NEXT: Investing in Gospel Growth, Spaces, and Outreach

Aug 30, 2026

Devotional

Day 1: When Houston Meets Heaven’s Urgency

The church’s mission shares DNA with Apollo 13’s desperate ingenuity: failure isn’t an option when lives hang in the balance. Just as engineers scrambled to improvise solutions with duct tape and grit, believers must creatively remove barriers blocking others from encountering Christ. Every cramped classroom, language divide, and crumbling facility represents a soul-sized emergency demanding urgent action. The gospel compels us to fix what’s broken so rescue becomes possible. [32:59]

“I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some. I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings.”
(1 Corinthians 9:22-23, ESV)

Reflection: What duct-tape solutions might God be asking you to create this week to help someone experience His love? Name one practical barrier in your community that mirrors Apollo 13’s oxygen leak.

Day 2: Shadowboxing Faith vs Championship Discipline

An athlete training for gold doesn’t waste energy punching air. Yet churches often spiritualize busyness as impact. The Isthmian Games metaphor challenges believers to replace random acts of service with strategic training—upgrading facilities for discipleship, funding multilingual ministries, and expanding global missions. Real revival requires the focus of an Olympian studying their course, not a hobbyist swinging at ghosts. [53:17]

“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things.”
(1 Corinthians 9:24-25, ESV)

Reflection: Where has your spiritual routine become shadowboxing—active but aimless? What one disciplined step aligns you with God’s championship plan this month?

Day 3: Curb Appeal for Kingdom Come

Barnett Road’s aging facade isn’t about aesthetics but accessibility. Like Paul adapting his approach for different cultures, the West Campus renovations remove visual obstacles that silently whisper “you don’t belong.” Fresh paint and new classrooms become fluent translators of grace, telling young families and teens, “This space was built with you in mind.” Every cracked parking lot repaired is a parable of God making rough places smooth. [47:44]

“Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, that we may no longer suffer derision. And they said, ‘Let us rise up and build.’ So they strengthened their hands for the good work.”
(Nehemiah 2:17-18, ESV)

Reflection: What unassuming space in your life needs renovation to better welcome others? How might a fresh coat of kindness transform a relational “curb appeal” this week?

Day 4: The Math of Sacrifice That Multiplies Joy

Giving becomes worship when framed as rocket fuel for the gospel. The $3 million vision isn’t about budgets but blast radius—every dollar widening the impact of Christ’s love across languages and generations. Like the widow’s mites funding eternity, sacrificial giving measures obedience, not amounts. True treasure is seeing Spanish-speaking neighbors baptized or airmen finding hope because someone chose trust over comfort. [55:22]

“The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion.”
(2 Corinthians 9:6-7, ESV)

Reflection: What fear holds you back from explosive generosity? How might viewing your gift as seed rather than loss change your obedience?

Day 5: Babel Reversed—Tongues of Fire Over Texas

The new Español ministry isn’t an add-on but a homecoming. Where Babel scattered through confusion, Pentecost brought unity through understanding. Hiring a Spanish pastor continues that miracle—breaking language barriers so the gospel’s melody plays in every heart’s mother tongue. This is the “all things to all people” mandate made concrete: stucco walls and translated bulletins becoming love letters from heaven. [50:37]

“Go out quickly to the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in the poor and crippled and blind and lame... compel people to come in, that my house may be filled.”
(Luke 14:21-23, ESV)

Reflection: Who in your orbit needs the gospel in their “heart language”? How can you help translate Christ’s love beyond words this week?

Sermon Summary

Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 9 give the church a “failure is not an option” kind of calling when it comes to the gospel. The gospel matters because people matter to God, and souls are in the balance. Paul refuses to make Christian liberty the main question. Paul asks a better question: What is a believer willing to surrender so that somebody else can come to know Jesus?

Paul never changes the gospel, whether he speaks to Jews, Gentiles, people under the law, or people without it. Paul changes his approach so that unnecessary barriers do not keep people from hearing the truth. The gospel does not guarantee that every person will respond, but the church carries the responsibility to make sure every man, woman, boy, and girl has an opportunity to hear what Jesus has done for them. Paul’s words, “all things to all people,” reveal a heart willing to do whatever it takes for some to be saved.

