Seeing a Vision

2001038

Subject: Evangelism; encouragement; congregational instruction.

Introduction:

A. Want to focus on progress congregation made in last few years. Need to be reminded that good things have been accomplished here.

1. Have a habit to focus on negative.

2. Feel like not getting much accomplished

3. Budget woes

4. Brethren who struggle spiritually – w/problems in life.

B. Want to encourage congregation to continue in its efforts. Have a need to rise to challenges that confront us.

1. 1999 survey asked: “Where do you want to see this congregation in 1 year?”

a) answer: “At 1302 E. Fairmont Blvd.”

b) Perhaps q. should be better worded – not exactly what I was looking for.

c) Reason for question – to see what type of vision the Christians in this place have.

d) What do you want to see this congregation accomplish w/God’s help in the next few years?

2. Are there some things you long to see? What exactly is our mission? How are we going to accomplish the task at hand?

3. 2001 now more than half over. Satisfied w/progress made this year?

C. I want to begin emphasizing the need for the men of this church to be shaping a vision – a sense of direction- as to where this church is headed. I believe this to be extremely important!

1. Here’s why: w/o vision – ANY organization can find itself going nowhere fast!

2. can become satisfied w/status quo!

D. Church here needs to stay away from what might be called reactive leadership….

1. One hears nothing until problem arises

2. after dealing w/problem men of congregation slip back into silence until the next problem comes up.

E. This church needs to stay away from what some have referred to as “weak to weak” services…

1. preaching wk/singing wk/giving wk – go through the motions, etc.

2. Describe a congregation w/no goals; planning; no intentions; no vision. Status quo.

F. I hope we can’t describe this church as being weak or having no plans for the future.

I. Having a Vision is Biblical!

A. What is it? What do we mean when we talk about having vision?

1. Perceiving what is not actually present to the eye – by intellectual acuteness

2. A mental view or image of what actually is not present.

3. unusual foresight.

B. Planning = biblical thing. Statement/testimony of our faith!

1. Prov. 16:1-3

2. Goes against some who think no planning necessary….just wait on the Lord….Js. 4:13-14…but note v. 15 – must include the Lord in our plans!

3. PLANNING needs to be put in the context!

C. Jesus had a vision – Isa. 2:2-4

1. A spiritual kingdom. Isaiah prophesied of this.

2. He worked toward that goal – everything in His ministry centered around this goal.

3. envisioned an international theocratic kingdom of peace.

D. Paul had a vision – Phil. 3:13-14 – encouraged this in others.

1. Had desire to go to heaven….should be our desire now. Sure it is!

a) but…vision we talking about today is MORE than just a desire to go home to heaven!

2. Specifically…Paul had a picture of where he was going – A vision!

a) Acts 22:10; 26:16-17 – sent to Gentiles to preach…

b) Ananias – 9:15-16 – Paul appointed to be sent to Gentiles – to suffer for Christ.

c) RESULT: vision shaped his plans – Rom. 1:13

1) went to Rome to reap fruit of gospel.

d) this vision explained his actions – 2 Cor. 10:13-16 – labored where no one else had.

e) Note words he used: planning; sphere;…it is clear that he had a picture in his mind of where he was going; goals to meet; all w/the Lord’s help.

E. Having a vision isn’t a lack of faith – it is a statement of faith!

1. I believe that God will bring these plans to fruition.

2. Goals/planning are absolutely biblical & help build our faith.

II. Why is a Vision Important?

A. A Vision challenges people.

1. Ex. 23:20-33 (20, 25-27) – God gave a bunch of ex-slaves a mission – a vision!

2. how many accepted? See Num 14:7-9 (Joshua/Caleb)

3. Israel thinking only on their own might/strength = failure!

4. Same holds back groups of the Lord’s people today! How?

a) Some take their own limits in their field of vision for the limits of the world!

b) Looking at self – we might say: We can’t accomplish much – we’re so small…

5. Having a vision challenges people to do more than they think they can do!

a) Eph. 3:20

b) We have challenges to face NOW – are we going to rise to the occasion?

B. A Vision solves problems/difficulties.

1. See Prob. 19:21. Our vision must be made prayerfully. Verse talking about way man thinks. We are not to be unstable.

a) not to be tossed to/fro by every wind of doctrine. Not to be unstable/doubting in our faith…We can be pulled in different directions.

b) When have a mission – we have a direction – and are not going around in circles.

c) Blind man…stumble around…think have impassible problem….man w/vision learns to overcome problems.

d) We must counsel w/God. Pray. Act. Trust Him.

