GREATER INVESTMENT:

Introduction: A Milestone But not the finish line!

Church, today is a day to celebrate. We’ve made it to this new building—a space we prayed for, worked for, and trusted God for.

But as we look around, it’s clear there’s still work to do.

There are lots of rooms to finish, areas to clean, and spaces to prepare. This building is full of potential, but it’s not finished yet.

And guess what? Neither is our mission

Friends we as the church have been given a God-sized mission to make and equip more disciples.

Being here in our new location is a milestone, but it’s not the finish line.

We have a long road ahead, and to see this mission fully realized, it’s going to take all of us going all in.

In 2 Corinthians 8:1-7, Paul tells the story of the Macedonian believers. They were poor, struggling, and didn’t have much to give, but they went all in. They gave generously, sacrificially, and joyfully, not because they had extra, but because they believed in the mission.

Their investment made a kingdom impact that we’re still talking about today.

Church, that’s the kind of investment God is calling us to.

Greater things require a greater investment of our time,

a greater investment of our talents or abilities, our service,

And It also requires a greater investment of our treasures. those things God has entrusted us to steward for His glory.

I know this may blow some of your minds but We actually had to pay money to buy this building and it takes money to do the ministry of making and equipping more disciples.

This morning before we jump into working on this facility, I want us to dive into God’s Word and see why a greater investment is worth it!

Turn in your Bibles to Eph 5:15-16

Point 1: Investing Our Time - Prioritize Eternity

Text: Ephesians 5:15-16

Ephesians 5:15–16 ESV

15 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.

Time is one of the most valuable resources we have.

It’s the one thing we can never get back once it’s spent.

That’s why Paul tells us to “be very careful” with how we use it.

He’s urging us to live wisely, to make the most of every opportunity we have been given.

Paul is simply saying dont waste your life on foolish things that will not last!, instead prioritize what truly matters—things that have eternal value.

Let’s be real for a moment: we all have the same 24 hours in a day.

And if we’re honest, we all make time for what’s most important to us.

If your heart is set on a favorite hobby, you’ll carve out time for it.

If work is your priority than you will sacrifice other things for it.

If you love spending time with your family, you’ll clear your calendar to make it happen.

And frankly all of these can be good things!

Friends, Our time follows our desires.

As we step into this new building, God is giving us an incredible opportunity to invest even more into those things that have eternal value.

But here’s the truth: that won’t happen if we don’t intentionally invest our time.

This building is just a tool—what makes it effective is when we, as the body of Christ, commit our time to serving, praying, and discipling others.

Paul’s challenge to “make the most of every opportunity” is a call to action for us today.

Its really about having the same mindset as Christ- Its seeing what Truly matters in this world and running after it!

If our hearts are truly aligned with God’s mission, our time will show it.

Friends, this isn’t about the pastor adding more to your already busy schedule; it’s about prioritizing what matters most to you.

We dont need more time in our life- We need to reprioritize what our heart desires to spend our time on.

We need people in this church to set aside time to mentor a younger believer?

We need people to join our ministry teams and use their time to serve others in the church?

We need people to commit to regularly praying for our church’s ministries.

Time isn’t just about what’s convenient; it’s about what’s important. And if making and equipping disciples is important to us, we’ll find the time to invest in it.

Im not saying that our hobbies are bad- In fact I believe we need them desperately in our lives, But what Im saying is that where your heart truly is at is where your time will be spent.

Colossians 3:1–2 (ESV)

1 If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.

Application: Church, let’s ask ourselves a simple question: Does the way I spend my time reflect my desire to see more people come to know Jesus?

This is our moment to step up and invest our time in what truly matters.

God is calling us to greater things, but that will only happen if we make the most of the opportunities He’s given us.

So let’s take a step back, examine our hearts, and make sure our time is aligned with our mission.

Because when our hearts are in the right place, our time will follow—and the impact will be eternal.

Point 2: Investing Our Talents- Serve Faithfully

Text: Romans 12:4-8

“For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us.”

Paul paints a picture of the church as a body, with each member playing a unique role.

Every part of the body has a specific function, and when each part does its job, the whole body thrives.

The same is true in the church: when we all serve, we all get served.

Think about it—when everyone is using their gifts to serve one another, the whole church benefits.

People are welcomed, The kids are taught, the worship team leads us in praise, the building is cared for, The community is invited, the sick are visited, and word is preached faithfully.

and we all experience the blessing of being part of a thriving, healthy church.

But when some parts of the body stop working, the whole church suffers.

Illustration: The Stubbed Toe Saga

Let me tell you a story about one of my least glorious moments. It was the middle of the night, and nature called. So, like any responsible adult, I rolled out of bed and began my half-awake stumble toward the bathroom. Now, I didn’t turn on the lights because, of course, I thought I knew the way. I mean, I know how to get to the bathroom its only like 20 steps from by bed!—I’ve made this trip countless times. Who needs lights right?

But on my way back to bed, bam! Out of nowhere My toe met the corner of chest that wasn’t there when I fell asleep. And when I say “met,” I mean it hit so hard, I’m pretty sure the chest is still angry at me.

