Embracing the Imagine Vision: Building Relationships and Community

 

Summary

The next eight weeks mark a significant season for our church as we delve deeper into the Imagine Vision, a journey we've been on since October 2023. This vision is built on three pillars: ministry development, staff development, and the creation of a new ministry center. Our church has been experiencing growth, necessitating the expansion of our facilities and ministries. We've been praying and preparing for this moment for months, and now it's time to refresh our commitment to this vision.

The Imagine Vision is not just about physical expansion but about building meaningful relationships and investing in the lives of others. Our purpose is to connect with one another and intentionally reach out to "your one"—the person God has placed on your heart to impact. This is a personal mission, not just a corporate one. Jesus modeled this by forming relationships with those around Him, including those who were marginalized or different from Him.

As we move forward, we're excited to share plans for a new multi-purpose worship auditorium and a central lobby that will foster community and connection. These spaces will support our growing ministries and provide a hub for our church activities. We've launched an updated website with more details and visuals to help you understand and engage with this vision.

We're also introducing a devotional booklet designed to guide you through this journey. It's a tool for reflection, prayer, and engagement with the Imagine Vision. We encourage you to use it actively, bringing it to church and using it during our worship and prayer nights.

Commitment Sunday on May 4th will be a pivotal moment where we make two sacrificial commitments: one relational and one financial. This is a fresh start, a relaunch of our commitment to the Imagine Vision. We invite you to pray about your one and how you can invest in their life, not as a project but as a genuine friend.

As we embark on this journey, let's imagine a church where relationships transform lives, where Jesus flows through us, and where we are known for our personal connections rather than our programs. Are you ready to commit to your one and be part of this vision?

Key Takeaways:

1. The Importance of Vision and Growth: Our church is in a season of growth, necessitating a refreshed commitment to the Imagine Vision. This vision is built on ministry development, staff development, and creating new spaces to support our expanding community. It's a reminder that growth requires intentional planning and prayerful preparation. [48:12]

2. Building Meaningful Relationships: The heart of the Imagine Vision is building meaningful relationships and investing in "your one." This is a personal mission, not just a corporate one. Jesus modeled this by forming relationships with those around Him, including those who were marginalized or different from Him. [58:25]

3. Commitment to Community: Living life in community is woven into God's design. We are called to engage in relationships, even when it's challenging. Jesus' command to make disciples is a personal call to each of us, not just a task for the church as a whole. [58:25]

4. Friendship Over Projects: Jesus saw people as individuals in need of friendship, not as projects to be fixed. We are called to follow His example, offering genuine friendship without an agenda. This approach can transform lives and communities. [58:25]

5. Prayer and Preparation: As we prepare for Commitment Sunday, we are encouraged to pray for "your one" and use the devotional booklet as a tool for reflection and engagement. This journey is about more than financial commitments; it's about relational investment and being open to God's leading. [54:48]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:30] - Introduction to the Imagine Vision
- [02:15] - Church Growth and Expansion
- [04:45] - The Three Pillars of the Vision
- [07:30] - Ministry and Staff Development
- [10:00] - New Ministry Center Plans
- [12:30] - The Purpose of Building Relationships
- [15:00] - Commitment to "Your One"
- [18:00] - Jesus' Model of Friendship
- [20:30] - The Role of Community in God's Design
- [23:00] - Preparing for Commitment Sunday
- [25:30] - Using the Devotional Booklet
- [28:00] - Invitation to Pray and Engage
- [30:00] - Closing Prayer and Song

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Ephesians 3:20-21
2. Matthew 28:19-20
3. Matthew 9:9-13

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Observation Questions:

1. What are the three pillars of the Imagine Vision mentioned in the sermon, and how do they relate to the church's growth? [48:12]

2. How did Jesus model building meaningful relationships according to the sermon? [58:25]

3. What is the significance of the new ministry center and the updated website in the context of the Imagine Vision? [48:12]

4. How does the sermon describe the role of the devotional booklet in the Imagine Vision journey? [54:48]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. In Ephesians 3:20-21, Paul speaks of God doing "immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine." How does this passage relate to the Imagine Vision and the church's goals? [54:48]

2. The Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20 is a call to make disciples of all nations. How does this align with the sermon’s emphasis on personal relationships and "your one"? [58:25]

3. In Matthew 9:9-13, Jesus calls Matthew and dines with tax collectors and sinners. What does this passage teach about Jesus' approach to relationships, and how does it challenge the church's current practices? [58:25]

4. The sermon mentions the importance of living life in community as part of God's design. How does this concept relate to the biblical narrative of creation and the calling of Abram? [58:25]

