--PRE-SERVICE PRAYER--

Focus: Pray, Preach, & Serve

Foundation Scripture: Mark 11:24 NLT

Prayer Points:
1. Expand our capacity in prayer, praying other centered prayers rather than self-centered prayers. Pray for the United States, Israel and Haiti.
2. Obey God’s command to Go, Testify, Preach, tell, and demonstrate Jesus to the world.
3. Obey Holy Spirit, Serve & Pursue God with intensity and passion.
4. Expansion of LUC & Sunday services.

--MESSAGE--

"Vision4Ward" Part 3

Vision (châzôn):a sight (mentally), that is, a dream, revelation, or oracle.

Introduction:

The Book of Revelation addresses seven letters to seven churches in Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey) (Revelation 2-3). Each letter, as proclaimed by Jesus and recorded by John the Apostle, declares the triumphs and failings of the recipient churches and warns each congregation to repent.

1. Ephesus
2. Smyrna
3. Pergamum
4. Thyatira
5. Sardis
6. Philadelphia
7. Laodicea

Eight Characteristics of the Early Church

1. We must CONNECT people to GOD and the HOLY SPIRIT.

2. We must CONNECT people to FAMILY. (Connect Groups)

3. We must multiply CONNECT GROUPS.

4. We must ENLARGE our vision of God.

5. We must MAXIMIZE the power of CORPORATE PRAYER.

Forty-eight times in the book of Acts, it reads, “They prayed.” We will have the power the early church experienced when we pray like the early church prayed. Spiritual warfare requires the use of spiritual weapons. Acts 4:31: “After they prayed, the place they were meeting was shaken.”

6. We must model GENEROSITY to manifest GREAT GRACE.

The New Testament church in Jerusalem was a giving church.

Notice there were three results of their generosity:

1.Verse 32 - there was unity in the church.
2.Verse 33 - it was a powerful testimony to the community.
3.Verse 34 - there were no needy people.

7. We must mobilize every member for PURPOSE. (Dream Team)

They presented these seven men to the apostles, who prayed and laid hands on them. Then, the scripture indicates, “So the word of God spread and the number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly.


When every member is a minister, discovers their God-given purpose, and serves someone else, the church moves from just a leader “adding” more people to the church “multiplying.

8. We must continue with the Great Commission in the COMMUNITY.

This text is God’s reminder to the apostles of the Great Commission: “Go! Go into all the world and make disciples!”

Conclusion:

We will be the New Testament church when we:

• CONNECT people to GOD and the HOLY SPIRIT
• CONNECT people to FAMILY (Connect Groups)
• Multiply our CONNECT GROUPS
• Enlarge our VISION of God
• MAXIMIZE the Power of CORPORATE PRAYER
• Model GENEORSITY to manifest GREAT GRACE
• MOBILIZE every member for PURPOSE
• CONTINUE God’s mission in the COMMUNITY

As believers, we are confident in our place in heaven, and nothing can change that. However, until that day comes, our goal is to bring as many people along with us as possible. We hope you'll join us in this mission.