Scripture: Luke 15:1-7
Sermon: Building Changed Lives Together #2 – Vision Sunday, September 13, 2026

When a newborn baby was abandoned and found in a paper carton inside the door of a building at the Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, there wasn’t a Christian agency ready to receive the abandoned baby. She was placed in a secular orphanage. Because of the situation, no one from Moody could adopt the baby. It broke their hearts! Faced with the challenge of providing services to women with unplanned pregnancies and Christian homes for children needing adoption, a committee gathered and the Evangelical Child and Family Agency was born.

It’s estimated that 35 to 40 newborns are abandoned in public places each year, which is a huge decrease from the past. Since Safe Haven laws were instituted, it’s estimated that more than 3,500 newborns have been legally surrendered at designated locations like hospitals or fire stations.

During that 1^st century children were regularly abandoned. Since the birth of the Church, Christians have always cared for children. Those early Christians would patrol public dumps to rescue infants. They took abandoned children into their own homes and raised them.

Have you ever lost a pet? If you have, you can relate to one of the most loved chapters in the Bible. Luke 15 is about things that were lost. It contains one parable with three different stories of things lost and then found. The first is about a lost sheep and the shepherd who searches and rescues it. The second is of a lost coin and the woman who searched frantically for it. The third is the Prodigal Son about a son who becomes lost to his father. Connecting all three is that when whatever is lost is found, there’s a big party. Baptisms of new believers are a big party!

This morning as we share where we’re headed as a church and our vision for Phase 2, we want to talk about children, too often lost children, yet not just physical children – spiritual children, too.

Let me first share some statistics. Before we moved into this building our attendance was less than 100. Our average attendance today is 150, which is a 6% increase from 2025. We’ve had 127 visitors so far this year who turned in Connection Cards. Many newcomers don’t or visit several weeks before they do. Of those who turned in Connection Cards, we know that 21 were young families and 36 children.

A gospel believing church is a lighthouse. Our culture and community are becoming more secularized. The need for gospel preaching churches, for Christ-followers living for Jesus, is greater than it has ever been.

In 1955 Bethel Baptist which is now Grace Church began, the population within a 10-mile radius was roughly 15,000. Today it’s over 51,000. But recently, two gospel preaching churches in our area have shut their doors. While the need is greater, there is less of a gospel witness today in our community than there was just five years ago.

So, why do we believe this addition is vital? Well, first this is not a new plan. It was in the original plan when we built this building.

Praise the Lord, we are now debt free. We paid off the debt of $400,000 for our 10 acres. We paid another $1.2 million off for this building and were able to burn the mortgage at the beginning of this year. God has blessed us and we’ve paid off over $1.6 million while completing other improvements like paving our parking lot, putting up a garage, installing a church kitchen, and most recently, the new storage area behind the platform. God has been very good to us!

From our old building on Kendall Street, we have sought to faithfully use what the Lord has provided. Now we’re asking our church family to join us as we prepare for the future with…

1. Better space for ministry for children. 

Children and young families are the future. Many churches are aging out. 57% of adults attending church in America are over 50 years of age. Currently, we’re about 50% of those over 50 and 50% under 50, including young families with children. There is no better sound in a church than the sound of young children. It’s the future! Christians are to be pro-children in an anti-children world!

So, what’s the evidence that proves our church values children and young families? What does the kid’s experience look like on Sunday? How are we engaging with young parents?

Our nursery is adequate, but our children’s area is a bit of a glorified storage area. We do what we can, yet it communicates that kids aren’t the high value that they should be. 

We’re so thankful we have the Ziebell Classroom. We cut every corner we could to get into this building. That room was originally cut before we began building. We knew we needed it, so we reached out to “alumni” (people who through the years attended and loved our church but had moved from the area.) It’s the only reason we have that room. Aren’t you thankful we have it?

We’re blessed with great staff! To better minister to children, we recently hired Hannah Schroeder as our children’s ministry director. Hannah has lots of experience in ministering to children.

While we have staff, we lack facilities. We’re like a new couple’s apartment or first home. When they have children, they know they need more space. Unfortunately, our space is not communicating the message we want to communicate. To reach young families, we must minister to their children. There needs to be visible evidence that we value them. 

We want young families to know that we care about their kids. Investing in a new children’s area communicates that children are loved and safe.

Our addition will separate and enlarge the area for babies and toddlers. It will be more secure in that only children, staff and parents will be allowed in that area. We’ll also have classroom space for young people. Currently, we lack space for children and want to solve this.

Yet, as it is wrong to abandon a child, too often churches today abandon baby Christians.

2. Better space for ministry to spiritual children. 

No one would think of abandoning a baby, yet sadly this has become normal in the Church. Too often we’ve abandoned spiritual babies.

It’s not what Jesus commanded us to do. His last words before He returned to heaven were: All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age’ (Matthew 28:18-20).

Our church purpose statement is Grace Church exists to glorify our Heavenly Father by continually making more followers of the Lord Jesus Christ. Salvation is compared to birth in Scripture. The new birth is only the first step. Spiritual learning and growth in grace is a lifelong process.

