Vision 2022 Session 2 | Culture of Discipleship Unity of the spirit Ephesians 4:1-6 I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, 2 with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, 3 endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. Psalm 127:1 Unless the LORD builds the house, they labor in vain who build it; Unless the LORD guards the city, the watchman stays awake in vain. 2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. We have a Culture of: 1. Abiding-We intentionally and continually point people to an intimate abiding relationship with Christ. "We understand that staying connected to the vine of Christ is our life and that without this we can do nothing of eternal significance. This connection produces Kingdom fruit by which Father God is glorified." John 15:4-5 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. “No man is greater than his prayer life…The ministry of preaching is open to few; but the ministry of prayer-the highest ministry of all human offices-is open to everyone.” Leonard Ravenhill 2. Accountability-Willingness to be challenged and accept personal responsibility. "We understand that God did not create us to live in isolation. Part of our DNA as humans is to be in community. At Catalyst Church we promote biblical accountability which considers one another in order to stir up love and good works." 1 Peter 5:5-7 Likewise, you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. 3. Authenticity-Genuine transparency. "We understand that to have a healthy spiritual community we must create a culture that promotes genuineness and transparency. Catalyst church is a safe place to fall, heal, grow, be empowered and simply be who God created you to be." 2 Corinthians 6:11 . . . we have spoken freely to you, Corinthians, and opened wide our hearts to you. We are not withholding our affection from you, but you are withholding yours from us. As a fair exchange—I speak as to my children—open wide your hearts also. What do you think you could accomplish in your life if you lived in authenticity and transparency? Do you have a safe place to fall, heal, grow, be empowered and simply be who God created you to be? 4. Discipleship-Producing fully devoted followers of Christ. "We understand Christ's command to make disciples and we take it seriously. Discipleship is one of the main focuses at Catalyst Church. A healthy church culture will consist of disciples making disciples and fulfilling the Great Commission." Matthew 28:18-20 All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.. Heart for the Lost “Never let us speak of the doom of the wicked harshly, flippantly, or without holy grief. The loss of heaven and the endurance of hell must always be themes for tears.” C.H. Spurgeon Nikolaus Zinzendorf (1700-1760) said, “Missions, after all, is simply this: Every heart with Christ is a missionary, every heart without Christ is a mission field." Matthew 9:36-38 But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd. 37 Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. 38 Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.” 5. Diversity-We celebrate God's diverse and unique creation within the larger Body. "We understand that God has created us all in His image yet with individual uniqueness. In love, we place value on people from all walks of life, including history, age, race, personality, social/economic background, denomination, and giftedness." Romans 10:11-13 For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” 6. Empowerment-Empower people into their Christ given calling. "We understand that God has called all of us to minister with the gifts that he has placed on our lives. Our spiritual community is a great place to be empowered to discover, grow in and minister with the gifts God has given each one." 2 Timothy 2:2 “And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.” 7. Generosity-We are faithful stewards who are generous with our time, treasure and talents. "We understand that God is a very generous Father and desires us to extend that generosity to others. A healthy church should consist of people that have freely received from God and freely give to others." 2 Corinthians 9:6 “Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.” Acts 20:35 “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” 1 Peter 4:10 As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 8. Love-Balance of Grace and truth. "We understand Love to be a perfect balance of Grace and Truth and strive to magnify that." John 1:14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. 9. Transformation-Changing into the image of Christ. "We understand that we cannot change or fix anyone and so we don't try to conform people to our image or ways of doing things. Our goal is to be a catalyst to get you close to Christ and allow Him to transform your life and change you into his image." 2 Corinthians 3:18 But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord. 10. Trust-Absolute trust in God and in one another. "We understand that personal abandonment and absolute trust in God is essential to live in faith. We extend this trust to include trusting others in the family of God as we strive to walk in love with others." Trust is earned, not blindly given. Trust but verify. Acts 4:23 23 And being let go, they went to their own companions and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them. Acts 4:32-35 Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common. 33 And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all. 34 Nor was there anyone among them who lacked; for all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold, 35 and laid them at the apostles’ feet; and they distributed to each as anyone had need. Take Away: Desolation-Where is there a loss of a sense of God’s presence? Where do I feel out of touch with God, with others, and with my most authentic self? e Consolation-Beyond surface emotion, in the interior movement of my heart, do I have a deep sense of life giving connection with God, others, and my most authentic self-in God? What do I need to intentionally do as my next step in my discipleship journey with Christ?