Embracing Vision: Building Community and Reaching Out
Summary
In today's message, we explored the concept of "In and Out" as a guiding vision for our church in 2025 and beyond. This vision emphasizes the dual focus of building a strong internal community while also reaching out to the world around us. Drawing from Proverbs 29:18, we understand that without vision, people perish. Vision is not just about having a plan; it's about catching and acting on it. The Bible instructs us to write the vision and make it plain so that those who read it can run with it. This is a call to action for us as a church to not only have a vision but to live it out actively.
We discussed the importance of not laboring in vain, as stated in Psalm 127:1, and the necessity of walking by faith, not by sight, as per 2 Corinthians 5:7. This means that even when we can't see the results, we trust in God's vision for us. The challenge often lies in maintaining motivation and prioritization, as many resolutions and visions fail due to complacency. Complacency is the enemy of vision, and we must guard against it by staying engaged and committed.
The "In" aspect of our vision focuses on building a strong community within the church. This involves fostering relationships, accountability, and encouragement among believers. We are reminded that Christianity is not a solitary journey but one that thrives in community. The "Out" aspect calls us to reach out to our spheres of influence, sharing the gospel and being a light in the world. This dual focus ensures that we are not only nurturing our spiritual growth but also fulfilling the Great Commission.
In 2025, we aim to enhance our community engagement through social media and other platforms, recognizing that many people seek relationships and community when choosing a church. We are called to be laborers in God's harvest, actively participating in His vision for our church.
Key Takeaways:
1. Vision Requires Action: Vision is not just a plan; it needs to be caught and acted upon. Without action, vision remains unfulfilled. We are called to write the vision and make it plain so that it can be pursued with purpose and determination. [09:29]
2. Avoiding Complacency: Complacency is the enemy of vision. It is easy to lose motivation and become complacent, but we must prioritize God's vision for our lives and church. Staying engaged and committed is crucial to seeing the vision come to fruition. [18:22]
3. Community is Essential: Christianity is not a solitary journey. We are called to live in community, supporting and encouraging one another. The church is a spiritual house built together, and we cannot thrive in isolation. [29:41]
4. Outward Focus: We are called to reach out to our spheres of influence, sharing the gospel and being a light in the world. This outward focus is essential to fulfilling the Great Commission and expanding God's kingdom. [40:55]
5. Leveraging Social Media: In today's digital age, social media is a powerful tool for outreach. We must use it strategically to connect with others, share the gospel, and invite people into our community. [50:06]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [05:12] - Questions for the New Year
- [07:08] - The Phrase "In and Out"
- [09:29] - Vision Needs Action
- [11:13] - Building with God's Vision
- [13:12] - The Challenge of Resolutions
- [14:57] - Spiritual Resolutions
- [16:20] - Motivation and Prioritization
- [18:22] - Complacency: The Enemy of Vision
- [21:22] - Means and Methods
- [22:50] - God's Work in Us
- [26:49] - Living Stones and Community
- [29:41] - The Importance of Community
- [31:58] - The Shift from Community to Attendance
- [34:09] - Sociability and Community
- [35:06] - COVID-19 and Community
- [36:31] - The Trend of Church Attendance
- [39:29] - Emphasizing Togetherness
- [40:55] - Reaching Outward
- [42:09] - The Great Commission
- [44:13] - Engaging with Influencers
- [50:06] - Social Media Strategy
- [53:02] - Engaging with the Church Online
- [55:19] - The Importance of Relationships
- [57:22] - Connecting In and Out
- [59:22] - Digital Presence and Outreach
- [01:00:58] - Closing Prayer and Call to Action
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Proverbs 29:18 - "Where there is no vision, the people perish."
2. Psalm 127:1 - "Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it."
3. 2 Corinthians 5:7 - "For we walk by faith, not by sight."
