Matthew 4:1 - 11
At the beginning of his public ministry, Jesus encounters the devil and is tempted. Amongst the many things that the temptations represent, they are all temptations that lead Jesus, and us, to think of ourselves first, before we think of God, God's mission and God's people. Too often we fall into this temptation. We think about the importance of a large bank balance, buildings that are used for our comfort, activities and worship that is pleasing to us, only then thinking of others.
The corrective to this inward focus, can be found in John 21:15 - 19. In response to Peter's declarations of love for Jesus, Peter is commissioned to care for the people of God and to follow Jesus in his mission.
Our strategic map, seeks to plot a course for us to follow Jesus. We have prayed, reflected, met and discussed, and believe we have heard the direction that God is calling us to take. The time has now come for us to put our faith and obedience into action. The strategic map is a declaration that we are ready to move beyond ourselves and more intentionally move outward embracing the ministry of Jesus.
