Values: We Give Glory To God

 

Values:

Welcome:
Good morning church. 

My name is Stuart Davidson. I am the pastor here at Eastern Shore Baptist Church. Great to see all of you this morning. What a blessing to be among friends and family. 

By the way, I mean that. I really do. I see you, all of you, as my family. What an honor it is to be your pastor. I cherish you, love you, and pray for you daily. 

Do you know what family does together? Family prays for one another. We are no different. Do me a favor, even if you don’t know the people around you. This is what I want you to do. I want you to look to your right. The person to your right, give them your name and you get theirs.

Ok. Do that now. 

Now, I want you to look to your left. Introduce yourselves if you need to and get their name. Now write those names down somewhere. Write them on your notes, the bulletin, or on your outline there. 

I want you to do something. Pray for these people this week. Take time each day and just say a prayer for that man or woman. You’ll pray for them and they will pray for you. Just like family. 

Speaking of prayer, we have a prayer line. If you text a prayer request to 251-222-8977, you will be prayed for immediately. A member of our prayer team will receive that prayer request and you will know that you have been prayed for. No request is to big or to small. We want to pray for you. 

Oh, welcome everyone watching online. We are so glad that you have tuned in as well. Welcome. 

This is it. The last week of our vision. Let’s read it together this morning. By now, hopefully you have nearly memorized it. It is written there for you on your sermon notes.

ESBC is on mission to share Christ with every family in the community of Lake Forest and the greater Eastern Shore.

Our Vision:
ESBC is on mission to share Christ with every family in the community of Lake Forest and the greater Eastern Shore.

That is our vision. A church’s vision is what we hope to achieve. A vision is a destination, a place where we want to one day hopefully arrive. Yet, over the last 5 weeks we have been talking about our values as a church.

Our values represent our core beliefs. Our values make us who we are, who we want to be.

Our first value is that we put God first.

Our second value is that we do our best.

Our third value is that we are contributors, not consumers and we possess an eternal perspective.

Our fourth value is we above me.

Our fifth value, the value that we discussed last week was that we enjoy and embrace the journey. 

Introduction To Today’s Message:

Today, we will look at our sixth and final value. Our final value is listed as the sermon title. We give to the glory of God. 

You know the other day I heard a story about a family that went to church. The offering plate was passed. As the plate came towards the family, the little boy watched his Dad place a dollar in the offering plate. After the service ended, the Dad complained all the way home. 

“The music was too loud. The sermon was too long. The building was too cold.”

Finally, the little boy said, “Dad, I thought it was pretty good for a dollar.”

What kind of giver are you friends?

You know, I heard a pastor a long time ago say “If you want to know what a person really values, don’t look at their Bible. Look at their calendar and their bank statement.”

Now, I don’t know who said that, but I know one thing. Whoever said it just made everybody in the room uncomfortable. 

Honestly, it makes me a bit uncomfortable.

Our giving is not only an expression of obedience to God, but it reflects our love for others. Generosity fuels the mission of our church to spread the Gospel here in our neighborhoods and Eastern Shore community.

You know, the philosophy of giving to the glory of God is an ideal that is at the very heart of Eastern Shore Baptist Church. I have spent nearly 16 glorious years as the pastor of this great church and during that time I have seen extraordinary examples of giving and generosity. 

I know what you are thinking, you are probably thinking that I am referring to people donating large sums of money to the church. While that is true, that is not actually what I am saying. 

Yes…I have seen people give generously, give cheerfully, and mind you not out of their abundance. 

I have seen people give NOT out of their plenty, but out of their meager. 

I have seen people with very little in the way of financial resources give proportionally large amounts. 

Brothers and sisters, we also need to broaden our horizons when it comes to generosity. For some, it is not real sacrifice to give money, to scratch a check, but the sacrifice comes in giving of their time. 

I have seen incredibly successful, insanely busy people, give God the first fruits of their time. I have said many times behind this very pulpit that the greatest resource we have is not our financial means. No sir, our greatest treasure is our faithful members. 

Friends, dollar bills are great but dollar bills cannot change a diaper in the preschool. 

Dollar bills cannot rock a crying baby. Dollar bills cannot teach a Life Group class. 

