Here is the audio of this message.
In looking at a Vision for Univeristy Baptist Church, we’ve looked at several things--
• Empowered Worship
• Emboldened Witness
• Expressive Ministry
o In the Name of the Lord
o Engages People because that is Serving God
o Intentional—not just doing for the sake of doing
o Internal & Binding—strengthening the fellowship of believers
o External & Evangelistic—reaching those who are hurting and in need
o Energized and Energizing Ministry
• Enlightening Discipleship
Ephesians 1:18--I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you
To help people experience a growing knowledge of God—Discipleship
To be a church whose purpose is to be Christ-like in our daily living by emphasizing total commitment of life, personality, and possessions to the Lordship of Christ.
It’s possible to be a Christian for years and never grow. It’s possible to be a part of a church for years and not become an effective disciple. And yet it is part of our calling—part of our Mission & Mandate from Jesus Himself. We are called and commanded to “Go and make Disciples of all nations—
So as a church, we must have a Vision for both Being and Making Disciples
We are called to Be Disciples
Before you can make Disciples, you must first Be a Disciple.
"One who professes to have learned certain principles from another and maintains them on that other’s authority." emphasizing total commitment of life, personality, and possessions to the Lordship of Christ
We are called to Make Disciples—this is not just a one time and we’re finished event. Becoming a disciple begins at the moment of decision—of repentance and salvation—it continues until when? When is the process of making a disciple over?
A life-long process
Maturity—Reproducing--
Is it possible to be a disciple and not be growing? YES
It is Possible to Be Immature Disciples
1CO 3:1 Brothers, I could not address you as spiritual but as worldly--mere infants in Christ. 2 I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready.
HEB 5:11 We have much to say about this, but it is hard to explain because you are slow to learn. 12 In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God's word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! 13 Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness.
Spiritual growth is not automatic—you can languish in immaturity even after years of being a believer—must want to, decide to, make an effort to, and persist in growing
Growing as a Disciple requires deliberate action & Commitment—something for which we must be willing to count the cost—because circumstances are going to come after you so that you’ll want to stop, you’ll want to quit or you won’t think it’s important any longer.
But We are Called to Grow
1PE 2:2 Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, 3 now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.
Ephesians 4:13-15
until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. 15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ.
A Vision for Growing Young & Immature Believers to Passionate Maturity
A Child is designed to grow—in most cases—you couldn’t stop them if you tried—growing happens automatically in most cases. If they are not growing, we know that something is wrong. While they grow physically without much help—they do need help in order to grow spiritually. And we are Charged to pass on our faith to the children God has given us. We are to encourage the children to come to Him. We are, according to Deuteronomy—to “impress them upon our children” less we raise up a generation that neither
Judges 2:10 After that whole generation had been gathered to their fathers, another generation grew up, who knew neither the LORD nor what he had done for Israel.
That’s why an effective ministry to Children is so vital to the life and future of any church. When there are fewer children & youth running around, the future of the church is in jeopardy. In most cases, those kids represent families—families that are being impacted. Parents that see their children being ministered to are more likely to allow themselves to be ministered to.
Show me a church without a strategy or desire to minister to children and I will show you a church that is withering on the vine. For some kids, the church is the only place they hear and feel the love of God. For families that are involved, the church is not your replacement for spiritual development—it doesn’t get you off the hook of modeling and providing spiritual guidance—we are a resource for you.
More believers make decisions for Christ while they are children than at any other age. Sadly, when we do not engage them and deliberately move them to a passionate & mature faith—we don’t see them for years after they graduate high school. Some trickle back, some are harder to reach than ever because they’ve gotten a taste of a relationship with Christ and left dissatisfied or hurt.
And not just children—young in the faith are also vital—if all we are attracting to our church are those who have been Christians for years, something’s wrong. We must be seeking out those who need Jesus—reaching those who are marginalized in their faith and helping them heal—teaching them to obey everything—teaching and modeling Bible Study—teaching and modeling prayer, teaching and modeling worship—teaching and modeling ministry—teaching and modeling how to share our faith.
We must be a part of Making Disciples—no one comes to the Father unless the Spirit draws him, but the Spirit positions His people, empowers His people to accomplish it.
In order for us to have teachers and leaders in the future, we must begin locating and training younger or immature believers today. In 5 years, we will have a crisis in leadership at UBC—you and I must be seeking them out today.
A Vision for Challenging Plateaued Believers to Energized Effectiveness
2 Peter 1:3-8-- His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 4 Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.
2PE 1:5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7 and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. 8 For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
It is possible for us to be Ineffective and Unproductive—and that usually happens when we have stopped growing personally: when prayer becomes infrequent or disconnected, when you no longer get anything out of Bible reading—much less actual Bible Study—after all, you’re too busy for that.
In our Christian life, it’s common to start out fast and burn out. It’s common to experience rapid periods of growth followed by extended periods of level as we adjust to and apply what we have learned. But too often for us, what is supposed to be a temporary period becomes a pattern or rut that binds us from growing further. Such a state saps our strength, darkens our spirit, frustrates our soul.
It can frustrate us so much to the point that even when we offer Bible Study, even when we offer services, groups, conferences, retreats—you don’t take advantage of them because you really don’t think it will make any difference.
We must examine what we do as a church to awaken, even provoke each other out of our ruts. For our Discipleship to be Effective—it must Energize and Enlighten even the Mature in the faith because without it we will be Unproductive and Ineffective.
And Jesus promises to Prune any branch that is Unfruitful so that it will become fruitful.
A Vision for Discipleship that Strengthens the Body of Christ
What is Discipleship supposed to Accomplish?
Individual
Grow/Increase my Love for God
Grow/Increase my Knowledge of God
Grow/Increase my Desire for God
Grow/Increase my Worship of God
Grow/Improve & Increase my Witness for God
Grow/Increase my Love for my Fellow Believers
Grow the Fruit of the Spirit in me—
Grow the ability to resist temptation
Grow & Shape the Call of God in my life
Grow the Gift of the Spirit in me—to serve the Body of Christ
Discipleship not just for the Individual. We often view discipleship as a personal edification project, it's not
Corporate
Grow/Increase the Number of Sowers & Harvesters
Grow/Increase the Number of Servants & Leaders
Produce the Unity of the Body of Christ
Grow our Love for our Brothers & Sisters in Christ
Prune the unproductive to be more productive—as iron sharpens iron
Grow our Impact in the Kingdom of God
Grow our Magnification of our Savior
Fruit of the Spirit—are not just internal and individual—they are relational—they are expressed in terms of interactions with other people—made manifest in the fellowship of believers. With whom are you required to exercise patience—those you’re closest to--your immediate family, and your fellow believers—Lord knows we can frustrate one another.
With whom must you be gentle? With whom must you exercise self-control? To whom must you show love? Each of those are manifest in the context of relationship—each of those make you more like Christ—because how He treated others, how He treated His disciples and served them—how He had compassion on the lost, the hungry, the searching, Demonstrated His Heart.
Purpose Driven Life—“God develops the fruit of the Spirit in your life by allowing you to experience circumstances in which you are tempted to express the exact opposite quality.”
Gifts of the Spirit
RO 12:4 Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. 7 If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; 8 if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.
1CO 12:4 There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. 6 There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men. 1CO 12:7 Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.
1 Cor. 14:12--Since you are eager to have spiritual gifts, try to excel in gifts that build up the church.
1 Peter 4:10-11--10 Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms. 11 If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ.
We Grow as a Disciple,
Ripening the Fruit of the Spirit--
Maturing in use of the Gifts of God
For the Benefit of the Fellowship of Believers
For the Advancement of the Kingdom
For the Glory of God
A Vision for Discipleship that is Applied for Kingdom Glory
Being a Disciple and Making Disciples cannot become merely an academic exercise. Whenever we compartmentalize Discipleship into personal growth we are in danger of doing so. Only a part of Discipleship is accomplished through personal growth & study—you will be immature in your faith if that is the only way you want to grow your faith. There is an element of Hands On Training Required to Understand and Know what it is to be a Disciple.
Jesus did not come to start a university—He did not make His disciples—Peter, James, John and others take a class and do a few assignments after researching in the Library. He took them Out among the people—to Do Ministry—to see the hurt and the need—He Sent them out—often 2 by 2 to Do Evangelism and proclaim the Kingdom of God.
Teaching was coupled with Action with the Intention of Making Disciples
A Vision for Discipleship that Involves Doing not Just Knowing—
James 1:22-- Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.
Not just listening to the word, but doing it
We know we should love the poor--
For Faith without works is dead—
More than just knowing about missions or giving to missions, but going on Mission—summer opportunities—
Korea-- dates are Aug 4-18. will be conduct two english Bible camps. Similar to VBS but in english and with the purpose of evangelism. First we will have preschool and elementary kids for 3 days. The pastors will share a message and then the teachers will apply that message through Bible stories, crafts, recreation, drama, music,etc. At night the pastors will preach in different churches. Each pastor will be in two churches during the mission. After the children are finished we will have jr. high and high school camp with the same format. the cost is $1,800 due to high air fares. I will work to get lower fares. Also we need to order tickests soon. So I will need to know by March 15 with a deposit of $750 by March 31. I really need another pastor and could use more workers. I think this will be a very good mission. We also going to be treated by our host to a 3 day tour at the conclusion of the mission.
College to Beach Reach
VBS & Children’s ministry need volunteers
Wrap-up/Invitation
The Pursuit Life
Showing posts with label vision. Show all posts
Showing posts with label vision. Show all posts
Sunday, March 02, 2008
Monday, February 25, 2008
Sermon-- Vision for Ministry-- 2/24/08
Here is the audio of this message:
In looking at a Vision for Univeristy Baptist Church, we’ve looked at several things--
• Empowered Worship
o Passionate Worship
o Responsive Worship
o Invitational Worship
o Accept the call
• Emboldened Witness
o Awakened heart
o Emboldened heart
o Opportunistic heart
o Expanded idea
• Expressive Ministry
To be a church that ministers unselfishly to persons in the community and world in Jesus’ name.--Ministry
Unselfish
Persons
Community & World
In Jesus’ Name
Exercising spiritual muscles –
a man entered into a body building contest—an expert in the field of weightlifting—a genius. He had studied every technique, read every book and bio of the greatest, knew the strengths & weaknesses of free weights, each type of machine, had studied the best nutritional supplements. He entered the contest going up against muscles like this, all the while, he looked like this.
It is possible to know all there is to know about lifting the weights and building bigger muscles, and never build a single muscle to strength.
Does this happen often? NO—someone in this situation will in most cases, either start lifting weights or will stop learning about them--
In the same way, there are many Christians, many believers who think they will want to know all there is to know, grow all they can grow, who think they can build a strong spiritual muscle without the element of Ministry—which is our equivalent of lifting weights. But you won’t—as you grow as a disciple, you will either start doing ministry, or you will stop growing in your faith.
According to James, We Must Not be hearers of the word only—but we must be doers of it.
I am convinced that one of the main reason and causes of apathy, declining participation, decreased attendance, and lowered desire to commit in membership among believers in our churches, and in our church is because we are not getting our hands dirty Ministering in the Name of Jesus.
Ministry is focused more on people than it is on tasks—tasks often are necessary work in order to reach people—but the goal still must be—how does this help us reach people with the Good News of Jesus. Ministry is about people and once you lose that element—the task becomes tedious.
It’s like the difficulty of maintaining the military or troop morale when there is no battle to fight. The troops begin to question the necessity of training, they begin to question the need for all of their armor and fighting equipment. “What do I need this stuff for? It’s not like I’m every going to use it!!!???” So as a result, the difficulty becomes a maintaining of focus—attention to detail—the necessity of drilling and preparing. If given the opportunity—they would lessen the frequency and the intensity of the training. Mandatory meetings
People, that is the Church—we come and receive our training, we prepare ourselves to use the sword of the Spirit, but without Service, Ministry & Evangelism—all the best discipleship, the best Bible study, the best worship in the world will grow cold. “What do I need this Bible Study for—it’s not like I’m ever going to use it!” What do I need to be at church every week for—it’s not like I’m missing something important!”
We like to do a lot of things, we like to be busy—we like to go to Bible study—but where we are weak is actually applying what we know and what we claim to believe in ministering to and serving People—not ideas, not good intentions, but People—which includes our fellow believers in the church, believers who should be in the church but are not—and the lost who think they like Jesus but aren’t too sure of the church people b/c if they’re anything like the ones they see on late night TV—
The reason why the world thinks it likes Jesus and doesn’t like the Church is b/c they hear and read and see more about those moments when Christians do the wrong thing than personally experience the Church doing the right things.
Most of you have jobs that require you to deal with people. Could you do your job and avoid people? If you only served existing contracts, existing patients, students or customers but blew off anyone new?
