Embracing God's Vision: Discipleship and Transformation for 2025

Summary

As we step into 2025, we reflect on the past year and look forward to the vision God has for us at Derry Baptist Fellowship. Our guiding scripture, Proverbs 29:18, reminds us that without divine revelation, people perish. This vision is not about personal ambition or strategic planning but about aligning ourselves with God's revealed truth. We must remain vigilant against moral decline by adhering to God's guidance and principles. Our mission is to make disciples, ensuring that every ministry and decision aligns with biblical truth. This requires us to avoid spiritual stagnation and worldly values, focusing instead on the mission God has given us: to see people born again and transformed into disciples.

In 2024, we witnessed significant growth and victories, including baptisms and increased attendance. However, we also faced challenges, such as the building project that didn't materialize. As we move forward, we aim to grow not just in numbers but in spiritual maturity, impacting our city and beyond. Our roadmap for 2025 includes worship, fellowship, discipleship, service, and outreach. We invite everyone to be involved in these areas, fostering a strong and healthy church community.

The metaphor of the potter and the clay from Jeremiah 18:1-6 illustrates God's ongoing work in shaping us. Despite our imperfections, God reshapes us for His purposes. This year, we must trust the process and allow God to mold us, even if it is uncomfortable. The Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20 calls us to make disciples, teaching and baptizing them. Our focus is on evangelism, discipleship, and multiplication, aiming to transform our community through obedience to God's call.

Lamentations reminds us of the consequences of forsaking God and creating our own systems. We must trust God's vision and not be quick to rebuild on our own terms. As we enter 2025, let us commit to being disciples and making disciples, allowing God to be the potter in our lives. The local church is central to this vision, as it is the body of Christ, purchased with His blood. We must remain connected to the church, where we find safety and blessing.

Key Takeaways:

- Divine vision is essential for spiritual growth and avoiding moral decline. Without God's guidance, chaos and sin prevail. We must align our lives and church with biblical truth to fulfill our mission of making disciples. [01:26]

- The metaphor of the potter and the clay illustrates God's sovereignty and grace. Despite our imperfections, God reshapes us for His purposes. We must trust the process and allow God to mold us, even if it is uncomfortable. [20:40]

- The Great Commission calls us to make disciples, teaching and baptizing them. Our focus is on evangelism, discipleship, and multiplication, aiming to transform our community through obedience to God's call. [23:21]

- Lamentations warns against forsaking God and creating our own systems. We must trust God's vision and not be quick to rebuild on our own terms. Trusting the potter ensures restoration and hope. [34:10]

- The local church is central to God's vision, as it is the body of Christ, purchased with His blood. We must remain connected to the church, where we find safety and blessing. The church is a place of growth and protection against evil. [39:02]

Youtube Chapters:

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:29] - Reflecting on 2024
[01:26] - The Importance of Divine Vision
[02:16] - Consequences of Forsaking God's Guidance
[03:19] - Aligning Church Mission with Biblical Truth
[04:10] - Vulnerability Without God's Word
[04:41] - Vision for 2025: From Potter's Wheel to the World
[05:35] - Celebrating 2024 Victories
[06:26] - Challenges and Building Project
[09:05] - Roadmap for Spiritual Growth
[10:04] - Vision for Discipleship and Outreach
[12:07] - Importance of Fellowship and Community
[12:52] - Service and Involvement Opportunities
[14:31] - Outreach and Evangelism Efforts
[15:09] - Continuing in the Gospel of Mark
[16:02] - Bible Reading and Memorization Challenges
[17:24] - Tithing and Giving
[18:31] - God as the Potter, We as the Clay
[19:07] - Embracing God's Plan for 2025
[19:58] - Jeremiah 18: The Potter's House
[20:40] - Trusting the Potter's Process
[21:24] - Reshaping and Grace
[22:31] - The Great Commission
[23:21] - Making Disciples
[34:10] - Lessons from Lamentations
[37:24] - The Importance of the Local Church
[39:02] - Safety and Blessing in the Church
[40:44] - Commitment to Discipleship in 2025

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Proverbs 29:18
2. Jeremiah 18:1-6
3. Matthew 28:19-20

