The Evidence Of Gospel Change

1 John 2:7–11 NKJV

7 Brethren, I write no new commandment to you, but an old commandment which you have had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which you heard from the beginning. 8 Again, a new commandment I write to you, which thing is true in Him and in you, because the darkness is passing away, and the true light is already shining. 9 He who says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness until now. 10 He who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him. 11 But he who hates his brother is in darkness and walks in darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.

INTRODUCTION

Love In Action Illustrations and challenge the church to provide opportunities for connection

Illustration: A young boy once asked his father, "Dad, how do you know you love someone?" The father smiled and said, "Son, love is more than just saying 'I love you.' It’s what you do when it’s not easy. Love is proven in action."

Currently we have:

Men’s Bible Study

Ladies Sew-N Sow

Mommy and Me

Food pantry

WOL Ministry

Sunday School

GREAT Worship Services

WE NEED TO BE REACHING OUT TO THOSE WHO WE HAVE FORGOTTEN ABOUT/THOSE WHO HAVE GONE BY THE WAYSIDE

A Vision for Our Church for 2025

Introduction: Proverbs 29:18 says, “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” As your pastor, I want to share a God-given vision that will lead our church into a new season of faithfulness, growth, and kingdom impact. This vision is centered around strengthening our discipleship, expanding our outreach, and equipping every generation to serve Christ effectively.

1. Establishing a Leadership Institute – Investing in the Next Generation Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:2 – “And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.”

We are called to raise up faithful leaders who will continue the work of the gospel. Our Leadership Institute will focus on mentoring and discipling the younger generation, equipping them with biblical knowledge, leadership skills, and practical ministry experience. This will ensure a legacy of strong, godly leadership for years to come. (Jason & Garrett) ( In the style of Refocusing Retreat)

THIS SECTION ALSO INCLUDES US MAKING A GREAT EFFORT TO CATCH OUR GRADUATES / COLLEGE AGE/ SINGLES GROUP-We MUST focus on this…we are losing them here

2. Reestablishing Our Joy Ministry (Just Older Youth) – Strengthening Fellowship & Service Scripture: Psalm 92:14 – “They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing.”

Our senior adults are a vital part of our church family. We will refresh our JOY Ministry, providing fellowship opportunities while also equipping our senior adults to engage in ministry through prayer, mentoring, and outreach. We want our older members to know they are needed and valued in God’s kingdom work. (Praying For Bill and Wanda Turner)

3. Restarting Our Missions Emphasis – Local & Global Outreach Scripture: Acts 1:8 – “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”

We are called to be a mission-minded church. Our focus will be threefold:

Local Missions: Compassion ministries within our own community—IMPACT 34 (Need to solidify this on the website) (Daryl & Gwen)

National Missions: Partnering with church plants and ministries within our nation. (This will be last in priorities, to focus on Ricky and Kelli with Equador)

International Missions: We are exploring an opportunity to send a mission team to Ecuador to spread the gospel and serve in tangible ways. (Ricky and Kelli)

4. Strengthening Marriages – Building Godly Homes Scripture: Ephesians 5:25 – “Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it.”

Marriage is under attack in today’s culture, but strong marriages build strong churches. We will establish small groups, and marriage seminars to help couples—whether newlyweds or married for decades—strengthen their relationship in Christ. (Lee & Miriam) (We need to begin to set dates…this is top priority)

5. Equipping Parents – Raising Kingdom Families Scripture: Deuteronomy 6:6-7 – “And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children.”

Parenting is one of the greatest responsibilities God has given us. We will provide practical biblical training, parenting seminars, and support groups to help families raise their children to be strong in the Lord. Our goal is to see homes transformed into places of faith, worship, and discipleship. (Jason & Garrett will help with this)

6. Restarting Women’s Ministry – Mentoring and Discipleship Scripture: Titus 2:3-5 – “The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness... That they may teach the young women.”

Our women need a place to be encouraged, equipped, and engaged in discipleship. We will relaunch our Women’s Ministry with a focus on mentoring younger women, studying God’s Word together, and serving in ministry. (Need to find leader or put together at team)

7. Aggressive Evangelism – Reaching the Lost for Christ Scripture: Matthew 28:19-20 – “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.”

The main goal of our church must be evangelism. We will equip our members to confidently share their faith and hold at least quarterly outreach events to engage our community with the gospel. Our goal is to see souls saved and lives changed for eternity. (Need leader) (This can include Market Place Ministries)

Conclusion: Advancing the Kingdom Together

This vision is not just a list of goals—it is a call to action. It will take prayer, commitment, and faithfulness from all of us to see it come to a reality. Philippians 1:6 reminds us, “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.”

Let us move forward together, trusting God to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think (Ephesians 3:20). I pray our church will be a shining light for Christ in our community and beyond!

