To the start of our new series entitled, reach 23, at the way I
want to start. This series is by telling you
all a story. Go get comfortable.
I'm going to read you this story.
Hmm. On a dangerous Sea Coast.
Where shipwrecks, often occurred, there was once a crude
little Lifeboat station. The building was just a Hut and
there was only one boat, but the few devoted members kept a
constant watch over the sea and with no thought for themselves.
Went out day and night tirelessly looking for lost
people. Now, some of those who have been
saved and various others in the surrounding area, wanted to
become associated with our station, and give of their time,
money and energy. For the support of this work,
new boats were boards and new Crews were trained with
commitment and energy little Lifeboat, station grew.
Now, some members of the Lifeboat station one, happy that
the building was so crude and poorly equipped.
So they felt that a more comfortable place would be
provided as the first Refuge of those saved from the sea.
So they replaced the emergency Hammer works with bets and put
better Furniture in the enlarged to build it.
Now, the Lifeboat station became a very popular Gathering Place
for its members, and they decorated and furnished, it
beautifully, and started using it as a sort of Club view a
members. We're now interested in din
going out on Lifeboat missions. And so they hired Lifeboat Crews
to do this work for them. life-saving, pictures and
mementos decorated the club's walls, where official meetings
were held Now this time a large ship was wrecked off the coast.
And the hired Crews board in boatloads of cold wet.
And half drowned people, they were dirty.
They were sick. With different personalities and
temperaments. And from other cultural
backgrounds. The beautiful new club was in
chaos though. The committee immediately had a
shower house built outside the club where the Shipwreck victims
could be cleaned up before coming inside.
At the next meeting in the club membership was divided.
Most of the members wanted to stop the club's life-saving
activities since they were well, and that Pleasant and a
hinderence to the normal social life of the club.
But some members insisted that life-saving was their primary
purpose and pointed out that they were still called a
Lifeboat station. However, they were finally out
voted and told that if they wanted to save the lives of all
types of people who might be Shipwrecked, they could begin
their own Lifeboat station, somewhere else further down the
coast that they did. As the years went by similar
changes took place in the new station as well.
It also evolved into a club and consequently, another Lifeboat
station was founded elsewhere. History.
Continue to repeat itself. And on the Seacoast today, you
will find a number of exclusive clubs along the coastline
shipwrecks are still frequent in those Waters.
But most of the people are never reached and say, Right story.
I heard it about a week ago, it's a rather good story.
And it rather makes the point I think, without me, having to get
into the specifics of it, there is always a tension.
There is always a tension. But we mustn't forget our
primary purpose, you know, we're part of the vineyard movement.
Two and a half thousand churches globally about 135 in the UK and
we are a missional movement. We are a movement on a mission
to save the Lost. And this church when it was,
founded over 35 years ago, was founded on that mission of
saving the Lost. But you see the danger exists.
We can hear this story and we kind of chuckled to ourselves
and say those City people. We much different.
Do we not feel that same tension?
I do honestly, to be fair. Let's read our mission
statement. Would you like to read our
mission statement? You'll find it in the Bible is
in Matthew 28:19-20. Let's read it together.
This is our mission statement. This is why we are a church.
Let's read it. It's going to be on the screen
if you're in the room, if you're online be on your device.
Go therefore and Make Disciples of all Nations, baptizing them
in the name of the father, and of the son, and of the Holy
Spirit. Teaching them to observe all
that. I have commanded.
And behold, I Am With You Always to the end of the egg.
It's very simple, but we make it.
Oh, so complex that is our mission.
That is why we exist because there are people out there
getting lost and we are called to say the loss, introduce them
to Jesus. You know, last year I outlined
our vision as a church for the next 10 years called reach and
reaches, about extending our reach to reach the lost.
It's about recognizing that we are a Lifeboat station.
We're not an exclusive social club though.
We love having Fellowship. Another time.
I said this, it's time to reach further than we've ever reached
before to spend ourselves on giving all of ourselves to him.
And as a church family, we have always responded to the call of
the Lord to expound our boundaries.
Expand them in order to make Christ known and reach.
The lost that is always been the mission of this church.
