October 27, 2025 • 29 mins
What if God is asking you to make room before you see any reason to? Today we open Isaiah 54 and hear a clear charge: enlarge the tent, stretch the curtains, do not spare, and drive the stakes deep. The message moves from the suffering servant of Isaiah 53 to a harvest that demands preparation, inviting us to act on God’s word before results show up.
We unpack how faith prepares ahead of time—like setting extra places at the table because you trust the guests are coming. On the personal side, that looks like praying bold prayers, obeying when it’s costly, and trusting God to work in your heart, relationships, and calling. For ministry, it means planning for new people and new leaders, creating space where the lost are welcomed, the saved are formed, and the sent are equipped. We talk frankly about the danger of chasing growth without depth, and why roots must precede reach if we want fruit that lasts.
Then we turn to the stakes that keep a life and a church from blowing over: Biblical preaching that feeds the soul, sound doctrine that holds when culture shifts, prayer that refuses autopilot, intentional discipleship, humble leadership, and honest righteousness. Our confidence is not in a strategy but in the gospel. Jesus was pierced so we could be planted, crushed so we could be commissioned, and raised so we could move in resurrection power. We’re launching new groups, multiplying leaders, expanding space, and laying out a three-and-a-half-year mission plan—not to look impressive, but to be faithful to what God is doing among us.
If you’re ready to stretch by faith and strengthen your foundation, this conversation will give you language, courage, and next steps. Subscribe, share this with a friend who needs hope, and leave a review to help others find the message. Where is God asking you to make room today?
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
SPEAKER_00 (00:04):
Ministry of Pastor Timothy Madd and Providence
Church or Providence Church is alocal assembly of followers of
Jesus Christ dedicated tohelping people become committed
and mature followers of JesusChrist.
Now, here's Pastor Timothy Mannteaching the word.
SPEAKER_01 (00:22):
Isaiah chapter 54.
If you are new, we're in themiddle of a series.
This one that we're in right nowreally has a lot to do with the
directional life of the church,but also ourselves individually.
We've been calling it GrowingGod's Way.
Isaiah 54.
We're going to be reading verse2 and 3.
The Bible says, Enlarge theplace of your tent, and let them
(00:47):
stretch out the curtains of yourdwellings.
Do not spare.
Lengthen your cords andstrengthen your stakes.
For you shall expand to theright and to the left, and your
descendants will inherit thenations and make the desolate
cities inhabited.
We'll stop here.
(01:07):
This is God's word.
Have you ever sensed that Godwas preparing you for something?
I mean, even before you saw anyevidence of it.
Sense that God was preparing youfor something even before you
saw any evidence of it.
Maybe it started as kind of astirring in your soul, or maybe
(01:30):
just a growing sense that changewas coming.
Because that's exactly whatIsaiah 54 is all about.
God calls his people in Isaiah54 to prepare in faith before
the blessing arrives.
He calls his people to preparein faith before the blessing
(01:50):
arrives.
Now let me give you the contexthere of Isaiah in general, where
we are.
Isaiah 53, very famous passagein the book of Isaiah.
Isaiah 53 has just revealed thesuffering and the triumph of the
Messiah, Jesus, the servant whowould be pierced for our
(02:11):
transgressions.
And now Isaiah 54 shifts focus.
It goes from the cross, theharvest begins.
From barrenness comesfruitfulness.
And God gives a call here to hispeople.
He says, Enlarge the place ofyour tent and let them stretch
out the curtains of yourdwellings.
(02:32):
Do not spare, lengthen yourcords, and strengthen your
stakes.
I would say to you this morningthat these are not poetic
musings at all.
They're actually propheticimperatives, prophetic commands.
God says, get ready for more.
Get ready for more.
(02:53):
Stretch.
Lengthen.
Strengthen.
Prepare.
Provenant church, I believethat's where we are as a church.
We're not coasting, we'reclimbing.
We've seen that the last fewyears especially.
We're not just maintaining,we're multiplying.
(03:15):
And as your pastor, I want totell you very plainly this
morning (03:18):
now is not the time to play it safe.
In our lives individually.
Now is not the time to play itsafe in your life individually
and as a church.
It's time to step out in faithand prepare for what only God
can do.
(03:38):
And this passage encourages usto embrace a spiritual and
missional vision for growth inour lives and as a local church.
This passage actually urges usto expand our perspective,
strengthen our foundation, andlive with kingdom expectation.
(04:02):
Not because we're impressive,but because God is faithful.
I would say now is the time topray bold prayers and to make
courageous plans and open widethe tent flaps for those God is
bringing.
Not for our fame, but for theglory of Christ and for the good
(04:26):
of others.
So let's lean into this callthis morning for a few minutes.
In other words, let's stretch.
What we need is we need tobelieve God for more.
We need to deepen ourfoundation, and we need to
expect God to move in our livesand in the church.
(04:47):
Let's look at this.
Isaiah 54, the first part ofverse 2.
Enlarge the place of your tentand let them stretch out the
curtains of your dwellings.
Very clearly, what the Lord istelling his people here is you
need to believe me for more andstretch your faith.
So God here is not offering somekind of gentle suggestion, but
(05:10):
he is issuing a divine command.
