In John 11, Jesus receives word that His close friend Lazarus is gravely ill, yet He delays going to him, saying the illness is for God’s glory. When Jesus finally arrives in Bethany, Lazarus has already been dead for four days. Despite the grief of Martha and Mary, Jesus declares, “I am the resurrection and the life,” affirming that those who believe in Him will never truly die. Moved by compassion, Jesus weeps at Lazarus’s tomb and then raises him from the dead, demonstrating His divine power. Many who witnessed this miracle believe in Him, but others report it to the Pharisees, prompting the religious leaders to plot His death. Caiaphas, the high priest, unknowingly prophesies that Jesus would die not just for the nation, but to gather God’s scattered children into one people.
Psalm 67 is a joyful call for God’s blessing—not only for His people, but so that His glory and saving power would be known throughout the earth. The psalmist prays that God would be gracious, bless His people, and make His face shine upon them. This blessing has a purpose: that all nations might come to know, worship, and rejoice in the one true God. It celebrates God’s justice, guidance, and generosity, as even the harvest is seen as a sign of His provision. Ultimately, the psalm looks forward to a day when all the peoples of the earth revere and praise Him together.
The prophets of old diligently searched and inquired about the salvation and grace that would come through Christ. They were guided by the Spirit of Christ as they spoke of His sufferings and the glory that would follow. It was revealed to them that their messages were not ultimately for themselves but for future generations—specifically for us. This good news has now been proclaimed by those empowered by the Holy Spirit, and it is so profound that even angels long to understand it.
Peter praises God for His great mercy in giving believers new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. This hope points to an eternal inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and kept in heaven. Even amid trials, believers can rejoice because their faith—though tested—is proven genuine and will result in praise and glory when Christ is revealed. Though they haven’t seen Him, they love and believe in Him, experiencing a deep, inexpressible joy. Ultimately, their faith leads to the salvation of their souls.
In the opening of his letter, Peter addresses believers as “elect exiles”—those chosen by God yet living as outsiders in the world. He reminds them that their identity is rooted in the foreknowledge of God the Father, the sanctifying work of the Spirit, and the saving grace of Jesus Christ. Though scattered across different regions, they are unified by a shared calling to live in obedience and hope. Peter’s greeting of multiplied grace and peace sets the tone for a letter filled with encouragement for those navigating life as faithful followers of Christ in a broken world.
Psalm 19 celebrates both God's creation and His Word. The psalm opens by declaring how the heavens continually proclaim God's glory and handiwork without words, yet are universally understood. It then shifts to highlight the perfection of God's law, describing it as pure, true, and more desirable than gold or honey, capable of reviving the soul and bringing wisdom, joy, and clarity. The psalmist acknowledges human weakness, asking God for forgiveness of hidden faults and protection from willful sin. It ends with a heartfelt prayer that both speech and thought would be pleasing to the Lord, our Rock and Redeemer.
In Genesis 22, God tests Abraham by asking him to offer his beloved son Isaac as a sacrifice. Abraham responds with remarkable obedience and trust, believing that God would somehow provide. At the moment of sacrifice, God intervenes and provides a ram in Isaac’s place. Abraham names the place “The Lord will provide,” declaring his faith in God’s provision. This powerful story reminds us that true sacrifice flows from deep trust in the Lord—and that God blesses those who hold nothing back from Him.
This is a significant moment in the life of our church. As we gather, we come with hearts prepared to commit generously, cheerfully, and sacrificially to the vision God has placed before us. But we are not only committing our resources, but our very lives for the sake of Christ. Together, we step forward in faith, trusting God to use our generosity to impact generations to come.
You can find the Antioch Initiative Commitment Form here: https://providencefrisco.churchcenter.com/people/forms/980016
In this special message from Providence Church, Afshin Ziafat returns to 2 Corinthians 9 to challenge and encourage our church family toward cheerful, sacrificial giving as we approach Commitment Sunday on September 21.
Afshin reminds us that our generosity flows not from guilt or pressure, but from a clear view of God’s abundant grace and provision. God doesn’t just call us to give—He calls us to give joyfully, trusting in His sufficiency. Through this initiative, we have the opportunity to invest in reaching the next generation, expanding gospel impact, and leaving a legacy of faith.
"Today was supposed to be week 5 of 6 for our series called The Antioch Initiative - an exciting season that we are in as a church - casting vision for our future and where we are headed for the next chapter of the life of our church. But with the tragic week we walked through, we need to shift gears today. We need to spend today lamenting, grieving, and turning to the truth of God's word to guide us."
In 2 Corinthians 8:1–7, Paul highlights the remarkable generosity of the Macedonian churches, who gave joyfully and sacrificially even in the midst of great affliction and poverty. Their giving flowed not from abundance, but from an overflow of grace and a deep desire to participate in the work of the gospel. They first gave themselves to the Lord, and then to others—an example of wholehearted, Spirit-led generosity. Paul urges the Corinthian church to excel in this same grace of giving, reminding them that generosity is a reflection of sincere faith and love. As we walk through the Antioch Initiative, this passage challenges us to become generous givers—trusting God, offering ourselves fully, and joyfully investing in His kingdom work.