We cannot just serve the church believers, but must also serve the Lost—actually talking to people in the moment of their need—much of which will be underappreciated, much of which we will never see a direct return for--
When we distance our ministry, our efforts, our gifts and calling from people—our hearts will grow cold.
Definition of Minister—someone that serves as an agency, instrument, or means to the praise and glory of God
Shorter than that—someone that serves
1CO 10:31 So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.
Colossians 3:17--17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Colossians 3:23--Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, 24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, 24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.
Ministry and Service go hand in hand—you were created for them.
Ephesians 2:10-- For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Every single one of us are created to be a Minister—to Minister and Serve. Thankfully none of us are created for exactly the same ministry or service.
1CO 12:4 There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. 6 There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men.
A Vision for Ministry that Engages People because that is Serving God
Serving others is serving God—whatever you do for the least of these, you do unto me
Colossians 3:23-24--Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, 24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.
Matthew 25:34-35--"Then the King will say to those on his right, `Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'
MT 25:37 "Then the righteous will answer him, `Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'
MT 25:40 "The King will reply, `I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'
A Vision for Ministry that is Intentional—
Not just for the sake of doing it, but with Intent and Purpose
Why are you doing it—for the attention, because you
Ministry must be Expressive—why are you doing this—what is your motivation? In who’s name? —In the Name of Jesus Christ—
AC 3:6 Then Peter said, "Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk." 7 Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man's feet and ankles became strong. 8 He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. 9 When all the people saw him walking and praising God, 10 they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.
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Ministry will be Binding—blest be the tie that binds--And Evangelistic—It must be Both
For too long we have looked at ministry as if it is something that stands alone—we do ministry and then over here, we do evangelism. Ministry must never be separated from the People you are ministering to.
Sometimes we think of ministry and evangelism like this:
Well the truth is that much of evangelism takes the form of ministry—like servant evangelism much of evangelism is really a matter of ministry.
That’s why your Sunday School needs a Teaching Minister and a Connecting Minister—to connect to those who are on your roles who are not there and let them know they were missed, make sure they’re OK, if they have any prayer needs, what they missed— to connect with those who aren’t on anyone’s roles but should be
A grown up disciple that is not serving is not mature after all—maturity is for ministry—act on what we know
Study without service leads to spiritual stagnation
When you have a Vision for Ministry that is people focused rather than task focused—the result is an Energized People of God
When you have a Vision for Ministry that Pursues Opportunities to serve and meet needs—the result is an Evangelistic People of God
Vision for Ministry that is Internal—It Reaches In—and does the things necessary to meet the needs of the church and the church family—that ministers to each other’s needs—pray, call, visit, invite each other into our lives—many of us have hurts and pains and struggles that we are afraid to share, afraid for one of you to know about----they need you.
Vision for Ministry that is External--Reaching Out—to those who are not a part of our fellowship—maybe not any church. They are hurting as well—they have struggles and pain, but with much less hope of an answer—if I just do better, if I just work harder, then maybe these bad things won’t happen, maybe God will love me.—let’s you and I find a way to minister to their hurts and pains—pray for them, show them you care, make them a meal, send them a note everyday.
It’s not the fact that people aren’t in need of ministry
It’s not the fact that we are greatly lacking in resources for ministry
The primary cause is a lack of Willingness to actually do ministry on a personal, life impacting level that causes us to get our hands dirty, that causes us to be vulnerable to reach out to those who are not like us, who are dirty and struggling, who are the sick.
It is as if…
We are doctors who only want to treat healthy patients. We are lifeguards who only want to watch Olympic swimmers. We are police officers who only want to patrol the crime free neighborhoods. We are the Church who only wants the righteous and not the sinners. We are like shepherds that want to stay with the 99 rather than go out for the one who is lost—but the heart of Jesus goes
We want ministry on our terms—when it is convenient—with people we already know or without people at all. And so our service in the church and in ministry becomes optional, if we feel like it—it moves from often, to occasionally, to from time to time, to rarely, to not at all.. Church attendance follows this same thing.
We do not want ministry that involves sacrifice, inconvenience, or people that haven’t already got their life together.
But Jesus said it is the sick that need a doctor. In the same way, it’s those who are drowning that need the lifeguard—it’s the crime ridden neighborhoods that need the police.
If you reflect on your Christian life and it feels stagnant, or uninspiring, or indifferent, or unnecessary. If coming to Church, to fellowship with other believers has become “no big deal” or “I know I won’t miss anything so there’s no real reason to be there.” If you think that, then a lost person will certainly think that—and if you think that then get involved in ministry—not doing stuff, but ministering to people--nothing will wake you up faster, nothing will inspire you to more than ministering to people in need—I’m not saying more tasks—that keep you busy but still cut off…, I’m saying people—find a way—if someone is on your heart right now, talk to me and Patrick, and together, we’ll think of a way to impact their life.
Let me ask you—think about what you are currently doing at UBC, how you minister and how you hope to minister.
With eyes closed, let me see a show of hands for those who are mostly Internal in the way you minister and your hearts desire.
Let me see those who are External—toward those not in the church
No insignificant ministries—some visible, some behind the scenes, all vital
In looking at a Vision for Univeristy Baptist Church, we’ve looked at several things--
• Empowered Worship
o Passionate Worship
o Responsive Worship
o Invitational Worship
o Accept the call
• Emboldened Witness
o Awakened heart
o Emboldened heart
o Opportunistic heart
o Expanded idea
• Expressive Ministry
To be a church that ministers unselfishly to persons in the community and world in Jesus’ name.--Ministry
Unselfish
Persons
Community & World
In Jesus’ Name
Exercising spiritual muscles –
a man entered into a body building contest—an expert in the field of weightlifting—a genius. He had studied every technique, read every book and bio of the greatest, knew the strengths & weaknesses of free weights, each type of machine, had studied the best nutritional supplements. He entered the contest going up against muscles like this, all the while, he looked like this.
It is possible to know all there is to know about lifting the weights and building bigger muscles, and never build a single muscle to strength.
Does this happen often? NO—someone in this situation will in most cases, either start lifting weights or will stop learning about them--
In the same way, there are many Christians, many believers who think they will want to know all there is to know, grow all they can grow, who think they can build a strong spiritual muscle without the element of Ministry—which is our equivalent of lifting weights. But you won’t—as you grow as a disciple, you will either start doing ministry, or you will stop growing in your faith.
According to James, We Must Not be hearers of the word only—but we must be doers of it.
I am convinced that one of the main reason and causes of apathy, declining participation, decreased attendance, and lowered desire to commit in membership among believers in our churches, and in our church is because we are not getting our hands dirty Ministering in the Name of Jesus.
Ministry is focused more on people than it is on tasks—tasks often are necessary work in order to reach people—but the goal still must be—how does this help us reach people with the Good News of Jesus. Ministry is about people and once you lose that element—the task becomes tedious.
It’s like the difficulty of maintaining the military or troop morale when there is no battle to fight. The troops begin to question the necessity of training, they begin to question the need for all of their armor and fighting equipment. “What do I need this stuff for? It’s not like I’m every going to use it!!!???” So as a result, the difficulty becomes a maintaining of focus—attention to detail—the necessity of drilling and preparing. If given the opportunity—they would lessen the frequency and the intensity of the training. Mandatory meetings
People, that is the Church—we come and receive our training, we prepare ourselves to use the sword of the Spirit, but without Service, Ministry & Evangelism—all the best discipleship, the best Bible study, the best worship in the world will grow cold. “What do I need this Bible Study for—it’s not like I’m ever going to use it!” What do I need to be at church every week for—it’s not like I’m missing something important!”
We like to do a lot of things, we like to be busy—we like to go to Bible study—but where we are weak is actually applying what we know and what we claim to believe in ministering to and serving People—not ideas, not good intentions, but People—which includes our fellow believers in the church, believers who should be in the church but are not—and the lost who think they like Jesus but aren’t too sure of the church people b/c if they’re anything like the ones they see on late night TV—
The reason why the world thinks it likes Jesus and doesn’t like the Church is b/c they hear and read and see more about those moments when Christians do the wrong thing than personally experience the Church doing the right things.
Most of you have jobs that require you to deal with people. Could you do your job and avoid people? If you only served existing contracts, existing patients, students or customers but blew off anyone new?
We cannot just serve the church believers, but must also serve the Lost—actually talking to people in the moment of their need—much of which will be underappreciated, much of which we will never see a direct return for--
When we distance our ministry, our efforts, our gifts and calling from people—our hearts will grow cold.
Definition of Minister—someone that serves as an agency, instrument, or means to the praise and glory of God
Shorter than that—someone that serves
1CO 10:31 So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.
Colossians 3:17--17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Colossians 3:23--Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, 24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, 24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.
Ministry and Service go hand in hand—you were created for them.
Ephesians 2:10-- For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Every single one of us are created to be a Minister—to Minister and Serve. Thankfully none of us are created for exactly the same ministry or service.
1CO 12:4 There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. 6 There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men.
A Vision for Ministry that Engages People because that is Serving God
Serving others is serving God—whatever you do for the least of these, you do unto me
Colossians 3:23-24--Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, 24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.
Matthew 25:34-35--"Then the King will say to those on his right, `Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'
MT 25:37 "Then the righteous will answer him, `Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'
MT 25:40 "The King will reply, `I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'
A Vision for Ministry that is Intentional—
Not just for the sake of doing it, but with Intent and Purpose
Why are you doing it—for the attention, because you
Ministry must be Expressive—why are you doing this—what is your motivation? In who’s name? —In the Name of Jesus Christ—
AC 3:6 Then Peter said, "Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk." 7 Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man's feet and ankles became strong. 8 He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. 9 When all the people saw him walking and praising God, 10 they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.
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Ministry will be Binding—blest be the tie that binds--And Evangelistic—It must be Both
For too long we have looked at ministry as if it is something that stands alone—we do ministry and then over here, we do evangelism. Ministry must never be separated from the People you are ministering to.
Sometimes we think of ministry and evangelism like this:
Well the truth is that much of evangelism takes the form of ministry—like servant evangelism much of evangelism is really a matter of ministry.
That’s why your Sunday School needs a Teaching Minister and a Connecting Minister—to connect to those who are on your roles who are not there and let them know they were missed, make sure they’re OK, if they have any prayer needs, what they missed— to connect with those who aren’t on anyone’s roles but should be
A grown up disciple that is not serving is not mature after all—maturity is for ministry—act on what we know
Study without service leads to spiritual stagnation
When you have a Vision for Ministry that is people focused rather than task focused—the result is an Energized People of God
When you have a Vision for Ministry that Pursues Opportunities to serve and meet needs—the result is an Evangelistic People of God
Vision for Ministry that is Internal—It Reaches In—and does the things necessary to meet the needs of the church and the church family—that ministers to each other’s needs—pray, call, visit, invite each other into our lives—many of us have hurts and pains and struggles that we are afraid to share, afraid for one of you to know about----they need you.
Vision for Ministry that is External--Reaching Out—to those who are not a part of our fellowship—maybe not any church. They are hurting as well—they have struggles and pain, but with much less hope of an answer—if I just do better, if I just work harder, then maybe these bad things won’t happen, maybe God will love me.—let’s you and I find a way to minister to their hurts and pains—pray for them, show them you care, make them a meal, send them a note everyday.
It’s not the fact that people aren’t in need of ministry
It’s not the fact that we are greatly lacking in resources for ministry
The primary cause is a lack of Willingness to actually do ministry on a personal, life impacting level that causes us to get our hands dirty, that causes us to be vulnerable to reach out to those who are not like us, who are dirty and struggling, who are the sick.
It is as if…
We are doctors who only want to treat healthy patients. We are lifeguards who only want to watch Olympic swimmers. We are police officers who only want to patrol the crime free neighborhoods. We are the Church who only wants the righteous and not the sinners. We are like shepherds that want to stay with the 99 rather than go out for the one who is lost—but the heart of Jesus goes
We want ministry on our terms—when it is convenient—with people we already know or without people at all. And so our service in the church and in ministry becomes optional, if we feel like it—it moves from often, to occasionally, to from time to time, to rarely, to not at all.. Church attendance follows this same thing.
We do not want ministry that involves sacrifice, inconvenience, or people that haven’t already got their life together.
But Jesus said it is the sick that need a doctor. In the same way, it’s those who are drowning that need the lifeguard—it’s the crime ridden neighborhoods that need the police.
