Vision 2024
"Therefore put on the full armour of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand." Ephesians 6:13
On Vision Sunday, Pastor John brought a word from God for the church in 2024
The vision for the church across the world is to go into all the world and preach the good news of Jesus, to make disciples, and baptise those who believe in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Matthew 28:19. But specifically for Hope Church in 2024, God is calling us to STAND.
STAND
Greek ~ histemi Meaning: to make a stand, place, set up, establish, appoint. I stand ready, I stand firm, and I am steadfast.
STAND IN
God is calling us to stand in our identity, as individuals and as a church. God is calling us to stand in unity with one another. And God is calling us to stand in the gap, to fight for righteousness, to pray for those we love who don't yet know Jesus.
STAND UP
As a church, and as followers of Christ, we need to stand up for truth. Not allowing the world we live in to bend or shape our beliefs. We must stand up in the world, living lives that honour God, and in doing so, set us apart. And we need stand up tall, with our heads held high, with the courage of Daniel and Goliath, to not back down from confrontation or adversity.
STAND FIRM
We need to stand firm on the Word of God, that solid rock, that firm foundation. When we build on His Word, we are unbreakable, unshakable, and unstoppable. We need to stand firm in our faith, believing that the same Spirit that rose Jesus from the dead lives in us, that with Him, all things are possible. And finally, we need to stand firm against attacks of the enemy. The enemy is real, and will do everything in his power to stop us from stepping into the fulness of God's plan for our lives. But we have been equipped with everything we need to defeat him.
