A Year of Yes: Gratitude, Stewardship, Multiplication

Devotional

Day 1: Press on toward God's promised fullness

You are invited to press on, not resting in comfort but pursuing the fullness God has for you. Forgetting what lies behind and fastening your heart to the future is an active posture—one that requires a steady yes, daily focus, and resilience. This is not about depending on your strength but about running with passion into the abundance Christ offers, trusting that each small yes propels you toward the heavenly goal. [49:21]

Philippians 3:12-16 (ESV)
Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. Only let us hold true to what we have attained.

Reflection: What is one specific "next obedient step" you will say yes to this week that stretches your faith toward God's fullness? Describe exactly what you'll do each day for seven days to press on toward that goal.

Day 2: Rejoice, pray, and give thanks always

Gratitude rewires the heart and mind—joy, continual prayer, and thanksgiving shift focus from threat to safety and invite God's peace. Making life a prayer and choosing thankfulness amid the stretch of the year opens doors for supernatural renewal and aligns daily rhythms with God’s plan. Let thanksgiving be the lens through which you remember God's faithfulness and posture your life for more. [46:23]

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (ESV)
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Reflection: Each morning this week, write down three specific things you will thank God for (one related to God, one to relationship, one to provision). In the evening, note how each thanksgiving shifted your feelings or decisions that day.

Day 3: Your yes releases Jesus into impossible situations

Even when there is no silver or gold, offering what you have—your yes and the name of Jesus—can bring immediate breakthrough. Ordinary people, on ordinary days, become conduits for the miraculous when they give their attention, faith, and vocal yes to Jesus. Refuse to be stalled by what you lack; give what you do have and watch heaven intersect the impossible. [53:57]

Acts 3:1-10 (ESV)
Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. And a man lame from birth was being carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple that is called the Beautiful Gate to ask alms of those entering the temple courts. Seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked to receive alms. And Peter directed his gaze at him, as did John, and said, "Look at us." And he fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them. But Peter said, "I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk." And he took him by the right hand and raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong. And leaping up he stood and began to walk, and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. And all the people saw him walking and praising God, and recognized him as the one who used to sit at the Beautiful Gate of the temple to ask for alms, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.

Reflection: Name one person you have been "passing by" (in work, neighbourhood, or daily life). What specific, tangible "yes" will you give them this week (an invitation, a meal, a prayer, a practical help)? Set a day to do it and note how you will follow up.

Day 4: Go—carry the gospel to all nations

The great commission still stands: go now, not when convenient, and make disciples with boldness and creativity. Simple invitations—like handing out a Christmas card—are kingdom steps that statistically move people toward church and encounter. Dream big about reaching family, neighbours, workplaces, and nations; practical, repeated yeses will build the harvest. [56:38]

Matthew 28:18-20 (ESV)
And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 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."

Reflection: List three people you will invite to a Christmas service or church event; choose one to invite by name before next Sunday and plan exactly when and how you will hand them an invitation card and what you will say.

Day 5: Faithful stewardship unlocks greater kingdom increase

God often increases capacity after faithfulness with what is already in hand; stewardship precedes multiplication. Small steady yeses, consistency, and closing the leaks of time, focus, and resources create the order that allows heaven to breathe increase. Decide today to steward what you already carry with intention so God can safely expand your territory. [51:23]

Matthew 25:14-30 (ESV)
"For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property. To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more. So also he who had the two talents made two talents more. But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master's money. Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them. And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, 'Master, you delivered to me five talents; here, I have made five talents more.' His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.' And he also who had the two talents came forward, saying, 'Master, you delivered to me two talents; here, I have made two talents more.' His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.' He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, 'Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow and gathering where you scattered no seed, so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here, you have what is yours.' But his master answered him, 'You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I did not sow and gather where I scattered no seed? Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received what was my own with interest. So take the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents. For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'"

Reflection: Identify one resource you are "leaking" (time, focus, money, or influence). What one measurable change will you make this month to steward it better (specific action, deadline, and how you'll track progress)?

Sermon Summary

I felt the Holy Spirit ask me to honor those who have carried the weight of ministry—leaders, pastors, teams, and pastor’s kids who never chose the role but bore its cost. Your hidden yes has blessed more people than you know. Today I asked us to pause and ask: if tomorrow I only had what I thanked God for today, what would be left? Gratitude is not a sentiment; it reshapes the brain, grounds the soul, and redirects our attention from scarcity to God’s sufficiency. It has been a year of mobilization and many yeses—prayer and worship in January, 16 years of grace celebrated, citywide prayer, international mission trips, camps, conferences, baptisms, original worship, and countless stories of salvation, healing, and growth.

