Written by Ryan Strydom
On Friday night and Saturday morning this past weekend, the Cornerstone Elders connected with the Deacons, Leaders, Potential Leaders, Workers etc. of Cornerstone to “invision” us for the new year and chat about the prophetic season the Elders feel we are entering – a season of sailing in the “trade winds” of all God has for us!
The two key words for the time are “vision and strategy”, two works that are often misunderstood. In our context, what is meant by vision and strategy is that this is the best estimation of what God is saying to us now, and what some of the resulting implications are.
“We are called to dream wild and dream big!!! God’s dream for us needs to scare us, otherwise it’s not God’s dream but ours!” says the InVision pamphlet which was handed to the leaders.
The key passages and points spoken about over the weekend were :
- Mark 6 – the feeding of the five thousand, with points made towards:
- a Gospel commissioning (vs 7 – 13);
- how we need to move from concern to compassion (vs 33 – 37);
- how proper administration is necessary (vs 39);
- how we need to step into the miraculous (vs 41 – 43); and,
- how we still need to have a focus on the Apostolic (vs 45).
- Joshua’s method of war – shouting to take a city (also see Rom 4:17, 20 – 22)
- Nehemiah being a man of prayer
- Isaiah 50 – 66 – it’s time to use the “trade winds” to plant new bases, nations and frontiers. We cannot remain trapped in the roaring forties or the doldrums!
- Revelation 1 – 3 – we need a revelation of Jesus and His counsel / care for the local church
- Acts 8 – evangelisation is key
- Acts 2 – community, congregation and devotion. Marcus preached about this yesterday morning and it’s key.
The moving into the trade winds needs to be kicked off with prayer, which is why we are having a prayer and fasting weekend this coming weekend. It’s going to be a powerful time. Listen to Marcus’ “A Call to Prayer Sermon” preached last week for more on why we view prayer as important.
Works and Faith
A key word for our time together was the correlation between works and faith. Some of us have great works but little faith, some of us have great faith and little works. No need for us to feel guilty, but we need to ask God to help us where we are lacking.
Ultimately, faith comes from God and empowers us to perform good works. Some of us may feel we are in the doldrums or the roaring forties in our own lives and having faith right now is difficult for us. But it is God who is working in us and performing His will in us (Phil 2:13; Hebrews 13:20). If we lack faith, let’s ask God, who will give us all good things!
What’s important never changes
As we move into the future it’s great to hear how the elders feel about what never changes and what can change. The Gospel will never change and Cornerstone will always preach the Gospel, no matter what’s going on. While meeting times, methods of serving, logistics, events and such things can change; and while our evangelism strategies should change, as well as anything that breaks down or works against the apostolic calling of Cornerstone – the Gospel and the message of the Gospel that Cornerstone will preach, teach, sing, write about, talk about and live in will never change. Jesus Christ will always remain the same and be the centre of Cornerstone’s life.
UPDATED:
Download Marcus’ message on the InVision Friday night
Download Marcus’ message on the InVision Saturday morning
Download the ‘Orientation’ sermon from Sunday morning
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