Direction, not intention, determines destination.

Where Christ-followers are concerned, what intentional decision does Jesus command?

Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely, I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

-Matthew 28:18–20 (NIV)

What intentional decision does Jesus ask each of us to make?

We build His kingdom, not ours.

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

-Matthew 6:33 (NIV)

Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them he said: “If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple. And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it? For if you lay the foundation and are not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule you, saying, ‘This person began to build and wasn’t able to finish.’ Or suppose a king is about to go to war against another king. Won’t he first sit down and consider whether he is able with ten thousand men to oppose the one coming against him with twenty thousand? If he is not able, he will send a delegation while the other is still a long way off and will ask for terms of peace. In the same way, those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciples.”

-Luke 14:25–33 (NIV)

One: Four Campuses and a Care Center; the new vision of hundreds of churches through this valley.

Two: YA and the Gen Z; Discipleship and LeadCon

“A fully devoted follower of Jesus Christ in every home in this valley.”

Three: ONE&ALL Media

Genuine Christ-followers treasure their relationship with Jesus and the expansion of His kingdom above and beyond all else.

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.”

-Matthew 6:19 (NIV)

But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.

-Matthew 6:20 (NIV)

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

-Matthew 6:21 (NIV)

The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.

-Matthew 13:44 (NIV)

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

-Matthew 6:21 (NIV)

There is no greater endeavor on earth than taking the good news of the Gospel to the ends of the earth.

Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 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. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

-2 Corinthians 9:6–8 (NIV)

Here is what we know about giving:

When you give, the same pleasure centers light up in your brain that light up when you are having good food or good intimacy.

Give as you have purposed in your heart, not begrudgingly, or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

-2 Corinthians 9:7 (NIV)

Purposeful Giving:

We will never feel the pleasure of giving if it’s not purposeful.

PURPOSED giving is when you answer this question: What is the needle in the world that I want to move?

True givers have a mission in specific areas.

Purposeful Giving = I want to do this.

“Sow sparingly, reap sparingly” assumes that you genuinely care about the growth of the gospel into people’s lives.

The overarching truth: Your lack of investment is not a money issue. It is a heart issue. YOU MUST REDEEM YOUR PURPOSEFUL GIVING.

Where churches are concerned, if everyone was intentional there would never be a crisis.

What are you asking me to do?

Make the decision now, up front, before the pull of the world away from God’s kingdom starts to suck you in.

One: To advance the kingdom of God over this next year, I am going to __________________.

Two: To advance the Kingdom of God, I am going to set aside ____________ as the first fruits of my resources to invest into the kingdom of God.

And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

-2 Corinthians 9:8 (NIV)

Make a Decision