Dollar bills cannot greet a nervous visitor at the door. Dollar bills cannot sit beside a grieving widow. 

Dollar bills cannot pray with someone who just received bad news. 

Dollar bills cannot mentor a teenager who needs a godly example. 

Dollar bills cannot take a student out for lunch and listen to what is going on in his life. 

Dollar bills cannot visit someone in the hospital. 

Dollar bills cannot sing in the choir. Dollar bills cannot serve a meal. 

Dollar bills cannot knock on a neighbor’s door and invite them to church. 

Dollar bills cannot put an arm around somebody and say, “I’m here, and I’m praying for you.”

Money can fund ministry, but money cannot be the minister.

At some point, God’s work requires God’s people. The church does not simply need what is in your wallet. The church needs what God has put in you. 

Your hands. 

Your feet. 

Your voice. 

Your experience. 

Your compassion. 

Your time. 

Your presence. 

There are some things in the Kingdom of God that cannot be accomplished by writing a check. Sometimes the offering God is asking you to put on the altar is yourself.

Saying that, we do have a very generous congregation. Honestly I am so over the moon proud of our church and how we have been giving so generously. The history of our church says that at the end of the summer that we should be in the red. That is the giving history. Thankfully, we don’t often stay in the red but that is the history. Friends, we are not in the red, we are in the black. For the first time in my tenure here as your pastor, we are in the black at the end of the summer. Praise God. 

Your giving, your generosity, and God’s faithfulness has allowed our church to be in a tremendous position to share the Gospel with the Lake Forest neighborhood. We have never been in a better position to share the Good News of Jesus Christ with the greater Eastern Shore. We have never been in a better position to reach the world with the Gospel.

Do me a favor this morning, fill in the blanks under “Today’s Thought”. Let this be the thesis statement for today’s message.

“ESBC Gives Because We Serve A Generous God, We Carry A Glorious Gospel, And We Have A Great Mission.”

Today’s Thought:
“ESBC Gives Because We Serve A Generous God, We Carry A Glorious Gospel, And We Have A Great Mission.”

Church, most people, most pastors might not include giving to the glory of God as a value of the church. Why would that be so important to us? I’ll tell you why. 

The reason that giving to the glory of God is an important value is because God Himself is our model for giving. The Bible mentions giving over 2100 times. I know that it may be hard to believe, but Jesus talks more about money than He does about heaven or hell. 

In 11 of Jesus’ 39 parables He discusses the topic of money and finances. Money and personal finance was important to Jesus. Roughly 15% of all His teaches dealt with the topic of finances. We know this because He named one of His disciples, Judas to be exact, to be the group’s treasurer. 

Jesus paid His taxes, gave money to the synagogues, to the temples, and even paid for the donkey that He road into Jerusalem during His triumphal entry. Scriptures are filed with incredible examples of generosity from the Widow’s Mite to the generous acts of Zacchaeus and Barnabas. Today, you will hear verses encouraging believers, followers of Christ, to give cheerfully, sacrificially, and with faithfulness. 

Introduction To Today’s Quote:

You know brothers and sisters, the church should lead the way in giving. We should lead the way in giving our time, talents and treasures. Listen to this quote from Randy Alcorn’s “The Treasure Principle”.

“One day, every one of us will leave this world, and everything we accumulated will stay behind. The houses, cars, accounts, and possessions will eventually belong to someone else. The question is not how much we accumulated, but what we did with what God placed in our hands. Did we spend our lives collecting treasures we could never keep, or did we invest our resources in things that will matter for eternity? Everything we keep will eventually be left behind, but what we give to God can make an eternal difference.” -Randy Alcorn’s “The Treasure Principle”

Today’s Quote:
“One day, every one of us will leave this world, and everything we accumulated will stay behind. The houses, cars, accounts, and possessions will eventually belong to someone else. The question is not how much we accumulated, but what we did with what God placed in our hands. Did we spend our lives collecting treasures we could never keep, or did we invest our resources in things that will matter for eternity? Everything we keep will eventually be left behind, but what we give to God can make an eternal difference.” -Randy Alcorn’s “The Treasure Principle”

Background and Context:
This morning, we are going to be reading from 2 Corinthians 9:6-9. Before we do that, I want to set up the scene for you.

