses to dwell with us, not in structures made by hands, but in the hearts of those who seek Him. As we celebrate, we look back with gratitude, look around with joy, and look forward with faith, knowing that God, who made a way before, will continue to make a way for Zion Hill and for each of us.

Key Takeaways

1. God’s Faithfulness Spans Generations The story of Zion Hill is a living testimony to God’s faithfulness across generations. From its founding by former slaves to the present, each chapter has been marked by God’s provision and guidance. Our current achievements are built on the prayers, sacrifices, and faith of those who came before us, reminding us that we are stewards of a legacy, called to continue the work entrusted to us. [25:49]
2. The True Foundation is Christ Alone No matter how impressive our buildings or how successful our projects, the only foundation that endures is Jesus Christ. Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians remind us that all our efforts must be rooted in Him. When we build on Christ, our work has eternal significance, and we are protected from the pride that comes from thinking we have accomplished anything apart from God. [23:01]
3. God Orchestrates the Details We Cannot See There are moments when our plans are interrupted or our resources seem insufficient, yet God is already at work behind the scenes. The story of the cable repair during the paving project is a small but powerful reminder that God brings together people, skills, and timing in ways we could never predict. Trusting God with the details allows us to move forward in faith, knowing He is always making a way. [34:39]
4. Dedication is More Than Ceremony—It’s Surrender Throughout scripture, acts of dedication mark moments when God’s people recognize His help and commit their work to Him. Whether it’s Samuel raising an Ebenezer stone or Solomon dedicating the temple, these acts are about surrendering our achievements to God’s glory. Today’s dedication of the parking lot is a call to continually offer all we have and all we do back to God, acknowledging that it is all His. [40:29]
5. God Desires to Dwell With Us, Not Just Among Us Solomon’s realization that even the grandest temple could not contain God points us to a deeper truth: God’s greatest desire is to dwell with His people. Through Jesus—Emmanuel, “God with us”—God has come near, choosing to make His home in our hearts. Our greatest privilege is not what we build for God, but that He chooses to be present with us, guiding, empowering, and loving us every step of the way. [46:32]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[16:27] - Hymn: “He Made the Lame to Walk Again”
[18:41] - Opening Stories and Laughter
[19:29] - Announcements and Parking Lot Update
[22:23] - Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 3:10-11
[23:01] - Lord, You Made a Way
[25:49] - Zion Hill’s History and Legacy
[28:54] - Persistent Prayer and Provision
[30:55] - The True Meaning of Dedication
[32:54] - God’s Timing in the Details
[35:26] - Well Done, Good and Faithful Servants
[37:19] - Continuing the Work Entrusted to Us
[39:09] - Biblical Foundations of Dedication
[46:32] - God’s Presence Beyond Buildings
[57:45] - Christ’s Victory and Our Response
[58:35] - Invitation to Salvation
[60:07] - Giving and Final Blessing
[60:51] - Closing Song and Parking Lot Prayer

Bible Study Guide

Zion Hill Small Group Bible Study Guide
Based on the sermon: “Lord, You Made a Way”

Bible Reading

1 Corinthians 3:10-11 (ESV)
“According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building upon it. Let each one take care how he builds upon it. For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.”

1 Samuel 7:12 (ESV)
“Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen and called its name Ebenezer; for he said, ‘Till now the Lord has helped us.’”

1 Kings 8:27 (ESV)
“But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain you; how much less this house that I have built!”

Observation Questions

According to 1 Corinthians 3:10-11, what is the only true foundation for the church?
In the story from 1 Samuel 7, what did Samuel do to mark God’s help, and what did the stone represent?
What realization did Solomon come to about God’s presence when he finished building the temple? (1 Kings 8:27)
In the sermon, what were some specific ways God provided for Zion Hill during the parking lot project? [[32:54]]

Interpretation Questions

Why does Paul emphasize that no other foundation can be laid except Jesus Christ? What does this mean for how we approach church projects and ministry? [[24:49]]
The sermon mentioned that the parking lot is not just a practical improvement, but a symbol. What does it symbolize about the church’s mission and God’s faithfulness? [[30:55]]
How does the act of dedication in the Bible (like Samuel’s Ebenezer stone or Solomon’s temple) go beyond just a ceremony? What does true dedication look like? [[40:29]]
Solomon realized that even the grandest building could not contain God. What does this teach us about where God truly desires to dwell? [[46:32]]

