Matthew 16:18
18 And I say
also unto thee, that thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell
shall not prevail against it.
The word translated church is the word “Ekklesia: from ek, ‘out of,’ and klesis, ‘a calling’ (kaleo, ‘to call.” This word had been in use for approximately 500 years
by the time of Christ. It was the principal assembly of the government in
Athens, Greece, open to all male citizens over the age of 18. An ekklesia was
comprised of a quorum of up to 6,000 citizens.
-
They were responsible
for declaring war, military strategy, electing strategoi (military generals) and other officials,
including archons (chief magistrates of the city-state).
-
Voted on decrees,
treaties and law proposals. Typically met 3-4 times a month.
The ekklesia was by definition a governmental assembly.
I.
FAHOW CORE VALUES.
1.
We value Passion
for God and Compassion for people as
the motives upon which we operate.
Matthew 22:37-39.
37 Jesus said
to him, ‘You shall love the Lord
your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38 This
is the first and great commandment.
2.
We value Personal
Freedom (Deliverance).
Luke 4:17-19
18 The Spirit
of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the
poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the
captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are
bruised, 19 to preach the acceptable year of the Lord
- Healing, Deliverance, God
Encounters
3. We
value prayer.
(Isaiah
56:7; Matt 21:13) since, “except the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain
that build it” (Psalm 127:1).
Isaiah 56:7
“ …For mine house shall be called an house of prayer for
all people.”
4.
We value purity and holiness, but true holiness
resulting from intimacy with God and a passionate pursuit of His presence.
Psalm 29:2
2 Give unto the Lord
the glory due to His name; Worship the
Lord in the beauty of holiness.
2 Corinthians 7:1
Therefore,
having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of
the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
5.
We value Humility
and Servant Leadership as the model
by which we serve God’s people.
1 Peter 5:5
5 Likewise
you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be
submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for “God resists the proud, but gives
grace to the humble.”
6.
We value the Word of God and sound practical teaching of the scriptures.
Hosea 4:6
“…My people are
destroyed for lack of knowledge.”
Psalm 119:105.
“Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.”
7.
We value training our children and youth to be radical
Disciples of Christ.
Deuteronomy 6:6-7.
6 “And these words which I command
you today shall be in your heart. 7 You shall teach them
diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house,
when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.
8.
We value order and excellence as the wineskin through
which God will release His Spirit.
Daniel 6:3
3 Then this Daniel distinguished
himself above the governors and satraps, because an excellent spirit was in
him; and the king gave thought to setting him over the whole realm.
II.
FAHOW VISION.
Proverbs 29:18
Where there is no vision, the people perish: but
he that keepeth the
law, happy is he.
1. Cast
off restraint.
Proverbs 29:18
2.
Time is not maximized. (Teach us….Psalms
90:12; Redeem time Ephesians 5:16)
3.
Resources are not maximized or wasted Ex. Personal
finances (No savings, no future etc.)
4.
Loss of Momentum and motivation.
5. Frustration
and feelings inadequacy.
6. Exalt
the Lord (House of Worship) It’s All About Him.
Isaiah 6:1
In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord
sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, and the train of His robe filled the
temple.
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOU??
·
We want you to meet God.
·
Want you to know God.
·
Radically committed to God.
·
Spiritually fulfilled.
·
Walking in 100% obedience.
·
Fulfill your destiny.
·
Impact the Planet for the Lord.
7.
Extend the Kingdom (House
of Missions) Touch the World.
Acts 1:8
But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon
you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and
in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOU??
·
Reward in Heaven.
·
Joy of Impact.
·
Global Prospective.
8.
Empower
the
People (House of Mercy) Transform the Community.
Proverbs
19:17
17He who has
pity on the poor lends to the Lord, And He will
pay back what he has given.
III.
FAHOW IDENTITY. (What Kind of Church are we?)
1.
Jesus Church.
2.
Family Church.
3.
Embrace the Gifts of the Spirit.
4.
Loving Church.
5.
Praying Church.
6.
Equipping Church.
7.
Community Church.
8.
Soul Winning Church.
IV.
WHAT WE EXPECT OF YOU.
1.
To protect the unity of the church.
A. Acting in love toward other members. (1 Peter 1:22)
B. Refusing to gossip. (Romans 14:19; Ephesians 4:29)
C. Following the leadership. (Hebrews 13:17)
2.
I will share in the
responsibility of my church.
A. Praying for its growth. (1 Thessalonians 1:1-2)
B. Inviting people to attend. (Luke 14:23)
C. Warmly welcoming those who visit. (Romans 15:7)
3.
I will support the testimony
of my church by.
A. Attending church faithfully. (Hebrews 10:25)
B. Living a Godly life. (Philippians 1:27)
C. Giving regularly. (1 Corinthians 16:2; Leviticus 27:30)