Vision 2025

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Vision 2024
ONE — reaching and changing peoples lives.
We saw 249 people at Easter, 204 at Christmas Eve.
9 people baptized last year
$XXXX given to local missions and international mission
ReachPH
NC Hurricane
Choices Women Center
What did in 2024 was nothing short of SPECTACULAR.
Let me tell you something, I believe that he has even BIGGER plans for us in 2025.
Church
What comes to mind when you see this word?
Building — bible — old lady with beehive hair — Jesus — organ — piano
This word has been highjacked by society and culture b/c of what we as the church do with it. Most often used to describe buildings.
That’s not correct. Jesus only uses the term church two times.
One is in Matthew 18 — talking about how we handle disagreements and conflict in the church. The other is found in Matthew 16.
Matthew 16:15–19 NIV
“But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”
Church >>> ekklēsia
ekklēsia — Greek word for assembly or gathering, often used in a political sense.
The word — notice what else Jesus says. He will build his (assembly/gathering) and nothing will stop it, So the question becomes what does this church - or Jesus gathering - what did he want it to look like? How should it behave and what does it do? How should it be structured? Who should be in it?
Jesus tells us how it should behave — he is very clear.
John 13:34–35 NIV
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
Love one another — that is how the ekklēsia should behave. Jesus said that is how people will know that you belong to or follow me. The way you take care of — interact with — love one another.
Now, let me pause for just a moment.
Can you do this command alone? Is it possible to love one another by yourself?
Lets think through some of the things Jesus commanded us to do...
Love God and love others? Matt. 22:37
Make disciples? Matt 28:19-20
Forgive Others?
Serve others?
Be salt and light?
Show mercy?
Be generous?
No — you cannot.
Lets take a quick look at what the early ekklēsia did when they first came together.
Acts 2:42–47 NIV
They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
Together — they spent time together. Why? Because
It’s hard to “love one another” alone.
Here’s the truth of the matter — You need people. God created you for community.
God created you to be together.
So our word for 2025…
Together (slide)
This is the year of together.
We as a church are going to follow the Lord’s direction — together.
We are going to pursue Jesus — together.
We are going to grow in our marriages — together.
We are going to reach people for Jesus — together.
Just like the early church we will be together.
Hebrews 10:24–25 NIV
And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
The author Hebrews knows what each of us forget that we are meant to be together. It’s together that we improve, not alone. We grow together.
Jujitsu - I need a training partner to get better. There is only so much better I can get by myself, eventually I need to be with someone. The cool thing about is I grow they do this. They spur me on, they push me to be better.
You church community will do that too. If you allow it. If you prioritize it.
Life change doesn’t in lines it happens in circles.
You need a circle. You need a group of people around you who will push you, challenge you and help you grow in your faith. You need a group that you can do life with.
Application
So here’s the deal. You need to… Get into a circle.
Now is the time. I say this all the time. Give us just one year. One year of you attending the church — serving the body — and joining a life group.
Once you get into a circle — you’ll never stop. I’m telling you once you find your people, once you find your circle… you’ll never regret it and you’ll do life with these people.
My Romans group — loved it — everyone who attended became close friends — The Lord did some great things and now some of those people have gone on to lead there own groups.
My kids have friends, good friends who love Jesus.
So here’s your chance.
LGL are at different positions and ready to do around the room and in the cafe — they have their topic, night of the week and if there’s going to be childcare or not. I want you to go speak with them and find a group.
Groups are also available on the app.
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