1) We will follow the leading of the Holy Spirit.
Being led of
the Holy Spirit in all things.
* Rom 8:14 "For as many as are led by the Spirit of
God, these are sons of God." (NKJ)
* We will learn to follow His leading as we submit ourselves
to His ministry through:
1. Praying in the spirit and with
our understanding (1Cor. 14:15)
2. Fasting which reinforces the truth
that we are dead to sin but alive to God (Rom 6:4,6)
3. Developing
a Personal Life of Worship (John 4:23&24).
4. Assimilating and
Meditating the Word of God to make it a part of us. (Joshua 1:8)
5. Confessing the Word of God to be conformed to it (Rom 10:9&10; Jer 23:29).
* As
the church of Acts - being obedient to the Holy Spirit in all that they did - we will be willing to go outside the box of
religious pre-conceptions and presumptions (Acts 10)
* Not drawing back
from Holy Spirit's leading to break new ground.
2) A place of "spiritual rest"
(Psalm 127 Unless the Lord builds the house . . . )
* Rest is not a cessation of activity, but repose in
activity.
* Instead of striving in our own strength we move in His.
* Rest does not imply inactivity
or sleep. It's the easiness of Christ's burden (Matt 11:28-30).
* Growing in faith until we enter
into His rest (Heb 3 & 4).
* Not doing "works" so as to please God, but entering into His rest by
Faith in Christ.
3) A church where everyone functions in their God-given calling (I Cor
12:12-27).
* A church that is equipping the saints for the work of the ministry & the edification
of the body of Christ (Eph 4:11-12).
* There is liberty in discovering that part of your calling is being you.
* There is liberty in discovering and walking in your role in the family of God.
* We can only know our
calling through the ministry and direction of Holy Spirit.
4) Reaching the Lost -
in the Church & in the World.
* The Great Commission (Matt 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-18) was given
to all believers. Believers should have a heart for the lost (II Peter 3:9, Acts 2).
* All believers are
called to minister before Christ (Rom 12:1; I Peter 2:5,9; Revelation 1:6).
* The lost are those who do not have
a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. Going to church alone does not make someone a Christian. . . we
must know Him (Matt 7:21 - 23).
5) We will be a people who actively pursue a relationship with the
Lord Jesus and with each other.
* As we love the Lord with all our hearts, with all our minds, and
with all our souls we WILL love our neighbour as ourselves. (Matt 22:37-39; I John 4:21)