Understand this: We HAVE to recognize that as God does great things, satan will try to wreck what God is trying to do….He has always tried to take drastic measures to derail God’s plan….when you see us going great guns, and all of the sudden, it’s like we get a punch in the gut….we have to know we have entered spiritual warfare….

Ephesians 6:10–17 NKJV

10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;

PERSONAL NOTES FROM THE HEART

It is so hard working through opinions, differences, the way we view things….I know things have not been easy, change has not been easy, but as your pastor, I so desperately want to leave a solid church for our future generation, train up leaders to carry the torch…we are not getting any younger…I would rather do what is comfortable but we cannot afford to…we are at the place right now where many churches fold up and die….and i refuse to do that….I may get the details wrong, but I pray that God will always lead, that this will be a place of family, where we can share each others burdens and victories….

This is the message of John in this passage—love is the clearest evidence of the gospel in our lives. It’s not about emotions, preferences, or empty words. Love is the fruit of a truly transformed life in Christ.

The System (The Ideal of Love)

The Struggle (The Reality of Our Flesh)

The Solution (The Power of the Gospel)

"Brethren, I write no new commandment to you, but an old commandment which you have had from the beginning…"

1 John 2:7–8 NKJV

7 Brethren, I write no new commandment to you, but an old commandment which you have had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which you heard from the beginning. 8 Again, a new commandment I write to you, which thing is true in Him and in you, because the darkness is passing away, and the true light is already shining.

Kainos-New/Unheard of/previously unkonwn

***PRESENT WHAT THE OLD AND NEW IS”””

An old commandment because it has always been God’s plan.

Leviticus 19:18 NKJV

18 You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord.

Rabbis taught that love was the fulfillment of the Law.

Even in Jewish culture, acts of charity and hospitality were seen as a fruit of godliness.

John also calls this commandment new because Jesus redefined love through His life, death, and resurrection.

In John 13:34, Jesus said: “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another as I have loved you.”

How was this new?

Before, love was defined by human effort. Now, love was demonstrated by Christ’s sacrificial love.

Jesus loved His enemies, something new in the ancient world.

In Roman and Jewish culture, love was often conditional—based on honor, family ties, or status. Jesus taught unconditional love, even for sinners and outcasts.

If someone judged your faith by how you love others, what would they see?

The early church grew because of their love for one another. Are we known for that today?

Do we love sacrificially, as Christ loved us?

"He who says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness until now."

Lego-say, declare, to intend to signify

1 John 2:9–10 NKJV

9 He who says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness until now. 10 He who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him.

1 John 2:11 NKJV

11 But he who hates his brother is in darkness and walks in darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.

John wrote this letter to battle false teachers (Gnostic influences) who claimed superior knowledge of God but failed to display love.

The Gnostics promoted a spirituality that divided believers into “elite” and “lesser” Christians.

Many Jewish Christians struggled with racial and cultural tensions against Gentile believers (Acts 10-15).

The Roman world was divided by class, race, and wealth—and these divisions crept into the church.

Jesus Himself declared, “I am the light of the world” (John 8:12).

To walk in the light means to reflect Christ’s character—including love.

Hatred and division were normal the world but unacceptable in God’s kingdom.

If believers refused to love, they were still in darkness—no matter how much religion they claimed.

Hatred blinds us spiritually (v. 11).

Blindness was seen as a picture of moral corruption (Isaiah 42:18-20).

Hatred keeps us from seeing God’s truth clearly.

Jesus warned that un-forgiveness hinders our prayers and relationship with God (Matthew 6:14-15).

Do we struggle with resentment, prejudice, or bitterness?

Are there relationships in our lives where we need to seek reconciliation?

The world divides people into groups, but the church is called to unity in love.

Matthew 6:14–15 NKJV

14 “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

If we are constantly in conflict, unwilling to forgive, and holding grudges, we are not reflecting the gospel.

Are you harboring resentment against someone?

Does your love extend to difficult people?

Pray and ask God to reveal any areas of un-forgiveness in your heart.

Pride

Selfishness

Isolation

Discontentment

Noise

Distractions

Lack of time in The Word

Horizontal view rather than vertical view

1 John 2:10 NKJV

10 He who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him.

meno-remain, stay, reside

The man who has met God is not looking for something—he has found it; he is not searching for light—upon him the Light has already shined.9

A. W. Tozer

Romans 1:16 NKJV

16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.

The early church demonstrated love in ways the world didn’t understand:

Caring for the sick and poor (when Romans abandoned the sick, Christians stayed and served).

Breaking down social barriers (slaves, masters, Jews, Gentiles all worshipped together).

The only way we can love like this is through Jesus.

1 John 4:19: “We love because He first loved us.”

In John 15:5, Jesus said, "Apart from Me, you can do nothing."

Christianity spread because of love.

Today, the church grows where God’s love is demonstrated.

The world will know we are His disciples by our love (John 13:35).

Ask God to fill you with His love daily.

Make things right with those you have wronged.

Be intentional in showing love through acts of service, encouragement, and forgiveness.