---

Observation Questions:

1. According to Proverbs 29:18, what happens when there is no divine vision or revelation? How does this relate to the sermon’s emphasis on aligning with God's truth? [01:26]

2. In Jeremiah 18:1-6, what is the significance of the potter and the clay metaphor? How does this illustrate God's relationship with His people? [19:58]

3. What are the key components of the Great Commission as outlined in Matthew 28:19-20? How does this passage guide the mission of Derry Baptist Fellowship? [23:21]

4. Reflecting on the sermon, what were some of the victories and challenges faced by the church in 2024? How do these experiences shape the vision for 2025? [06:26]

---

Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the concept of divine vision in Proverbs 29:18 challenge individuals and the church to avoid moral decline and chaos? What role does adherence to God's guidance play in this? [02:16]

2. In what ways does the potter and clay metaphor in Jeremiah 18:1-6 encourage believers to trust God's process, even when it is uncomfortable? How does this relate to personal and communal transformation? [20:40]

3. How does the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20 emphasize the importance of evangelism, discipleship, and multiplication? What practical steps can the church take to fulfill this mission? [23:21]

4. The sermon mentions the consequences of forsaking God and creating our own systems, as warned in Lamentations. How can this serve as a cautionary tale for believers today? [34:10]

---

Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your personal vision for 2025. How can you ensure it aligns with God's divine revelation and guidance? What steps can you take to avoid spiritual stagnation? [03:19]

2. The potter and clay metaphor suggests a willingness to be reshaped by God. Are there areas in your life where you resist this process? How can you become more open to God's molding? [21:24]

3. The Great Commission calls for making disciples. Identify one person in your life who you can introduce to Jesus. What specific actions will you take to engage them in a spiritual conversation this week? [23:21]

4. Considering the challenges faced by the church in 2024, how can you contribute to the church's vision for growth in spiritual maturity and community impact in 2025? [09:05]

5. The sermon emphasizes the importance of the local church as a place of safety and blessing. How can you deepen your connection to the church community this year? What role can you play in fostering fellowship and service? [39:02]

6. Reflect on the warning from Lamentations about creating our own systems. Are there areas in your life where you rely on your own understanding rather than seeking God's guidance? How can you shift your focus back to trusting God? [34:10]

7. How can you actively participate in the church's outreach and evangelism efforts? What specific steps will you take to support these initiatives, either through direct involvement or prayer? [14:31]

Devotional

Day 1: Divine Vision as a Guiding Light
Without divine vision, spiritual growth is hindered, and moral decline ensues. Proverbs 29:18 emphasizes the necessity of divine revelation for a community to thrive. This vision is not about personal ambition but aligning with God's truth. As individuals and as a church, it is crucial to remain vigilant against moral decline by adhering to God's guidance and principles. Our mission is to make disciples, ensuring that every ministry and decision aligns with biblical truth. This requires us to avoid spiritual stagnation and worldly values, focusing instead on the mission God has given us: to see people born again and transformed into disciples. [01:26]

"Where there is no prophetic vision the people cast off restraint, but blessed is he who keeps the law." (Proverbs 29:18, ESV)

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you feel a lack of divine vision? How can you seek God's guidance to align your actions with His truth today?

Day 2: Trusting the Potter's Process
The metaphor of the potter and the clay from Jeremiah 18:1-6 illustrates God's sovereignty and grace. Despite our imperfections, God reshapes us for His purposes. This year, we must trust the process and allow God to mold us, even if it is uncomfortable. The potter's hands are gentle yet firm, shaping us into vessels for His glory. Trusting this process means surrendering our own plans and allowing God to work in us, even when it challenges our comfort zones. [20:40]

"But now, O Lord, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand." (Isaiah 64:8, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you are resisting God's shaping? How can you surrender this to Him and trust His process today?

Day 3: The Call to Make Disciples
The Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20 calls us to make disciples, teaching and baptizing them. Our focus is on evangelism, discipleship, and multiplication, aiming to transform our community through obedience to God's call. This mission is not just for church leaders but for every believer. It involves sharing the gospel, nurturing new believers, and equipping them to disciple others. As we engage in this mission, we become active participants in God's redemptive work in the world. [23:21]

"And what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also." (2 Timothy 2:2, ESV)

Reflection: Who is one person you can intentionally disciple or share the gospel with this week? What steps can you take to begin this relationship?