2. A clear mission will solve many of our problems…

a) unclear mission: morale = low.

b) Must determine “HOW” we will fulfill God’s plans in E, E, & B.

C. A vision gives direction – Prov. 29:18

1. OKJV: where there is no vision – the people perish.

2. We need to see where we are going. Needs to be a clear connection b/t today’s activities & tomorrows goals! What do you dream of accomplishing?

a) What’s the connection? A Vision. A mental image…path…goal.

b) Direction is what we need and a vision gives direction.

c) John Maxwell: Biggest gap in the world is between “I should & I did.”

d) Is it clear as to which direction this congregation is headed?

3. Direction = responsibility of leaders in the church…i.e., men of the congregation.

a) men have responsibility to identify clear cut goals on how this church is going to accomplish its task.

b) Resp to inform the congregation.

c) Have resp to act – Ezra 10:4

1) Get up…let’s go; Get up; Lead us…

2) Men here need to be willing to step up; step out; and contribute to the work – in whatever capacity.

d) true vision is inseparable from leadership – must translate vision INTO REALITY!

D. A Vision supplies energy.

1. Has the status quo ever motivated you? Mediocrity?

a) A challenge will – it is attractive. Look at what we can accomplish w/God’s help!

2. Planning builds momentum. Begin to see things ahead of you…snowball effect…

3. Because acts of faith inspire us. (Paul; Nehemiah; David)

4. Eccl. 4:9-10 – b/c teamwork is easier! Share the load!

III. Many churches have no vision!

A. What about this one? What direction are we headed? What are we going to do to get there?

B. Are you on board w/the plans that are being made here?

1. You can be – if you are a child of God.

a) our mission is to take the gospel to the lost. We want to help you!

b) Obey God’s gospel today!

2. Already a Christian but falling short? I call on every Christian who member of this church to evaluate their spiritual life & deepen the commitment to serve God & get involved in His work.