If you reflect on your Christian life and it feels stagnant, or uninspiring, or indifferent, or unnecessary. If coming to Church, to fellowship with other believers has become “no big deal” or “I know I won’t miss anything so there’s no real reason to be there.” If you think that, then a lost person will certainly think that—and if you think that then get involved in ministry—not doing stuff, but ministering to people--nothing will wake you up faster, nothing will inspire you to more than ministering to people in need—I’m not saying more tasks—that keep you busy but still cut off…, I’m saying people—find a way—if someone is on your heart right now, talk to me and Patrick, and together, we’ll think of a way to impact their life.
Let me ask you—think about what you are currently doing at UBC, how you minister and how you hope to minister.
With eyes closed, let me see a show of hands for those who are mostly Internal in the way you minister and your hearts desire.
Let me see those who are External—toward those not in the church
No insignificant ministries—some visible, some behind the scenes, all vital
Monday, February 18, 2008
Sermon-- Vision for Evangelism-- 2-17-08
Here is the audio for this message.
Vision for Evangelism
In our discussion about Vision—we’ve looked at the negatives of not having vision, but also the blessing of having vision. Having vision helps you see clearly what is needed; vision blesses you by helping you rally around a great cause and future, and when there are obstacles and difficulty—Vision helps you overcome them. to achieve great things you only could be dreamed.
In that closer look at vision—we now need to add another one a vision that once again ties into one of the main reasons every church exists. A Vision for Sharing the Love of God with a Lost and Dying World.
The late Sam Shoemaker, an Episcopalian bishop, summed up the situation this way: "In the Great Commission the Lord has called us to be--like Peter--fishers of men. We've turned the commission around so that we have become merely keepers of the aquarium. Occasionally I take some fish out of your fishbowl and put them into mine, and you do the same with my bowl. But we're all tending the same fish."
Em Griffin, The Mindchangers, Tyndale House, 1976, p. 151.
To be a dynamic spiritual church empowered by the Holy Spirit to share Christ with as many people as possible in our church, community, and throughout the world.
Acts 1:8—“ you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
The Acts 1:8 Challenge
1. A Vision for an Awakened Heart for Evangelism
o When you have been in church for so long, maybe growing up in church—it’s easy to forget what it was like to be lost—to forget, the “heights from which we have fallen”—forget what it’s like to be apart from God—and the lostness, the darkness. Even if you were always a good person, even if you came to believe as a child—you may not remember, the tension eased, the frustrations and darkness diminished. It’s hard to hold to the clarity of memory for that long.
o And so the heart of some can grow cold. Cold to the dying around them.
o Too Often the Heart of God is Forgotten & Neglected—we seem to downplay the significance that God orchestrated time and space in order to breach the chasm that separated deity and humanity in order to mount the greatest rescue mission the universe has ever seen.
o LK 19:10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost."
o Luke 15:7-10-- 7 I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.
LK 15:8 "Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Does she not light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? 9 And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, `Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.' 10 In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents."
Who is the one who is rejoicing in the presence of the angels? Who would they be paying enraptured attention to?
Who is in the presence of the Angels? Usually we think of them being in God’s presence, but aren’t they in His presence—God is rejoicing before them! he lets that joy and celebration show before them.
o This is the Heart of God—if even just one sinner repents—there is joy in heaven. When we lose our desire for evangelism and replace it with fear or hesitancy, we are distancing ourselves from the heart of God.
o Our hearts need to be awakened—to the fact that somewhere we have forgotten how terrible it is to be lost—lost and not even knowing it--to be trapped in the kingdom of darkness—
o Our hearts must be awakened to the fact that there are those trapped in darkness all around us—prisoners of war—our fellow soldiers who are hurting, who are confused—so confused, they don’t even know their condition.
o Our hearts need to be awakened—to the Heart of God—
o Our hearts need to be awakened to The Mission—to Evangelism—to the Great Rescue Mission that God initiated and asked us to be a part of.
o Imagine someone hanging on cliff desperate for a rescue—you’re holding the only rope—will you send it to him? Or imagine your driving a boat and you come across someone treading water—barely staying afloat—desperate for a life jacket and a ride to shore—you’ve got both—do you stop and help them? Will you only throw the life-jacket but not give him a ride?
o Did you know that a doctor at the scene of an accident is not under any legal obligation to render aid? That in fact, by helping a doctor is opening themselves up to a greater liability? A doctor who is at the scene of an accident, who sees that someone is dying and in need of a simple treatment may not be legally bound to render aid in that moment, but if they prove to be unwilling to save someone’s life when they can may very well never practice medicine again once all their patients found out.
o And a church without a heart for introducing people to Jesus is a church that may never practice their medicine again—a church that is dying.
2. A Vision for an Emboldened Heart for Evangelism
o Too Often Afraid or Hesitant to share the Good News—that God loves you—so much that He died in order to set you free from sin, suffering & death—and proved He could do it by coming back to life.
o What is stopping you? Are you afraid? Are you afraid of what they may think of you? Are you afraid that you don’t know what to say?
o Matthew 10:19-- 19 But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, 20 for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.
o Mark 13:11-- do not worry beforehand about what to say. Just say whatever is given you at the time, for it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit
o In many cases it’s as simple as Open Your Mouth—Say Anything—as long as your mouth is closed then there is no opportunity for the Holy Spirit to speak through you—
o if you believe that the Holy Spirit can intercede and pray for you before the Father when you don’t know how or what to say with words you cannot express—then you’d better believe that the same Holy Spirit can speak through you to other people
o The world is telling the church—“Just keep your mouth shut.”
o While God is desperately saying—“Just keep you mouth open and I will give you what you need.”
o When Moses was before the burning bush—even after he had seen the miracles of the staff and the snake, his own hand turning leprous and healing—he said this to the call of God—“ "O Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue."
EX 4:11 The LORD said to him, "Who gave man his mouth? Who makes him deaf or mute? Who gives him sight or makes him blind? Is it not I, the LORD? 12 Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say."
o In the midst of a generation screaming for answers, Christians are stuttering. Howard Hendricks
o Why do you have the Holy Spirit in your life? 2 Reasons—
o First—personal confirmation and sealing—assurance of salvation, conviction of sin—the Holy Spirit is there for your personal faith and growth.
o Second—so you may be an empowered and emboldened witness for Jesus Christ
o Acts 1:8—“ you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
o If God did not intend for you to be His witness, He would not send the Holy Spirit—which also means—if you have the Holy Spirit then you have all the power you need to be His witness. If you don’t want to be a witness—then you’re effectively saying you don’t want the Holy Spirit or His work in your life.
o The Holy Spirit is present in this world and in our hearts to Empower and Embolden us to be His witnesses—the Holy Spirit is not meant for the few elite—He is meant for all—but He will work through you—and witness through you in a way that is different from me.
o That boldness did not come naturally—the early church, the apostles—they prayed for it.
o Acts 4:29-- enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness.
o Ephesians 6:19-- Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.
o Are you actively praying for Boldness from God that you might be given the opportunity to witness for Him?
3. A Vision for an Opportunistic Heart for Evangelism
o Too Often Unaware & Unwilling
o Along with praying for boldness—are you praying for the opportunity.
o I’ve been the kid playing baseball in the outfield praying—“please don’t hit the ball this way, please don’t hit the ball this way.” Is that how you feel about sharing your faith?
o Colossians 4:2-6—“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. 3 And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. 4 Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. 5 Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. 6 Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.”
o Evangelism happens wherever you are—you must be opportunistic and deliberate—you must look for those doors of opportunity that God opens for you and have the courage of faith to step through them.
o “Make the most of every opportunity”… every conversation, every question needs some grace and some salt.
4. A Vision for an Expanded Idea of Evangelism
o Part of our problem is that we don’t really know what evangelism is any more. Too many of us think that if we’re not presenting the 4 Spiritual Laws or some kind of outline, then we’re not witnessing.
o Getting to know someone is a form of evangelism—being kind, being generous is a form of evangelism—so long as you are aware that at any moment a door of opportunity might open for you to ask, to share, to testify.
o Praying is a form of evangelism. So many people believe in it—so many need it—ask them if you can pray for them.
o Will your house be a house of prayer? If you are willing, commit to 5 or more of your neighbors—that you will visit or speak with them at least twice a month for nothing more than asking if there’s anything they would like you to pray for. If another opportunity opens, then fine—follow the Holy Spirit’s leading—but get out of your house go to a neighbor, go to a friend and ask to pray for them.
o You can do the same thing at work—you can do the same thing at school—you can do the same thing wherever we go.
o Christ met unbelievers where they were. He realized what many Christians today still don't seem to understand. Cultivators have to get out in the field. According to one count, the gospels record 132 contacts that Jesus had with people. Six were in the Temple, four in the synagogues and 122 were out with the people in the mainstream of life. J.K. Johnston, Why Christians Sin, Discovery House, 1992, p. 142.
o Be deliberate, be bold, be creative in how you evangelize and share the Good News
5. A Vision to Go On Mission
o College going to Beach Reach
o South Korea—August 4-18 – churches to Wisconsin, another Des Moines
o The Times-Reporter of New Philadelphia, Ohio, reported in September, 1985 a celebration of a New Orleans municipal pool. The party around the pool was held to celebrate the first summer in memory without a drowning at the New Orleans city pool. In honor of the occasion, 200 people gathered, including 100 certified lifeguards. As the party was breaking up and the four lifeguards on duty began to clear the pool, they found a fully dressed body in the deep end. They tried to revive Jerome Moody, 31, but it was too late. He had drowned surrounded by lifeguards celebrating their successful season. Times-Reporter, September 1985.
Vision for Evangelism
In our discussion about Vision—we’ve looked at the negatives of not having vision, but also the blessing of having vision. Having vision helps you see clearly what is needed; vision blesses you by helping you rally around a great cause and future, and when there are obstacles and difficulty—Vision helps you overcome them. to achieve great things you only could be dreamed.
In that closer look at vision—we now need to add another one a vision that once again ties into one of the main reasons every church exists. A Vision for Sharing the Love of God with a Lost and Dying World.
The late Sam Shoemaker, an Episcopalian bishop, summed up the situation this way: "In the Great Commission the Lord has called us to be--like Peter--fishers of men. We've turned the commission around so that we have become merely keepers of the aquarium. Occasionally I take some fish out of your fishbowl and put them into mine, and you do the same with my bowl. But we're all tending the same fish."
Em Griffin, The Mindchangers, Tyndale House, 1976, p. 151.
To be a dynamic spiritual church empowered by the Holy Spirit to share Christ with as many people as possible in our church, community, and throughout the world.
Acts 1:8—“ you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
The Acts 1:8 Challenge
1. A Vision for an Awakened Heart for Evangelism
o When you have been in church for so long, maybe growing up in church—it’s easy to forget what it was like to be lost—to forget, the “heights from which we have fallen”—forget what it’s like to be apart from God—and the lostness, the darkness. Even if you were always a good person, even if you came to believe as a child—you may not remember, the tension eased, the frustrations and darkness diminished. It’s hard to hold to the clarity of memory for that long.
o And so the heart of some can grow cold. Cold to the dying around them.
o Too Often the Heart of God is Forgotten & Neglected—we seem to downplay the significance that God orchestrated time and space in order to breach the chasm that separated deity and humanity in order to mount the greatest rescue mission the universe has ever seen.
o LK 19:10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost."
o Luke 15:7-10-- 7 I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.
LK 15:8 "Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Does she not light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? 9 And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, `Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.' 10 In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents."
Who is the one who is rejoicing in the presence of the angels? Who would they be paying enraptured attention to?
Who is in the presence of the Angels? Usually we think of them being in God’s presence, but aren’t they in His presence—God is rejoicing before them! he lets that joy and celebration show before them.
o This is the Heart of God—if even just one sinner repents—there is joy in heaven. When we lose our desire for evangelism and replace it with fear or hesitancy, we are distancing ourselves from the heart of God.
o Our hearts need to be awakened—to the fact that somewhere we have forgotten how terrible it is to be lost—lost and not even knowing it--to be trapped in the kingdom of darkness—
o Our hearts must be awakened to the fact that there are those trapped in darkness all around us—prisoners of war—our fellow soldiers who are hurting, who are confused—so confused, they don’t even know their condition.
o Our hearts need to be awakened—to the Heart of God—
o Our hearts need to be awakened to The Mission—to Evangelism—to the Great Rescue Mission that God initiated and asked us to be a part of.
o Imagine someone hanging on cliff desperate for a rescue—you’re holding the only rope—will you send it to him? Or imagine your driving a boat and you come across someone treading water—barely staying afloat—desperate for a life jacket and a ride to shore—you’ve got both—do you stop and help them? Will you only throw the life-jacket but not give him a ride?
o Did you know that a doctor at the scene of an accident is not under any legal obligation to render aid? That in fact, by helping a doctor is opening themselves up to a greater liability? A doctor who is at the scene of an accident, who sees that someone is dying and in need of a simple treatment may not be legally bound to render aid in that moment, but if they prove to be unwilling to save someone’s life when they can may very well never practice medicine again once all their patients found out.
o And a church without a heart for introducing people to Jesus is a church that may never practice their medicine again—a church that is dying.
