Investing in People: The Heart of Ministry
Summary
### Summary
Today, we focused on the importance of investing in people rather than just physical structures like buildings or parking lots. The essence of a church is not its physical attributes but the transformative work that happens within its walls. We shared the story of Jacob, a man who found healing and transformation through our men's ministry, illustrating the profound impact of community and support. Similarly, our youth are stepping up to spread the gospel in their schools, showing courage and commitment to their faith.
We also discussed the financial challenges we face, such as rising insurance costs, and how the congregation's faithful giving has enabled us to meet these needs without panic. This underscores the importance of stewardship and the collective effort to support God's work.
The sermon then shifted to the theme of relationships and their impact on our spiritual journey. We emphasized the need to surround ourselves with people who uplift and encourage us in our walk with God. Using the analogy of being unequally yoked, we highlighted how the wrong relationships can drag us down and hinder our spiritual growth. The story of King Rehoboam served as a cautionary tale about the consequences of heeding poor advice from the wrong people.
We concluded with a call to live a holy life, set apart from the corrupt influences of the world. This involves making tough decisions about who we allow into our inner circle and ensuring that our relationships help us ascend the hill of the Lord. The ultimate relationship we need is with Jesus, who paves the way for us to reach the Father.
### Key Takeaways
1. Invest in People, Not Just Buildings: The true value of a church lies in the lives it transforms. Physical structures are important, but they serve as a means to facilitate the real work of ministry—changing lives through the power of community and the gospel. The story of Jacob exemplifies how a supportive community can lead to profound personal transformation. [28:14]
2. The Power of Youth in Ministry: Our youth are stepping up to spread the gospel in their schools, demonstrating courage and commitment. Their initiative to start Jesus Clubs and invite their peers, even in the face of rejection, shows the impact of a vibrant faith community on the next generation. [29:15]
3. Stewardship and Collective Effort: Financial challenges like rising insurance costs can be daunting, but the faithful giving and good stewardship of the congregation have enabled us to meet these needs. This collective effort ensures that we can continue our mission without being distracted by financial worries. [32:33]
4. The Importance of Godly Relationships: Surrounding ourselves with the right people is crucial for our spiritual growth. Relationships can either lift us up or drag us down. The story of King Rehoboam illustrates the dangers of heeding poor advice from the wrong people, leading to disastrous consequences. [01:01:03]
5. Living a Holy Life: We are called to be set apart and live a holy life, even in a corrupt world. This involves making tough decisions about who we allow into our inner circle and ensuring that our relationships help us ascend the hill of the Lord. The ultimate relationship we need is with Jesus, who paves the way for us to reach the Father. [01:07:22]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[28:14] - Jacob's Transformation Story
[29:15] - Youth Ministry Initiatives
[30:30] - Investing in People
[31:19] - Financial Stewardship
[32:33] - Insurance Challenges
[33:37] - Good Stewardship Practices
[34:26] - Offering Prayer
[42:42] - Online Welcome
[43:27] - New Worship Pastor Introduction
[44:18] - Mike and Shannon's Background
[45:27] - Prayer for New Worship Leaders
[47:13] - Marjorie's Contribution
[51:04] - Series on Peopling
[52:17] - Importance of Godly Relationships
[01:01:03] - King Rehoboam's Story
[01:07:22] - Living a Holy Life
[01:24:15] - Call to Relationship with Jesus
[01:25:56] - Closing Prayer and Altar Call
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1 - "Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever? What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said, 'I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you, and I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty.' Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God."
2. Psalm 24:3-5 - "Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord? And who shall stand in his holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to what is false and does not swear deceitfully. He will receive blessing from the Lord and righteousness from the God of his salvation."
3. 1 Corinthians 15:33 - "Do not be deceived: 'Bad company ruins good morals.'"
#### Observation Questions
1. What does it mean to be "unequally yoked" according to 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1?
2. In Psalm 24:3-5, what are the qualifications for ascending the hill of the Lord and standing in His holy place?
3. How does 1 Corinthians 15:33 describe the impact of bad company on good morals?
4. What story did the pastor share about Jacob and his transformation through the men's ministry? [28:14]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Paul emphasize the importance of not being unequally yoked with unbelievers in 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1? How does this relate to our daily relationships?
