Hope for Everyone: Investing in Our Future Together

Devotional

Day 1: Legacy of Generosity

Menlo Church's 150-year history is built on the sacrificial and generous investments of past generations. This legacy challenges us to make our own significant contributions to ensure the future of our church and its mission. Our actions today will lay the foundation for future generations to experience hope and transformation in Christ. [19:45]

"For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (Matthew 6:21, ESV)

Reflection: Think about a time when someone else's generosity impacted your life. How can you emulate that generosity in your own life today?

Day 2: Strategic Investment for Future Impact

The "Hope for Everyone" initiative is a three-year, $80 million campaign aimed at extending Jesus' offer of hope to 250,000 people in the Bay Area over the next decade. This investment is crucial for supporting ongoing ministry efforts, partnering with local and global organizations, and upgrading our facilities to meet future needs. [20:45]

"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." (Hebrews 10:24-25, ESV)

Reflection: What specific steps can you take to contribute to the "Hope for Everyone" initiative, whether through prayer, service, or financial commitment?

Day 3: Call to 100% Participation

Every member of Menlo Church is invited to participate in the "Hope for Everyone" campaign through prayer, service, and financial commitment. This collective effort will enable us to reach our ambitious goals and make a significant impact in our community and beyond. [21:15]

"As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace." (1 Peter 4:10, ESV)

Reflection: Identify one gift or talent you have that you can use to serve your church and community. How can you start using it today?

Day 4: Revival Over Survival

God is calling us to move from survival mode to revival mode. This shift requires us to invest our energy and resources into bringing hope to those living in chronic hopelessness. By focusing on vision and mission, we can help alleviate the crisis of hopelessness in our region. [37:28]

"Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert." (Isaiah 43:19, ESV)

Reflection: What areas of your life are you merely surviving in? How can you shift your focus to revival and renewal in those areas?

Day 5: God's Pursuit of the Lost

Jesus' parable of the lost sheep illustrates God's relentless pursuit of each one of us. Just as the shepherd goes after the one lost sheep, we are called to reach out to those who are lost and bring them back to the fold. This mission is at the heart of the "Hope for Everyone" initiative. [49:33]

"For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost." (Luke 19:10, ESV)

Reflection: Think of someone in your life who may be feeling lost or hopeless. How can you reach out to them this week and share the hope of Jesus with them?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

For over 150 years, Menlo Church has been a beacon of hope, built on the sacrificial and generous investments of those who came before us. Now, it's our turn to make a significant strategic investment in the future through the "Hope for Everyone" initiative. This three-year, $80 million capital campaign aims to extend Jesus' offer of hope to 250,000 people in the Bay Area over the next decade. The initiative has three primary investment targets: $40 million for ongoing ministry efforts, $10 million for partnerships in the Bay Area and beyond, and $30 million for future infrastructure improvements.

The first target will support our Sunday services, recovery groups, counseling, and special events for all ages. The second target will fund our partnerships with over 75 organizations focused on community development, humanitarian aid, and spiritual outreach. The third target will ensure our campuses are equipped for future growth, including purchasing or upgrading facilities and enhancing ministry environments.

We are at a critical juncture in our church's history, and we must act now to avoid greater costs in the future. Our goal is 100% participation from our congregation, whether through prayer, service, or financial commitment. This initiative is not just about Menlo Church but about transforming the Bay Area and beyond. We believe that God is calling us to move from survival mode to revival mode, to bring hope to a region that has never experienced a documented revival.

Jesus' parable of the lost sheep reminds us that God pursues each one of us with relentless love. Just as the shepherd goes after the one lost sheep, we are called to reach out to those living in chronic hopelessness. The Bay Area is ripe for a spiritual awakening, and we have the opportunity to be a part of that transformative work. By committing to this initiative, we can help bring the hope of Jesus to our neighbors, friends, and coworkers, making a lasting impact for generations to come.

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Key Takeaways

1. year history is built on the sacrificial and generous investments of past generations. This legacy challenges us to make our own significant contributions to ensure the future of our church and its mission. Our actions today will lay the foundation for future generations to experience hope and transformation in Christ. [19:45]
2. Strategic Investment for Future Impact: The "Hope for Everyone" initiative is a three-year, $80 million campaign aimed at extending Jesus' offer of hope to 250,000 people in the Bay Area over the next decade. This investment is crucial for supporting ongoing ministry efforts, partnering with local and global organizations, and upgrading our facilities to meet future needs.

