A Commissioned Vision
God's plan for God's church
A Commissioned Vision, Appendix B
February 25, 2024 • Derek Hogg • Ephesians 4:11–16
In this final message concerning the vision of FBCAC, we consider Paul's words in Ephesians 4 as he paints a thorough picture of the church. Specifically, how the church is a body consisting of different members with different spiritual gifts, all of whom play a part in attaining spiritual maturity and growing into the likeness of Jesus Christ. As the church begins to grow and mature through the practice and development of spiritual gifts, we build each other up in love, and the church as a result thrives.
A Commissioned Vision, Appendix A
February 18, 2024 • Pastor Jeremy Dente • Romans 12:4–6, Galatians 3:26–28, Ephesians 4:4–6, 1 Corinthians 12
In the first of two appendices to our series "A Commissioned Vision", we will examine Paul's teaching on the spiritual gift in 1 Corinthians 12. Here we discover the different characteristics of the gifts that will help us understand how they empower us to walk in the vision of the church. First, we learn about the theology of the gifts, and how they are rooted in the very identity of the triune godhead - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We will also learn about the nature of the gifts; that they are manifestations of the Holy Spirit and are intended to be used to edify and build up the body of Christ. Thirdly, we briefly discover the variety of the gifts, many of which, but not all, are mentioned in this passage. (We have provided a resource on our church app for further study of this topic.) And lastly, we discover the power and the beauty of unity that comes through the presence and activity of the gifts. Spiritual gifts remind us that no one is unimportant or insignificant to the body, and all members need one another in order for the body to function properly and effectively as a whole.
A Commissioned Vision, Pt. 6
February 11, 2024 • Pastor Jeremy Dente • Matthew 13:24–50
In the final examination of our vision statement, we come to big picture idea of building God's kingdom here in Angels Camp, CA and beyond. The call on the lives all Christians to walk obedient into the Great Commission is important to remember as we partner with Jesus, through the power of the Holy Spirit, to help build God's already-but-yet-kingdom here on earth! Certainly, this is affected by how we see the kingdom, the roles we play within that kingdom, and how our view of the last days will shape how we participate in kingdom activity today. In this message, we examine Jesus's parables in Matthew 13, in which he offers three parables about the corruption of the kingdom, and three parables about the blessings and value of the kingdom. In each parable, we learn about certain characteristics of the kingdom that should invoke certain responses and responsibilities in the lives of Christians as we partner with Christ to build his kingdom.
A Commissioned Vision, Pt. 5
February 4, 2024 • Pastor Jeremy Dente • Ephesians 4:1–4, Philippians 1:27
In part 5 of our series, we examine the necessity of unity within the body of Christ through Paul's words in Ephesians 4:1-5 and Philippians 1:27, both of which offer us a picture of behaving in certain ways that are fitting for followers of Jesus and citizens of heaven. We must exhibit certain attitudes of unity, including humility, gentleness, and patience. These attitudes will lay the foundation for certain behaviors of unity, mainly bearing with one another in love and eagerly maintaining unity in the body of Christ. And in the end, this will require certain commitments on the part of all in the church, including standing firm in the faith, and striving together as we fight a common enemy who seeks to bring division in the church.
A Commissioned Vision, Pt. 4
January 28, 2024 • Pastor Jeremy Dente • James 1:21–27, James 2
The relationship between faith and works has been debated about within the church for as long as it has existed, and misinterpretations and misunderstandings of that relationship have potentially led millions astray and away from the true gospel of Jesus Christ. The Bible and its various authors, particularly in the New Testament, are unanimous on this subject - we are justified through faith alone, by grace alone, in Christ alone, to the glory of God alone. And yet, we are often justified before men by our faith being worked out in practical application. This is why the apostle James can comfortably say - faith without works is dead (James 2:26). A faith that doesn't work is a faith that is dead, and that kind of faith cannot save. So as visible hands and feet of Jesus, we must put our faith to work, by meeting the spiritual, material, and relational needs.
A Commissioned Vision, Pt. 3
January 21, 2024 • Derek Hogg • Philippians 2:3–8
In part 3 of our series, "A Commissioned Vision", we consider the life and ministry of Jesus and how he came not to be served, but to serve. In being like Jesus, who was often moved with great compassion when looking upon the crowds, we can be the visible hands and feet of Jesus as we serve others in the church and in the community.
A Commissioned Vision, Pt. 2
January 14, 2024 • Pastor Jeremy Dente • Acts 2
In part of our series, we examine and clarify what we mean, and what the Scriptures describe, by a fully invested people. To be sure, this begins with a biblical view of church membership. And it continues from there as we examine the description of the early church in Acts 2. From this powerful description of the early church, we see that a fully invested church is one that is invested and devoted to corporate worship, to divine reverence, to unity, to biblical financial stewardship, and to intimate relationships within the church.
A Commissioned Vision, Pt. 1
January 7, 2024 • Pastor Jeremy Dente • Acts 1:3–8, Psalm 16:11, Romans 10:14–16, Philippians 2:9–11, Matthew 28:16–20
In part one of a series focused on the new vision that God has for FBCAC, we consider the mission for all Christians for all time - the Great Commission of Matthew 28, and how those marching orders given to the church by Jesus Christ himself help shape any and all visions that God may give to individual, local expressions of the body of Christ. And because Christ has been given all authority, we go in and through his authority, we go with the responsibility to evangelize and disciple, and we go in the very presence of Jesus Christ!