Vision Talk Sept 20 - The Hope for our Nation Is The Gospel !
Introduction
What kind of vision talk do you bring at a time like this?
It's not like we can have plans for new initiatives in a time of such uncertainty
Calling to equip each believer to fulfil their own kingdom calling evidenced by the gift of Grace on their lives
Over the summer I have been considering the live of the Apostle Peter
A working class Jew that Jesus saw potential in and called it out
Peter had Roller coaster experience with Jesus first meeting Jesus recognizes he is a sinner unworthy- Luke 5 1-11
Moments of revelation when he says you are the Christ the son of God -
“Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.””
Matthew 16:16 ESV
Movements of failure when he rebukes Jesus concerning his death -
“And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, “Far be it from you, Lord! This shall never happen to you.””
Matthew 16:22 ESV
Makes a promise that he cannot keep at that time to follow Jesus wherever he goes even to death -
“Peter declared, “Even if everyone else deserts you, I will never desert you.””
Matthew 26:33 NLT
Fails again when he denies Jesus 3 times an each time with more veracity -
“But Peter denied it in front of everyone. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he said.”
Matthew 26:70 NLT
“Again Peter denied it, this time with an oath. “I don’t even know the man,” he said.”
Matthew 26:72 NLT
“Peter swore, “A curse on me if I’m lying—I don’t know the man!” And immediately the rooster crowed.”
Matthew 26:74 NLT
Get has great promise spoken over his life when Jesus says on this rock meaning Peter I will build my church. -
“Jesus replied, “You are blessed, Simon son of John, because my Father in heaven has revealed this to you. You did not learn this from any human being. Now I say to you that you are Peter (which means ‘rock’), and upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it. And I will give you the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven. Whatever you forbid on earth will be forbidden in heaven, and whatever you permit on earth will be permitted in heaven.””
Matthew 16:17-19 NLT
Then we see him in acts preaching the Gospel and healing the sick with great boldness and courage
So what made the difference?
What brought the change?
I think it's The anointing of the Holy Spirit
I was thinking about another man a bit closer to us in history and location, Smith Wigglesworth plumber from Bradford who carried an anointing that gave him boldness and courage
New the fire of God
Saw people saved and healed
Spoke prophetically
So what's all that got to do with vision?
God wants to anoint you with Holy Spirit fire, anointing its dependent on how educated you are how gifted you are whether you’re an introvert or extrovert its dependent on God and our obedient response that comes from our faith in him.
The prophetic word we had last year of being a fire church isn't about the building its about each one of us ablaze with the anointing that comes from God by the Holy Spirit
We have started a second site where we want to gather locally to set fires going across the peaks. We want to see more sites that gather people to encounter the fire of God
This line from a old song has been running around my head for a while now
Your gospel o Lord is the hope for our nation - don't know about you but I don't think there's another answer
Jesus says this
“For the Good News must first be preached to all nations.”
Mark 13:10 NLT