Enlarge, stretch.
Those are two words that areverbs, action, words in this
verse.
Enlarge, stretch.
These are directives.
These are not optional choices.
And these words were spoken to apeople who had experienced
(05:31):
devastation and who hadexperienced exile.
Because Israel had facedbarrenness and loss and sorrow.
And yet God is speaking to themas if abundance is already
headed their way.
Isaiah 54, I didn't read thisverse, but Isaiah 54, verse 1,
(05:52):
you might look at it in yourBibles there.
It actually begins with a verysurprising invitation.
Chapter 54, verse 1 says, Sing OBaron.
B-A-R-R-E-N.
Sing O Baron.
Now that's not exactly whatanyone expects to hear from
(06:14):
someone who's faced infertilityand despair.
But God says, sing now.
Go ahead and sing now, becausefruitfulness is on the way.
And he says, then he says,enlarge the place of your tent.
That's tent language.
That's, I believe it'stabernacle language.
(06:35):
It takes Israel back to theirdays of journeying with God in
the wilderness.
We're going back to Exodusagain.
It takes God, for those of youwho are new this morning,
everybody's chuckling about thatbecause I preached verse by
verse through the book ofExodus, and it only took us two
years.
So I believe this language heretakes Israel back to their days
(06:59):
of journeying with God in thewilderness after God had brought
them out of Egyptian slavery.
So when they moved, when hemoved.
When his manifest presencemoved, they moved.
And they lived with mobility anddependence and expectancy.
And in Isaiah 54, God tells themto prepare for more.
(07:20):
More people, more presence, moremission.
But I want you to notice whatcomes first.
It doesn't involve manpower, itdoesn't involve money, it
doesn't involve methods.
It actually begins with faith inGod's word.
Faith in God's word.
One thing I've noticed throughthe years is God's pattern
throughout Scripture is to speakbefore the work becomes visible.
(07:45):
He called creation intoexistence with a word.
He gave Abraham a promise beforerevealing the land.
He told Joshua that the walls ofJericho would fall before they
did.
He spoke to Mary about Jesusbefore she ever felt a single
kick in her womb.
(08:05):
That's how God works.
He speaks, and then he calls hispeople to respond in faith.
Romans chapter 4, verse 17 tellsus that God, and I quote, calls
those things which do not existas though they do.
He's God.
He can do that.
And I believe that's what he'sdoing here.
(08:26):
He's telling his people toprepare for something they
hadn't seen yet.
To enlarge the tent before thefirst guest arrives, or before
the first generation is born.
Faith, what faith does is faithresponds to God's word even when
the work hasn't yet becomevisible.
(08:48):
And Providence, I believe, thisis the kind of faith that God is
calling us to.
I believe he's calling you tothat kind of faith as an
individual.
We don't wait until we see theharvest to start building barns.
We prepare ahead of time.
We believe before we see.
(09:10):
Let's not retreat into spiritualsurvival mode.
As a church or individually.
God is not calling you tocomfort.
He's calling you to courageousfaith.
He's saying about your life.
Make room.
I'm not done.
(09:32):
I'm about to move.
In your life.
Make room.
I'm not finished.
I'm about to move.
But if we're honest, we often dothe opposite, don't we?
You know what I mean?
We shrink the tent.
(09:53):
We lower our expectations.
We pray safe prayers.
We do ministry, if we do any atall.
That doesn't require much faith.
We hedge our obedience.
And we call it wisdom.
Or if we want to sound realspiritual, we call it good
(10:15):
stewardship.
Good stewardship.
Let me ask you.
Are you honestly expecting Godto move in your life?
Are you honestly expecting himto move in your life?
(10:37):
Are you honestly expecting himto move in your service to him?
Whatever that might be.
Are you, when you came here thismorning, when you arrived on the
parking lot, did you walk intothis room today and start
greeting other people havingalready had the had the full
honest expectancy that God wasgoing to be moving in our
(10:59):
church?
We have to be the kind of peoplewho stretch.
Not because we're strong, butbecause he is faithful.
So let's get practical.
What does it mean to stretchyour faith?
Well, let's talk personallyfirst.
(11:19):
Personally.
Are you trusting God for deepergrowth in your walk with Christ?
Are you trusting God for deepergrowth in your walk with Christ?
Alright, let's take it to thenext level.
Are you actually asking God towork in your own heart and in
your own mind?
(11:40):
Is that a regular prayer?
Are you asking God to work inyour heart and in your mind?
Are you asking him to work inyour relationships?
Are you asking him to work inyour family?
Are you asking him to work inyour calling as a Christian?
Are you actually praying boldlyand believing God will use you
(12:01):
where you are?
In ministry?
Are you helping lead people oryour ministry area if you have
responsibility?
Are you helping lead people andyour ministry area with kingdom
expectation?
Are you actually preparing fornew people, for new leaders, for
(12:23):
new disciples?
Are you creating space for thelost to be found and the saved
to be sent?
As a church, these are questionsI'm asking.
Are we preparing our schedules,our structures, and our budgets
for the growth we pray for?
(12:46):
Are we creating environmentsthat actually welcome the
broken, disciple the saved, andequip the sent?
Because stretching faith in mylife and in your life,
stretching faith involvesobeying during difficult times.
