As we gather on the cusp of a new season, there is a deep sense of gratitude for the warmth of our community, regardless of the weather or the week we've had. We are reminded that the love of God is steadfast, and His invitation is always open—whether we come with joy or with burdens. Our time together is not just about routine, but about encountering the living God who gave His Son so that we might have life, and have it to the full.

This season is also a time of transition and reflection. We celebrate milestones—birthdays, anniversaries, and the faithful service of many in our church. These moments are not just personal, but communal, as we pray for one another to be blessed so that we might be a blessing to others. Our small but vibrant church continues to punch above its weight, not by our own strength, but by the faithfulness and generosity that God has cultivated among us.

A significant part of our journey has been learning the importance of rest and renewal. After years of continuous service, I recognized the need for a sabbatical—a time to slow down, to listen, and to be with God rather than just doing for God. This was not easy; it took weeks to truly unwind and to allow God to minister to the deeper places of my heart. Through this, I was reminded of the words of John the Baptist: “He must become greater; I must become less.” The call is to make much of Jesus, to let Him be the center, and to find our strength not in our activity, but in our abiding.

This season of rest has also brought clarity about the future. As we look ahead to the redevelopment of our property and the influx of new neighbors, especially students, there is a longing for us to be a healthy church—spiritually, emotionally, relationally, and financially. We are called to prepare now for what God is bringing, to be open to change, and to be willing to step out of our comfort zones. The journey ahead will require intentionality, grace, and a willingness to pivot as the Holy Spirit leads.

Above all, the invitation is to live simply and walk humbly with God, to move from merely hearing about Him to truly experiencing Him. May we be a place of hope and welcome, a second family for those far from home, and a community that lives out the joy and strength that only the Lord can give.

Key Takeaways

• 1. The Power of Rest and Renewal: True rest is not just about taking a break from work, but about intentionally slowing down to listen to God and to be renewed in His presence. It often takes time to unwind from the pace of life, but in that space, God can do deep work in our hearts, shifting us from a posture of doing to one of being with Him. This rest is essential for sustaining long-term faithfulness and fruitfulness. [40:48]
• 2. Making Much of Jesus, Not Ourselves: There is a spiritual maturity in learning to decrease so that Christ may increase. Our roles, achievements, and visibility are secondary to the call to glorify God and lift up others. When our identity is rooted in Christ and not in our activity, we are freed to serve with humility and joy, content to be forgotten if only Jesus is remembered. [46:18]
• 3. From Doing for God to Being with God: Many of us grow up believing that our value is in what we do for God, but the deeper invitation is to simply be with Him. Out of that intimacy flows all true service and ministry. When we allow God to break through our emotional barriers and meet us in silence and solitude, we discover a new strength and enthusiasm that is not dependent on our performance. [51:54]
• 4. Intentional Rhythms and Grace for the Journey: Establishing healthy spiritual rhythms requires intentionality and sometimes ruthless prioritization. Old habits are hard to break, and there will be days when we fall short. Yet, God invites us to extend grace to ourselves, to start again, and to remember that transformation is a process, not a one-time event. [49:43]
• 5. Preparing for God’s Future by Embracing Change: As we anticipate growth and new opportunities, especially with the redevelopment and the arrival of many students, we are called to become a healthy church in every dimension. This means being willing to change old patterns, to listen to the Spirit, and to step into the unknown with faith and courage. Our readiness now will determine our fruitfulness in the season to come. [58:07]
  ** [58:07]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [02:31] - Opening Reflections and Invitation
• [05:46] - Worship: The Joy of the Lord
• [19:53] - Thanksgiving and Prayer
• [25:34] - Announcements and Celebrations
• [27:34] - Community Prayers and Communion
• [40:48] - Reflections on Sabbatical and Rest
• [46:18] - Life Verses and Spiritual Markers
• [49:43] - Lessons from Travel and Relationships
• [51:54] - From Doing to Being with God
• [58:07] - Vision for a Healthy, Changing Church
• [68:00] - Closing Prayer, Song, and Fellowship Invitation

Bible Reading

John 3:30 (ESV) — “He must increase, but I must decrease.”

2. John 10:10 (ESV)
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”

3. Job 42:5 (ESV)
“I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees you.”

Observation Questions

1. In John 3:30, what is John the Baptist’s attitude towards his own role as Jesus’ ministry grows?
2. According to John 10:10, what is the difference between what the thief brings and what Jesus brings?
3. In the sermon, what did the pastor say was the hardest part about taking a sabbatical and slowing down? ([40:48])
4. What was the “anchor verse” for the pastor during his time of silence and solitude, and what did it mean to him? ([51:54])

Interpretation Questions

1. Why does John the Baptist say, “He must become greater; I must become less”? What does this reveal about spiritual maturity and our own ambitions? ([46:18])
2. The pastor described moving from “doing for God” to “being with God.” Why is this shift important for long-term faithfulness and fruitfulness? ([51:54])
3. How does Job’s statement, “I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees you,” relate to the difference between knowing about God and truly experiencing Him? ([51:54])
4. The sermon mentioned the need for the church to be “healthy” in many ways as it prepares for change. What does it mean for a church to be spiritually, emotionally, relationally, and financially healthy? ([58:07])

Application Questions

1. The pastor shared that it took him weeks to truly slow down and rest. What are some practical steps you could take to intentionally slow down and listen to God this week? ([40:48])
2. “He must become greater; I must become less.” Is there an area of your life where you are tempted to make it about yourself rather than about Jesus? What would it look like to let Jesus increase in that area? ([46:18])
3. The sermon talked about moving from “doing for God” to “being with God.” Are there ways you have been measuring your value by what you do for God? How can you make space to simply be with Him? ([51:54])
4. The pastor described needing to be “ruthless” with his calendar to create space for God. What is one thing you could say “no” to this week in order to say “yes” to time with God? ([49:43])
5. As the church prepares for new opportunities and changes, what is one old pattern or comfort zone you sense God might be inviting you to step out of? ([58:07])
6. The sermon mentioned being a “second family” and a place of hope for those far from home. Is there someone in your life (maybe a student, newcomer, or someone lonely) you could intentionally welcome or bless this month? ([58:07])
7. The pastor encouraged the church to “live simply and walk humbly with God.” What is one way you could practice simplicity or humility in your daily life this week? ([01:08:00])