Reflecting on Growth and Impact: A Year in Review

Devotional

Day 1: Transformative Power of Service

True service reshapes the heart, fostering growth and embodying Christ's love. When individuals commit to acts of service within the church, they not only contribute to a welcoming atmosphere but also embark on a journey of personal transformation. This journey allows them to touch lives and experience spiritual growth, reflecting the love of Christ in every interaction. [01:05:58]

Galatians 5:13-14 - "You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'"
Reflection: How can you serve someone in your community this week in a way that reflects Christ's love and humility?

Day 2: Uniting in Expectant Worship

Expectant worship invites the Holy Spirit's movement, challenging and uniting hearts. The collective anticipation of God's presence during worship services is a powerful experience that can break down barriers of prejudice and unite the congregation. This environment fosters a space where the Holy Spirit can work within hearts, bringing about transformation and a deeper sense of community. [38:43]

Ephesians 5:18-20 - "Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."
Reflection: When was the last time you truly expected to encounter God in worship? How can you prepare your heart to be more receptive to the Holy Spirit this coming Sunday?

Day 3: Addressing Mental Health with Faith

Integrating faith and mental health awareness creates a lifeline for support and healing. Addressing mental health from a biblical perspective allows the church to offer valuable resources and support to those facing mental health challenges. By combining clinical insights with scriptural wisdom, the church becomes a sanctuary for healing, understanding, and compassion. [55:07]

1 Thessalonians 5:14 - "And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone."
Reflection: Is there someone in your life who might be struggling with mental health issues? How can you offer them support and understanding this week?

Day 4: Daily Walk with God

Recognizing God in the mundane leads to a life of continuous divine encounters. Faith is not confined to religious settings; it's a daily walk with God that transforms ordinary moments into opportunities for spiritual growth and intimacy with the Divine. This approach encourages believers to seek God's presence in all circumstances and to develop a consistent relationship with Him. [01:26:39]

Colossians 3:17 - "And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."
Reflection: What is one routine part of your day that you can turn into a moment of connection with God?

Day 5: Generosity as a Movement of Transformation

Generosity extends the church's mission beyond its walls, impacting lives near and far. When believers give sacrificially, they join in God's transformative work, reaching out to those in need and making a real difference in the world. This spirit of generosity reflects the church's commitment to sharing God's love and compassion with everyone, regardless of the distance. [25:16]

2 Corinthians 9:6-7 - "Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."
Reflection: What is one way you can practice generosity this week that will make a difference in someone's life, whether close to home or far away?

Sermon Summary

The sermon titled "A YEAR IN REVIEW" by X CHURCH reflects on the various aspects of the church's ministry and the impact it has had on the congregation and community over the past year. The sermon is not attributed to a specific pastor based on the provided title, so the pastor's name will not be used in the summary.

Throughout the year, the church has emphasized the importance of servant leadership, with volunteers playing a crucial role in welcoming and connecting with guests. The church has also focused on making each Sunday gathering a powerful experience of worship and addressing controversial topics head-on, encouraging the congregation to challenge any prejudice or racism in their hearts.

The church participated in a 21-day prayer and fast, which concluded with a worship night described as "almost electric." The church also held sermon series on mental health, the book of First Peter, and the Holy Spirit, aiming to deepen the faith of the congregation and help them encounter God in a real and profound way.

The church celebrated its 20th anniversary and reflected on its growth from a small gathering to a community that now requires multiple Sunday services to accommodate the growing number of attendees. The church's outreach efforts included partnering with other churches to bless foster teens in Ohio and sending a love offering to Pastor Joel's ministry.

The church also addressed the need for mental health awareness through a series called "Sound Mind" and provided resources to help the congregation understand and navigate these issues. A podcast series facilitated deeper engagement with complex topics, and the church celebrated the joy of preaching about Jesus and the success of the "At the Movies" series.

The sermon highlighted the importance of walking with God in daily life, not just in religious settings, and the transformative power of consistent spiritual practices. The church's NextGen ministry created fun experiences for kids and teenagers, and the church's outreach programs, including mission trips and disaster relief efforts, had a significant impact on the community.

The church's servant leaders were acknowledged for their dedication, and the congregation was encouraged to participate in the upcoming fast and prayer nights. The sermon concluded with a call to reflect on the past year's blessings and to look forward to the new year with anticipation for what God will do.