(13:09):
It involves giving whenresources are limited.
It involves serving despite thecost.
And it involves trusting evenwhen the result isn't visible
yet.
That's what stretching faith is.
Faith stretches before fruitappears.
(13:31):
Obedience comes before theoutcomes.
Preparation precedes provision.
I mean, it's like the widow in 1Kings chapter 17 who made a cake
of bread for the prophet Elijahbefore the flower multiplied.
And if you don't know what I'mtalking about, you need to read
1 Kings 17.
(13:51):
Or it's like Peter casting hisnet again after a fishless
night.
Or it's like the discipleshanding out loaves of bread
before the miracle.
We're actually called to stepout in faith and trust the God
of the harvest.
(14:11):
Imagine you're setting up yourhouse for a big dinner.
You pull out extra chairs, youset more plates, and you extend
the table, and maybe someonewalks in and says, Are you
having company?
And you smile and say, Not yet,but I've invited them.
I believe they're coming.
(14:33):
That's the kind of faith thatIsaiah 54 describes.
You actually stretch before theguests arrive because you
believe that the God who callsis the God who brings the
increase.
We'll talk more about that nextweek.
So why is it that we actuallycan live with such kind of bold
(14:53):
expectations?
I would say this, it's becauseIsaiah 54 follows Isaiah 53.
See, the prophetic call here toenlarge the tent comes after the
suffering and the atonement ofChrist.
Jesus was pierced so we can beplanted.
He was crushed so we could becommissioned.
(15:14):
He rose so we could walk in thepower of the resurrection.
And our boldness to follow infaith is not rooted in our
strength or even in some kind ofgreat church strategy.
It's actually anchored in gospelcertainty.
Hebrews chapter 12, verse 2says, looking unto Jesus.
(15:35):
Looking unto Jesus, the authorand finisher of our faith.
He starts it, he sustains it,and he will finish it.
And so the call to stretchdoesn't begin with our effort.
It starts with Christ's finishedwork.
Because he died, we live.
Because he rose, we reach.
And because he is returning, westretch.
(15:59):
God is calling us to believe himfor more in our lives and in
this church.
Not just for numbers, not forpeople's applause, but for the
sake of souls and for the gloryof Christ.
For the mission of God in ourcommunity and beyond.
(16:19):
This is not about beingimpressive.
It's about being faithful.
So I want to ask you, will youpray like revival is possible?
Will you?
Will you serve as if souls areat stake?
Will you actually participate oreven lead like eternity matters?
(16:42):
Because we're not just buildingour own lives.
American Christians are soselfish, so self-centered.
We've been taught to be thatway.
We're not just building our ownlives, or buildings for that
matter.
We're building people.
(17:02):
We're not just managingministries, we're making
disciples.
We're not just dreaming, we'redepending on God to do what only
God can do.
So, Providence, folks, this yearand in the coming year, we're
going to stretch as a church insome very real ways.
That's going to be launching newBible fellowship groups,
(17:26):
expanding, or at least beginningto, expanding ministry and
worship space, multiplyingleaders and disciple makers, and
also unveiling a three and ahalf year strategic mission plan
soon.
But none of it matters if ourfaith isn't being stretched
(17:47):
along the way.
So let's respond to the call.
Stretch your faith.
Prepare the tent.
Make room for the move of God inyour own life.
And our church.
What else do we see, though?
The second part of verse 2.
(18:10):
The word says, Do not spare.
Lengthen your cords andstrengthen your stakes.
So the Lord here is telling us,and he told Israel, strengthen
your stakes.
That is to say, deepen yourfoundation.
Deepen your foundation.
The imagery shifts here.
After the call to stretch, Godgives a command to strengthen.
(18:32):
Because I want you to hear mevery clearly, one without the
other is dangerous.
One without the.
What I mean is this (18:38):
you can't extend a tent outward if the
stakes aren't driven deep intothe ground.
You can stretch the fabric, youcan lengthen the cord all you
want, but without firm anchors,the whole thing collapses in the
wind.
That's true in church life, andlisten to me, it's true in your
spiritual life.
(18:58):
Absolutely true in yourspiritual life.
It's not enough to look likegrowth is happening in your life
or as a church.
It's not enough to look likegrowth is happening.
We must have the depth tosustain it.
And so the longer the cords, thedeeper the stakes must go.
(19:21):
God here isn't just calling usto expand, he's calling us to
deepen.
To build a foundation thatlasts.
To prepare for growth, not justin numbers, but in health and in
maturity and in spiritual power.
We all need that.
We need spiritual health.
We need spiritual maturity andwe need spiritual power.
(19:41):
So we have to deepen our stakes.
Throughout Scripture, we see aclear connection between
spiritual fruit and deep roots.
Psalm 1.
Psalm 1.
You should read it and study itif you never have.
Psalm 1 describes the righteousas a tree, and I quote, planted
(20:03):
by rivers of water, and one thatbrings forth fruit in its
season.
Colossians chapter 2, verse 7urges believers to, quote, be
rooted and built up in him,meaning Christ.
Ephesians 3.17 speaks of, and Iquote, being rooted and grounded
in love.
See, fruit without a rootdoesn't last.