Looking back fills me with gratitude; looking forward puts a fire in my bones. Philippians reminds me to strain toward what’s ahead—there’s more fullness to pursue, and it won’t come by strength, but by our steady yes. John Bevere’s challenge echoed in my spirit: God multiplies what we steward, not what we mismanage. Increase without order becomes overflow we can’t carry. The Acts 3 story shows how ordinary yeses in ordinary moments become landing pads for heaven. Peter and John didn’t have money, but they had Jesus—and that was enough. Our yes carries Jesus into places that have been stuck for years.

As we step into Christmas, a simple invite can alter eternity—56% will come if a friend asks. Let’s move from small pots to big expectations, from comfort to kingdom partnerships. I honored everyone who said yes this year—on teams and beyond these walls—because the stories we choose to tell shape our culture. So we say yes again: yes to hope, to a fresh start, to being a people who carry Jesus with courage. Around the Table of the Lord, we remember that our small yes rests on His great Yes at the cross. His body and blood strengthen our consent to the purposes of God. Here we are. Send us.

Key Takeaways

1. Practice gratitude that changes you. Gratitude is not denial; it is a disciplined gaze that breaks anxiety’s grip and opens space for wisdom and compassion. It reorients the heart from threat to safety and trains us to see God’s active goodness in the ordinary. Over time, gratitude becomes a habitat for joy and resilient hope. Choose a daily practice that names specific gifts, and watch your inner landscape shift. [39:37]
2. Press on into Christ’s fullness. Gratitude doesn’t mean settling. We honor what God has done and still reach for the “absolute fullness” found in Jesus. Maturity looks like holy dissatisfaction—thankful, yet hungry—refusing to let yesterday’s victories set tomorrow’s ceiling. Aim your life at the prize, and run with a single, compelling focus. [49:21]
3. Steward what’s in your hands. Multiplication begins with faithful care of what you already carry. God brings increase to what is ordered, aligned, and honored; mismanagement leaks grace and opportunity. Consistency beats charisma over time—small, steady obediences build a life that can hold more. Ask, “What’s my next faithful step?” and take it with courage. [51:23]
4. Your yes makes room for miracles. Ordinary moments become sacred when offered to God. Peter and John didn’t give what they lacked; they offered what they had—Jesus—and a man leapt into a new future. Your yes may be the hinge on which someone else’s freedom swings open. Don’t wait for perfect conditions; give the yes you have today. [53:57]
5. Tell better stories, build culture. We get more of what we celebrate. When we rehearse God’s faithfulness—healings, salvations, provision—we train our community to expect Him again. Complaining forms us too, but in smallness and suspicion. Choose testimonies that enlarge faith and set a redemptive tone for the year ahead. [58:41]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[37:04] - A question about gratitude
[39:37] - How gratitude reshapes the heart
[42:58] - Early-year momentum and outreach
[46:23] - Highlights, new songs, baptisms
[49:21] - Grateful and hungry for more
[51:23] - Stewardship, order, and increase
[53:57] - Acts 3: the power of a yes
[56:38] - Christmas invites and simple mission
[58:41] - Honoring volunteers and telling stories
[61:51] - Salvation prayer: saying yes to Jesus
[64:45] - Communion and the great Yes

Bible Study Guide

Bible reading
Read Philippians 3:12–14 (ESV)

12 Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own.
13 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead,
14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Observation questions (look closely at the passage and the earlier teaching)

What verbs and images does Paul use to describe his spiritual life in these verses (e.g., obtained, press on, forgetting, straining forward)? What do those verbs suggest about the daily rhythm of following Jesus?
In the Acts 3 story, what did Peter and John actually give the lame man when they healed him? How does that example relate to what a believer can offer even when resources seem lacking? [53:57]
What concrete effects of gratitude were named (neurochemical and emotional)? Which of those effects would most change your daily life if it became a regular habit? [39:37]
What warning was given about increase without order? How does that warning describe the risks of growth that isn’t stewarded responsibly? [51:23]

Interpretation questions (seek to understand what these things mean)

Philippians calls believers to “press on” while admitting “not yet obtained.” How should that tension shape a church’s goals and a believer’s personal priorities in the year ahead? [49:21]
Peter and John offered Jesus rather than money. How should that pattern shape decisions about where to invest time, presence, and spiritual gifts when immediate resources feel limited? [53:57]
The claim “God multiplies what is stewarded” implies that stewardship precedes increase. How ought a person decide which small, faithful responsibilities to tighten up before asking for more influence or resources? [51:23]
Gratitude was described as a discipline that reorients attention from threat to safety. How does that description change the way someone should practice gratitude — what makes it a spiritual habit rather than mere positive thinking? [39:37]