Day 4: Trusting God's Vision Over Our Own
Lamentations reminds us of the consequences of forsaking God and creating our own systems. We must trust God's vision and not be quick to rebuild on our own terms. Trusting the potter ensures restoration and hope. When we rely on our own understanding, we risk building on shaky foundations. Instead, we are called to trust in God's perfect plan, even when it requires patience and faith. This trust leads to true restoration and hope, as we align our lives with His purposes. [34:10]

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths." (Proverbs 3:5-6, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area where you are tempted to rely on your own understanding rather than God's vision? How can you practice trusting Him more fully today?

Day 5: The Church as a Place of Growth and Protection
The local church is central to God's vision, as it is the body of Christ, purchased with His blood. We must remain connected to the church, where we find safety and blessing. The church is a place of growth and protection against evil. It is within this community that we are nurtured, challenged, and equipped to live out our faith. By staying connected, we participate in the collective mission of the church and experience the blessings of fellowship and accountability. [39:02]

"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." (Hebrews 10:24-25, ESV)

Reflection: How can you deepen your connection to your local church community this week? What specific steps can you take to engage more fully in fellowship and service?

Quotes

"Brother Josh already mentioned this verse, Proverbs 18, sorry, 29, 18, where there is no vision, the people perish. You know, it's a famous verse, Proverbs 29, 18. I can see the screen now for the first time in a long time. And here's the context and some application. For this verse, the Hebrew word there, vision, that word vision, it refers to divine revelation, prophetic revelation." [00:01:09]

"It's revelation that reflects God's revealed truth through his word. This is what the prophet would have give to the people. This is not really talking about personal ambition. You know, this is not talking about strategic planning. This is talking about God's revealed revelation to his people. And then the second part, you see that there's moral decline if we avoid the word of God." [00:01:38]

"If we don't have God's guidance, it says, if we're not happy to keep his law or the principles of his law, then we will be unhappy. It says, happy is he. You know, so without God's guidance, without that vision, there will end up being chaos and there will end up being a rampant sin. And it will take over. And that's what we've seen in this land." [00:02:05]

"And this will lead to discipline from the Lord. He makes that very clear. In the worst case scenario, it actually leads to destruction. And for some people, even this morning and even in the near future, there will be not just destruction, but there will be hell. And his word is very clear about that. He makes that very clear. Those that abandon him, those that reject him after his love being poured out will eventually... have to face justice." [00:02:32]

"To see people born again, to see people converted or saved. And then to... Make them into disciples. That's going to be the constant goal of our church. And then even just as believers here this morning, all of us, our personal lives, we need God's guidance. We need it. We need the Lord to guide us. Without that regular time in the word of God, we're going to be vulnerable." [00:03:54]

"We want to see discipleship. We want to impact this city. We want to be a city for Christ. We want to send people from this church to different places. We want to plant churches. We want to do all this. And I'm going to just share a roadmap with you now, just of the church. What we can do and how we can grow together. How we can step into God's calling and his will for your life in this next season." [00:09:53]

"God is continually shaping his people. He's continually shaping us as a church. He has not finished with us. You know, if we have breath in our lungs, he has a plan for us. Look at verse 4. And the vessel that was made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter. And he made again another vessel, kept the same, but he used the same clay as it seemed good to the potter to make it." [00:21:09]

"So even though this pot or this clay was marred, the Lord God Almighty didn't disregard it. He didn't give up on it. Even though there was problems with it. What did he do? He just reshaped it. We've had a great 2024, but he's going to reshape us possibly and have a very different 2025. We don't know, but that's the grace of God at work. He is sovereign." [00:21:46]