(20:27):
Expansion without depth doesn'tendure.
And so if we're going to stretchwide, we must first go deep.
And that's true for you as anindividual.
That's true for your family.
That's true for ministries.
That's true for churches.
Well, what are the stakes?
(20:48):
In Isaiah's day, obviously, tentstakes were hammered deep into
the ground to keep the tent fromcollapsing.
And spiritually, the stakesrepresent our foundation in
Christ.
Those core elements that anchorus when life gets stormy.
Because it will get stormy.
(21:09):
Also, those stakes that anchorus when ministry gets stormy.
Because that happens in churchlife sometimes.
So what are the spiritual stakesthat must strengthen?
Well, first of all, I would saybiblical preaching and teaching.
We have to ask ourselves (21:26):
are we receiving and are we proclaiming
Christ-centered truth that feedsthe soul?
Another stake is sound doctrine.
Sound doctrine.
Are we grounded in biblicaltheology that actually holds up
when the culture shifts?
(21:47):
Prayer.
Are you seeking God's presenceor are you running on spiritual
autopilot?
And then discipleship.
Are you personally seeking to beformed as a mature follower of
Jesus or just being anentertained attender?
(22:12):
Which are you after?
Biblical leadership.
That has to be a stake in theground, too, that goes deep.
Biblical leadership.
I'm talking about are we as achurch raising up shepherds and
leaders who serve with integrityand humility?
(22:33):
Righteousness.
Righteousness.
Are you personally pursuingrepentance and accountability?
Not just reputation and tryingto be relevant?
See, if the stakes are shallow,then everything we build in our
(22:56):
life and in the church isvulnerable.
If our stakes are shallow.
But if our stakes are strong,I'm talking about deep, I'm
talking about tested, I'mtalking about anchored in
Christ, then we then canactually stretch wide with
confidence.
Because of that.
See, growth without depth isn'thealth.
(23:19):
There's a quiet danger inchasing growth.
We can actually prioritize sizeover strength.
We can prioritize activity overmaturity.
We can prioritize visibilityover stability.
And I got to remind myself and Igot to remind our pastors and
other church leaders on aregular basis, even a BFG
(23:41):
leader.
Jesus didn't say build crowds.
He said, make disciples.
Make disciples.
Not build crowds, makedisciples.
Because a class, a church canget bigger while getting weaker.
That's not what God wants.
(24:03):
And that's not what we want inProvidence.
We want gospel growth.
We want authentic health.
We want real transformation.
And that takes time.
That takes depth.
That takes commitment.
Broad reach with shallow rootsleads to collapse.
(24:23):
Deep roots lead to lastingfruit.
That's why we preach biblicaldoctrine.
That's why we want to discipleintentionally.
That's why we want to walkslowly and wisely when it comes
to leadership and also ministrymultiplication.
Because if we don't strengthenour stakes, the tent won't hold.
(24:48):
I mean, just picture two tentsset up on the beach.
One is stretched wide and itlooks impressive and it's cool.
It's got the logo and all thatstuff, you know, but the stakes
are barely pressed in theground.
The other might be smaller overhere, looks maybe older a few
years back, and but man, it'sanchored deep and those cords
are pulled tight.
And then the wind kicks up,which it always does eventually.
(25:10):
And that one, oh, what happens?
You ever been on the beach andyou see somebody easy up rolling
down the beach?
You know what I'm talking about?
Maybe that happened to you.
Anybody that happened to youbefore?
Yeah.
Bruce, you're the only honestman in the room.
God bless you, my friend.
It collapses.
(25:31):
It's damaged now.
And the anchored one stands.
Listen, Christian.
Listen, church.
We're not called to just lookstrong.
We're called to be strong.
To dive this, drive in thestakes of doctrine and
discipleship and righteousnessdeep into the ground of God's
(25:55):
word and the Holy Spirit.
Only then can we weather thestorms of life and the storms
that come in ministry?
Well, what does this look likefor us?
Let me go the other way.
Let me start church and go downfrom there.
(26:15):
I think this is a call tostrength, this call to strength
and really applies at everylevel.
As a church, I'm askingquestions with the other pastors
and the rest of the ministerialstuff.
Are we actually building deepfoundations through teaching and
Bible fellowship groups andleadership development?
(26:36):
We're going to focus really onthat a lot the next three years.
Are our ministries more aboutspiritual maturity than they are
surface activity?
And are we preparingstructurally and spiritually for
sustained growth over the longhaul?
(26:58):
Then as leaders, we have someleaders in the room.
Are we actually raising upothers?
Are we just doing everythingourselves?
Are we training leaders who aredoctrinally sound and
spiritually mature?
But on a personal level, are wemodeling the kind of death we
(27:22):
want to see in others?
That the Bible says ought to bethere.
And then as individuals, let'smake it personal.
Thinking about these tentstakes.
Are you rooted in the word?
I'm not talking about your petfavorite verses that you pull
(27:42):
out.
I'm not talking about the kindof on coffee cups and plaques on
the wall, taken out of context.
Are you really rooted in theword?
I'm not talking about some kindof systematic doctrine that
somebody somewhere taught you.
Are you rooted in the word ofGod?
(28:04):
Are you part, actually part ofthe community in this local
church?
