Pastor Jonny brought a message this week about our church vision, which was established at the start of Feb following our month of prayer and fasting in January.
Give freely and become more wealthy;
be stingy and lose everything.
(Proverbs 11:24)
Our word for the year is “enlarge”, which is another way of saying “growth".
Growth is an indicator of health, because healthy things grow. Baby grows, and a healthy farm has growing crops and animals.
Growth is the natural response to the gospel message: growth in prayer and holiness.
4 areas for growth:
Individually
I will pursue your commands,
for you expand my understanding.
(Psalm 119:32)
Doug has prepared some Bible reading plans. Contact the church if you want to know more. We hold Scripture in the highest honour as the God-breathed Word of God.
We ought to be seeking to improve our prayer life too, perhaps even fasting from time to time.
As a Christian, we ought to follow Jesus’ command to get baptised and publicly declare our faith by being submerged in water.
Grow in unity as a church
Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose.
(Philippians 2:2)
The more we have a great relationship with God, the more we will have a great relationship with those around us.
The Bible also says that unity commands a blessing.
How can we do this?
Get plugged into a Life Group. The church has several groups operating throughout the week, which you might feel inclined to get involved with. We study the Bible together and work through series of teachings while growing friendships and fellowship together.
Another way to grow relationships is to be intentional with people in church. Encourage each other more. Send cards, flowers, and celebrate special occasions with people.
Grow church numbers
Invite people to church. The Great Commission calls us all to evangelism even if evangelism isn’t our spiritual gift. We shouldn’t feel pressured to convert people, as the Bible says that the Holy Spirit does the converting.
Remember we belong to the global church and bless other churches
2“Enlarge your house; build an addition.
Spread out your home, and spare no expense!
3For you will soon be bursting at the seams.
Your descendants will occupy other nations
and resettle the ruined cities.
(Isaiah 54:2-3)
God created us to grow, and we can play our part while also celebrating other local churches.
Let’s be generous in our lives and growth will follow.