Transforming Lives Through Generosity and Faith

 

Summary

In our journey together at Redemption Church, we have witnessed the hand of God actively shaping our community and transforming lives. Our current endeavor, the One Life campaign, is a testament to our commitment to seeing our city redeemed, one life at a time. This campaign is not merely about acquiring a building; it is about creating a sanctuary where countless individuals will encounter the life-changing message of the Gospel.

We have been blessed with a surge of generosity, with over $15,000 donated in the past week, bringing us to 501 chairs funded out of our 650-chair goal. Each chair represents a soul, a story, a life that will be touched by the love and grace of Jesus Christ. As we approach our target, I urge you to consider the significance of your contribution. With 149 chairs remaining, at $75 each, we are not just buying furniture; we are investing in the Kingdom of God.

This campaign is about the people who have yet to walk through our doors. It's about the individuals in our city who are searching for hope and meaning, who will one day sit beside you and hear the Good News. By participating in this mission, you are playing a crucial role in preparing a place for them, a place where Jesus can work miracles in their hearts.

I call upon each of you to join in this final push towards our goal. Let us unite in prayer and action, trusting that God will provide and that by this coming Sunday, we will have reached our objective. Remember, God has placed you where you are to be a conduit of His love and to advance the Gospel through your life.

Key Takeaways:

1. The One Life campaign is a vivid illustration of our church's vision to see individual lives transformed by the Gospel. Each chair funded is not just a piece of furniture; it is a symbol of a future member of our community whose life will be forever changed by the message of Jesus Christ. This campaign is a call to action for all of us to invest in the eternal impact of our church's mission. [01:01]

2. Generosity is a powerful force that propels the church forward. The recent influx of donations is a clear sign of God's provision and the willingness of His people to support His work. When we give generously, we are declaring our trust in God's ability to multiply our offerings and use them for His glory. [00:27]

3. The urgency of reaching our goal by the upcoming Sunday is not about meeting a deadline; it's about readiness to welcome those seeking hope. Each contribution brings us closer to completing a space dedicated to worship and fellowship, where lives will be transformed. [01:31]

4. Our mission extends beyond the walls of our church. It is about the unreached, the lost, and the searching in our city. By participating in the chair campaign, we are extending an invitation to those who have yet to experience the love of Christ. This is an opportunity for us to be part of their journey to faith. [01:01]

5. Prayer is the bedrock of our campaign's success. As we approach our goal, let us be fervent in prayer, seeking God's guidance and provision. Our collective prayers are a powerful testament to our faith and reliance on God to accomplish His purposes through our church. [01:31]

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. Matthew 28:19-20 (NIV)
> "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

2. 2 Corinthians 9:6-7 (NIV)
> "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."

3. Acts 2:42-47 (NIV)
> "They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved."

#### Observation Questions
1. How much money was donated to the One Life campaign in the past week? ([00:27])
2. How many chairs have been funded so far, and how many are still needed to reach the goal? ([01:01])
3. What is the significance of each chair in the One Life campaign? ([01:01])
4. What is the deadline for reaching the goal of 650 chairs? ([01:31])

#### Interpretation Questions
1. What does the One Life campaign reveal about the church's vision and mission? ([00:27])
2. How does the act of giving generously reflect our trust in God's provision, as mentioned in 2 Corinthians 9:6-7?
3. In what ways does the urgency of reaching the campaign goal by Sunday reflect the church's readiness to welcome new members? ([01:31])
4. How does the One Life campaign extend the church's mission beyond its walls to reach the unreached in the city? ([01:01])

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on the significance of the One Life campaign. How does knowing that each chair represents a future member of the community impact your view on giving? ([01:01])
2. Think about a time when you experienced God's provision in your life. How can this experience encourage you to give generously to the One Life campaign? ([00:27])
3. The sermon emphasizes the urgency of reaching the campaign goal by Sunday. How can you contribute to this goal, either financially or through prayer, in the coming days? ([01:31])
4. Consider the people in your city who are searching for hope and meaning. How can you be a part of their journey to faith through your involvement in the One Life campaign? ([01:01])
5. Prayer is highlighted as a crucial element for the campaign's success. How can you incorporate prayer into your daily routine to support the campaign and the church's mission? ([01:31])
6. Reflect on Matthew 28:19-20. How does the One Life campaign align with the Great Commission, and what role can you play in making disciples through this initiative?
7. Acts 2:42-47 describes the early church's commitment to fellowship and generosity. How can you emulate this spirit of community and giving in your own life and within the church?