And are you walking in practicalrighteousness, not perfection?
We all need massive amounts ofgrace and mercy.
Can anybody witness?
We all need massive amounts ofgrace and mercy.
(28:25):
But are you walking in practicalrighteousness, not perfection?
You're yielding to God's wordand the Holy Spirit to be more
like Jesus.
And are you being sharpened byothers?
So you can't stretch farspiritually if you're not
anchored deep.
SPEAKER_00 (28:43):
The grass withers and the flower fades.
But the word of God standsforever.
That's Isaiah 48.
Thanks for tuning in to theFoundations of Truth Podcast
with Pastor Timothy Mann fromProvidence Church in Ormond
Beach, Florida.
Join us next time.
And until then, keep buildingyour life on God's eternal
truth.
Ministry of Pastor Timothy Madd and Providence
Church or Providence Church is alocal assembly of followers of
Jesus Christ dedicated tohelping people become committed
and mature followers of JesusChrist.
Now, here's Pastor Timothy Mannteaching the word.
SPEAKER_01 (00:22):
Isaiah chapter 54.
If you are new, we're in themiddle of a series.
This one that we're in right nowreally has a lot to do with the
directional life of the church,but also ourselves individually.
We've been calling it GrowingGod's Way.
Isaiah 54.
We're going to be reading verse2 and 3.
The Bible says, Enlarge theplace of your tent, and let them
(00:47):
stretch out the curtains of yourdwellings.
Do not spare.
Lengthen your cords andstrengthen your stakes.
For you shall expand to theright and to the left, and your
descendants will inherit thenations and make the desolate
cities inhabited.
We'll stop here.
(01:07):
This is God's word.
Have you ever sensed that Godwas preparing you for something?
I mean, even before you saw anyevidence of it.
Sense that God was preparing youfor something even before you
saw any evidence of it.
Maybe it started as kind of astirring in your soul, or maybe
(01:30):
just a growing sense that changewas coming.
Because that's exactly whatIsaiah 54 is all about.
God calls his people in Isaiah54 to prepare in faith before
the blessing arrives.
He calls his people to preparein faith before the blessing
(01:50):
arrives.
Now let me give you the contexthere of Isaiah in general, where
we are.
Isaiah 53, very famous passagein the book of Isaiah.
Isaiah 53 has just revealed thesuffering and the triumph of the
Messiah, Jesus, the servant whowould be pierced for our
(02:11):
transgressions.
And now Isaiah 54 shifts focus.
It goes from the cross, theharvest begins.
From barrenness comesfruitfulness.
And God gives a call here to hispeople.
He says, Enlarge the place ofyour tent and let them stretch
out the curtains of yourdwellings.
(02:32):
Do not spare, lengthen yourcords, and strengthen your
stakes.
I would say to you this morningthat these are not poetic
musings at all.
They're actually propheticimperatives, prophetic commands.
God says, get ready for more.
Get ready for more.
(02:53):
Stretch.
Lengthen.
Strengthen.
Prepare.
Provenant church, I believethat's where we are as a church.
We're not coasting, we'reclimbing.
We've seen that the last fewyears especially.
We're not just maintaining,we're multiplying.
(03:15):
And as your pastor, I want totell you very plainly this
morning (03:18):
now is not the time to play it safe.
In our lives individually.
Now is not the time to play itsafe in your life individually
and as a church.
It's time to step out in faithand prepare for what only God
can do.
(03:38):
And this passage encourages usto embrace a spiritual and
missional vision for growth inour lives and as a local church.
This passage actually urges usto expand our perspective,
strengthen our foundation, andlive with kingdom expectation.
(04:02):
Not because we're impressive,but because God is faithful.
I would say now is the time topray bold prayers and to make
courageous plans and open widethe tent flaps for those God is
bringing.
Not for our fame, but for theglory of Christ and for the good
(04:26):
of others.
So let's lean into this callthis morning for a few minutes.
In other words, let's stretch.
What we need is we need tobelieve God for more.
We need to deepen ourfoundation, and we need to
expect God to move in our livesand in the church.
(04:47):
Let's look at this.
Isaiah 54, the first part ofverse 2.
Enlarge the place of your tentand let them stretch out the
curtains of your dwellings.
Very clearly, what the Lord istelling his people here is you
need to believe me for more andstretch your faith.
So God here is not offering somekind of gentle suggestion, but
(05:10):
he is issuing a divine command.
Enlarge, stretch.
Those are two words that areverbs, action, words in this
verse.
Enlarge, stretch.
These are directives.
These are not optional choices.
And these words were spoken to apeople who had experienced
(05:31):
devastation and who hadexperienced exile.
Because Israel had facedbarrenness and loss and sorrow.
And yet God is speaking to themas if abundance is already
headed their way.
Isaiah 54, I didn't read thisverse, but Isaiah 54, verse 1,
(05:52):
you might look at it in yourBibles there.
It actually begins with a verysurprising invitation.
Chapter 54, verse 1 says, Sing OBaron.
B-A-R-R-E-N.
Sing O Baron.
Now that's not exactly whatanyone expects to hear from
(06:14):
someone who's faced infertilityand despair.
But God says, sing now.
