The Vision Behind Our Purpose Series

INTRODUCTION

For the past several months, we have been involved in discussions, research, and prayer regarding the Future of this Church. In 2 Business Meetings, you approved and asked the leadership to determine the feasibility of moving.

First, I want to thank you for your cooperation, participation, discussion/questions and prayers during this process. Today, we come to present the results of that work so that YOU can agree on the Vision Behind the Purpose that God has in store for us.

Our Purpose is as Jesus commanded to “Go and Make Disciples”.

The Vision to accomplish that Purpose, is what I am asking you to decide and become a part of today.

Normally, when I share a message, I am speaking to you as individuals & not as a church. Today, I come to you as a member of the Body. Specifically New Horizons!

A. Proverbs 29:18 (KJV) 18 Where there is no vision, the people perish: …”

MY definition of ‘Vision’ is ‘the ability to see beyond the obvious.’

What about YOU? “What is Your definition of Vison?”

I also ask this of Vision: “What is YOUR Vision for this Church?”

ILL: Boy & Baseball Bat

A Man approached a little league baseball game one afternoon. He asked a boy in the dugout what the score was. The boy responded, “Eighteen to nothing—we’re behind.” “Boy,” said the spectator, “I’ll be you’re discouraged.”

“Why should I be discouraged?” replied the little boy. “We haven’t even gotten to bat yet.”

The POINT here is that you have to be able to see beyond the obvious IF you are a person of vision.

There are 3 Types of people when it comes to Visionary People:

1. Those who CAN’T SEE the Vision

– understanding; care; worldly; distractions;

2. Those who CAN SEE the Vision, but don’t want you to accomplish it

a. By doing nothing – no steps of faith

b. By actually trying to distort the vision

3. Those who CAN SEE the Vision.

a. Want to do their part!

WHICH PERSON ARE YOU?

Do you look at the cup half-empty or half-full. Do you look at the church’s current picture as that of a downward spiral or do you look at it NH as a Body of Believers Determined to Grow The Kingdom regardless of what is thrown in the path.

Are you an Optimist or a Pessimist? Is your faith in our Vision that of “Show Me How We can Do This” or is it “Let’s Be Realistic”! Do you Step Out in Faith when God Gives you a Door of Opportunity or do you Wait until It Makes Sense or As Long As This Person or That Person Doesn’t Leave.

1. “What is YOUR Vision for NHBC?”

2 “What is it that determines YOUR Vision?”

What ABOUT YOU? What is YOUR Vision for NH?

B. THE EXAMPLE OF NEHEMIAH

A perfect example of a Man of Vision (when the odds were against another) is the story of NEHEMIAH. As best I can, today we are going to touch on the surroundings of his story!

The Israelites have been in Assyrian and Babylonian Captivity for 70 years.

God has seen fit to allow some of them to return home to Jerusalem – 1st group to return is about 50K and under leadership of Zerubbabel.

The group attempted to rebuild the city only to be forced to stop.

The prophet Ezra brings in a 2nd group of about 15K and the temple is restored but not the walls, gates, and watchtowers. Again, from pressure, they are stopped.

Again, they are laughed at, sneered against, talked about, judged, and disgraced!

Now the stage is set for Nehemiah.

READ NEHEMIAH 1:1-11

Nehemiah, a cupbearer to the king, is a person of statue who has the responsibility of testing and tasting the king’s wine so as to prove it has not been poisoned.

Nehemiah receives a report from his brother, Hanani, regarding the condition of Jerusalem – but specifically to “The Vision” of the Israelites rebuilding the city:

TRANSISTION: The stage is set for Nehemiah. That brings us to the 1st of TWO POINTS

I. THERE WAS A DEFINITE NEED (VS. 3)

In the day of Nehemiah, a kingdom was established from Territorial Rights determined from which Army was the largest, strongest, and best equipped.

A. NEHEMIAH UNDERSTOOD THE NEED

Knew the WALLS were the 1st Line of Defense for the City.

Knew with the walls down, the People Were Defenseless.

Knew there were No Watchmen to guard; No Watchtowers for Guards to stand.

The Need was REAL.

B. NEHEMIAH KNEW THERE WERE OBSTACLES

To make matters worst, there were individuals who did not want the walls to go up:

READ Chapter 4:1-3 (let’s notice some comments)

‘he ridiculed the Jews’ – It amazes me what others do to distract those who want to make a difference. Is that of God? Do you think?