Many Christians talk a lot about vision, especially for their churches.
Unsurprisingly, I/we also have a vision for our church! I see that God could use us to help others start simple, Jesus-focused churches that help people find and follow Jesus beyond our humble beach gathering.
However, our grandest vision isn't really for Open Road church.
Rather, our church has a grand vision for you.
We believe you are a man or woman lovingly made in God's image. We believe Jesus came to set you free from your sin. By faith in Jesus, you too can realise this grand vision that God has for your life.
Jesus described this life as an "abundant life". I call it being fully alive. Because God designed us to know and follow him, anything short of this is a life less than what we were created for. To meet Jesus and allow him to offer us a spiritual rebirth brings you back to the kind of life God designed you for. Being fully alive is simply beginning to realise God's original vision for your true self.
To realise this vision we have a simple strategy for you. While the strategy may appear designed for our church, it's designed for you. The hope is that it helps you discover God's fully alive vision for your life.
It involves: Knowing Jesus, Inviting people into your life, and Gathering to encourage each other. Each of these activities is great on their own, but they are designed to interact with each other.
We recently heard a story about this during one of our "Good or God" sharing times.
Knowing Jesus
Three weeks ago one of our crew shared publicly that in an act of pursuing Jesus, he would read the gospel of John - 21 times! This pursuit of God triggered changes that have profoundly impacted his experience of God. He hasn't just learnt about God, but he's coming to know God and his presence.
Inviting people into his life
Last week he again shared that he had shared his love and faith in God with strangers for the first time. While he didn't explicitly link this with the previous story of getting to know Jesus better, I'm seeing a connection!
Gathering to encourage each other
Because our friend was actively pursuing a fully alive faith by getting to know Jesus and inviting others into that faith, he turned up on Sunday with something he just had to share with us. His story of sharing the wonder of God's design in creation came from a deep and joyous appreciation for the journey God has him on in this season of life.
These stories are the kinds of stories that encourage every one of us to pursue a faith that is fully alive.
"Come and hear, all you who fear God, and I will tell what he has done for my soul."
Psalm 66:16 ESV
Many Psalms (66:16; 71:15-16; 107:2; 145:4) encourage us to share and celebrate whatever God has done in our life.
The Bible indicates that it was expected that followers of Jesus bring songs, teachings from the Bible, revelations from God, and more to encourage and build each other up at their weekly gatherings.
I want to encourage you to take personal spiritual responsibility for God's grand design for your life. May you experience your true self, becoming fully alive. May you find God's design for you to know, invite and gather in meaningful, life-giving ways!
Cheers, God Bless and see you Sunday!
Dan
P.S. Next Sunday is our monthly worship gathering! Join us from 3:00 p.m. at City Life Baptist Church in Caloundra.
Coming Up
June
Sun 30 June 3pm Moffat Gathering
Worship Gatherings - Venue, Times TBC
Sun 07 Jul Worship - 3pm @ City Life Baptist, Gregson Place
Sun 04 Aug Worship - Venue, Times TBC
Sun 01 Sep Worship - Venue, Times TBC
Sun 29 Sep Worship - Venue, Times TBC
Sun 03 Nov Worship - Venue, Times TBC
Sun 01 Dec Worship - Venue, Times TBC
Our Mission
To help people find and follow Jesus.
Our Rhythms
Get to Know Jesus: how are you getting to know Jesus this week?
Invite people into your life: who can you intentionally open up your life to?
Gather and get involved: who can you connect, listen, share or pray with this weekend?
Our Giving
We are slowly being led to needs for our giving kitty! Please take time to ask God if there is someone in need around you whom God wants you/us to help!
Last month's giving: $8,635
Last month's expenses: $6,547
Balance: $51,229
Giving Kitty Oct-May: $5,000
Giving out Oct-May: $2,930
"Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed." - Proverbs 19:17
If you would like to support what we are doing and our giving to those in need, you can get started giving to Open Road to meet the needs of our church or get in touch with any questions you may have.
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