NEXT grows out of that same passion. The $3 million vision is not finally about buildings, programs, or a project. NEXT is about people and about removing barriers to the gospel. Global missions removes distance barriers by helping the church go to the nations. The Church at Shepherd removes access and gathering-space barriers in a neighborhood where outreach can happen. The West Campus removes space barriers by adding room for students, children, and future growth on the west side of Wichita Falls. The Español ministry removes a language barrier so that the gospel can be clearly heard by Spanish-speaking families.

Paul’s athletic picture in verses 24 through 27 also calls the church to be purposeful. A runner does not run aimlessly, and a boxer does not beat the air. Passion without a plan will not accomplish the mission. Realize, refocus, reinvest, and reach are not four separate goals. Those words are four strategies serving one goal: making disciples of all nations.

The call to give is therefore a call to pray, obey, and trust God. Sacrificial giving is above and beyond the regular budget because every part of the church’s mission matters, including the ordinary expenses that make ministry possible week after week. God does not promise blessing because somebody gives a certain amount. God blesses obedience that responds in faith to His direction. NEXT is not the end of something. NEXT is a launching pad for what God can do through His church in a lost world that needs the gospel.

Key Takeaways

1. People matter because they matter to God. The urgency of gospel ministry does not come from institutional growth or keeping buildings full. People carry eternal weight because God loves them and Christ gave Himself for them. The church’s plans, spaces, resources, and ministries must remain servants of that one conviction. [34:28]
2. Liberty surrenders for gospel opportunity. Paul does not measure faithfulness by insisting on personal rights. Paul measures faithfulness by asking whether a right, preference, or habit has become an obstacle for someone else hearing Christ clearly. Love gladly lays down what it may claim when the gospel is at stake. [37:22]
3. The gospel requires purposeful strategy. Passion alone can become aimless running or shadow boxing. Paul’s athletic imagery shows that gospel work requires discipline, planning, and a clear target. Different strategies can serve one mission when they are all aimed at making disciples. [51:04]
4. Giving serves one unified mission. A church cannot thrive by funding only the ministries that feel exciting or visible. Children’s spaces, missions, language ministry, facilities, staffing, and everyday care all work together to remove barriers to the gospel. Faithful stewardship sees the whole mission as vitally important. [56:05]
5. Obedience matters more than an amount. God’s concern is not merely the size of a gift but the faith-filled response of a heart listening to Him. Prayerful giving places the question before God: “What do you want me to do with this?” Trust grows when believers obey the Spirit’s prompting rather than merely protecting personal comfort.

## [54:37]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[27:15] - Introducing NEXT
[27:58] - Why the Campuses Need Investment
[30:25] - A Call to Sacrificial Giving
[31:37] - Apollo 13 and Gospel Urgency
[34:28] - People Matter to God
[35:56] - Paul’s Gospel-First Freedom
[39:56] - Passion Rearranges Life
[42:23] - Four Strategies for One Mission
[44:24] - Shepherd and West Campus Plans
[49:21] - Reaching Through Español Ministry
[51:04] - Running With Purpose
[54:22] - Pray, Obey, and Trust God
[56:05] - One Unified Church Mission
[57:17] - Commitment Sunday and the Launching Pad

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

1 Corinthians 9:19–23
“For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them. To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though not being myself under the law) that I might win those under the law. To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (not being outside the law of God but under the law of Christ) that I might win those outside the law. To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some. I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings.” [35:51]

1 Corinthians 9:24–27
“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.” [51:10]

Matthew 28:19–20
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” [53:01]

Observation questions

In 1 Corinthians 9:19–23, what groups of people does Paul name, and what repeated purpose does he give for adjusting his approach to each group?
What does Paul make clear he does not change as he seeks to reach Jews, Gentiles, and weak people? [37:45]
According to 1 Corinthians 9:24–27, what pictures does Paul use to describe purposeful Christian living, and what does he contrast with running aimlessly and boxing the air?
What specific barriers are being addressed through global missions, the Shepherd location, the West Campus, and Español ministry? [50:19]

