Welcome to Vision Sunday 2025! Dr. Dave shared an inspiring message about the future of our church, emphasizing the importance of what we’re called to do. At Motor City Church, we have an overall vision to Know God, Find Freedom, Discover Our Purpose and Make a Difference. It is posted on our walls and repeated often and serves us by helping us measure how we’re doing.
We work to create an environment and opportunities for people to Know God at MCC. In just five years, we have seen incredible growth and transformation. From our new Troy location to our thriving Louisville location, God's hand has been evident in every step. Over 500 people have given their lives to Jesus this year alone, and nearly 100 have been baptized. If you have accepted Jesus for the first time or renewed your commitment for the first time in a long time, your next step is baptism. We will hold baptism on December 8th at MCC. First Peter 3:21 explains, “And that water is a picture of baptism, which now saves you, not by removing dirt from your body, but as a response to God from a clean conscience. It is effective because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.” Make up your mind right now to do what Jesus asked you to do, and that is to go public with your faith with water baptism.
Once we Know God, we still have to deal with our mind, will and emotions. We need to Find Freedom from the issues, habits, hangups, hurts, and mistakes that continually hold us back from our relationship with God and His best for our lives. Small groups give us a place to learn, pray, and support each other through the process of growth that we all need. If you can’t decide on a group, let me encourage you to go through the Freedom small group. It only takes one semester to go through this curriculum and is effective in closing the door on the things of the past and leading you to a life of freedom.
We also desire for you to Discover Your Purpose. We believe that design reveals your destiny. Psalm 139 shows us that our life is planned by God for something significant and meaningful. If you have not been through Belong class, please sign up! This will position you to discover the unique gifts and talents that God has put inside of you, and then help you find a place to live out that purpose and calling.
Making a difference is the result of Knowing God, Finding Freedom, and Discovering Purpose. When you’re living your God-given purpose and making a difference in other people’s lives, it will put wind in your sails. You can serve others at Motor City Church by joining the Dream Team. The Dream Team is composed of many teams who serve on Sundays as well as other days of the week to make everything happen for our church. There is room for you! As we serve the lives of others, we ourselves will be refreshed (Prov 11:25)!!
In Nehemiah we can learn a great perspective about rebuilding a broken nation. Walls are a symbol of traditions and Jerusalem’s were demolished. The people of Israel had been slaves for 70 years in Babylon. But, God was still in control then, as He is today. Instead of being in fear or complaining about those who are in authority, from the president down to your child’s Kindergarten teacher, take on the spirit of Nehemiah and fight for what is right, for your children, and for your values.
Some people think we have a problem in our nation and our world. But I would ask you to look at it from a different perspective. We have an opportunity to share God’s Word and equip our children and young people to live for God in a God-forsaken world. We have an opportunity to lead this generation to their God-given identity in a world that can’t even define who they are. We have an opportunity to love and pray for them and see their hearts healed from loneliness and depression. We have an opportunity to see them trained and empowered to change their world.
It’s not enough to show up to church. Living the abundant life requires becoming a real disciple. Jesus never told us to “believe and go to church.” In Matthew 28:19-20 He told us to “go and make disciples.” This means becoming students of the Word. You need to go through a process that goes beyond a worship service. Galatians 4:19 describes my heart for each of you. Paul told the Galatians that he was in “labor pains until Christ is fully developed in your lives”. We want this kind of Christianity in 2025.
Don’t wait. There are three things you can do to start now:
- Experience intimacy with Jesus. Clear out religious clutter and make a decision to put God first. This is how you live a happy and fulfilled life above the ordinary, giving God your first in everything. Change your life by changing something you do daily. Deuteronomy 14:23 says that the purpose of tithing is to teach us to always put God in first place in our life. When we do, He will bless the rest. A great way to start is to “Give Him 15”. Take fifteen minutes first thing each morning; five minutes to read the Word, five minutes to worship, and five minutes to pray. This will transform your relationship with God.
- Develop meaningful relationships. When isolation and mistrust are the norms, we have to forge meaningful, intergenerational relationships. Building meaningful relationships means being devoted to fellow believers that we want to be around and really to become family. Forge these beyond Sundays. Devote time and effort in getting to know one another. Invest in younger people and seek out mentorship from older people. You will be richer for it.
- Be salt and light. Engage people outside of yourself. Live differently than cultural norms. Research shows that one of the greatest ways to curb entitlement and self-centered tendencies in a world that really has become so self-absorbed is by engaging in some type of mission. We don’t have to go overseas to accomplish this although it’s a great application of this principle. Primarily, everywhere you go, show the love of God, and share the love of God.
Let's commit to living a God-first life, building meaningful relationships, and being salt and light to the world. This is our vision, a generation of disciples who don’t just survive, but thrive and make a difference in Jesus’ name. Come Alive and Thrive in 25!