Application Questions

The sermon reminded us that we are building on the prayers and sacrifices of those who came before us. Who in your life or in this church has laid a foundation for your faith? How can you honor or continue their legacy this week? [[25:49]]
Think about a time when you saw God “make a way” in your life or in our church, especially when things seemed impossible. How did that experience shape your trust in God’s faithfulness? [[34:39]]
The parking lot project required persistent prayer, sacrificial giving, and teamwork. Is there a current need in your life, family, or church that requires similar persistence and faith? What step can you take this week? [[28:54]]
The sermon said, “Dedication is more than ceremony—it’s surrender.” Is there an area of your life or a recent accomplishment that you need to surrender to God’s glory rather than your own? What would that look like? [[40:29]]
Solomon realized that God’s presence is not limited to buildings. How can you be more aware of God’s desire to dwell with you personally, not just in church, but in your everyday life? [[46:32]]
The story of the cable repair showed God working through people behind the scenes. Who has God used in your life recently to help you, even in small ways? How can you thank or encourage them this week? [[32:54]]
As we celebrate what God has done, the sermon encouraged us to look forward with faith. What is one area where you need to trust God to “make a way” in the future? How can the group pray for you about this? [[56:38]]

Closing Prayer:
Thank God for His faithfulness through generations, for the foundation of Jesus Christ, and for His presence with us. Ask for help to dedicate all we do to His glory and to trust Him to make a way in every area of our lives.

Sermon Clips

“All of us build on what others have gone before us and have done. And today, we see that. In 1864, Zion Hill was founded by former slaves. And the first building or permanent place of worship was a short distance from our current location on Southside Drive. That old building caught fire in the early 1900s, and the building that we are in today was built in 1916. It probably was started long before that. But because they didn't have, again, the equipment and machinery that we have today, again, they, she said, and I said, 1916, yeah, this building is older than any of us. Older than any of us. We're worshiping in a building that is over 100 years old, and we need to care for that. We need to take care of it.”

“Something else, again, is that I'm sure members back then celebrated the completion of this building when they walked through the doors for the first time in 1916, just as we here today are celebrating, driving onto a newly paved parking lot. Ladies don't have to worry about breaking their heels anymore. Amen, amen, amen, and amen. You can weigh, you can bring those new shoes out of the closet now and walk with ease and with comfort.”

“And after two years of persistent prayer, think about that, two years of persistent prayer, the Lord made a way out of no way for Zion Hill to dedicate, again, some 47 to 48 parking spaces in our parking lot that we call the yellow lot. This is the yellow lot and this is the green lot. So y'all fancy. Y'all moved up. You got two lots, a yellow lot and a green lot. Amen. And this is another chapter in the long run. Long history, long rich history of Zion Hill.”

“Now, you are probably wondering why I am spending so much time this morning discussing our parking lot. Okay. But the point of today's celebrating and dedicating the parking lot is not about the building or the parking lot in and of itself, but it's about the body of Christ. It's about the people of God and serving God's mission and the community that God loves. It's about using the gifts and the tools that we have, making available all of the resources entrusted in our care.”

“It's just amazing how God orchestrates things well in advance. I'll give another good example Thursday when the when the crew came and began to start doing the grading of Deacon Jackson and I normally can look online and see the cameras and see what's happening and both of us. He was at work. I was on my way here. I left the house about seven o'clock Thursday. And. And right when I got to Bell's Ferry cameras went out cameras went out and shortly thereafter said he called me and said, What's up with the cameras? I said, I hate to tell you, brother, but I think they cut the cable line, cut the cable line because when cable was run, when we decided to do the upgraded Internet service, they ran the cable from the back and they ran it across the back parking lot. But the cable. The cable, because it was a lot of grass out there, never got buried. So so, again, the cable was pretty much exposed. And so again, like I say, only God God, orchestra, I'm not going to call the person's name because their boss might be looking at the website.”

