Six months ago Faith Bible Church studied the Essentials of the church from Acts 2:41-42. During that series we discovered FIVE essential components of the very first church established 50 days after Christ’s resurrection. Those essentials are

a. Evangelism
b. Teaching
c. Fellowship
d. Worship
e. Prayer

Today I would like to provide an update to you on the progress that we are making in our effort to Enhance the Vision of Faith Bible Church. Shortly after the Essential Church series we called together a group from the church to examine our ministry and suggest ways to help us identify our uniqueness as a church and create a Mission Statement, Vision Statement, Values Statement and a Strategic Plan for our future. We have accomplished much during the five months since we first met.

Much of our focus is on church unity. The passage we started with in Acts 2:41-42 demonstrates that when we focus on the essentials, God provides unity. Notice the results that occurred in Acts 2:43-47.
People see God when the gospel is proclaimed. Acts 2:43–47 says, “And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. . Awe is the word for fear or reverence.

Believers are brought into unity when the gospel is proclaimed. Acts 2:44 “And all who believed were together and had all things in common. “

Needs are met when the gospel is proclaimed. Acts 2:45 “And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. “

Christians are blessed with fellowship when the gospel is proclaimed. Acts 2:46 “And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts,”

The world sees a church filled with integrity Acts 2:47 “praising God and having favor with all the people.”

The church grows when the gospel is proclaimed. Acts 2:47 “And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.”

 

2. The Importance of Unity.
Jesus prayed for it. John 17:11 (ESV) — 11 And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one.

The kind of unity produced is a Unity through Diversity.
1 Corinthians 10:17 (ESV) — 17 Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread.
1 Corinthians 12:20 (ESV) — 20 As it is, there are many parts, yet one body.

Each Church is Unique. We see this unity through diversity in the very first churches. Notice that each church is noted for differing attributes. As a result of the uniquely gifted people in each church, and the unique needs of each time and location, each local church reflects its own characteristic or reputation.
JERUSALEM, a Selfless church. Acts 2:45 (ESV) — 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need.
ANTIOCH, a Missionary church. Acts 13:1–3 (ESV) — 1 Now there were in the church at Antioch prophets and teachers, Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen a lifelong friend of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. 2 While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” 3 Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.
PHILIPPI, a Generous church. Philippians 4:14–15 (ESV) — 14 Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble. 15 And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only.

BEREA, a Diligent church. Acts 17:11 (ESV) — 11 Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.
EPHESUS a Faithful church. Ephesians 1:15 (ESV) — 15 For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints,
THESSALONICA, a church filled with integrity., 1 Thessalonians 1:2 (ESV) — 2 We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers, 1 Thessalonians 1:6–9 (ESV) — 6 And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit, 7 so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia. 8 For not only has the word of the Lord sounded forth from you in Macedonia and Achaia, but your faith in God has gone forth everywhere, so that we need not say anything. 9 For they themselves report concerning us the kind of reception we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God,

3. What Are a Church’s Values?
a. “I define core values as the constant, passionate, biblical core beliefs that drive the ministry.” Aubrey Malphurs. Advanced Strategic Planning: A New Model for Church and Ministry Leaders (p. 100). Kindle Edition.
b. Constant.
c. Passionate
d. Biblical
e. Core Beliefs
f. Drive the Ministry.

g. Values can change but only slowly. Example….. Community Involvement.

4. Values of Faith Bible Church
“If you remove any of these values, FBC would not be who we are today.”
HOW did we come up with these?
Other churches might look similar, but not exactly the same.

a. Evangelism: We are passionate about reaching our community and people around the world with the gospel of Jesus Christ.

b. Teaching: We are passionate about Biblical preaching and teaching.

c. Fellowship: We are passionate about a church family that actively encourages one another in love and shares the blessings, joys and struggles of the Christian life.

d. Worship: We are passionate about a church that expresses our love for God through personal and corporate worship elevating God’s greatness while restoring the human soul.

e. Prayer: We are passionate about a church that believes in the power of fervent prayer.

f. Family: We are passionate about strengthening our children and young people to become mature Disciples of Christ.

5. These values Are the way that we fulfill our MISSION.
a. MISSION = What are we called to do?
i. Evangelism
ii. Discipleship
iii. Worship

b. Mission: Present Christ as Savior, Pursue Christ as Lord, Praise God as King
6. What Next?
Understanding our VALUES and our MISSION accomplishes the following.
a. Allows us to focus on what is MOST important.
b. Allows us to evaluate the effectiveness of our ministries.
c. Allows us to adjust our efforts to better accomplish our mission
d. Allows us to see the bigger picture above our tradition and preferences.
e. Allows us to dream of what God could do through our church.