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Application Questions:

1. The sermon emphasizes the importance of building meaningful relationships. Who is "your one," and how can you begin to invest in their life this week? [58:25]

2. Reflect on the idea of friendship over projects. How can you ensure that your interactions with others are genuine and not agenda-driven? [58:25]

3. The sermon calls for a commitment to community. What steps can you take to engage more deeply with your church community, even when it feels challenging? [58:25]

4. How can you use the devotional booklet to enhance your spiritual journey and commitment to the Imagine Vision? What specific practices will you incorporate into your routine? [54:48]

5. Commitment Sunday involves both relational and financial commitments. How are you preparing for this day, and what sacrifices are you willing to make to support the Imagine Vision? [54:48]

6. Jesus' command to make disciples is a personal call. How can you overcome fears or anxieties about sharing your faith and start living out this mission in your daily life? [58:25]

7. The sermon invites us to imagine a church known for personal connections rather than programs. What changes can you make in your approach to church life to contribute to this vision? [58:25]

Devotional

Day 1: Growth Requires Intentional Planning and Prayerful Preparation
The Imagine Vision is a call to action for the church community, emphasizing the need for intentional planning and prayerful preparation as the church experiences growth. This vision is not just about expanding physical spaces but also about nurturing the spiritual and relational aspects of the community. As the church grows, it is essential to ensure that the expansion is guided by a clear vision and a commitment to prayer. This approach helps align the church's efforts with God's purpose and ensures that the growth is sustainable and meaningful. The Imagine Vision serves as a reminder that growth is not accidental but requires deliberate effort and reliance on God's guidance. [48:12]

"Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established." (Proverbs 16:3, ESV)

Reflection: What specific steps can you take this week to align your personal growth with intentional planning and prayerful preparation?


Day 2: Personal Mission of Building Meaningful Relationships
The heart of the Imagine Vision is the personal mission of building meaningful relationships, focusing on "your one"—the person God has placed on your heart to impact. This mission is not just a corporate initiative but a personal calling to invest in the lives of others, following Jesus' example of forming relationships with those around Him. Jesus demonstrated the importance of connecting with people, including those who were marginalized or different from Him. By prioritizing relationships, individuals can create a supportive and loving community that reflects God's love and grace. This personal mission encourages each person to be intentional in reaching out and forming genuine connections. [58:25]

"Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others." (Philippians 2:4, ESV)

Reflection: Who is "your one" that God has placed on your heart, and what specific action can you take this week to invest in their life?


Day 3: Engaging in Community as God's Design
Living life in community is an integral part of God's design, and the Imagine Vision emphasizes the importance of engaging in relationships, even when it is challenging. The call to make disciples is a personal responsibility for each believer, not just a task for the church as a whole. By participating in community life, individuals can experience the support, encouragement, and accountability that come from being part of a faith community. This engagement is essential for spiritual growth and fulfilling God's purpose for the church. The Imagine Vision encourages believers to embrace the challenges and blessings of community life as they seek to live out their faith. [58:25]

"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: What is one way you can actively engage in your church community this week, even if it feels challenging?


Day 4: Offering Genuine Friendship Without an Agenda
The Imagine Vision calls for offering genuine friendship without an agenda, following Jesus' example of seeing people as individuals in need of friendship, not as projects to be fixed. This approach can transform lives and communities by fostering authentic connections and demonstrating God's love. By prioritizing friendship over projects, individuals can create an environment where people feel valued and accepted for who they are. This genuine approach to relationships encourages believers to be present and attentive to the needs of others, offering support and companionship without expecting anything in return. [58:25]

"A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity." (Proverbs 17:17, ESV)

Reflection: Who in your life needs a genuine friend right now, and how can you offer them support without any agenda?


Day 5: Relational Investment and Openness to God's Leading
As the church prepares for Commitment Sunday, the Imagine Vision emphasizes the importance of relational investment and being open to God's leading. This journey is about more than financial commitments; it is about investing in relationships and being receptive to God's guidance. The devotional booklet serves as a tool for reflection and engagement, encouraging believers to pray for "your one" and seek God's direction in their interactions. By focusing on relational investment, individuals can experience the transformative power of God's love in their lives and the lives of others. This openness to God's leading allows believers to be instruments of His grace and love in the world. [54:48]

"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: How can you be more open to God's leading in your relationships this week, and what steps can you take to invest in those around you?

