Write the Vision Sunday, January 4, 2015 #vision2015

Habakkuk 2:2 And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.

Where there is no vision, the people perish. Proverbs 29:18 Where there is no vision, the people perish.

Vision is foresight, with insight, based on hindsight.

Mission Statement “Sowing Seed in Suffolk” We exist as a Spirit filled body of believers who desire to impact our city with the seeds of the gospel and the expectation of a future harvest. To offer opportunities for the local church to experience God and be discipled through prayer, worship, and the Word. To sow seeds of compassion, trust, hope, and love in the lives of new and unchurched individuals in Suffolk. This is the mission of our church.

Matthew 28:19, 20 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

The mission of every church can be summed up in three words: Go (Outreach) Baptize (Worship experience) Disciple (Connection)

Mission defines WHY your church exists. Vision defines HOW you will fulfill the mission.

The question we must ask ourselves is: “How are we uniquely equipped, empowered, and resourced, to accomplish the mission?”

Without Vision: Various wins are celebrated Inward focused Maintenance focused Spectators Change in life threatening

With Vision: Everyone celebrates the same wins Outward focused Growth focused Participators Change is necessary to meet goals

71,154 people 85,728 People living in the City of Suffolk 83% are staying home on the weekends 71,154 people

Proclaim Experience Cultivate Serve

Our Vision Proclaim Christ Publically Experience Christ Corporately Cultivate Disciples Serve with Excellence

I. Proclaim Christ Publically

Matthew 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Compassion But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? 1 John 3:17

Trust Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Proverbs 3:5,6

Hope And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

Love …thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself, there is none other commandment greater than these. Mark 12:31

Romans 1:16 16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

Mark 8:34 38 Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.

Who are 7 unchurched people in your life that you want to reach in 2015?

“This church exists for the people who are not here yet.”

II. Experience Christ Corporately

John 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy; I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

The everyday struggles of life give: Frustration Loneliness Purposelessness

Life Giving Worship Experiences give: Peace & Joy A loving community Connection to our purpose

The ultimate WIN for any worship service is the salvation of souls!

Luke 15:10 10 Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.

(Article 6) We believe in sanctification subsequent to the new birth, through faith in the blood of Christ; through the Word, and by the Holy Ghost.

(Article 9) We believe in speaking with other tongues as the Spirit gives utterance and that it is the initial evidence of the baptism of the Holy Ghost.

III. Cultivate Disciples

“Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you…”

Acts 2:42 is our model for discipleship: And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

The Early Church had four things in every meeting: The Word Fellowship Food Prayer

IV. Serve with Excellence

I Corinthians 10:31 Whether therefore ye eat or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all for the glory of God.

Proclaim Experience Cultivate Serve