Stretch Higher: Living Beyond Your Limits

God has designed each of us with immense potential—more than we often realize or act upon. This past Sunday, we explored how God calls us to stretch beyond our comfort zones, embrace growth, and live empowered lives that reflect His glory.

 Created for Greater Things
In John 14:12, Jesus makes a remarkable statement:
"Anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works.”
 
Jesus calls us not only to emulate His ministry but to exceed it through the power of the Holy Spirit. He’s placed within each of us unique gifts, untapped potential, and a mandate to use these for His purposes. Whether it’s creating, innovating, or serving, we are called to live lives that reflect His greatness.

 Potential vs. Comfort
One of the greatest barriers to reaching our God-given potential is comfort. While rest is essential, staying in comfort too long sacrifices growth. God doesn’t call us to settle but to stretch—to face challenges, press forward, and discover the untapped treasures within us.
 
I shared a simple yet profound analogy of stretching. Just as we stretch physically to increase flexibility, God asks us to stretch spiritually and emotionally. The first stretch often feels like the limit, but with encouragement, we discover we can always reach higher.

 Empowered vs. Disempowered Living
I also illustrated two types of lives:
 

1. Empowered Living: This life embraces challenges, relies on God, and stretches beyond personal limits. It requires faith, collaboration, and a willingness to grow.
2. Disempowered Living: This life plays it safe, avoiding challenges and staying in routine. It may be comfortable, but it’s ultimately unfulfilling, as it fails to tap into the full potential God has placed within us.

 
God calls us to an empowered life—a life where our faith, creativity, and gifts are fully utilized for His kingdom.

Lessons from Gideon and Peter
The Bible offers two contrasting examples of how God draws potential out of His people:
 

1. Gideon (Judges 6): Gideon was hiding in fear when the angel of the Lord called him a “mighty hero.” Though he felt inadequate, God saw the strength and potential within him. Gideon’s story reminds us that challenges often reveal our hidden capabilities.
2. Peter (Matthew 14:22-33): Unlike Gideon, Peter wasn’t thrust into difficulty; he had a choice. When Jesus called him to walk on water, Peter stepped out in faith. His story teaches us to act when God presents opportunities, even when they seem impossible.

 
Both stories highlight the importance of responding to God’s call—whether through perseverance in trials or courage to seize new opportunities.

The Seed of Potential
I shared another powerful analogy about a seed:
A seed doesn’t just produce one tree; it contains the potential for entire forests. Similarly, God has placed immense potential within each of us. Your past achievements—while meaningful—are not the limit of what you can do. There’s more. More to create, more to give, more to become.

Stretching for Kingdom Purpose
Our potential isn’t just for personal success—it’s for God’s mission. He blesses us so we can bless others and bring people into His kingdom. Every gift, talent, and opportunity He gives us connects to His eternal purpose: to draw people to Himself.
 
As I reminded everyone:
"You want God to get involved in your business? Then get involved in God’s business. God’s business is people."

Action Steps to Stretch

1. Invite Others: Use the tools God provides—like invite cards—to reach out to those around you. Stretching means stepping out of your comfort zone to share the hope of Jesus.
2. Join a Group: Christianity isn’t meant to be lived in isolation. Joining a group fosters growth, community, and accountability.
3. Embrace Growth: Whether it’s going back to school, starting a new project, or sharing your faith, be willing to stretch and grow.

Final Encouragement
Failure isn’t the end—it’s a step toward success. As Winston Churchill said, “Success is not final, failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts.”
 
God has more for you. If you still have breath in your lungs, your mission isn’t complete. So stretch higher, press forward, and lay hold of the purpose for which Christ Jesus laid hold of you.
 
Let’s go higher together.

Pastor Kevin's Sermon Notes:
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