Greater Things: Greater Legacy
Quick Glance: For Your Heart Today
This year’s anniversary celebration was a moment of deep reflection and renewed praise as South Bay Community Church marked forty years of God’s faithfulness. Ephesians 3:20–21 framed the day—a powerful reminder that God’s power is immeasurable, His faithfulness unending, and His glory everlasting.
From generation to generation, God’s hand has guided this church. Together, we looked back with gratitude, looked around with wonder, and looked forward with trust in the One who is able to do immeasurably more than all we could ask or imagine.
3 Takeaways
1. Faithfulness Across Time
God’s story at South Bay didn’t begin with us and won’t end with us. His love and power are constant, working through every generation to accomplish His purposes.
2. Power at Work Within Us
The same Spirit that empowered the early church is still moving today. When we open our eyes to what God is doing now, we begin to see that His “immeasurably more” often shows up in ways we don’t expect.
3. Glory to God Alone
Everything God has done—from planting to perseverance, from purpose to passion—is for His glory. Our calling is to stay faithful, stay humble, and give Him glory in all things.
Breath Prayer
Inhale: Glory to You, Lord...
Exhale: Through All Generations.
This year’s anniversary celebration was a moment of deep reflection and renewed praise as South Bay Community Church marked forty years of God’s faithfulness. Ephesians 3:20–21 framed the day—a powerful reminder that God’s power is immeasurable, His faithfulness unending, and His glory everlasting.
From generation to generation, God’s hand has guided this church. Together, we looked back with gratitude, looked around with wonder, and looked forward with trust in the One who is able to do immeasurably more than all we could ask or imagine.
3 Takeaways
1. Faithfulness Across Time
God’s story at South Bay didn’t begin with us and won’t end with us. His love and power are constant, working through every generation to accomplish His purposes.
2. Power at Work Within Us
The same Spirit that empowered the early church is still moving today. When we open our eyes to what God is doing now, we begin to see that His “immeasurably more” often shows up in ways we don’t expect.
3. Glory to God Alone
Everything God has done—from planting to perseverance, from purpose to passion—is for His glory. Our calling is to stay faithful, stay humble, and give Him glory in all things.
Breath Prayer
Inhale: Glory to You, Lord...
Exhale: Through All Generations.
Sermon Summary
Ephesians 3:20–21 is a powerful declaration of praise that highlights God’s limitless power and glory. The apostle Paul reminds believers that God is able to do exceedingly and abundantly more than anything we could ask or imagine, through His power working within us. This verse emphasizes that God’s strength is not limited by human understanding and that His work in our lives far surpasses our expectations.
Lead Pastor of Common Ground Church, Sacramento, Troy Nichols, took the congregation on a journey down memory lane, reflecting on the church’s history from 1985 to 2025. He reminded everyone that the church is still standing because of God’s faithfulness, as expressed in Ephesians 3:20. God planted SBCC right in the heart of Silicon Valley to be a light in the middle of everything. Pastor Troy cautioned that it’s possible to be active in ministry yet lose intimacy with Christ, referencing Revelation 2. Love and faithfulness to Christ must remain at the center of ministry.
He shared how his wife once told him, “You can keep the kiss,” meaning that lip service without love misses the point. God’s love, Troy reminded everyone, doesn’t begin or end with one generation—it continues through all time.
From there, SBCC Lead Pastor, Tammy Long, encouraged the congregation to “stop, look, and notice” what God is doing right now. She reminded everyone that the same power Paul wrote about in Ephesians is at work within believers today. The question is whether we have eyes to see the immeasurable more that God is doing. She urged everyone to look again with a fresh perspective and to realize that God’s work is bigger than any individual. Pastor Tammy emphasized that it’s not about us—it’s about Him. We are called to trust God to exceed our expectations, knowing His power is not distant but actively working within us.
Pastor Emeritus, Dr. Stanley Long, concluded with a powerful challenge to glorify God in all things, noting that God’s glory is the ultimate goal. He shared three insights for living this out: first, that limitation can spark creativity; second, that we must be willing to sacrifice busyness for true impact; and third, that we should expect the unexpected and let God surprise us. Just like the old saying from Gomer Pyle, “Surprise, surprise,” Pastor Emeritus Long reminded everyone that when we stay open to God’s movement, we’ll continually be amazed by what He can do. Pastor Emeritus Long referenced how Paul concludes with a doxology—giving glory to God in the church and in Christ Jesus for all generations, forever—affirming that every act of God’s greatness is ultimately for His eternal glory.
Ephesians 3:20–21 is a powerful declaration of praise that highlights God’s limitless power and glory. The apostle Paul reminds believers that God is able to do exceedingly and abundantly more than anything we could ask or imagine, through His power working within us. This verse emphasizes that God’s strength is not limited by human understanding and that His work in our lives far surpasses our expectations.
Lead Pastor of Common Ground Church, Sacramento, Troy Nichols, took the congregation on a journey down memory lane, reflecting on the church’s history from 1985 to 2025. He reminded everyone that the church is still standing because of God’s faithfulness, as expressed in Ephesians 3:20. God planted SBCC right in the heart of Silicon Valley to be a light in the middle of everything. Pastor Troy cautioned that it’s possible to be active in ministry yet lose intimacy with Christ, referencing Revelation 2. Love and faithfulness to Christ must remain at the center of ministry.
He shared how his wife once told him, “You can keep the kiss,” meaning that lip service without love misses the point. God’s love, Troy reminded everyone, doesn’t begin or end with one generation—it continues through all time.
From there, SBCC Lead Pastor, Tammy Long, encouraged the congregation to “stop, look, and notice” what God is doing right now. She reminded everyone that the same power Paul wrote about in Ephesians is at work within believers today. The question is whether we have eyes to see the immeasurable more that God is doing. She urged everyone to look again with a fresh perspective and to realize that God’s work is bigger than any individual. Pastor Tammy emphasized that it’s not about us—it’s about Him. We are called to trust God to exceed our expectations, knowing His power is not distant but actively working within us.
Pastor Emeritus, Dr. Stanley Long, concluded with a powerful challenge to glorify God in all things, noting that God’s glory is the ultimate goal. He shared three insights for living this out: first, that limitation can spark creativity; second, that we must be willing to sacrifice busyness for true impact; and third, that we should expect the unexpected and let God surprise us. Just like the old saying from Gomer Pyle, “Surprise, surprise,” Pastor Emeritus Long reminded everyone that when we stay open to God’s movement, we’ll continually be amazed by what He can do. Pastor Emeritus Long referenced how Paul concludes with a doxology—giving glory to God in the church and in Christ Jesus for all generations, forever—affirming that every act of God’s greatness is ultimately for His eternal glory.
Recent
Archive
2025
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
2024
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
The Divine Story of Jesus and You: The WeddingThe Divine Story of Jesus and You: You Must Be Born AgainThe Divine Story of Jesus and You: Do You Want To Be Made Well?The Divine Story of Jesus and You: How to be a Love Agent in troubled timesThe Divine Story of Jesus and You: The Great Blessings of Acceptance
August
September
October
November
No Comments