Liberty Church in O'Fallon, Missouri

Main Scripture passage: Acts 15:32-16:10 Christ gave his apostles the vision for the church two thousand years ago: to make disciples and build them up in the faith. This is the same vision the church has today. And while each local church holds this same vision, not each church has the same means of accomplishing it. The means of accomplishing this goal are different for each church. So the question, "What is the vision for Liberty," really boils down to "What are the means of better accomplishing this vision?" To answer that question, we must examine the ministries we do, and we must realize that there will be certain aspects of accomplishing the vision that will change: certain ministries will need to be changed; others removed; others added. Getting started, the first thing we need is a plan--a long term plan. And we must ensure that this plan is God's plan, not simply ours, and we must be willing to adjust it according to God's sovereign plan. As we plan long term there are a few key areas we must look at with the vision of advancing the kingdom. These areas are foundational as we ensure that Liberty is doing the work the Lord has called us to do. First and foremost, we need to meet the needs of the people--the people inside the body and the people outside the body. There are two ways of doing this: (1), you see a need and then you meet it, and (2) you plan to meet a need you soon anticipate. But to meet these needs, we must have workers! For Liberty, this means more elders, more deacons, and just more workers in general for the various ministries we have. To meet these needs we have various ministries at Liberty--inward ministries and outward ministries. In the context of meeting the needs of the people, we must ask ourselves a few questions. The first is, "How can we make our current ministries even better?" The second is, "Are there other ministries we aren't currently doing that we should be doing?" To conclude, the keys to 2011 are: meeting the needs of the people, making a continued effort on preaching the gospel, a re-examination of our ministries to ensure they are meeting the needs of this church and meeting the needs of the community, and finally, a continued focus on training the people that are already here so they can start serving or better serve. Liberty Church

Main Scripture passage: Luke 1:46-55 Our God is a God of mercy. His mercy is free, full, and forever. And the greatest demonstration of God's mercy or compassion consists in the birth of His Son Jesus Christ. Liberty Church

"Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!" (2 Cor. 9:15) Main Scripture passage: 2 Corinthians 9 Liberty Church

Main Scripture passage: James 3:13-18 Wisdom in the Scriptures requires the new birth, because the natural man cannot see spiritual truths unless the spirit of God is in him. Spiritual truths can only be perceived by those who have the Spirit. And so once the heart and mind have been enlightened by God's Spirit--once the individual has been born again--the new man should be growing in grace, knowledge, and wisdom. Liberty Church

Main Scripture passage: Matthew 5:3-12 "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you" (Matthew 5:10-12). Liberty Church

Liberty Church

Main Scripture passage: 1 Timothy 2:1-7 Liberty Church

Main Scripture passage: 1 Timothy 2:1-7 Liberty Church

Main Scripture passage: 2 Corinthians 5:17-21 The passage here in 2 Corinthians 5 displays two things, among others: (1) the need for reconciliation, and (2) the means of reconciliation. Liberty Church

Main Scripture passage: James 3:1-12 Liberty Church