2. A Vision for an Emboldened Heart for Evangelism
o Too Often Afraid or Hesitant to share the Good News—that God loves you—so much that He died in order to set you free from sin, suffering & death—and proved He could do it by coming back to life.
o What is stopping you? Are you afraid? Are you afraid of what they may think of you? Are you afraid that you don’t know what to say?
o Matthew 10:19-- 19 But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, 20 for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.
o Mark 13:11-- do not worry beforehand about what to say. Just say whatever is given you at the time, for it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit
o In many cases it’s as simple as Open Your Mouth—Say Anything—as long as your mouth is closed then there is no opportunity for the Holy Spirit to speak through you—
o if you believe that the Holy Spirit can intercede and pray for you before the Father when you don’t know how or what to say with words you cannot express—then you’d better believe that the same Holy Spirit can speak through you to other people
o The world is telling the church—“Just keep your mouth shut.”
o While God is desperately saying—“Just keep you mouth open and I will give you what you need.”
o When Moses was before the burning bush—even after he had seen the miracles of the staff and the snake, his own hand turning leprous and healing—he said this to the call of God—“ "O Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue."
EX 4:11 The LORD said to him, "Who gave man his mouth? Who makes him deaf or mute? Who gives him sight or makes him blind? Is it not I, the LORD? 12 Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say."
o In the midst of a generation screaming for answers, Christians are stuttering. Howard Hendricks
o Why do you have the Holy Spirit in your life? 2 Reasons—
o First—personal confirmation and sealing—assurance of salvation, conviction of sin—the Holy Spirit is there for your personal faith and growth.
o Second—so you may be an empowered and emboldened witness for Jesus Christ
o Acts 1:8—“ you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
o If God did not intend for you to be His witness, He would not send the Holy Spirit—which also means—if you have the Holy Spirit then you have all the power you need to be His witness. If you don’t want to be a witness—then you’re effectively saying you don’t want the Holy Spirit or His work in your life.
o The Holy Spirit is present in this world and in our hearts to Empower and Embolden us to be His witnesses—the Holy Spirit is not meant for the few elite—He is meant for all—but He will work through you—and witness through you in a way that is different from me.
o That boldness did not come naturally—the early church, the apostles—they prayed for it.
o Acts 4:29-- enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness.
o Ephesians 6:19-- Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.
o Are you actively praying for Boldness from God that you might be given the opportunity to witness for Him?
3. A Vision for an Opportunistic Heart for Evangelism
o Too Often Unaware & Unwilling
o Along with praying for boldness—are you praying for the opportunity.
o I’ve been the kid playing baseball in the outfield praying—“please don’t hit the ball this way, please don’t hit the ball this way.” Is that how you feel about sharing your faith?
o Colossians 4:2-6—“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. 3 And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. 4 Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. 5 Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. 6 Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.”
o Evangelism happens wherever you are—you must be opportunistic and deliberate—you must look for those doors of opportunity that God opens for you and have the courage of faith to step through them.
o “Make the most of every opportunity”… every conversation, every question needs some grace and some salt.
4. A Vision for an Expanded Idea of Evangelism
o Part of our problem is that we don’t really know what evangelism is any more. Too many of us think that if we’re not presenting the 4 Spiritual Laws or some kind of outline, then we’re not witnessing.
o Getting to know someone is a form of evangelism—being kind, being generous is a form of evangelism—so long as you are aware that at any moment a door of opportunity might open for you to ask, to share, to testify.
o Praying is a form of evangelism. So many people believe in it—so many need it—ask them if you can pray for them.
o Will your house be a house of prayer? If you are willing, commit to 5 or more of your neighbors—that you will visit or speak with them at least twice a month for nothing more than asking if there’s anything they would like you to pray for. If another opportunity opens, then fine—follow the Holy Spirit’s leading—but get out of your house go to a neighbor, go to a friend and ask to pray for them.
o You can do the same thing at work—you can do the same thing at school—you can do the same thing wherever we go.
o Christ met unbelievers where they were. He realized what many Christians today still don't seem to understand. Cultivators have to get out in the field. According to one count, the gospels record 132 contacts that Jesus had with people. Six were in the Temple, four in the synagogues and 122 were out with the people in the mainstream of life. J.K. Johnston, Why Christians Sin, Discovery House, 1992, p. 142.
o Be deliberate, be bold, be creative in how you evangelize and share the Good News
5. A Vision to Go On Mission
o College going to Beach Reach
o South Korea—August 4-18 – churches to Wisconsin, another Des Moines
o The Times-Reporter of New Philadelphia, Ohio, reported in September, 1985 a celebration of a New Orleans municipal pool. The party around the pool was held to celebrate the first summer in memory without a drowning at the New Orleans city pool. In honor of the occasion, 200 people gathered, including 100 certified lifeguards. As the party was breaking up and the four lifeguards on duty began to clear the pool, they found a fully dressed body in the deep end. They tried to revive Jerome Moody, 31, but it was too late. He had drowned surrounded by lifeguards celebrating their successful season. Times-Reporter, September 1985.
Monday, January 14, 2008
Sermon- 1-13-08-- The Benefit & Blessing of Vision-- Nehemiah
Here is the audio of this message.
The Benefit & Blessing of Vision
F.E. Marsh has enumerated some of God's blessings:
An acceptance that can never be questioned. (Ephesians 1:6).
An inheritance that can never be lost (I Peter 1:3-5).
A deliverance that can never be excelled (2 Corinthians l:10).
A grace that can never be limited (2 Corinthians 12:9).
A hope that can never be disappointed. (Hebrews 6:18, 19).
A bounty that can never be withdrawn. (I Colossians 3:21-23).
A joy that need never be diminished (John 15:11).
A nearness to God that can never be reversed (Ephesians 2:13).
A peace that can never be disturbed (John 14:27).
A righteousness that can never be tarnished (2 Corinthians 5:21).
A salvation that can never be canceled (Hebrews 5:9).
F.E. Marsh.
Last week we saw in the lives of a defeated people the truth that “where there is no vision, the people perish”
We saw that a people without Vision—are often paralyzed by fear, a lack of commitment, and so often the good things that need to be done around them are neglected, are forgotten—the opportunities are missed—and so often when we do not step up to the plate when God lays an opportunity before us—it’s going to be a while before He comes back to us and says—Here’s another opportunity for you.
When we don’t have Vision—there’s nothing to commit to, nothing to fight for, no victory to achieve, no sense of accomplishment, no sense of cause, nothing to live for—it’s just a drudgery of life.
But it’s moving to the truth of the flip side—that “where there is vision—the people live.”
Last week we finished with the truth that you and I are the Temple of the Holy Spirit, and that you and I together are being built into a spiritual house in order to serve as priests, dedicated to giving glory to God.
I like these definitions of Vision
Vision is the ability to understand the history, the present condition, and the potential of the church, and to conceive a plan for action that will maximize the ministry potential. More often than not, vision is a result of having spent much time absorbing the facts about the community, knowing the resources upon which the church can call (people, funding, facilities, equipment, etc.), and devising sound but creative strategies for moving forward. Vision always entails progress: it is never satisfied with the status quo.
George Barna, How to Find Your Church, p. 104.
Vision: the capacity to create a compelling picture of the desired state of affairs that inspires people to respond; that which is desirable, which could be, should be; that which is attainable. A godly vision is right for the times, right for the church, and right for the people. A godly vision promotes faith rather than fear. A godly vision motivates people to action. A godly vision requires risk-taking. A godly vision glorifies God, not people.
Bob Logan.
Eph. 1—Revelation helps us “Know Him better”
Phil. 1—knowledge and insight--Vision will help us “discern what is best”
1. Vision’s Blessing Helps you Clearly See What is Needed—1:3-4, 11
• It is easy to get comfortable when something is broken. I remember times when a picture was leaning, or there was a crack in the wall that needed repairs—it’s easy to go right on by—to get so used to seeing it this way—so comfortable with the problem—that you can lose the drive to fix it, that you can even be afraid of seeing the problem fixed at all.
• For those coming from Jerusalem, for years, they had lived with the problem—for years, they may have thought someone should do something about it—for years, the reminder of their defeat was before them and for whatever reason, they were afraid of what would happen if they tried to fix it.
• At this point—they didn’t know what to do with it—at this point, they may have lost hope it would ever change. But when they took the problem with them to Susa, the capitol of Persia, someone else heard about it—READ 1:2-4
• Nehemiah was broken by the situation –and he took it before God—called out to Him to reveal the way to impact what is a sad situation—
• The people of God had been paralyzed from living as God has invited them to live—and they were suffering for it--and everyone around them was suffering as well. When Jerusalem was not functional, when the Temple was not the central place of true worship it was supposed to be—everyone in the surrounding country couldn’t worship effectively either—they remained in darkness b/c those who should have been shining the light were afraid, were immobilized, had lost sight of what God had called them to be and so lost the vision of God.
• After many days of mourning, fasting and prayer, and taking things to God, Nehemiah was ready to step out and take a risk. READ v. 1:11
• What was needed was Jerusalem needed to be rebuilt—Jerusalem needed to return to the center of Jewish life and Worship—the covenant needed to be lived out. Hope needed to be restored—the light needed to shine again.
• The blessing of the vision God had given him helped Nehemiah see the problem—and see it so clearly that he was moved to do something about it.
• In the same way, when we hear about people here in Macomb who are struggling, who are suffering, who are trapped in darkness apart from Christ—you and I can be tempted to just go on living—and not really think twice about it because we’ve become comfortable with our own little world, our own friends and family, or because we’re afraid of stepping out and doing what is necessary to change things, or we’re waiting for someone else to do it—but just like Nehemiah we should be broken about the situation of the lost around us—and we need a vision from God to shake us—out of our complacency. Vision’s Blessing helps us to See what is Needed and also give Hope for a Solution
• Lord God, may we be so broken when we hear the report of those in need of Christ that we will call upon and pursue after God and His plan for making a difference.
2. Vision’s Blessing Rallies People to a Great Cause—2:17-18, 3:1
a. 2:17-18— Let us start rebuilding
b. waiting for a vision—they were waiting for someone to come along, and show the conviction to do something about it—it wasn’t that Nehemiah was smarter—it’s that he wasn’t going to let this moment pass by—not when God had given him the blessing of a vision—and the people responded to that.
c. 3:1—the rest of the chapter describes the different sections of the walls and the gates and the various groups or families that rebuilt them.
d. After years of doing nothing—of knowing the problem but unable or unwilling to do anything about it—after hearing from Nehemiah and what God had shown him, they were now ready to do it. The vision that God had laid on Nehemiah’s heart inspired them to action. Now they had something to believe in—the discouragement, the defeat, the years being dominated by local thugs are cast aside with a vision of hope and a future.
e. The people of Jerusalem were rallied by the blessing of Vision. The greater cause of fulfilling the vision allowed people to work together, even on their small sections, but accomplish something they could not do on their own.
f. This was a great cause—restoring dignity to Jerusalem and its people—restoring its place as a center of worship to almighty God.—the vision that Nehemiah brought with him was a breath of fresh air for those who had been waiting.
g. WWII brings many such moments to light—not many in England thought they could survive the German onslaught until Winston Churchill gave them a vision of Victory. Many in America wondered if the United States should cut it’s losses in the Pacific and stay uninvolved after Pearl Harbor
• Vision’s Blessing Overcomes Obstacles & Opposition
• The amazing thing about starting something for God is that you are guaranteed to face opposition. Nehemiah was no different. He endured tremendous opposition, undermining and threat.
• Nehemiah--2:10, 19—not everyone liked the vision Nehemiah brought with him. They were from neighboring towns and were fearful they may lose income or power. others resentful—Resistance to anyone offering a vision—opposition
• 4:1-3—Ridicule and Mocking—since the direct opposition wasn’t working the enemies of Jerusalem made fun of them and sought to discourage them—to sap their hope—to discourage them from completing the project and fulfilling their cord
• Then it went so far in 6:5-9—the opposition was even deliberately bringing up False Accusations and lies
• Satan was willing to throw anything at them to make them stop and discourage them from doing the work God had called them to do.
• That is so typical—Satan’s pattern hasn’t changed. As soon as you start moving toward fulfilling your calling and vision of God, Satan is going to try anything to stop you. And you should not expect to be exempt from such treatment. He’ll try any such tactics on us—so long as we don’t just stand on the sidelines or sit on the bench—he’ll use whatever means necessary to keep you on the bench and not in the game. Satan will use family, he’ll use your kids, your spouse anything.
