For All To Know Jesus and Follow Him Fully

For all to know Jesus and to follow Him fully—this is the heartbeat and purpose that drives everything forward. When people encounter the real Jesus, not a cultural or historical caricature, but the Jesus of Scripture, their lives are transformed. This vision is not just for today, but for generations yet to come, as Psalm 102:18 reminds us: what we do now is meant to echo into the future, so that those not yet born may praise the Lord.

God is stirring a hunger in the next generation. Stories abound of young people going to great lengths to be part of the church, starting Bible studies, and seeking truth that is grounded and eternal. The landscape around us is changing rapidly, and the church must not become a stagnant institution, but remain a living, flexible movement. Like the river that moved and left a bridge stranded, we must be willing to move with the Spirit, not just maintain old structures. Jesus’ teaching about new wine and new wineskins calls us to be stretched, to receive fresh oil, and to be ready for what God wants to pour out in this season.

The early church grew not by avoiding problems, but by facing them head-on, reorganizing, and empowering people within the community to meet new needs. The answer is always in the house—God uses ordinary people to meet extraordinary needs. Flexibility, unity, and a willingness to be stretched are essential. True unity is not sameness, but a beautiful diversity of gifts and callings, all synchronized around a common purpose.

The church is not just a place with a mission; the mission has a church. We are called not just to realize our potential, but to walk in our unique calling as a community. Stories of transformation, service, and radical life change are the fruit of this calling. As we look to the future, several key initiatives are being launched: a citywide campaign to serve families with special needs, a renewed commitment to city partnership through graffiti abatement, a new college to raise up leaders, and a continued focus on reaching the lost through large-scale events like Easter at the fairgrounds.

Everyone is invited to participate—not out of pressure, but out of a shared vision to see God’s kingdom come in our city and beyond. Every act of generosity, every step of faith, every willingness to be stretched is part of the legacy we are building for generations to come.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Flexibility is Essential for Spiritual Growth God’s movement often requires us to let go of old patterns and embrace new ways. Like the wineskin that must be softened and stretched with oil, our hearts and structures must be open to change. When we resist flexibility, we risk missing the fresh work of the Spirit and becoming obsolete, like a bridge left behind by a moving river. [06:58]
• 2. The Answer is Always in the House God rarely solves problems by importing solutions from outside; instead, He awakens gifts and callings within the community. When needs arise, God’s provision is already present among His people. This principle calls us to look around, recognize the resources and people God has placed among us, and step forward in faith to meet the challenges before us. [13:48]
• 3. Unity in Diversity Fuels the Mission True unity is not about uniformity, but about different gifts, callings, and passions working together for a common purpose. When we synchronize our efforts, rather than working in isolation, the church becomes a powerful force for transformation. Each person’s unique contribution is vital, and together we reflect the fullness of Christ’s body. [16:53]
• 4. Calling Over Potential It’s easy to be distracted by all we could do, but God calls us to focus on what we are uniquely anointed to do. Jesus Himself had limitless potential, but He was laser-focused on His calling. As a church and as individuals, discerning and embracing our specific calling brings clarity, fruitfulness, and a sense of “home” for those God draws to us. [20:12]
• 5. Generosity and Service Open Doors for the Gospel Acts of service and generosity create goodwill, which in turn opens hearts to the good news. Whether it’s serving schools, launching new ministries, or partnering with the city, practical love paves the way for spiritual impact. Our willingness to serve sacrificially is a testimony to the world of God’s love and hope. [22:40]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:31] - Our Vision: For All to Know Jesus
• [01:06] - Legacy for Future Generations
• [02:26] - God Moving in the Next Generation
• [03:44] - Grassroots Hunger for Truth
• [05:01] - Lessons from the Mighty Max Clock
• [06:20] - The Church as a Movement
• [06:58] - The River Moves: Flexibility Required
• [08:16] - New Wine, New Wineskins
• [10:08] - The Early Church’s Flexibility
• [11:55] - Problems Birth New Solutions
• [13:48] - The Answer is in the House
• [16:15] - Unity in Diversity
• [18:54] - The Mission Has a Church
• [20:12] - Calling Over Potential
• [22:40] - Stories of Transformation
• [25:12] - Announcements and Joy Bomb Campaign
• [27:42] - Legacy Offering and Ministry Expansion
• [30:45] - Camp Champs: Serving Special Needs
• [32:05] - Testimonies from Fairfield
• [35:16] - Easter at the Fairgrounds
• [39:22] - Stories of Hope and Salvation
• [42:48] - Loving Our City: Graffiti Abatement
• [45:54] - Partnership with the City
• [50:28] - Raising Up Leaders: SEU College
• [53:43] - Legacy Weekend: Everyone’s Invitation

Bible Reading

Psalm 102:18 (ESV) — Let this be recorded for a generation to come, so that a people yet to be created may praise the Lord.

Matthew 9:16-17 (ESV) — “No one puts a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment, for the patch tears away from the garment, and a worse tear is made. Neither is new wine put into old wineskins. If it is, the skins burst and the wine is spilled and the skins are destroyed. But new wine is put into fresh wineskins, and so both are preserved.”

Acts 6:1-7 (ESV) — Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” And what they said pleased the whole gathering, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch. These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them. And the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith.

Observation Questions

1. According to Psalm 102:18, what is the purpose of recording or writing things down for future generations?
2. In Matthew 9:16-17, what does Jesus say about mixing old and new, and what happens if you try to put new wine into old wineskins?
3. In Acts 6:1-7, what problem did the early church face, and how did they solve it? What was the result?
4. The sermon mentioned a story about a bridge that was left behind when the river moved. What was the point of this story? ([06:58])

Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think it’s important for the church to think about future generations, not just the present? How does this shape the way we live and serve? ([01:06])
2. What does the wineskin metaphor teach us about how we should respond to change in our lives and in the church? Why is flexibility so important? ([08:16])
3. The early church didn’t avoid problems but faced them and reorganized. What does this tell us about how God works through challenges and complaints? ([11:55])
4. The sermon said, “The answer is always in the house.” What does this mean for how we look at our own gifts and the people around us? ([13:48])

Application Questions

1. The sermon talked about God stirring a hunger in the next generation. Are there young people in your life who are seeking truth or asking spiritual questions? How can you encourage or support them this week? ([03:44])
2. Think about a time when you resisted change, either in your personal life or in church. What was the result? Is there an area right now where God might be asking you to be more flexible or open to something new? ([06:58])
3. The early church found solutions by looking at who was already among them. What gifts or resources do you see in our group or church that could be used to meet a need right now? ([13:48])
4. The sermon said, “True unity is not sameness, but a beautiful diversity of gifts and callings.” What is one unique gift or passion you have that could help our church’s mission? How can you use it this month? ([16:53])
5. The difference between potential and calling was highlighted. Are you doing things just because you can, or are you focused on what God is specifically calling you to do? How can you get clearer about your calling? ([20:12])
6. Acts of generosity and service open doors for the gospel. What is one practical way you can serve someone in your neighborhood, workplace, or church this week? ([22:40])
7. The church is launching new initiatives to serve families with special needs, partner with the city, and raise up leaders. Is there one of these areas that stirs your heart? What step could you take to get involved or support it? ([30:45] / [45:54] / [51:45])