As we start the new year we declare we will follow the command of Jesus in Matthew 6:33 and seek first God’s kingdom and His righteousness; believing that when we do we will see heaven come to earth!
PSALM 2
Why do the nations conspire and the peoples plot in vain? 2 The kings of the earth rise up and the rulers band together against the Lord and against his anointed, saying, 3 “Let us break their chains and throw off their shackles.”
4 The One enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord scoffs at them. 5 He rebukes them in his anger and terrifies them in his wrath, saying, 6 “I have installed my king on Zion, my holy mountain.” 7 I will proclaim the Lord’s decree: He said to me, “You are my son; today I have become your father. 8 Ask me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession. 9 You will break them with a rod of iron; you will dash them to pieces like pottery.”
10 Therefore, you kings, be wise; be warned, you rulers of the earth. 11 Serve the Lord with fear and celebrate his rule with trembling. 12 Kiss his son, or he will be angry and your way will lead to your destruction, for his wrath can flare up in a moment. Blessed are all who take refuge in him.”
OUR VISION
Matthew 22:37-40, “Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
LOVING GOD: We love God by worshiping Him in Spirit and in truth (John 4:23) and obeying His commands (John 14:15).
LOVING PEOPLE: We love people by helping them in their times of need (Luke 10:25-37) and preaching the gospel to them (Romans 1:16).
OUR STRATEGY
Acts 2:42-47, “42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.”
CONNECT: We connect with people at church (Acts 2:42) and at our life groups (Acts 2:46).
MENTOR: We mentor believers to be disciples in our 101 and 201 discipleship classes (Matthew 28:19-20).
SEND: We send out trained disciples to make new disciples in evangelism (Mark 16:15-20).
OUR GOAL
Psalm 2:8, “Ask me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession.”
100,000: We desire to make 100,000 disciples in Chicago.
50: To plant 50 churches in Chicago.
500: To plant 500 churches around the world.