• That’s why Nehemiah needed to set up guards to help them all—while some did the work of building, others did the work of guarding. READ 4:13, 16—the cause was worth fighting for.
• 7:1-3—guarding—ordinary guards—everyday citizens were given charge of the gate—required the participation and commitment of everyone.
• It was the vision of seeing the walls back up—the dream of the gates functioning as they should that helped all the people overcome the opposition—don’t you want to take part in something worth fighting for? Something that has an eternal value—because our mission, the vision for this family, this body of believers is worth it—especially when we are standing by each other—guarding and working.
• It is vision helps you overcome obstacles and opposition—it may not be easy but reminders of what you’re doing something for and why it will make a difference.
• Vision’s Blessing has Amazing Accomplishments
• 4:6—early on, despite the opposition, the wall was rebuilt to half it’s height—the people were inspired and worked with “all their heart”
• After helping out the social situation—restoring justice to the poor—again Nehemiah faced opposition again and Sanballat attempted to lure him into a trap. But Nehemiah continued to pray and seek God—“Now strengthen my hands” he said in vs. 9
• Successful Vision—6:15-16—completing in 52 days—fear of the enemy—now those in Jerusalem were able to truly live as they were intended to live
• 7:1—with all these things in place—the singers and Levites were appointed—true worship was restored.
• 7:4—city was large and spacious—few people in it—they were ready to receive
• 8:1-3, 5—Hunger for the word
The rebuilding of Jerusalem was for the Glory of God—that the people would no longer be a disgrace—and they experienced some great aspects of mercy from God. they rallied around Nehemiah and the vision God had given him and together they accomplished a great task. They had the foundation laid and it was time to build upon them.
They had walls to build in order to keep unwanted enemies out—a matter of protection and defense. But the gates were supposed to give access to anyone who came—so they might benefit from the access to God. Strength and access—so long as the people of Israel held to this vision—they were pleasing to God and He blessed them.
I believe we are in a similar situation—we have walls that need repair—we need gates and access to God restored—we need an awakening of the vision and calling of God in our hearts so we will impact the community around us and not live in fear, not be paralyzed to inaction, but work with all our hearts to accomplish our mission—the one that Jesus gave to us—strengthening the family of God to reach out to the lost and hurting.
We have such a good foundation to build upon—our situation is far from hopeless—I believe we are on the verge of God’s great blessings.
Here’s some things to do—
First—pray and seek God’s vision for our church and for your life.
Second—allow yourself to be broken for the lost and hurting around you—don’t continue to pass by the same thing that needs fixing and not do anything about it
Third—if you haven’t seen someone in a while that you’re used to sitting next to or your used to seeing—give them a call this week. Invite them to lunch or over for dinner. Be excited about our church and invite them to join you in the work of God—come be a part of the Church visitation this Saturday,
Fourth—start building—take a section of our church’s needs and fulfill it with all your heart. Start building upon the foundation of the Temple that has been laid in this church, in your heart—don’t let the foundation remain unused—if God has laid something on your heart—share it—Patrick and I and others will help you in fulfilling it.
How many of you know that a few years ago, the church came together and agreed upon a Vision Statement. It’s a very sound one—when the foundation is Christ—and these are great building blocks to shape what and how we build.
UBC Vision
• To be a dynamic spiritual church empowered by the Holy Spirit to share Christ with as many people as possible in our church, community, and throughout the world.--Evangelism
• To be a worshiping fellowship, experiencing an awareness of God, recognizing His person, and responding in obedience to His leadership--Worship
• To experience an increasingly meaningful fellowship with God and fellow believers--Fellowship
• To help people experience a growing knowledge of God--Discipleship
• To be a church that ministers unselfishly to persons in the community and world in Jesus name.--Ministry
• To be a church whose purpose is to be Christ-like in our daily living by emphasizing total commitment of life, personality, and possessions to the Lordship of Christ.
UBC is like Jerusalem—we need to see the vision of God to awaken us to His great Mission—that will sustain us through opposition—that we can expect to accomplish great and wonderful things.
The Benefit & Blessing of Vision
F.E. Marsh has enumerated some of God's blessings:
An acceptance that can never be questioned. (Ephesians 1:6).
An inheritance that can never be lost (I Peter 1:3-5).
A deliverance that can never be excelled (2 Corinthians l:10).
A grace that can never be limited (2 Corinthians 12:9).
A hope that can never be disappointed. (Hebrews 6:18, 19).
A bounty that can never be withdrawn. (I Colossians 3:21-23).
A joy that need never be diminished (John 15:11).
A nearness to God that can never be reversed (Ephesians 2:13).
A peace that can never be disturbed (John 14:27).
A righteousness that can never be tarnished (2 Corinthians 5:21).
A salvation that can never be canceled (Hebrews 5:9).
F.E. Marsh.
Last week we saw in the lives of a defeated people the truth that “where there is no vision, the people perish”
We saw that a people without Vision—are often paralyzed by fear, a lack of commitment, and so often the good things that need to be done around them are neglected, are forgotten—the opportunities are missed—and so often when we do not step up to the plate when God lays an opportunity before us—it’s going to be a while before He comes back to us and says—Here’s another opportunity for you.
When we don’t have Vision—there’s nothing to commit to, nothing to fight for, no victory to achieve, no sense of accomplishment, no sense of cause, nothing to live for—it’s just a drudgery of life.
But it’s moving to the truth of the flip side—that “where there is vision—the people live.”
Last week we finished with the truth that you and I are the Temple of the Holy Spirit, and that you and I together are being built into a spiritual house in order to serve as priests, dedicated to giving glory to God.
I like these definitions of Vision
Vision is the ability to understand the history, the present condition, and the potential of the church, and to conceive a plan for action that will maximize the ministry potential. More often than not, vision is a result of having spent much time absorbing the facts about the community, knowing the resources upon which the church can call (people, funding, facilities, equipment, etc.), and devising sound but creative strategies for moving forward. Vision always entails progress: it is never satisfied with the status quo.
George Barna, How to Find Your Church, p. 104.
Vision: the capacity to create a compelling picture of the desired state of affairs that inspires people to respond; that which is desirable, which could be, should be; that which is attainable. A godly vision is right for the times, right for the church, and right for the people. A godly vision promotes faith rather than fear. A godly vision motivates people to action. A godly vision requires risk-taking. A godly vision glorifies God, not people.
Bob Logan.
Eph. 1—Revelation helps us “Know Him better”
Phil. 1—knowledge and insight--Vision will help us “discern what is best”
1. Vision’s Blessing Helps you Clearly See What is Needed—1:3-4, 11
• It is easy to get comfortable when something is broken. I remember times when a picture was leaning, or there was a crack in the wall that needed repairs—it’s easy to go right on by—to get so used to seeing it this way—so comfortable with the problem—that you can lose the drive to fix it, that you can even be afraid of seeing the problem fixed at all.
• For those coming from Jerusalem, for years, they had lived with the problem—for years, they may have thought someone should do something about it—for years, the reminder of their defeat was before them and for whatever reason, they were afraid of what would happen if they tried to fix it.
• At this point—they didn’t know what to do with it—at this point, they may have lost hope it would ever change. But when they took the problem with them to Susa, the capitol of Persia, someone else heard about it—READ 1:2-4
• Nehemiah was broken by the situation –and he took it before God—called out to Him to reveal the way to impact what is a sad situation—
• The people of God had been paralyzed from living as God has invited them to live—and they were suffering for it--and everyone around them was suffering as well. When Jerusalem was not functional, when the Temple was not the central place of true worship it was supposed to be—everyone in the surrounding country couldn’t worship effectively either—they remained in darkness b/c those who should have been shining the light were afraid, were immobilized, had lost sight of what God had called them to be and so lost the vision of God.
• After many days of mourning, fasting and prayer, and taking things to God, Nehemiah was ready to step out and take a risk. READ v. 1:11
• What was needed was Jerusalem needed to be rebuilt—Jerusalem needed to return to the center of Jewish life and Worship—the covenant needed to be lived out. Hope needed to be restored—the light needed to shine again.
• The blessing of the vision God had given him helped Nehemiah see the problem—and see it so clearly that he was moved to do something about it.
• In the same way, when we hear about people here in Macomb who are struggling, who are suffering, who are trapped in darkness apart from Christ—you and I can be tempted to just go on living—and not really think twice about it because we’ve become comfortable with our own little world, our own friends and family, or because we’re afraid of stepping out and doing what is necessary to change things, or we’re waiting for someone else to do it—but just like Nehemiah we should be broken about the situation of the lost around us—and we need a vision from God to shake us—out of our complacency. Vision’s Blessing helps us to See what is Needed and also give Hope for a Solution
• Lord God, may we be so broken when we hear the report of those in need of Christ that we will call upon and pursue after God and His plan for making a difference.
2. Vision’s Blessing Rallies People to a Great Cause—2:17-18, 3:1
a. 2:17-18— Let us start rebuilding
b. waiting for a vision—they were waiting for someone to come along, and show the conviction to do something about it—it wasn’t that Nehemiah was smarter—it’s that he wasn’t going to let this moment pass by—not when God had given him the blessing of a vision—and the people responded to that.
c. 3:1—the rest of the chapter describes the different sections of the walls and the gates and the various groups or families that rebuilt them.
d. After years of doing nothing—of knowing the problem but unable or unwilling to do anything about it—after hearing from Nehemiah and what God had shown him, they were now ready to do it. The vision that God had laid on Nehemiah’s heart inspired them to action. Now they had something to believe in—the discouragement, the defeat, the years being dominated by local thugs are cast aside with a vision of hope and a future.
e. The people of Jerusalem were rallied by the blessing of Vision. The greater cause of fulfilling the vision allowed people to work together, even on their small sections, but accomplish something they could not do on their own.
f. This was a great cause—restoring dignity to Jerusalem and its people—restoring its place as a center of worship to almighty God.—the vision that Nehemiah brought with him was a breath of fresh air for those who had been waiting.
g. WWII brings many such moments to light—not many in England thought they could survive the German onslaught until Winston Churchill gave them a vision of Victory. Many in America wondered if the United States should cut it’s losses in the Pacific and stay uninvolved after Pearl Harbor
• Vision’s Blessing Overcomes Obstacles & Opposition
• The amazing thing about starting something for God is that you are guaranteed to face opposition. Nehemiah was no different. He endured tremendous opposition, undermining and threat.
• Nehemiah--2:10, 19—not everyone liked the vision Nehemiah brought with him. They were from neighboring towns and were fearful they may lose income or power. others resentful—Resistance to anyone offering a vision—opposition
• 4:1-3—Ridicule and Mocking—since the direct opposition wasn’t working the enemies of Jerusalem made fun of them and sought to discourage them—to sap their hope—to discourage them from completing the project and fulfilling their cord
• Then it went so far in 6:5-9—the opposition was even deliberately bringing up False Accusations and lies
• Satan was willing to throw anything at them to make them stop and discourage them from doing the work God had called them to do.
• That is so typical—Satan’s pattern hasn’t changed. As soon as you start moving toward fulfilling your calling and vision of God, Satan is going to try anything to stop you. And you should not expect to be exempt from such treatment. He’ll try any such tactics on us—so long as we don’t just stand on the sidelines or sit on the bench—he’ll use whatever means necessary to keep you on the bench and not in the game. Satan will use family, he’ll use your kids, your spouse anything.
• That’s why Nehemiah needed to set up guards to help them all—while some did the work of building, others did the work of guarding. READ 4:13, 16—the cause was worth fighting for.
• 7:1-3—guarding—ordinary guards—everyday citizens were given charge of the gate—required the participation and commitment of everyone.
• It was the vision of seeing the walls back up—the dream of the gates functioning as they should that helped all the people overcome the opposition—don’t you want to take part in something worth fighting for? Something that has an eternal value—because our mission, the vision for this family, this body of believers is worth it—especially when we are standing by each other—guarding and working.
• It is vision helps you overcome obstacles and opposition—it may not be easy but reminders of what you’re doing something for and why it will make a difference.
• Vision’s Blessing has Amazing Accomplishments
• 4:6—early on, despite the opposition, the wall was rebuilt to half it’s height—the people were inspired and worked with “all their heart”
• After helping out the social situation—restoring justice to the poor—again Nehemiah faced opposition again and Sanballat attempted to lure him into a trap. But Nehemiah continued to pray and seek God—“Now strengthen my hands” he said in vs. 9
• Successful Vision—6:15-16—completing in 52 days—fear of the enemy—now those in Jerusalem were able to truly live as they were intended to live
• 7:1—with all these things in place—the singers and Levites were appointed—true worship was restored.
