Sermon Notes 2/8/09

Today's text is taken from 1 Corinthians 9:16-23

We have been talking about Visioning these past few months here at Ojai UMC.

But, as we delve into Vision we need to be aware that for our Vision to become a reality, we need to filter it back through our Assets and the Needs of the Community.

This morning, we have the chance to look back at Paul, and be reminded of those two things - our assets, and the needs of the community.

Paul begins his message with one of his assets. He has the Spiritual Gift of Preaching. This is an amazing gift, and one for which he now has been compelled by God to go out and preach the Good News of Jesus Christ.

It is for this reason that we also begin with ourselves and our Spiritual Gifts, and why I am continuing to ask for your Spiritual Gifts Inventories.

In the second element of filtering Vision it needs to be in concert with the needs of the Community. Paul does an outstanding job of putting himself in concert with the community. As he says, "I became a Jew to the Jews." He became a clear part of the community.

I want us to think about how the three questions we are trying to ask people in our community help develop that relationship, and that awareness of the needs of the community, so that we can better shape our Vision for Ojai UMC.