Go ahead and sing now, becausefruitfulness is on the way.
And he says, then he says,enlarge the place of your tent.
That's tent language.
That's, I believe it'stabernacle language.
(06:35):
It takes Israel back to theirdays of journeying with God in
the wilderness.
We're going back to Exodusagain.
It takes God, for those of youwho are new this morning,
everybody's chuckling about thatbecause I preached verse by
verse through the book ofExodus, and it only took us two
years.
So I believe this language heretakes Israel back to their days
(06:59):
of journeying with God in thewilderness after God had brought
them out of Egyptian slavery.
So when they moved, when hemoved.
When his manifest presencemoved, they moved.
And they lived with mobility anddependence and expectancy.
And in Isaiah 54, God tells themto prepare for more.
(07:20):
More people, more presence, moremission.
But I want you to notice whatcomes first.
It doesn't involve manpower, itdoesn't involve money, it
doesn't involve methods.
It actually begins with faith inGod's word.
Faith in God's word.
One thing I've noticed throughthe years is God's pattern
throughout Scripture is to speakbefore the work becomes visible.
(07:45):
He called creation intoexistence with a word.
He gave Abraham a promise beforerevealing the land.
He told Joshua that the walls ofJericho would fall before they
did.
He spoke to Mary about Jesusbefore she ever felt a single
kick in her womb.
(08:05):
That's how God works.
He speaks, and then he calls hispeople to respond in faith.
Romans chapter 4, verse 17 tellsus that God, and I quote, calls
those things which do not existas though they do.
He's God.
He can do that.
And I believe that's what he'sdoing here.
(08:26):
He's telling his people toprepare for something they
hadn't seen yet.
To enlarge the tent before thefirst guest arrives, or before
the first generation is born.
Faith, what faith does is faithresponds to God's word even when
the work hasn't yet becomevisible.
(08:48):
And Providence, I believe, thisis the kind of faith that God is
calling us to.
I believe he's calling you tothat kind of faith as an
individual.
We don't wait until we see theharvest to start building barns.
We prepare ahead of time.
We believe before we see.
(09:10):
Let's not retreat into spiritualsurvival mode.
As a church or individually.
God is not calling you tocomfort.
He's calling you to courageousfaith.
He's saying about your life.
Make room.
I'm not done.
(09:32):
I'm about to move.
In your life.
Make room.
I'm not finished.
I'm about to move.
But if we're honest, we often dothe opposite, don't we?
You know what I mean?
We shrink the tent.
(09:53):
We lower our expectations.
We pray safe prayers.
We do ministry, if we do any atall.
That doesn't require much faith.
We hedge our obedience.
And we call it wisdom.
Or if we want to sound realspiritual, we call it good
(10:15):
stewardship.
Good stewardship.
Let me ask you.
Are you honestly expecting Godto move in your life?
Are you honestly expecting himto move in your life?
(10:37):
Are you honestly expecting himto move in your service to him?
Whatever that might be.
Are you, when you came here thismorning, when you arrived on the
parking lot, did you walk intothis room today and start
greeting other people havingalready had the had the full
honest expectancy that God wasgoing to be moving in our
(10:59):
church?
We have to be the kind of peoplewho stretch.
Not because we're strong, butbecause he is faithful.
So let's get practical.
What does it mean to stretchyour faith?
Well, let's talk personallyfirst.
(11:19):
Personally.
Are you trusting God for deepergrowth in your walk with Christ?
Are you trusting God for deepergrowth in your walk with Christ?
Alright, let's take it to thenext level.
Are you actually asking God towork in your own heart and in
your own mind?
(11:40):
Is that a regular prayer?
Are you asking God to work inyour heart and in your mind?
Are you asking him to work inyour relationships?
Are you asking him to work inyour family?
Are you asking him to work inyour calling as a Christian?
Are you actually praying boldlyand believing God will use you
(12:01):
where you are?
In ministry?
Are you helping lead people oryour ministry area if you have
responsibility?
Are you helping lead people andyour ministry area with kingdom
expectation?
Are you actually preparing fornew people, for new leaders, for
(12:23):
new disciples?
Are you creating space for thelost to be found and the saved
to be sent?
As a church, these are questionsI'm asking.
Are we preparing our schedules,our structures, and our budgets
for the growth we pray for?
(12:46):
Are we creating environmentsthat actually welcome the
broken, disciple the saved, andequip the sent?
Because stretching faith in mylife and in your life,
stretching faith involvesobeying during difficult times.
(13:09):
It involves giving whenresources are limited.
It involves serving despite thecost.
And it involves trusting evenwhen the result isn't visible
yet.
That's what stretching faith is.
Faith stretches before fruitappears.
(13:31):
Obedience comes before theoutcomes.
Preparation precedes provision.
I mean, it's like the widow in 1Kings chapter 17 who made a cake
of bread for the prophet Elijahbefore the flower multiplied.
And if you don't know what I'mtalking about, you need to read
1 Kings 17.
(13:51):
Or it's like Peter casting hisnet again after a fishless
night.
Or it's like the discipleshanding out loaves of bread
before the miracle.
We're actually called to stepout in faith and trust the God
of the harvest.
(14:11):
Imagine you're setting up yourhouse for a big dinner.