• 7:4—city was large and spacious—few people in it—they were ready to receive
• 8:1-3, 5—Hunger for the word
The rebuilding of Jerusalem was for the Glory of God—that the people would no longer be a disgrace—and they experienced some great aspects of mercy from God. they rallied around Nehemiah and the vision God had given him and together they accomplished a great task. They had the foundation laid and it was time to build upon them.
They had walls to build in order to keep unwanted enemies out—a matter of protection and defense. But the gates were supposed to give access to anyone who came—so they might benefit from the access to God. Strength and access—so long as the people of Israel held to this vision—they were pleasing to God and He blessed them.
I believe we are in a similar situation—we have walls that need repair—we need gates and access to God restored—we need an awakening of the vision and calling of God in our hearts so we will impact the community around us and not live in fear, not be paralyzed to inaction, but work with all our hearts to accomplish our mission—the one that Jesus gave to us—strengthening the family of God to reach out to the lost and hurting.
We have such a good foundation to build upon—our situation is far from hopeless—I believe we are on the verge of God’s great blessings.
Here’s some things to do—
First—pray and seek God’s vision for our church and for your life.
Second—allow yourself to be broken for the lost and hurting around you—don’t continue to pass by the same thing that needs fixing and not do anything about it
Third—if you haven’t seen someone in a while that you’re used to sitting next to or your used to seeing—give them a call this week. Invite them to lunch or over for dinner. Be excited about our church and invite them to join you in the work of God—come be a part of the Church visitation this Saturday,
Fourth—start building—take a section of our church’s needs and fulfill it with all your heart. Start building upon the foundation of the Temple that has been laid in this church, in your heart—don’t let the foundation remain unused—if God has laid something on your heart—share it—Patrick and I and others will help you in fulfilling it.
How many of you know that a few years ago, the church came together and agreed upon a Vision Statement. It’s a very sound one—when the foundation is Christ—and these are great building blocks to shape what and how we build.
UBC Vision
• To be a dynamic spiritual church empowered by the Holy Spirit to share Christ with as many people as possible in our church, community, and throughout the world.--Evangelism
• To be a worshiping fellowship, experiencing an awareness of God, recognizing His person, and responding in obedience to His leadership--Worship
• To experience an increasingly meaningful fellowship with God and fellow believers--Fellowship
• To help people experience a growing knowledge of God--Discipleship
• To be a church that ministers unselfishly to persons in the community and world in Jesus name.--Ministry
• To be a church whose purpose is to be Christ-like in our daily living by emphasizing total commitment of life, personality, and possessions to the Lordship of Christ.
UBC is like Jerusalem—we need to see the vision of God to awaken us to His great Mission—that will sustain us through opposition—that we can expect to accomplish great and wonderful things.
Monday, January 07, 2008
Sermon-- 1/6/08-- The Consequence of No Vision-- Nehemiah
Here is the audio for this message.
The late Supreme Court Justice Oliver Holmes was on a train when the conductor came through collecting tickets. Holmes couldn’t find his ticket and became rather distraught. The conductor tried to console him by saying, "Mr. Holmes, don’t worry. When you find your ticket, just mail it in. We trust you." Mr. Holmes responded in frustration, "My dear man, that’s not my problem. I need my ticket to tell me where I’m going."
We all need to know where it is that we’re going.
It’s a good thing to know where you’re going—and also how to know when you’ve made it. Exploration requires being able to see farther than just where you are at the moment.
About 350 years ago a shipload of travelers landed on the northeast coast of America. The first year they established a town site. The next year they elected a town government. The third year the town government planned to build a road five miles westward into the wilderness.
In the fourth year the people tried to impeach their town government because they thought it was a waste of public funds to build a road five miles westward into a wilderness. Who needed to go there anyway?
Here were people who had the vision to see three thousand miles across an ocean and overcome great hardships to get there. But in just a few years they were not able to see even five miles out of town. They had lost their pioneering vision. With a clear vision of what we can become in Christ, no ocean of difficulty is too great. Without it, we rarely move beyond our current boundaries.
Losing our Vision is a dangerous thing—it has consequences.
In 586 BC, the Jewish world was hit with a major blow—Jerusalem, the sacred city of David and the home to Solomon’s Temple was destroyed by the Babylonians—the walls were destroyed, the Temple demolished, the precious, holy articles were carried off to be used for pagan gods, their leaders and most of the inhabitants were taken off into captivity. Those remaining behind suffered through drought and famine, continued defeat and other problems. By 538 BC about 70 years later—Babylon had fallen and Persia came to power under Cyrus—and he did something unusual—he let the Jews go home. Under the leadership of a man named Zerubbabel, these exiled Jews returned to Jerusalem and rebuilt the temple. Things were looking up for while. It seemed as if Israel was on the verge of becoming a blessed nation once again. But the people refused to turn away from the very sins that God had judged their ancestors for. The temple was not being maintained. Sacrifices had ceased. The Jews continued to adopt the religious practices and culture of the surrounding nations.
By the time of Nehemiah, the political, social, and spiritual conditions in Jerusalem were deplorable.
Things were looking bad again for Israel—Israel Had Lost Sight of the Vision-the vision that God had for them
Israel had Great Potential—
God’s Great Plan
Genesis 12:2—“I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you.”
ISA 42:6 "I, the LORD, have called you in righteousness; I will take hold of your hand. I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles,
Exodus 19:5-- 5 Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, 6 you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.'
Deuteronomy 4:34-35--“ 34 Has any god ever tried to take for himself one nation out of another nation, by testings, by miraculous signs and wonders, by war, by a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, or by great and awesome deeds, like all the things the LORD your God did for you in Egypt before your very eyes?
DT 4:35 You were shown these things so that you might know that the LORD is God; besides him there is no other.
2SA 7:22 "How great you are, O Sovereign LORD! There is no one like you, and there is no God but you, as we have heard with our own ears. 23 And who is like your people Israel--the one nation on earth that God went out to redeem as a people for himself, and to make a name for himself, and to perform great and awesome wonders by driving out nations and their gods from before your people, whom you redeemed from Egypt? 24 You have established your people Israel as your very own forever, and you, O LORD, have become their God.
All the nations of the earth were to be blessed through this nation God had created—God’s vision was for them to be a blessing—to be His priests and representatives to the World—to be a light. But somewhere along the way, Israel lost sight of what God had called them to be
At various times, the nation that was His possession, rejected their place in God’s plan—rejected the vision of greatness—each man turned to his own way and did what was right in his own eyes. And that is a dangerous place to be.
There is a Consequence for Not Living in the Vision
Again, Being Outside the Vision Has Consequences
Proverbs 29:18:Where there is no Vision—the people perish—they let it all go—they are let go—they suffer spiritually
The Vision comes from God—He gives it—we must receive it, commit our selves to it and live in His Revelation. When we don’t, when we go our own way—there are consequences—and you can see some of them in and around the man Nehemiah who came back to Jerusalem after about 150 years of Captivity, about 100 years after the Jewish people were allowed to return home
READ Nehemiah 1:1-4—
After all these years of struggle and exile—after the provision of God by being allowed to return home—the people of Israel were still struggling to live the Vision because even after God had tried to get their attention they still hadn’t gotten the fact that their lives needed to change, their commitment to God needed strengthening.
By not living in God’s vision—the people of Israel experienced defeat after defeat—they lived in “great trouble and disgrace”. This is what lies outside of God’s vision. When you and I are unwilling or uninterested in God’s vision it’s typically b/c we’re more interested in fulfilling our own vision. We usually have great visions for ourselves—we can envision the Job we want, we can picture the kind house we want to live in, the kind of car we want to drive, see the figures of our salary, the prestige of our position. There is only one thing wrong with those dreams—if they are yours and not God’s.
You may have your dreams and visions of the future, but if you refuse or ignore God’s vision—there is “great trouble and disgrace” ahead. God doesn’t want us happy nearly as much as He wants us obedient—and not just obedient in the sense of “DO AS YOUR TOLD”—but in the sense of God saying, “Your dreams for your life are nothing compared to mine! They pale in comparison. You are setting the bar way too low because My vision is immeasurably more than all you can ask or imagine for yourself.”
Our dreams are usually too small—what we try to do, the life we try to build on our own is not nearly as beautiful as the one that is in God’s heart.
In reality, our dreams and visions and efforts are embarrassing by comparison. Look over in Ezra 3:12-13—
Many of the older priests grieved at the new temple b/c it did not compare to the previous Temple. They looked at the Foundation, which foretold the size and shape and they wept of the new Temple and they knew. They knew it would never be as beautiful, never be as glorious or as large as it could have been had the old one remained standing—had they remained faithful—that opportunity was lost. They were ashamed and embarrassed even when they tried to do things for God. That foundation sat there for many years before the actually built it.
The things we pride ourselves in gets broken down—the gates have been burned with fire—so many of our dreams are about protection—protecting ourselves, protecting the ones we love, protecting our future—but this world tears through our defenses—but you know—that’s not even right—this world is not the only one that does tears down our walls and our defenses—God does it—when we are not living His vision. God takes full responsibility for sending the Israelites into captivity—Full responsibility for tearing them down b/c His desire is that they be fully Restored and then be Willing to live as He has dreamed--
Out side the Vision—the Israelites were Fearful of everyone around them. They Feared and Catered to the Opposition & their Lies—building stopped—walls knocked back down—the sacrifices for the Temple were given up—they had no confidence in what they were doing, they were not committed to God and so every decision was based more on fear—they could not be trusted.
Even Nehemiah was not confident of the people he came to lead. We’ll get into it next week, but Nehemiah came back with God’s vision and the king’s permission to a people whom he didn’t know how they would take his leadership so he does things secretly.
Nehemiah 2:11-18
He first stayed 3 days, doing nothing out of the ordinary.
He didn’t tell anyone until he could get an honest assessment himself
Only went at night—afraid to go during the day lest someone see him
Examining walls--Broken down
Gates destroyed so that no one could come through effectively which shut down convenient trade—but neither could they stop any enemy.
Why hadn’t they repaired the gates already, why hadn’t they already repaired the walls already—why hadn’t they revamped the Temple?
They let the enemy silence them, they let the enemy stop them—They let the enemy intimidate them—With No Vision from God—they were Perishing—they were letting it all go—neglect, indifference, fear—they were Paralyzed.
Paralyzation—inability to do anything, unwillingness to try anything.
They were more comfortable with trouble & disgrace because at least they knew what that was like. Not taking any risk or doing anything new, staying in a bad situation.
broken walls—anyone comes and goes—because you know, having a wall just invites attack—like you’ve got something to hide or something worth protecting—better to not have a wall at all—better not to project a picture of strength and power where you are actually influencing the surrounding area and the lives around you because that just invites the attention of the enemy.
You know there is truth to that—as long as you are doing nothing and having very little impact on the Kingdom of God—as long as you and I are unwilling to ask God for His vision, unwilling to Fulfill the vision He has already given us, then Satan has little to fear from us and he will largely leave us alone—because we’re defeated already.
Sure, he’ll do a few things here and there to remind us not to stick our heads out of our shell—Satan does the little things so as not to awaken a true dependence on God, awaken a desperate cry out to Him.
When I visit with people and they tell me they haven’t been to church in a while but they plan on it this week, I usually give them a warning. Get Ready. Because if you mean it, you’re really interested in making a change and pursuing after God—then Satan will try to intimidate you, he will try to threaten you—I usually tell them that something will happen between now and this Sunday to keep you from following through—especially on Saturday night or Sunday morning. You’ll get in fight with your spouse, one of your kids will get sick, your car will break down, the clothes you plan on wearing will be dirty or have some mysterious stain on them, the water heater will have quit so there’s no hot water to take a shower.
Satan wants to keep you with your Temple Unbuilt and Unused. He wants to keep your walls and your gates knocked down so you won’t be a threat or influence for the Kingdom of God.
Does it feel that way for you? Did you know that Satan really fears you, really fears this church living the dream, living the Vision God has for us and being the influence for the Kingdom of God?
That’s why Satan peppers us with fear and negativity, with bad attitudes and dissention, with laziness, busyness or other excuses.
You can see some of those attitudes and excuses pop up in the words of the people Nehemiah was trying to lead in ch. 4 & 5—I’m going to read these and then you tell me what the attitude and excuse
Nehemiah 4:10—afraid the task is too big and they don’t have the strength
Neh. 4:11-12—afraid their enemies too powerful and will defeat them.
Neh. 5:1-5—giving time & energy to this effort--afraid not going to have enough to pay bills, to support family, we’re so debt ridden that there’s no way—my home needs to be the bigger priority than the church—Rebuilding Jerusalem is not worth my time, effort and money—feel cheated and swindled—are we getting enough return on what we’re doing?
