2015 THE YEAR OF THE DREAM
‘In the last days, God says, I would pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams.’ Acts 2:17
1. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil. Therefore, let us leave the elementary teachings of Christ and go on to maturity. Hebrews 5:14-6:1 Our first goal is to call every disciple to refocus on their relationship with God thus experiencing new heights of faith and deeds. Twice this year we will teach the First Principles Classes with the goal of each member knowing these valuable studies.
2. Make every effort to add to your faith…For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive…2 Peter 1:5-8. In the last year the Orlando church has sacrificed greatly by sending out 30 of our most well-trained disciples to plant two new churches. Our goal to have over 100 additions will necessitate all of us “making every effort” to become more effective in our discipling and therefore dramatically increase our number of Bible Talk leaders. This will multiply disciples. Our prayer goal is to have a record attendance at our January 25th Bring Your Neighbor Day!
3. “I myself will gather the remnant of my flock out of all the countries where I have driven them and will bring them back to their pasture, where they will be fruitful and increase in number”. Jeremiah 23:3. In the last two years several amazing remnant (veteran) disciples joined the congregation and some are new to the movement. Of note are: Dennis & Kathi Bell of Gainesville, Curtis White, Nancy Naranjo, Jorge Flores, John Lawrence and others. Let us pray that even more remnant disciples join us in 2015!
4. It is He whom we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone in all wisdom, so that we may present everyone mature in Christ. For this I toil and struggle with all the energy that He powerfully inspires within me. Colossians 1:28-29. With the sending out of so many mature and fruitful disciples this past year, it is not surprise that 64% of the OICC membership is composed of new Christians, restorations or place memberships. Subsequently, we have a tremendous opportunity to bring them to maturity in Christ. We will continue to mature these new members through the Follow- Up Studies, New Christian Orientations, one on one discipleship, Discipleship groups, Spiritual Strengthening Groups and prayerfully our new CR ministry.
5. You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. 2 Corinthians 9:11. God has blessed the radical sacrifice and love in both our weekly and special contributions continually since 2012. Since we are raising up even more full-time leaders and the mature disciple understands that with more full-time leaders come more souls baptized into Christ and more needs are met. Therefore our financial goals this year are to generously increase our pledges to $5000/week by year end and to give a 25X Special Contribution on June 14th.
6. But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to Heaven, but he beat his breast and said, ‘God have MERCY on me, a sinner’. Luke 18:13. To be mature is to be humble and to look to the needs and interests of others besides yourself. The benevolent arm of the Sold-Out Movement is MERCYworldwide. This year the OICC will once again participate in our movement’s global events; the Day of MERCY June 13, the MERCY Toy Drive December 13 and a national Blood Drive September 19th. We will also continue to seek the needs of our communities and establish long term relationships to serve.
7. We live by faith, not by sight…so we make it our goal to please Him… 2 Corinthians 5:7-9. The mature disciple is constantly striving to “live by faith and not by sight” so he is willing to leave his comfort zone to do anything, go anywhere and give up everything to evangelize the nations in generation. This year many will be attending February’s Central and South American Missions Conference in Santiago, Chile, the African Missions Conference in Abidjan in June, the November European Missions Conference in London or the Russian Commonwealth Missions Conference also in the month of November. In addition, we are striving to have over 50% of our congregation attend the Global Leadership Conference in August in LA.
8. Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church…forever and ever! Amen! Ephesians 3:20-21. Our last challenge that will help every OICC member to mature is to have at least one personal prayer goal that is “immeasurably more than anything we imagine”. This may include being on a mission team, being selected for the ICCM, becoming a BT Leader, being selected as a Shepherding or Deacon Couple, or even the conversion or restoration of someone close to you. Let’s dream!
In all cultures, the beginning of a new year brings hope and resolutions yet since the world lacks the Spirit’s power to transform, so many of these resolutions quickly fade. However, the mature disciple continues to “press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus” Philippians 3:14. This is our theme scripture for our New Year’s Winter Workshop. Let us press on with all our hearts to a fantastic year for the Lord in 2015!
He stoops down to make us great, Matt Sullivan
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