You pull out extra chairs, youset more plates, and you extend
the table, and maybe someonewalks in and says, Are you
having company?
And you smile and say, Not yet,but I've invited them.
I believe they're coming.
(14:33):
That's the kind of faith thatIsaiah 54 describes.
You actually stretch before theguests arrive because you
believe that the God who callsis the God who brings the
increase.
We'll talk more about that nextweek.
So why is it that we actuallycan live with such kind of bold
(14:53):
expectations?
I would say this, it's becauseIsaiah 54 follows Isaiah 53.
See, the prophetic call here toenlarge the tent comes after the
suffering and the atonement ofChrist.
Jesus was pierced so we can beplanted.
He was crushed so we could becommissioned.
(15:14):
He rose so we could walk in thepower of the resurrection.
And our boldness to follow infaith is not rooted in our
strength or even in some kind ofgreat church strategy.
It's actually anchored in gospelcertainty.
Hebrews chapter 12, verse 2says, looking unto Jesus.
(15:35):
Looking unto Jesus, the authorand finisher of our faith.
He starts it, he sustains it,and he will finish it.
And so the call to stretchdoesn't begin with our effort.
It starts with Christ's finishedwork.
Because he died, we live.
Because he rose, we reach.
And because he is returning, westretch.
(15:59):
God is calling us to believe himfor more in our lives and in
this church.
Not just for numbers, not forpeople's applause, but for the
sake of souls and for the gloryof Christ.
For the mission of God in ourcommunity and beyond.
(16:19):
This is not about beingimpressive.
It's about being faithful.
So I want to ask you, will youpray like revival is possible?
Will you?
Will you serve as if souls areat stake?
Will you actually participate oreven lead like eternity matters?
(16:42):
Because we're not just buildingour own lives.
American Christians are soselfish, so self-centered.
We've been taught to be thatway.
We're not just building our ownlives, or buildings for that
matter.
We're building people.
(17:02):
We're not just managingministries, we're making
disciples.
We're not just dreaming, we'redepending on God to do what only
God can do.
So, Providence, folks, this yearand in the coming year, we're
going to stretch as a church insome very real ways.
That's going to be launching newBible fellowship groups,
(17:26):
expanding, or at least beginningto, expanding ministry and
worship space, multiplyingleaders and disciple makers, and
also unveiling a three and ahalf year strategic mission plan
soon.
But none of it matters if ourfaith isn't being stretched
(17:47):
along the way.
So let's respond to the call.
Stretch your faith.
Prepare the tent.
Make room for the move of God inyour own life.
And our church.
What else do we see, though?
The second part of verse 2.
(18:10):
The word says, Do not spare.
Lengthen your cords andstrengthen your stakes.
So the Lord here is telling us,and he told Israel, strengthen
your stakes.
That is to say, deepen yourfoundation.
Deepen your foundation.
The imagery shifts here.
After the call to stretch, Godgives a command to strengthen.
(18:32):
Because I want you to hear mevery clearly, one without the
other is dangerous.
One without the.
What I mean is this (18:38):
you can't extend a tent outward if the
stakes aren't driven deep intothe ground.
You can stretch the fabric, youcan lengthen the cord all you
want, but without firm anchors,the whole thing collapses in the
wind.
That's true in church life, andlisten to me, it's true in your
spiritual life.
(18:58):
Absolutely true in yourspiritual life.
It's not enough to look likegrowth is happening in your life
or as a church.
It's not enough to look likegrowth is happening.
We must have the depth tosustain it.
And so the longer the cords, thedeeper the stakes must go.
(19:21):
God here isn't just calling usto expand, he's calling us to
deepen.
To build a foundation thatlasts.
To prepare for growth, not justin numbers, but in health and in
maturity and in spiritual power.
We all need that.
We need spiritual health.
We need spiritual maturity andwe need spiritual power.
(19:41):
So we have to deepen our stakes.
Throughout Scripture, we see aclear connection between
spiritual fruit and deep roots.
Psalm 1.
Psalm 1.
You should read it and study itif you never have.
Psalm 1 describes the righteousas a tree, and I quote, planted
(20:03):
by rivers of water, and one thatbrings forth fruit in its
season.
Colossians chapter 2, verse 7urges believers to, quote, be
rooted and built up in him,meaning Christ.
Ephesians 3.17 speaks of, and Iquote, being rooted and grounded
in love.
See, fruit without a rootdoesn't last.
(20:27):
Expansion without depth doesn'tendure.
And so if we're going to stretchwide, we must first go deep.
And that's true for you as anindividual.
That's true for your family.
That's true for ministries.
That's true for churches.
Well, what are the stakes?
(20:48):
In Isaiah's day, obviously, tentstakes were hammered deep into
the ground to keep the tent fromcollapsing.
And spiritually, the stakesrepresent our foundation in
Christ.
Those core elements that anchorus when life gets stormy.
Because it will get stormy.
(21:09):
Also, those stakes that anchorus when ministry gets stormy.
Because that happens in churchlife sometimes.
So what are the spiritual stakesthat must strengthen?
Well, first of all, I would saybiblical preaching and teaching.
We have to ask ourselves (21:26):
are we receiving and are we proclaiming
Christ-centered truth that feedsthe soul?