A people not willing or too afraid to live in God’s vision are defeated already. And there is a great Vision from God to be fulfilled.
This week we’ve been looking at a people that have lost sight of the vision of God—we’ve looked at some of the consequences that comes as a result. Being Afraid—living in fear, being Paralyzed to where you don’t do or try anything—the greatest of which is settling for less than God’s best.
Next week we’ll look at the benefits of living and believing the vision from God—using Nehemiah. But in the meantime, I want you to consider something:
Are you in the least concerned that you may have lost sight of God’s vision for your life or for the life of this church?
What evidence, if any, can you see in your own life? Are you, are we paralyzed and unwilling to do anything? Are you listening to the voice that whispers in your mind—no don’t do that, don’t start that conversation, don’t make that commitment—don’t try to build a wall—don’t try to build upon the foundation of my Temple?
Are you more afraid of messing up than you are of trying? Then you’re like the man given a talent in Matthew 25:25-- 25 So I was afraid and went out and hid your talent in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.”—essentially paralyzed from doing what God has called you to do? Are you defeated before even trying—not in action but in your heart and in your mind?
Because when we are like that, even what we have will be taken and given to someone who will live the dream, live the vision—God’s Kingdom will not be thwarted by your or my stubbornness—He’ll find someone else.
God does not want to see you defeated, He does not want to see you afraid or hesitant or paralyzed. He wants to see you and me fulfilling our calling, fulfilling His Vision for us. He wants to empower and embolden you to start that conversation about spiritual matters, to pray on the spot for that person who is troubled and not worry about what someone else may think of you.
It is when we have lost sight of His vision that we are those things—it is when we lose sight of His vision that we are essentially like Jerusalem before the coming of Nehemiah—our walls have been neglected, our Temple has only minimal treatment—our commitment to living as God has called us to live is haphazard.
Can you imagine how far removed from the Vision and Glory of God it must have taken for them to have the Foundation of the Temple laid—but still be unwilling or too scared to actually build it?
Think about it—you are called the Temple of the Holy Spirit—Peter tells us that we are being built into a Temple 1 Peter 2:4-- As you come to him, the living Stone--rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him-- 5 you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ…
Each of you has a great foundation of faith that is laid—this church has a great foundation of faith that is laid--and God is calling you and me to build upon it—to not go year after year with your individual Temple unbuilt—year after year with the walls of protection, the walls of strength, the walls of faithfulness unbuilt.
If you’re unwilling to build on your Temple or unwilling to build up this church to fight against the darkness—then you have lost sight of the vision God has for you. And if we have no vision—we will perish.
But—the flip side of that is—Where there is Vision—the People Live!
And if God is laying on your heart a vision for our church—I want to hear about it—don’t be afraid to share it.
And if we begin to shake off the dust and idleness of letting our Temple and our Walls remain unbuilt—then Get ready b/c 2 things are going to happen—the first is that Satan is going to try and put a stop to it before it gets very far—that happens over and over again in Nehemiah—the second Get Ready is Get ready for God to show more, for God to do more, for you and I to see Him working in such a way that is refreshing and powerful—Get ready for Him to take you on an adventure.
Are you willing to do that? To seek God’s vision and truly live it?
The late Supreme Court Justice Oliver Holmes was on a train when the conductor came through collecting tickets. Holmes couldn’t find his ticket and became rather distraught. The conductor tried to console him by saying, "Mr. Holmes, don’t worry. When you find your ticket, just mail it in. We trust you." Mr. Holmes responded in frustration, "My dear man, that’s not my problem. I need my ticket to tell me where I’m going."
We all need to know where it is that we’re going.
It’s a good thing to know where you’re going—and also how to know when you’ve made it. Exploration requires being able to see farther than just where you are at the moment.
About 350 years ago a shipload of travelers landed on the northeast coast of America. The first year they established a town site. The next year they elected a town government. The third year the town government planned to build a road five miles westward into the wilderness.
In the fourth year the people tried to impeach their town government because they thought it was a waste of public funds to build a road five miles westward into a wilderness. Who needed to go there anyway?
Here were people who had the vision to see three thousand miles across an ocean and overcome great hardships to get there. But in just a few years they were not able to see even five miles out of town. They had lost their pioneering vision. With a clear vision of what we can become in Christ, no ocean of difficulty is too great. Without it, we rarely move beyond our current boundaries.
Losing our Vision is a dangerous thing—it has consequences.
In 586 BC, the Jewish world was hit with a major blow—Jerusalem, the sacred city of David and the home to Solomon’s Temple was destroyed by the Babylonians—the walls were destroyed, the Temple demolished, the precious, holy articles were carried off to be used for pagan gods, their leaders and most of the inhabitants were taken off into captivity. Those remaining behind suffered through drought and famine, continued defeat and other problems. By 538 BC about 70 years later—Babylon had fallen and Persia came to power under Cyrus—and he did something unusual—he let the Jews go home. Under the leadership of a man named Zerubbabel, these exiled Jews returned to Jerusalem and rebuilt the temple. Things were looking up for while. It seemed as if Israel was on the verge of becoming a blessed nation once again. But the people refused to turn away from the very sins that God had judged their ancestors for. The temple was not being maintained. Sacrifices had ceased. The Jews continued to adopt the religious practices and culture of the surrounding nations.
By the time of Nehemiah, the political, social, and spiritual conditions in Jerusalem were deplorable.
Things were looking bad again for Israel—Israel Had Lost Sight of the Vision-the vision that God had for them
Israel had Great Potential—
God’s Great Plan
Genesis 12:2—“I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you.”
ISA 42:6 "I, the LORD, have called you in righteousness; I will take hold of your hand. I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles,
Exodus 19:5-- 5 Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, 6 you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.'
Deuteronomy 4:34-35--“ 34 Has any god ever tried to take for himself one nation out of another nation, by testings, by miraculous signs and wonders, by war, by a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, or by great and awesome deeds, like all the things the LORD your God did for you in Egypt before your very eyes?
DT 4:35 You were shown these things so that you might know that the LORD is God; besides him there is no other.
2SA 7:22 "How great you are, O Sovereign LORD! There is no one like you, and there is no God but you, as we have heard with our own ears. 23 And who is like your people Israel--the one nation on earth that God went out to redeem as a people for himself, and to make a name for himself, and to perform great and awesome wonders by driving out nations and their gods from before your people, whom you redeemed from Egypt? 24 You have established your people Israel as your very own forever, and you, O LORD, have become their God.
All the nations of the earth were to be blessed through this nation God had created—God’s vision was for them to be a blessing—to be His priests and representatives to the World—to be a light. But somewhere along the way, Israel lost sight of what God had called them to be
At various times, the nation that was His possession, rejected their place in God’s plan—rejected the vision of greatness—each man turned to his own way and did what was right in his own eyes. And that is a dangerous place to be.
There is a Consequence for Not Living in the Vision
Again, Being Outside the Vision Has Consequences
Proverbs 29:18:Where there is no Vision—the people perish—they let it all go—they are let go—they suffer spiritually
The Vision comes from God—He gives it—we must receive it, commit our selves to it and live in His Revelation. When we don’t, when we go our own way—there are consequences—and you can see some of them in and around the man Nehemiah who came back to Jerusalem after about 150 years of Captivity, about 100 years after the Jewish people were allowed to return home
READ Nehemiah 1:1-4—
After all these years of struggle and exile—after the provision of God by being allowed to return home—the people of Israel were still struggling to live the Vision because even after God had tried to get their attention they still hadn’t gotten the fact that their lives needed to change, their commitment to God needed strengthening.
By not living in God’s vision—the people of Israel experienced defeat after defeat—they lived in “great trouble and disgrace”. This is what lies outside of God’s vision. When you and I are unwilling or uninterested in God’s vision it’s typically b/c we’re more interested in fulfilling our own vision. We usually have great visions for ourselves—we can envision the Job we want, we can picture the kind house we want to live in, the kind of car we want to drive, see the figures of our salary, the prestige of our position. There is only one thing wrong with those dreams—if they are yours and not God’s.
You may have your dreams and visions of the future, but if you refuse or ignore God’s vision—there is “great trouble and disgrace” ahead. God doesn’t want us happy nearly as much as He wants us obedient—and not just obedient in the sense of “DO AS YOUR TOLD”—but in the sense of God saying, “Your dreams for your life are nothing compared to mine! They pale in comparison. You are setting the bar way too low because My vision is immeasurably more than all you can ask or imagine for yourself.”
Our dreams are usually too small—what we try to do, the life we try to build on our own is not nearly as beautiful as the one that is in God’s heart.
In reality, our dreams and visions and efforts are embarrassing by comparison. Look over in Ezra 3:12-13—
Many of the older priests grieved at the new temple b/c it did not compare to the previous Temple. They looked at the Foundation, which foretold the size and shape and they wept of the new Temple and they knew. They knew it would never be as beautiful, never be as glorious or as large as it could have been had the old one remained standing—had they remained faithful—that opportunity was lost. They were ashamed and embarrassed even when they tried to do things for God. That foundation sat there for many years before the actually built it.
The things we pride ourselves in gets broken down—the gates have been burned with fire—so many of our dreams are about protection—protecting ourselves, protecting the ones we love, protecting our future—but this world tears through our defenses—but you know—that’s not even right—this world is not the only one that does tears down our walls and our defenses—God does it—when we are not living His vision. God takes full responsibility for sending the Israelites into captivity—Full responsibility for tearing them down b/c His desire is that they be fully Restored and then be Willing to live as He has dreamed--
Out side the Vision—the Israelites were Fearful of everyone around them. They Feared and Catered to the Opposition & their Lies—building stopped—walls knocked back down—the sacrifices for the Temple were given up—they had no confidence in what they were doing, they were not committed to God and so every decision was based more on fear—they could not be trusted.
Even Nehemiah was not confident of the people he came to lead. We’ll get into it next week, but Nehemiah came back with God’s vision and the king’s permission to a people whom he didn’t know how they would take his leadership so he does things secretly.
Nehemiah 2:11-18
He first stayed 3 days, doing nothing out of the ordinary.
He didn’t tell anyone until he could get an honest assessment himself
Only went at night—afraid to go during the day lest someone see him
Examining walls--Broken down
Gates destroyed so that no one could come through effectively which shut down convenient trade—but neither could they stop any enemy.
Why hadn’t they repaired the gates already, why hadn’t they already repaired the walls already—why hadn’t they revamped the Temple?
They let the enemy silence them, they let the enemy stop them—They let the enemy intimidate them—With No Vision from God—they were Perishing—they were letting it all go—neglect, indifference, fear—they were Paralyzed.
Paralyzation—inability to do anything, unwillingness to try anything.
They were more comfortable with trouble & disgrace because at least they knew what that was like. Not taking any risk or doing anything new, staying in a bad situation.
broken walls—anyone comes and goes—because you know, having a wall just invites attack—like you’ve got something to hide or something worth protecting—better to not have a wall at all—better not to project a picture of strength and power where you are actually influencing the surrounding area and the lives around you because that just invites the attention of the enemy.
You know there is truth to that—as long as you are doing nothing and having very little impact on the Kingdom of God—as long as you and I are unwilling to ask God for His vision, unwilling to Fulfill the vision He has already given us, then Satan has little to fear from us and he will largely leave us alone—because we’re defeated already.
Sure, he’ll do a few things here and there to remind us not to stick our heads out of our shell—Satan does the little things so as not to awaken a true dependence on God, awaken a desperate cry out to Him.
When I visit with people and they tell me they haven’t been to church in a while but they plan on it this week, I usually give them a warning. Get Ready. Because if you mean it, you’re really interested in making a change and pursuing after God—then Satan will try to intimidate you, he will try to threaten you—I usually tell them that something will happen between now and this Sunday to keep you from following through—especially on Saturday night or Sunday morning. You’ll get in fight with your spouse, one of your kids will get sick, your car will break down, the clothes you plan on wearing will be dirty or have some mysterious stain on them, the water heater will have quit so there’s no hot water to take a shower.
Satan wants to keep you with your Temple Unbuilt and Unused. He wants to keep your walls and your gates knocked down so you won’t be a threat or influence for the Kingdom of God.
Does it feel that way for you? Did you know that Satan really fears you, really fears this church living the dream, living the Vision God has for us and being the influence for the Kingdom of God?
That’s why Satan peppers us with fear and negativity, with bad attitudes and dissention, with laziness, busyness or other excuses.
You can see some of those attitudes and excuses pop up in the words of the people Nehemiah was trying to lead in ch. 4 & 5—I’m going to read these and then you tell me what the attitude and excuse
Nehemiah 4:10—afraid the task is too big and they don’t have the strength
Neh. 4:11-12—afraid their enemies too powerful and will defeat them.
