State of the Church

All In For Christ

Text: Philippians 1:21; Luke 9:23

Introduction

Church family, today I want to speak to you honestly, pastorally, and with gratitude.

A State of the Church message is a moment to pause—to look back with thanksgiving, to look around with discernment, and to look forward with faith. It is not about celebrating ourselves, but about recognizing what God has done among us and discerning where He is leading us next.

The theme before us is “All In for Christ.”

When someone says they are “all in,” they are holding nothing back. There is no reserve, no escape clause, no divided loyalty. And Scripture makes clear that Jesus Christ does not call His people to partial devotion. He calls for full surrender.

Jesus said, “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.” - Luke 9:23

This morning, we ask a serious question—individually and corporately: Are we all in for Christ?

I. Being All In Personally: Devotion to Christ

Paul declares in our text, “For to me, to live is Christ.” That is not a slogan—it is a life fully yielded.

All In with Our Hearts

Jesus commands us to love the Lord with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. Christ does not seek a portion of our affection; He demands preeminence.

The greatest threat to the cause of Jesus always arises from those who lay claim to being his children.

Martin Luther (Founder of the German Reformation)

Indeed, the great threat to our church today is not persecution—it is lukewarm faith. Comfortable Christianity produces little spiritual fruit. Jesus Himself gave us a glimpse of how lukewarm Christianity sits with Him. To the church at Laodicea, He says in Revelation 3:15-16

Revelation 3:15–16 CSB

I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish that you were cold or hot. So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I am going to vomit you out of my mouth.

All In with Our Lives

Paul writes, “I am crucified with Christ.” - Galatians 2:20

Being all in means Christ is not simply added to our lives—He defines them.

Our schedules, priorities, and decisions all come under His lordship.

All In with Our Identity

We are not spectators. We are disciples.

As a church, spiritual health is not measured merely by attendance, but by transformed lives and faithful obedience.

Before we talk about the church collectively, we must examine ourselves personally. A church will never be more committed than its members.

Once more, we must turn to the words of Jesus as He spoke to His disciples: Matthew 5:16

Matthew 5:16 KJV 1900

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

II. Being All In Together: Commitment to the Body

Scripture is clear: devotion to Christ is inseparable from devotion to His church.

Acts 2 tells us the believers “continued steadfastly.” They were committed—to doctrine, fellowship, prayer, and ministry.

All In with Community

We are not called to walk alone. We belong to one another. Faith grows best in shared life, shared burdens, and shared joy.

All In with Service

God has graciously gifted every believer for the good of the body. And it is here that we must pause and give thanks.

This past season, we have seen faithful service in tangible ways. Our bus ministry continues to be a powerful testimony of a church willing to go beyond its walls to bring people to hear the gospel. That ministry does not run on convenience; it runs on commitment.

Those bus runs represent early mornings, faithful drivers, dedicated workers, and a church that says, “We will go get them.” And we need workers in that ministry.

In Matthew 25:31-46, Jesus describes the final judgment and says we will be judged based on how we treat others, especially those in need.

Why do we do it? Because we love Jesus.

That is what being all in looks like.

All In with Sacrifice

Service always involves sacrifice. Time, energy, and resources are offered not out of obligation, or to be seen, but out of worship.

III. Being All In for the Mission

Jesus did not establish the church merely to gather; He established it to go.

“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations.” - Matthew 28:19

A central and important part of the mission is discipleship. Whether or not we intend to, the church disciples every person who joins together with it. Whether we disciple well, or poorly, depends entirely on how much we are committed to being all in for the mission.

A church is a soul-saving company or it is nothing. The Greatest Fight In The World, Page 46

Charles Spurgeon

All In Locally

God has allowed us to see growth—not merely in activity, but in people. We rejoice that the Lord has added members to this church, not just as names on a roll, but as lives joined to a body.

Every new member is a reminder that the mission is working and that God is still building His church.

God sovereignly determines the membership of a church, and numbers alone are no gauge of spiritual success.

John F. MacArthur

It has been asked, “What can we do to grow the church?”

Trust God, and be all in for the community in which we live and serve.

All In through Generosity

One of the clearest indicators of spiritual health is generosity. Scripture tells us that where our treasure is, there our heart will be also (Matthew 6:21).

We give thanks to God for an increase in giving, not because we measure success by dollars, but because generosity reflects trust in the Lord and commitment to His work.

Your faithful giving enables ministry, supports outreach, and fuels the mission God has entrusted to us.

All In Globally

Our obedience does not stop at our community. We rejoice that this church has begun to support missionaries, investing in gospel work far beyond what we can see with our own eyes. Currently, we are able to give $200 per month to support 4 separate missionaries and causes. By God’s grace, we hope to give more.

Some are called to go. All are called to support. When we give and pray for missions, we are partners in the work of the gospel across the world.

IV. The Cost—and the Promise—of Being All In

Jesus never hid the cost of discipleship. He called His followers to count it.

Being all in means surrendering comfort, routine, and control. But Jesus also asked, “What shall it profit a man, if he gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” - Mark 8:36

The cost of following Christ is real—but Christ is worthy.

And the promise is this: obedience always bears fruit. Faithfulness is never wasted.

Conclusion: A Call to Commitment

Joshua said, “Choose you this day whom ye will serve.” - Joshua 24:15

Church family, today is not about perfection—it is about direction. It is not about boasting—it is about gratitude. It is not about maintenance—it is about mission.

God has been faithful to us. We have seen evidence of His work:

The gospel going out through the bus ministry

Faithful giving increasing

Members being added to the body

Missionaries being supported around the world

Now the question before us is this: Will we continue forward—all in for Christ?

If Christ gave His all for us, then the only reasonable response is that we give our all to Him—together.

Let us renew our devotion. Let us strengthen our commitment. Let us press forward in faith.

Let us pray.