Let's journey back to ancient Corinth where Paul is addressing a crucial matter, the church’s willingness to contribute to fellow believers in Jerusalem. 

Picture a diverse group, each with their struggles and uncertainties. 

Paul draws on the imagery of sowing and reaping, which makes complete sense because he was talking to a largely farming community. He paints a vivid picture, saying, "Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously." The message is clear: our generosity is like planting seeds, and the size of our harvest depends on the generosity with which we sow.

Paul's emphasis goes beyond actions; it's about the condition of our hearts. "Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." 

Our giving is to be characterized by joy and willingness, not obligation. 

Why? 

Well, to be honest with you this morning, God is not a debtor. When we give with open hearts, God blesses abundantly, not just materially but in every area of our lives. Think about it like this…the more we give, the more God blesses.

That’s our direction this morning. Before we read Scripture, I want to remind you that…

Statement of Belief:

We believe the Bible to be inspired, God breathed, infallible, and authoritative. We believe the Bible is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training believer’s in righteousness. God’s Word gives life. It provides peace in trouble and protection in tribulation. It is alive, active, and cuts to the core of the human soul. Since there is no other book like it, let us stand to show our reverence and respect.

Today’s Scripture:
2 Corinthians 9:6-9 NLT
Remember this-a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. [7] You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don't give reluctantly or in response to pressure. "For God loves a person who gives cheerfully." [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. [9] As the Scriptures say, "They share freely and give generously to the poor. Their good deeds will be remembered forever."

Pastor: “This is the Word of the Lord.”

Congregation: “Praise His Name. Praise His Holy name.”

How Can We Give Cheerfully To The Glory of God?

Point One: Sow Faithfully  vs. 6

This morning, I want to answer the question, how can we give cheerfully to the glory of God? First off church, giving is hard. 

It is not something that any of us are just naturally good at, it is something that we have to practice. Giving and generosity is something that is motivated first and foremost by the Holy Spirit.

Fill in your first blank this morning, how can we give cheerfully to the glory of God? Sow Faithfully . 

There on your outline is a brief explanation of our first point. 

“You cannot reap a generous harvest if you are unwilling to sow a generous seed.”

Let’s go back to verse 6. Let’s read that together.

“Remember this-a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop.”

I have heard probably dozens of sermons, dozens of messages on this passage over the course of my lifetime. What Paul is talking about is often referred to, at least in spiritual circles, as the Law of the Harvest.

Simply put, the Law of the Harvest says that in life, we reap what we sow, we pull what we plant, we get what we give. If we are wise, we will reap more than we sow and we will reap later than we sow. Good choices, wise decisions will bring forth good fruit and a bountiful productive harvest as a reward. 

Bad choices, unwise decisions are like bad seeds. Do you know what bad seeds produce? Nothing. Nothing good at least. Nothing helpful. Nothing useful. If you lie to others, people will lie to you and you will never know who to trust. That’s just one example. I will give you more in just a moment.

The Law of the Harvest really illustrates that God is just. If you are wise, making good decisions, God in His justice will reward you. If you are unwise, making poor decisions, God in His justice will allow you to suffer the consequences of those actions.

The Law of the Harvest is described in Galatians 6.

Galatians 6:7-8 NLT
Don't be misled-you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant. [8] Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit.

Friends, you cannot plant an orange tree and expect blueberries. You can’t engage in bad and corrupt business practices and expect blessings. You cannot ignore your kids and expect them to respect you and respond to your discipline. You can’t live a life of immorality, lacking character, and expect your children who watch you closely to walk in the ways of the Lord. If you are in athletics, baseball, basketball, or football, you cannot expect to go out there and dominate on the diamond if you never practice. Life just doesn’t work that way.

The world has taken the Law of the Harvest and framed it a new way, “what goes around comes around”. God cannot and will not be mocked. God does not dabble in situational ethics. The positive and negative effects of obeying God-given laws hold court for all of us. It doesn’t matter if you are talking about farming or finances, business or ballgames, the law of the harvest is true for all of us.

Therefore, we must sow bountifully. We must sow in Christian character. We must sow in service that pleases the Savior.