Application questions (personal, practical next steps)

Imagine waking tomorrow with only the things you thanked God for today. What would remain? Name three specific things you will thank God for each morning this week and explain why those choices matter. [37:04]
Identify one area of your life where you feel “not yet obtained.” What is one concrete, measurable step you will take this month to “press on” toward that goal (for example: a discipline to start, a relationship to repair, a course to enroll in)? [49:21]
What is one thing God has entrusted you with that you have been leaking or mismanaging (time, money, a relationship, a ministry responsibility)? Describe one concrete change you will make this week to steward it better. [51:23]
Name one ordinary resource you can offer someone this week (a prayer, an hour of time, a ride, a simple presence). Who will you give it to, and when will you do it? [53:57]
Share a short testimony you can tell about God’s goodness (an answered prayer, a change, a clarity, a healing). Where will you tell that story in the next month (life group, social media, a conversation with a neighbor) to help shape a culture of expectation? [58:41]
Will you invite at least one person to a Christmas service or event? Who will you invite, what will you say, and when will you hand them an invitation card or send the invite? [56:38]

End of guide — use these questions to guide about 60–75 minutes of group discussion.

Sermon Clips

i heard the lord say that even with it with it ended well or didn't end well you gave your yes and i want to honor you for that i want to bless you for the things that you've done for the sacrifices that you've made for the prices that you've paid and that he wants to see that blessing of the seeds that you have sown the seeds you have sown into countlesslives and you might not have ever seen the fruit of that but he sees all he sees your heart and he says you are my chosen you are my people and i have been blessed through you and the lord has brought great blessings through you and he wants to honor you today [00:34:53] (57 seconds) #HonoredForYourYes

so what if you woke up tomorrow and the only things that you had left in your life were the things that you had given thanks for what would be left i had to give a quick thank you for gideon last night what would you still have because church wow what a year thatwe've been 2025 it's been pretty pretty full-on it's been a year of stretching and shaking and and uh supernatural grace in the year where god has proven again and again he is faithful to finish what he starts and today we take a moment to pause and to breathe and to recognize the goodness of god over harmony church over our families and over our lives and over our city [00:37:22] (58 seconds) #KeepWhatYouThankFor

and this time every year we take time to reflect as a church family and come with gratitude for all that we've received overthe last year what is it that you're thankful for this year i also want to ask you one question and that's the holy spirit has been burning into my heart the last few weeks uh those in my life group have probably heard all about it sorry repeat uh but does our yes go our yes to jesus [00:38:20] (45 seconds) #ReflectAndGiveYourYes

i also want to ask you one question and that's the holy spirit has been burning into my heart the last few weeks uh those in my life group have probably heard all about it sorry repeat uh but does our yes go our yes to jesus because in the kingdom the gospel story has always advanced through men and through women who dared to say yes and gave their radical yes deeply and completely to jesus and today is about the yes that we've given to god and about celebrating the fruit that's come from that [00:38:33] (52 seconds) #YesThatAdvancesTheGospel

gratitude also shifts your focus from threat to safety it says you're safe you are enough you have enough and gratitude is also nature's great natural antidepressant this morning we take a moment to look back on 2025 with gratitude and to look forward with fire we started the year talking about mobilization and activation who remembers that yeah we highlighted the five-fold ministry and prophetic partnership and 2025 has been a year full of promise and a lot of yeses someone on our staff team think maybe too many yeses butbut it's been a lot of yeses from so many of us [00:40:35] (49 seconds) #GratitudeShiftsFocus

in january we started the year off with seven days of prayer and worship and we stepped into the year on our faces on our knees in worship and prayer and we said jesus we want you more than anything else and you know what he came and from that moment the year began to move with momentum and pace and many people were touched and encouraged as we started the year in aposture of surrender always a good place to start [00:41:25] (30 seconds) #StartWithSurrender

we joined 5 000 of the church of christ church at the open heaven event in wolfbrook where we prayed and declared god's goodness over our city several peoplewere saved at this event and the church was encouraged and it was good to fellowship with other believers from around the city and to see other faces right in march we hosted an easter camp big top event with hundreds of youth here [00:42:13] (25 seconds) #OpenHeavenImpact

when i look at this amazing yearwe've had i'm so blessed at what god has done and i feel truly truly grateful truly grateful ohit's amazing how god god covers so much for us but i also feel challenged andchallenged because this is a drop in the bucket for what he wants to do it's just a drop in the bucket and i want to see that absolute fullness i'm truly grateful that fullness is also not dependent on my or our strength but it requires my our yes [00:49:52] (49 seconds) #FullnessRequiresOurYes