2. How can the qualifications in Psalm 24:3-5 for ascending the hill of the Lord be applied to our spiritual journey?
3. What practical steps can we take to ensure that we are not influenced negatively by bad company as mentioned in 1 Corinthians 15:33?
4. How did the story of King Rehoboam illustrate the consequences of heeding poor advice from the wrong people? [01:01:03]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your current relationships. Are there any that might be unequally yoked? How can you address this in a way that honors God? [01:05:04]
2. Psalm 24:3-5 talks about having clean hands and a pure heart. What specific actions can you take this week to ensure your hands are clean and your heart is pure?
3. Think about a time when you were influenced by bad company. What did you learn from that experience, and how can you apply that lesson to your current relationships? [55:27]
4. The pastor mentioned the importance of investing in people rather than just physical structures. How can you invest in the people around you this week? [30:30]
5. The youth in the church are starting Jesus Clubs in their schools. What steps can you take to be more courageous in sharing your faith in your own community? [29:15]
6. Financial stewardship was highlighted as a collective effort. How can you contribute to your church's mission through faithful giving and good stewardship? [32:33]
7. The ultimate relationship we need is with Jesus. How can you deepen your relationship with Him this week, and what specific changes can you make to prioritize this relationship? [01:24:15]
Devotional
Day 1: Invest in People, Not Just Buildings
The true value of a church lies in the lives it transforms. Physical structures are important, but they serve as a means to facilitate the real work of ministry—changing lives through the power of community and the gospel. The story of Jacob exemplifies how a supportive community can lead to profound personal transformation. Jacob's journey from brokenness to healing through the men's ministry is a testament to the power of investing in people. When we focus on building relationships and nurturing spiritual growth, we create an environment where God's transformative work can flourish. [28:14]
1 Thessalonians 5:11 (ESV): "Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing."
Reflection: Think of someone in your church community who might be struggling. How can you invest in their life this week to help them experience God's transformative power?
Day 2: The Power of Youth in Ministry
Our youth are stepping up to spread the gospel in their schools, demonstrating courage and commitment. Their initiative to start Jesus Clubs and invite their peers, even in the face of rejection, shows the impact of a vibrant faith community on the next generation. These young individuals are not just the future of the church; they are its present. Their boldness in sharing their faith serves as an inspiration to all of us to be more proactive in our own evangelistic efforts. By supporting and encouraging our youth, we help cultivate a generation that is passionate about living out and spreading the gospel. [29:15]
1 Timothy 4:12 (ESV): "Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity."
Reflection: How can you support the youth in your church this week? Consider ways to encourage their efforts in spreading the gospel.
Day 3: Stewardship and Collective Effort
Financial challenges like rising insurance costs can be daunting, but the faithful giving and good stewardship of the congregation have enabled us to meet these needs. This collective effort ensures that we can continue our mission without being distracted by financial worries. Good stewardship is not just about managing resources wisely; it's about trusting God to provide and being faithful with what we have. When the congregation comes together in faithful giving, it reflects a shared commitment to God's work and a trust in His provision. [32:33]
2 Corinthians 9:7-8 (ESV): "Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work."
Reflection: Reflect on your own giving. How can you contribute to the collective effort of your church to ensure its mission continues without financial distractions?
Day 4: The Importance of Godly Relationships
Surrounding ourselves with the right people is crucial for our spiritual growth. Relationships can either lift us up or drag us down. The story of King Rehoboam illustrates the dangers of heeding poor advice from the wrong people, leading to disastrous consequences. It's essential to seek out relationships that encourage and uplift us in our walk with God. Being unequally yoked with those who do not share our faith can hinder our spiritual growth and lead us astray. Therefore, we must be intentional about the company we keep and the advice we follow. [01:01:03]
Proverbs 13:20 (ESV): "Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm."
Reflection: Think about your current relationships. Are there any that are hindering your spiritual growth? How can you seek out more godly influences in your life?
Day 5: Living a Holy Life
We are called to be set apart and live a holy life, even in a corrupt world. This involves making tough decisions about who we allow into our inner circle and ensuring that our relationships help us ascend the hill of the Lord. The ultimate relationship we need is with Jesus, who paves the way for us to reach the Father. Living a holy life means being intentional about our choices and striving to reflect God's holiness in all we do. It requires us to be vigilant about the influences we allow into our lives and to prioritize our relationship with Jesus above all else. [01:07:22]
1 Peter 1:15-16 (ESV): "But as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, 'You shall be holy, for I am holy.'"
