Be Known
Vision & Mission • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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This week look at the Be Known part of our vison and mission.
Vision Statement: Church on the Hill’s vision is to be a church where people are found in Christ, changed by His grace, known in an authentic community, and sent on mission to share the gospel and love of Jesus with the world.
Mission Statement: Be Found. Be Changed. Be Known. Now Go!
What it means to truly Be Known in a world of masks. Be Known:
Build community: Connection, authentic relationships, accountability.
24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 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.
24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds,
Consider: Be concerned about.
The invitation must be responded to individually, but the response also has a corporate side. A communal obligation that is deeply counter-cultural. It tells us to “consider” one another. In our individualistic society, we consider our own needs, our own schedules, our own feelings.
They are members of a community of Hebrews whose initial attraction to Christ is in danger of eroding.
24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds,
Christians need to spur, poke, or stimulate each other in two areas:
(1) Love: not an emotion but a choice to act regardless of our feelings. We are to act lovingly toward other believers.
(2) Good deeds: works done for the good of others.
24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds,
You cannot be “spurred” by a stranger. You cannot be provoked to love and good deeds by someone who only knows your Sunday smile.
Some people refuse to “Be Known”.
ADD road trip. Have you ever heard someone say “I love Jesus but don’t need the church”?
3 We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.
Greek was the language of the New Testament and there's a precious word that's used there in the New Testament for fellowship.
It’s the word Koinonia. Our relationship with Jesus Christ and one another as believers is called Koinonia. Why because we share our life with Jesus and with each other.
So why do some people refuse to “Be Known”.
When we refuse to “Be Known,” we are actually committing a form of spiritual pride.
They are saying, I am strong enough to handle my sin, my depression, and my doubts without the Body. But you aren't. God didn't design you to be.
Now, let’s be honest—spurring hurts a little bit. It’s an intentional nudge.
Why Be Known is so important: Transformation (Be Changed) is a team sport.
You can’t “one-another” yourself. You can’t encourage yourself, you can’t hold yourself accountable, and you certainly can’t “spur” yourself toward love and good deeds.
We’ve been taught that faith is a personal faith “just me and Jesus”, but in the New Testament, there is no such thing as a solitary Christian. Isolation is the playground of the enemy.
When you are unknown, you are unprotected.
Musk Ox: https://youtu.be/qcR6ZuqsZUU?si=oyrZGuODqV9lo3yJ
When you are known, you are accountable. Accountability is short for “I care enough about you to not let you destroy your life”.
We need to be a community where your “stuff” is out on the table. Why? Because you’re only as sick as your secrets.
But when you are known, your secrets lose their power, and your faith gains its wings.
We want this church to be a place where “it’s okay to not be okay, but it’s not okay to stay that way”.
And the bridge between where you are and where God wants you to be is built out of the people sitting right next to you.
It’s time to stop attending and start connecting. Because life is better connected.
25 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.
If you look at the data, the biggest trend in the church right now isn't a lack of faith; it’s a lack of “presence”.
People are checking out, moving to "online-only”, and choosing convenience over community.
But convenience is the enemy of community. Verse 25 warns us against the “habit” of neglecting to meet.
It’s a habit that starts with a “skip” and ends with a “shipwreck”.
Believers who are not a functioning part of a local church are living outside of the will of God and limiting God’s work in their lives.
25 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.
We all need encouragement.
Every Sunday there is always someone who walks in our church doors and they are ready to throw in the towel.
25 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 'Day' is coming: the window of opportunity to make an impact is closing. We don't have time for superficial relationships. If you want to go far, you have to go together. If you want to stay healthy, you have to Be Known and stay known.
Don't let your habit of isolation become your legacy of loneliness.
Closing: Church, we’ve spent these last few weeks uncovering the DNA of who we are becoming.
We’ve talked about what it means to Be Found by the Grace of God. We’ve looked at the power to Be Changed by the Spirit of God. And today, we’ve realized that we can only sustain that change when we choose to Be Known by the People of God.
But here is the tension: Being known is scary. It’s vulnerable. It’s the moment where the mask comes off and the mess comes out.
But it’s also the only place where the Miracle happens. Because a church that is “Known” is a church that is “Nourished”. And a nourished church is a dangerous church to the kingdom of darkness.
We aren't just playing “church”; we are preparing for a Mission. You cannot carry the weight of the “Now Go” next week if you are trying to carry it alone this week.
You need a brother. You need a sister. You need to “Be Known” so that you can be 'Sent.'
So, I’m asking you to prepare your hearts. Because next week, we move from the safety of our circles to the frontlines of our city.
Next week, the mission gets feet. Next week, we answer the call to “Now Go”.
But before you go out there, you’ve got to get in here. Don’t miss next week. The vision is complete, and the mission is calling.
