Spirit Empowered Church Part 3: I Am Intentional

Spirit Empowered Church

Part 3: I Am Intentional
Hebrews 6:1-3
Pastor Ray-Ann Dela Fuente
August 16, 2026

Theme Verse:
"Therefore, go and make disciples of all 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 three of our 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 intentional.

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 One of the greatest words our Lord Jesus Christ was the phrase "Come and follow Me". The response of the twelve guys He asked later changed the whole world. It all started with the word "come", a powerful invitation, but it does not end there, He then said "follow me". The same with the original twelve disciples, our walk with Jesus started with an invitation but the goal is to grow and mature in our knowledge and obedience to the Lord.

“So let us stop going over the basic teachings about Christ again and again. Let us go on instead and become mature in our understanding. Surely we don’t need to start again with the fundamental importance of repenting from evil deeds and placing our faith in God. You don’t need further instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. And so, God willing, we will move forward to further understanding.”
Hebrews 6:1-3 NLT

Main Pointers:

1. No one stays exactly where they are unless they choose to.

A. This principle is simple and true. To follow Jesus to is to be intentional in pursuing a life that follows and obeys His Word. The emphasis here from the author of Hebrews was the need to progress and not get stuck with elementary teachings.
B. "Dear brothers and sisters, when I was with you I couldn’t talk to you as I would to spiritual people. I had to talk as though you belonged to this world or as though you were infants in Christ. I had to feed you with milk, not with solid food, because you weren’t ready for anything stronger. And you still aren’t ready, for you are still controlled by your sinful nature. You are jealous of one another and quarrel with each other. Doesn’t that prove you are controlled by your sinful nature? Aren’t you living like people of the world?”
1 Corinthians 3:1-3 NLT

2. Jesus will call you from "come and follow me" to "come and be a part of me."

“Many of his disciples said, “This is very hard to understand. How can anyone accept it?” Jesu was aware that his disciples were complaining, so he said to them, “Does this offend you? Then what will you think if you see the Son of Man ascend to heaven again? The Spirit alone gives eternal life. Human effort accomplishes nothing. And the very words I have spoken to you are spirit and life. But some of you do not believe me.” (For Jesus knew from the beginning which ones didn’t believe, and he knew who would betray him.) Then he said, “That is why I said that people can’t come to me unless the Father gives them to me.” At this point many of his disciples turned away and deserted him. Then Jesus turned to the Twelve and asked, “Are you also going to leave?”
John 6:60-67 NLT

A. A crowd is never what Jesus looks for. Jesus is looking for true disciples. At one point 5,000 people were following him but when He talked about how to become part of Him they all left.

B. “So Jesus said again, “I tell you the truth, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you cannot have eternal life within you. But anyone who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise that person at the last day. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. Anyone who eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in him.”
John 6:53-56 NLT

3. Be intentional with the goal in mind to reach maturity in Christ.

“Timothy, my dear son, be strong through the grace that God gives you in Christ Jesus. You have heard me teach things that have been confirmed by many reliable witnesses. Now each these truths to other trustworthy people who will be able to pass them on to others. Endure suffering along with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. Soldiers don’t get tied up in the affairs of civilian life, for then they cannot please the officer who enlisted them. And athletes cannot win the prize unless they follow the rules. And hardworking farmers should be the first to enjoy the fruit of their labor. Think about what I am saying. The Lord will help you understand all these things.”
2 Timothy 2:1-7 NLT

A. Well pastor what does maturity in Christ look like? Well let's examine this verse. There were three crucial stages that Paul mentioned here. First was being the student "you've heard me teach..." Secondly, now being the teacher "teach these truths" and lastly, is good stewardship "find trustworthy people who will pass it on to others..."
B. “And you should imitate me, just as I imitate Christ.”
1 Corinthians 11:1 NLT

Conclusion:
Intentionality is what lacking many Christians today. Sadly everything has become about convenience and comfort. Following Christ is not comfortable nor it is convenient. Those that are truly following Jesus knows this. It's a life of intentionality. It's a progressive learning and submission to the Lord until He comes back!