Reflection: What steps can you take this week to live a more holy life? Consider any changes you need to make in your relationships or daily habits to better reflect God's holiness.
Quotes
1. "He went from somebody who was kind of a nominal Christian to someone who's now leading his family in devotions. It's amazing. And that's just one story of so many people that's been reached and their lives have been transformed through the ministry of this church. And I'm so encouraged that in our youth even, we have youth that are saying, I'm going to take the call of God, and I'm going to go into my schools. We have several students that have started Bible school, Bible class, not Bible, Bible, Jesus, what? Jesus Club. I had a first service. Jesus Club. They're going to start a Jesus Club in their school. And they had the courage and the boldness to go to every student and give them an invitation to come to Jesus Club. Even though some of them were rejected. But they said, I want to give my school Jesus because they need Jesus. And so they have the boldness to go and to start clubs in their schools. It's about what happens in here. That's what matters. It's not about how big the building is or any of that stuff." [29:15] (75 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "It's what God does in a people. And so today, I'm not asking you to invest in a building or invest in a parking lot or new chairs, which plays God, we need new chairs. But I'm asking you to invest in people. Invest in what God's going to do. After us. Because when we're gone, what will remain? It's what God did through a people. So I'm asking you to invest in people. So if you have your envelopes, you should be sitting on one. If you, if you brought an offering, brought check or cash, you can put it in there. Many of us do not carry that anymore. And you can give online. There's a QR code up there that you can scan or on your, in front of you. And there's a chair that has a QR code in it. Just scan that." [30:30] (48 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "And you can give towards. Lord, bridge the gap, because here's the thing. We're bridging the gap between people and God. We're bridging the gap between people and God. Our community is better because we're here. I'm thankful that whenever I go to town and I see somebody and they say, aren't you the pastor of Waterhouse? And this is what they say almost every time I hear good things about your church. This is that speaks more volume than anything, because for them to say, oh, that church, that's what I never want to hear. But what can God do through a people, man, whatever we let them." [31:19] (50 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "People are what matter. Amen. So can I pray over the offering and we'll take the offering up. Father God, I thank you for this offering that's coming in today. God, Lord, I thank you that you've blessed us to where when things happen, we don't have to panic. But God, you've been so faithful. You've been so good. And God, I know we're going to see this project done. And Lord, even as we build it, we're not going to get distracted by it, but we're going to keep on mission, changing people's lives. We're going to keep on living our lives through the gospel and God, we thank you that you always have what we need and even more than enough in these uncertain times, God, you can be certain and father, we thank you for that. Lord, I pray you bless the giver. You bless the gift and multiply it, God, as you deal with the fish and the loaves, that we can get all these things done and Lord, take care of what we need to take care of so we can stay on mission so that Parker County and the world is changed through the ministry of us and this church. And Jesus mighty name, amen." [34:26] (62 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Who are you hanging out with? Who's influencing your life? It kind of feels like the dad talk when your kids start making friends. Right? And the parents are like, hey, we need to come sit down. We need to talk about your friends. And today we need to talk about your friends. Who are you hanging out with? Who's influencing you? Who's making a difference in your life? It's important because here's one thing I know, that it's been people in my life that have brought me closer to God or brought me farther away from God. It's people in my life that added value to my life. Right? Or they've taken from my life. People in your life can add or they can take, they can multiply or they can divide your life. It's the people in your life that matters the most. This is why God has told us many times to make sure we have the right people in our life. Because people can be a huge blessing or they can be a curse. They can take you to a higher place or a lower place." [52:17] (58 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "You cannot soar with eagles if you're running with turkeys. Too many people are running around with turkeys when God's called us to soar. Aristotle said this, in the end, we are our relationships. Take a look at your life right now. I guarantee you, you are where you are because of the relationships in your life. Either past, present, or even your future relationships that you're going to have. You are where you are because of the people in your life, the relationships in your life. So relationships matter. People matter. You got to be hanging out with the right people. You got to let the right people into your life and keep the wrong people out of your life because like I said, it's people can pick you up or drag you down. People are like elevators. They can either take you to a higher place or they can take you very, very far down. We got to make sure that we have the right people in our life. If not, we could be in a bad, bad