Spirit Empowered Church Part 2: True To Our Purpose

Spirit Empowered Church

Part 2: True to our Purpose
Acts 2:42-47
Pastor Ray-ann Dela Fuente
August 9, 2026

Theme Verse:
“Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
Matthew 28:19-20 NLT

Introduction:
Welcome to another exciting Sunday here at the River of Faith! Today we are in week two of a new series I entitled "Spirit Empowered Church." In this series we are going to re-train ourselves of our Vision, Mission, and Purpose. August is our anniversary month and we are celebrating our 21st year anniversary. Today I want to speak to you about being true to our purpose.

Vision Statement:
A Spirit-empowered church committed to give the people of San Diego the best opportunity to come to Christ and be transformed by His amazing Love.

Mission Statement:
We are committed to invite people to COME to Christ.
We are committed to LIVE according to the Word of God.
We are committed to SHARE the Gospel to the whole world.

Purpose:
Worship, Fellowship, Discipleship, Evangelism, Ministry

To mature is a choice that every believer of Christ has to make for themselves. To mature and grow in the Lord takes devotion, commitment, and lots of self-discipline. A genuine follower of Christ submits himself to a life of learning and obedience. He is a person who does not only learn but also live a life that is according to the teaching of Christ. The body of the church has to be an on going process of discipleship. It is a group of people who are committed and intentional in growing in their faith and also teaching others to do the same.

“All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer. A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity — all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.”
Acts of the Apostles 2:42-47 NLT

Main Pointers:

1. A maturing church devotes themselves to a lifelong learning of the Scriptures.

A. Our purposes will always keep aligned and focused to keep on growing in our faith. The early church laid the foundation for us to follow. It was never about how big or small but how healthy a church is to grow in maturity.
B. “You already know these things, dear friends. So be on guard; then you will not be carried away by the errors of these wicked people and lose your own secure footing. Rather, you must grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. All glory to him, both now and forever! Amen.”
2 Peter 3:17-18 NLT

2. The church is called to do life together.

“And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. They worshiped
together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity—”
Acts of the Apostles 2:44-46 NLT

A. The purposes of the church revolves around two main premises. Loving God and loving people. That is what the purpose of the church is. Its never about programs, events, or buildings. It's about meeting together and doing life together.
B. “I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message. I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me.”
John 17:20-21 NLT

3. A healthy church takes care of a powerful and attractive testimony.

“They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity— all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.”
Acts of the Apostles 2:46-47 NLT

A. The early church lived out to their true purpose and they enjoyed the "goodwill"(established reputation) of all the people. A church that is true to its purpose don't get tied up with popularity or the crowd. It becomes a true vessel of God that attracts people to Christ.
B. “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.”
Matthew 5:14-16 NLT

Conclusion:
We must always remind ourselves of our purposes. Its easy to get tied up of what is popular nowadays or what is "trending" but nothing beats the foundation that the early church have already laid before us. You want to see how far churches have bought in to the popularity contest? God back to the early church foundations. That is the true purpose of the church.