And one of those verses, if you like that, we frequently visit
is found in Isaiah 54, verse 2. The says this, enlarge the place
of your tent, stretch your tent. Curtains wide.
Do not hold back. Well lengthen your cords
strengthen your Steaks. That is being the cool on us as
a people. Since the Inception of this
church and we will continue to extend our tent pegs.
Why? So that we can be that Lifeboat
station that those that are lost and are Shipwrecked that is
always our Focus. That is always our mission.
Before covid. It was like an age away.
Now doesn't look a different lifetime.
The lord gave me a picture, which I shared with you when we
launch reach and I was in my garden when I had this picture
and in my garden, you know, we have a lovely Garden, it's
well-manicured but Outside of that around a set of offenses, a
Fields, not manicured left to do what the fields do. and I just
had this sense that it would be very easy for me and it indeed,
it is just to enjoy my garden because we got Badminton net in
the you know people get these badminton Nets with other
things. It's lovely.
I don't want to leave my garden especially when the sun comes
out. But I felt the Lord said, Mark.
You've got to look Beyond into those open space, those fields
that have yet to be harvested and he said that is the danger
Mark of church. You see the danger of church and
it links with this story is it you manicure your church to such
a point. You don't want to leave it.
They didn't look so lovely and don't get me wrong, I'm not
suggesting that, there should be a lovely environment where we
can, you know, have a spirit of excellence in this place.
We want to bless people with great coffee and, you know, we
want an environment where people come and go.
Wow, this is different. This is not what I thought
church was like those are all good things but that's not the
main thing. Because if you make it the main
thing you're not going to want to leave this place, you're not
going to want to get it dirty. You're not want to get going to
get messy people in that a lot like you.
But you see the Lord reminded me in that picture.
Say, listen, Mark, I'm calling you in the church to do it again
and to extend your reach beyond the manicured, lawn beyond the
comfortable, a place that you find yourself in and go into the
Harvest because the Harvest is ready, but the laborers are few.
And you see, when I launch reach, that is what I said that
over the next 10 years. We are going to spend all of
ourselves so that we can extend the I'll reach to reach the lost
because that is our mission. So how are we going to extend
our reach and I'm recapping from last year.
How are we going to extend our reach to Risa last?
We're going to be creating spaces.
You can stay with me if you want and places the people to
encounter. You see, that's how we extend
our reach by creating spaces and places for people to encounter
Jesus. Let's work backwards on that.
You see it all about Jesus. It's all about encountering
Jesus. You know, you read the Bible,
the woman with the issue of blood encounter Jesus and she
was healed. Nathaniel was under the Fig Tree
and Jesus called him out by name and he encountered Jesus and his
life was changed a woman at the well Zacchaeus in the tree the
disciples and we heard a couple of weeks ago in our wonderful
baptism, service on Easter Sunday, on Resurrection Sunday,
those are life. Changing testimonies of people's
lives have been changed by encountering Jesus.
I love Antonio's, testimonies over there.
He was. So, I think you said you were
painting in outside your house and all of a sudden you had this
Encounter With Jesus and your life has changed since what an
amazing testimony. But that is the Reality of what
happens. When you encounter the living
Christ, that is what happens when you encounter Jesus
himself. And we've been singing earlier
having we about fixing our eyes on.
Jesus. Can you imagine if we just sing
about fixing our eyes on Jesus and encountered Jesus here, and
then we leave the building were like, well, I'm done and sorted.
Doesn't matter what? That my neighbors don't know.
It doesn't matter that there's people out there being
Shipwrecked because, at least had a fantastic son.
Then wasn't the worship. Great.
I mean these are the real dangers and that the tensions
that we feel, but you see we are called to create spaces and
places where people can encounter Jesus, you know, in
John 14:6. Jesus said, I am the way, the
truth and the life. No one comes to the father,
except through me, I am the way, not a way, the way not always
lead to God. That's a lie of the enemy.
Jesus is the way and he is the life, he's not just some good
person, some profit, some good teacher, he is a very Living,
God incarnate a died on the cross for each each one of us
and so therefore it's by him that we receive eternal life.
