Honoring Our Legacy: A Journey of Faith and Community

Devotional

Day 1: Ordinary People, Extraordinary Impact

God often uses ordinary people to achieve extraordinary things. The history of Lakeshore Christian Church is a testament to this truth, as individuals like Beverly Edwards and Peggy Thigpen have shown through their dedication and service. Their legacy reminds us that each of us has a role to play in God's plan, no matter how ordinary we may feel. The story of these founding members is a powerful reminder that God can work through anyone who is willing to serve with faith and commitment. As we reflect on their contributions, we are encouraged to consider how we might also be used by God to make a difference in our communities and beyond. [18:49]

1 Corinthians 1:26-29 (ESV): "For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God."

Reflection: Think of a time when you felt ordinary or inadequate. How might God be calling you to step out in faith and serve in your community or church today?

Day 2: The Power of Community and Commitment

The growth and success of Lakeshore Christian Church are rooted in the commitment and unity of its members. From the early days of meeting in homes to the construction of the first building, it was the collective effort and sacrifice of the community that made it possible. This unity continues to be a source of strength and inspiration. The church's journey is a powerful example of how a committed community can achieve great things when they work together with a shared vision and purpose. As we reflect on this, we are reminded of the importance of fostering unity and commitment within our own communities. [32:22]

Ephesians 4:15-16 (ESV): "Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love."

Reflection: Consider your role in your community or church. How can you contribute to fostering unity and commitment among its members today?

Day 3: Embracing Diversity

Lakeshore Christian Church's decision to remain in Antioch and embrace the community's diversity has enriched its church family. By welcoming people from different backgrounds and cultures, the church reflects the inclusive love of Christ and demonstrates that the gospel transcends all barriers. This commitment to diversity is a vital part of the church's identity and mission. As we reflect on this, we are encouraged to consider how we can embrace diversity in our own lives and communities, recognizing the beauty and strength that comes from a diverse body of believers. [01:09:22]

Galatians 3:28 (ESV): "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus."

Reflection: Think about your interactions with people from different backgrounds. How can you actively embrace and celebrate diversity in your community or church today?

Day 4: Faithful Leadership and Service

The long-term service of Lakeshore Christian Church's staff and leaders, some of whom have been with the church for over 20 years, is a rare and valuable asset. Their dedication has provided stability and vision, enabling the church to navigate challenges and continue growing. Their example encourages us to serve faithfully and invest in the future of the church. As we reflect on their commitment, we are inspired to consider how we can serve with the same dedication and faithfulness in our own roles, whether in leadership or in other areas of service. [01:00:22]

1 Peter 5:2-3 (ESV): "Shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock."

Reflection: Reflect on your current role in your church or community. How can you serve with greater faithfulness and dedication, following the example of those who have gone before you?

Day 5: Perseverance in Faith

Inspired by the great cloud of witnesses, Lakeshore Christian Church is called to persevere in its faith journey. By fixing their eyes on Jesus and running the race with endurance, the church can overcome obstacles and fulfill its mission. This perseverance is essential for the continued impact and growth of the church. As we reflect on this, we are encouraged to consider how we can persevere in our own faith journeys, trusting in God's guidance and strength to help us overcome challenges and remain faithful to our calling. [01:35:10]

Hebrews 12:1-2 (ESV): "Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God."

Reflection: Identify a challenge or obstacle in your faith journey. How can you fix your eyes on Jesus and persevere with endurance today?

Sermon Summary

Celebrating the 50th anniversary of Lakeshore Christian Church is a testament to the enduring faith and dedication of its members. This evening, we gathered to honor the legacy of those who laid the foundation of our church and to reflect on the journey that has brought us to this milestone. We began with a heartfelt tribute to Beverly Edwards and Peggy Thigpen, two of our founding members, whose vision and commitment were instrumental in establishing our church. Their story reminds us that God uses ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary things, and we are all standing on the shoulders of those who came before us.

