New Vision for the Future

Pastor Dan Walker, PhD, MDiv

Introduction: A Blueprint for What God Is Building

Welcome to Launch Sunday! We’re glad you’re here and we’re thrilled for those watching online. This morning we’re going to be talking about “New Vision for the Future.” Vision is very important because visions guide us in our actions and decisions.

In the context of our faith, a vision that is rooted in biblical truth can transform not just our individual life, but also our entire church and impact our city. Today, we’re going to explore the power of adopting a new vision for our lives, our church family and our wider community of St Louis. Imagine with me of stepping into the studio of a renowned architect.

On the drawing table in front of him lies a blueprint, not just any blueprint, but one that outlines a building destined to be his masterpiece. Every line, every measurement has been carefully considered to ensure the structure’s strength, beauty and functionality. There is a vision guiding his every decision, a vision directed to a future reality.

In our lives, just as in the construction of a building, the need for a vision cannot be overstated.

Proverbs 29:18 (ESV) Where there is no prophetic vision the people cast off restraint, but blessed is he who keeps the law.

Without a blueprint, without a divine vision, our lives are like buildings constructed without plans. They are vulnerable to collapse at the first sign of stress. What is the vision that we seek?

Hebrews 11:10 (ESV) For he [Abraham] was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God.

Abraham’s vision for the future was not grounded in his circumstances, but in the promise of God, the ultimate architect. His faith in God’s plan enabled him to see beyond the immediate, to a future designed and built by the Creator Himself.

Jeremiah 29:11 (ESV) For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

God is the divine architect, reassuring us that He has a master plan, a blueprint, a vision for our lives that leads to a future and a hope. Today, we’re going to explore how embracing God’s vision for our future can transform our lives, our church, and our world. He will help us build upon the foundation He has laid for us, step by step, into the masterpiece He designed us and our church to be.

Back at the beginning of 2023, we had just come out of the difficulties of COVID. Our church leadership team was presented with an opportunity to go through a year-long experience called the Acts 2 Journey. The Acts 2 Journey was taught by the Assembly of God Network in southern Missouri.

It was an opportunity to assess where we were as a church and determine God’s vision for our future. To make a long story short, the entire leadership team was 100% onboard with taking this Acts 2 Journey in 2023. It was a lot of work, but we believe that God has given us fresh vision of His plan for our church, our lives and for the lives of every person part of our church family.

In the past five messages before Easter, Pastor John and I have been unpacking the core values that are part of that vision. Today we’re going to talk about our three point vision and how it relates to the core values. Now, Pastor John and family were not with us when the Acts 2 Journey started.

But the addition of Pastor John to our church staff was a direct result of the vision that God gave us through our journey. This morning, I’ve asked Pastor John to share how God brought us together to carry out the vision that God gave our church. Thank you Pastor John.

Experience God’s Spirit

We dream of a church where everyone experiences God’s Spirit. This is the first part of our three-part vision. Let’s see it together, “I want to experience God’s Spirit.”

This vision is for our church and for each one of us in this church family. We pray that this vision would be your vision, that each day you would pray that you would experience more of God’s Spirit. We want to experience, to have a relationship with the Holy Spirit.

We desire for everyone to experience God’s Spirit in their lives and in our church. We do that through powerful prayer, Spirit-filled worship, and gift-oriented ministry. Each of these creates space for the Holy Spirit to work among us.

Powerful Prayer

James 5:16 (ESV) Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.

Notice what this verse tells us about prayer. We are to pray for one another, and as we pray for one another, we will experiencing healing. This year we have introduced the House of Prayer portion of our service, dedicated to prayer.

Take advantage of this weekly time to be prayed for and to experience God’s Spirit. The prayers of the righteous have great power. God moves when His people pray together in faith.

Spirit-filled Worship

1 Corinthians 14:26 (ESV) What then, brothers? When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up.

We dream of a church where the Holy Spirit fills our worship. Where each person in worship brings something to build others up. Where we come in expectation of what the Spirit is going to do in our midst.

We desire to be open to everything the Spirit has for us. Worship is not something we observe, but something we participate in together. The Spirit builds the church as each person responds in obedience.

Gift-oriented Ministry

1 Corinthians 12:4-7 (ESV) Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.

God has given each one of us spiritual gifts that are to be used to serve others. God desires for each of us to discover our gifts and to use them for the common good of the church family. We dream of a church where we experience God’s Spirit through active participation.

Living Out a Spirit-Filled Church

During the course of this past year, we have introduced St Louis Revival Prayer on Tuesday mornings at 6:30am. Eric has created the worship music experience that helps prepare us for Spirit-filled worship. We have just introduced our worship/greeter team this morning.

We believe that God is calling many more to join and expand our team. See Mike Wallace to learn how you can serve there once a month. To fulfill the vision of Spirit-filled Worship, we need everyone to be involved.

Spread God’s Truth

Next we dream of a church where everyone spreads God’s Truth. Let’s say it together, I want to spread God’s truth. God calls each of us to share His truth with the world around us.

Friendship Evangelism

1 Thessalonians 2:8 (ESV) So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us.

In this verse, Paul is telling of how sharing the Gospel as part of friendship is so important. This past year, as part of our vision of spreading God’s Truth, we have introduced the Five Friend Focus. If you are not participating, just take out the white card in the seat in front of you.

