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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ydCvbte7F2M
These scriptures (taken from the NIV) are especially helpful for us in bringing some definition to what we’re believing - our sense of vision and direction.
They are all passages we might describe as ‘now and not yet’ scriptures. We see some of the fruit and reality of them now, but there is so much more for us to grow into. They are deep wells for us to draw from.
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Mt 28:18-20
Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
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If we’re going to talk about bible verses that shape our vision, we can’t not draw upon the final few verses of Matthew 28, that we know as the great commission. Jesus has promised to go with us as we go and make disciples. We don’t believe we’ve been saved into a private faith or a holy huddle, but saved into a Kingdom that is advancing, with a commission to play our part in sharing the Good News. We’re thankful for many lives changed as we’ve ‘gone’ - as it were - in the last year, and look forward to even greater days ahead.
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Ac 2:42-47
They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
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Acts 2:42-47 is a passage of scripture that is integral to our Belonging material and fundamental to our vision. And it’s in these verses that we find a dynamic picture painted of a Spirit filled, Christ centred, kingdom community. We want to give thanks that we are, but also pray that we will increasingly be - as is described in Ac 2 - a people full to overflowing with the Holy Spirit; a people devoted to Jesus and to one another; a people praying for and experiencing the extraordinary life and power of God; a people available and eager to give of ourselves and our resources, and to give thanks to God as we grow together. We’re believing for that.
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Matthew 9:35-38
Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. 38 Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”
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Matthew 9:35-38 describes the gospel, the kingdom, the compassion, the power of Jesus impacting the towns and villages. These verses mean a lot to us and we want to represent Jesus well in our towns and villages by impacting them - like He did - with good news, good works and hearts full of compassion for those around us. The harvest was then - and is now - plentiful. We’re thankful God has positioned each of us where he has and look ahead with eyes of compassion and anticipation for all that God can do through us in our localities.
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Psalm 133
How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity! 2 It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aaron’s beard, down on the collar of his robe. 3 It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion. For there the Lord bestows his blessing, even life forevermore.
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And when people come amongst us it’s our heart that they would find that we ‘dwell together in unity’ as described in Psalm 133. Upholding unity and harmony and togetherness can be hard work, but it’s worth it because they’re the hallmarks of covenant relationship. It’s into the environment or unity that God commands blessing and pours out life! We want the life of God - the life of Jesus, the life of the Spirit - to define all we do.
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2 Peter 3:18
But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.
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And to make the focus a little bit more specific to this year, in particular… We’re believing that we will ‘grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ’ as per 2 Peter 3:18. We’re believing that as we gather this year - on Sundays, in Life Groups, over coffee, in one another’s homes - we’re going to meet and know Jesus. He will capture our gaze and our hearts. We want to give thanks for powerful times in His presence and look forward to even more to come.
Like Abraham and Sarah, we’re believing the promises of God, and these five passages of scripture contain precious promises for us. They are more than enough to give us vision and direction until Jesus returns, but - by His grace - God has also spoken to us prophetically, and given us particular promises to hold on to.
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Haven *This house is a house of My supernatural presence. For you will be known throughout this community and nation as a house where God Himself is dwelling. For you need to understand that the house I’m speaking of isn’t contained within these four walls but it’s you!
Some hallmarks of this house will be righteousness, will be joy, will be prosperity, will be blessing, will be health. For the health I’m speaking of is a haven of health. It’s a health that hasn’t been seen or demonstrated yet. For I’m enlarging your thinking, says the Lord, and expanding your vision.
And it starts with a surrendered life. For the things that I’ve said to you I cannot do unless you first surrender all to Me. For it will not be what you will achieve in this place but it is what I will achieve through you.*
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