Throughout the years, Lakeshore has been blessed with leaders and members who have sacrificed and served with unwavering dedication. We recognized Peggy Thigpen for her 50 years of continuous service, a remarkable testament to her faith and commitment. As we walked down memory lane, we recalled the early days of the church, from its incorporation in 1974 to the purchase of land and the construction of our first building. The journey was marked by the contributions of many, including Dr. Vernon Eaton and his family, who played a significant role in the church's growth.

Our history is rich with stories of faith, resilience, and community. From meeting in a local elementary school to purchasing and transforming a former retail space into our current campus, each step was guided by a desire to reach more people for Christ. We have embraced the diversity of our community, choosing to stay and serve in Antioch despite advice to relocate. This decision has enriched our church family, now representing over 22 countries of origin.

As we look to the future, we are committed to continuing our mission of reaching lost people and making disciples. We are grateful for the partnerships with various ministries and the opportunities to serve our community. Our vision is to persevere in faith, inspired by the great cloud of witnesses who have gone before us, and to fix our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith.

Key Takeaways

1. Ordinary People, Extraordinary Impact: God often uses ordinary people to achieve extraordinary things. Our church's history is a testament to this truth, as individuals like Beverly Edwards and Peggy Thigpen have shown through their dedication and service. Their legacy reminds us that each of us has a role to play in God's plan, no matter how ordinary we may feel. [18:49]
2. The Power of Community and Commitment: The growth and success of Lakeshore Christian Church are rooted in the commitment and unity of its members. From the early days of meeting in homes to the construction of our first building, it was the collective effort and sacrifice of the community that made it possible. This unity continues to be a source of strength and inspiration. [32:22]
3. Embracing Diversity: Our decision to remain in Antioch and embrace the community's diversity has enriched our church family. By welcoming people from different backgrounds and cultures, we reflect the inclusive love of Christ and demonstrate that the gospel transcends all barriers. This commitment to diversity is a vital part of our identity and mission. [69:22]
4. Faithful Leadership and Service: The long-term service of our staff and leaders, some of whom have been with us for over 20 years, is a rare and valuable asset. Their dedication has provided stability and vision, enabling us to navigate challenges and continue growing. Their example encourages us to serve faithfully and invest in the future of the church. [60:22]
5. Perseverance in Faith: Inspired by the great cloud of witnesses, we are called to persevere in our faith journey. By fixing our eyes on Jesus and running the race with endurance, we can overcome obstacles and fulfill our mission. This perseverance is essential for the continued impact and growth of our church. [01:35:10]
** [95:10]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[18:49] - Tribute to Founders
[32:22] - Early Days and Growth
[36:27] - Leadership Transitions
[60:22] - Staff Recognition
[64:14] - Family and Community Impact
[65:18] - Building and Expansion
[66:10] - Relocation and New Beginnings
[68:06] - First Service at New Campus
[69:22] - Embracing Diversity
[70:45] - Community and Global Outreach
[91:04] - Current Leadership
[92:26] - Ministry Partnerships
[95:10] - Perseverance and Vision for the Future
[96:45] - Closing Prayer and Fellowship

Sermon Clips

"Oh, my goodness! I say all the time, and it's true, everyone of us is standing on the shoulders of those who came before us. We couldn't do what we're doing. We couldn't be here. We couldn't be the church we are without those first people." [00:18:49] (13 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"One of the strengths of lakeshore has been unity and consistency over time and it blessed me as the lead pastor here to have the supporting staff around me that made me look so much better because of the great work that they did." [01:02:53] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"It was never about the buildings. It never has been about the buildings. The buildings were just necessary tools to use because God was using ordinary people that made up this church family to reach lost people for Jesus." [01:08:36] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"Because we believe God called us to this community to reach lost people here, diversity and all. And they couldn't, I don't think they were able to make it tonight. They hope to try to make it tomorrow." [01:10:21] (12 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"We now have not only all races and most ethnicities here at Lakeshore, we have over 22 countries of origin in our church family now." [01:11:02] (12 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Let's pray. Father, we thank you for those who have not grown weary, who did not lose heart, who have continued to step out in faith day after day to allow you to transform them and work through them to bring others to know and follow Jesus." [01:39:18] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

Ask a question about this sermon

Chatbot

Transcript

What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?

Were there any personal stories shared?