I am. Jesus says, the way the truth
and the life You know, no amount of Good Works.
Can be can do it. You know, Christianity is not a
religion of good works. It's a religion of Grace, it's a
religion. Where Jesus has done it all for
us. I mean that's the only only
religion you'll find that doesn't say to you if you if you
perform better you can attain some kind of relationship with
to God quotes. Jesus has done it all for us.
And so our role here at a church, as church is to create
spaces where we introduce people to Jesus.
And by the Holy Spirit, he opens people's eyes to that Risen
Lord, and we need to create those spaces and those places to
do it. So, let's just dive into spaces
and places. And you know, we thank God for
the amazing of facilities that we have here, but we, but we
have to be good stewards of his facilities.
And when we have the call to extend our tent pegs, we have to
ask the question, what more Lord can we do to create spaces for
people that are current space doesn't reach?
And so last year, I outlined some initiatives, some plans for
22 that we were going to do, and I want to give you a brief recap
on some of those Last year, we set a Target to create a brand
new youth facility, the youth Auditorium with the studio
space. Breakout rooms allowing larger
numbers of Youth not just on a Sunday but throughout the week
to encounter Jesus and we did it.
We created that space, you created that space in your
sacrificial, giving and your time and your energy, and we're
going to hear next week and update on those spaces.
But hundreds of Youth are encountering Jesus on a Sunday
and throughout throughout the week.
One of the other spaces we look to create was having an
intentional relationship with step and 267 organizations youth
organizations to open up our building during the week.
So that people would encounter youth would encounter Jesus, and
we've done that, and we're doing more besides step run, Retreats
here for schools, in our building.
They use the use of facilities that you have worked so hard.
Out for we work with 267 and about 45 other youth leaders
throughout the area to host churchwide events, where people
youth bring their friends from their school into this place,
the illuminate Cafe, the Charlotte and others run on a
Thursday night, and many other initiatives.
We are creating spaces where youth have encountered Jesus.
We also look to build a brand new space.
For our Venture lamb kids are is 62 a 5 to 10 year olds, right?
To the larger space for more children to encounter Jesus.
Since last February, we have had a 75% increase in the net amount
of kids that age group, because of that space.
We set our sights on creating a special educational needs space
and Ministry called Treasure Chest that we could.
That we can invest in these special needs children.
And about two weeks ago, the last of all of the equipment was
installed, it is phenomenal. Feel free to go and have a p.
We would have some photos next week as we have an update on
that. But that's because we decided to
spend ourselves and all of ourselves for him and to save
the Lost. what else did we look at, we want you to create a
brand-new We wanted to invest in new spaces outside of this
building. We've invested heavily in our
online space invested, not just money in equipment, but many of
you serve in that team and we're creating some fantastic content
for that. Why is this important are many
people that are new in this place have found us because of
online. I speak to many of you.
I would say anecdotally, maybe 80% of people that visit us and
become part of this church have found Us online, but more than
that, there are people. Pull out there who cannot find a
local church for whatever reason that at the moment.
I've been blessed by the content that we produce and many are
meeting Jesus through that online space.
Your to give you some interesting stats YouTube
subscribers a year ago before we reached launch dries. 22, we had
about 300 subscribers. We're almost at 1000
subscribers. And in the last 28 days, we have
had seven 6,000 views of our content on YouTube alone.
When a year ago, that was hardly any.
Instagram, our reach has increase in one year by three
thousand percent. Facebook.
Our reach has increased almost 70%.
And we are creating a brand new space online where people can
encounter Jesus and Thiago who is our creative content produced
as a fantastic job, heading up that team and working on new and
new content. And we've got an exciting plan
as we head into this year. In terms of new content, we've
launched new devotionals this year.
We've launched worship moments. We've got many more plans.
We've also in Creative brand new spaces, within this building
such, as the rise prophetic company, an amazing space for
for Women Within writer encountered.
Jesus, we launched the rise in the word.
Last week, we experimented with different creative worship
spaces, worship nights, and also, the worship Garden, which
was amazing that was led by Shentel.
And, you know, we're going to be having three of those this year,
as well, which is really exciting.