Interpretation questions

Paul was free, yet he made himself a servant for the good of others. What does this show about the difference between having a Christian freedom and wisely using that freedom?
Paul became “all things to all people,” but he remained under the law of Christ. How can a believer adapt to another person’s culture, background, or needs without compromising the gospel? [37:45]
Paul says that his goal is that “some” might be saved. How does this help believers understand both their responsibility to share the gospel and God’s role in bringing people to faith? [38:29]
Paul’s athletic imagery connects passion with discipline and a clear goal. Why can good intentions alone fail to produce faithful gospel ministry? [52:38]

Application questions

Who are the specific people God has placed near you—neighbors, coworkers, classmates, family members, or newcomers—who need an opportunity to hear about Jesus? What barrier might make it harder for them to listen or connect?
Is there a preference, comfort, habit, schedule, or personal right that you tend to protect? How might surrendering part of it create a better opportunity to love someone and point them toward Christ? [37:30]
The gospel calls believers to remove unnecessary barriers, including distance, access, space, and language barriers. Which kind of barrier most stands out to you, and how could you personally help remove it?
Paul did not run aimlessly. Where might your efforts to serve God feel scattered, reactive, or unfocused? What is one simple, purposeful step you could take this week toward making disciples? [53:16]
Global missions involves more than praying or giving; it also includes going. How can you grow in willingness to serve people beyond your normal circles, whether across town or around the world? [43:11]
Faith-filled giving begins with the question, “Lord, what do you want me to do with this?” What would it look like for you or your household to pray that question honestly and then respond in obedience rather than fear? [54:37]
Every part of the church’s mission matters, including visible ministries and ordinary ongoing needs. What helps you see children’s ministry, student ministry, missions, facilities, hospitality, and daily care as one unified effort to reach people with the gospel? [56:54]

Sermon Clips

43s

#LibertyToServe

“And the questions are deeply rooted in, what are Christians permitted to do? What are we allowed to do? Like, what are the limits of Christian liberty? That's really kind of the theme of first Corinthians. And they're asking these questions about, okay, where are the lines? Where where do we draw the lines? And what are our rights, says Christian. What do we have a right to do? When Paul writes these words, though he's answered many of those questions, he says, let me frame the question. Let me frame this in a different way. The question shouldn't be, what do I have a right to do? The question should be, what am I willing to surrender so that someone else could come to know Jesus?”

28s

#PeopleMatterNow

“Why would we tackle another project? Let me tell you why. People matter. People matter to us. People matter to God. It is because people matter to God that they matter to us, and people matter. Their souls are in the balance, and we have to share the gospel with those around us. There is an urgency.”

37s

#PrayAndObey

“I'm I'm asking you to do just to pray one prayer. As a matter of fact, it's just a sentence. Lord, what do you want me to do with this? That's pretty much it. See, you have the same Holy Spirit I do if you're a follower of Jesus, and he'll tell you what he wants you to do with this. I'm pretty convinced of that. So what I would want you to do is pray about it, and you're not gonna hear the booming voice from heaven. I'm not saying that. But you'll know. There'll be a prompting from the Holy Spirit in your life. So all I'm asking you to do is to pray and obey.”

39s

#NoBarriersToGospel

“no one no one should have an an obstacle to receiving the gospel. Now whether someone gets saved or they don't, that's between them, the holy spirit, the lord Jesus, and the father. I mean, that's their their salvation is between them. But our responsibility is to make sure that they hear the truth of what Jesus has done for them, that they have an opportunity to respond to what God has done through Jesus. It is our job to make sure that that happens for every man, woman, boy, and girl.”

37s

#SameGospelDifferentApproach

“Now Paul never changed his message. The gospel was the gospel with the apostle Paul, whether he was talking to a Jewish person or a gentile person, an absolute pagan. Paul preached the same gospel. But he's telling us in his passage that he took a different approach. He had a different strategy when it came to certain groups of people. He wanted to take down every barrier so that the gospel could be presented openly and freely received by those around him.”

45s

#StrategicDiscipleship

“You see those four words, realize, refocus, reinvest, and reach, are not different goals. They are four different strategies for the same goal. And the same goal is to make disciples of all nations. That's what we're called to do. That's who we're called to be. And what Paul would say is an athlete who wants to compete and win doesn't just start shadow boxing, doesn't just start boxing the air. That's not gonna accomplish anything. You don't just run-in circles. You don't run aimlessly. You have a plan.”