i thought this was incredible i've seen so many people start out with a hiss and a roar but they can't maintain it honestly consistency and perseverance has got to be part of our journey with christ because so many people just fall off the wagon it's those small steps it's those small yeses where wecome into agreement with what god's doing [00:51:32] (27 seconds) #ConsistencyWinsInFaith

see god won't multiply what we mismanagehe multiplies what is honored stewarded and brought into alignment with his heart before god increases anything in our lives he brings it into order because increase without structure becomes overflow we can't carry many of us are not blocked we're leaking we're leaking time we're leaking focus leaking grace leaking what god has already entrusted to us heaven won't pourmore into hands that won't hold what's already there [00:52:00] (44 seconds) #StewardedIncrease

peter and john were just on their way to a prayer meeting right ordinary people on an ordinary day but their yes to jesuswas not ordinary and set them up for eternal impact miracles happen whenever there is a yes that heaven can land on the disciples took what they had in their hand and they gave their yes they could have focus on what they didn't havehow many of us get tripped up by what's not happening what we don't have who's not there butinstead they focused and recognized what they did have and offered that and that was all god needed [00:54:20] (50 seconds) #SmallYesBigMiracle

all he needed was their yes peter didn't give money he didn't give sympathy he didn't give excuses he gave jesus and our yes carries jesus into impossible situations our yes opens gates called beautiful our yes causes people who have been stuck crippled and imprisoned for years to move into their destinywe've heard about the moravians who gave a yes so big there was no room for a no [00:55:12] (26 seconds) #PowerOfYourYes

when we come to the same service next year 2026 imagine the stories we could be celebrating if we were all to give our radical yes god doesn't just work through us he transforms us into his image as we say yes again and again and again and again and every yes is an invitation to greater freedom greatertransformation greater glory from one level to another to another level [00:55:37] (36 seconds) #RadicalYesToTransformation

this is the testimony of harmony church in 2025 he has been faithfully transforming us because the great commission remains our mission jesus still says go into all the world not when life is convenientnot when we feel qualified not when we've got everything all figured out not when we we can afford it but just says go and here's a stat that shocked me this week 56 of people will come to [00:56:15] (40 seconds) #GoNowGreatCommission

we heard last week from gideon that everyone can pray for people everyone can pursue relationship everyone can present or proclaim jesus and this is how a city is reached god has been speaking to us about moving from a small pot into a big pot it's really about having bigger expectations isn't it and letting go of smallthinking small mindedness and embracing the abundance that he promised us us in his word [00:58:00] (32 seconds) #MoveFromSmallToBig

he's been speaking to us about being pregnant and getting ready to birth something new2026 won't be built on comfort it will be built on kingdom partnerships and god is calling us to dream again how can we reach our families and our friends how can we reach our workplaces our neighborhoods our nation the nations god is stirring creativity apostolic ideas and supernatural strategies let's jump into the purposes of god together [00:58:33] (39 seconds) #DreamAndBirthKingdom

i want to tell you your yes has changed lives your yes has built the house your yes made room for a revival and we honor you we bless you we celebrate you because i'm conscious of the sayingwe get more of what we celebrate but we also set culture through the stories we tell what are the stories that you'll tell about what god has done in 2025 will you speak about the healings the salvations the freedom many have come into god's supernatural provision the many answered prayers the changed lives we have seen [00:59:58] (39 seconds) #CelebrateTheYes

or will you choose to repeat and complain about what didn't happenwill you tell stories of god's goodness will you do what it says in the bible and speak to one another with psalms hymns and songs from the spirit sing and make music from your heart to the lord always give thanks to god give thanks to him in the name of our lord jesus because we want to be part of transforming the world with the good news of jesus [01:00:38] (32 seconds) #SingPraiseTransform

if you're here today and something in your heart is saying yesyes to hope yes to a fresh start yes to god then you can respond right where you are you don't have to have it all figured out just a willing yes is enough to go on an extraordinary journey with the god of the universe who loves you and knows you by name [01:01:13] (33 seconds) #WillingYesEnough

as we come to communion we're reminded that new things have their beginnings because of jesus his body and his blood tell us that our small yes when it comes into agreement is strengthened by his big yesthe cross is the greatest yes in history jesus answered yes to love yes to saving us yes to opening the way to new life so as we take the bread and the cup we receive his strength his life and his yes over us and we step into the new things he's birthing in this season [01:03:54] (45 seconds) #CommunionYes

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