September 13, 2026 - Sunday Morning Service

Welcome and Introduction

Hosts and Atmosphere

• Pastor Colton and Pastor Jordan welcome viewers to East Lake, expressing their joy for online participation.

• They comment on the beautiful fall weather, sharing personal anecdotes about seasonal changes.

Community Engagement

• Viewers are encouraged to share their locations in the comments, fostering a sense of community among attendees.

• Announcement of the upcoming "Digging Deeper" women's conference scheduled for September 18th and 19th.

Youth Activities and Events

Teen Retreat Information

• Pastor Jordan shares details about the upcoming youth retreats: junior high from October 2nd to 4th and senior high from October 16th to 18th.

• Notable speakers include Hine Vermach for junior high and Dan Gford for senior high, both familiar names within the church community.

New Space for Teens

• The teens will be moving to a new location called "The Code," which is an elementary sanctuary designated for their activities starting September 30th.

PDF Groups Introduction

Purpose of PDF Groups

• Pastor Colton explains that PDF stands for Prayer, Discipleship, and Fellowship groups aimed at connecting members more closely.

• These groups provide opportunities for believers to grow together in faith through smaller gatherings across various age groups.

Celebrating Grandparents Day

Acknowledgment of Grandparents

• The hosts highlight that it is Grandparents Day, inviting viewers to share stories or lessons learned from their grandparents in the comments.

Special Guests Appearance

• Fred and Valini join as special guests to discuss their experiences as new grandparents, sharing insights about family dynamics.

Insights on Being a Grandparent

Personal Experiences Shared

• Fred expresses his joy in being a grandparent, emphasizing moments spent with his granddaughter Rosalie May.

Wisdom Passed Down

• Fred shares wisdom he received from his own father regarding grandparenting—spoiling grandchildren while leaving discipline to parents.

Reflections on Grandparents' Influence

Personal Stories from Hosts

• Pastor Jordan reflects on lessons learned from his grandmother Ruth Lackey about finding joy amidst hardship.

Legacy of Wisdom

• Pastor Colton recounts how his grandmother predicted he would become a pastor, highlighting her influence on his life choices.

Transitioning into Worship Service

Anticipation of Sermon Content

• The hosts express excitement about the upcoming sermon by Pastor Troy focusing on generosity intertwined with forgiveness themes.

Encouragement for Participation

• Both pastors encourage viewers to engage actively during worship service as they prepare spiritually together.

The Importance of Christ in Our Lives

Singing as a Declaration and Prayer

• The song "Christ is Enough for Me" serves as both a declaration of faith and a personal prayer, asking God to make this truth a reality in one's life.

• Acknowledges that while believers know intellectually that Christ is sufficient, the challenge lies in internalizing this truth emotionally and spiritually.

Seeking Fulfillment in Christ Alone

• Emphasizes the tendency to seek identity and fulfillment outside of Christ, highlighting the need to return to Him for true meaning and hope.

• References John 15:5, illustrating that without abiding in Christ, nothing is possible; all spiritual fruit comes from Him.

Dependence on God

• Introduces a new song focused on dependence on God, expressing reliance for daily needs such as breath and rest.

• Reiterates themes of dependence by describing God as the source of life—“the way, the truth, and the life”—and encourages drawing closer to Him.

Confession and Surrender

Acknowledging Need for God

• Encourages congregants to confess their dependencies beyond Christ and surrender those desires back to Him.

• Invites individuals to declare their dependence on Jesus for every aspect of life, reinforcing His sufficiency.

The Power of Prayer

Communicating Needs to God

• Highlights the importance of openly communicating with God about personal needs while recognizing His omniscience regarding those needs.

• Offers an opportunity for congregants to pray silently about their specific needs while thanking God for His ability to meet them.

Remembering National Tragedies

Honoring Service Members

• Reflecting on the 25th anniversary of a national tragedy emphasizes gratitude towards military personnel and first responders who have served since then.

Exploring Generosity

Understanding Generosity's Origin

• Introduces the theme of generosity by stating it begins with God's nature rather than individual actions or possessions.

Relational Generosity

• Discusses relational generosity as foundational before discussing material giving; emphasizes how generosity must start internally within relationships.

Characteristics of a Generous Spirit

Internal Attitudes Over Actions

• Describes how true generosity stems from internal attitudes like mercy, judgment-free perspectives, forgiveness, which precede outward actions.

Key Characteristics:

1. Mercy - Compassionate view towards others' weaknesses ().

2. Judgment-Free - Avoiding harsh judgments against others ().

3. Forgiveness - Essential disposition that releases grudges ().

This structured approach captures key insights from each section while maintaining clarity through timestamps linked directly back to relevant parts of the transcript.

Understanding Relational Generosity

The Concept of Forgiveness and Bitterness

• Discusses the importance of releasing bitterness and resentment towards God, questioning why He allows certain situations to occur.

• Emphasizes forgiving oneself when appropriate, highlighting that we should not continually expose or humiliate offenders but rather allow them to save face.

Internal Traits Leading to Action

• Introduces the idea of relational generosity as living generously in relationships, focusing on internal traits that lead to external actions.

• Mentions verse 38's common misinterpretation related to tithing and prosperity, clarifying it is not primarily about money.

Contextualizing Generosity

• Explains that "give and it will be given" refers more to mercy, judgment, condemnation, and forgiveness than financial wealth.

• States that a merciful heart drives generous actions toward others; mercy forbids judgment and is foundational for forgiveness.

God's Generosity Compared to Human Generosity

• Highlights the unmatched nature of God's generosity with an encouraging promise from verse 38: "Nobody gives like God gives."

• Describes how God’s giving is abundant—good measure pressed down, shaken together—and emphasizes understanding this motivation for our own generosity.

Misconceptions About Generosity

• Addresses the transactional view many have regarding God's generosity; true generosity does not center around personal gain.

• Illustrates how God's willingness to give exceeds human capacity for generosity; His gifts are abundant beyond measure.

Living Fearlessly in Generosity

• Clarifies that Jesus does not promise a direct return on monetary gifts but calls for fearless living through acts of mercy and love.

• Uses marketplace imagery to explain how God fills our lives abundantly when we extend kindness and grace.

Christ as the Ultimate Example of Generosity

• Points out that God has already demonstrated unparalleled generosity through Christ's sacrifice.

• Reminds listeners that even if nothing else were given by God, His past actions warrant eternal praise from us.

Assurance in God's Provision

• Affirms that believers have received everything needed through Christ—good measure pressed down—and can trust in ongoing provision.

• Stresses that this concept isn't merely future-oriented but rooted in what has already been accomplished through Christ's work.

The Cycle of Giving and Receiving

• Introduces the idea of spirit-led giving based on gratitude rather than obligation or fear of church finances.

Reflecting on Personal Generosity

• Encourages self-reflection on one's motivations for giving; true giving stems from recognizing God's goodness rather than seeking personal benefit.

The Principle of Reciprocity

• Discusses reciprocity as a key principle where our faithfulness determines how we are treated by others.

• Emphasizes the biblical teaching: “For with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you,” linking our actions directly with outcomes.

Conclusion: Living Out Kingdom Principles

• Concludes with a call for believers to choose between extending mercy or harboring judgment while reflecting on their relationship with God.