52s

#AllForTheGospel

“And Paul was passionate about that. I think one of the most interesting parts of this is down in in verse 22. He says he says, I have become all things to all people that by all means some could be saved. He says, I have become all things to all people so that by all means, by any means necessary, whatever it takes, you hear Paul's passion in those words. And he says, I do all of this because the gospel. It was the gospel that motivated to do all of these things, to endure imprisonment at times, to take beatings, to travel, to to to encounter others, to sacrifice. Paul says, do this all for the gospel. He was passionate about the gospel.”

42s

#BarrierFreeGospel

“You see, this is really all about removing barriers. In this case, a language barrier. For for some, it's it's a space barrier at at some of our campuses or a a funding barrier. We we are removing barriers so that we can better and more, more perceptively communicate the gospel regardless of what group we're talking about. When you read through those verses, Paul is saying that there are different groups that he's trying to make an impact on. Jews, those with the law, those without the law, those were Gentiles, pagans. And he says, what I do, I do it all for the sake of the gospel.”

48s

#BlessingInObedience

“Father, thank you for your word and for truth. Thank you for giving us the stewardship and the responsibility to take the gospel to our neighbors and the nations. I pray that you will place in every one of our hearts what you would have us do. And, Lord, knowing that there is not a blessing in giving, but there is a blessing in obedience. There's not a blessing in giving a certain amount. But when we respond in faith and trust to what you call us to do, there is a blessing. And I pray that you will move among us in Jesus' name. Amen.”

25s

#FailureIsNotAnOption

“I believe that when you read this passage of scripture, the apostle Paul is telling us that when it comes to the gospel, failure is not an option. When it comes to the kingdom of God, the church of the Lord Jesus Christ cannot fail in our mission to share and to spread the gospel and the good news of Jesus.”

47s

#PassionForNeighbors

“But those people are they are passionate. They have rearranged their life around what they're passionate about. And nobody had to convince them. Nobody had to cajole them. Nobody had to nobody had to force them. They just respond to what they're passionate about. And if there's one thing that I could do for our church, I wish that I could instill in you a passion for your neighbors, for the people across the street, for the people across town, for the people who come to Shepherd Air Force Base and they're here for for three months or three years, that you would have a passion for them to know Jesus.”

28s

#LaunchPadForMission

“I believe God is gonna do something great. And we've said this over and over. This isn't an end. This is a beginning. You see, what we believe God is doing here is building the launching pad. The rocket is gonna take off from that. We believe that God is going to do incredible things through his church for a lost world that needs the gospel.”

42s

#GospelForOurGeneration

“There is an urgency, I believe, in our generation. We see conflict between people all around us. We we see problems and people's lives falling apart all around us. Not only is there conflict between nations, but but there's political conflict in our in our in our own nation, and there's societal conflict. There are issues that our world is struggling to solve, and they're trying to come up with solutions to problems. And some of us are going, the answer's in the Bible. But but we reject that, and so there is this urgency that we have to share to share the gospel and to spread the good news of Jesus.”

48s

#UnifiedMissionFund

“Nobody gets excited about funding the custodians around here. People get fired up and excited about Spanish ministry. People are fired up about children's ministry and student ministry. Nobody's fired up about the custodians until about six weeks after we can't pay them. And the bathrooms are dirty, and you're going, maybe we should have paid them. That's why we do a unified budget. That's why we're doing a unified project. We put it all together, and we fund all of these projects together at the same time, and we're all doing it. Pet projects are a wonderful thing sometimes, but they really don't work when it comes to mission because every piece of the mission is vitally important.”

43s

#PeopleNotBuildings

“And that's what Next is really all about. I want you to understand that Next is really all about people. This $3,000,000 vision is is not about buildings and programs, and and it's it's really not about that. It it is about reaching people with the gospel of Jesus. Let me let me give you, some some something of a summary, and I'm not gonna spend a lot of time on this. back in 2023, when I preached that message, I had seven words that started with the letter r. We have accomplished some of those things, but there are four of them that I'm gonna talk about for just a few minutes this morning that are part of next.”

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