What is Your Vision?

Albert Einstein once defined insanity as "doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results."

The Kingdom of God, however, is based upon timeless, unchanging principles.  Our methods may change and evolve over time as the culture changes and evolves, but the message does not.  The purpose of the church does not.  In between the extremes of striving to remain relevant and staying in a rut, we must never lose sight of this. 

Think of Jesus' illustrations of the Kingdom of God as a field, of the Word of God as being seed, of Christians being farmers (Matthew 13).  There are seasons of dryness and stagnancy, and there are seasons of exponential growth; a time for sowing and a time for reaping.  2 Timothy 4:2 says that we are to "Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not."

The Three Primary Functions of the Church

1.       Exaltation - Worshiping and honoring God, individually and corporately.

2.       Edification - Encouraging and serving one another in love.

3.       Evangelism - Being His hands and feet to the world, preaching the gospel not just in words, but in our lifestyles, being ready to give an answer for the hope we have, also being willing to put our faith into practice as God leads.

Our Mission

The mission of Acres of Hope Christian Fellowship is to help people find Christ and grow in Him.

We do this by endeavoring to love God and to love others (Matthew 22:36-40), serving and ministering to them in Christian love (Matthew 25:34-40), and to obey the Great Commission.

Our Commission

“Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.  Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”  (Matthew 28:19-20)

Everything that we do as Christians and as a church should reflect these things.

·         Does it point to Christ?

·         Does it build the Kingdom?

·         Does it equip the saints?

·         Does it exist to serve others?

·         Does it manifest the love of God through Jesus Christ?

·         Have you prayed about it?

"Does it feel good/right?" - Proverbs 14:12 says, "There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death."

James 4:14-17 Look here, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we are going to a certain town and will stay there a year. We will do business there and make a profit.” How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone. What you ought to say is, “If the Lord wants us to, we will live and do this or that.” Otherwise you are boasting about your own plans, and all such boasting is evil.  Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it.

Psalm 127:1 Unless the LORD builds a house, the work of the builders is wasted.

So, is it the "same old same old?"

“A man came across three masons who were working at chipping chunks of granite from large blocks. The first seemed unhappy at his job, chipping away and frequently looking at his watch. When the man asked what it was that he was doing, the first mason responded, rather curtly, “I’m hammering this stupid rock, and I can’t wait ’til 5 when I can go home.”

”A second mason, seemingly more interested in his work, was hammering diligently and when asked what it was that he was doing, answered, “Well, I’m molding this block of rock so that it can be used with others to construct a wall. It’s not bad work, but I’ll sure be glad when it’s done.”

”A third mason was hammering at his block fervently, taking time to stand back and admire his work. He chipped off small pieces until he was satisfied that it was the best he could do. When he was questioned about his work he stopped, gazed skyward and proudly proclaimed, “I…am building a cathedral!”

“Three men, three different attitudes, all doing the same job.” ~ Author Unknown

"If you want to build a ship, don't drum up people to collect wood and don't assign them tasks and work, but rather teach them to long for the endless immensity of the sea." ~ Antoine de Saint-Exupery

What is God calling you to do?  What dreams has He placed on your heart?  What would you do for Him if you knew you could not fail?  What gifts has He given you?  Are you using them?  Are boldly and obediently stepping forward toward your calling?