II Timothy 1:1-10
FAMOUS PREDICTIONS
• Thomas Watson, the chairman of IBM in 1943 said, "I think
there is a market for maybe five computers in the world."
• Ken Olson, president and founder of Digital Equipment
Corporation said in 1977, "There is no reason why anyone would
want a computer in their home."
• Western Union memo from 1876: "The Telephone has too many
shortcomings to be seriously considered as a means of
communication."
• Charles Duell, commissioner of the U.S. Office of Patents said in
1899, "Everything that can be invented has been invented."
• Is that elusive thing that dares to dream big dreams about
the future.
• Has been called hope with a blueprint.
• Is what an inventor has when he or she thinks outside the
box to create something new.
• Is what a mother has as she looks at her newborn baby
and imagines all that child could grow up to become.
“Without a vision people perish”
Apostle Paul sent Timothy to salvage the church at Ephesus.
The entire leadership in the church was older than he was and
Pastor Tim was shy and timid.
Timothy needed his vision to be renewed
This second letter to Timothy was Paul’s last before he die.
I. RENEWING OUR
VISION FOR WORSHIP
II Tim. 1:1-3
A. We renew our vision for worship by
embracing a lifestyle of devotion to God.
The word "serve" in v.3.
Greek word latreuo.
Refers to service offered to God as an act of worship.
This kind of service is always directed toward God.
English word liturgy refers to the order and structure of a
Christian worship service.
We call our corporate worship a "worship service“
Our worship is a lifestyle of devotion toward God.
B. We renew our vision for worship by having
worship services that are culturally relevant to the
unchurched, but does not compromise our
commitment to the Word of God.
Worship and outreach belong together.
We seek to speak the language of our culture and translate the
timeless truths of the Christian faith into language and
concepts that make sense to secularized people in our culture
today.
We have an uncompromising commitment to
the absolute authority of the Bible.
We seek to be culturally relevant because we believe
Contemporary does not mean compromising.
We are relating to the present culture we are living in.
The message is the same, but the methods need to change.
“Be all things to all people.”
We do not change the truth.
We change how we minister the truth.
II. RENEWING OUR
VISION
FOR PRAYER
II Tim. 1:4,5
A. We renew our vision for prayer
by expressing our heart to God.
PAUL’S PRAYER FOR TIMOTHY
He remembered Timothy’s tears.
He remembered how Timothy came to faith in Christ.
TIMOTHY WAS A THIRD GENERATION CHRISTIAN
Timothy’s grandmother Lois, and then his mother Eunice.
Paul is pouring out his heart to encourage
Timothy to renew his faith in prayer.
B. We renew our vision for prayer so that our
purposes inspire us to believe
God for the impossible.
"By his mighty power at work within us, God is able to
accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to ask or
hope."
Ephesians 3:20(NLT)
Prayer should be the battle we fight for every ministry we do at
EVERETT ASSEMBLY OF GOD
OUR THINKING VS. GOD’S PROMISES
We say- It’s impossible. God says- All things are possible with Me.
We- I can’t do it. God- You can do all things through Christ.
We- I’m too tired. God- Come to Me, I will give you rest.
We- I’m always worried and frustrated. God- Cast all your cares on
Me.
We- I can’t go on. God- My grace is sufficient for you.
OUR THINKING VS. GOD’S PROMISES
We- I can’t figure things out. God- I will direct your steps.
We- I’m not able. God- I am able.
We- It’s not worth it. God- It will be worth it.
We- I can’t manage. God- I will supply all your needs.
We- I’m afraid. God- I have not given you a spirit of fear.
OUR THINKING VS. GOD’S PROMISES
We- I don’t have enough faith. God- I’ve given everyone a
measure of faith.
We- I’m not smart enough. God- I give you wisdom.
We- I feel all alone. God- I will never leave you or forsake you.
