Building for Growth

Haggai 1:4 NASB95

“Is it time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses while this house lies desolate?”

A matter of priorities and focus

Nothing wrong with them caring for their houses

People had lost the connection with where they came together to worship

For the purpose of making God look great!

They argued that the time had not come yet to fix up the temple, to finish it

A key concern was financial

Ephesians 4:16 NASB95

from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.

Let’s go back to v. 15 - speaking the truth in love

Christ is the head of the church

The body is held together by what every piece of that body supplies

Causing growth

For the purpose of making God look great!

Two Observations with Cornerstone

1) This building is in need of repair and updating

Doors, windows are drafty

Carpet is coming up at seams

Walls have cracks, need some paint

Lights are dated

Kitchen counters

2) Ministry here is functioning with what “every part supplies”

Problem, we need more parts coming to gether working

So we are small - 31 active members

Around 12 actively working in various ministry

Every church has its own unique opportunities for growth, ministry,

Like God’s message through Haggai

You have done well to focus on the personal aspect of life, how about the spiritual, and the effort toward God’s house, where people come to worship together?

US - The physical aspect of this church needs this church body to put some focus into the care of this church

This building - a gift from God - so we get to be good stewards of that

HOWEVER - Can look great, but if not serve purpose, it’s really of no use

Lots of really pretty church buildings where its people are not really following God

Our church, we can help make it more appealing, with functional features, but healthy? Spiritual growth is ALWAYS to be the goal

Like God’s message through Paul (Ephesians)

This particular body is only as strong as the parts that show up to work

GROWTH - starts with spiritual, then also numerical, financial, etc.

Opportunities Here

1) Prayer

Need to come together collectively to pray

I will lead that effort

2) Spiritual Growth

50-60 people here most Sundays

8 for our Adult Sunday School - great opportunity to learn and grow

12-ish on Wednesday night (though some of those are not part of our church otherwise)

PERSONAL GROWTH - Bible, Prayer, but what about activity locally in the church?

The opportunities are here

3) Giving

This church responds well to times when generosity is asked

And you can never out-give God - Never

Church projects right now

Flooring, countertops, backsplash, new adult toilets :), painting, lights and fans, projection (not at top of my list, but worth discussing)

Stuff you’d deal with in your own homes

Approaching $30,000

Not my job to tell anyone how to give, except what Bible says

Generously, Cheerfully, Sacrificially

Let me focus on Sacrificially for a moment:

It would do us well to sacrifice something we want, personally, to put toward the church projects

Yes, we have some money in the bank, though that amount is not growing, we are usually meeting bills and expenses with regular giving

(Tax return - I’ll be getting a refund, and at least 10% of that is going toward these projects, specifically.)

I’ve discussed these plans with the board, their plans (and I don’t get a vote there)

This church, giving sacrificially, but also cheerfully and then generously, should be able to raise at least half the extra funds to make these projects easier to complete

I’m one person, and giving is personal, I know

Amazingly, these members of this board of stewards are trustworthy to be wise with the money

That is a blessing in and of itself

So that’s coming from me - my goal, special gifts, offerings, tax returns, etc., let’s set out to raise $15,000. Our bottom line will still take a hit, but lesser-so.

And the board would be happy to tell you where that is to be spent.

And please, do not take this home like all I did was tell the church we need more money - that is NOT the point

4) Ministry/Service

So…$30,000 could easily be $40,000 or $50,000

Carpeting in here means pews moved, piano moved, carpet pulled up

Same in fellowship hall

There is no need to pay anyone to do this part of the work

(though professionals will do the install)

Service is not just teaching kids

Often, service is the stuff getting done that nobody sees

We can take for granted the same people doing the same things

You enjoy your fellowship meal here because Julie makes sure you do

Kids have Awana fun, because the leaders show up

VBS happens due to leaders

Lots of little areas where people can serve - ask me

But yeah, big projects in the July timeframe

Hard work? Yeah

Good stewardship to save money? Yes

Amazing fellowship to get together with others and work? That’s church

That’s a healthy church

Are you a pro painter? Me, neither, so let’s paint

Can you change out lights? No? OK, can you hold a ladder and help in other ways? Yep

Can you bring some food to feed those working?

And ministry? Our ministries here will grow proportionally to the number of people willing to serve

An idea for ministry? Let’s talk

CLOSE:

We have a nice building

It is a means to do His work

Your life as a believer

It is a means to do His work

Our prayer, our spiritual growth, our giving, our ministry/service

Each area takes sacrifice

Each area means prioritizing your life with focus on God first

When you live, and give, and serve, and minister sacrificially, on purpose

God looks amazing to others

And you are blessed