In that moment, I thought it was the worst pain I’d ever experienced in my entire life. I was hopping around on one foot, whisper-shouting (because I didn’t want to wake the kids), and clutching my poor toe like it had just been through a war.

Now, here’s the kicker—Amy, my wonderful wife,The one who had lovingly moved that chest after I fell asleep, sat up in bed and, without an ounce of sympathy, said, “It’s just your toe. Get back in bed.”

“Just my toe?” I said, as if this was a personal attack. “Amy, it’s my whole body! My whole body is in pain because of this toe!”

And you know what? I wasn’t wrong. That one tiny member of my body—the smallest part—had hijacked my entire existence in that moment.

I couldn’t think straight, I couldn’t walk properly, and I couldn’t get back to bed without feeling like my world was crumbling around me.

(dont say) The Connection to the Church

Now, why do I share this ridiculous story? Because the Bible compares the church to a body.

And just like my stubbed toe made my entire body hurt, when one member of the church isn’t functioning as it should, the whole body feels it.

Paul says in 1 Corinthians 12:26: “If one part suffers, every part suffers with it.”

That’s how interconnected we are as the body of Christ.

Every person in this church has a role to play, and when even one person decides not to serve, it affects the entire body.

But here’s the flip side: when every member is working together, the whole body thrives.

When the hands are serving, the feet are moving, the mouth is speaking truth, and the heart is pumping love and mercy into everything we do, the church functions as God intended.

And when we function well, the mission moves forward—we make and equip more disciples for His glory.

Application

Church, this is the time to get involved. This is the time for new beginnings, Don’t let the body suffer because you think your role isn’t important or that someone else will take care of it.

Your gifts matter. Your time matters. Your service matters.

I’ve said it often but it is so true-

YOU NEED THE CHURCH AND THE CHURCH NEEDS YOU!

Maybe your “toe” role feels small, but let me tell you, small things make a big difference.

Maybe you feel like someone else could do it better—but God has uniquely gifted you to contribute to His church.

When we all serve, the body thrives. And when the body thrives, the mission grows, and as the mission Grows- we see greater things happen for God’s kingdom.

Let’s together make sure this church isn’t hobbling around with a stubbed toe.

Let’s all commit to being fully engaged, fully serving, and fully invested in what God is doing here.

Together, as we serve more we can see greater things.

Point 3: Investing Our Treasure – Give Generously

In 2 Cor. 9 Paul is teaching the church about the grace of Giving. In verses 1-5 he points out that generous giving encourages other sto give also, and then in verses 6-11 He speaks of how our generous giving brings blessings into our own lives.

2 Corinthians 9:6–8 (ESV)

6 The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.

When it comes to giving, it’s easy to think, “10% is the standard.” After all, in the Old Testament, the Israelites were commanded to give a tithe—a tenth of their income—to the Lord.

And while that was a good starting point, the New Testament calls us to something much greater. A greater investment with our treasure!

Christian understand that Jesus doesn’t just ask for a percentage; He asks for your whole heart. He desires for his church to live generously t0 steward what he has given them well.

Paul reminds us in this text to give generously, give cheerfully, and to give sacrificially, because giving isn’t about the number—it’s about our trust in God and our commitment to His mission.

The Heart of Generosity

Paul uses the image of a farmer sowing seeds. He says that if you sow sparingly—just scattering a few seeds—you’ll only reap a small harvest. But if you sow generously, scattering seeds in abundance, you’ll see a harvest far beyond what you could ever imagine.

Here’s the challenge: What kind of giver are you?

Are you holding back, sowing sparingly FROM WHAT GOD HAS GIVEN YOU, or are you trusting God and sowing generously?- USING what he has given you to steward for His mission.

Illustration: Imagine a farmer standing in a field with a handful of seeds. If he clutches those seeds tightly, refusing to let them go, he might feel secure in the moment, HE might feel like His life will be ok, He will probably even have a sense of security for while - that everything will be ok, but he’ll never see a harvest.

But if he scatters those seeds generously across the field, So much so that there is nothing left in his hands, -trusting that they’ll grow, he’ll reap an abundant crop. Those small little seeds will produce so much more, More than he could ever imagine.

Right Farmers? it makes no sense to save back any seeds when you know that if you plant them in the ground they will reproduce a hundred fold!

The same principle applies to our giving as christians.

Holding back might feel safe, Friends I get it. We live in a very unstable time in our country. We live in world where at any momewnt everything we know as normal could be disrupted and Gone!!

but friends let me challenge that this way of thinking limits what God can do through us.

We need to live with eternity in view not just in our TIme but in our treasure. Friends Yes our economy could collapse at any moment yes you could lose income, But christian- Jesus could come back today- and everyone who does not know him as their savior will be lost forever condemned to an eternity in the lake of fire - apart from our loving God forever.

God stewards His people us- so that we can use it can be sown into a harvest of eternal wealth.