Devotional

Day 1: Investing in Eternal Impact
The One Life campaign is more than a fundraiser; it's a spiritual investment in the future of the church and its mission. Each chair represents a potential life transformed by the Gospel, a personal story waiting to unfold within the walls of the sanctuary. This is an opportunity for each member of the congregation to contribute to something that will outlast them, to sow seeds for a harvest they may never see but will surely come to fruition. It's a call to look beyond the present and to give with a vision for the eternal, understanding that every dollar is a declaration of faith in God's plan for the church and the community it serves. [01:01]

"For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." - Matthew 6:21

Reflection: How can your financial stewardship reflect your commitment to God's eternal purposes this week?

Day 2: The Power of Generous Giving
Generosity is not just an act of giving; it's a reflection of God's character and a response to His abundant grace. The recent surge in donations is a testament to the faithfulness of the congregation and the provision of the Lord. When members give generously, they are participating in a divine exchange—what is temporal for what is eternal. This generosity is a catalyst for change, not only within the church walls but also in the hearts of those who give, as they learn to trust God more deeply with their resources. [00:27]

"Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully." - 2 Corinthians 9:6

Reflection: In what ways can you practice generosity this week as a reflection of God's generosity to you?

Day 3: Readiness for Reaching Souls
The urgency of the One Life campaign is not rooted in the pressure of deadlines but in the readiness to receive those who are seeking hope. Each contribution is a step closer to completing a space where individuals can come to know the love and salvation found in Christ. This is about being prepared to welcome the lost and the searching, to offer them a place where they can belong and grow in faith. The goal is to create an environment that fosters spiritual encounters and life-changing moments with Jesus. [01:31]

"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." - Hebrews 10:24-25

Reflection: What can you do to make your church more welcoming to newcomers this Sunday?

Day 4: Extending the Invitation Beyond Walls
The mission of the church extends far beyond its physical structure; it reaches into the heart of the city, seeking to touch the lives of the unreached and the lost. The chair campaign is symbolic of the open invitation to those who have yet to experience the transformative love of Christ. It's a reminder that the church is not a building, but a community of believers actively participating in the Great Commission, inviting others to join the journey of faith and discovery. [01:01]

"And he said to them, 'Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.'" - Mark 16:15

Reflection: Who can you invite to church this week to share the experience of God's love and grace?

Day 5: Prayer as the Foundation of Our Efforts
Prayer is the bedrock upon which the success of the One Life campaign—and all church endeavors—rests. It is through prayer that the congregation seeks God's guidance, provision, and blessing. As the church approaches its goal, collective prayer becomes a powerful force, uniting the members in faith and purpose. It is an acknowledgment that, ultimately, it is not human effort but divine intervention that will fulfill the church's mission and bring about the transformation of lives. [01:31]

"Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving." - Colossians 4:2

Reflection: How can you incorporate intentional prayer for your church's mission into your daily routine this week?

Quotes

"We are in a campaign, our One Life campaign, really connected to our vision of seeing our city redeemed one life at a time." [00:27](Download)

"Man, we had a significant increase this past week over $15,000 came in... we're at 501 chairs... we have 149 chairs left to go to hit our goal of 650." [01:01](Download)

"These last 149 chairs are about people that haven't even walked through the doors of Redemption Church; it's about those in our city who are going to be looking for hope." [01:01](Download)

"An opportunity for us to share Jesus with them and for Jesus to change their lives. So I just want to encourage you to jump in, be a part of this mission." [01:01](Download)

"Remember this throughout the week that God has you where He has you to advance the gospel through you." [01:31](Download)

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Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?