We've also been experimenting with the monthly worship and
prayer night and I can tell you now, Now that the first month,
first Tuesday of every month we've got a new space called
space. It's just simply called space
for every where we encountered Jesus to through prayer and
through worship, that's going to be in the youth Auditorium.
It will start when's the first Tuesday of next month.
Not next. Not this Jews are the Chooser
afterwards. So, come along join Eduardo.
And I on the team as we create that space, for people to
encounter Jesus, and that's going to be really And so we
reject our prayer meetings. Around slightly space is going
to be our monthly time where we come corporately together and
break through online will continue those Tuesday night in
between this led by Trevor Moore on the team.
Where is an intercessory Focus. What do I mean by that?
I mean simply that we stand in the gap for other be.
We pray for our church. We pray for our country and
other other areas of the Lord lays on a heart.
That's our intercessory prayer space that we've created.
That's a lot, right? In a year.
Wow. Thank you Lord.
And next week, we're going to have a creating spaces Focus
because I tell you something, we've got some really exciting
plans for the rest of this year, will reach 23.
Is we create brand new spaces as we extend our facility here and
as we create some new exciting service formats, as we extend
our reach to those who currently don't connect with us in
particular ways. Don't miss next week waiting
places. Let me just give a recap on
this, not just about creating spaces within these four walls.
It's about saying, how do we create physical spaces outside
of this building? And that's why last year we
announced our have filled site. And, as I mentioned earlier, we
launched Hatfield such an amazing team that are led by a
Jay and Jenna and really excited about what the Lord is doing
there. They've, they ran Alpha during
summer, they've had social events.
We now are Second Sunday and God is really moving in Hatfield
through that team, really excited and I did tell you last
year that I believe the lord gave me a word five in five
years and so this year we're going to launch another site and
so in two weeks time when we look at creating places do not
miss it because we're going to be announcing what the new site
is going to be this year which is and it's really exciting and
so do come along to that. So reach is a 10-year plan.
And God is breathing on this. We're not just coming up with
things to say. Okay, let's try this.
We seek the Lord and got his right.
Go focus on this. Why?
Because we are saying, Lord, how do we fulfill that mission that
you've given us? I've been a Lifeboat station,
how do we break that desire? How do we break that temptation?
Just to get comfy. We break it by giving all of
ourselves for those of yet to encounter Janine, And how do we
do that? I want to just recap on our
values. You see while our vision will
evolve over time, and this is the vision that we've laid out
for the next 10 years. What doesn't change is the way
in which we do it, the values. What is important to us as a
people? And I shared these in more
detail last year but I just want to recap.
It's for all of us. I'm Town Council District. 4 of
these. Let me just going to be on the
screen and you can look at them as a people.
Our kingdom mindset and understanding of the here and
not yet. That we are here to extend God's
Kingdom in work. Indeed through the power of the
Holy Spirit. It is that value of our kingdom
mindset. That informs our need to extend
his kingdom here, right. Because we recognize the reality
of his kingdom breaking in and that we have a part to play in
that. As a people are awareness of the
presence and the power of the Holy Spirit.
We don't do this just in our natural strength because quite
frankly, this audacious 10-year Plan called reach.
If it wasn't for God would fulfill that flat on our face.
You know, when God outlined this I said this is what we can do as
a church and it wasn't just myself as we talked with with
leaders and team. I'll be honest.
You guys have been like, really that's quite scary.
That's a lot of stuff to do. Do.
And she does, like, well, that's the whole point, mark.
That's the whole point because I have promised that I will equip
you, and if we don't extend ourselves to the degree that we
need God, then, quite frankly, we might as well, all go home.
We not cool to do this on our own.
I mean what did Jesus say to the disciples said?
Wait for you here. Wait here because the Father's
Promise is going to send the holy spirit for enable you to go
out from this place. You see our value?
Of the Holy Spirit, the presence of the holy spirit.
In the ministry of the Holy Spirit informs how we extend our
reach as a people. Number three, our understanding
that everyone gets to play. That the business of making
Christ known is for everyone, not just the guy or gal on the
stage. Everyone gets to play.