There are literally hundreds of ways that you and I can sow bountifully.

Give. Give. Give generously. One of the most direct ways to sow bountifully is through financial contributions. Your giving keeps the lights on, the air conditioning running, the salaries paid. Your giving fuels missions, fuels the Gospel presentation to Lake Forest, and sends missionaries around the world.

Sowing faithfully isn't just about money; it's also about investing your time and talents. Volunteer your skills to help in the preschool. We need teachers, leaders, people who are hospitable, people to visit hospitals. We need greeters, parking lot attendants, we need creative people to help with media, podcasting, design, and editing. We need men to step forward and agree to serve as deacons. We need help in the sound booth and help with broadcasting. Again, money is important, I’m not going to lie and tell you that it is not. But a dollar bill, a check, cannot meet these needs but you can.

Be kind. Be compassionate. Be attentive to the needs of those around you and offer a helping hand whenever possible. Simple gestures, like listening to someone in need, providing emotional support, or showing understanding, can sow seeds of love and encouragement.

Pray for people. Sow faithfully by praying. Lift up not only your needs but also the needs of others. Praying for the well-being of your community, nation, and the world is a powerful way to sow seeds of hope and healing. God knows the church needs you prayers, as does every member of this staff. Please pray for us as we pray for you.

Lastly, sow faithfully by sharing the Gospel. Share the message of Christ. Spread the love, grace, and hope found in the teachings of Jesus.

Remember the words captured in Proverbs 11.

Proverbs 11:24-25 NLT
Give freely and become more wealthy; be stingy and lose everything. [25] The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed.

How Can We Give Cheerfully To The Glory of God?

Point One: Sow Faithfully  vs. 6

Point Two: Share Joyfully  vs. 7

So, how can we give generously to the glory of God? Sow Faithfully. That is point one. Point two this morning is that we can Share Joyfully . That point comes from verse 7.

You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don't give reluctantly or in response to pressure. "For God loves a person who gives cheerfully."

“God cares about what we give, but He also cares about the heart with which we give it.”

When you read this passage, what words capture your eyes? If you are like me, you are probably drawn to the same place, the words “give cheerfully”

The Greek words for “give cheerfully” are dotēs hilaros. “Hil-ar-os’” is of course the root word for our English word “hilarious”. It means joyful, joyous, merry, and cheerful. Do you see the mental image that comes to mind? The image I see is a Christian with an open heart, mind, soul, and hand. I see a Christian ready to be used by God. A Christian ready to see God move in his or her life. A Christian with a giant smile on his face, ready to give back to God what belongs to God.

Brothers and sisters, we need to remember that we do not serve a God that is in need. God is not a pauper and nor is He a beggar. Everything belongs to God. That means what is in my bank account and what is your bank account all belongs to Him. It is simply on loan to all of us. We have been tasked with stewardship of God’s belongings. We are the managers and it is up to us to build on what God has so freely given to us. We are not called to be hoarders but helpers. We are not to be cheapskates but compassionate Christ followers. We are not supposed to embody that classic meme of the man standing behind the tree rubbing his hands together, a picture of greed and want. We are to be a living illustration of Jesus, ready to give all to save all for the glory of One.

We are to live out the lessons from the parable told by Jesus, the Parable of the Talents. In Matthew 25:14–30, Jesus tells a parable known as the "Parable of the Talents." In this story, a master entrusts his servants with various amounts of money (talents) before going on a journey. Two of the servants invest and double the money they were given, while one buries his talent and doesn't gain anything.

Upon the master's return, he praises the first two servants for their faithfulness and wise use of what they were given. However, he rebukes the third servant for his fearfulness and lack of initiative. The master takes the talent from the unproductive servant and gives it to the one with the most.

The parable conveys the importance of using one's abilities and resources wisely for the service of God. It teaches about responsibility, faithfulness, and the consequences of not utilizing the gifts and opportunities given by God.

Friend, I want you to do me a favor this morning. Ask yourselves a series of important questions? Are you a hilarious giver? 