“But I say that to just simply say, who would have known? Again, but God. Because had we had to call the cable company, it would have been this week or sometime later that they would have been able to come and lay the cable. And then it would have had to run across the parking lot, or figuring out some other kind of way. And so, like I say, it's nothing but God. It's nothing but God. And that's why, again, this sermon is God made a way. God made a way.”

“All of you, all of you have worked carefully and well. Again, so let me say again to you as a church, well done. Each and every one of you, well done. Well done. Well done for continuing our foundation and strengthening the church that Jesus loves.”

“I'm reminded that none of us here today were part of building this church or beginning its work. It was a work of God. It was our parents, your parents, your grandparents, your ancestors in faith that started this work. And they have left us to continue the work. I want that to sink in to you, that they left us to continue that work. And this work has now been entrusted to our care.”

“The church is not ours, as I said. The church is God's church, built for the glory of God, built to serve not the mission of ourselves, but God's mission. The parking lot, likewise, is not ours. The parking lot is God's parking lot, built. Again, again, for his glory, for his glory.”

“The Apostle Paul says that we are to take care of how we build upon the church, the body of Christ together. And we have tried to do things well in a way that glorifies God. Some of you have labored in this building and in the ministry of Zion here for many years. And for others, this is new. New work for you. And all of this has been accomplished by the grace and the gift of God. For the glory of God, thanks be to God.”

“Sometimes we think there's a disconnect between the Old Testament and the New. Again, we believe that the New is nicer until y'all get to Revelation. Y'all get to Revelation, y'all skip that one and go back. But what God always wanted us and what he always wanted again from his people was to just simply be wholehearted, all in.”

“Solomon was struck with the idea of how could this house that they had built, how could it compare with the one who can measure the universe in the palm of his hand? He asked the question, well, will God really dwell on earth?”

“Sometimes we really think we bring something to the table for God that that that that that that again we've done something but what really happens is he gifts us he gives us and we in return give those gifts back to him.”

“God will not forget your work think about that God whether I call your name or not God will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and how you continue to help God made a way for that parking lot to get paid God knew where you would be born and where you would live and he brought each of us me and you here for such a time as this for one reason and one reason only so that you could reach out to him so that you could seek him and find him though he is not far from any one of us and and and so that we could be used by him.”

“He is here with us as the spirit of the living God...they will call him Emmanuel which means God with us...the word became flesh this this this this this this is the spoken word from the beginning the God who created the heavens and the earth became flesh and and made his dwelling among us and it says and we have seen his glory when when when when when you pulled up this morning and and you thought you were in the wrong place you saw his glory he said we have seen his glory the the glory of the one and only son who came from the father full of grace and truth that word made his dwelling that made his dwelling is the same Greek word tabernacle it's almost like God came in a tent called Jesus y'all not listening a tent called Jesus the son of Mary the Virgin.”

“It's not God's lack of willingness to to dwell with us it's our desire to do our own thing all the time and yet God continues to coax us back coax us back to to coming and dwelling again with him.”

“He did it in the form of Jesus he he he dwelled like a a a tabernacle he tabernacles with us and and and he dwelled in a tent with us for a few short years on earth and now sits at the right hand of God the Father so that we would seek him and find him.”

“And basically the bottom line of everything that I'm saying is that I'm glad we feel good about, again, what we see and what we have done today. But it was all God. It was all God. And I, again, want you all to, again, leave here and know and to understand that, again, God is pleased, Zion Hill. God is pleased with, again, how you are continuing, again, to care for that that he's entrusted with each and every one of us. God made a way. God made a way.”

“Jesus, son of Mary, born in Bethlehem, 100% human. 100% God. The one who came down from heaven. The one who is the seed of Abraham. Skipped 40 and two generations as the word became flesh. Emmanuel came down where we are dwelling with us, tabernacling in a young virgin named Mary. For 33 years he lived on this earth. Was nailed on. A rugged cross. Died on Calvary. But on the third day. But on the third day, how many of you know that God made a way? Made a way and he got up early one Sunday morning. Walked out of that borrowed tomb with all power in his hands. And because of the power of God, again, everything that we think that we've done, we owe it. We owe it all to him.”

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