Reach, Restore, Revive: Making Faith Public and Multiplying What Matters
Sunday August 17, 2025
This Sunday’s message at Hilltop was a wake-up call and a heartening challenge. We were reminded that Jesus’ great commission—to go, make disciples, and proclaim His gospel—isn't just a suggestion for the especially spiritual, or for those in vocational ministry. It's a call for every believer to step out of the shadows, let their light shine, and make their faith visible and vocal.
A Fresh Vision for 2025
Kicking off the year, our community embraced a new vision: “In 2025, we want to see the Lord revive our city, restore the broken, and reach the lost with the gospel of Jesus.” But as Pastor Darrell reminded us, vision isn’t a slogan for the new year; it’s the heartbeat of our identity and mission. We’re not meant to let these words collect dust—we’re called to keep them front and center in our actions, our prayers, and our witness.
The Command, Not a Suggestion
Drawing from Mark 16 and Matthew 28, Pastor Darrell underscored that Jesus’ send-off wasn’t a casual recommendation. “Go into all the world and make disciples of all nations.” This is a command straight from the heart of Christ, and it’s not limited to any single role or status in the church. If you call yourself a follower of Jesus—it’s yours.
It’s easy to become casual about our faith. Sometimes we treat Jesus’ words like background noise while we focus on the busyness of life. But this commission is non-negotiable—it’s not a “nice-to-have” but a “must-do” for every one of us.
Faith: Not Just Personal, But Public
The Bible makes it clear: faith isn’t just something private between you and God. It’s meant to be shown, shared, and seen by the world. It’s not enough to keep Jesus in our hearts and in the pews on Sunday. We are called to be “salt and light” in the world—out in our workplaces, neighborhoods, and schools, letting our faith be known through word and deed.
Sometimes we’re afraid—of being misunderstood, rejected, or simply not knowing how to start sharing. Jesus anticipated that, reminding His followers that persecution and pushback are part of the package. But He still calls us to acknowledge Him, stay faithful, and not shrink back when things get tough.
Multiply What Matters
We also tackled the famous Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25), encouraging us not to bury what we’ve been given. This isn’t just about stewarding our finances—it’s about what we do with the gospel itself while we wait for Christ’s return. The take-home? Don’t keep the good news locked up. Faithfully multiply it by sharing your story and impact others with Christ’s love.
Real Stories, Real Impact
Testimonies from those who served in Mexico brought the message home. They described stepping past nervousness and finding that sometimes the most powerful evangelism is as simple as a smile, a shared meal, or a listening ear. Whether it’s playing with kids, giving backpacks, or praying for families, God’s love moves when we show up and let Him use us.
A Call to Action
As we wrapped up, the challenge was clear: Take your pulse. Where are you in following Jesus? Are you engaged with His commands—or just watching from the sidelines?
This week, let’s move beyond casual Christianity. May we become a church—not just in word, but in action—that truly reaches, restores, and revives:
Reach into our city, families, and workplaces with living faith.
Restore the broken around us through the power of God’s love.
Revive our church with prayer, which leads to a revival of God’s presence.
Let’s get vocal, get visible, and multiply what matters most—the life-giving story of Jesus Christ.
