A VISION WITH PURPOSE

This morning I'm going to continue with the series of sermons that I began a few weeks ago on the goals and vision of our church.

(Everyone Read) Proverbs 29:18 Where there is no vision, the people perish... (KJV)

I believe that where there is no vision, people leave for another parish!

Nothing can discourage people or a church more than not knowing where it's going or why it exists. That's why it's important that we understand why we do what we do.

When you have a vision without any action it's nothing more than a daydream, but when you have action without a vision you have a nightmare.

If you looked up the word "drive" in the dictionary you would find this definition. "To guide, control or direct." If you drive a car it means that you guide, control or direct it down the street. If you drive a nail into some wood, it means that you guide, control or direct it into wood. If you drive a golf ball, hopefully it means that you will guide, control or direct it down the fairway.

Every church is driven by some force.  Some are driven by TRADITION

Do you know any churches like that? Their favorite statement is, "We've never done it that way." Those are the seven last words of a church that is driven by tradition.

Other churches are driven by PERSONALITIES

Sometimes the pastor becomes the driving force of a church. Or it could be a key lay person in the church. The problem with that is when that person leaves, the church dies.

Some churches are driven by FINANCES

You know when a church is driven by finances because they are always asking, "How much will it cost?" That's not what the church is all about. We don't build a church to make a profit.

Other churches are driven by BUILDINGS

Winston Churchill once said, "We shape our buildings and then our buildings shape us." The shoe tells the foot how big it can get. It's like the tail wagging the dog. Often times it is the mortgage payment for a church building that ends up driving the church.

Still other churches are driven by PROGRAMS

This can include things like the music program, the Sunday School program, the men's or ladies program, or even the small group program.

Then again some churches are driven by EVENTS

Sometimes churches do things just to keep people busy. There are things going on every night, one event after another.

But God’s churches should be driven by GOD'S PURPOSES

This morning I’d like us to look at six reasons why is it important that we follow God's purposes?