Let's Get Real
Transcript Search
Notes
Transcript
Sermon Tone Analysis
A
D
F
J
S
Emotion
A
C
T
Language
O
C
E
A
E
Social
Introduction of the Vision Team Members
Introduction to the Video
Video: Scandal in the Church
Max Depree - Businessman and author: “We cannot become what we want by remaining what we are.” Change is all about moving forward.
The fact is that we are always changing. This difference today is that we are acknowledging the changes we are experiencing AND we are identifying God’s plan for what we are changing into.
19 See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.
God is doing something in our church. People are experiencing something special. The vision God has for us is coming into focus.
Our vision is a statement of six words—we kept is short so anyone could remember.
Our vision contains three phrases that describe what God wants us to become:
The first phrase centers on Real Love—that we are going to be a church that authentically loves God and loves people. This also captures two of our three core values (God matters and People matter).
The second phrase of our vision describes what God wants to do in us—he wants us to experience real change—a transformation that breaks the chains of sin—and gives to us genuine deliverance from anything that hinders us from being all that God wants us to be.
The third phrase of this vision is an expression of what happens to our lives when real love and real change become a reality—it effects everything about us (our thought life, our attitudes, our actions—everything about life (a life centered on Christ).
This vision has a purpose: God is doing something in us so He can do something through us.
One of the earliest Christians—a man by the name of Paul—was able to put into words the experience of God doing something in and through his life. He put it this way:
20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
This is a quotation from God’s word—and using God’s word to direct our lives (our faith and our conduct) is a demonstration of our third core value: God’s word.
In these words, inspired by God through Paul, we have a clear Biblical statement that sets our vision on a firm foundation.
20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
How could Paul view his old life as dead (I no longer live)? Because Jesus, the Son of God, loved Paul and gave His life (on the Cross—taking our place in death so we can experience new life).
Something happens when we realize that God truly loves us!
Real love changes your priorities.
Real love changes your priorities.
As a result of God’s love we experience change. Paul put it this way: “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christs lives in me.” I cannot think of a greater change than that.
And, something happens when we experience real change through Christ:
Real change give you a new perspective.
Real change give you a new perspective.
For Paul, life is no longer about him. When someone experiences real change from God, is changes our perspective. We have a new one.
Paul said: “This life I NOW live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”
This new perspective now sees things from God’s point of view.
It is a perspective on grieving for all those who do not have a saving relationship with God.
It is a perspective on loving people—friends, enemies, rich, poor—all people.
It is a perspective that fully embraces the mindset of Jesus: “Not my will but Your’s be done.”
It is this new perspective that aligns our life with the mission of God.
Real life—the person God has called you to be—opens the door to fulfilling your purpose.
Real life—the person God has called you to be—opens the door to fulfilling your purpose.
God has a purpose for us—and we need to own it!
This is the vision for Racine Assembly of God.
But, this vision is more than words on a wall. It is about identifying what we need to do in order to journey toward the fulfillment of this vision.
Vision Guide
Five functions of the church:
Connect with God and one another.
Grow in Christ through discipleship.
Serve one another in love through ministry.
Go into the world through evangelism and missions.
Worship God in spirit and in truth.
On the pages of the Vision Guide, each function include a declarative statement of what God wants this church to become. Below that statement, we have identified important steps to get us where we need to be.
Those steps that have a star by them have been recently completed or are currently being implemented.
Next Sunday, we are going to focus on the fifth function of the church: Worship.
Questions to think about for next Sunday:
How can our view of Worship hinder or help us experience the presence of God?
How can authentic Worship change your life from defeat to victory?