Key Takeaways

Youtube Chapters

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What does Micah 6:8 say about what the Lord requires of us?
In Genesis 3:8, what were Adam and Eve doing when they heard the sound of the Lord God?
According to Acts 4:13, what was notable about Peter and John that astonished the people?

Interpretation Questions

How does the concept of walking with God, as seen in Micah 6:8 and Genesis 3:8, relate to the idea of integrating faith into daily life beyond religious rituals? [01:26:39]
What does the reaction of the people in Acts 4:13 tell us about the impact of being with Jesus on Peter and John’s lives?
How can the church's emphasis on servant leadership and addressing controversial topics help in fostering a community that walks humbly with God? [17:26]

Application Questions

Reflect on your daily routine. How can you incorporate the practice of walking with God throughout your day, not just during designated religious times? [01:26:39]
Think about a time when you felt God's presence in a mundane moment. How did that experience change your perspective on daily life?
The church has emphasized addressing mental health issues. How can you personally support someone in your community who is struggling with mental health? [55:07]
Servant leadership is a key takeaway from the sermon. Identify one area in your church or community where you can serve and make a difference. [17:26]
Reflect on the church's outreach efforts, such as partnering with other churches to bless foster teens. How can you contribute to similar initiatives in your community? [25:16]
The sermon mentioned the transformative power of consistent spiritual practices. What is one spiritual practice you can commit to regularly in the coming year? [01:26:39]
Generosity was highlighted as a powerful movement within the church. What is one way you can practice generosity in your daily life, and how do you think it will impact those around you? [25:16]

Sermon Clips

"Small ordinary lives can be used by God in an extraordinary way and no one should ever underestimate how much God can use their lives." [01:02:57 ] (Download)

"There's a lot of things that are going to be out of our control this year, but we can determine how close we draw to God, which is the number one important thing in our lives." [01:34:02 ] (Download)

"Our hope is we're getting ready to go into what we think is going to be a significant season for our church and growth, and we want to make room." [01:35:44 ] (Download)

"The generosity is what fuels the church. I totally agree." [01:15:51 ] (Download)

"I find a power in consistency. You are one of the most consistent people I know, but I think you know some people hate on New Years like you can change anytime you want to. That's true, but there is something powerful about leveraging certain moments of life." [01:18:03 ] (Download)

"Don't think of it as appointments on a calendar, but there's a picture that I see in Scripture that is just inspiring me, it's something I want to think more about as I think about my faith journey, and that is the idea of Walking with God." [01:24:56 ] (Download)

"we were going to wade into very personal waters and so we did that by just addressing things from depression, anxiety to Suicide to just almost you know all the major topics when you think about mental health." [53:01 ] (Download)

"The Lost are our passion, people are our purpose, and we like to use this money to bless some of those Partners." [24:16 ] (Download)

"We have a tradition that we do every year: Pastor Tim says that we like to start off the year seeking God and we like to end the year thanking God." [23:17 ] (Download)

"The things that have moved the ball the most in my life have come from discipline, not just from desire. Desire doesn't move the ball, discipline does. You put discipline first, desire will follow." [01:21:36 ] (Download)

"We don't even see the world in a different way and here's one of the unintended consequences where Prejudice can really begin to build inside of us is when we start to believe that our way is the right way." [40:24 ] (Download)

"We all have the potential of having Prejudice or racism in our hearts if there's something in you that pushes back at that just allow the Holy Spirit to push back at you." [41:01 ] (Download)

"We are on season 5 and we really just take specific things in life that we deal with and we filter it through the word of God so that we know what God has to say about how to deal with some of these things that we find ourselves facing in life." [20:11 ] (Download)

"It's a turbulent time in life, this is a time when you graduate high school, you get kind of kicked out into the world, and you're trying to figure out who you are, what you stand for, and really how you relate to culture." [21:16 ] (Download)

"EXO is a place for people in that age to come together by community and also to see what the Bible has to say about what life looks like in that time and what the Bible has to say about all those things." [21:45 ] (Download)

"we kicked this ministry off with a energetic conference in 2021 and we have not stopped growing since" [19:03 ] (Download)

"growth like this tells me that women are really wanting and hungry for experiencing God's presence amidst other women and also creating a Unity among other women" [19:41 ] (Download)

"just being able to disconnect I think was just really good for my soul and I feel like I came back from it with a renewed vigor for what God has for our church and me and where we're going." [34:42 ] (Download)

