Happy Birthday to us

Happy Birthday

to us

Jesus’ mission: our mission

Luke 4: 14 - 2114 Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread through the whole countryside. 15 He was teaching in their synagogues, and everyone praised him.16 He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. He stood up to read, 17 and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written:

‘The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor.He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind,to set the oppressed free,  to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour.20 Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him. 21 He began by saying to them, ‘Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.’

News about him spread… v14Jesus teaching in the synagogues.And then there’s this moment.The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him. v20And then today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing. v21Jesus explains exactly what God had called him to do.

Anniversary Sunday…Our chance to celebrate!But also to take stock and reflect.

Why did you first come to West Suffolk Vineyard? Why does Jesus draw us?Because we have a need:•For forgiveness •For healing•For friendship•For help •For purpose and meaningWe find the things that Jesus outlined.Hope restored, life redeemed, healing found.

And then there’s a moment..We’re not new any more.

What am I getting out of this?A spiritual shift happens in us. A critical moment for us.God wants to go much deeper with us.God is calling us to something much bigger.

He puts a vision in us bigger than ourselves.He asks us to change the spiritual landscape.He calls us to tell the world God loves you.He calls us to tellour town God loves you.

• bring good news to the poor• set the prisoners free• bring sight to the blind• release the oppressed• let people know about

 God’s favour.

Jesus is still on a 

mission 

We are called to change the spiritual landscape.There’s a lot about us that isn’t perfect.God calls us to bemore than we are.

How can we broken, busy, often faithless people make a difference?How can this rag tag, donut eating church make a difference?

Jesus is just back from the wilderness.What was his temptation? To alter his ministry.

3:22 the holy spirit descended4:1 full of the holy spirit4:14 in the power of the spirit4:18 the spirit of the Lord is on me

He’d stuck close to the Father.Clear vision of what he was called to do.

What does that mean for our church?That we would we be clear in our vision.Changing hearts; changing lives; changing the world.And stick close to Jesus.So that we can grow to bemore than we are.Two invitations:

Jesus’ invitation to build:A more authentic, accepting, loving community.A more passionate worshipping community seeking God in spirit and truth.A more healthy and healing community findingfreedom though Jesus.

We do this only one way:a close & vibrant

relationship with Jesus.

Jesus’ invitation to give away:We have a powerful message.God loves you. We have a powerful invitation.Come as you are.

Let’s not pretend we’resomething we’re not!We’re not perfect – but we do know someone that is. Jesus

The invitations are in our hands…

To draw nearerTo give away

Our next series:Invitation to a changed life