3. Call to 100% Participation: Every member of Menlo Church is invited to participate in the "Hope for Everyone" campaign through prayer, service, and financial commitment. This collective effort will enable us to reach our ambitious goals and make a significant impact in our community and beyond.

4. Revival Over Survival: God is calling us to move from survival mode to revival mode. This shift requires us to invest our energy and resources into bringing hope to those living in chronic hopelessness. By focusing on vision and mission, we can help alleviate the crisis of hopelessness in our region.

5. God's Pursuit of the Lost: Jesus' parable of the lost sheep illustrates God's relentless pursuit of each one of us. Just as the shepherd goes after the one lost sheep, we are called to reach out to those who are lost and bring them back to the fold. This mission is at the heart of the "Hope for Everyone" initiative.

### [19:45]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[19:45] - Menlo's Legacy of Generosity
[20:15] - Hope for Everyone Initiative
[20:45] - Strategic Investment for Future Impact
[21:15] - Call to 100% Participation
[21:45] - First Investment Target: Ongoing Ministry
[22:45] - Second Investment Target: Bay and Beyond
[23:15] - Third Investment Target: Future Infrastructure
[25:15] - Addressing Chronic Hopelessness
[26:50] - Introduction to the New Series
[28:50] - The Next 10 Years
[31:21] - Process of Prayer and Discernment
[32:51] - Four-Week Focus
[34:21] - Commitment Sunday
[37:28] - From Survival to Revival
[39:28] - Bringing Hope to Everyone
[44:01] - Jesus' Parable of the Lost Sheep
[49:33] - God's Pursuit of the Lost
[52:34] - Phase One of a 10-Year Plan
[53:04] - Call to Pray, Serve, and Commit
[55:04] - Hope for Everyone Bundle
[56:38] - Closing Prayer

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Luke 15:1-7 (ESV) — > Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him. And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.” So he told them this parable: “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’ Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.”

2. Hebrews 12:1 (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.

3. Proverbs 29:18 (KJV)
> Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.

Observation Questions

In the parable of the lost sheep, what actions does the shepherd take when he realizes one sheep is missing? (Luke 15:4-5)
According to the sermon, what are the three primary investment targets of the "Hope for Everyone" initiative? [21:45]
What does the writer of Hebrews encourage believers to do, considering they are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses? (Hebrews 12:1)
How does the sermon describe the current state of hopelessness in the Bay Area and the church's response to it? [40:28]

Interpretation Questions

What does the parable of the lost sheep teach us about God's priorities and His pursuit of the lost? How does this align with the goals of the "Hope for Everyone" initiative? (Luke 15:1-7)
How does the concept of "running with endurance" in Hebrews 12:1 apply to the long-term goals and commitments of the "Hope for Everyone" campaign? [25:45]
Proverbs 29:18 states that without vision, people perish. How does this verse relate to the sermon’s call for Menlo Church to move from survival mode to revival mode? [37:28]
The sermon mentions the importance of 100% participation from the congregation. Why is collective effort emphasized, and how does it reflect the biblical principle of unity in the body of Christ? [21:15]

Application Questions

Reflecting on the parable of the lost sheep, who in your life might be experiencing chronic hopelessness, and how can you reach out to them with the hope of Jesus? [49:33]
The sermon calls for a shift from survival mode to revival mode. What specific steps can you take to contribute to this shift within your church community? [37:28]
Considering Hebrews 12:1, what are some "weights" or "sins" that you need to lay aside to fully participate in the "Hope for Everyone" initiative? How can you start addressing these obstacles this week? [25:45]
The "Hope for Everyone" initiative emphasizes strategic investments in ministry, partnerships, and infrastructure. How can you personally contribute to these areas through prayer, service, or financial commitment? [21:45]
The sermon highlights the importance of vision in preventing spiritual and communal perishing. What is your personal vision for your role in Menlo Church’s future, and how can you align it with the church’s mission? [38:27]
How can you encourage others in your small group or church community to participate in the "Hope for Everyone" campaign? What practical steps can you take to foster a spirit of unity and collective effort? [21:15]
Reflect on the sermon’s call to pray, serve, and commit. What specific actions will you take this week to begin fulfilling these commitments? How can you hold yourself accountable to these actions? [53:04]