Everyone has a part to play everyone and I love that house.
It was talking about volunteering at earlier because
everyone has been given a gift of Grace as a says, in 1 Peter,
everyone has been given Gifts of Grace who introduced people to
cheat. And if you're here, you're here
for a reason. You're here for a reason because
God has a plan and purpose for you.
Create spaces and places where people can encounter G.
And last one, no, we've got two more as a people, our commitment
to extending the justice and compassion of Jesus, it fuels
our desire to reach those who are unloved, forgotten, and
marginalized by society, that we are called to stand up for those
that cannot do so for themselves.
That is all value of his just and lastly is our people, our
priority to worship. This draws Us close to him in
intimus In that place and that Center of, of giving ourselves
to him as a Living Sacrifice. Of abiding in the vine that we
bear fruit. You know the good works that
we're talking about here are not manufactured his good words come
from abiding in the Vine with Christ.
They are they are fruit that comes from a relationship with
him. And so these are the values that
do not change. These are the values, by which
directs us on how we extend our reach to reach the lost and the
way in which we create spaces and places the people to
encounter Jesus, I'd like to invite the band up.
I recognize this has been a very much, a different type of talk.
This hasn't been me expounding the word as, as we did through
our normal sermon series, but we're going to be over the next
few weeks looking at Reach 23, and the plans that will, the
lord has laid before us to create spaces and places that
people to encounter Jesus and to challenge ourselves and ask
ourselves the question. What part in it?
Do I have, what part can I play in this?
Great Endeavor. Let me just ask by n by asking
this question and then answering it for us.
Why? Now, why again?
Well, I hope you've got the sense of that, but here's some
specific number one, God is not finished with us yet, there's a
church. The call upon this chose to make
rice loan still stands is about Alum who operates from the
office of profit. Many of you were here in 2019.
When you gave the church, a word, she says this, there are
many Shepherds in this church. That needs to be released with
authority, as well as a way to be opened up for them.
It is a time to position people in the post.
They need to be in and to open those multiple Gates.
There are many racehorses in this church.
Ready to run. Open the gates for the race
horses of this. House release them to their
races for, they need to run and that is what about creating
spaces and places as about that, recognizing that everyone gets
to play. And we want you to run the race
that God is marked out for you. We want this to be a place where
you can be equipped to walk and run in the gifts that God has
given you these amazing initiatives, I just very quickly
looked at from 20 to happen because of you happened because
of people sacrificing their time, their energy and their
money. Any and run in as racehorse.
My job here. Steph's job here, the leadership
teams job here. The trustees job here, the staff
team is to open those gates for you.
And to equip you to run that race.
Number two, we have been good stewards of what God has given
us this far. So he has given us more.
It's a kingdom principle that he will give you x amount.
Your faith will give you more. He'll give you more.
He'll give you more, we shouldn't surprise.
I be surprised at the more God has given us but with that Comes
the requirement to be good stewards, it will be easy just
to sit in comfort and say, look what we have, but that's not
what it's all about. Number three.
The Harvest is plentiful. The workers are few.
Listen, guys. There is a lost out there a
number for time. He's sure because Jesus is
coming again, and when he comes again, that's it quite Frank.
He will judge every man and woman in every nation.
We are dealing with Souls, you know, we often say Jesus saves,
we never say sage from what doing we say to our friends.
Jesus saves great. What from a life of boredom as
he saved me so I can have my best life yet?
No, he's saving you from hell. Where you can talk about that
really well then what's the point of Jesus dying on the
cross. Then what's the point?
He might as well go home. He saved us for a reason.
He say this in order that we can have eternal relationship with a
father who loves us. He saved us in order that his
righteousness, the righteousness of Jesus can be given unto us.
And so, when God looks at us, he looks at us as high relief, God
is saving us from that. And so he loved us so much that
he sent his only son to die from us, and you'll be got a world
out there being Shipwrecked. And have we got the courage and
boldness to say Jesus is here to save That is a challenge from to
want to. I'm going to pray and then we're
going to worship. That is a challenge from to want
to. I'm going to pray and then we're
going to worship.