REMEMBERING & RECOMMITTING TO JESUS’ VISION FOR HIS CHURCH

Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David.
This is my gospel…  2 Timothy 2:8 (NIV)

THERE ARE CONSEQUENCES IF I FORGET GOD’S VISION!

Where there is no vision from God, the people run wild, but those who adhere to God’s instruction know genuine happiness. Proverbs 28:19 (VOICE)

CROSSWAY VISION STATEMENT:

We strive to be a church of great diversity, built and maintained through a small group emphasis.  Every member of the body will work to glorify God by devoting themselves to the following purposes: Evangelism, Edification, Equipping, Encouragement, and Exaltation.  As a result, CrossWay will grow and reproduce itself through the planting of daughter churches in metropolitan areas similar to our own. they were continually devoting themselves… Acts 2:42a (NASB)

“WE” requires ME, therefore…

1. I will strive to fulfill Christ’s vision for His church to be DIVERSE.

Jesus drew near and said to them, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. ¹⁹ Go, then, to all peoples everywhere and make them my disciples… Matthew 28:18-19a (GNT)

I looked again. I saw a huge crowd, too huge to count. Everyone was there—all nations and tribes, all races and languages. And they were standing, dressed in white robes and waving palm branches, standing before the throne and the Lamb.  Revelation 7:9 (MSG)

2. I will commit myself to a godly SMALL GROUP

Jesus went up on a mountainside and called to him those he wanted, and they came to him. ¹⁴ He appointed twelve that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach… Mark 3:13-14 (NIV)

And day after day they regularly assembled in the temple with united purpose, and in their homes they broke bread [including the Lord’s Supper]. They partook of their food with gladness and simplicity and generous hearts, Acts 2:46 (AMPC)

So, my son, be strong in the grace that Jesus Christ gives. Everything that you have heard me preach in public you should in turn entrust to reliable men, who will be able to pass it on to others. 2 Timothy 2:1-2 (Phillips)

What does a “Godly Small Group” look like?

It is led by a RELIABLE man or woman of God.

EVANGELISM – There’s a priority on REACHING the LOST.

EDIFICATION – There’s a priority on BUILDING up disciples.

EQUIPPING – There’s a priority on TRAINING disciples.

ENCOURAGEMENT – There’s a priority on instilling FAITH.

EXALTATION – There’s a priority on GLORIFYING God.

3. I know that I must be FAITHFUL for CrossWay to be FRUITFUL.

• FAITHFULNESS is the cause; FRUITFULNESS is the result.

They were continually and faithfully devoting themselves to the instruction of the apostles, and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread together and to prayers. …⁴⁷ praising God continually, and having favor with all the people. And the Lord kept adding to their number daily those who were being saved. Acts 2:42, 47 (AMP)

I am the vine, and you are the branches. You must continue to live in me and I must continue to live in you. Only if you do that will you make plenty of fruit. That is because you can do nothing without me. John 15:5 (EASY)

4. I will do all I can to support CrossWay as we PLANT new churches.

And Saul approved of their killing him. On that day a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. ² Godly men buried Stephen and mourned deeply for him. ³ But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off both men and women and put them in prison. ⁴ Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went. Acts 8:1-4 (Phillips)

Here is another story Jesus told: “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a farmer who planted good seed in his field…³⁷ Jesus replied, “The Son of Man is the farmer who plants the good seed. ³⁸ The field is the world, and the good seed represents the people of the Kingdom. Matthew 24, 37-38a (NLT)

My dear brothers and sisters, remain strong in the faith. Don’t let anything move you. Always give yourselves completely to the work of the Lord. Because you belong to the Lord, you know that your work is not worthless. 1 Corinthians 15:58 (NIRV)