Neh. 5:1-5—giving time & energy to this effort--afraid not going to have enough to pay bills, to support family, we’re so debt ridden that there’s no way—my home needs to be the bigger priority than the church—Rebuilding Jerusalem is not worth my time, effort and money—feel cheated and swindled—are we getting enough return on what we’re doing?
A people not willing or too afraid to live in God’s vision are defeated already. And there is a great Vision from God to be fulfilled.
This week we’ve been looking at a people that have lost sight of the vision of God—we’ve looked at some of the consequences that comes as a result. Being Afraid—living in fear, being Paralyzed to where you don’t do or try anything—the greatest of which is settling for less than God’s best.
Next week we’ll look at the benefits of living and believing the vision from God—using Nehemiah. But in the meantime, I want you to consider something:
Are you in the least concerned that you may have lost sight of God’s vision for your life or for the life of this church?
What evidence, if any, can you see in your own life? Are you, are we paralyzed and unwilling to do anything? Are you listening to the voice that whispers in your mind—no don’t do that, don’t start that conversation, don’t make that commitment—don’t try to build a wall—don’t try to build upon the foundation of my Temple?
Are you more afraid of messing up than you are of trying? Then you’re like the man given a talent in Matthew 25:25-- 25 So I was afraid and went out and hid your talent in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.”—essentially paralyzed from doing what God has called you to do? Are you defeated before even trying—not in action but in your heart and in your mind?
Because when we are like that, even what we have will be taken and given to someone who will live the dream, live the vision—God’s Kingdom will not be thwarted by your or my stubbornness—He’ll find someone else.
God does not want to see you defeated, He does not want to see you afraid or hesitant or paralyzed. He wants to see you and me fulfilling our calling, fulfilling His Vision for us. He wants to empower and embolden you to start that conversation about spiritual matters, to pray on the spot for that person who is troubled and not worry about what someone else may think of you.
It is when we have lost sight of His vision that we are those things—it is when we lose sight of His vision that we are essentially like Jerusalem before the coming of Nehemiah—our walls have been neglected, our Temple has only minimal treatment—our commitment to living as God has called us to live is haphazard.
Can you imagine how far removed from the Vision and Glory of God it must have taken for them to have the Foundation of the Temple laid—but still be unwilling or too scared to actually build it?
Think about it—you are called the Temple of the Holy Spirit—Peter tells us that we are being built into a Temple 1 Peter 2:4-- As you come to him, the living Stone--rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him-- 5 you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ…
Each of you has a great foundation of faith that is laid—this church has a great foundation of faith that is laid--and God is calling you and me to build upon it—to not go year after year with your individual Temple unbuilt—year after year with the walls of protection, the walls of strength, the walls of faithfulness unbuilt.
If you’re unwilling to build on your Temple or unwilling to build up this church to fight against the darkness—then you have lost sight of the vision God has for you. And if we have no vision—we will perish.
But—the flip side of that is—Where there is Vision—the People Live!
And if God is laying on your heart a vision for our church—I want to hear about it—don’t be afraid to share it.
And if we begin to shake off the dust and idleness of letting our Temple and our Walls remain unbuilt—then Get ready b/c 2 things are going to happen—the first is that Satan is going to try and put a stop to it before it gets very far—that happens over and over again in Nehemiah—the second Get Ready is Get ready for God to show more, for God to do more, for you and I to see Him working in such a way that is refreshing and powerful—Get ready for Him to take you on an adventure.
Are you willing to do that? To seek God’s vision and truly live it?
Sunday, September 02, 2007
Sermon-9/w/07--Preserving the Vision for Victory
The passage of time kills many dreams. But not always.
In one household their evening started just like most others. Mom and Dad at home with their son, Jimmy playing after dinner. Mom and Dad were absorbed with jobs and did not notice the time. It was a full moon and some of the light seeped through the windows. Finally, Mom glanced at the clock. "Jimmy, it's time to go to bed. Go up now and I'll come and settle you later."
Unlike usual, Jimmy went straight upstairs to his room. An hour or so later his mother came up to check if all was well, and to her astonishment found that her son was staring quietly out of his window at the moonlit scenery. "What are you doing, Jimmy?" "I'm looking at the moon, Mommy." "Well, it's time to go to bed now." As one reluctant boy settled down, he said, "Mommy, you know one day I'm going to walk on the moon."
Who could have known that the boy in whom the dream was planted that night would survive a near fatal motorbike crash which broke almost every bone in his body, and would bring to fruition this dream 32 years later when James Irwin stepped on the moon's surface, just one of the 12 representatives of the human race to have done so?
A Dream or a Vision is hard to maintain—every once in a while you hear an account like this that reminds you how it is possible. I know that after just a few minutes of being awake, most of my dreams are forgotten. As we’ve been looking at the life of Joshua and the Vision God had given him of the Victory that was to be had—I’m beginning to understand that Vision is something that must be held on to, must not be forgotten, must be anticipated in order to be seen and come to pass—because it is so easily lost and forgotten.
Bob Logan--Vision: the capacity to create a compelling picture of the desired state of affairs that inspires people to respond; that which is desirable, which could be, should be; that which is attainable. A godly vision is right for the times, right for the church, and right for the people. A godly vision promotes faith rather than fear. A godly vision motivates people to action. A godly vision requires risk-taking. A godly vision glorifies God, not people.
George Barna--Vision is the ability to understand the history, the present condition, and the potential of the church, and to conceive a plan for action that will maximize the ministry potential. More often than not, vision is a result of having spent much time absorbing the facts about the community, knowing the resources upon which the church can call (people, funding, facilities, equipment, etc.), and devising sound but creative strategies for moving forward. Vision always entails progress: it is never satisfied with the status quo. , How to Find Your Church, p. 104.
In Joshua 14 Israel had been in the Promised Land from between 5-7 years. They had already seen some major battles—the fulfillment of God’s Promise was well on its way. They had fought a Southern Campaign and a Northern Campaign—they had defeated many cities and their kings. While there were still battles in front of them, they were now at the point when they could start considering actually settling the territory. So here in Joshua 14, they began to divide the territory by tribe using lots—it was considered their inheritance.
But the Dream and Vision was not Over. One of the first ones to speak up had been waiting a long time. The dream, the vision for
Their partnership had begun when Moses had sent them with 10 other men to spy out the
1. Caleb’s Life of Vision—vs. 6-9
a. 40 years old when he saw how good the land was.
b. He reported “according to [his] convictions”—a report that only Joshua shared, but 10 others spoke against. Caleb believed and looked at what God could do and not at what the rest were so afraid of—the cities, the people. The 10 saw themselves as grasshoppers, while Joshua and Caleb saw themselves as God’s Chosen People.
c. This is just a reminder that it is so important to Live according to your convictions—even when everyone else around you says you’re a fool—when you are given a vision from God—speak, live and do not be afraid to stand for your convictions. But not just any conviction is worth standing for—it is the relationship with God and the vision He gives that is worth standing for.
d. Follow the Lord Wholeheartedly—that is a testimony of a life well lived. No matter what happened to Caleb, no matter what difficulties he faced, he was willing to follow the LORD wholeheartedly—fully, completely.
e. There is Blessing in a Life Lived for God—because of his faithfulness, Moses promised Caleb a special inheritance. It is because of his faithfulness that he was going to receive a blessing.
f. It is important for you and me to Never Lose sight of the Vision God gives despite what anyone else says. If we wish to receive a great blessing and a great victory—we must stand with our convictions and follow the LORD wholeheartedly in order to see that vision come to fruition.
2. Preserving the Vision of Victory—vs. 10
a. 45 years later, Caleb is now 85 years old
b. It’s a long time to wait for something
c. It’s a long time to easily forget something
d. It’s a long time for passion or energy to fade
e. 45 years is a long time for doubt to set in
f. Can you imagine waiting 45 years for something?
g. The Federal Government has processed your Tax Return and we’re pleased to let you know that you will begin receiving your return no later, but no earlier than 2052.
h. “Son, I know I promised that when you got your driver’s license—I’d buy you a car—well, how about I combine that promise with your 60th Birthday Present?”
i. I can hear one of the college guys now—“whoo hoo, I just got engaged! Right now we’re taking it slow—but we’re looking at a date in 2052—do you think the church will be available then?
j. Vs. 11-12—Caleb is now 85 years old—these are not the words of someone who has forgotten. This is not someone who has lost his passion, who has doubted all these years. He has successfully Preserved the Vision for Victory after all these years.
k. What’s amazing about this in Caleb’s life is that in a time when we would be looking at hanging it up—Caleb is looking to start something new—to see completely the fulfillment of the Promise. He believed he would live to see it. He is still strong—still vigorous and ready for battle. He’s not ready to quit.
l. How would you feel about starting a challenge like this at the age of 85?
m. Now before you start thinking that kind of stuff doesn’t happen anymore, listen to this.
n. Lifetime jogger, John Farrell, began taking to the road to warm up for the 13th World Veterans' Athletics Championships opening in
o.
ALPINE, Texas - Mike Flynt returned to Sul Ross State this month, 37 years after he left and six years before he goes on Medicare. His comeback peaked Wednesday with the coach saying he's made the Division III team's roster. Flynt's position is still being determined, but he used to play linebacker. Wherever he lines up, he'll likely become the oldest player in college football history. Neither the NCAA or NAIA keeps such a statistic, but research hasn't turned up anyone older than their mid-40s. And even those are rare, for obvious reasons. A devout Christian, Flynt sees many religious undertones to his story.
History records that many people made some of their greatest contributions to society after the age of 65. The Earl of Halsburg, for example, was 90 when he began preparing a 20- volume revision of English law. Goethe wrote Faust at 82. Galileo made his greatest discovery when he was 73. At 69, Hudson Taylor was still vigorously working on the mission field, opening up new territories in
At 85 Caleb was holding on to the Vision that God had given him. I love Caleb’s speech.
1. I am still strong—I am just as ready to do what God has called us to do—don’t discount me b/c I’m old—don’t you think for a moment that I want to kick back and take it easy. Time has not weakened my resolve—doubt has not crept in. Age hasn’t in any way diminished my heart’s desire to Follow the LORD my God wholeheartedly.
I am finally getting to see God do what I always knew He would do and I want to be a part of it—you cannot hold me back. I’m jus as vigorous to go out to battle now as I was then.
In fact—whatever is the tough job—I want it. Whatever task is making all these young whippersnappers quake in their boots, whatever battle they are avoiding—give it to me—I’ll show them what a heart devoted to God to do—I’ll show them—give me the high country!
I don’t care what giants are before me, I’m not interested in avoidance and excuses. Don’t tell me we can’t whip the Anakites with their large and fortified cities, I’ve seen the walls of
2. That is vision—after 45 years of waiting—Caleb’s dream had not faded—his vision for what God was going to do was still clear in his mind—and he wanted to see it happen—he wanted to be a part of bringing it to pass.
3. have you given up hope of seeing a vision of God fulfilled?
4. His Strength was not based on his own body—but upon the strength of God. His vigor came from the empowerment of God and the hope of seeing him glorified. His readiness for battle didn’t come because he loves fighting, but b/c he knew the
5. Our strength and courage cannot come from within ourselves, it must come from God. He is our strength, He is our power. Today we don’t even have to fight the same kind of battle Caleb did—our struggle, our fight is not against flesh and blood—the lost are not the enemy—it is against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
6. We should be just as ready and eager as Caleb to enter into this battle—even moreso—b/c it’s not about killing people, but about Saving them. Our battle today is not about destroying, but about bringing to life. That is the kind of battle I want to be a part of, the kind worth giving my life for.
7. That is the kind of Dream, the kind of Vision that we need to sustain no matter how long it takes—the Lost coming to a saving relationship with Jesus, our Worship truly leading us into the Presence of Almighty God. Our lives and our testimonies truly giving all glory and honor and praise to Almighty God.
8. That is part of my dream for UBC. And I want to have the same kind of Steadfastness to that Vision that Caleb had. I hope you have a dream for UBC. I trust that God given you a vision of what He wants to do in you and through this church and I hope you won’t let me forget.
9. Some of you have been here from almost the beginning. Has your dream and vision faded over the years? If you are older and you have faith, your heart is wholeheartedly devoted to God—you can be an inspiration to those younger. If I or they are hesitant to do the things of God—beat down the door to show em how it’s done.
Don’t look at the Setbacks or the Obstacles—Remember the Promise
Don’t Look at the Delay or the Wait—Anticipate the Outcome
Don’t Give Up Thinking the Fulfillment has Passed You By—God Never Retires
saying, “Not in My Lifetime”
Don’t Pass Off the Vision and miss the Blessing
Let Someone Else Do it for You or Take your Place
I’m too Old, let the Younger ones do it
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