I love Proverbs 3:5-6

Proverbs 3:5–6 ESV

5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

Friends to trust in the Lords means to live your life according to his word, and His word tells us to Live generously and to trust Him for tomorrow

Generous giving, unlocks a harvest of blessings—not just for ourselves, but for others and for God’s kingdom.

Why do We Hold Back

Now, let’s be honest for a moment. If you’re not giving , or if you’re not giving generously, ask yourself: Why not?

Is it a lack of trust in God?

Are you afraid that if you give, you won’t have enough for yourself?

I like how the NLT translates verse 8 in our text

2 Corinthians 9:8 (NLT)

8 And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others.

Friend God is faithful. When you give, He provides.

Are you unsure of the mission? Maybe you’re hesitant because you’re not fully on board with what God is doing here in our church.

Let me challenge you to look around.

Lives are being changed.

People are being discipled.

The gospel is going out.

This new building is a tool for greater things, but it requires all of us to invest in it.

Are you waiting for the “right time”? Maybe you’re thinking, “I’ll start giving when I make a little more, or when things settle down.”

Let me lovingly pastor you… Stop waiting - the right time is now.

Generosity isn’t about how much you have; it’s about the condition of your heart.

Remember the story in Mark 12:41-44

Mark 12:41–44 (ESV)

41 And he sat down opposite the treasury and watched the people putting money into the offering box. Many rich people put in large sums. 42 And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which make a penny. 43 And he called his disciples to him and said to them, “Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box. 44 For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.”

Jesus’s point was this- Giving isn't about the amount its about the generosity of the giver!

If you’re not giving at all, I encourage you to start today.

If you’re giving a little, it’s time to step up.

And if you’re already giving generously, continue strong and encourage others to join in with you.

What Generosity Can Do

Let’s dream for a moment. Imagine what God could do if every family in this church gave generously.

right now We have 60 families here. What if each of us committed to giving sacrificially and cheerfully? The impact would be incredible.

Let me put this into real numbers for you. This year our church’s budget was $160,000 - thats what it takes for our church to do the ministries here in our community and our investment in missions around the world.

Do you realize that this is only $52 a week per family if everyone gave.

We now have a bigger building to care for, more ministries to fund and a need for more staff. This means our budget is going up! And that is a wonderful thing. It means that God has given us more to steward.

But check this out…

If each of us could increase our giving from what we are giving right now by only $35 a week our church will have enough resources to move forward into these next steps and more in our mission.

This means More resources to reach our community.

More opportunities to equip disciples and train leaders.

More lives changed by the gospel of Jesus Christ.

More Missionaries being sent around the world.

More involvement in helping other churches

Giving isn’t just about paying bills or finishing a building.

It’s about investing in eternity. Every dollar given is another seed planted for God’s kingdom, and He will multiply it to produce a harvest of transformed lives.

Quote: John MacArthur once said, “God prospers us not to raise our standard of living, but to raise our standard of giving.”

Generosity isn’t about how much we keep; it’s about how much we’re willing to give for God’s glory.

Application: The Charge to Give More

Church, here’s the challenge: it’s time to go all in.

If you’re not giving, start. Even a small step of obedience can grow into a habit of generosity.

If you’re giving a little, step up. Trust God and watch how He provides.

If you’re giving generously, keep going. Your faithfulness is encouraging other to give, and is making an eternal impact.

Generosity is about faith. It’s about trusting that God will take of our needs and use what we give for His glory.

And church, He has brought us to this moment, to this building, for a reason. Now is the time to give more, to invest more, and to trust Him for greater things.

Bring It Home: Step Up and Go All In

We’ve come so far, and God has been so faithful. But let me be clear: we haven’t arrived.

This building is not the finish line—it’s the starting point of a new chapter.

I beleive we need to Pause in this moment to rehearse the words of Eph 3:20-21 together , Read it with me

Ephesians 3:20–21 (NIV)

20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

This is our moment to believe that God can and will do immeasurably more—

Why Greater Investment is Worth It

Why is this investment worth it? Because this is about eternity.

This is about seeing lives changed, families restored, and a community transformed by the power of the gospel.

When you give your time, you’re investing in relationships that could lead someone to Jesus.

When you use your talents, you’re equipping the next generation to walk in faith.

When you give your treasure, you’re sowing seeds that will provide resources that make ministry possible.

A Call to Step Up

So, brothers and sisters, it’s time to step up.

Church, hear me on this: You need the church, and the church needs you.

God didn’t bring us here to sit on the sidelines. He brought us here to be part of something bigger than ourselves, something eternal.

Together, we can do immeasurably more for His kingdom.

Together, we can see greater things. But it will take all of us.

So here’s my pastoral challenge: go all in. Give your time. Use your talents. Invest your treasure.

Let’s commit to this mission of making and equipping more disciples with everything we have.

Let’s believe that God will do immeasurably more than we could ever ask or imagine.

And let’s give Him all the glory for the greater things He’s going to do in and through this church.

Let’s GO!!!, Clear Lake Baptist Church. It’s time to go all in.

Pray!