Refresh
A Recap from Sunday’s Sermon
(VISION SUNDAY)

Preaching Text: Matthew 2:1-12

Vision Sunday takes a different approach to the pulpit. Rather than an expository sermon on the text, our Senior Pastor gives a bit of a “state of the parish” update and also shares where he believes the Lord is leading us in the new year. Here are a few highlights.

2020 was a hard year in many ways, causing every person some degree of suffering.  The natural human tendency is to avoid suffering. However, the Lord often uses suffering to grow his children in their character and kingdom effectiveness as well as other ways. The suffering in this time is revealing certain strengths and weaknesses of each of us. Will we slow down and learn from this?

First, we can lean into the suffering to discern what lessons God may want to teach us. Suffering causes sin to be exposed. In order to have the courage to address this with the Lord, we must preach the Gospel to ourselves daily. Once we realize that Jesus’ death has taken our guilt away, we can be honest before God and join him in amending our lives.

Second, the Gospel gives us the ability to extend grace to others. For 2021, our vision of “Extending Grace” needs to be primarily directed inward toward our own membership. This is related to point number 1 in that we are still in suffering and grieving, and many of our people are disconnected and struggling. We’re not ready for a full missional effort to reach the surrounding community. We are being invited to create a culture of invitation and hospitality to our scattered membership.

Taking It Home:

1. How has the last year of suffering and struggle revealed sin in your life that God wants to transform? Take some time in private prayer to do an honest assessment.
2. Reach out to a church member you haven’t seen in a while and encourage them.