Quotes

"That this next eight weeks and season that our church is entering into is pretty important. It's a pretty big deal. If you haven't noticed that from the announcements that we've given on Sunday morning, you've certainly noticed that because you've gotten some mailers in the mail, right? And you've had a lot of different things that have kind of come at you in your attention. We've been telling you to save the date for a lot of specific events and things that are happening within this series. This morning you came in and you got this really nice booklet, devotional book that you were handed when you came in, yes, this is a big deal." [00:41:47]

"And we have been praying about this and preparing for this for quite some time. Probably, I'd say about the last four to six months, our leadership team has been evaluating and praying as we kind of plan to do all along, right? About, for those of you who have been a part of our church for the last couple of years, you know, about a year and a half ago in October of 2023, we launched our imagined vision and we kind of shared as God was showing us what we were needing to do and where we were needing to go as he is leading us in this journey." [00:42:46]

"And since that time, we've just been building on this vision and understanding it. And we know that periodically we need to evaluate and make sure that we're hearing what the Lord is telling us and responding to the Lord in this vision as we are going forward. Certainly, coming to our church, you know that our church is growing. There's a lot of really great things that are happening in the life of our church. And really, it's not just on Sunday morning. It's literally all throughout our ministries. We just find ourselves ever expanding." [00:43:49]

"Routinely, throughout the week, we have classrooms that are full to capacity from life groups and meetings and different things that are happening in the church. There are times when groups want to meet, and we're like, yeah, sorry, we don't have any room. And we've got to find some other creative space and ways so that we can do all the things that God wants us to do. These are good problems to have. They're still problems, right? They're still things that we as a church are having to think through and navigate and walk this journey together, and we saw this coming." [00:45:30]

"So about four years ago, our church leadership team saw the growth, kind of the trajectory that was happening, and we're like, we need to probably get ahead of this as much as possible if we can. And so we began to pray and ask God to lead us in that, and that's what led us to this Imagine Vision. And within that vision, we quickly identified that part of that, probably not the whole, but the part of that vision that would be kind of a big piece of this would be adding some additional ministry space for us." [00:46:00]

"With that, we've also had the pillar of a commitment to our staff development. If you've been here over the last seven years, you'll know that our staff has more than doubled in that time period, not because we just want to have more staff, although that is always helpful, but we've added that because we need to keep up with the pace of ministry and the leadership that is involved in all of that. And I will tell you, one of the things that you will always hear from me is the confidence and the praise that I have for our staff." [00:46:25]

"These pillars have been a part of the vision from the beginning and they continue to hold up what God is doing in us and through us. But let me share with you this morning a clear statement about the imagined vision that God has given to our church. Our purpose is clear. And that is to build meaningful relationships with one another and to intentionally invest in your one, the person that God has placed on your heart to reach." [00:47:19]

"Today, as we focus on this expanded vision, I want to invite you to pray with me this prayer as we pray boldly together today. The prayer that we've been praying for the last year and a half written by the Apostle Paul. Would you pray this out loud with me today? Ephesians 3, 20 and 21. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen." [00:55:55]

"So living life in relationship and community isn't just a suggestion. Right? It's not just a feel-good way of going through life and experiencing life with each other. It is actually woven into the very fabric of God's design. In the beginning of the Bible in Genesis, we read of the story where God says, it is not good for man to be alone. And we naturally put our attention to that and we connect it with the covenant of marriage. And that certainly is true." [00:57:19]

"But he was also revealing a core truth about how he created humanity. How he created all of us. And that we were designed for connection, for family, and to experience life in tribe together. We see this in the promise and covenant that he makes with Abram when he calls him out of the land of Ur. And doesn't just call him to be a great man. But leads him to be the father of a great nation." [00:57:48]

"Living life together is certainly a gift. But let's be honest. It is not always easy. Have you ever thought to yourself, if only everyone else just thought like me life would be so much easier maybe you haven't said it that way maybe you have some other variation of how you would say that but the fact is we've wrestled with the fact that relationships can be difficult especially when they're relationships with people that are not running the same race that we're running they don't have the same values or beliefs and way of living that we do." [00:58:51]

"Here's the kicker when jesus stepped into matthew's life he wasn't a project matthew wasn't a task to complete or a soul to fix he was a person in need of a friend and that's what jesus saw and what jesus gave to him imagine if we followed the same model imagine having no agenda no checklist just a genuine commitment to walking alongside someone even if they never choose to follow jesus because you understand we celebrate the story because jesus ultimately followed jesus right but i think that jesus would not have rescinded his offer of friendship even if matthew had said no thank you jesus was offering friendship to matthew because that's what mattered most to him." [01:07:17]

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Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?