“Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back; lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes”

multiplyincrease

stretchgrow

expand

unfold

lengthenenlarg

e

strengthencultivatedevelop

don’t hold back

liberatereinforce

nurturesupport

inspire

elongate

spreadrelease

extend

toughen

unrestrained

Recap• God’s people, redeemed by Jesus, filled with the Holy

Spirit • Destiny | Purpose – serve God | seek His Kingdom | share

faith• Called to be different – salt and light• Deliberate, planned and intentional – we’re not here by

accident• God isn’t hiding; He’s near to each one of us (Acts 17:27)• We’re His agents, ambassadors, advocates• Core values – real | relevant | relational• Influence and Impact our community required

commitment and determination • Creativity • Breakout & Breakthrough mentality • Accountability

1Chronicles 4:9&10 (NIVUK)

Jabez was more honourable than his brothers. His mother had named him Jabez, saying, “I gave birth to him in pain.” Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, “Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.” And God granted his request.• An unknown from nowhere• Mentioned only once• Honourable• Someone special – God grants his request• Radical prayer

Jabez“O that You would bless me and enlarge my territory”• Selfish?• Wanted God’s blessing and

placed his dependency on God’s goodness

• Honourable | Integrity | Trustworthy

• God grants his request• Recalibrate how we pray• “Blessing” means to ask for

supernatural favour

“Our minds are like concrete –thoroughly

mixed up and permanently set”

Proverbs 10:22 (Message)“God's blessing makes life rich;

nothing we do can improve on God”

Questions Do we miss out on God’s blessing

because we don’t ask for it? When was the last time you

unconditionally asked God for favour on your life?

Are we honourable in our dealings with God and with other people?

2Corinthians 9:10-11 (NIVUK)

Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God• Made rich in every way• Generous on every occasion• Generosity results in thanksgiving to God

2Corinthians 9:8 (NIVUK)

God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work

2Corinthians 9:8 (NIVUK)

God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work

2Corinthians 9:8 (NIVUK)

God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work

2Corinthians 9:8 (NIVUK)

God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work

2Corinthians 9:8 (NIVUK)

God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work

Dependence on GodMy skills, talents and abilities+ my experience + my training + my personality + the good/bad things that have happened to me + the expectations of others = the calling for my life

My willingness+ my weakness + His power and provision = His calling on my life

Matthew 6:33 (NIVUK)“Seek first his kingdom

and his righteousness, and all these things

will be given to you as well”

Questions Where is my motivation and focus –

on me or God’s kingdom? What does righteousness mean to

me and how am I applying it to my life?

Application“Be holy, because I am holy” (1Peter 1:15-16)

• Different• Separate• Distinctive

• Sacred• Devoted• Sanctity