III. RENEWING OUR
VISION
FOR SERVICE
II Tim. 1:6,7
A. We renew our vision for service by
using the gifts God has given to us
“fan the flame”
The way to fan the flame of our
spiritual gifts is by using them.
“timidity”
A state of fear because of cowardice
or lack of moral strength.
What comes from God is an attitude
of power, love, and self-discipline.
Power is the capacity to face our fears and use
our gifts, even when we’re shaking like a leaf.
Love is the capacity to express God’s love
through our gift when we do use it.
Self-discipline is the courage to go forward
even when we’re timid and fearful
Every member is a minister
B. We renew our vision for service by
implementing and launching new ministries that
make a real difference in the lives of both
Christians and non-Christians
We dream of our church becoming an incubator for fresh
ministry ideas, continually launching new volunteer led
ministries that make a real difference.
STANDARD SAYING…
“We really need to have a ministry to participate in.”
OUR RESPONSE…
“You are right and you’re it.”
CARE MINISTRIES INTERNATIONAL
BREAKTHROUGH CONFERENCE
Rev. Ken Houts
June 7th and 8th
OUR OBJECTIVE
Expand the Kingdom through relationships.
Launch a Care Ministry – how to love the stranger in our
church.
Train 4 Discipleship Team Leaders to impact the ministry.
Recruit 30 church members to become disciples.
Create 4 Discipleship Teams.
IV. RENEWING OUR
VISION
OUTREACH
II Tim. 1:8
A. We renew our vision for outreach
by testifying about Jesus.
The longer you are a Christian, the less non-Christians
you are likely to have as friends.
Relationships are the primary mechanism
for sharing our faith in Jesus Christ.
Half of all people who are in church on any given weekend
in our nation don’t yet have a relationship with Jesus.
Our passion is to strive to remove every barrier that keeps
unchurched people from understanding and responding to
the good news of Christ.
B. We renew our vision for outreach by working
in partnership with members in our church to
reach our friends and neighbors providing them
with a message that is culturally relevant.
Life Way Research
Only 49% of unchurched adults would visit in-person if they
were looking for a church vs. 83% of church-switchers.
More than half of unchurched people would follow a
recommendation from family, friends, neighbors or colleagues
if they were looking for a church, but 24% wouldn’t use using
any of these usual ways of finding one.
Life Way Research
“While unchurched people are open to relationships, few
church members are intentionally investing time developing
relationships with non-Christians.”
“Only 25% of church members profess to spend time building
friendships with non-Christians for the purpose of sharing
Christ with them.”
“38% actually disagreed with the statement, and 36% were
noncommittal about it.”
“25% of unchurched adults would use a church website or an
internet search tool to find a congregation to visit.”
V. RENEWING OUR
VISION
FOR NURTURE
II Tim. 1:8-10
A. We renew our vision for nurture by responding
to God’s invitation to a holy life.
There is nothing we can do to contribute to our salvation.
All we contribute to our salvation is our sin;
everything else comes as a free gift, by grace.
God calls us to a life of transformation,
a life where we grow and mature.
God calls us to put down deep spiritual roots
that are nourished by the truth of God.
We dream our church providing a constantly
expanding network of care groups, where
Christian’s are growing into wholeness and nonChristians are discovering Christ.
We dream of equipping hundreds of volunteer
care pastors whose love and concern for people
makes us feel smaller as we grow larger.
B. We renew our vision for nurture when we
commit ourselves to developing a
biblical worldview.
We want our congregation to be people who think
deeply and biblically about the great issues facing our
generation.
We want to help you love God with your mind by
helping you think through these things.
It is critical for us to prepare our hearts and minds to
those things that will affect your children, grandchildren, and their children’s children.
A RENEWED VISION INCLUDES…
worship
prayer
service
outreach
nurture
It is a temptation to let the tension
pull the vision down to the status quo.
Instead, we should let the tension pull
the way things are closer to the
vision, creating the necessary changes
in our lives needed to pull us toward
what God has for us.