According to Church History a Methodist pastor named Charles Adams was the first to divorce evangelism from discipleship in 1850. But the mission Jesus gave us is not just to see lost people saved. It’s more than knowing you’re going to heaven The Christian life means you’re to live heavenly now. Yet, what began as a minor division has evolved into a major division in the contemporary church.

By separating these two parts of the disciple-making mandate of the Great Commission, people began to prioritize one as more important than others. But both of these are like the two wings of an airplane.

When I am at 30,000 feet in a commercial airliner and look out the window of the plane, I don’t argue that one wing is more important than the other. Both wings are critical. That’s the way it is with disciple-making. Evangelism and teaching to make disciples are both critical.

When Jesus commanded us to go and “make disciples” that involved the complete process of winning people to Christ (evangelism), growing them up in Christ (discipleship), and then sending them out to repeat the process.

We are told more than 40 times to do what Jesus did (John 14:12), walk as Jesus walked (1 John 2:6), and to follow the pattern He gave us (1 Peter 2:21). Jesus modeled in the Gospels how to build a growing movement of multiplying disciples.

Over 270 times the term disciple is used in the Gospels. After the book of Acts, the term is no longer used. Why? Because when Jesus created the Church in Acts 2, the Church became Jesus’ way of making disciples.

Disciple-making in the New Testament comes in the context of loving accountable small groups that are relational (follow me), intentional (I will make you), and missional (fishers of men). These types of small spiritual growth groups are essential for the local church to fulfill Jesus’ mission.

With the spaces limits of our building it’s hard to have loving accountable small groups. The ones who may need it the most have a tough time coming out on a weeknight or a Saturday morning.

Small disciple-making groups are vital for us to accomplish Jesus’ mission. The best place to have them is in our building on Sunday when childcare is provided, not another weeknight when the schedule is already packed. Add to that, some have long commutes. It’s hard to come after work if you’re getting home late from a long commute.

Small groups are the best place to learn what’s vital for a healthy Christian life? It’s where you can learn how to lead someone else to Christ, maybe your child or grandchild. It’s where you can learn how to be a godly spouse or parent It’s where you can get prayer support or encouragement. The New Testament has at least 30 “one another” commands. It’s hard to have deep community when essentially we have an hour each week in a congregation on a Sunday morning.

Why does the Church have so little influence in our culture? Too few Christians know how to live out what it means to be a Christian. It takes time together to grow a Christian. That’s the pattern of the early church.

Many have bought into the American Church-ianity that attending a worship service once a week is enough. Some of the largest churches in America were part of a major research project that was printed in the book, Reveal: Where are you? They discovered that though they had record breaking crowds, great bands and preaching, church members’ values and worldview were indistinguishable from pagans.

Our new addition will have classrooms, which we don’t have now…so small groups can easily meet on Sunday morning while the worship service is taking place. So, you can come to first service and stay an hour for a small group. Eventually, we hope to have groups meeting during both services so you can go to a small group during first service and then stay for the worship service, or visa versa. Groups could also meet more easily on a weeknight without being cramped or having to meet offsite. 

This will help us with a vital biblical practice – cross-generational relationships and mentoring. Some of you had godly mature Christians who invested in your life. I know I did. I couldn’t begin to name them all. I’m here because they invested in my life. It’s true for many of you, too.

Young adults today are searching for answers and long to connect with those with more life experience than they have. It’s mentoring or cross-generational ministry. It’s what the Church is supposed to do.

The church is commanded to equip believers to live as Christ-followers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes (Ephesians 4:12-14).

Jesus commanded us to make disciples. With the limitations of our facility, it’s hard to obey Jesus’ command. We’re not called to “go to church,” Jesus has commanded us to “be the church.”

3. Our Enemy doesn’t want this to happen. 

Satan loves to distract us with the non-essentials. Most of the things that most churches focus on or get bent out of shape over aren’t part of our mission.

We’re nearly finished with our study of Nehemiah. Let’s circle back to two vital lessons that will help us move forward for the Lord in this.

Total Participation

Remember Nehemiah 3? A winning team must do it together. There’s no i in TEAM. Ours is the day of celebrities and superstars. There are no superstars on this list.

The wall building in Nehemiah 3 turns out to be a phenomenally successful enterprise, where the recurring phrase and next to him/them… emphasizes the way these people worked side-by-side from all walks of life: priests, men in and outside of Jerusalem, craftsmen, officials, women…everyone was involved. This sense of being united around a common purpose despite differences is our example. It’s what it’s going to take for us to accomplish this goal – unity and teamwork.

God is not looking for ability, but commitment to Him. With God commitment is the priority! When we get Home, we’ll find that the ones who had significance with God were those faithful, unnoticed servants in this world! It’s equal participation, not equal gifts.

Division Within

Satan loves division. Read your Bible. Every time God is working and moving His people forward, Satan attacks and tries to cause division. It’s rarely anything big. The first division in the Bible came from disobeying God and eating a piece of fruit.

For God’s work to move forward, unity is essential. Joni Eareckson Tada writes: Believers are never told to become one; we already are One and are expected to act like it.

