God's Purpose, Our Vision

Own The Vision • Sermon • Submitted 3 years ago

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We cannot be ‘all things to all people’. Our job is to be faithful to God and his Purpose, and being faithful to each other in our vision. If we are successful, we will grow because God trusts us and will draw people to himself through us. That is our aim.

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Transcript

Introduction

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Our Vision

At our recent Congregational Meeting, we agreed on the following statement of vision:

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At Narellan CCC, we aim to be a healthy, functioning and safe community of faith with members known for integrity.

“Why do we need a statement of vision at all?” you might be wondering.

A vision statement serves an important purpose for churches, reminding us of our purpose. Even more, a vision statement reminds us God’s eternal purpose and our part within it, as partners with him.

A vision statement is not a goal we achieve but a state we want to achieve. It expresses what we want to be and what we want to be like.

If we are not all of one mind on our vision, we will never come close.

A vision statement answers the question, “What?”, but in order to understand what kind of community we want to be we also need to answer the question, “Why?’

Therefore, today we begin a sermon series explaining our Vision and Mission statements beginning with the opening clause, “At Narellan CCC, we aim to be …”

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God’s Purpose

In The Book of Revelation, God revealed a glimpse of the fulfilment of his eternal Purpose:

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Revelation 21:1–4 CSB

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. I also saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared like a bride adorned for her husband. Then I heard a loud voice from the throne: Look, God’s dwelling is with humanity, and he will live with them. They will be his peoples, and God himself will be with them and will be their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; grief, crying, and pain will be no more, because the previous things have passed away.

It was always God’s desire to have a close, personal relationship with his creation. This revelation sounds an awful lot like what is described of the Garden of Eden, doesn’t it? A beautiful garden both God and humans can enjoy, strolling around without a care in the world because they have all they need: sustenance, security, intimacy, esteem, and self-actualisation (cf. Gen 2:8-9; 3:8a).

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We live in the in-between, between God’s creation and restoration. Despite our fallenness and sin, God has remained committed to his eternal purpose (cf. Eph 3:8–13).

Interestingly, the revelation starts with messages to seven churches during a time of persecution. Those churches were commended for making gains or criticised for falling short of God’s expectations for his people. It seems then that during this in-between, God has a job for us to do.

God’s Purpose Fulfilled in Miniature

There are two biblical examples of churches that 'got it', the first church at Jerusalem and the church plant at Antioch.

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Acts 2:41–47 CSB

So those who accepted his message were baptized, and that day about three thousand people were added to them. They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and signs were being performed through the apostles. Now all the believers were together and held all things in common. They sold their possessions and property and distributed the proceeds to all, as any had need. Every day they devoted themselves to meeting together in the temple, and broke bread from house to house. They ate their food with joyful and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. Every day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.

Notice the believers at Jerusalem were clearly committed to their individual discipleship and the health of their community. Their neighbours noticed and responded positively.

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Acts 11:27–30 CSB

In those days some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. One of them, named Agabus, stood up and predicted by the Spirit that there would be a severe famine throughout the Roman world. This took place during the reign of Claudius. Each of the disciples, according to his ability, determined to send relief to the brothers and sisters who lived in Judea. They did this, sending it to the elders by means of Barnabas and Saul.

Disciples fleeing a persecution at Jerusalem made their way to Antioch. They shared the good news about Jesus with the local Jews, but some began speaking with others and a church was planted in that city (Ac 11:19-30; 13:1-3). Warned in advance of a famine, the disciples at Antioch sent resources to Jerusalem.

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These two churches, in their own way, represent the best of the Church. We aspire to their witness and honour.

We join with all of God’s people in praying, "Thy Kingdom come", yet Jesus calls us, "Be my Kingdom until I return".

The Church and local churches are to be a foretaste, a glimpse, of the Kingdom.

God’s Purpose Unfulfilled

What happens when we’re not a glimpse of the Kingdom?

Speaking about his impending crucifixion, Jesus said,

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John 12:32 CSB

As for me, if I am lifted up from the earth I will draw all people to myself.”

A theological application of Jesus’ statement has to do with his exaltation. If we are 'lifting up' Jesus —by sharing the good news about him as well as embodying our faith in him in our lifestyle and community— then through our witness he, by the Spirit, will draw people to himself.

This then begs the question: If our community is not growing, either in numbers or influence, is it possible we are not lifting up Jesus in a way that pleases God enough for him to trust us?

In other words, our vision must be to fulfil God’s purpose now, as much as we possibly can. That is what we are aiming at. Why? So that Jesus would be lifted up and our lost neighbours would be rescued and reconciled, and be ultimately counted among those who enjoy the restoration of creation.

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Each and every member must therefore own this vision, which is to understand and affirm it, be committed to it and contribute to it. If not, we will be stuck as a community and never come close.

Our Progress

It is a fact guests know an unhealthy church when they see one and want nothing to do with such churches.

When I contacted her to ask about her experience, one recent guest said of us,

Thanks for your message, I did feel very welcome thank you and I appreciate I did not feel overwhelmed or pressured by anyone which was great 👍🏻 I am really looking for a church where I can attend when I have the chance and not be made to feel bad for not attending every week. With the hopes of having children in the near future I was hoping to find a child friendly service also and although i have only attended the once so far I think I might have found a great church!

Thank you and thank you to your members who made me feel so welcome on Sunday 😄

Sadly, another guest on the same day gave us a one star review on Google with the comment,

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Walked out of Resurrection Sunday service after Bill Gates was held up by the pastor as the icon of preparedness. People go to Easter services to hear the Word Of God not the CNN talking points for the week. Will not be back!

I concede my sermon introduction was a little long last week, but her criticism was harsh and quite unreasonable!

This guest was clearly not interested in being a part of our community, so chose not to give the sermon, nor us, a chance. Had she persevered just a few more minutes she would have understood the set up of my introduction as she heard me proclaim the good news about Jesus.

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Conclusion

We cannot be ‘all things to all people’. Our job is to be faithful to God and his Purpose, and being faithful to each other in our vision. If we are successful, we will grow —in maturity, in influence, and maybe even in numbers. We will grow because God trusts us and will draw people to himself through us. That is our aim. If you agree, can I hear an “Amen”?