avatar

One-Offs: A Planting of the Lord

Radiant Church Visalia
Radiant Church Visalia
Episode • Aug 16, 2015 • 35m

Scripture References: Isaiah 61, 1 Peter 2, Genesis 3, Revelation 22

Intro:

  • Welcome and introduction of Mike, returning from a year of church planting training in St. Louis.
  • Announcement of Radiant Church's church plant in Sacramento, and Mike and Katie's involvement.
  • Express gratitude for the support received from Radiant Church during their time away.
  • Sharing personal connection to Isaiah 61, and its significance as Jesus' "life verse."
  • Highlight the relevance of Isaiah 61 to the topic of growth, and its timeliness for the church.
  • Acknowledge the church's lack of numerical growth in the past year, and address potential concerns.

Key Points:

  • The Need for the Gospel (Good News):
    • Isaiah 61 highlights the need for the "gospel," or good news.
    • Humans naturally crave good news due to the prevalence of bad news.
    • The historical context of Isaiah's writing: God's people facing division, captivity, and idolatry.
    • The effects of the curse from Genesis 3, and its ongoing impact on our lives.
  • The Effect of the Gospel:
    • The gospel brings healing, freedom, and restoration.
    • It's an exchange: our mess for God's perfection.
    • The gospel transforms us into "oaks of righteousness" that glorify God.
    • The significance of trees in the Bible, from the Garden of Eden to the New Jerusalem.
    • The cross of Calvary, and how that tree makes us into oaks of righteousness.
  • The Ongoing Fruit of the Gospel:
    • Isaiah 61:4 speaks of rebuilding and repairing what was destroyed.
    • Our destiny is to participate in God's work of redemption.
    • The gospel empowers us to plant more "oaks of righteousness."
    • Discipleship is the ongoing work of gospel flourishing.
    • The gospel grows people, and glorifies God.
  • A Call to Continue in Gospel Flourishing:
    • Encouragement to persevere in discipleship, despite challenges.
    • Emphasis on the grace-filled nature of this work.
    • Addressing the potential for the church to "look smaller" as it plants new churches.
    • Gods work is not our work, it is his work.

Conclusion:

  • Reiterate the importance of responding to God's presence and word.
  • Highlight the dual responses: signing up for discipleship and receiving prayer.
  • Emphasize the invitation for everyone to participate in God's story.
  • The gospel is free, and freeing.

Call to Action:

  • Sign up for parties and packs, and commit to discipleship.
  • Receive prayer for healing, brokenness, or spiritual needs.
  • Invite those who don't know Jesus to experience the gospel.
  • Embrace the journey of becoming "oaks of righteousness."
  • Respond to the presence of God.

Support the show

*Summaries and transcripts are generated using AI.
Please notify us if you find any errors.