Do you receive joy when you give to the church? Yes the church. Giving to the church is more important than giving to just about anything else. Why? Because the church is God’s conduit of grace, peace and mercy. Giving firstly to the church propels the Gospel message around the globe, funds missionaries, funds pastors and ministers to serve you, pray for you, and work along side of you. 

Should you give to other charities? 

You absolutely should. 

Angela and I have given to Fellowship of Christian Athletes, we have given to Women’s Care Medical Center, we have sponsored a child through One Child. 

We have given to our local schools, police departments, fire departments, drug and alcohol rehabs, even our Alma mata Samford Univeristiy. 

Angela and I have given to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering, the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering, the Myers Mallory Offering we have given to the John and Helen Thomas Mission Fund. 

My family has participated in the Operation Christmas Child Shoebox event every single year since we have been at this church. I would encourage you to give to any charity that supports God’s work even if it not necessarily the church. Angela and I have given because it brings us great joy to give. 

However, before we give to anything else, before we give to any other charity, any other organization, no matter how worthy it is, we give to the church first because the church is the priority. The church is the number one, the top, the highest, the zenith of our giving priorities. It is the number one and I will never apologize for giving back to God first. Don’t take my word for it. Listen to what Holy Scripture tells us. You will have to wrestle with your obedience to Scripture, not me. 

1 Corinthians 16:1-2: Paul instructs believers, “On the first day of the week, each of you is to set something aside and save in keeping with how he is prospering.” Giving was intentional, regular, and connected to the gathered church.

I Timothy 5:17-18: Paul teaches that elders who labor in preaching and teaching are worthy of financial support. This establishes the responsibility of believers to support those who minister within the church.

Proverbs 3:9: “Honor the LORD with your possessions and with the first produce of your entire harvest.” This gives you the important principle of firstfruits, God receives our first and best, not merely what remains.

Parents, listen up and hear me out. Angela and I give because I want my children to give. I do not want to raise kids that only think of themselves. I dont want to raise children who are selfish, think myopically of themselves, and who are self centered. I want to give them a roadmap for what generosity looks like. Back to giving to the church, what I have discovered is that the more I give to the church the more God gives back to me to give to others.

This leads right into my next point. Before we get there let’s read probably the most classic piece of Scripture on giving from Malachi 3:10. For the record, in the Old Testament context, Malachi 3:10 concerns Israel’s covenant obligations and the support of temple ministry.  The underlying principle is that God’s people financially supported God’s work. Listen to what it says…

Malachi 3:10 NLT
Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do," says the LORD of Heaven's Armies, "I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won't have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test!

How Can We Give Cheerfully To The Glory of God?

Point One: Sow Faithfully  vs. 6

Point Two: Share Joyfully  vs. 7

Point Three: Spread Generosity vs. 8-9

So, how can we give cheerfully to the glory of God? Sow faithfully. Share joyfully. Lastly, we should Spread Generosity. Let’s read verses 8 and 9 together this morning and I will explain what I mean.

[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. [9] As the Scriptures say, "They share freely and give generously to the poor. Their good deeds will be remembered forever."

“Generosity should not simply be something we do, it should become who we are.

Do you know that it has been the greatest privilege of my life to be your pastor? In January it will be 16 years that I have served as your pastor. I have grown with you and you have taught me so much over the years. I have loved this church with my very soul. I saw a friend a few nights ago. He no longer goes to this church. He asked me how long I had been at this church and I told him. He was a bit dumbfounded. He said, “Stuart, do you remember the first time you and I went to have lunch?”

I did remember. 

He recalled that at that lunch that he told me that I would probably not be here longer than 3 years. 

“I told you that churches across America were always looking for young eager pastors. You were not going to stay here long.”

He asked, “Do you remember what you told me?”

In fact, I did remember exactly how I responded to what he told me. I told him that God had called me to be here, at ESBC, for my whole life. I told him that I did not see another church in my future. I felt that this would be my first and my only pastorate. I meant it. I still mean it.

The reason that I said that was because it takes a long long time to change culture. It takes a long long time to earn trust. People don’t just let you be their pastor, being someone’s pastor is earned.

