VISION SUNDAY
You Fit In God’s Family!
Matthew 28:18-20

God calls you to KNOW —Engage with love
God sent Jesus into the world as His plan of saving people from the judgment on their sins, which is called the Gospel. Humans are to know the love of God through knowing the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross (John 3:16; Eph. 2:1-5). The salvation of Jesus is not one of many ways to heaven but the only way to God (John 14:6; Rom. 10:9-13; Acts 4:11, 12). When you repent and believe in Christ you are ‘born again’ as a new creation and enter the Family of God (John 1:12; 3:3; 2 Cor. 5:17). You must know Jesus as your Savior. God uses people to reach people, so have Gospel conversations with 12 people this year and invite and bring at least one to church. Be the reason someone finds Jesus this year (Rom. 10:13-15)!

God calls you to GROW —Equip with truth
Like being born physically, once a person is born again they are to mature spiritually. This process is called sanctification, where a believer is made more like Jesus in character and choices over time by the indwelling Holy Spirit (Eph. 4:15; 1 Thess. 5:23; 1 Pet. 2:2). The Family that God put believers in is a local church body where they learn about God from pastors teaching God’s word. This makes Family Time (church) vital and essential. Never miss Family Time (Heb. 10:25)! Also, believers grow through learning scripture on their own and in smaller discipleship groups. At the Orchard, we have many life-stage, gender-specific, affinity-related, and help-oriented Bible-study groups. These are for building relationships and growing deeper. Never miss a Life Group or Bible study!

God calls you to GO —Empower with faith
As believers mature, they are to have growing influence for Jesus. This starts with them using the gifts God has given them for God’s glory. At the Orchard, every member is a minister, so expand God’s Kingdom by using your time, talents, and treasure (Rom. 12:4-8)! Like growing a physical family, parents plan, prepare, and try for children, often with a goal of a certain number. While it is always God that gives the increase, He often blesses those ready to receive it. The things you plan and prepare for are often the things you produce. Let’s join God in growing His Family this year!