Vision: FREEDOM FROM WHAT HINDERS US, AND FREDOM FOR THE LIFE THAT GOD IS CALLING US TO…FREEDOM WITH GOD, WITH OTHERS, ON MISSION

That all believers, not just ministry leaders, are called and empowered by God to admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, all with an attitude of patience.

“A tragically misinterpreted verse in the New Testament is Jesus’ proclamation: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God” (Matt. 5:9). Most people think that Jesus calls us in the verse to be pacifiers and appeasers who ensure that nobody gets upset. We are to keep the peace, ignoring difficult issues and problems, making sure things remain stable and serene. When, out of fear, we avoid conflict and appease people we are false peacemakers…You can’t have the true peace of Christ’s kingdom with lies and pretense. They must be exposed to the light and replaced with the truth. This is the mature, loving thing to do.”

A. Encourage With prayer

B. Encourage with the encouragement we have received

C. Encourage with God’s Word

First: Helping is not meant to be done alone but in the context of community

Second: We must remember that ultimately, we are not what they really need: They need Jesus

A. “The word longsuffering in the Bible is made up of two Greek words meaning “long” and “temper”; literally, “long-tempered.” To be longsuffering, then, is to have self-restraint when one is stirred to anger. A longsuffering person does not immediately retaliate or punish; rather, he has a “long fuse” and patiently forbears. Longsuffering is associated with mercy (1 Peter 3:20) and hope (1 Thessalonians 1:3). It does not surrender to circumstances or succumb to trial.”

B. God’s Patience

C. 1 Thessalonians 5:15-17

We all need a community: This life is not possible in the large gathering alone, you need a smaller community around you to do this…