place." [56:07] (63 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "You can't be in the will of God around the wrong people. They will always take you down. God has called his people to be different. God has called his people to be higher and to go further. In fact, there's a story in the Bible of a king. His name was King Rehoboam. He was Solomon's son. David was his grandfather. King Rehoboam, King Rehoboam had good intentions, but he hung around with the wrong people. His hanging around with turkeys cost him the kingdom. So the story goes like this. So King Rehoboam is coming into kingship and the people gather around him. Rehoboam, your father was so hard to us. He gave us a yoke that was so heavy. He made us work so hard. And they came to him and said, I'll tell you what, if you lighten our load, the people will love you and they will follow you and they'll do whatever you ask. And Rehoboam looked at the elders who gave him that suggestion and said, I don't know about that. We'll come back. And then he gets his friends. He gets his young friends around him and he asked their opinion. Well, guys, what do you think? And they didn't give him good advice. They said, you know what I think? I think if you go light on them, they're going to think you're weak. They're going to think that you don't have what it takes. And they said, you know what you need to do? You need to double what your father did. Like you need to come down hard on these people. And instead of listening to wisdom and righteous people, he listened to foolish people. Instead of flying with eagles, he walked with turkeys." [01:01:03] (108 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "You cannot ascend the hill of the Lord if you're dragging somebody else with you. Here's the truth. We have people in our life that we're trying to drag up to heaven with us. They don't want to go. They decide to live their impure life. They decide to live in the mess that they've made and they don't want to move. No matter what you've told them, no matter what you're doing, and you're trying to drag them with you. The problem with that is, is you're not moving either. You're unequally yoked. You're tired, you're worn out, and it's affecting you, it's defiling you. You cannot climb the hill trying to drag somebody else. You have to come to some point in your life where you say, I'm going to break away from that, I'm going to separate myself from that so I can go and meet with the Lord. And it's sad. But you have to get to that point where you're good at letting go. Because here's the truth. In truth, you're not Jesus. You're not their Savior. That's a hard reality. Because I want to be their Savior. I want to be my kids' Savior. I want to be my wife's Savior. I want to be my family's Savior. I want to be everybody's Savior, right? We all do. We all want to help people. But God, it's His job. It's His job. We're supposed to pray. We're supposed to model. We're supposed to ask. But too many of us are trying to drag people into the mess. They're trying to do the kingdom. And they're keeping you back. You have to let go. You have to let go. You can't have clean hands holding on to dirty things. You cannot have pure hearts when you're tethered to somebody else. These are soul ties. My soul is tied to somebody else when that is the affection that is in my heart. My affection is only toward the Lord. And out of that, I can have affection for people. But if I'm not tethered to the Lord and tied to Him, then none of that matters." [01:10:50] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "If you're dating someone who does not know the Lord, you need to stop dating them. You know what you need to do? You need to take them to church. You need to take them to small group, men's group, ladies group, youth group, wherever. Let them get saved first, and then you can date them. Right? Because here's the truth. Until they know Jesus, until they know the love of God, until they experience His goodness and His mercy in their life, until they know that God is there, until they are made whole, they will not be able to give to you the way that the Lord wants them to give to you. Because here's the truth. Two broken people do not make a whole person. Come on. This is all of my marriage counseling. Because here's the problem. Two broken people come together. We're going to get married. It's going to fix everything. No, it just makes it worse. The problem is you multiply and you have broken kids because you're not whole. Come to Jesus. Let Him make you whole. Then when you get married, and you get yoked, you're not unequal. And you will have the same goal. You will have the same purpose. And you will all be ascending the hill together." [01:13:29] (74 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "Here's the greatest person you can add to your life. And that's Jesus. Because if I can tell you your future by your friends, if you have a friend in Jesus, your future's pretty good. Because at the end of the day, we are the people we hang out with. And we are our relationships. Jesus has just simply asked you to have a relationship with him. This is why he died for you. Your sins are forgiven, yes. He's given you new life. But here's the thing I know about God. He's called the Father because he wants a family. He wants a family. You are sons and daughters. And Jesus made a way that we could be family, that we could be sons and daughters of God. He is our friend. He is our Savior. He is our King. The greatest relationship you can ever have and the only relationship that's going to change your life forever is the relationship with Jesus." [01:23:02] (55 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
Chatbot
-
I'm an AI bot trained specifically on the sermon from Sep 29, 2024. Do you have any questions about it?