"are we still going to trust the process that's the first thing we looked at this morning we looked at the church is shaped by god's hands and the second thing a church is commissioned to make disciples and this is over in matthew uh 28 19 to 20 this is that famous the great commission when the the disciples are hanging on to the ankles of jesus he's just about to ascend into heaven and he gives them one last mission he gives them one last thought and this is what he says to him at the end there and jesus came and spake to him he said look at this all power is given unto me in heaven and earth and then he tells them go ye therefore and teach all nations baptizing them in the name of the father the son and the holy ghost teaching them to observe all things whatsoever i have commanded you and lo i am with you always even until the end of the world amen so god says i'm not just going to put you as a nice pot on a nice shelf and i'm not just going to leave you there i have a plan for your life i have a plan for the life for the disciples and i want you to go and make more disciples he says i want you to go and teach not just your family but all nations making disciples isn't just about giving us information it's about forming us to be more like jesus make disciples you know that's why everything we do at dairy baptist fellowship it's all weaved in and out of the idea that we want you to become more like christ that's our goal notice it says they're baptizing and teaching so that involves us introducing people to jesus taking people through the gospel taking people through the good news we've all sinned we've all fallen short of the glory of god that leaves us in a position where we are separated from god and without jesus stepping in for us without him taking our punishment that we deserve we do face the judgment of god we have to deliver that gospel we have to teach people that there is a way to escape that wrath and that is to trust jesus alone as your savior notice it says there teach first go ye into all nations teach first we teach the gospel first then it says after that baptizing go into all nations teach them then baptize them so they need to be old enough to understand it and then notice the last thing that it mentions teaching again in verse 20 teaching so that's why we make a big emphasis on god's word we make it very clear that god's word is central to what our worship service is we teach them to become a disciple we baptize them and we baptize them and we baptize them and then we keep teaching them because jesus told us this is what he wants us to do he wants us to grow he wants us to walk in obedience that's why it says there twice teaching so that's a challenge for us now in 2025 what would it be like what would it look like in our life and in the life of our church if we were a strong disciple making church what would it be like if every one of us was discipled and every one of us then went on to disciple more people would make a big difference and we would always focus on three areas we focus on evangelism we want to share the gospel you'll notice that we like to do that this is our bread and butter this is why we exist as a church we want to disciple people we want to walk alongside people we want new believers to grow we want to put things in place we want to respond when they say they need help and then we want multiplication we want to train even people here right now this morning we want to put things in place we want to respond when they say they need help we want to train you and help you to be able to disciple more people to bring more people stability in their life through the gospel so just think one act of obedience this morning could transform this whole community in 2025 that's the goal of dairy baptist fellowship spread the gospel and make disciples and this was our title we're just moving on to our last thing now from the potter's wheel to the world he has a purpose for us we want to be a church that's making disciples and last thing we want to be a church that's making disciples and that's a church that's going to advance with god's vision a church that's going to advance with god's vision and there's a verse there in lamentations i'm just going to read lamentations uh four" [00:23:39]

