I Believe Series

I Believe

Dr. Marty Baker / 15th Anniversary / November 24, 2002

www.stevenscreek.net

What if you knew somewhere in front of you was a moment that would change your life forever, a moment rich with potential, a moment filled with endless possibilities?

What if you knew that there was a moment coming, a divine moment, where God would meet you in such a way that nothing would be the same again? What if there was a moment, a defining moment, where the choices you made determined the course and momentum of your future? How would your treat that moment? How would you prepare for it? How would you identify it?

Moments are as numerous as the stars in the sky and the sands in the sea, and any of them could prove to be your most significant divine moment. At times, they may seem to mundane, but below the surface, there could be a miracle wrapped in the moment.

Moments are mysterious. They are small enough to ignore and big enough to change your life forever. I believe that this is your moment. It’s a moment of decision. It’s a moment of destiny.

Earlier this year, Halle Berry received an Oscar for Best Actress in a Leading Role. She was overwhelmed by the moment. Her opening remarks, "This moment is so much bigger than me," For Halle Berry, her moment was a validation of the work and sacrifice of many people who had gone before her.

As I look around this congregation this morning, I realize that this movement that we call Stevens Creek Community Church is so much bigger than one person. What was started fifteen years ago in a borrowed living room in Edgefield County has influenced hundreds, yes even thousands of people in the Central Savannah River Area. Today we celebrate fifteen years of ministry; not because of one person, but because of God’s faithfulness and countless numbers of people who have of people have sacrificed their time, their resources and their talents to make this church what it is today.

Several weeks ago, Todd asked me if he could take a Sunday off to go see some friends in Atlanta. I told okay. Todd does not take enough time off. A few days later he discovered that Bobby had scheduled a youth retreat the same weekend. As a result, both of our worship leaders were out on the same day. He was concerned. He said, "Let’s hire someone to come in to come in to lead music." Within that comment, I heard a little attitude that said, "If Todd and Bobby are out, the show cannot go on."

I said, "Look Todd, I can handle it. I was leading music in this church while were you still in high school. He said, "Marty, when you were leading music, there was only a handful of people attending the church. He paused and gathered a little courage and said, "If you start back leading music, there will only be a handful of people left in this church." I got the message. We hired someone in.

This church outgrew me a long time ago. Over the next few moments, I want to share with you some principles that I have learned as the church as grown over the last fifteen years. What you will hear today is not conclusive. I am still learning. I am in process of becoming the person that God has called me to be. Hopefully, these principles will encourage you in your journey. It is safe to say that none of us have arrived. We are all in process.

We all have dreams. We wonder about the future and what it holds for us and our children. We dream of succeeding in life and business. What’s the next step? How do you get from where you are to where you want to be? That’s what I want to talk about this morning.

How to Embrace the Future

1. Believe that God can do more than you imagine.

If you want to embrace then future, then you must believe. Have faith. Jesus taught his disciples this principle in Mark 9:23.

Mark 9:23

..."Everything is possible for him who believes."

He understood the power of faith. When we believe, our impossibilities become possible. Faith is the key that unlocks the door to God’s active power in our lives. Faith is the power in the moment. What is faith? Faith is believing that God can do more than you imagine.

Ephesians 3:20

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,

All of us have been given a measure of faith. It is our responsibility to use it. The scriptures teach us that even a small amount of faith can produce miraculous events. What are you doing with the faith that you have been given?