Preached by Pastor Jeff Williams 16th July 2007

Can you imagine what God has planned for us, individually but also as a church?

This month starts an exciting phase in the life of our church.

How much time do you spend thinking about your future?

I want to help us paint a picture of our future!!

Ephesians 3:20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.

1Corinthians 2:9 (New Living Translation) 9 That is what the Scriptures mean when they say, "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him."

• Can you imagine – the boy and the disciples with 5 loaves and 2 fishes, about to witness a miracle.
• Can you imagine – Gideon and his army being reduced from3000 to 300 men,what was going through the soliders minds.
• Can you imagine – the paralyzed man and people standing around when Jesus said take up your mat and walk.
• Can you imagine – when Paul first begins to preach, the response  of the Christians – do you want to come to a meeting with Paul (Saul), the persecutor of the Christians?
• Can you imagine the woman with the jar of oil, and filling one jar after another until each of the containers she had found was filled.
• Can you imagine the crowd standing outside a dead young girls house, and the funeral music is playing, Jesus arrives and says she’s not dead just sleeping. Jesus goes into her room and raises her from the dead.

God has called His church to be the salt and light in the world.

Matthew 5:13 (The Message) 13"Let me tell you why you are here. You're here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth. If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness?

Can you imagine Metro being the salt and light in our community?

What would that look like?

• Imagine our local community who knew we existed because of the good works we do, not just a sign on a building.
• Imagine people in our community turning to us, their local church when they are in need.
• Imagine cell groups in some of the new apartments at southbank.
• 4magine a local community that says we need this church!
• Imagine our local community and people’s lives the richer and better because we are here.

Ephesians 2:10 For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Matthew 5:16 (New International Version)16In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

Matthew 5:16 (The Message)14-16"Here's another way to put it: You're here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We're going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don't think I'm going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I'm putting you on a light stand. Now that I've put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you'll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.

Let me introduce you to Phase 1 of Imagine

• Influencing our local primary school
• Hosting special morning tea for World Teacher’s Day  Oct 27
• Mini makeover Dutton Park Primary
• Christmas Gifts for Re students Welcome to school packs for Year 1 students 
• Blessing the patients @ Wolston Park Mental Hospital this Christmas
• Metro South Community Church Monthly Family Fun Days – Tarragindi
• South Bank apartments – distribute info CD’s  

Be sure to fill out an imagine faith gift form this coming Sunday, to help facilitate the above projects. We will also be seeking people to help by being involved in numbers of these projects.