---
Observation Questions:
1. What does Proverbs 29:18 suggest about the importance of vision in a community or church setting? How was this concept emphasized in the sermon? [07:08]
2. According to Psalm 127:1, what is the outcome of laboring without the Lord's involvement? How did the pastor relate this to the church's vision for 2025? [11:13]
3. How does 2 Corinthians 5:7 relate to the idea of maintaining faith in God's vision, even when results are not immediately visible? [13:12]
4. What are the two primary focuses of the "In and Out" vision for the church, as discussed in the sermon? [21:22]
---
Interpretation Questions:
1. How might the absence of a clear vision lead to a lack of direction or purpose within a church community? Consider the implications of Proverbs 29:18 in this context. [07:08]
2. In what ways can a church ensure that its efforts are aligned with God's vision, as suggested by Psalm 127:1? What practical steps can be taken to avoid laboring in vain? [11:13]
3. How can believers apply the principle of walking by faith, as mentioned in 2 Corinthians 5:7, to their personal and communal spiritual journeys? [13:12]
4. What are the potential challenges and benefits of balancing the "In" and "Out" aspects of the church's vision? How can these be effectively managed? [21:22]
---
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you lacked vision in your personal life or within a community. How did it affect your motivation and actions? What steps can you take to ensure you have a clear vision moving forward? [07:08]
2. Consider your current involvement in church activities. Are there areas where you feel you might be laboring in vain? How can you seek God's guidance to align your efforts with His vision? [11:13]
3. Identify a situation in your life where you need to walk by faith rather than sight. What practical steps can you take to trust in God's plan, even when the outcome is uncertain? [13:12]
4. How can you contribute to building a strong internal community within the church? What specific actions can you take to foster relationships and accountability among fellow believers? [29:41]
5. Think about your spheres of influence outside the church. How can you be more intentional in sharing the gospel and being a light in the world? What is one specific action you can take this week to reach out to someone in your community? [40:55]
6. In what ways can you leverage social media to connect with others and share your faith? What are some practical steps you can take to engage with your online community effectively? [50:06]
7. Reflect on the importance of community in your spiritual journey. How can you prioritize building meaningful relationships within the church, and what changes might you need to make to avoid complacency? [31:58]
Devotional
Day 1: Vision Demands Active Pursuit
Vision is not merely a plan on paper; it is a dynamic call to action that requires us to actively pursue and embody it. Without action, vision remains unfulfilled and stagnant. The Bible encourages us to write the vision and make it plain so that those who read it can run with it. This means that vision must be clear, compelling, and actionable. As a church, we are called to not only have a vision but to live it out with purpose and determination. This involves stepping out in faith, even when the path is not fully visible, trusting that God will guide us as we move forward. [09:29]
"For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay." (Habakkuk 2:3, ESV)
Reflection: What specific steps can you take today to actively pursue the vision God has placed on your heart?
Day 2: Guarding Against Complacency
Complacency is a subtle yet powerful enemy of vision. It creeps in when we lose motivation and become comfortable with the status quo, causing us to neglect the pursuit of God's vision for our lives and church. To avoid complacency, we must remain engaged and committed, continually prioritizing God's purposes over our comfort. This requires a conscious effort to stay spiritually alert and responsive to God's leading, even when challenges arise. By doing so, we ensure that our vision does not wither but flourishes and bears fruit. [18:22]
"Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord." (Romans 12:11, ESV)
Reflection: Identify one area in your spiritual life where complacency has set in. What practical steps can you take to reignite your passion and commitment in this area?
Day 3: The Power of Community
Christianity is not a solitary journey; it thrives in the context of community. We are called to build a strong internal community within the church, fostering relationships, accountability, and encouragement among believers. This communal aspect of faith is essential for spiritual growth and resilience. As living stones, we are being built together into a spiritual house, where each member plays a vital role. In community, we find support, strength, and the opportunity to grow in love and service to one another. [29:41]
"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 contribute to building a stronger sense of community within your church? What specific actions can you take to support and encourage others?