"there's power in just reflecting, learning, celebrating, thinking back. It just feels like life just goes by so fast, and it can be easy not to stop, pause, and remember." [35:12 ] (Download)

"we want to start the year with God and we believe there's power in starting the year off right. So we have a 21-day fast and honestly, I think this year the focus and the power of prayer grew." [35:42 ] (Download)

"I'm really excited to start 2024 Walking with God. I think that's just a cool imagery and I'm excited just put one foot in front of the other, got to take it slow cuz this New Year's goals can wear me out sometimes." [01:37:10 ] (Download)

"I've Loved looking back and as Pastor Russ said it's so important to look back in order to look forward, and so I've really enjoyed hearing all of these stories." [01:38:13 ] (Download)

"I felt like just God began to nudge me and it was like I need to lean into this because here's why I know that our culture is talking about it and that if we aren't careful that even those of us in the church without recognizing it could be discipled by it without being discipled from God's word." [41:35 ] (Download)

"I just really believe that if the church does not speak out on if we don't understand God's heart on some these matters then it is just going to continue to divide the church." [42:13 ] (Download)

"I don't think any of us left the series not feeling challenged and formed in a really powerful way not just in what we believe but in how we engage culture, how we be the heartbeat of Jesus to culture." [43:08 ] (Download)

"Sometimes people feel like the Bible is so huge and I don't even know where to begin, but we thought okay if anything, let's help people study just one small book, five chapters to wrap their minds around it and maybe help them grow in their faith." [56:07 ] (Download)

"Of course, the reason we even do moments and series like that is for a purpose; it's not just to have fun but again, kind of like at Christmas time, it is a time when people that would normally not come to church can extend that invitation and it's a little less intimidating." [57:10 ] (Download)

"We didn't know where we were going to plant, we had no idea, we were just praying, 'God, show us, lead us to a space.'" [47:00 ] (Download)

"It took a few years and it just grew slowly, went to 30, went to 50 people, after probably about two years went to about 75 adults, 80 adults after about 3 years." [48:06 ] (Download)

"What it takes for a church to not just survive but grow and thrive for 20 years is not because of me... it's the thousands of people along the way that have helped grow, that have helped serve, that have helped give." [49:20 ] (Download)

"I think that there's nothing more fun than being able to lead people to Jesus." [57:41 ] (Download)

"I believe that there's something unique and powerful that happens when we experience God through the Holy Spirit." [58:45 ] (Download)

"Our group just started gathering together in little circles, put their arms around each other, and started praying for each other. It was a beautiful moment I'll never forget." [01:10:54 ] (Download)

"I love how intentional our church is about outreach, and this year, we did almost 80 serving opportunities in our community, making practical and spiritual impact on the families." [01:11:50 ] (Download)

"Prison ministry isn't something I thought I was going to be passionate about, but it is pretty amazing when you get a letter from a family member who is so grateful and feels so blessed that we're there loving for their family member in a place where they really don't have much hope." [01:12:22 ] (Download)

"2023 has been awesome but we are believing the best is always yet to come and we're looking forward to an incredible 2024." [01:13:46 ] (Download)

"We have the most amazing servant leaders, selfless people in this church that will come and show up early on Sundays, stay late, they're in there holding babies, getting spit up on, changing dirty diapers so that a mom can be in the room for God to be able to minister to her." [01:14:15 ] (Download)

"Everything that we celebrate as a church, you had a hand in. It is part of the story that God is writing through you, and so I just want to say thank you so much for serving." [01:14:47 ] (Download)

"As we step into a New Year, everyone will step into a new calendar year, not everyone will step into a new spiritual year. We won't all grow better, we won't all grow more mature and more loving." [01:18:35 ] (Download)

"I always start off my journals every time my first paragraph is what can I be grateful for. I always try to say, 'God, I'm thankful for...' and I try to posture myself with gratitude first." [01:20:05 ] (Download)

"I think there's a power that comes in the consistency of your walk with God and it's sometimes it's not sexy like the moments the high moments the Highlight moments that we have when we gather together but I think the power comes with Walking with God." [01:29:04 ] (Download)

"It's the difference between visiting God and doing life with God, and that really is where the sweetness of Friendship with God comes in and changes you and life becomes exciting." [01:29:33 ] (Download)

