FAHOW Vision 2015-2016

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)