Seeing a Vision

Introduction
This congregation has made much progress for good in the last few years. Must guard against focusing upon the negative. We need to continue in our efforts. The men of this church need to be shaping a vision—a sense of direction—as to where this church is headed. Why is this important? Without vision, ANY organization can find itself going nowhere fast. We need to stay away from “reactive leadership” and “weak to weak” services. Congregations with no goals; planning; no intentions; and no vision are destined to decline spiritually and numerically.

I. Having a vision is biblical!
    A. What is it? Perceiving what is not actually ______________; by intellectual _________________.
        1. A __________ _______ or image….unusual _________________.
    B. Planning is biblical! See Prov. 16:1-3; Js. 4:13-15. PLANNING needs to be put in the context.
    C. _____________ had a vision—Isa. 2:2-4. A spiritual kingdom. He worked toward this goal.
    D. _________ had a vision—Phil. 3:13-14. He encouraged this in others.
        1. A desire to go home to heaven….but there is more to it than that!
        2. Paul had a ___________ of where he was going. Acts 22:10; 26:16-17; 9:15-16.
        3. This vision __________ his plans (Rom. 1:13) and ___________ his actions—2 Cor. 10:13-16
    E. Having a vision isn’t a lack of faith—rather it is a _______________ of faith! Prov. 16:1-3

II. Why is a vision important?
    A. A vision _______________ people. See Ex. 23:20-33
        1. How many accepted this? See Num. 14:7-9
        2. Same problem holds back God’s people today!
        3. Some take their own __________ in their field of vision for the limits of the __________!
        4. Must act in faith—Eph. 3:20!
    B. A vision ___________ ________________. See Prov. 19:21
        1. Having a mission/direction will help us not to go around in circles!
        2. Unclear mission—___________ will be low!
        3. Must determine HOW we will fulfill God’s plans!
    C. A vision gives ________________. See Prov. 29:18
        1. Need to see where we are going.
            a) a clear connection between today’s ______________ & tomorrows ___________!
            b) _________ is what we need & a ________ gives direction!
        2. This is the responsibility of the leaders in the church. Ez. 10:4
        3. Leaders must translate vision into ______________!
    D. A vision supplies _______________.
        1. Motivated by the status quo? _______________? Of course not!
        2. Planning builds _________________.
        3. _______ of __________ inspire us! (David; Paul; Nehemiah)
        4. Eccl. 4:9-10—________________ makes it easier!

III. Many Churches Have No Vision!
    A. What about this one? What direction are we headed? What are we going to do get there?
    B. Are you onboard with the plans being made?
        1. You can be—if you are a child of God. Obey the gospel today!
        2. Already a Christian—but falling short? Deepen your commitment to the Lord!
    C. Remember...a little work goes a long way!



Seeing a Vision Introduction This congregation has made much progress for good in the last few years. Must guard against focusing upon the negative. We need to continue in our efforts. The men of this church need to be shaping a vision—a sense of direction—as to where this church is headed. Why is this important? Without vision, ANY organization can find itself going nowhere fast. We need to stay away from “reactive leadership” and “weak to weak” services. Congregations with no goals; planning; no intentions; and no vision are destined to decline spiritually and numerically. I. Having a vision is biblical! A. What is it? Perceiving what is not actually ______________; by intellectual _________________. 1. A __________ _______ or image….unusual _________________. B. Planning is biblical! See Prov. 16:1-3; Js. 4:13-15. PLANNING needs to be put in the context. C. _____________ had a vision—Isa. 2:2-4. A spiritual kingdom. He worked toward this goal. D. _________ had a vision—Phil. 3:13-14. He encouraged this in others. 1. A desire to go home to heaven….but there is more to it than that! 2. Paul had a ___________ of where he was going. Acts 22:10; 26:16-17; 9:15-16. 3. This vision __________ his plans (Rom. 1:13) and ___________ his actions—2 Cor. 10:13-16 E. Having a vision isn’t a lack of faith—rather it is a _______________ of faith! Prov. 16:1-3 II. Why is a vision important? A. A vision _______________ people. See Ex. 23:20-33 1. How many accepted this? See Num. 14:7-9 2. Same problem holds back God’s people today! 3. Some take their own __________ in their field of vision for the limits of the __________! 4. Must act in faith—Eph. 3:20! B. A vision ___________ ________________. See Prov. 19:21 1. Having a mission/direction will help us not to go around in circles! 2. Unclear mission—___________ will be low! 3. Must determine HOW we will fulfill God’s plans! C. A vision gives ________________. See Prov. 29:18 1. Need to see where we are going. a) a clear connection between today’s ______________ & tomorrows ___________! b) _________ is what we need & a ________ gives direction! 2. This is the responsibility of the leaders in the church. Ez. 10:4 3. Leaders must translate vision into ______________! D. A vision supplies _______________. 1. Motivated by the status quo? _______________? Of course not! 2. Planning builds _________________. 3. _______ of __________ inspire us! (David; Paul; Nehemiah) 4. Eccl. 4:9-10—________________ makes it easier! III. Many Churches Have No Vision! A. What about this one? What direction are we headed? What are we going to do get there? B. Are you onboard with the plans being made? 1. You can be—if you are a child of God. Obey the gospel today! 2. Already a Christian—but falling short? Deepen your commitment to the Lord! C. Remember...a little work goes a long way!