Make Room Campaign: Hope, Joy, Peace for Generations

We gathered to thank God, worship, and make room—literally and spiritually—for what He wants to do next among us. As a church family, we’re on a two‑year journey to build a home for future generations, and I reminded us this isn’t separate from worship; it is worship. But I also wanted us to leave with more than a campaign update. Romans 15:13 holds three gifts God delights to give: overflowing hope, all joy, and total peace. These are not seasonal feelings; they are the fruit of trusting a Person who keeps His word.

Hope, biblically, is a confident expectation of a better future grounded in God’s track record, not in whatever is trending—politically, economically, or personally. Paul’s confidence in Romans 8 is not naive; it is rooted in the unbreakable love of Christ that makes us “more than conquerors.” Think “overwhelming victory” rather than edge‑of‑the‑seat survival. That shift—from nail‑biting to settled assurance—comes as we remember how decisively Jesus has “run up the score” on our behalf.

Joy is more than a spike of happiness; it’s a settled state of well‑being rooted in God. Habakkuk models this: even when external markers of success vanish, he chooses to rejoice in the Lord. That joy and strength go together is not motivational talk; it’s spiritual physics. When joy is restored—especially the joy of our salvation—strength returns for the steep places, like a sure‑footed mountain goat on the cliff’s edge.

And Jesus’ peace is not the absence of storms; it’s His presence in the boat. He gives His peace—of mind and heart—so that anxious loops are replaced with a guarded heart. Philippians 4 invites a daily exchange: tell God what you need, thank Him, and let His peace stand sentry over your inner life.

We prayed three simple prayers to receive these gifts: “Lord, by the power of the Holy Spirit, may we overflow with hope.” “Lord, by the power of the Holy Spirit, restore the joy of Your salvation.” “Lord, by the power of the Holy Spirit, guard my heart and mind with Your peace.” My desire is that hope overflows onto your family, that joy strengthens your steps, and that Christ’s peace steadies your mind this week. If you have not yet received Jesus, open your heart—He is offering what the world cannot give.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Hope rooted in God’s track record Biblical hope is not wishful thinking; it’s confidence that rests on who God is and what He has done. Anchor your expectations in His history, not in headlines or fluctuating conditions. Ask honestly: what am I currently relying on to be okay a year from now? Re-ground that answer in the God who keeps covenant. [53:20]
• 2. More than conquerors, not nail-biters In Christ, victory isn’t barely surviving; it is overwhelming. That doesn’t erase hardship, but it reframes it—you fight from a score already settled by His love. Let this assurance quiet catastrophizing and energize faithful action today. Live like someone held, not hunted. [56:55]
• 3. Joy restores strength for the climb Joy is a settled gladness in God that replenishes strength for steep seasons. Choose to “take joy in God,” especially when lesser sources run dry. As joy is restored—particularly the joy of your salvation—strength returns for sure‑footed steps on difficult terrain. [72:37]
• 4. Christ’s peace is a guarding presence Jesus gives His peace, not a break from reality; it is His steadying presence in the middle of it. Trade anxiety for prayer and gratitude, and let God’s peace stand guard over your heart and mind. This is not passivity; it’s spiritual vigilance under a better Commander. [81:58]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [29:39] - Thanksgiving and Praise
• [32:14] - Make Room Campaign Vision
• [35:05] - Two-Year Goal and Participation
• [38:00] - Worship Through Pledging
• [46:33] - Christmas Eve and January Outreach
• [49:50] - Romans 15:13—Three Christmas Gifts
• [52:50] - Biblical Hope Defined and Grounded
• [56:55] - Overwhelming Victory Through Christ
• [61:50] - All Joy, Not Commercial Joy
• [66:34] - Habakkuk’s “Yet” and Joy
• [72:37] - Joy Restores Strength
• [78:37] - Jesus’ Peace for Our Hearts
• [81:58] - Prayerful Practices for Peace
• [85:57] - Invitation, Prayer Team, Blessing

1. In Romans 15:13, who is named as the source, what two gifts are given “in believing,” and what is the outcome “by the power of the Holy Spirit”?
2. What definition was given for biblical hope, and how is it different from wishful thinking? ([52:50])
3. What phrase from Romans 8 was highlighted and how was it explained as “overwhelming victory,” not edge-of-the-seat survival? ([56:55])
4. What simple, daily practice from Philippians 4 was outlined to experience God’s guarding peace over the heart and mind? ([01:22:20])

1. If biblical hope is a confident expectation of a better future grounded in God’s track record, what does it practically mean to “ground” hope in God rather than in headlines, relationships, or the economy? ([53:20])
2. “More than conquerors” reframes hardship from barely making it to fighting from a settled win in Christ. What does that reveal about a believer’s identity and how might that change the way one responds to pressure or setbacks? ([56:55])
3. Habakkuk chose a “yet” joy when visible signs of success disappeared. What view of God allows a person to rejoice in the Lord without denying pain or lack? ([01:07:08])
4. Jesus gives “His peace,” which is presence-in-the-storm, not the absence of storms. How does that redefine what a Christian should expect from peace in a week that’s full of real problems? ([01:19:37])

1. Do an honest hope-audit: What are you currently relying on to be okay a year from now—career, health, politics, savings, a relationship? How will you re-anchor that expectation specifically in God’s proven character and history this week? ([53:20])
2. Where are you living like a nail-biter instead of someone held by Christ? Name one situation where you tend to catastrophize. What would it look like to approach it as someone who already has “overwhelming victory through Christ”? ([56:55])
3. Write your own Habakkuk “yet” statement. Fill in the blanks: “Though ______ isn’t working out and ______ hasn’t changed, yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation.” Share it with the group. ([01:07:08])
4. If joy and strength run together, where has low joy been draining your strength? What one practice will you adopt this week to restore the joy of your salvation—daily thanksgiving for the cross, singing, Scripture memory, or sharing your testimony? ([01:13:52])
5. Trade anxiety for prayer and gratitude. Identify two top worries. Each day this week, take 5 minutes to tell God exactly what you need and thank Him for specific graces already given. What changes do you notice in your inner “guard” by week’s end? ([01:22:20])
6. Let hope overflow. Who in your circle needs spillover hope right now—a spouse, child, friend, coworker? What will you do to encourage them (text, prayer, scripture, a practical help) so they “bump into” the hope in you? ([01:00:47])
7. Make room—literally and spiritually. What small, concrete step will you take this week to “make room” for God to move—clearing calendar space for prayer, simplifying a habit that crowds your soul, or opening your home to bless someone? ([38:00])