"We dream of being a Christ-Centered, life transforming church where people of all nations and generations feel like they belong and are joyfully engaged in Kingdom work."

In the past two weeks, we looked at what we mean by being a “Christ-Centered church” and a “Life transforming church”. This week we want to focus on for whom (people of all nations and generations) and why (kingdom work) the church exists.

Ephesians 2:19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God.

"We dream of being a Christ-Centered, life transforming church where people of all nations and generations feel like they belong and are joyfully engaged in Kingdom work."

Last week we looked at what we mean by being a “Christ-Centered church” and this week we are going to look at the phrase “Life transforming church” and put some understanding and context around this so that we can live out the vision as individuals and together as a church community.

John 3:6 Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.

As we head into the New Year we are going to walk through our vision statement:

"We dream of being a Christ-Centered, life transforming church where people of all nations and generations feel like they belong and are joyfully engaged in Kingdom work."

Today we are going to look at what it means to be a Christ-Centered Church.

Matthew 7:18-20 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.

Sometimes it feels like we go through spiritual ups and downs. It is really easy to get discouraged with these cycles, be they personal cycles or national cycles but while God sometimes has to discipline his people, he does not give up on them. In the book of Isaiah, there is a chapter which the author gives a pep talk to a downtrodden nation and in the process gives some good advice for all of us to follow, particularly in our spiritual walk, but also life in general.

Isaiah 52:12 But you will not leave in haste or go in flight; for the LORD will go before you, the God of Israel will be your rear guard.