In Nehemiah 4, Nehemiah mobilizes his team together by making sure that the weakest and most vulnerable parts of the wall are protected. He stationed workers by families with their swords, spears and bows. Each wall worker would be protective of each other’s wives and children.

Divisiveness comes in many forms: griping, gossiping, spreading rumors, sowing discord, and creating cliques. None of these behaviors honor Jesus and all of them harm the body of Christ.

The Lord loves unity and hates division. Anyone who stirs up division or conflict in a church is sinning. Proverbs 6:19-20 calls it an abomination. That tells us how harmful it is to cause divisions in the church.

Last Sunday was my 38^th Anniversary as your pastor. Jane and I are so thankful that the Lord brought us here. At Grace we work to be a “drama free” church family. In those nearly 40 years, there have been some spiritual battles. One was when we built this building. Please know that Satan doesn’t want us to go forward. We knew before starting this, there would be spiritual attacks. Recently, Jane bought me this thermal mug to remind me to Stand Firm in the Faith. And unless the Lord retires us, we have no exit plans, though we know it will eventually happen.

I’m not a Caleb who was one of the two spies who trusted God. At 85 years young, once they were in the Promised Land, he said, I want that mountain (Joshua 14:12). It’s where Jane and I are at. We want this mountain for our church, for its future. Our mission isn’t done. We have many relationships here and in our community we’re seeking to influence for Jesus. Unless God has other plans, you’re stuck with us for a while.  

4. Better growth in my faith and commitment. 

Generosity isn’t measured by what we give, it’s measured by what we trust. Beneath every act of giving is a deeper question: Do we really believe God will provide?

When our faith is strong, generosity is a fruit. When our faith wavers, fear squeezes it out and we cling to our stuff. Trusting God and giving freely are inseparable. The way we handle what we’ve been given reveals what we believe about God and His character. Is He faithful? Is He enough? This connection transforms everything because when we trust God, faith grows and open-handed living follows. That’s where real freedom begins.

When we talk about generosity, we usually focus on money, but the real issue is trust. At its core, trusting God and giving freely are deeply connected. The way we give reveals what we believe about God. Do we believe He will provide? Do we believe He is good? Do we believe He sees and cares for our needs? Proverbs 3:5-6 says, Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.

Trust is not passive. It shapes our decisions. It affects how tightly we hold onto what we have. When we truly trust God, we can open our hands and that’s where giving begins. Many Christ-followers who trust God to forgive all of their sins and take them eternally to heaven are afraid to trust God to take care of them for today and tomorrow. Fear holds on, Faith lets go. Many who trusted Jesus for the Big Thing of forgiveness of their sin struggle with generosity because of fear. They worry: What if I don’t have enough? What if something unexpected happens? What if I need this later?

Remember when Jesus takes a little boy’s lunch of five loaves of bread and two fish—his “Hebrew Hot Pocket”—and turns it into enough food for more than 5,000 people. Did you ever wonder what Jesus would have done if he didn’t have five loaves and two fish? What if he’d only had one fish and two loaves of bread? It would have been the same outcome.

Jesus could have done the same miraculous work with a bread crumb and a fish fin. The amount we give matters far less than the spirit with which we give. That’s the principle at work when we talk about generosity in the church. In the same way Jesus took what the boy had and increased it. God multiplies our giving when we offer it in surrender and faith. It’s got nothing to do with how much money we bring, but that we’re willing to place it all in the hands of Jesus. That means…

First, start with your heart. 

Throughout the Bible, when it talks about giving, Jesus is calling us to look inside and see what’s going on in our own hearts with regard to our money. We need to ask, “What’s getting in the way of generosity?” Generosity is like a seed you plant that harvests in multiple fruits much better than itself. 

Second, generosity produces greater contentment. 

Many have said that the secret to a happy life is not having all you want but wanting what you have. The Bible says, Godliness with contentment is great gain (1 Timothy 6:6). The greatest gain is contentment.

Third, generosity increases your love for Jesus and His Kingdom.

Putting your treasure in a place actually makes you begin to love that place more. There was a man who loved University of North Carolina, but then his daughter went to Duke. After a while, he started cheering for the Blue Devils. Why? Because when you’re giving $70,000 a year to someone, your heart goes with it. Jesus said, Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also (Matthew 6:21).

Fourth, generosity produces a more loving heart.

Stinginess shrinks your heart. Generosity opens you up. Be honest, do you feel better when you give or when you get? An open heart is a joyful heart. Most of us think generosity is something God wants from us, according to Scripture it’s something that God wants for us. 

You and I end up being like that little boy who gave the five loaves and two fish. After it was all said and done, they collected the leftovers. It filled 12 baskets. It’s not in the text, but I think that the little boy got to take home at least one of those baskets.

Can you picture him walking back home? He’d left with a Hebrew Hot pocket but went home with a Tabernacle Tailgate Special that Jesus created through His generosity. I can’t wait to see what the Lord will do with our generosity!

Conclusion: What can you do?

• Pray for God’s will.
• Pray for yourself. How will God use this to work in your life?
• Pray for our leadership and church family for unity and wisdom.
• Pray that it will all glorify God.
• Then, give us honest feedback. We want to hear from you. Please stay and help us with this Input Questionnaire.