One thing about our church that I have noticed is our cycle of giving. Let me explain. In every area of our church we need help. We need called, committed, Christian people to help. From the nursery to the nursing home, we need help. We don’t just need bodies, we need believers who are called to serve, called to pray, and called show up. We are not there yet. That is an area where our culture, starting with me, needs to improve. 

Oh and sometimes the places that you want to serve are not where God wants you to serve. Just because you have a desire to serve in a particular ministry does not automatically mean that ministry is the right fit. Serving in the church is not simply about filling the position we want, it is about discovering where our gifts, abilities, character, experience, and the needs of the church come together. There may be ministries where additional training is needed. Personalities are involved. Sometimes the personalties that are present don’t match the personality of the volunteer which could create tension and conflict. That’s what you have ministers and pastors to help guild that process. Sometimes the time is just not right. The maturity of the people has not risen to ministry. There may be positions that require certain qualifications. There may be places where church leadership sees gifts in you that you do not yet see in yourself. Sometimes God even calls us to serve in places that would not have been our first choice. The question is not simply, “Where do I want to serve?” The better question is, “Lord, where can You best use me?”

By the way, everything that I say starts with me. I am the leader. I am the pastor. I have to lead by example. I have to show up as much as you do.

Next, I cannot tell you how many times over the years where we have been behind in our giving. Thank God that is not true today but just because we are ahead today doesn’t mean that we don’t need you to give tomorrow. 

I have heard just about every excuse. The economy is bad. People just have less money. Sometimes people don’t give because they are unhappy, mad, upset. Trust me, I have heard it all. 

Friends, do you know that there are churches that are smaller than we are who meet their budget week after week. Do you know what our weekly budget is? Our weekly budget is just over $26000 a week. Our annual budget is roughly 1.4 million dollars. The end of the year is always stressful because we are annually behind some 60…80…sometimes over 100 thousand dollars and we usually have to make that up in the last 2 months. 

Friends, I want you to have faith in God. 

Believe that God will supply your needs and support your family. 

I dream of the day when I don’t have to come and stand behind this pulpit and prayerfully ask you to give. 

I dream of the day when giving generously is just integral to being a member of Eastern Shore Baptist Church. Oh don’t get me wrong, we are faithful givers. We have incredibly generous people. We need to follow their example, we should get behind them, and receive the reward.

How do you change culture? You stay. Remain planted. Keep pressing on. Pray. Pray. Pray. It’s happening folks. Ive seen it. I watched you and been so proud.

ESBC is on mission to share Christ with every family in the community of Lake Forest and the greater Eastern Shore

We put God first.

We do our best.

We are contributors, not consumers, with an eternal perspective.

WE over ME.

We embrace and enjoy the journey.

We give to the glory of God

Proverbs 3:9-10 NLT
Honor the LORD with your wealth and with the best part of everything you produce. [10] Then he will fill your barns with grain, and your vats will overflow with good wine.

How Will You Give? Where Will You Go? How Will You Serve?

Closing Prayer:

Father, thank You for everything You have given us. Every good thing we have comes from Your hand. Our families, our homes, our abilities, our opportunities, our resources, even the breath in our lungs, it all belongs to You.

Lord, forgive us when we hold too tightly to what You have placed in our hands. Forgive us when fear keeps us from giving, comfort keeps us from going, or selfishness keeps us from serving. Teach us to trust You. Give us faith to believe that when we put You first, You will take care of everything else.

Father, I pray for Eastern Shore Baptist Church. Keep us planted. Keep us faithful. Keep us moving forward. Build within us a culture where we put You first, where we do our best, where we contribute instead of consume, where we choose WE over ME, where we embrace the journey, and where everything we give is for Your glory.

Lord, You have given us a mission. There are families all around us who need Jesus. There are children who need to hear the Gospel. There are students who need someone to invest in them. There are hurting people who need to be loved. There are people who need to be invited, encouraged, discipled, and served. Help us never forget why we are here.

Now, Lord, make this personal for every one of us. Show me how You want me to give. Show me where You want me to go. Show me how You want me to serve. Whatever You ask, give me the faith to say yes.

May we honor You with the best part of everything You have given us. May this church be faithful. May Jesus be lifted high. May people be saved. May lives be changed. And may everything we do bring glory to You.

In the name of Jesus we pray, Amen.