II Timothy 1:1-II Timothy 1:1-1010

FAMOUS PREDICTIONS

• Thomas Watson, the chairman of IBM in 1943 said, "I think there is a market for maybe five computers in the world."

• Ken Olson, president and founder of Digital Equipment Corporation said in 1977, "There is no reason why anyone would want a computer in their home."

• Western Union memo from 1876: "The Telephone has too many shortcomings to be seriously considered as a means of communication."

• Charles Duell, commissioner of the U.S. Office of Patents said in 1899, "Everything that can be invented has been invented."

• Is that elusive thing that dares to dream big dreams about the future.

• Has been called hope with a blueprint.

• Is what an inventor has when he or she thinks outside the box to create something new.

• Is what a mother has as she looks at her newborn baby and imagines all that child could grow up to become.

“Without a vision people perish”

Apostle Paul sent Timothy to salvage the church at Ephesus.

The entire leadership in the church was older than he was and Pastor Tim was shy and timid.

Timothy needed his vision to be renewed

This second letter to Timothy was Paul’s last before he die.

I. RENEWING OUR VISION FOR WORSHIP

II Tim. 1:1-3

A. We renew our vision for worship by embracing a lifestyle of devotion to God.

The word "serve" in v.3. Greek word latreuo.

Refers to service offered to God as an act of worship.

This kind of service is always directed toward God.

English word liturgy refers to the order and structure of a Christian worship service.

We call our corporate worship a "worship service“Our worship is a lifestyle of devotion toward God.

B. We renew our vision for worship by having worship services that are culturally relevant to the

unchurched, but does not compromise our commitment to the Word of God.

Worship and outreach belong together. We seek to speak the language of our culture and

translate the timeless truths of the Christian faith into language and concepts that make sense to secularized

people in our culture today.

We have an uncompromising commitment to the absolute authority of the Bible.

We seek to be culturally relevant because we believe this is what the Bible commands us to do.

Contemporary does not mean compromising.

We are relating to the present culture we are living in.

The message is the same, but the methods need to change.

“Be all things to all people.”

We do not change the truth.

We change how we minister the truth.

II. RENEWING OUR VISION

FOR PRAYERII Tim. 1:4,5

A. We renew our vision for prayer by expressing our heart to God.

PAUL’S PRAYER FOR TIMOTHY

He remembered Timothy’s tears.

He remembered how Timothy came to faith in Christ.

TIMOTHY WAS A THIRD GENERATION CHRISTIAN

Timothy’s grandmother Lois, and then his mother Eunice.

Paul is pouring out his heart to encourage

Timothy to renew his faith in prayer.

B. We renew our vision for prayer so that our purposes inspire us to believe

God for the impossible.

"By his mighty power at work within us, God is able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to

ask or hope."

Ephesians 3:20(NLT)

Prayer should be the battle we fight for every ministry we do at

EVERETT ASSEMBLY OF GOD

OUR THINKING VS. GOD’S PROMISESWe say- It’s impossible. God says- All things are

possible with Me.

We- I can’t do it. God- You can do all things through Christ.

We- I’m too tired. God- Come to Me, I will give you rest.

We- I’m always worried and frustrated. God- Cast all your cares on Me.

We- I can’t go on. God- My grace is sufficient for you.

OUR THINKING VS. GOD’S PROMISESWe- I can’t figure things out. God- I will direct your

steps.

We- I’m not able. God- I am able.

We- It’s not worth it. God- It will be worth it.

We- I can’t manage. God- I will supply all your needs.

We- I’m afraid. God- I have not given you a spirit of fear.

OUR THINKING VS. GOD’S PROMISESWe- I don’t have enough faith. God- I’ve given

everyone a measure of faith.

We- I’m not smart enough. God- I give you wisdom.

We- I feel all alone. God- I will never leave you or forsake you.

III. RENEWING OUR VISION

FOR SERVICEII Tim. 1:6,7

A. We renew our vision for service by using the gifts God has given to us

“fan the flame”

The way to fan the flame of our

spiritual gifts is by using them.

“timidity”

A state of fear because of cowardice

or lack of moral strength.

What comes from God is an attitude

of power, love, and self-discipline.

Power is the capacity to face our fears and use our gifts, even when we’re shaking like a leaf.

Love is the capacity to express God’s love through our gift when we do use it.

Self-discipline is the courage to go forward even when we’re timid and fearful

Every member is a minister

B. We renew our vision for service by implementing and launching new ministries that

make a real difference in the lives of both Christians and non-Christians

We dream of our church becoming an incubator for fresh ministry ideas, continually launching new volunteer led

ministries that make a real difference.

STANDARD SAYING…

“We really need to have a ministry to participate in.”

OUR RESPONSE…

“You are right and you’re it.”

CARE MINISTRIES INTERNATIONAL

BREAKTHROUGH CONFERENCERev. Ken HoutsJune 7th and 8th

OUR OBJECTIVEExpand the Kingdom through relationships.

Launch a Care Ministry – how to love the stranger in our church.

Train 4 Discipleship Team Leaders to impact the ministry.

Recruit 30 church members to become disciples.Create 4 Discipleship Teams.

IV. RENEWING OUR VISION

OUTREACHII Tim. 1:8

A. We renew our vision for outreach by testifying about Jesus.

The longer you are a Christian, the less non-Christians

you are likely to have as friends.

Relationships are the primary mechanism

for sharing our faith in Jesus Christ.

Half of all people who are in church on any given weekend in our nation don’t yet have a relationship with Jesus.

Our passion is to strive to remove every barrier that keeps unchurched people from understanding and responding to

the good news of Christ.

B. We renew our vision for outreach by working in partnership with members in our church to

reach our friends and neighbors providing them with a message that is culturally relevant.

Life Way Research

Only 49% of unchurched adults would visit in-person if they were looking for a church vs. 83% of church-switchers.

More than half of unchurched people would follow a recommendation from family, friends, neighbors or colleagues if they were looking for a church, but 24% wouldn’t use using

any of these usual ways of finding one.

Life Way Research

“While unchurched people are open to relationships, few church members are intentionally investing time developing

relationships with non-Christians.”

“Only 25% of church members profess to spend time building friendships with non-Christians for the purpose of sharing

Christ with them.”

“38% actually disagreed with the statement, and 36% were noncommittal about it.”

“25% of unchurched adults would use a church website or an internet search tool to find a congregation to visit.”

V. RENEWING OUR VISION

FOR NURTUREII Tim. 1:8-10

A. We renew our vision for nurture by responding to God’s invitation to a holy life.

There is nothing we can do to contribute to our salvation.

All we contribute to our salvation is our sin;

everything else comes as a free gift, by grace.

God calls us to a life of transformation,

a life where we grow and mature.

God calls us to put down deep spiritual roots

that are nourished by the truth of God.

We dream our church providing a constantly expanding network of care groups, where

Christian’s are growing into wholeness and non-Christians are discovering Christ.

We dream of equipping hundreds of volunteer care pastors whose love and concern for people

makes us feel smaller as we grow larger.

B. We renew our vision for nurture when we commit ourselves to developing a

biblical worldview.

We want our congregation to be people who think deeply and biblically about the great issues facing our

generation.

We want to help you love God with your mind by helping you think through these things.

It is critical for us to prepare our hearts and minds to those things that will affect your children, grand-

children, and their children’s children.

A RENEWED VISION INCLUDES…A RENEWED VISION INCLUDES…

worshipprayerservice

outreachnurture

It is a temptation to let the tension pull the vision down

to the status quo.

Instead, we should let the tension pull the way things

are closer to the vision, creating the necessary

changes in our lives needed to pull us toward what God

has for us.