Rooted in Christ: A Vision for 2025

 

Summary

As we step into 2025, it's a time of reflection and vision for our church community. Today, we focus on the importance of deepening our roots in Christ before expanding our reach and influence. Just as a tree needs strong roots to withstand storms, we too must ensure our spiritual foundation is solid. This is a call to prioritize our relationship with Jesus, to be present with Him, and to allow His presence to transform us from the inside out.

Joshua's encounter with the commander of the Lord's army in Joshua 5 serves as a powerful reminder of the need to be grounded in God's presence before pursuing His promises. Joshua was instructed to remove his sandals, signifying the holiness of the ground he stood on. This act of reverence and submission is a model for us to follow, emphasizing the necessity of being with God before acting on His vision for our lives.

Our church is embarking on a journey to connect the entire Treasure Coast to the life-changing power of Jesus Christ. This vision requires us to first cultivate a culture rooted in Christ, where our character and spiritual depth can sustain the growth and influence we seek. We are called to be a multi-ethnic, multi-generational, mission-driven community that reflects the diversity and beauty of our surroundings.

Practically, this journey involves a clear discipleship process, starting with Sunday services and extending through activity groups, life groups, and serve teams. Each phase is designed to deepen our connection with Jesus and with one another, fostering authentic, biblical, and confessional communities. As we engage in these phases, we are reminded that our ultimate goal is to be transformed by God's Word and to live out His calling in our lives.

In this season, let us commit to giving God our undivided attention, allowing His Spirit to guide and shape us. As we do so, we will be equipped to fulfill the vision He has set before us, impacting our community and beyond with the love and truth of Jesus Christ.

Key Takeaways:

1. Deep Roots in Christ: Before expanding our influence, we must ensure our spiritual roots are deep in Christ. Like a tree that withstands storms, our foundation in Jesus will sustain us through life's challenges. This requires intentional time in His presence, allowing Him to shape our character and deepen our faith. [37:47]

2. Presence Before Action: Joshua's encounter with the commander of the Lord's army teaches us the importance of being present with God before acting on His vision. Removing his sandals was an act of reverence, reminding us to prioritize our relationship with God and seek His guidance in all we do. [41:39]

3. Authentic Community: Our church aims to build authentic, biblical, and confessional communities. Life groups are central to this vision, providing a space for genuine connection, accountability, and spiritual growth. We are called to share life beneath the surface, encouraging one another in our walk with Christ. [58:16]

4. Discipleship Process: A clear discipleship process is essential for spiritual growth. From Sunday services to activity groups and serve teams, each phase is designed to deepen our connection with Jesus and equip us to live out His calling. This journey is about becoming who God wants us to be before doing what He has called us to do. [46:08]

5. Vision for the Treasure Coast: Our vision is to connect the entire Treasure Coast to the life-changing power of Jesus Christ. This requires a culture rooted in Christ, where we are committed to being with Jesus and doing life together as a community. As we pursue this vision, we trust God to guide and empower us for His glory. [01:08:19]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:30] - Jersey Sunday Announcement
- [01:45] - Vision Sunday Introduction
- [03:00] - Importance of Deep Roots
- [05:20] - Joshua's Encounter with God
- [07:30] - Presence Before Action
- [09:00] - Personal Reflection on God's Presence
- [11:00] - Formation Before Function
- [13:00] - Discipleship Process Overview
- [15:00] - Importance of Sunday Services
- [17:00] - Activity Groups and Community
- [19:00] - Life Groups as Lifeblood
- [21:00] - Serve Teams and Kingdom Building
- [23:00] - Vision for the Treasure Coast
- [25:00] - Closing Prayer and Call to Action

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
- Joshua 5:13-15
- Romans 12:4-5
- Hebrews 10:24-25

#### Observation Questions
1. What was the significance of Joshua removing his sandals in Joshua 5:13-15, and how did this act demonstrate reverence and submission? [41:39]
2. According to the sermon, what is the importance of having deep spiritual roots before expanding influence? [37:47]
3. How does the sermon describe the role of Sunday services in the discipleship process? [49:45]
4. What are the three simple things God communicated to the pastor during his time of undivided attention? [43:11]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does Joshua's encounter with the commander of the Lord's army illustrate the concept of "presence before action"? [41:39]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that a strong spiritual foundation can help withstand life's challenges? [37:47]
3. How does the sermon connect the idea of authentic community with the biblical concept of the body of Christ in Romans 12:4-5? [46:08]
4. What does the sermon imply about the importance of consistent church attendance in spiritual formation? [49:45]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your current spiritual roots. What steps can you take to deepen your relationship with Christ this week? [37:47]
2. How can you prioritize being present with God in your daily routine, and what might you need to change to give Him your undivided attention? [42:16]
3. Think about your involvement in your church community. How can you contribute to building an authentic, biblical, and confessional community? [58:16]
4. Identify one area in your life where you need to practice "presence before action." How can you ensure you seek God's guidance before making decisions? [41:39]
5. Consider the discipleship process outlined in the sermon. Which phase are you currently in, and what is your next step in your spiritual journey? [46:08]
6. How can you encourage others in your life group to engage more deeply with the Word of God and live out its teachings? [59:18]
7. Reflect on the vision for the Treasure Coast. How can you personally contribute to connecting others to the life-changing power of Jesus Christ? [01:08:19]

Devotional

Day 1: Deepening Spiritual Roots in Christ
To withstand life's challenges, it is essential to have deep spiritual roots in Christ. Just as a tree with strong roots can endure storms, a solid foundation in Jesus sustains us through trials. This involves intentionally spending time in His presence, allowing Him to shape our character and deepen our faith. By prioritizing our relationship with Jesus, we become more resilient and equipped to expand our influence in the world. [37:47]

Jeremiah 17:7-8 (ESV): "Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit."

