The “Benefactor” series concludes with Part 4 by emphasizing that every believer is a minister, called to serve others and meet needs—not by title, but through action. Ministry involves sacrifice, modeled by Jesus, who humbled Himself for others’ sake. Though the cost is high, the reward is greater: God exalts the humble, fills their joy, credits their account, and provides for their needs. Ministry can be tiring, but we’re encouraged to stay faithful and not give up, trusting that we’ll reap in due time. Still, ministers must guard against overextending themselves, remembering that ministry is shared between God, leaders, servants, and those who need to step up. True ministry requires both balance and mutual honor.
The “Benefactor” series teaches that every believer is a minister, called to bless others through various means, not just attend church. A benefactor is someone who uses their God-given gifts—time, talents, and resources—to do ministry and meet the needs of others. Scripture shows that serving others not only builds up the body of Christ but also enriches our own lives. Withholding good when prompted by God is a sin, often caused by ignorance or heart issues. True ministry goes beyond stage presence or titles; it requires humility, selflessness, and obedience, modeled after Jesus Himself. As we give of ourselves, God promises to exalt us, supply our needs, and fill us with lasting joy. A ministry mindset is one that reflects Christ’s attitude—valuing others above self and trusting His strength to serve faithfully.
A benefactor is someone who does good for others. As believers, we are blessed in Christ with every spiritual blessing (Ephesians 1:3) and called to use what we’ve received to bless others. God has lavished spiritual riches on us—mercy, grace, resurrection life, and heavenly authority—which impacts how we live and give on earth. Jesus reminds us not to store up earthly treasures but to focus on eternal ones (Matthew 6:19–20). We often excuse ourselves from generosity—whether in poverty or abundance—but Scripture shows that both the Macedonians in affliction (2 Corinthians 8) and the widow with her two coins (Luke 21) gave sacrificially. On the other side, the wealthy must remember that all they have is from God, and He gives wealth for His purposes, not just comfort (Deuteronomy 8, Esther 4). The secret to living blessed is found in contentment. Like Paul, we learn to thrive in every season by depending on Christ's strength (Philippians 4:11–13).
Dr. Joshua begins a new series, “The Benefactor” Part 1. This year’s theme, One Vision, One Voice, emphasizes unity in thought, purpose, and love, as taught in 1 Corinthians 1:10 and Philippians 2. Paul urges believers to adopt the spirit of a benefactor—one who humbly serves others and gives generously, reflecting the heart of Christ. True generosity flows not just from wealth but from a spirit of selflessness, producing unity, blessing, and gratitude to God. Generosity is not just financial—it’s a spirit and lifestyle rooted in unity, humility, and a heart to bless others.
Guest speaker, Dr. Doretha O’Quinn, gives a wonderful message on Mother’s Day, "The Qualities of a Spirit Empowered Mother: Catching the Shunamite Woman". She provides us four incredible qualities of a mother to consider, referencing the Shunamite woman in 2 Kings. She encourages all the mothers to wait on God to transform any situation they face. Dr. Doretha also encourages us all to allow ourselves to be empowered by the Holy Spirit.
Following the play, "Connections", Dr. Joshua delivers a message about relationships and the way that our need for relational connections is ultimately fulfilled in having a relationship with Jesus.
Dr. Joshua delivers a powerful message on "Palm Sunday", reflecting on the plot to kill Lazarus and encouraging us to seek the support of others through prayer.
Dr. Joshua closes the series, "The Kingdom Way - Part 5," highlighting the priority of Jesus and the reality of human need and how Jesus responds to our need. Dr. Joshua critiques the modern Christian tendency to accommodate individual preferences over biblical principles, particularly after Covid, suggesting that this approach misaligns with true Christianity. Ultimately, God calls for a focus on seeking His priorities first (Matt 6:31-33), acknowledging that while basic human needs are important, anxiety around them FIRST, can divert attention from faith in Jesus. Dr. Joshua closes by providing five ways to distinguish yourself from the crowd (non-committal) to the congregation (committed and kingdom-minded).
Dr. Joshua continues the series, "The Kingdom Way - Part 4," encouraging us to embrace the spirit of innovation while also discussing diversity and the power of collaboration.
