Our Vision Series

WHO ARE WE? - PART 2 - OUR VISION

I am excited this morning to continue in this series we began last week in which we will examine the Mission, Vision, Values, and Purpose of Metro Grace Community Church. It is extremely important to the life and vitality of this church body for us to understand who we are as a church and where we are going in the future.

We have a Mission to fulfill that was given to us by God. We have a Vision of what type church we will be both now and in the future. We have Core Values that shape who we are and everything we do as a church. These values are non-negotiable. We believe in them so strongly that we would be willing to lay our lives on the line for these values. We also have a Purpose for existing as a church here in this community. Understanding these things helps us maintain focus and direction in everything we do. If you ever wonder why we make certain decisions or do things a certain way here at Metro Grace, look to the Mission, Vision, Values, or Purpose, because these things drive everything we do.

God gives us these things because He has a very definitive idea of what He wants us to be as a church.

Last week we looked at our mission. This week we will examine OUR VISION

Nehemiah 1:1 During the month of Chislev in the twentieth year, when I was in the fortress city of Susa, 2 Hanani, one of my brothers, arrived with men from Judah, and I questioned them about Jerusalem and the Jewish remnant that had survived the exile. 3 They said to me, “The remnant in the province, who survived the exile, are in great trouble and disgrace. Jerusalem’s wall has been broken down, and its gates have been burned down.” 4 When I heard these words, I sat down and wept. I mourned for a number of days, fasting and praying before the God of heaven.

Nehemiah 2:17 So I said to them, “You see the trouble we are in. Jerusalem lies in ruins and its gates have been burned down. Come, let’s rebuild Jerusalem’s wall, so that we will no longer be a disgrace.” 18 I told them how the gracious hand of my God had been on me, and what the king had said to me. They said, “Let’s start rebuilding,” and they were encouraged to do this good work.

This morning as we begin our study on OUR VISION we will examine three things: The Importance of Vision; How Vision Becomes Reality; Our Vision for MGCC

I. THE IMPORTANCE OF VISION

Let me begin by saying that Vision is absolutely essential to a church. In fact, vision is so important to a church that without it a visionless church is doomed to failure. Without a clear understanding of it’s vision, a church will never effectively accomplish it’s mission.

The concept of vision is found throughout the Bible in both the OT and NT:

God spoke to Abraham and shared his vision for him in Genesis 12:1–3 (the Abrahamic covenant).

God used Moses to communicate his vision for his people, Israel, in Exodus 3:7–8 and Deuteronomy 8:7–10.

Why is vision so important?

A. Vision Encourages Unity

In a church a shared vision changes people's relationship to one another. When I, as your pastor, cast the vision that God has given through me for this church, it is no longer "my vision," it becomes "our vision.”; it is no longer "my church," it becomes "our church.”

The church's vision encourages and allows people to come together and work together. It creates a common identity. It sends a message to all where the ministry is going. It says that if you want to go where we are going, then get on board—let’s go together. A common vision says that we are working together toward the same goals. We need each other if anything significant is going to happen for Christ. None of us can accomplish this vision alone!

B. Vision Creates Energy

Not much happens without an inspiring, compelling vision. Not much was happening in Nehemiah's day. The people had no vision. Jerusalem lay in ruins, the people were in despair, and even worse, no one was motivated to do anything about it (Neh.1:3)

But, then along came Nehemiah with a vision from God to rebuild the gates and walls of the city. All of sudden things began to change! God-given visions are exciting and they energize people.

Vision is the fuel that lights the fire under a church!

C. Vision Provides Purpose

God-given vision gives us a sense of divine purpose in life. We are a part of something great that God is accomplishing at this time and place in history. With a shared vision, you understand that you are not just as another church member or a "seat warmer," but you are a vital part of a church that is having a powerful impact on a lost and dying world. We are not simply in a church; We are on a mission.