"Fasting is simply abstaining from something for the purpose it's you saying this God I want you this much. So I'm going to kind of starve some of my flesh... the point isn't to be legalistic, the point is to be serious about it." [01:30:38 ] (Download)

"I just love this community. I love the people of this church; they make it feel like home." [49:49 ] (Download)

"The church is made up of the people, the people of God that come together for a mission and a purpose, helping people get on the path to God." [50:16 ] (Download)

"There's a sacrificial, passionate nature to the people who come. It's the kind of church that anybody can come from any background, no matter what they're walking through." [51:14 ] (Download)

"As staff we work a lot behind the scenes to make Sunday happen but come Sunday morning our servant leaders...they are the front lines...we can't do ministry without them and I truly believe that our servant leader culture here is just something special." [01:06:57 ] (Download)

"When you say yes to serving...not only does God use you to impact other people's lives but God also works in and through you at the same time." [01:07:25 ] (Download)

"I love hearing about when a first-time guest comes back the second week and seeks out that same servant leader they connected with on day one...it just impacts servant leaders as much as the guests that they're serving." [01:07:51 ] (Download)

"There's something powerful about fasting that heightens your spiritual senses, that allows you to experience God's presence." [01:31:35 ] (Download)

"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for they'll be filled, so you can lean into the fast... it's a way to say God I am this hungry for you." [01:32:04 ] (Download)

"There's just something about our church seeking God together that just creates this almost eruption of an experience with God." [01:33:05 ] (Download)

"I think it's really important how we in one season really can determine how you step into the next and so I'm here today for a fun conversation with my compadre my good friend Pastor Russ Moore." [30:59 ] (Download)

"This is one of the most fulfilling years of ministry I just saw, you know, we saw God do so many amazing things in our church and through our church but on a personal level." [32:04 ] (Download)

"Just being with some of the people I love... my best friend got married this year... my father... we got to spend some time in Egypt and then this was the first year that we convinced our whole family to go on a crazy adventure." [32:31 ] (Download)

"To do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God. So good. And when I think about the idea of Walking with God, I think about from the very beginning." [01:26:39 ] (Download)

"What would it look like for you to think about your faith is not about just meeting God... but I would love to challenge us to say what would it look like for us to take the approach of saying no, no, no I'm going to walk with him." [01:28:12 ] (Download)

"It just created, if I could say this, a conversation that I think is needed constantly needed around these topics in the church." [44:32 ] (Download)

"Anytime we have an opportunity to preach on Jesus, do that, I absolutely love it." [45:37 ] (Download)

"We actually picked the name and Incorporated the church in 2002 and it was just a few families in fact it was three families my wife and I and her parents and another couple kind of all believed in this idea this vision of having a church that was different." [46:17 ] (Download)

"I really think church should be fun especially when we're talking about kids and teenagers." [01:08:49 ] (Download)

"Passion Camp is such a blast; it's always a special time when we get a bunch of teenagers together to pursue Jesus." [01:09:51 ] (Download)

"One memory I will never forget, it will almost bring a tear to my nextg pastor eyes, the last worship experience of Camp without being prompted, all the teenagers..." [01:10:24 ] (Download)

"I think when it comes to the end of the year, it's really easy to get behind giving a gift to a child right because we think about little kids, but this year, we're trying to remember teenagers too." [25:45 ] (Download)

"Listening to some of these stories about how ex-church is using some of the funds that have come in to reach others, it's just so cool." [26:21 ] (Download)

"There's been a long journey in the last year, God's been taking us in a lot of places but there's been a lot of growth while also a lot of hurt and figuring that out with God." [26:53 ] (Download)

"can't be fully explained but he can't be experienced yes and we experience him through the person and the presence of the Holy Spirit." [01:00:15 ] (Download)

"why are you seeking the living among the dead and just the idea of I think that's when we have a living God that we can go to what is the purpose." [01:01:20 ] (Download)

"there's always sometimes even a deeper thing why do I need to talk to a psychic do I need a psychic to tell me the future does that mean I don't trust God with my future." [01:01:54 ] (Download)

"I do believe there's something really powerful about just reorganizing your life, what you're eating, your time, everything around prioritizing God." [36:13 ] (Download)

"I don't ever want for Sunday to feel like a religious duty or a right or something that's like, well I guess we go to church, that's what we should do. If that's our attitude, then

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