Faithfulness Brings Clear Vision

Faithfulness brings clear Vision

Have you ever considered how far faithfulness could take you?

We show up at our jobs each day, not always seeing what our faithfulness is creating for our futures, but yet we intrinsically, (on the inside), know that it is building a stability, or a platform, for our futures.

We go to church each week, sometimes not realizing the character, power, and stability, not to mention testimony that our faithful actions are producing – not only in our lives, but also in our families, our neighborhoods, communities, and in lives throughout the World.

Have you ever considered that faithfulness to your local church

can touch lives throughout the World?

It does; and as you take in this message today, my prayer and hope is

that you will understand why. In fact, I pray that your understanding of

faithfulness will profoundly change today!

Faithfulness is a spiritual is a spiritual law that when activated, produces tangible evidence

in our lives.

With every person who has accomplished something great in the world, or in the

Church, you will find that person was faithful to something.

Their mark of greatness began with, and continued through a lifestyle of faithfulness.

William Bradford, one of the most influential founders of America, left an incredible legacy of

Christian ethics and political leadership that began with a seemingly small act of faithful church

attendance. His life exemplifies Luke 16:10 (KJV), “He that is faithful in that which is least,

is faithful also in much.”

Orphaned at a young age, William Bradford attended the Puritan church, having to walk 8 miles

to attend every service, and endured beatings each time. He became a powerful influence in

the church and in the political field due to his faithfulness. He chose to leave the harshness of

the continual persecution of the Church of England, and relocated to the America’s.

By his own choosing, he left his son in Europe, lost his wife during the trip on the Mayflower,

and was weighted with much of the administrative and organizational work involved in the

voyage on the Mayflower, all to ensure the freedom of religious worship that he so longed for.

Bradford went on to assist in drafting the Mayflower Compact, which is the first civic law of

what would become the United States of America.

It is an understatement to say that William Bradford’s life influenced scores of people. His

political and administrative skills were the foundation on which the U.S. was built. His

courageous sacrifice in the pursuit of religious freedom is the backbone of freedoms that

many nations enjoy today. His perseverance and vision still inspires many to reach their

dreams and their visions.

My point in telling you all this? The characteristics of William Bradford were developed

during his early years, when the only control he had over his life was a steadfast faithfulness to

his church.

Contemporary English Version Pro 29:17,18 If you correct your children, they will bring you peace and happiness. Without guidance from God law and order disappear, but God blesses everyone who obeys his Law.

1965 Bible in Basic English Pro 29:17 Give your son training, and he will give you rest; he will give delight to your soul. Pro 29:18 Where there is no vision, the people are uncontrolled; but he who keeps the law will be happy.

English Standard Version Pro 29:17 Discipline your son, and he will give you rest; he will give delight to your heart. Pro 29:18 Where there is no prophetic vision the people cast off restraint, but blessed is he who keeps the law.

Good News Bible Pro 29:17 Discipline your children and you can always be proud of them. They will never give you reason to be ashamed. Pro 29:18 A nation without God's guidance is a nation without order. Happy are those who keep God's law!

Faithfulness and Vision – How do these blend?

Easily. Without being fully committed (faithful) to what you know is your destiny (vision), you will NEVER, EVER accomplish ANY THING OF VALUE.

Your adventure will be a long, painful, waste of energy, talent, and ability, not to mention a great waste of time for those, if any who follow.

Read through Number 32:1-13 – then share – Moses was given the ‘vision’ of the house, to get his people out of the bondage they were in and take them to ‘the land of promise’. He encountered challenge after challenge during that 40 year span of time. It would have taken only a short time to accomplish the journey, had there not been so many dis-envisioned people along the way.

How this fits in to us is….We must remember Proverbs 29:17 and 18 that speak of the direction of the house, and the discipline or the instruction of the children (this can be children of all ages), and the promise that accomplishment of the ultimate goal, or the dreams and visions of this church will be realized, and we will be truly able to “Get the Culture back to the Cross, by getting the Cross of Jesus back into our Culture!”