Today we will see Jesus has provided His church with Power, Person and Purpose—to be disciples that make disciples.
What does it mean for a church or organization to have a vision statement—or vision?
• Vision is essential to an organization and it is a ministries port of call– It is dynamic and not static.
Did Jesus provide a vision/mission for the church?
• Yes, the Great Commission. Matt.28:18-20; Mark 16:15; Luke 24:46-48; John 15:16
Today there are six gospels that people preach:
1: The forgiveness only gospel
2: The left gospel or gospel of liberalism
3: The prosperity gospel
4: The consumer gospel
5: The religious right gospel
6: The kingdom gospel
The church Bylaws—and more importantly the Bible states that Pastors are equip believers for the work of the ministry. Eph. 4: 11-13
What is the vision of First Baptist Church in Anacortes?
• One idea for a vision for First Baptist Church might be: Connecting, Growing, and Going Forward Transforming the People of Anacortes with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
The Greek term oikos describes the most fundamental, or basic grouping of society.
• The word [oikos] is found repeatedly in the New Testament, and is usually translated house, household or personal community. Acts 16: 31
• However, it doesn’t just refer to family members. Every one of us have a “primary group” of friends who relate directly to us through family, work, recreation, hobbies, and neighbors…
• The oikoses each of us lives within are not large. We may know several dozen, even several 100 people, but quality time spent with others is extremely limited and only those to whom we devote quality time can be said to be part of our oikos, our personal community
• Oikos then are those with whom we spend at least one hour a week with…
On the other hand, Jesus constantly provided an increase of unchurched people into his Oikos system. Luke 19:2-5; Luke 7:36-38; Matthew 8:14; 9:10; 9:23; 17:25; Mark 7:17, 24; 9:33
• The term own people is the word oikos. This is a biblical term that means own people, household, extended family. Others have framed this as “into my front row, 8 to 15,” and I have taken it to mean “your center circle of people.” Luke 7:36-38; 19:2-5
• The Oikos principle is also found throughout the book of Acts in the New Testament (Acts 5:42; 8:3; 10; 16). Hebrews 3:6 says but Christ is faithful as a Son over Gods household. The word household is the word Oikos. Consider these additional Scriptures; 1 Peter 4:17, 1 Timothy 3:15, Ephesians 2:19, and 1 Peter 2:5
• Acts 5:42
• Ephesians 2:19
Prior to people becoming new attendees—the church should be praying for each person found within their personal oikos.
• The praying intentional church lives into each Oikos and waits and watches God provide miracles of salvation.
• Believers demonstrate varying degrees of commitment within discipleship groups categorized as Attenders, Members, Leaders, Mentors, and Pastors.
You are invited into a relationship with God—If you have not yet committed your life to Jesus—you need to do so today! For everyone who calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved. Romans 10:13
In closing, God requires our faithfulness-By His Spirit we can remain faithful in all things—even church health and growth.