Thoughts on the VISION For Our Church

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Vision for the Church is not programs, plans, and projects. It is not more things for the Pastor to do. Vision for the church is seeing what the Lord, the Head of the church would like us to be – what it would look like if all of us members were being what we are in Christ. What would that church look like? Then, after we get that vision from God, we can plan and pray and work toward that vision.

New Testament Vision for Churches . . .

Growing in Christ – Ephesians 4:11  And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;  12  For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:  13  Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:  14  That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;  15  But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:  16  From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love. 

Loving God and your Neighbor – Matthew 22:37  Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.  38  This is the first and great commandment.  39  And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 

Loving One Another – John 13:34  A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.  35  By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. 

Also John 15:12 & 17; Romans 12:10; 13:8; Galatians 5:13; Ephesians 4:2; 1 Thessalonians 3:12; 4:9; Hebrews 10:24; 1 Peter 1:22; 3:11; 1 John 3:23; 4:7; 4:11; 4:12; 2 John 1:5

What growing in Christ and loving God and one another looks like:

  • Members of one another in the body – Romans 12:5; Ephesians 4:25
  • Devoted to one another as parts of the body – Romans 12:10
  • Respecting one another – Romans 12:10
  • Building up one another – Romans 14:9; 1 Thessalonians 5:11
  • Accepting one another – Romans 15:7
  • Receiving one another – Romans 15:7
  • Admonishing one another – Romans 15:14
  • Not judging one another – Romans 14:13; James 4:12
  • Not puffed up one against another – 1 Corinthians 4:6
  • Not going to law against one another – 1 Corinthians 6:7
  • Looking out for one another – 1 Corinthians 12:25
  • Not biting and devouring one another – Galatians 5:15
  • Not provoking or envying one another – Galatians 5:26
  • Bearing one another’s burdens – Galatians 6:2
  • Forbearing one another – Ephesians 4:2; Colossians 3:13
  • Kind to one another – Ephesians 4:32
  • Submitting to one another – Ephesians 5:21
  • Not lying to one another – Colossians 3:9
  • Forgiving one another – Colossians 3:13
  • Teaching and admonishing one another – Colossians 3:16
  • Comforting one another – 1 Thessalonians 4:18
  • Not prejudiced against one another – 1 Timothy 5:21
  • Exhorting one another – Hebrews 3:13
  • Gathering with one another – Hebrews 10:25
  • Provoking one another to love and good works – Hebrews 10:25
  • Not speaking evil of one another – James 4:11
  • Not murmuring against one another – James 5:9
  • Confessing sins to one another – James 5:16
  • Praying for one another – James 5:16

Walking in the Spirit – Galatians 5:16-17, 25

Being Filled with the Spirit – Romans 8; Ephesians 5:18

Bearing the Fruit of the Spirit – Galatians 5:22-23

Putting to Death the Flesh – Romans 8:13; Colossians 3:5

Taking up his cross – Luke 9:23; Galatians 2:20

Offering a Living Sacrifice – Romans 12: 1-2

Functioning in Body Life – Ephesians 4:17-6:18; Romans 12; Colossians 3 – 4:6; 1 Corinthians 12

Giving – 2 Corinthians 8 – 9

Watching for the Return of Jesus – 1 Thessalonians 5; 2 Thessalonians 2

Living in Holiness – Hebrews 12:10,14; 1 Thessalonians 3:13; 4:7; Romans 6:19, 22; 2 Corinthians 7:1; Ephesians 4:24

Fulfilling the Great Commission – Matthew 28:18-20

Shepherds Feeding the Flock – 1 Peter 5:2; Acts 20:28;