Reflection: What specific practices can you incorporate into your daily routine to deepen your spiritual roots in Christ and strengthen your foundation in Him?


Day 2: Presence Before Action
Joshua's encounter with the commander of the Lord's army highlights the importance of being present with God before acting on His vision. Joshua was instructed to remove his sandals, an act of reverence and submission, signifying the holiness of the ground he stood on. This teaches us to prioritize our relationship with God and seek His guidance in all we do. By being grounded in His presence, we are better prepared to pursue His promises and fulfill His calling in our lives. [41:39]

Exodus 3:5 (ESV): "Then he said, 'Do not come near; take your sandals off your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.'"

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to pause and seek God's presence before taking action? How can you create space for this in your daily schedule?


Day 3: Building Authentic Community
Our church is committed to building authentic, biblical, and confessional communities. Life groups play a central role in this vision, providing a space for genuine connection, accountability, and spiritual growth. We are called to share life beneath the surface, encouraging one another in our walk with Christ. By fostering these authentic relationships, we create a supportive environment where individuals can grow in their faith and live out their calling. [58:16]

Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV): "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."

Reflection: How can you contribute to building an authentic community within your church or small group? What steps can you take to deepen your connections with others?


Day 4: Embracing the Discipleship Process
A clear discipleship process is essential for spiritual growth. From Sunday services to activity groups and serve teams, each phase is designed to deepen our connection with Jesus and equip us to live out His calling. This journey is about becoming who God wants us to be before doing what He has called us to do. By embracing this process, we allow God to transform us and prepare us for the work He has set before us. [46:08]

Colossians 2:6-7 (ESV): "Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving."

Reflection: What phase of the discipleship process are you currently in, and how can you fully engage with it to grow in your faith and fulfill God's calling for your life?


Day 5: Vision for the Treasure Coast
Our vision is to connect the entire Treasure Coast to the life-changing power of Jesus Christ. This requires a culture rooted in Christ, where we are committed to being with Jesus and doing life together as a community. As we pursue this vision, we trust God to guide and empower us for His glory. By cultivating a culture of Christ-centeredness, we can impact our community and beyond with the love and truth of Jesus. [01:08:19]

Matthew 5:14-16 (ESV): "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. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."

Reflection: How can you actively participate in your church's vision to impact the Treasure Coast? What specific actions can you take to share the love and truth of Jesus with those around you?

Quotes



"Because it is in close proximity to Jesus. It is when we spend time in his presence that he begins to grow our character. And us becoming more. Like Jesus. And more loving. And developing the character that we need that will sustain us when we approach the vision. Ultimately, God needs you and I's undivided attention." [00:41:43] (22 seconds)


"This is about hearts transformed by spending time in the presence of the Lord. This is about connecting the entire Treasure Coast from Hope Sound to Vero to the life-changing power of Jesus Christ. We believe that God is calling us to expand as a church, but hear me. This starts internally with each of us individually before it goes externally." [00:44:32] (25 seconds)


"Romans 12, four and five, it says, just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ's body. That's us. We are many parts of one body. And get this, we all belong to each other. Whoa, wait, excuse me. We all belong to each other." [00:45:48] (20 seconds)


"Life groups, hear me, is going to be the lifeblood of our church. We're going to be a church made up of life groups, and this is going to be the lifeblood of our discipleship journey as well. Why? Because we weren't meant to do life alone or pretend that we have it all together." [00:56:31] (18 seconds)


"God didn't send a message that is detached. He sent his son to be authentically with us. And our goal, our goal, as we move forward, a part of the vision is to use, is to use technology to connect the entire treasure coast to the authentic God, and then place those people in authentic community, and then plant authentic biblical churches in those communities." [00:59:09] (26 seconds)


"Romans 12, 2, don't copy the behaviors and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by what? Changing the way you think. And so, as God removes our mind with scripture, we begin to think biblically so that we can live biblically. And our desire is that life groups would equip us rather than teach us." [00:59:36] (20 seconds)


"There's a concept that we're trying to develop within our team, right? As we begin to deepen the depths of our culture, we're also trying to do that on our staff. And this concept is rooted in James 4 and 7. It says, remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not to do it." [01:00:30] (18 seconds)


"Phase six is serve teams. This building, building what we're going into, the vision, it takes all of us. But in fact, 1 Corinthians 12 says, God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, all of us, just as he has wanted them to be. And if they were all one part, where would the body be?" [01:03:41] (20 seconds)


"And so that is simply the vision, that we will be for the Treasure Coast, that we will engage and connect every single person on the Treasure Coast, to the life-changing power of Jesus Christ, that when people that are searching for Jesus step foot on land from Hope Sound to Vero, that they would be connected to Jesus because of this place." [01:08:19] (24 seconds)


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Transcript
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