Going All In: Embracing God's Plans Together
Summary
### Summary
Welcome to Life Church! Today marks the beginning of our three-week series called "All In." This series is designed to help us reconnect with God and our church community, especially during the busy summer months. We started by reflecting on the incredible things God has done in our church this year, from our 21 days of fasting to our flourishing women's conference, and our impactful Good Friday service. We've seen tremendous growth, both spiritually and numerically, and it's clear that God is moving powerfully among us.
Our church has been a hub of activity and blessing. We've hosted various events, supported community initiatives like the Lifeline Pregnancy Center, and seen our Celebrate Recovery ministry thrive. Our Next Step class has welcomed 120 new members, and our church attendance has grown by 45% since moving into our new building. Financially, we've exceeded our budget expectations, thanks to your generosity. This is a testament to the faithfulness and commitment of our congregation.
Looking ahead, we have exciting events planned, including our 10 days of prayer, a special prayer and worship night, and a "Welcome Home" day filled with fun activities and new coffee offerings. For the men, we have a series of engaging events like a football game outing and a deep-sea fishing trip. Parents, mark your calendars for our upcoming conference designed to support you in raising your children in today's unique environment.
Today's message focuses on going "All In" for God. Drawing from Jeremiah 29:11-13, we are reminded that God has plans for us, plans for good and not for disaster, to give us a future and a hope. But to fully experience these plans, we must seek God wholeheartedly. Just like the Olympic athlete Sydney McLaughlin-Leverone, who trains rigorously to achieve her best, we too must be disciplined and committed in our walk with God.
We are called to be all in with our worship, community, and service. Worship is an expression of our love and gratitude to God, and it should be wholehearted and enthusiastic. Community is essential; we need to be connected with others through life groups. Lastly, we are called to make a difference with our lives by serving on our Dream Team and using our gifts to bless others.
### Key Takeaways
1. God's Plans for Us: Jeremiah 29:11-13 reminds us that God has plans for our good, to give us a future and a hope. However, to fully experience these plans, we must seek Him wholeheartedly. This means dedicating ourselves to prayer and aligning our lives with His will. When we go all in, we open ourselves to the fullness of God's blessings. [57:17]
2. The Power of Worship: Worship is more than just singing songs; it's an expression of our love and gratitude to God. True worship involves our whole heart, mind, and soul. When we worship God with enthusiasm and passion, we invite His presence, provision, and protection into our lives. Let's strive to be a church that worships God wholeheartedly. [01:02:51]
3. The Importance of Community: Being part of a church community means more than just attending services. It's about building relationships and supporting one another. Life groups provide a space for deeper connections and mutual encouragement. Don't do life alone; join a life group and experience the strength that comes from being in community. [01:11:37]
4. Making a Difference: Each of us has unique gifts and talents that God has given us to serve others. By joining the Dream Team, we can make a significant impact in our church and community. Serving not only blesses others but also brings fulfillment and purpose to our own lives. Let's go all in and make a difference together. [01:12:59]
5. Commitment and Discipline: Like the Olympic athlete Sydney McLaughlin-Leverone, achieving greatness requires commitment and discipline. In our spiritual lives, this means daily prayer, studying God's Word, and living out our faith. When we are all in, we position ourselves to receive the best of what God has to offer. [01:00:21]
### YouTube Chapters
1. [0:00] - Welcome
2. [41:50] - Introduction to "All In" Series
3. [42:53] - Highlights of the Year
4. [43:36] - Good Friday and Easter Services
5. [44:28] - Community Initiatives
6. [45:07] - Kids Ministry and Celebrate Recovery
7. [45:52] - Life Groups and Next Step Class
8. [46:29] - Church Growth and Baptisms
9. [47:30] - Financial Update and Generosity
10. [49:15] - Upcoming Events and Prayer Initiatives
11. [50:35] - Leadership Recognition and Prayer Night
12. [51:31] - Welcome Home Day and Men's Events
13. [54:46] - Parents Conference and Fall Activities
14. [55:53] - Church Health and Vision
15. [56:32] - Going All In: Worship, Community, and Service
16. [57:17] - Jeremiah 29:11-13: God's Plans for Us
17. [01:00:21] - Commitment and Discipline: Sydney McLaughlin-Leverone
18. [01:02:51] - The Power of Worship
19. [01:11:37] - The Importance of Community
20. [01:12:59] - Making a Difference with Our Lives
21. [01:17:36] - Invitation to Follow Jesus
22. [01:19:34] - Prayer for Students and Teachers
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
- Jeremiah 29:11-13 (NIV): "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart."
### Observation Questions
1. What are the specific plans that God declares He has for us in Jeremiah 29:11? How do these plans contrast with disaster?
