WHO ARE WE? - PART 3 - OUR CORE VALUES
Luke 12:31 “But seek His kingdom, and these things will be provided for you. 32 Don’t be afraid, little flock, because your Father delights to give you the kingdom. 33 Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Make money-bags for yourselves that won’t grow old, an inexhaustible treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. 34 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
I am excited this morning to get back into this series that we began before the holidays in which we are examining 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.
In the two previous messages we looked at our mission and vision. This week we will examine OUR CORE VALUES
This morning as we begin our study on OUR CORE VALUES we will examine three things: The Importance of Core Values; What defines Core Values; Our Core Values
I. THE IMPORTANCE OF CORE VALUES
Luke 12:34 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Core Values determine who and what we will be as a church. No two churches are alike. Some churches focus on biblical preaching and teaching, others on evangelism, and still others on counseling or the family. This is why it is acceptable to start churches even when there are other churches nearby. Different churches reach different people. What shapes us into who we are at Metro Grace is our core values.
Core Values dictate people’s personal involvement in the church. I believe we should be constantly communicating our core values to anyone who are considering becoming a part of this church. Encourage those with similar values to join. (I call this values alignment or a ministry match.) Encourage those with different values to look for a church that is more in line with their values.
Core Values communicate what’s important. Values make it clear what you believe is God’s heart for your church.
Core Values affect the church’s overall behavior. Values shape the entire church organization, determine the direction of our ministries, and dictate every decision we make and every dollar we spend.
Core Values inspire people to action. The shared beliefs of leaders and members are the motivators that energize people to take action. Values infuse ministry with meaning. Strong core values touch people at a deeper level that provides a sense of cause and brings significance to their lives.
Core Values contribute to ministry success. Understanding and embracing our core beliefs make it possible for our people to be successful in ministry. No church or ministry organization can succeed without clearly defined, Biblically inspired, core values.
II. HOW CORE VALUES ARE DEFINED
Core values are the core convictions of the church. A conviction is a firmly held belief that produces an action within us. Convictions are things we are willing to sacrifice for, or even give our life for.
Core values are those things we are most passionate about. Core values touch the heart and elicit strong emotions. They stir feelings that can move people to biblical, Christ-honoring ministry.
Core values are constant. A church’s vision and mission are fluid and can be changed readily to meet the needs of the church and community, but core values are constant. If there is a change in values it occurs very slowly. Change usually takes from 2 to 4 years. This is why it is hard to revitalize an established church. It takes time to change people’s values. That’s why it’s so critical that we begin with and stick with the right values.
Core values are Biblical. The true test of a values statement is: Does it line up with Scripture? The statement doesn’t have to be found word for word in the Bible, but our values should clearly reflect the principles and precepts of the Bible. Values should never contradict the Bible.
Core Values drive the ministry. Values drive the decisions made, money spent, risks taken, problems solved, goals set, and priorities determined.
3. OUR CORE VALUES
Now that we’ve established the importance of Core Values to a church, and what defines a core value, let’s look at our 4 Core Values we believe passionately about here at Metro Grace Community Church:
1. Every Person is valued and loved by God, therefore, every person is to be valued and loved by us.
John 3:16 “For God loved the world in this way: He gave His One and Only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.
Romans 5:8 But God proves His own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us!
John 13:34 “I give you a new command: Love one another. Just as I have loved you, you must also love one another.
1 John 4:19 We love because He first loved us.
2. Every Person deserves to hear the Gospel and have an opportunity to respond by faith to God’s offer of salvation
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,
2 Peter 3:9 The Lord does not delay His promise, as some understand delay, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish but all to come to repentance.
Romans 10:9 If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.
Romans 10:13 For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved
Romans 10:14 But how can they call on Him they have not believed in? And how can they believe without hearing about Him? And how can they hear without a preacher?
3. Every Believer needs a Biblical, moral compass to guide and protect them throughout their life.
2 Timothy 3:14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and firmly believed. You know those who taught you, 15 and you know that from childhood you have known the sacred Scriptures, which are able to give you wisdom for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness, 17 so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
1 Peter 2:2 Like newborn infants, desire the pure spiritual milk, so that you may grow by it for your salvation
4. Every Believer has unique gifts and talents to be developed and used to strengthen the church and for ministry.
1 Corinthians 12:4 Now there are different gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 There are different ministries, but the same Lord. 6 And there are different activities, but the same God activates each gift in each person. 7 A demonstration of the Spirit is given to each person to produce what is beneficial:
1 Corinthians 12:12 For as the body is one and has many parts, and all the parts of that body, though many, are one body—so also is Christ.
1 Corinthians 12:20 Now there are many parts, yet one body.
Romans 12:4 Now as we have many parts in one body, and all the parts do not have the same function, 5 in the same way we who are many are one body in Christ and individually members of one another.
CONC: We believe passionately 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.
As we close this morning I have a question that I want to ask each of you: Will you embrace the core values 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 embrace these values 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!
