Welcome,
We’re delighted you’ve chosen to dig more deeply into the Scriptures and consider what God has for you through this sermon.
These sermon practices are ideally intended to be discussed with others, so find a friend, family member, or roommate to join you. If you haven’t yet joined a life group yet, check out our groups page or stop at the Welcome Center for more info.
Exploring Scripture: Called to Bring Light
Read the words of Jesus from John 8:12 out loud, then discuss them.
“When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me, will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.“
- What does that mean that Jesus is the “light of the world?”
- What does it mean to “walk in darkness?”
- What do you think it means for us to have the “light of life?”
Keep these thoughts in mind as we take a flight over several chapters in Matthew’s gospel. Matthew 5 is the beginning of Jesus’ teaching famously known as “the sermon on the mount.” It starts with several blessings, called “the beatitudes,“ then flows into a statement to disciples: “you are the light of the world!”
14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."
- Matthew 5:14-16
Chapters 5, 6 & 7 of Matthews’ Gospel, walk us through the rest of this monumental sermon. When the teaching was concluded, Matthew 8:1 says, “[Jesus] came down from the mountain side [and] large crowds followed him.” He transitioned from a time of teaching into a time of travel and ministry.
Chapters 8 & 9 show Jesus healing many people in many places during his travels. Matthew 9:35–38 gives us a summary of the experience:
35 Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. 38 Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”
- Matthew 9:35–38
- How do you think these acts of healing are connected to God’s light coming into the world?
- Discuss also how the passage in Matthew 9 relates back to Matthew 5, where Jesus says, “you are the light of the world.”
Reflection: Being a Light
Where has God called you to bring his light into the dark world?
Consider spaces both within your family and outside of your family.
- How does God most commonly bring his light through you to others?
- What do you experience when he does this?
- How does it impact your relationship with God?
Where has God called Vancouver Church to bring His light into the dark world?
Our community is led first and foremost by our mission statement: “We seek to become an authentic biblical community effectively reaching out to our churchless neighbors with empathy, grace and truth so they can experience a whole new life with Jesus and like Jesus, more every day.”
Keeping that mission statement at the heart of things, we believe God has called us to zero in on a few specific initiatives: “Reach the Next Generations, Serve the Most Vulnerable, and Multiply Churches.” We call this our Vision Statement.
As many of you know, our closest neighbor and partner, King’s Way Christian School, has expressed interest in purchasing property that they have previously been renting from us. After much prayer and careful consideration, we have reason to believe the sale could empower both organizations to more effectively pursue our respective missions. It is only one step towards fulfilling our role as a light to our world, but it is a large one. One that we don’t want to take lightly.
Seeking His Direction
As part of Vancouver Church, we’re hoping you will be praying for the property sale process. Our leadership & board are recommending the sale, but that doesn’t mean we’re done seeking God’s direction. At this stage, we're asking for God's affirmation if it is His direction; and we’re asking for his redirection if he would have us pursue this differently. If you feel so inclined, we also encourage you to join us in setting aside one day per week through the month of February to fast as a dedicated reminder to pray for this decision.
Additionally, if Vancouver Church is your home church, we ask you also to participate in one of our four information meetings that will be hosted over the next month so you may understand the details and cast an informed vote on the recommendation.
Wrapping Up
In addition to any prayer requests, we ask that you pray this prayer along with us:
Lord, our greatest desires to bring pleasure to you and to draw attention to your love and greatness we submit this whole process of property sales to you. Our pastoral leadership and oversight board are recommending the sale of properties, and we are asking that you will give your guidance as we submit this recommendation to you. If it's what you want, it’s what we want. If there's something that we're missing, redirect us. You’ve said if anyone lacks wisdom that you will give it generously and without favoritism, so we are asking for wisdom, and if wisdom will be insufficient, give us revelation that exceeds our wisdom. We recognize that every resource is a gift from you. So, we present these properties to you and ask for your divine leadership in this decision. Lord, we ask that you make it clear throughout the entire body of Vancouver Church. We pray this all in Jesus' name.