"lamentations four verse two it's on the screen there as well the precious sons of zion compared to fine gold how were they esteemed as earthen pictures the work of the hands of the potter so lamentations is written by jeremiah and lamentations is his follow -up book and it wasn't a bestseller near was near neither was jeremiah's first book that wasn't a bestseller the subtitle was a million ways to cry from the weeping prophet it wasn't a bestseller lamentations wasn't exactly a big seller either but it's a very important book because it calls us to grieve over our sin it calls us to trust god's mercy it calls us to trust him even when we're suffering but it does promise there's a hope of restoration there's a hope in lamentations verse uh 242 it says there look at this the precious sons or daughters of zion compared to fine gold this is how god is describing his people fine gold he says now they're they're esteemed even as earthly pictures even as a vase or a vase they are the work of the hands of the potter so this is a lament over the tragic downfall of jerusalem and its people the people who were the apple of god's eye they were treasured they're now broken now broken jerusalem has literally been flattened to the ground by babylon the babylon system has taken over and we see the babylon system in here it's taken over it's pushing us out we are the weirdos now this downfall has happened and it's happening even as we speak the people were compared now to clay pots they lost their value they used to be fine gold look at verse one of uh lamentations i'll read it here it says this how is this gold become dim how is the most fine gold challenged the stones of the sanctuaries are poured out in the top of every street you know we've had a bit of a financial crisis there just before christmas when all the markets were crashing the bitcoin was crashing everybody was worried and everybody was pouring their money into gold because it's the most stable thing and here it's even saying look even the gold is gone dim so god allows this suffering and judgment to happen to the people because their people would not value what he was doing for them god was restoring them he was reshaping them but they didn't realize he was doing it they had no idea that's the context what's happening here they didn't realize what was happening there was these there was these huge empires that were attacking them again that should be a reminder for us this morning it should be a reminder for us to trust god's vision you and i trust the potter he can rework the clay he can make something beautiful he can make 2025 beautiful and really my point here is don't be so quick to build those 2024 that's what the lord is saying here he's saying if you allow me in 2025 to to build even if it's concrete rubble i can rebuild it that should be an encouragement for us this morning to listen to the lord what he's saying he's warning them he's saying look you've made a real mess of it but if you'll trust me i'll fix every issue you have and you will be restored and i'm just going to give you the the warning that he gave the people before this happened the lord god almighty warned the children of israel he said i am the potter you are the clay and he says this in jeremiah 2 verse 13 he said i am the potter you are the clay it says there in jeremiah 2 verse he noticed that for again that that means there was something before it the lord is telling them judah you are blessed you are so blessed the the passages before it and he goes through everything how they are blessed he says but you can't see it they'd got so wrapped up in themselves they couldn't see how blessed they were judah had their own plan israel by this time had already been taken into captivity 150 years before this he's telling them to learn from israel said you didn't know that i was protecting you from these big empires i was protecting you from assyria i was protecting you from egypt i was protecting you from babylon but you just would not listen and then he says to them there in jeremiah 2 13 he says you are blessed you are blessed you are blessed you are blessed before that and he says but my people have committed two evils he says the apple of my eye the first thing is they have forsaken me they've forsaken me the fountain of living water says they've forsaken me the lord is is dumbfounded he's like i cannot believe that they've done this but they've actually forsaken me i've blessed them and then he says there they've hewed out their own systems or in other words they've made their own systems even today we would say they've made their own system" [00:34:10]

"created these these big tanks for water that they don't even hold water because they're broken he's saying if they'd have only come to me and asked me i would have told you that that's broken it won't work but they never came he said those are the two evils they've they've forsaken me they've left me and they've created their own system and it's a broken system and it won't work so instead of seeking the lord they sought their own security in the false gods of their neighbors and again we have to be very careful in 2025 not to worship false gods not to worship money not to worship celebrities not to worship anything else but to seek god's guidance don't forsake him in 2025 don't build your own systems so the lord mentioned there he mentioned two evils so as we finish now let me just ask two questions maybe tough questions in 2024 were you and i the potter or the clay" [00:34:10]

"2024 which one were we were we the one in control were we the potter or were we the clay god in control or were we in control had we forsaken god or had we grown in our knowledge of god and then the second question in 2025 will you and i be transformed in 2020 2025 will this be the year that we are transformed will this be the year that we'll step forward and we'll say i'm going to be the clay and he's going to be the potter i'm not going to forsake the lord i'm not going to build my own system i'm not going to forsake the lord i'm not going to forsake the lord i'm not going to system i'm going to keep going to the lord i'm going to ask him for help i'm going to ask him for guidance i'm going to ask him for vision for me personally for my family for my church for my neighbors because if you and i if we want to have a blessed and big future in 2025 there's absolutely nothing bigger there's absolutely nothing more important than being involved in a local church and serving serving nothing bigger acts 20 verse 28 the the context here is the apostle paul he's leaving these uh ephesian uh elders he's leaving he knows he's going to a certain death and he tells them he says look take heed therefore unto yourselves he says now watch yourself first this is where the danger will come and then he says watch over the flock And he says, the Holy Ghost has literally given you them." [00:37:24]

"And you're to feed them. You're to feed the church of God. And that's exactly why we make a big emphasis on the teaching of God's word. Because that's what he tells us to do. Feed. Give the gospel. Give the word of God. That's why we go verse by verse. Because we believe this is the way God gave it. He gave it verse by verse. This is the bread of life. He says, feed the flock, the church of God. But this is the important part there. That he, Jesus, purchased with his own blood." [00:37:24]

Chatbot

Transcript

What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?

Were there any personal stories shared?