Intro. On Sunday Oct. 7th we will celebrate 66 years of ministry to this community. There has been a lot of changes over these 66 years...location...buildings... people... pastors and methods...BUT there is one thing I pray has not changed and must always stay a constant at MWC...our desire to be a light to this community by drawing attention Christ and His cross.
In the message today I want to share with you The Vision of MWC. To those of you who have been with us for a year or more you should already be familiar with our vision. To those who are new among us I want you to know what we are endeavoring to accomplish as a church.
Vision Defined: Note with me first the definition of vision and the importance it has played in the past. Vision is “an experience in the life of a person whereby a special revelation from God was received."
The revelation from God had two purposes.....
First, a vision was given for immediate direction, as with Abram, in Genesis 12:1-3 ; Lot, Genesis 19:15 ; Balaam, Numbers 22:22-40 ; and Peter, Acts 12:7 .
Second, a vision was given to develop the kingdom of God by revealing the moral and spiritual deficiencies of the people of God in light of God’s requirements for maintaining a proper relationship with Him. The vision of prophets such as Isaiah , Amos , Hosea , Micah , Ezekiel , Daniel , and John are representative of this aspect of revelation .” ( Holman Bible Dict.)
The Value of Vision:
Pro. 29:18 Where there is no vision, the people perish:”
Vision Con't: The ability to anticipate (to feel excited, hopeful, or eager about something that is going to happen) possible future events and developments.
To accomplish what God has called us to accomplish we must have the ability to look beyond what is, whether good or bad, and see the future according to His Word / promises.
Hab. 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.”
Message Bible: “ And then God answered: “Write this. Write what you see. Write it out in big block letters so that it can be read on the run.
Seed The Vision: Isa. 54:1-3 Sing, O barren, thou that didst not bear; break forth into singing, and cry aloud, thou that didst not travail with child: for more are the children of the desolate than the children of the married wife, saith the LORD. 2Enlarge the place of thy tent, and let them stretch forth the curtains of thine habitations: spare not, lengthen thy cords, and strengthen thy stakes; 3For thou shalt break forth on the right hand and on the left; and thy seed shall inherit the Gentiles, and make the desolate cities to be inhabited.
Message Bible: Spread Out! Think Big! 1“Sing, barren woman, who has never had a baby. Fill the air with song, you who’ve never experienced childbirth! You’re ending up with far more children than all those childbearing women.” God says so! 2“Clear lots of ground for your tents! Make your tents large. Spread out! Think big! Use plenty of rope, drive the tent pegs deep 3You’re going to need lots of elbow room for your growing family. You’re going to take over whole nations; you’re going to resettle abandoned cities. 4Don’t be afraid—you’re not going to be embarrassed. Don’t hold back—you’re not going to come up short.”
The Vision: I envision Messenger Worship Centre daily striving to become a church that has purposed to promote Christ, not a religious concept: promote relationships, not religion: promote the power of God, not programs. (Note: Each has their place but should be but tools to promote Christ.)
In accomplishing these brief purposes I believe we will become a body that will make all that come through the doors of our church feel they are L-0-V-E-D. This should be the aim of every child of God, to let people know God and loves them and so do we. To purpose anything less is to fall short of God’s intent for His church.
In truth LOVE should be the foundational stone of all visions (The basic content)! It is God’s love that has brought us to where we are today in Him and it is God’s love, shared by you and I, that will produce full altars.
L - Loving the Lord and others. - Matt. 22:37-39
O - Outreach to our community and world. - Mk. 16:15
V - Victorious living as mature disciples who reflect the true meaning of Christ.- I Jn.4:4
E - Equipping the saints/leaders. - Eph. 4:11-15
D - Developing youth/children. - Pr. 22:6
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