Artios Introduction

We’re going to talk about vision and what it means to reach our potential in Christ. Today is merely an introduction. Last week, I mentioned that

“A vision is a future solution to a current problem. A vision is born from a dissatisfaction with the way things are. It’s not about something that could be done, but about something that should be done.” ~ Rich Weigel.

For example, in 2007, Kenton Lee traveled to Nairobi, Kenya to live and work in orphanages. One day, he noticed a little girl in a white dress walking next to him. As he looked down at her feet, he was shocked to see how small her shoes were. They were so small that she had to cut open the front of her shoes to let her toes stick out. That problem created a dissatisfaction which prompted Kenton to do something about the problem.

Kenton thought: “What if there was a shoe that could adjust and expand its size? What if there was a shoe that could grow?” The solution, the Vision was and is, The Shoe That Grows™.

A vision helps people clarify what to do, why do it, and it narrows the focus, so we’re not running amok. Once you have a vision, then you need to develop strategies and goals to achieve the vision. That’s why we need people in leadership who can help facilitate the vision, strategies, and goals. Being a pastor doesn’t mean we automatically have those leadership strengths. It takes a team!

What is the vision for Sunnyside?

I believe we should

Become a church who helps people reach their potential in Christ - physically, spiritually, and emotionally.

But what does that mean? That will become clear over the next several weeks.

Like I said, today is an introduction. I want to begin with a class I offered in January 2021 - artiōs. Artios is a class that focuses on

Artios: Knowing our Identity, Discovering our Strengths, and Serving our World.

Rather than having a separate class, we’re going through this as a congregation. I believe this series could be a game-changer.

This is going to be a journey, and I hope you’ll journey with me. So, if you or somebody you know is stuck in life, having a hard time moving forward, not sure what your strengths are, or you don't know where or how to serve, or whatever - make sure you attend and get your friends in here.

So, vision is a future solution to a current problem. The current problem as far as I can see is that too many people, Christians included, are not reaching their potential in Christ. Thus, the vision is to help people reach their potential in Christ and that involves knowing our identity in Christ, discovering our strengths, and then serving our world. See how that is all connected?

What is this artiōs?

The Greek word is found in

2 Timothy 3:16–17 ESV

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

Before we get to artiōs, let’s look at righteousness.

Righteousness primarily refers to being in right (or healthy) relationships with God and people.

For example, in

Matthew 5:23–24 ESV

So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.

God says, “Get right with them so you can be right with Me.” Love God, love neighbor - that's the idea of righteousness.

Artios - In 2 Tim. 3:16-17, we see that the Word of God works to correct, rebuke, train and correct us in relationships. We also see that the Word of God is able to equip the servant of God to be

Artios can mean complete, proficient, qualified, and/or capable to do what God calls us to do or be.

Artios, or our potential is not only about performance (doing), but also about being – who we are (become) in Christ. We see this in

Joshua 1:8 ESV

This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.

God’s Word, capability, being and doing are all in that verse.

Now, how many of you are capable to argue with God and win? No one here. Yet, how many of us “argue” with God or resist God because we don’t fully believe what He promises? God says He can and will equip us to do anything that He calls us to do. But how often do we resist by saying, “Well I don't know. I can’t do that ….” I’m guilty, but how about we stop doubting the Word of God and just start believing.

Let me share a couple of things that I’m learning about belief - this is from scientific neurological perspective. What scientists are discovering about the mind, brain, body connection is phenomenal, and it's just now starting to catch up with Scripture. We have a mind and a brain which both effect our body and to a degree, our environment. The mind is like the conscious part of us, and in many ways tells the brain what to do. It's kind of like a horse and a rider. The rider tells the horse what to do and where to go, and they go together. Same with the mind and brain - the mind tells the brain what to do and where to go and they go together.

What does that mean?

Our brains will function according to what we tell it, or what we believe. The brain will not operate in a way that is contrary to belief.

What we (our minds) tell our brains to believe becomes reality. For example, if I consistently tell myself I'm a loser, what will I be? If I consistently tell myself I'm an addict, or I’m not good enough, or I’m useless, or whatever, what will I be? Fortunately, the same is true if I think more positive truthful thoughts. So, here’s a psychological truth -

I cannot become what I don't believe I can become.

How often does Scripture says take captive your thoughts, renew your minds, meditate on what is good and true, as a man thinks in His heart so is He …?

Consider

Ephesians 4:11–12 ESV

And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ,

To equip is the verb form of artiōs - and it means to bring someone to completion, to help perfect, to help make adequate, or to help become qualified. So not only can the Word of God make us complete and capable, but the apostles and prophets etc. are given to Church to help us become complete and capable etc. This is a promise of God, so stop arguing and start believing.

Again, this is an introduction to Artios - Knowing our Identity, Discovering our Strengths, and Serving our World, which is connected to our vision. As we wrap this up this morning, understand the word artiōs, being complete and capable implies potential. The follower of Jesus Christ has something to strive for. What do we strive for? Completeness in Christ, physically, spiritually, and emotionally. Physically - our bodies and our possessions. Spiritually - living a Spirit-filled life. Emotionally – emotional and mental health. Reaching our potential involves spiritual growth, spiritual maturity, empowerment, transformation, obedience and so forth. Don’t be overwhelmed -

Reaching our potential in Christ is a journey, and every journey has challenges, obstacles, and rewards.

And every journey has a beginning. This journey of reaching our potential begins and ends with a relationship with Jesus Christ. It begins with the truth that each person has sinned, broken God’s moral standards, and therefore is separated from God, our Love and Creator. Every sinner needs a Savior, and that Savior is Jesus Christ. If you’ve never acknowledged Christ as your Savior – He made it simple. Confess you’ve sinned. Believe He loves you and wants to forgive you. Believe Jesus died on the cross to take away your sins. Confess that He is Lord, and you’re not. Repent - turn away from a life of sin and give your life to Jesus. That’s where the journey begins and until you do that, you’ll find yourself wandering in circles …. So, trust in Him now.

The overall purpose of this series is to help us understand our vision as a church and to move toward our potential in Christ individually and corporately so that eventually we can help others move toward their potential in Christ. Now,

Reaching our potential in Christ is ultimately about loving God, loving others, and loving ourselves – our authentic selves.

It's about the gospel and making disciples of all nations. There’s a lot that goes into this.

Like I said, reaching our potential will have challenges, obstacles, and rewards - are you up for it? I hope so.

Please stay for Sunday school. You’re going to miss out on valuable discussion and growth during this series. Listening to one sermon a week will not sustain you for the Christian journey; it is not sufficient for Christian growth.