2. According to the sermon, what are some of the significant events and activities that have taken place at Life Church this year? ([42:53])
3. How does the example of Sydney McLaughlin-Leverone illustrate the concept of being "all in" in our spiritual lives? ([01:00:21])
4. What are the three core values of Life Church mentioned in the sermon, and how do they relate to the idea of going "all in"? ([01:01:55])
### Interpretation Questions
1. How does seeking God "wholeheartedly" as mentioned in Jeremiah 29:13 impact our ability to experience His plans for us? ([57:17])
2. In what ways does enthusiastic and passionate worship invite God's presence, provision, and protection into our lives? ([01:02:51])
3. Why is community important in the context of a church, and how do life groups facilitate deeper connections and mutual encouragement? ([01:11:37])
4. How does serving on the Dream Team contribute to making a difference in the church and community, and what personal fulfillment can it bring? ([01:12:59])
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your current prayer life. How can you seek God more wholeheartedly this week to align yourself with His plans for you? ([57:17])
2. Think about your worship habits. What steps can you take to make your worship more enthusiastic and wholehearted, both in church and in your daily life? ([01:02:51])
3. Are you currently part of a life group or similar community within the church? If not, what is holding you back from joining one, and how can you overcome that barrier? ([01:11:37])
4. Identify one unique gift or talent you have. How can you use this gift to serve others in the church or community through the Dream Team? ([01:12:59])
5. Like Sydney McLaughlin-Leverone, what specific disciplines can you incorporate into your daily routine to strengthen your spiritual life? ([01:00:21])
6. How can you encourage others in your church to go "all in" with their worship, community involvement, and service? What practical steps can you take to support them? ([01:01:55])
7. Reflect on a time when you felt disconnected from the church or God. What changes can you make to prevent this from happening again, especially during busy seasons? ([41:50])
Devotional
Day 1: Seeking God Wholeheartedly
Description: Jeremiah 29:11-13 reminds us that God has plans for our good, to give us a future and a hope. However, to fully experience these plans, we must seek Him wholeheartedly. This means dedicating ourselves to prayer and aligning our lives with His will. When we go all in, we open ourselves to the fullness of God's blessings. Just like the Olympic athlete Sydney McLaughlin-Leverone, who trains rigorously to achieve her best, we too must be disciplined and committed in our walk with God. [57:17]
Jeremiah 29:11-13 (ESV): "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart."
Reflection: What specific steps can you take today to seek God more wholeheartedly in your daily life? Consider setting aside dedicated time for prayer and reflection.
Day 2: Worship with Enthusiasm
Description: Worship is more than just singing songs; it's an expression of our love and gratitude to God. True worship involves our whole heart, mind, and soul. When we worship God with enthusiasm and passion, we invite His presence, provision, and protection into our lives. Let's strive to be a church that worships God wholeheartedly. [01:02:51]
Psalm 95:1-2 (ESV): "Oh come, let us sing to the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation! Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!"
Reflection: How can you make your worship more enthusiastic and heartfelt today? Think about ways to express your gratitude and love for God more fully during your worship time.
Day 3: Building Strong Community
Description: Being part of a church community means more than just attending services. It's about building relationships and supporting one another. Life groups provide a space for deeper connections and mutual encouragement. Don't do life alone; join a life group and experience the strength that comes from being in community. [01:11:37]
Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV): "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."
Reflection: Who in your church community can you reach out to today to offer support or encouragement? Consider joining or starting a life group to build deeper connections.
Day 4: Serving with Purpose
Description: Each of us has unique gifts and talents that God has given us to serve others. By joining the Dream Team, we can make a significant impact in our church and community. Serving not only blesses others but also brings fulfillment and purpose to our own lives. Let's go all in and make a difference together. [01:12:59]
1 Peter 4:10-11 (ESV): "As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ."
Reflection: What unique gifts and talents do you have that you can use to serve others in your church or community? How can you take a step today to start using those gifts more intentionally?
Day 5: Commitment and Discipline
Description: Like the Olympic athlete Sydney McLaughlin-Leverone, achieving greatness requires commitment and discipline. In our spiritual lives, this means daily prayer, studying God's Word, and living out our faith. When we are all in, we position ourselves to receive the best of what God has to offer. [01:00:21]
1 Corinthians 9:24-25 (ESV): "Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable."
Reflection: What area of your spiritual life needs more commitment and discipline? What practical steps can you take today to strengthen your daily walk with God?
Quotes
1. "And the reason I'm doing this series and doing it now is that during the summer months, we get really active. We get really active in life. And we go places, and we focus on camps, and we go to the beach, and we enjoy all kinds of activities. But at times, it just kind of disconnects us from our church, and maybe not necessarily like from God, but maybe some of the disciplines and the habits that draw us close to God." [41:50] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "I want you to see that lives are being changed. And I want you to know that through this building and the ministries, God is being glorified here. And God is on the move and doing great things. And I just want to encourage you that this is a great time to be all in at Life Church." [47:30] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "You will never get the best of what God has to offer if you never give your best to God. And so I don't want to miss out on anything. And in my years of ministry, I think one of the best things that I've learned is to encourage people to go all in for God. And not just be a Sunday Christian. Not be just half-hearted Christian. Not be just part of the way in. One foot in. One foot out." [01:01:01] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Worship is love expressed. It's the expression of our love for God. It's gratitude on display. I'm so grateful that Jesus has saved me. I'm so grateful that Jesus has delivered me and given me a hope and given me a future. That out of the gratitude of my heart, I want to express that in a way that we consider it called worship. God loves our worship in gratitude." [01:02:51] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "I want to be a worshiper. I want to raise the level of worship in our house. I want to be a hallelujah. Six step worship church. Hey, two more things and I'll close this out for today, but let's go all in first with worship. Let's go all in in community. You can be in church, but not know people. You can be sitting right beside a whole bunch of people and still not be in community. And we want to be in community." [01:10:05] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "Let's go all in with making a difference with our life. So at our church, we, we worship, we grow in community, but we also want to make a difference. God has you here to make a difference with your life. I'm so grateful for our dream team in our church. We have so many people that are involved in serving and, and doing ministry through their giftings and being a part of, in some capacity, adding their, their gift to this house." [01:12:59] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "I believe it's going to be a great fall. So much, so much. I'm dreaming big, but not Tim dreams and not just me manufacturing something. In my spirit, God's, God's sparking and we're a healthy church ready to move. God's going to do great things. Amen." [01:15:52] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "If you've never made a decision to follow Jesus Christ, if you've never gone all in, to say, yes, I believe that Jesus is the son of God. If you've never made a decision to follow him and have your sins forgiven, I'm convinced there are always people in this room that are in some way have had their hearts prepared to say, yes, I choose Jesus today." [01:17:36] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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