Vision so far

Dan Hutchison

Friendship in Acts • Sermon • Submitted 7 months ago • Presented 7 months ago

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Holidays

Sick first day

Hobart

Maria Island - Day of the wombat

This week the things that have happened over the last 12 month

Next week the things we have yet to step into

Open doors, connecting Christ and community

Friendship

Recap of our time putting together the vision

Prayer

Matthew 7:7–8 NIV

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.

Week of prayer and fasting

Weekly time of prayer - 12:30 Wed

Holy Spirit weekend - connected with speaking on Acts Pentecost.

Praying for the neighbour 2 doors down

Hospitality

Men in the shed

Building a sense of community in the building - building to be full (Vision casting building full)

Setting up a roster

Discipleship

Life groups and serving

Alpha

I have been wrestling with this question - next week

Intergenerational

Walk this way

Youth

Drop in centre

Strategic enablers

Toilets-enabled community

Venue hire - has doubled - Keeping up with insurance but also growing our community - next year we really need to lean into this.

This year has been about assembling the crew and setting the foundations (maybe next year will be too?)

One Piece - going on an adventure with others who are different to us but we are better together and God has called us

our conviction

what has God put on your heart for Justice, for His Kingdom

What are you passionate and compassionate about?

Mal Garvins funeral

Matthew 7:7–8 NIV

What will the door be open to - community connecting with Jesus

Finally this week nationally has been on Baptism

Baptism

nothing should be a barrier to baptism for anyone who declares Jesus Lord of their life.

It was encouraging this week sharing about our own experiences in baptism at life group this week.

Our own step and decision to follow Jesus into the waters of baptism.

my journey

Baptism is not salvation - it is a symbol and step of obedience to die to our old ways by going into the water life Christ went to the grave with our sins but was risen, and so we are risen a new creation, publically accepting our identity as a child of God.

I want to take this opportunity to prompt us to get excited that we will see moments going forward of lives changed as we have seen in the past and people making the decision to take the plunge with Jesus.

Prayer

Lord

This year we want to fill the tank or go to a body of water and celebrate someone's commitment and conviction to follow you Lord Jesus with all their life.

Father, Son, Holy Spirit – all present and involved in Christ’s own baptism – we thank you for this simple little ceremony that says so much.

It speaks of the complete washing away of our sins. It speaks of us being completely immersed in your love and grace. It speaks of dying to an old life and being raised to a new one full of promise.

We thank you that you made this marker of entry into your kingdom so accessible. It’s only the rich that can afford a lavish wedding. It’s only the strong who get a gold medal ceremony. But wherever there’s a bit of water, and a willing heart, then even the poor and the weak – especially the poor and the weak – can celebrate becoming royal priests in your kingdom.

For some of us, our baptism was long ago. But we pause to remember and to thank you for the people who showed us your love and led us to you. As we think about the risks they took and the care they took so that we too could be included – we ask you to please shape us to be such people for others. give us this conviction in our hearts.

Lord, we would like to increasingly be a baptising church - as open to adopting and nurturing new disciples as you are. Train us to be a safe and helpful church for enquirers, newcomers, and the young and the young-in-faith.

Lord, we know that baptisms are strangely contagious. As each one declares their need for you and their trust in you, it’s a witness and encouragement to others, and rightly so. Keep us from being needlessly hesitant or half-hearted. Keep us from excluding anyone that you are wanting to include. Help us to remove stumbling-blocks from the way of people who would come to you.

And we pray for the new believers – both here among us and right across our movement. Baptism is not a finish line, it’s a starting line, and we ask your blessing and protection on those taking early steps in discipleship and tentative steps in ministry. May they continue to be filled with your Spirit, and may a great many of them have the privilege of leading others to you in turn.

For you are the hope and light and life of the world, and we pray this for your glory, Jesus, Amen.