A Vision For The Church A statement “which is written by a church which reflects its core purpose, identity, values and principle aims . . . providing a broad, aspirational image of the future. . . reflecting its purpose, or reason for being. Defined simply, "Who we are and what we do". . . such statements contain details of the future of the church - its vision (the future plans with aims and objectives)” 

A Vision For The Church w Every local church needs a ‘vision’

Proverbs 29:18 Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.

A Vision For The Church w Every local church needs a ‘vision’ w It must be God’s vision for the church, not man’s

Jeremiah 10:23 O Lord, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.

Proverbs 16:25 There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

A Vision For The Church w Every local church needs a ‘vision’ w It must be God’s vision for the church, not man’s w God’s vision is for a church that is: Knowledgeable & growing spiritually

Colossians 1:9-10 "For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;"

A Vision For The Church w Every local church needs a ‘vision’ w It must be God’s vision for the church, not man’s w God’s vision is for a church that is: Knowledgeable & growing spiritually Defending the truth against error

1 Timothy 3:15 “. . . the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth."

Revelation 2:24-25 "But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine . . . I will put upon you none other burden. But that which ye have already hold fast till I come."

A Vision For The Church w Every local church needs a ‘vision’ w It must be God’s vision for the church, not man’s w God’s vision is for a church that is: Knowledgeable & growing spiritually Defending the truth against error Worshipping sincerely and according to truth

Matthew 15:8-9 "This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men." 1 2

A Vision For The Church w Every local church needs a ‘vision’ w It must be God’s vision for the church, not man’s w God’s vision is for a church that is: Knowledgeable & growing spiritually Defending the truth against error Worshipping sincerely and according to truth Spreading the Word

Philippians 4:15-16 "Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only. For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity."

A Vision For The Church w Every local church needs a ‘vision’ w It must be God’s vision for the church, not man’s w God’s vision is for a church that is: Knowledgeable & growing spiritually Defending the truth against error Worshipping sincerely and according to truth Spreading the Word Full of Christians that build up one another

1 Thessalonians 5:11 "Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do."

A Vision For The Church w Every local church needs a ‘vision’ w It must be God’s vision for the church, not man’s w God’s vision is for a church that is: Knowledgeable & growing spiritually Defending the truth against error Worshipping sincerely and according to truth Spreading the Word Full of Christians that build up one another Compassionate towards the physical needs of members

Acts 4:34-35 "Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, and laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need."

A Vision For The Church w Every local church needs a ‘vision’ w It must be God’s vision for the church, not man’s w God’s vision is for a church that is: Knowledgeable & growing spiritually Defending the truth against error Worshipping sincerely and according to truth Spreading the Word Full of Christians that build up one another Compassionate towards the physical needs of members w We will attain to God’s vision for the church if: We truly believe that His way is best

1 Thessalonians 2:13 "For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe."

A Vision For The Church w Every local church needs a ‘vision’ w It must be God’s vision for the church, not man’s w God’s vision is for a church that is: Knowledgeable & growing spiritually Defending the truth against error Worshipping sincerely and according to truth Spreading the Word Full of Christians that build up one another Compassionate towards the physical needs of members w We will attain to God’s vision for the church if: We truly believe that His way is best Keep focused on what He would have us to be

Galatians 2:4-5 ". . . false brethren . . . to whom we gave place by subjection, no, not for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might continue with you."

A Vision For The Church w Every local church needs a ‘vision’ w It must be God’s vision for the church, not man’s w God’s vision is for a church that is: Knowledgeable & growing spiritually Defending the truth against error Worshipping sincerely and according to truth Spreading the Word Full of Christians that build up one another Compassionate towards the physical needs of members w We will attain to God’s vision for the church if: We truly believe that His way is best Keep focused on what He would have us to be We put the past behind us

Philippians 3:13-14 ". . . this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."

A Vision For The Church w Every local church needs a ‘vision’ w It must be God’s vision for the church, not man’s w God’s vision is for a church that is: Knowledgeable & growing spiritually Defending the truth against error Worshipping sincerely and according to truth Spreading the Word Full of Christians that build up one another Compassionate towards the physical needs of members w We will attain to God’s vision for the church if: We truly believe that His way is best Keep focused on what He would have us to be We put the past behind us Work together as a unified body

Ephesians 4:16 ". . . the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love."

A Vision For The Church w Every local church needs a ‘vision’ w It must be God’s vision for the church, not man’s w God’s vision is for a church that is: Knowledgeable & growing spiritually Defending the truth against error Worshipping sincerely and according to truth Spreading the Word Full of Christians that build up one another Compassionate towards the physical needs of members w We will attain to God’s vision for the church if: We truly believe that His way is best Keep focused on what He would have us to be We put the past behind us Work together as a unified body