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.
D. Vision Enables Risk Taking
A shared vision enables risk-taking by a church body. This is especially true in church-planting situations. When you are starting a new church from scratch like we are, everything is a risk.
(Ill. Personal risks of finances, career, marriage, family, etc.) (leaving the known for the unknown)
But, understand my friends that nothing great ever takes place without taking risks. This is true no matter what you are doing in this life.
Over the last year and a half, we’ve shared with you the vision of what needs to be done here in this community numerous times, and we will continue to remind you of this God-given vision. I believe most everyone knows what needs to be done at this point. But, knowing what needs to be done has never been the question here at Metro Grace. The question is, How will we do it? Sometimes we know the answer, but most of the time we don’t.
Many times we attempt something for Christ and it does not work. We attempt something else and it does work.
A lot of what we are doing here at Metro Grace is experimental, but it is not ambiguous. We understand perfectly clear why we are doing it. It is for Christ. We offer no guarantees that everything we attempt will be successful. Truthfully, we will probably strike out many more times than we will hit a home run. But I don’t think you are asking for guarantees. Most of us know that no guarantees exist, yet we committed anyway. The risks are great, but so is the God we serve, and the vision he has given us. How else can we explain the early church and what God accomplished through them?
II. HOW VISION BECOMES REALITY
Now that we’ve seen the Importance of Vision, let’s look at How Vision Becomes Reality:
A. Vision begins with Conviction
Nehemiah 1:3 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.
When Nehemiah became aware of the condition of the people remaining in Jerusalem it broke his heart. The Bible says he wept and mourned for a number of days. But, not only did the plight of the people cause him great sorrow, he came under conviction to do something about it.
Back in the spring of 2013 I was serving on a committee at the Rankin Baptist Association. During one of our meetings we discussed some startling statistics on church attendance and declining churches in our area. It’s hard to explain the effect that conversation had on me that day. I began to do more demographic research, and the more I researched, the more broken-hearted I became. Now, I had always been evangelistic minded, but this opened my eyes in a way I’ve never known. I began to pray regularly with several other pastors that God would send us the right person to plant a new church in this area. Little did I know at the time that it would be me. As 2013 rolled over into 2014, I began to see God’s plan for a new church to be planted in this area. I knew at that time God had given me a vision for this church.
B. Vision is developed through Prayer
Nehemiah 1:4 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.
One of the most important lessons we see in this Biblical account is that after Nehemiah came under great conviction, he turned to the Lord in prayer. I believe there are many times that we may feel sorrow for others and their circumstances, but are we truly committing ourselves to prayer in order to hear from God what He would have us to do. I think sometimes we see the need, and we know that we should get involved, but we don’t pray about it because we’re afraid of what God may call us to do. Some of you have been called out of your comfort zone already and you know what I’m talking about
We must pray and seek God’s vision and plan. Don’t let fear paralyze you from doing God’s will. Yes, sometimes God’s call on our life can be frightening, but where God calls, He equips and provides.
C. Vision must be cast by Leaders
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…
Nehemiah realized that he couldn’t accomplish the vision God had given him without the help of others. He needed a team of leaders and workers to carry it out. So, he shared the vision God had given him with the people.
Notice how he cast the vision:
First, he made the people aware of the problem, much like he had been made aware of it earlier.
Second, he encouraged the people to help him in the task.
Lastly, he reminded them that God had given him a plan of what, when, where, and how.
That’s the same plan of action that we followed in planting Metro Grace. We realized that we could not do this alone. We needed the help of faithful people to share in the vision and mission of God with us.
So, in March of 2014 I begin to share the vision for Metro Grace with several key leaders. I shared with them the latest demographic statistics that showed how many unchurched people there were in this area. I showed them statistics of declining churches that were not reaching the lost in our area. I showed them statistics that prove church planting is the most effective method of evangelism, and that new church plants reach 15 times more new believers than existing churches.
In December of 2014, we began to hold vision meetings and in which we shared much of this same information, along with our heart to do something. We asked some of you who are here today to join us on this mission and you felt the call of God to do so.
In March of 2015 we began to see this vision become reality as we hosted our first public worship services and we continue to share this vision and God’s plan for this church with you today.
D. Vision encourages others to join the Mission.
Nehemiah 2:18 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.
Nehemiah shared the vision that God had given him with the people and offered them the opportunity to join in the work for God. The people saw this vision and begin to come on board enthusiastically. They joined the team and got busy working to carry out the vision and as a result, the task was completed, and the people were blessed!
Just like in Nehemiah’s day, we need the help of faithful people to share in the vision and mission of God with us. That’s why we shared the vision in those early meetings and we will continue to share the vision of what God is calling us to do here at Metro Grace! We need you! We can’t do it alone. It takes a team of dedicated believers working together for a common cause! There’s something for everyone of you to do at this church!
I believe with all my heart that God has called us to do more than plant a new church; He’s called us to make a difference in the lives of the lost and hurting people of our area! I also believe that everyone of you is here for a reason and that each of you are gifted with unique talents and abilities to be used in the ministries of this church! Everything we need to accomplish the vision is right here in this body of believers! There is so much that needs to be done, and it can be done, but it requires all of us to use what God has given us, working together.
3. OUR VISION FOR MGCC
So far this morning we’ve looked at the Importance of Vision, and How Vision Becomes Reality. Now let’s look Our Vision for Metro Grace
Our Vision is to be a church known for it’s unconditional love, authentic worship, and selfless and compassionate service. Our Vision is to be a multiplying church actively involved in planting new churches who share our Mission, Vision, Core Values, and Purpose.
One thing you should know about vision is that it is always tied together with mission. You can’t accomplish your mission without a clear vision. Here at Metro Grace that’s no different.
A. Unconditional Love (Love People)
Matthew 22:39 The second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself
B. Authentic Worship (Love God)
Matthew 22:37 He said to him, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind
C. Selfless and Compassionate Service (Make A Difference)
John 13:34 “I give you a new command: Love one another. Just as I have loved you, you must also love one another.
D. Multiplying Church (Make A Difference)
Matthew 28:19 Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.
Jesus gave us a mandate to make disciples. Church planting is crucial to obeying the Great Commission.
Our vision is to be a multiplying church which trains, equips, and sends church planters all around the world. We already played in a role in sending church planters to Lamar, CO earlier this year and we are in the discussion stage of sponsoring our first church plant in late 2017.
We believe in what we’re doing here at MGCC and also believe there is a great need for more new churches which embody our mission, vision, core values, and purpose.
CONC: As we close this morning I have a question that I want to ask each of you: Will you embrace the vision God has given us for this church and join us in the work? We cannot accomplish the task God has given us without a dedicated team of leaders and volunteers who see the vision and join in the work. Each and every one of you has a vital role to play in carrying out the work of God here in this church. There’s a place for everyone to serve. You are important and needed!
Close with ABC’s of Salvation
