Vision 2 – Love God

Redemption Church – RedemptionPlano.com

Welcome to Redemption Church in Plano Tx. My name is Chris Fluitt and I am glad to be with you.

Welcome to everyone meeting in person, and everyone meeting online.

 

We are talking about something today that is so very important.

 

Vision

 

Everyone needs to have a VISION for their life.

Your Business, your family, and your Church.

 

Proverbs 29:18 – Where there is no vision, the people perish.

Successful lives don’t just happen. Successful lives are the product living out a successful vision.

 

Today I am going to invite you to open up your booklet to page 4 as we begin to define the vision of Redemption Church.

 

It is our hope that you take up this vision with us.

 

OUR PRAYER FOR YOU

 

“I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people.”

Ephesians 1:17-18 (New International Version)

 

Can we pray together that our hearts would be enlightened? That we would know the hope of our calling?

 

Redemption Church

 

OUR STORY

Redemption Church is a dream that the 1st century Gospel of Jesus Christ, is still able to change lives in the 21st century.

 

We believe that faith should be POWERFUL & SIMPLE.

Powerful Faith – The same power that raised Christ from the dead is available for you.

Simple Faith– A faith that speaks your language and you can share with others.

 

We call ourselves Redemption Church, because we believe powerful and simple faith in God can recover anything that has been lost or stolen. Every failure in your past can be redeemed. Every weakness can be redeemed. Every family, marriage, and person can be redeemed.

 

Ephesians 1:7 (NIV) In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace

 

Every person we meet has the potential of being the next redemption story.

 

It is not our goal to be a “mega church,” but a Mighty Church.

“For the weapons of our warfare are not of this world, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds” – 2 Corinthians 10:4 (King James Version)

 

The Mighty God is at work at Redemption Church. We are involved in community outreach missions as well as global missions. We meet in small groups and live out a 1st Century Church faith in homes and neighborhoods. We teach the gospel of Jesus and see people surrender their life. We see God do miracles and we invite you to see for yourself how exciting church can be when the faith fo­cus is powerful and simple and people are free to go after God with passion!

 

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YOUR STORY

The focus of Redemption Church is four-part:

1.  Love    God.

2. Grow   in Faith.

3. Serve  others.

4. Go   change the world.

 

THIS IS THE DNA of REDEMPTION CHURCH:

LOVE-GROW-SERVE-GO

 

stepONE

 

LOVE GOD:  Attend Weekend Service

 

Our Love for God is not confined to any one day of the week, but we express it publicly on Sundays as a family of believers!   We set aside TIME to emphasize our love for God through worship and community. 

 

At Weekend Service, We:

1.  WORSHIP: We “praise God in the sanctuary” (Psalm 150:1)

 

2.  CONNECT with the Body of Christ: Scripture says that only iron can sharpen iron. (Proverbs 27:17). So when we connect with one another, we grow stronger and sharper.

 

3.  HEAR the preached Word of God: Faith comes by hearing, hearing by the word of God. (Romans 10:17).

 

4.  PRAY together: It is important to pray in private, but there’s something altogether different when we pray together and for each other. In Acts 4, when a group of believers gathered in a second-floor room, the place was shaken by their prayers.

 

Our goal for every worship service is that you would Love God more than before.

 

[Page 6]

 

stepTWO

 

GROW IN FAITH: Join a Small Group

 

There are two things we need as believers —

First, we need to sense that we are a part of something bigger than ourselves. Second, we need to sense that we are impacting others in close relationships.

 

In Acts 2 when the Redemption Church was born and throughout the Book of Acts, we see the power of meeting in small groups:

 

• “So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from HOUSE TO HOUSE, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.” (Acts 2:46-47)

 

• “[They met] daily in the temple and in every HOUSE.”  (Acts 5:42)

 

• “I kept back nothing that was helpful, but proclaimed it to you, and taught you publicly and from HOUSE TO HOUSE.” (Acts 20:20)

 

Reasons Small Groups Are Important

 

Small Groups provide opportunities for:

 

1. BIBLE STUDY: I need people to strengthen and balance the Word of 

                        God in my life.

2.   FELLOWSHIP­:   I need people who know the real me.

3.   PRAYER:           I need people to pray for me personally.

4.  SUPPORT:        I need people who will protect me.

5.  OUTREACH:      I need people with whom I can share my story.

ALL 5 OF THESE POINTS CAN BE SUMMED UP IN 1 WORD – DISCIPLESHIP. 

Discipleship is not a theological college course with big words…

 

Discipleship is learning at the feet of Jesus.

Most of our discipleship and faith growth is going to take place in small groups.

Our weekend worship services are all about LOVING GOD.
Our small groups are all about LOVING EACH OTHER, WITH GOD.

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“So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”

JESUS in John 13:34-35 (NLT)

 

 

stepTHREE

 

SERVE OTHERS: Complete Next Steps

 

“ONE ANOTHER” is found 59 times in the 27 books of the New Testament. Jesus wants us to know the responsibility we have one to another. That we should care for one another—serve one another.

 

[Page 8]

 

But, how? How do I do this?

  

Next Steps answers your questions.  The Next Steps journey is where you can discover the unique gifts God has given you — and how you can use those gifts to serve others.

 

In this step we will help you discover your UNIQUE GIFTS, so that you fulfill your God PURPOSE.