Sermon Clips

1. "For more than 150 years the people of Menlo Church have been investing in the future. People who have never met you and never knew your name made the investments that make Menlo Church possible today. Menlo's sacrificial and generous investments are the foundation of every Sunday service, every person baptized, and every moment where hope overcomes despair. This is Menlo's legacy. The story we're a part of. It's our turn to make a significant strategic investment in the future of Menlo Church as we work together to bring hope to everyone by living out our identity in Christ every day." [19:45] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "If we want to extend Jesus' offer of hope for everyone, if we want to see 250,000 people in the Bay Area freed in Jesus in the next 10 years, we must make strategic investments now that will enable us to be effective in that mission. That's why we're launching an initiative called Hope for Everyone. A three-year, $80 million capital investment campaign as a down payment to begin writing the next 150-year chapter of the Menlo Church story." [20:15] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "See, in life, we know that something is worth what someone else is willing to pay for it. And whether you believe this or not, you are so valuable to God, created in His image with infinite dignity, value, and worth, that He didn't stay far away. As a matter of fact, He gave the life of His only Son so that you could be bought back from the consequences of sin in our world and our lives, the brokenness we can see and feel all around us." [28:20] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "We believe that God wants us to be people who are bringing hope to everyone by living out our identity in Christ every day. That's something we all get to do all the time wherever God has placed us. We can't wait for people to wander in or simply hope that they'll have this curiosity around donut tables and open patios. It's not going to be enough to woo them. It's going to take major steps for us to help others find the hope of heaven. And that's what we think God is calling us to do." [39:28] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "See, COVID is thankfully no longer the crisis that it once was, but there is still a crisis in our moment. A crisis of hopelessness. There is a category for it called deaths of despair. And while the most recent statistics aren't fully compiled yet, the early returns suggest that the Bay Area is among the leading regions in the nation for this devastating reality. Beyond that, we know that the mental health crisis around depression and anxiety is increasing with no meaningful change in sight." [40:28] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6. "We are one of the very last places in America without a documented revival. See, some churches, they'll say that if you reach their town, you could change a city. If you change their city, you might be able to change the region, but in the Bay Area we are exporting culture and technology around the world at the speed of light. Can you imagine what might happen if God were to bring a revival to this place that didn't just change us, but change the world?" [42:30] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7. "We believe that God is asking us to reach 3% of the Bay Area with the Gospel in the next 10 years. That represents 250,000 people. I know that we're probably going to need some more seats to be able to hit that target. I get it, but just kidding. See, this isn't just about what we hope God does at Menlo Church. We think that this is something that God's called Menlo Church to help the capital C Church in our region. Growing and reaching hundreds of thousands of people with the good news of Jesus to make a difference that we could see and observe for the rest of our lives and be grateful for for all of eternity." [43:00] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

8. "The provocative thing that we see in this parable from Jesus is that the shepherd did the pursuing. As a matter of fact, this parallel that that's how God works, it hasn't changed. That's an amazing idea. That if you are a follower of Jesus, you are a follower of Jesus not because you figured it out, not because you were smart enough or good enough or savvy enough. As a matter of fact, one of Jesus' closest followers, the Apostle Johnny puts it this way, he says, we love because he first loved us." [49:33] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

9. "The epidemic of hopelessness, it's an urgent need. And one that people are increasingly open to a different answer to address. Even as a growing church, we want to ensure that our current campuses, that they represent permanent commitments to those communities that we serve. And that they can be improved to the level that helps us to endear ourselves to those around us, to reach the communities that we serve, to be a blessing all the time, not to just the people that call Menlo home, but to the people who have homes right around ours in all the communities and places that we serve." [51:04] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

10. "One of the prayers that I've prayed for a lot of years in ministry is, God, would you do whatever you have to to me so that you can work through me? And I'd encourage you, maybe that's part of your prayer over the next few weeks, to say, God, I want to be able to look back years from now and see the way you worked in this season. Not for my credit, not for Menlo's credit, but God, that you would get all the credit. And that the world might look different because of what God does in the Bay Area. Because we got to say yes to God, not just working through us, but God changing us too." [56:05] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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