The Vision of Vineyard Church of North Phoenix

A Life-Changing Force
The Vision of Vineyard Church of North Phoenix

I. Introduction

A. Psalm 92:12-14 (NLT) ¹²But the godly will flourish like palm trees and grow strong like the cedars of Lebanon. ¹³For they are transplanted to the Lord’s own house. They flourish in the courts of our God. ¹⁴Even in old age they will still produce fruit; they will remain vital and green.

B. A church is old when it stops doing what created it to do!

C. Acts 2:42-47 (NLT) ⁴²All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the LORD’S Supper), and to prayer. ⁴³A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. ⁴⁴And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. ⁴⁵They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. ⁴⁶They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the LORD’S Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity—⁴⁷all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the LORD added to their fellowship those who were being saved.

D. Acts 2:47b (NLT) And each day the LORD added to their fellowship those who were being saved.

1. When should a church stop focusing on trying to reach with the love of Jesus—and change its focus to just taking care of the people who are inside the church?

2. A church gets old, when it forgets that it exists for people of the church!

E. What makes a church young is when a church says, “We will not stop doing what commanded us to do!”

1. “We will always remember that the people the church exist for the sake of God’s world the church.”

F. John 13:34-35 (NLT) ³⁴“So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. ³⁵Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”

G. “You don’t have to be the smartest, or the richest, or the most-strategic place on earth. I just want you to be the most church you can be!”

H. “Do people see this sign when they look at ? Do people see this sign when they look at our church?”

II. Three Giant Signs Over Vineyard Church North Phoenix

A. !

1. Jesus has a heart for , and that’s why everybody came to Him!

2. Luke 15:2 (NLT) This made the Pharisees and teachers of religious law complain that he was associating with such sinful people—even eating with them!

3. Galatians 3:28 (NLT) There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus.

4. “All those who are not Greek are born slaves by nature.” (Aristotle)

5. In some churches, people shift their focus from the mission of , and they begin to think that the Church is here for those who are inside the Church.

6. When a church is working right, that’s when !

B. Nobody’s !

1. Romans 3:23 (NAS) For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

2. We’re all just people who need the and of God!

C. With Jesus, is !

1. Mark 9:23b (NLT) “Anything is possible if a person believes.”

III. I Believe God Has Called Vineyard Church of North Phoenix to Be a Multi-Racial, Multi-Generational Church That Is a – Expression of the Kingdom of God on Earth.

A. A church that preaches the gospel and sees people coming to Christ on a regular basis.

B. A church that baptizes people on a regular basis.

C. A church that disciples people.

D. A church where people live in community with one another.

E. A church that promotes and celebrates diversity of every kind.

F. A church that heals the sick and casts out demons.

G. A church that ministers to the poor.

H. A church that feeds the hungry and clothes the naked.

I. A church that plants other churches.

J. A church that sets people free from addictions.

K. A church that heals marriage and family relationships.

L. A church that is involved in world missions.

M. A church that pursues and works toward justice in all areas of life.

N. A church where everybody’s welcome, nobody’s perfect, and anything is possible!

IV. Conclusion