In Acts 13:1–4, we see the church in Antioch listening to the Holy Spirit, setting apart Paul and Barnabas, and sending them out to proclaim the gospel—marking the beginning of the first missionary journey. This moment reflects a church that doesn’t just gather, but goes, fueled by a vision to see the name of Jesus made known among the nations. In Acts 14:24–28, Paul and Barnabas return and report all that God had done through them and how He had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles. The sending church became the celebrating church—rejoicing in how God advanced His kingdom through their obedience. This is the heart of the Antioch Initiative: to be a church that listens, sends, and celebrates as God works through us to reach the world.
This passage offers a compelling vision of gospel-centered community through the church in Antioch. This diverse, Spirit-led gathering grew out of persecution and became a hub for mission and generosity. As believers preached the gospel to both Jews and Greeks, the hand of the Lord was with them, and many turned to Christ. Barnabas and Saul discipled this growing community, strengthening their faith and deepening their unity. It was here that the disciples were first called Christians—evidence of a new identity shaped by the gospel. The Antioch church responded to need with sacrificial generosity, showing that true kingdom community is rooted in worship, formed by discipleship, and expressed through mission. This is the kind of church we long to become through The Antioch Initiative—a sending church, a growing church, and a gospel-shaped community for generations to come.
This passage paints a powerful picture of the gospel’s expansion through the early church and provides the foundation for our vision in The Antioch Initiative. In the face of persecution, believers carried the good news beyond Jerusalem, and in Antioch, the gospel reached across cultural lines to the Gentiles. God's hand was clearly at work as many believed and turned to the Lord. The church in Antioch became a hub of gospel teaching, discipleship, and generosity—where believers were first called Christians. This moment marked the beginning of a gospel movement that would impact the world, and it mirrors our desire at Providence: to be a sending church rooted in the gospel, reaching our city and the nations for Christ.
God’s glory fills the earth and declares His unmatched worth and majesty. As Isaiah 6:3 and Habakkuk 2:14 proclaim, all creation resounds with His holiness, and the knowledge of His glory will one day cover the earth like the waters cover the sea. The heavens declare His beauty (Psalm 19:1), and all that is lovely and good flows from Him. He is infinitely blessed—perfect in joy, fullness, and delight within Himself, as seen in His radiant self-revelation in Christ (2 Cor. 4:6) and in the eternal worship He receives (Psalm 72:19, Rev. 4:11). God's glory, beauty, and blessedness are not just theological truths—they are the heart of our worship and the hope of our souls.
In this passage, Paul explains that righteousness from God has been made available apart from the law, though the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it. This righteousness comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe, because all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. We are justified freely by God’s grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented Jesus as a sacrifice of atonement, demonstrating His justice by punishing sin while also showing His mercy by justifying those who have faith in Jesus. In doing so, God proves Himself to be both just and the justifier of sinners.
Titus 3:1–8 reminds believers to live lives marked by humility, gentleness, and readiness for good works, showing kindness to all. Paul urges us to remember that we, too, were once lost in sin—foolish, disobedient, and driven by selfish desires. But God, in His mercy, saved us—not because of our righteous deeds, but through the renewing work of the Holy Spirit made possible by Jesus Christ. We have been justified by grace and made heirs of eternal life. As recipients of this grace, we are called to devote ourselves to doing good, as it brings benefit and blessing to others.
Romans 15:13 is a prayer for believers to be filled with joy and peace as they trust in God. It reminds us that true hope comes from God, not our circumstances. As we believe in Him, the Holy Spirit empowers us to overflow with hope. This verse highlights the unshakable confidence we can have in God’s promises through faith.
Isaiah 6:1–8 gives us a powerful glimpse into the holiness of God. Isaiah sees the Lord exalted on His throne, surrounded by seraphim who cry out, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts,” declaring God's complete and perfect holiness. The overwhelming presence of God exposes Isaiah’s own sinfulness, leading him to confess his unworthiness. Yet, in God’s mercy, Isaiah’s guilt is removed and his sin atoned for through a coal from the altar. In response to God's cleansing and call, Isaiah offers himself willingly, saying, “Here I am! Send me.” This passage reveals that God's holiness both humbles us and transforms us for His purposes.
To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. 1 O Lord, you have searched me and known me! 2 You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. 3 You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. 4 Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O Lord, you know it altogether. 5 You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me. 6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high; I cannot attain it.”
Jeremiah 23 reminds us that God is not a distant deity—He is near to us and fills all of heaven and earth. There is nowhere we can hide from His presence. Isaiah 46 declares that God alone is truly God, unmatched in power and wisdom. He knows the end from the beginning and brings His perfect purposes to pass. These passages together remind us that God is both all-present and all-powerful—always near, always in control, and always faithful.