 

MY #1 GOAL THIS YEAR – FULFILLMENT – To see each of you get involved and fulfill your purpose.    NEXT WEEK WE WILL BE TALKING ABOUT THIS.

 

stepFOUR

 

GO CHANGE THE WORLD: Join the Dream Team.

 

We are going to call our team the dream team.

The Redemption Church Dream Team is the core of our church!  Every person who serves in any of the Redemption Church ministry teams is part of ONE team:  the Dream Team. 

 

If you lean your ladder up against the wrong building, you can climb all you want but never arrive at the place you wish to be.

 

You have to lean the ladder in the right place. And what’s the right place? 

 

Making a difference in the life of others.  

And we do that at Redemption Church through the Dream Team.

 

Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.

-Philippians 2:4 (New Living Translation)

 

 

LOVE-GROW-SERVE-GO

 

This is the DNA of Redemption Church.  This is the four part spiritual journey of every believer.  So allow us to welcome you to a journey to find the best you that you can be. Welcome to the Redemption Church family!

 

[Page 9]

 

WE MUST COVENANT TOGETHER, Agree together, Walk together With God and with ONE ANOTHER..

 

REDEMPTION CHURCH MEMBERSHIP COVENANT

 

This is what membership is all about.

 

Being in agreement with the values and ideas presented in Next Steps, I now feel led by the Holy Spirit to unite with the Redemption Church family. In doing so, I commit myself to God and to the other mem­bers to do the following:

 

1.  I will protect the unity of my church:

 

• By acting in love toward other members.

 

• By refusing to gossip.

 

• By trusting and following the leaders.

 

“So then, let us aim for harmony in the church and try to build each other up.” Romans 14:19 (New Living Translation)

 

“May God, who gives this patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each other, as is fitting for followers of Christ Jesus.”  Romans 15:5 (New Living Translation)

 

“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs.”  Ephesians 4:29 (New International Version)

 

“Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you.”  Hebrews 13:17 (New International Version)

 

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2.  I will share the responsibility of my church:

 

• By praying for its growth.

 

• By inviting the unchurched to attend.

 

• By warmly welcoming those who visit.

 

“To the church…we give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers.”  1 Thessalonians 1:1-2 (King James Version)

 

“Go out into the highways…and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.”

Luke 14:23 (King James Version)

 

“Therefore receive one another, just as Christ also received us to the glory of God. Romans 15:7 (New King James Version)

 

 

3.  I will fulfill the purpose of my church:

 

• By discovering my gifts and talents.

 

• By being equipped to serve by my pastors.

 

• By developing a servant’s heart.

 

• By reaching out to others.

 

“As each one has received a gift, minister to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.”  1 Peter 4:10 (New King James Version)

 

“He gave…some to be pastors and teachers for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry.”  Ephesians 4:11-12 (New King James Version)

 

“Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your at­titude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus…by taking on the very nature of a servant.”  Philippians 2:4-5, 7 (New International Version)

  

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4.  I will support the testimony of my church:

 

• By attending church and small groups faithfully.

 

• By living a godly life.

 

• By giving regularly.

 

“And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.”  Acts 2:42 (New King James Version)

 

“Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together…exhorting one another.”   Hebrews 10:25 (King James Version)

 

“Let your conduct be worthy of the Gospel of Christ.”  Philippians 1:27 (New King James Version)

 

“On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper.”  1 Corinthians 16:2 (Living Bible)

 

“’A tithe of everything from the land… belongs to the LORD; it is holy to the LORD.”  Leviticus 27:30 (New International Version)

 

Protect the unity

Share the responsibility

Fulfill the purpose

Support the testimony

 

[Page 12]

 

SEVEN WAYS THE 1st CENTURY CHURCH REVEALED THEIR LOVE FOR GOD

LOVE GOD

1. They Experienced the New Birth.

 

“Unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God” -John 3:5 (King James Version)

“For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. -1 Peter 1:23 (New International Version)

 

2. They shared the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  The Kingdom of God has come, and through Jesus’ death on the cross and resurrection, we can be restored to relationship with Him!

 

“Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ. …Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” -Acts 2:36-38 (New King James Version)

 

3. They anticipated the soon coming of Jesus Christ: 

 

“Our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself” -Philippians 3:20-21 (New King James Version)

 

 

 

4. They lived differently than unbelievers.

 

“Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” -I Thessalonians 5:23 (English Standard Version)

 

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5. They believed Jesus is God.

 

“Without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifested in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen by angels, preached among the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up in glory” -I Timothy 3:16 (King James Version)

 

6. They gathered in Small Groups during the week in houses. 

 

“how I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you in public and from house to house” -Acts 20:20 (English Standard Version)

 

7. They gathered together for worship.

 

“Glorify the LORD with me; let us exalt his name together. –Psalm 34:3 (New International Version).

 

This is the part of the next steps lesson where I would sign up for step 2… but today I want us to talk to God.

 

You can look over the rest of your booklet later.  It gives some tips on how to pray and answers questions you may have about giving…  But today I want us each to answer this question.

 

How will you love God MORE today?

 

We are called to love God.

How will your…  Marriage and family love God more today?

How will you use your gifts and abilities to love God more?

How will you use your time and finances to love God more today?

 

We have failed if we maintain our love for Him… We must love Him more.