From Vision To Structure

Opening Scripture

Genesis 6:10–15 NIV

Noah had three sons: Shem, Ham and Japheth. Now the earth was corrupt in God’s sight and was full of violence. God saw how corrupt the earth had become, for all the people on earth had corrupted their ways. So God said to Noah, “I am going to put an end to all people, for the earth is filled with violence because of them. I am surely going to destroy both them and the earth. So make yourself an ark of cypress wood; make rooms in it and coat it with pitch inside and out. This is how you are to build it: The ark is to be three hundred cubits long, fifty cubits wide and thirty cubits high.

Because of the Sin during the days of Noah God decided to render judgement and flood the earth killing everything for except Noah and his family and 2 of each kind of animal (male & female).

God gave specific instructions to Noah as to how this structure (The Ark) was to be built.

At this point in time no one had ever heard of rain — therefore the people who rebelled against God mocked Noah for building the Ark.

Even though the people mocked Noah he kept on building

Once the Ark was completed God commanded Noah and his family to enter the Ark with the animals in which case God himself shut them in — no one was permitted to enter in and no one was permitted to leave out

When they seen the rain rolling in they began to panic but in that moment it was to late.

God is calling us as His church to be an Ark where people can come in and take shelter within Him and be saved through repentance of their sins and acceptance of Jesus into their hearts/lives as Lord and Savior.

People may mock you when you are in the building phase but wait until its completed.

Don’t let people discourage you from building what God has given you the blue print for!

Building The Meeting Place

Exodus 25:8–9 NIV

“Then have them make a sanctuary for me, and I will dwell among them. Make this tabernacle and all its furnishings exactly like the pattern I will show you.

God gave the Israelites a vision through Moses what His (God) dwelling place was to look and be structured like.

As Christ came and laid His life down for the Church the vision evolved within time.

God never dwelled in buildings that were established by the hands of men… BUT He did meet with them there for their benefit.

Because of the price that Jesus paid for us on the cross and through His resurrection we have been given the right to have the presence of God dwell within us!

This is the very reason why we say —- We the People ARE THE CHURCH!!

The Church is to be a meeting place for people who both know and don’t know God — The Church is a hospital for the sinner, not a museum for the saints.

The Church has been designed by God to expose people to His presence that will lead them into a place of transformation through Jesus His Son!

Rebuilding The Altar

1 Kings 18:30 NIV

Then Elijah said to all the people, “Come here to me.” They came to him, and he repaired the altar of the Lord, which had been torn down.

We as the body of Christ has to get back to a place of simplicity…

Whenever we refuse to praise God genuinely as the body of Christ we allow the enemy to destroy our altar of praise.

When things become complicated within the building phase of God’s church that is because man has put to much of himself into it.

Scripture teaches us that God is NOT the author of confusion

Elijah rebuilt the altar to restore true worship — So shall we!!

Building Up The Lord’s House

Haggai 1:8 NIV

Go up into the mountains and bring down timber and build my house, so that I may take pleasure in it and be honored,” says the Lord.

God rebuked the people for neglecting His house while building their own.

Often times we get so caught up building ourselves up that we neglect to build up God’s house.

By building up God’s house you are actively showing people the way to Jesus

By building up God’s house you are actively looking for ways to further the kingdom of God through His church.

Don’t be so caught up on temporary things that you miss the opportunity to build up something eternal.

Our Evolved Vision:

To Create a Thriving Christ-Centered Community where ALL People can be Transformed through Christ.

Our Evolved Purpose:

We Exist To Expose people to the Kingdom of God through Jesus Christ that leads into Transformation.

Our Culture:

An Authentic Community of Believers & Non-Believers who are actively seeking out the Presence of God.

Our Mindset:

We are content with the one but our Aim is to reach the World.