Another stake is sound doctrine.
Sound doctrine.
Are we grounded in biblicaltheology that actually holds up
when the culture shifts?
(21:47):
Prayer.
Are you seeking God's presenceor are you running on spiritual
autopilot?
And then discipleship.
Are you personally seeking to beformed as a mature follower of
Jesus or just being anentertained attender?
(22:12):
Which are you after?
Biblical leadership.
That has to be a stake in theground, too, that goes deep.
Biblical leadership.
I'm talking about are we as achurch raising up shepherds and
leaders who serve with integrityand humility?
(22:33):
Righteousness.
Righteousness.
Are you personally pursuingrepentance and accountability?
Not just reputation and tryingto be relevant?
See, if the stakes are shallow,then everything we build in our
(22:56):
life and in the church isvulnerable.
If our stakes are shallow.
But if our stakes are strong,I'm talking about deep, I'm
talking about tested, I'mtalking about anchored in
Christ, then we then canactually stretch wide with
confidence.
Because of that.
See, growth without depth isn'thealth.
(23:19):
There's a quiet danger inchasing growth.
We can actually prioritize sizeover strength.
We can prioritize activity overmaturity.
We can prioritize visibilityover stability.
And I got to remind myself and Igot to remind our pastors and
other church leaders on aregular basis, even a BFG
(23:41):
leader.
Jesus didn't say build crowds.
He said, make disciples.
Make disciples.
Not build crowds, makedisciples.
Because a class, a church canget bigger while getting weaker.
That's not what God wants.
(24:03):
And that's not what we want inProvidence.
We want gospel growth.
We want authentic health.
We want real transformation.
And that takes time.
That takes depth.
That takes commitment.
Broad reach with shallow rootsleads to collapse.
(24:23):
Deep roots lead to lastingfruit.
That's why we preach biblicaldoctrine.
That's why we want to discipleintentionally.
That's why we want to walkslowly and wisely when it comes
to leadership and also ministrymultiplication.
Because if we don't strengthenour stakes, the tent won't hold.
(24:48):
I mean, just picture two tentsset up on the beach.
One is stretched wide and itlooks impressive and it's cool.
It's got the logo and all thatstuff, you know, but the stakes
are barely pressed in theground.
The other might be smaller overhere, looks maybe older a few
years back, and but man, it'sanchored deep and those cords
are pulled tight.
And then the wind kicks up,which it always does eventually.
(25:10):
And that one, oh, what happens?
You ever been on the beach andyou see somebody easy up rolling
down the beach?
You know what I'm talking about?
Maybe that happened to you.
Anybody that happened to youbefore?
Yeah.
Bruce, you're the only honestman in the room.
God bless you, my friend.
It collapses.
(25:31):
It's damaged now.
And the anchored one stands.
Listen, Christian.
Listen, church.
We're not called to just lookstrong.
We're called to be strong.
To dive this, drive in thestakes of doctrine and
discipleship and righteousnessdeep into the ground of God's
(25:55):
word and the Holy Spirit.
Only then can we weather thestorms of life and the storms
that come in ministry?
Well, what does this look likefor us?
Let me go the other way.
Let me start church and go downfrom there.
(26:15):
I think this is a call tostrength, this call to strength
and really applies at everylevel.
As a church, I'm askingquestions with the other pastors
and the rest of the ministerialstuff.
Are we actually building deepfoundations through teaching and
Bible fellowship groups andleadership development?
(26:36):
We're going to focus really onthat a lot the next three years.
Are our ministries more aboutspiritual maturity than they are
surface activity?
And are we preparingstructurally and spiritually for
sustained growth over the longhaul?
(26:58):
Then as leaders, we have someleaders in the room.
Are we actually raising upothers?
Are we just doing everythingourselves?
Are we training leaders who aredoctrinally sound and
spiritually mature?
But on a personal level, are wemodeling the kind of death we
(27:22):
want to see in others?
That the Bible says ought to bethere.
And then as individuals, let'smake it personal.
Thinking about these tentstakes.
Are you rooted in the word?
I'm not talking about your petfavorite verses that you pull
(27:42):
out.
I'm not talking about the kindof on coffee cups and plaques on
the wall, taken out of context.
Are you really rooted in theword?
I'm not talking about some kindof systematic doctrine that
somebody somewhere taught you.
Are you rooted in the word ofGod?
(28:04):
Are you part, actually part ofthe community in this local
church?
And are you walking in practicalrighteousness, not perfection?
We all need massive amounts ofgrace and mercy.
Can anybody witness?
We all need massive amounts ofgrace and mercy.
(28:25):
But are you walking in practicalrighteousness, not perfection?
You're yielding to God's wordand the Holy Spirit to be more
like Jesus.
And are you being sharpened byothers?
So you can't stretch farspiritually if you're not
anchored deep.
SPEAKER_00 (28:43):
The grass withers and the flower fades.
But the word of God standsforever.
That's Isaiah 48.
Thanks for tuning in to theFoundations of Truth Podcast
with Pastor Timothy Mann fromProvidence Church in Ormond
Beach, Florida.
Join us next time.
And until then, keep buildingyour life on God's eternal
truth.
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