Fill out the card with 5 friends who aren’t saved or part of a biblical church. Then pray for them daily and pray for God to give you opportunities to be a witness to them. Each of us is called to reach our friends for Jesus.

Engaging in Global Missions

Matthew 28:19-20 (ESV) Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.

How can we engage in global missions? I believe some from this church are and will be called to missions work beyond St. Louis. Calvin & Martha are called to do missions work across the US.

But even though most of us aren’t called to go beyond our city, we are called to engage in global missions. We do that through prayer and supporting those who go through financial support. We are part of the Assemblies of God which has one of the largest missionary teams in the world.

By giving a regular mission’s offering above your tithe, you will help reach people for Jesus around the world. In this way, we all participate in spreading God’s Truth far beyond our local community.

Ongoing Biblical Discipleship

2 Timothy 2:2 (ESV) and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.

God desires for each one of us to grow as disciples of Jesus. Not only are we to grow as disciples, we are to help others grow as disciples. We are to make disciples of children, youth and adults.

One great way to make disciples is to sign up to help with children’s classes on Sunday mornings. Each of us is called to Spread God’s Truth through ongoing discipleship relationships.

Growing as a Church That Teaches Faithfully

Because of the Acts 2 Journey, we have recently implemented a new video driven children’s curriculum. This makes it much easier for the teachers and the children are more engaged. Currently on Wednesday nights, we now have Life Church Youth and an adult Life group Bible study.

Our vision is to expand our Wednesday nights to be a whole Family night, by having something for adults, youth and children. Pray and seek God for how you can be involved in making that happen.

Share Life Together

Finally, we dream of a church where everyone shares life together. Let’s say it together, I want to share life together. God designed the church to not be an organization, but a family, where we are brothers and sisters in the Lord.

Authentic Relationships That Reflect God’s Family

Romans 12:9-10 (ESV) Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.

We are to show brotherly love to one another as part of God’s family. Getting to know one another on Sunday mornings is a start to building relationships. However, authentic relationships and friendships need more than that.

That’s why the Bible instructs us to meet in smaller groups, which we call Life Groups. We dream of a church where everyone is involved in a Life Group. Life Groups are smaller groups that meet together 2-4 times of month.

They can meet in homes, here at church or in other places. They are places where you can learn God’s Word together, pray together and share life. Check your bulletin for our current Life Groups to get involved.

A Church That Welcomes Others Well

Hebrews 13:2 (ESV) Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.

When newcomers visit our church family, we want to be a welcoming church. Part of that is the usher/greeter team that we are just forming. But each of us, even if we’re not on the team, can warmly welcome newcomers.

It’s part of our vision for our church family. As a welcoming church, we have renovated our lower level as a modern multi-functional area. The youth, the children’s church and the recovery group meet there regularly.

If you haven’t seen it, check it out today. Our future plans are to renovate the refreshment room and paint the upper level as well to make it more contemporary and welcoming.

Investing in the Next Generation

Deuteronomy 6:6-7 (ESV) And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.

Children are very important to God and to us, as they are the future of our church family. If you’re a parent with children at home, you want them to learn about Jesus. If your children are older, you want them as young adults to learn about Jesus.

If you’re a grandparent, you want your grandchildren to learn about Jesus. That’s why we have a core value of reaching young families. That’s why we brought Pastor John & Stephanie on staff as associate pastor to lead our Life Church Youth and to help us reach young families.

Pastor John has been instrumental in updating our children’s church curriculum. We dream of a church where everyone of every age shares life together.

Embracing the Vision Together

So there we have our vision for the future, the vision for our church family and a vision for each of our lives. The vision is to Experience God’s Spirit, Spread God’s Truth and Share Life Together. Let’s say it together.

But now I want to talk about the most important way that you can embrace this vision for yourself and for our church family. I have put together a short course called the Life Church GrowTrack for every adult and youth in our church family.

Wherever you are in your spiritual journey, this course will be the next steps to discovering your purpose in life. This GrowTrack in-person experience will help you embrace for yourself the vision of Experiencing God’s Spirit, Spreading God’s Truth and Sharing Life Together.

The GrowTrack will take place for three Sundays immediately after the service beginning on May 26. To make things convenient for you, we will have a free lunch for you and your family after church before the course starts. Children are welcome and each session will last about one hour.

You will have a course guide to fill out and take home with you. Please check a box on your connect card to indicate you are coming and fill out our online registration form at lcstl.org/grow. If you have any questions, I’d be happy to answer them.

Conclusion: Building According to God’s Vision

Let us leave here today with a renewed commitment to seek God’s blueprint for our lives. May we be architects of faith in our worlds, drawing on the divine vision that gives purpose to our plans. In building our lives, our church and our future on God’s vision, we become living testimonies to the beauty and strength of His divine plan.

As we are the masterpieces of God’s handiwork, let us walk confidently into the future. We hold the blueprint of His Word in our hearts as we build a legacy that honors Him. In God’s vision lies not just the future of our lives, but the future of our world.

Together with God as our Architect, let us build a future that shines with His truth, love and grace.

📘 Continue the Journey

Reflect deeper and apply this week’s message with the Message Study Guide — perfect for personal devotions, family discussion, or your Life Group.

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