VISION: Our 19/20 Vision (1) - Steve Parrish
But, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him”— these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. 1 Corinthians 2:9–10,14 ESV
The Unbeliever unable to see the good things God has prepared for them so they pursue the things they personally desire, taking whatever they can poses or comes their way.
The Believer experiences revelation from the Holy Spirit of the good things God has prepared for them, so that they can pursue them with confidence.
Spirit reveals in the LOGOS Word
Spirit reveals in the RHEMA Word
Spirit reveals in prophecy, dream, visions, etc.
Spirit reveals in through experiences that trigger desires of your heart
Spirit reveals through spiritual leaders
The believers ongoing connection with the Holy Spirit is critical! - If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. Galatians 5:25, ESV
OUR 19/20 VISION
1. Presence Filled Gatherings (gatherings, students, FPU, etc.)
Our presence paves the way for His Presence
Presence brings distinction - And he said to him, “If your presence will not go with me, do not bring us up from here. For how shall it be known that I have found favor in your sight, I and your people? Is it not in your going with us, so that we are distinct, I and your people, from every other people on the face of the earth?” Exodus 33:15–16, ESV
Intention brings His Presence: worship, prayer, words, unity
Presence opens the door: salvation, healing, faith, breakthrough, strength, signs, wonders, and more of the same!
2. Connected Relationships
And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved. Acts 2:42–47, ESV
3. Strategic Leadership Development
Moses and the Israelites – The next day Moses sat to judge the people, and the people stood around Moses from morning till evening. When Moses’ father-in-law saw all that he was doing for the people, he said, “What is this that you are doing for the people? Why do you sit alone, and all the people stand around you from morning till evening?” And Moses said to his father-in-law, “Because the people come to me to inquire of God; when they have a dispute, they come to me and I decide between one person and another, and I make them know the statutes of God and his laws.” Moses’ father-in-law said to him, “What you are doing is not good. You and the people with you will certainly wear yourselves out, for the thing is too heavy for you. You are not able to do it alone. Now obey my voice; I will give you advice, and God be with you! You shall represent the people before God and bring their cases to God, and you shall warn them about the statutes and the laws, and make them know the way in which they must walk and what they must do. Moreover, look for able men from all the people, men who fear God, who are trustworthy and hate a bribe, and place such men over the people as chiefs of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens. And let them judge the people at all times. Every great matter they shall bring to you, but any small matter they shall decide themselves. So it will be easier for you, and they will bear the burden with you. If you do this, God will direct you, you will be able to endure, and all this people also will go to their place in peace.” So Moses listened to the voice of his father-in-law and did all that he had said. Moses chose able men out of all Israel and made them heads over the people, chiefs of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens. And they judged the people at all times. Any hard case they brought to Moses, but any small matter they decided themselves. Then Moses let his father-in-law depart, and he went away to his own country. Exodus 18:13–27, ESV
Jesus first steps, building leaders - While walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Immediately they left their nets and followed him. Matthew 4:18–20, ESV
Paul’s first steps, appoint qualified leaders - This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you— Titus 1:5, ESV
our personality is distinct – we will lean into our C3 flavor
4. Permanent Facilities
New Testament disciples used borrowed facilities - And he entered the synagogue and for three months spoke boldly, reasoning and persuading them about the kingdom of God. But when some became stubborn and continued in unbelief, speaking evil of the Way before the congregation, he withdrew from them and took the disciples with him, reasoning daily in the hall of Tyrannus. This continued for two years, so that all the residents of Asia heard the word of the Lord, both Jews and Greeks. Acts 19:8–10, ESV
property is an asset, a tool to be leveraged
our 12 acres - $700K owed on $2.5 million property; new facility costs - 3.5 million dollars
likely in-between place or places
facilities are in our future
facilities fund - $50,000 + $150,000 = $200K
sense of permanent facilities – searching, dialogue
5. BEYOND Projects
“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. Matthew 5:14–16, ESV
we give 10% of all non-designated income (historically 15%)
$25,000 given outside our four walls to date
NE PDX Project; Fall project; April 2010 – building project in Oaxaca Mexico
6. Presence Conference and NW C3 Presence
When God does something magnificent, there’s a wisdom to travel to see it - Now when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the Lord, she came to test him with hard questions. She came to Jerusalem with a very great retinue, with camels bearing spices and very much gold and precious stones. And when she came to Solomon, she told him all that was on her mind. And Solomon answered all her questions; there was nothing hidden from the king that he could not explain to her. And when the queen of Sheba had seen all the wisdom of Solomon, the house that he had built, the food of his table, the seating of his officials, and the attendance of his servants, their clothing, his cupbearers, and his burnt offerings that he offered at the house of the Lord, there was no more breath in her. And she said to the king, “The report was true that I heard in my own land of your words and of your wisdom, but I did not believe the reports until I came and my own eyes had seen it. And behold, the half was not told me. Your wisdom and prosperity surpass the report that I heard. Happy are your men! Happy are your servants, who continually stand before you and hear your wisdom! Blessed be the Lord your God, who has delighted in you and set you on the throne of Israel! Because the Lord loved Israel forever, he has made you king, that you may execute justice and righteousness.” 1 Kings 10:1–9, ESV
Presence Conference - attend! There is a clear view of the thing we are doing here, its seen there, there is information, and then there is impartation, there is an alignment that takes place.
God is calling us to do here what has happened in other places
And the Lord answered me: “Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so he may run who reads it. Habakkuk 2:2, ESV