3. Beginning of lesson: a little work goes a long ways… Are you working?

C. I N V I T A T I O N



Seeing a Vision 2001038 Subject: Evangelism; encouragement; congregational instruction. Introduction: A. Want to focus on progress congregation made in last few years. Need to be reminded that good things have been accomplished here. 1. Have a habit to focus on negative. 2. Feel like not getting much accomplished 3. Budget woes 4. Brethren who struggle spiritually – w/problems in life. B. Want to encourage congregation to continue in its efforts. Have a need to rise to challenges that confront us. 1. 1999 survey asked: “Where do you want to see this congregation in 1 year?” a) answer: “At 1302 E. Fairmont Blvd.” b) Perhaps q. should be better worded – not exactly what I was looking for. c) Reason for question – to see what type of vision the Christians in this place have. d) What do you want to see this congregation accomplish w/God’s help in the next few years? 2. Are there some things you long to see? What exactly is our mission? How are we going to accomplish the task at hand? 3. 2001 now more than half over. Satisfied w/progress made this year? C. I want to begin emphasizing the need for the men of this church to be shaping a vision – a sense of direction- as to where this church is headed. I believe this to be extremely important! 1. Here’s why: w/o vision – ANY organization can find itself going nowhere fast! 2. can become satisfied w/status quo! D. Church here needs to stay away from what might be called reactive leadership…. 1. One hears nothing until problem arises 2. after dealing w/problem men of congregation slip back into silence until the next problem comes up. E. This church needs to stay away from what some have referred to as “weak to weak” services… 1. preaching wk/singing wk/giving wk – go through the motions, etc. 2. Describe a congregation w/no goals; planning; no intentions; no vision. Status quo. F. I hope we can’t describe this church as being weak or having no plans for the future. I. Having a Vision is Biblical! A. What is it? What do we mean when we talk about having vision? 1. Perceiving what is not actually present to the eye – by intellectual acuteness 2. A mental view or image of what actually is not present. 3. unusual foresight. B. Planning = biblical thing. Statement/testimony of our faith! 1. Prov. 16:1-3 2. Goes against some who think no planning necessary….just wait on the Lord….Js. 4:13-14…but note v. 15 – must include the Lord in our plans! 3. PLANNING needs to be put in the context! C. Jesus had a vision – Isa. 2:2-4 1. A spiritual kingdom. Isaiah prophesied of this. 2. He worked toward that goal – everything in His ministry centered around this goal. 3. envisioned an international theocratic kingdom of peace. D. Paul had a vision – Phil. 3:13-14 – encouraged this in others. 1. Had desire to go to heaven….should be our desire now. Sure it is! a) but…vision we talking about today is MORE than just a desire to go home to heaven! 2. Specifically…Paul had a picture of where he was going – A vision! a) Acts 22:10; 26:16-17 – sent to Gentiles to preach… b) Ananias – 9:15-16 – Paul appointed to be sent to Gentiles – to suffer for Christ. c) RESULT: vision shaped his plans – Rom. 1:13 1) went to Rome to reap fruit of gospel. d) this vision explained his actions – 2 Cor. 10:13-16 – labored where no one else had. e) Note words he used: planning; sphere;…it is clear that he had a picture in his mind of where he was going; goals to meet; all w/the Lord’s help. E. Having a vision isn’t a lack of faith – it is a statement of faith! 1. I believe that God will bring these plans to fruition. 2. Goals/planning are absolutely biblical & help build our faith. II. Why is a Vision Important? A. A Vision challenges people. 1. Ex. 23:20-33 (20, 25-27) – God gave a bunch of ex-slaves a mission – a vision! 2. how many accepted? See Num 14:7-9 (Joshua/Caleb) 3. Israel thinking only on their own might/strength = failure! 4. Same holds back groups of the Lord’s people today! How? a) Some take their own limits in their field of vision for the limits of the world! b) Looking at self – we might say: We can’t accomplish much – we’re so small… 5. Having a vision challenges people to do more than they think they can do! a) Eph. 3:20 b) We have challenges to face NOW – are we going to rise to the occasion? B. A Vision solves problems/difficulties. 1. See Prob. 19:21. Our vision must be made prayerfully. Verse talking about way man thinks. We are not to be unstable. a) not to be tossed to/fro by every wind of doctrine. Not to be unstable/doubting in our faith…We can be pulled in different directions. b) When have a mission – we have a direction – and are not going around in circles. c) Blind man…stumble around…think have impassible problem….man w/vision learns to overcome problems. d) We must counsel w/God. Pray. Act. Trust Him. 2. A clear mission will solve many of our problems… a) unclear mission: morale = low. b) Must determine “HOW” we will fulfill God’s plans in E, E, & B. C. A vision gives direction – Prov. 29:18 1. OKJV: where there is no vision – the people perish. 2. We need to see where we are going. Needs to be a clear connection b/t today’s activities & tomorrows goals! What do you dream of accomplishing? a) What’s the connection? A Vision. A mental image…path…goal. b) Direction is what we need and a vision gives direction. c) John Maxwell: Biggest gap in the world is between “I should & I did.” d) Is it clear as to which direction this congregation is headed? 3. Direction = responsibility of leaders in the church…i.e., men of the congregation. a) men have responsibility to identify clear cut goals on how this church is going to accomplish its task. b) Resp to inform the congregation. c) Have resp to act – Ezra 10:4 1) Get up…let’s go; Get up; Lead us… 2) Men here need to be willing to step up; step out; and contribute to the work – in whatever capacity. d) true vision is inseparable from leadership – must translate vision INTO REALITY! D. A Vision supplies energy. 1. Has the status quo ever motivated you? Mediocrity? a) A challenge will – it is attractive. Look at what we can accomplish w/God’s help! 2. Planning builds momentum. Begin to see things ahead of you…snowball effect… 3. Because acts of faith inspire us. (Paul; Nehemiah; David) 4. Eccl. 4:9-10 – b/c teamwork is easier! Share the load! III. Many churches have no vision! A. What about this one? What direction are we headed? What are we going to do to get there? B. Are you on board w/the plans that are being made here? 1. You can be – if you are a child of God. a) our mission is to take the gospel to the lost. We want to help you! b) Obey God’s gospel today! 2. Already a Christian but falling short? I call on every Christian who member of this church to evaluate their spiritual life & deepen the commitment to serve God & get involved in His work. 3. Beginning of lesson: a little work goes a long ways… Are you working? C. I N V I T A T I O N