Day 4: Reaching Outward with Purpose
Our calling extends beyond the walls of the church; we are called to reach out to our spheres of influence, sharing the gospel and being a light in the world. This outward focus is essential to fulfilling the Great Commission and expanding God's kingdom. It involves being intentional about our interactions with others, seeking opportunities to share the love and truth of Christ. By doing so, we become active participants in God's mission, bringing hope and transformation to those around us. [40:55]
"You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house." (Matthew 5:14-15, ESV)
Reflection: Who in your life needs to hear the message of hope and love found in Christ? How can you intentionally reach out to them this week?
Day 5: Leveraging Social Media for the Gospel
In today's digital age, social media is a powerful tool for outreach and connection. We are called to use it strategically to share the gospel and invite others into our community. By leveraging social media, we can extend our reach and engage with people who may not otherwise encounter the message of Christ. This requires creativity, intentionality, and a commitment to authenticity in our online presence. As we navigate the digital landscape, we have the opportunity to be a light in the virtual world, pointing others to the hope and truth found in Jesus. [50:06]
"Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples!" (1 Chronicles 16:24, ESV)
Reflection: How can you use your social media platforms to share the love and truth of Christ? What specific content or interactions can you create to engage others in meaningful conversations about faith?
Quotes
"In Psalms chapter 127 and verse one, it says, unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it. Now, I don't know about you, but I myself personally am not interested in laboring in vain after something that I don't believe that God is in. Anybody with me so far? And I can tell you from personal experience that I have looked over my life and looked over my ministry and been in places and seasons of both, whether seasons in my life or seasons in ministry where I have said, Lord, it feels like I'm spinning my wheels." [00:11:23] (39 seconds)
"I am laboring in vain because I'm not seeing any fruit that would come forth from the labors that I'm, that I'm putting into it. And here's the real dichotomy in this is when those seasons come, if you know that you have the Lord's vision for where you were supposed to be going, you can't see it, but you can look at the vision, right? When we talked about last week about seeing with the eyes of faith, right? What does second Corinthians chapter five and verse seven say?" [00:12:03] (37 seconds)
"It says we walk by faith. Not by sight. When you have a vision from the Lord for the direction that you're going to be going in, when you can't see it, you can see by faith, but that's where you're supposed to be going and you can walk after it. Amen. Millions of people make new year's resolutions every year." [00:12:41] (24 seconds)
"The number one reason why people do not complete their New Year's resolutions is also the number number one reason why people do not fulfill the vision that God has for their life. And that's a loss of motivation. And it's easy to get excited about something new, but it's hard to maintain that excitement when the new wears off. Amen, right? I've got a max trainer on Facebook Marketplace right now. I'm speaking of exercise and working out, right? Max trainer." [00:16:06] (34 seconds)
"See, it's very easy to lose motivation and become complacent. It's very easy to allow ourselves to get busy and become complacent. And complacency is the enemy of vision. Complacency is the enemy of vision. Tommy Barnett says it like this. He says, great works do not just happen. They are caused. Vision. Vision, likewise, is caught as well as taught. Proverbs relates where there is no vision, the people perish. But I am convinced that where there are no people, the vision perishes. Oh my." [00:19:00] (46 seconds)
"In the Bible, there's two primary categories for building God's church that he has. That's just two, and you might say, well, there's a lot of things in the Bible that pertain to the things that the body of Christ should be doing to build. You are correct. They would all be what I would categorize as subcategories of these two things. Somebody say two." [00:20:30] (28 seconds)
"You also as living stone are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. See, so much of our lives are spent isolated and insulated from other believers. And we have come to this, this, this model, this pattern that really started about a century ago." [00:28:44] (30 seconds)
"As a follower of Christ. In isolation from the body of Christ and be successful. You may think, oh, I can. I can do all this stuff on my own. I can be OK with Jesus and with God on my own. I can be OK with Jesus and with God without without the local body. But you can't." [00:29:40] (30 seconds)
Chatbot
-
I'm an AI bot trained specifically on the sermon from Dec 30, 2024. Do you have any questions about it?