20 Building Blocks Of Vision Series

20 BUILDING BLOCKS OF VISION

Part 1

Adapted from a message by David Derry and the book “visioneering” by Andy Stanley

Nehemiah 1:1-7

July 13, 2008

Broadway Baptist Church

Rev Dan Bauder

INTRODUCTION

This morning we are starting a 4 part series on vision. I believe with all my heart God desires to give his people a vision of what he wants to accomplish in and thru them. Over the next 4 weeks we are going to use Nehemiah as our example to see what God can do when His children willingly accept the vision God has for them.

Before we go any farther let me define what vision is and where it comes from.

1. Vision is more than just a desire. It begins with a heart felt conviction that things need to change.

a. Too many believers get comfortable with the way things are. They believe all that God expects them to do is come to church every week, listen to the message, put a little bit in the offering plate, and help out around the church whenever and wherever they can. Whenever they hear a message that challenges their way of thinking or the way they do things instead of taking it to heart they get upset at the messenger. After he got done preaching a massage on vision a preacher friend of mine was told by the chairman of deacons, “Preacher, this church always has been, is now, and always will be a small country church so just cool your jets.” As far as this deacon was concerned he like things just the way they were and wasn’t willing to do anything differently.

b. God desires his children to listen to every message as an opportunity to hear from God what He wants them to do.

The first building block of vision is:

I. A VISION BEGINS AS A CONCERN

A. You will see or hear something that gets your attention or really bothers you about the way things are headed. (Read Nehemiah 1:3)

II. A VISION DOESN’T NECESSARILY REQUIRE IMMEDIATE ACTION

A. Nehemiah was moved to tears over the plight of his people but he realized he couldn’t just pick up and leave. He did the only thing he knew to do. He prayed.

1. The fact he couldn’t do what he wanted to do didn’t stop him from doing what he could do.

a. Too many times when God gives a vision to someone and it doesn’t come to pass they give up. A statement I have heard on more than one occasion is, “I can’t do what God wants me to do here so I’m leaving.”

B. He didn’t get give up! (Read verse 6)

1. He continually prayed (night and day)

C. Remember, “What could be and should be can’t be until God is ready for it to be.”

1. God’s timing is different than ours. (Read Phil 2:13-14)

2. Working by our timetable is like delivering a premature baby. They are weak and many times they die.

CONCLUSION

How can we know if our concern is really a God given vision and not just our own desire?

1. Over time you will sense refusing to follow thru would be an act of disobedience. In other words refusing to follow thru would be sin.

2. A God given vision will ALWAYS line up with what God is doing to draw people to Himself.

This morning our message has been directed to those who are already Christians. Perhaps you have never made a personal commitment to Jesus Christ. That nawing you are feeling in your heart isn’t indigestion. It’s the Holy Spirit drawing you to Himself. I invite you to come and receive Him as your Lord and Savior.