THIS IS US | Part 1

- We live in a world where people are more connected than ever but often feel less connected than ever.

- You can have thousands of followers and nobody who really knows you.
- You can live in a neighborhood and not know your neighbors.
- You can work with people for years and never really know them.
- You can come to church every Sunday and still never really belong to a church.

- You come in. You park. You find your seat.
- You sing the songs. You hear the message.
- You say what’s up to some people. You go home.

And you can do that for months, or even years, and still never really understand:

Why does this church exist?
Where are we going?
What’s my part in it?

And maybe even more importantly:

Do I just go here, or do I belong here?

Because there’s a difference between attending somewhere and belonging somewhere.

God created you to belong. He didn’t just save you from something. He saved you into something.

When you gave your life to Jesus, you didn’t just get a Savior - you got a family.

A family with a mission.

- All of us are a part of the church of the Lord Jesus, the family of God.

- The term church in scripture doesn't just refer to the family of God.

- The Bible also uses the word church to talk about a specific assembly of believers that regularly worship together.

- God gives the vision for each church to the Pastor called to lead it.

- You are assigned by God to a Lead Pastor and to help carry out the vision God has given him for your church family.

- Our vision is for everyone we come in contact with to go on this journey...


1. KNOW GOD

- Christianity isn’t primarily about knowing about God. God wants people to know Him.

- Christianity isn’t God saying, "I want you to know information about Me." - It’s God saying, "I want you to KNOW ME."

- That is why FX exists. We want people to Know God.


2. FIND FREEDOM

- Jesus doesn’t just save you for heaven someday. He wants to bring freedom into your life now - freedom from whatever has been holding you back (past hurts, sinful habits, addictions).

- Life change happens in the context of relationships!


3. DISCOVER PURPOSE

- You were created on purpose, with purpose, for a purpose.

- Life doesn't make sense until you discover and live out your purpose.


4. MAKE A DIFFERENCE

- The best way to MAKE A DIFFERENCE is to help change someone's eternity.

- God gave you gifts not just for you but so that they can flow through you and MAKE A DIFFERENCE in this world.

- Our vision isn’t just to build a big church.

- Our vision is to build big people - people who know God, walk in freedom, know why they’re here, and use their lives to make a difference.

- Vision tells us WHERE we’re going. Values determine HOW we get there…

1. LOVE GOD

- Before ministry, serving, success, attendance or giving - we love God.


2. LOVE PEOPLE

- At FX we love people and we act like it!


3. PURSUE EXCELLENCE

- Excellence is giving God the best we have with what He’s put in our hands. That applies to worship, kids, parking, facilities, communication, leadership, the marketplace: everything.


4. CHOOSE JOY

- Joy is the attitude we choose because of what God has done (& is doing) for us!

- Everyday, we choose Joy!

- Take your Next Step closer to God.

- If God has planted you here, don’t just attend here. Don’t just watch what God is doing through this church.

- Become part of what God is doing through this church.

- Some of you have been dating FX long enough. It’s time to make it official!

The goal isn’t: “I go to FX.”It’s: “I am FX.”