Vision Sunday 2007
Proverbs 29:18; Zech 6:15
Introduction
The coming year’s theme for our church will be, “We attempt great things FOR God, and we expect great things FROM God!” Let’s say it together …
Do you believe that we can attempt great things for God? Do you believe that through the leading of the Holy Spirit that we could be called to accomplish Kingdom business in this church? God has brought us to this place, TODAY, to not only fellowship together in Thanksgiving, but to look to the future at what our church is going to be doing and how we are going to bless God as He blesses us.
Proverbs 29:18 says, “Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.”
Let me say right off the bat, that if at any time you have the thought in your mind that “we can’t do …” then I want to tell you that it is not from God. All the devil needs to do to cause doubt is to convince you that you cannot do something. He does not want you to grow, he does not want you to succeed, and he certainly does not want this church to reach the community for Jesus Christ. Doubt does not come from the Lord – so this morning if you start saying “we can’t” in your mind, I want you to tell the devil to be silent and flee from you in the name of Jesus. With God on our side, WE are a majority and we most certainly CAN!
A few weeks ago, God gave me the title “Vision Sunday” and today we focus as a church on where we are going in the future. Normally this type of message is given in January, but the Lord told me that today would be the day for it to be delivered. I believe that it is not accident that you are here today. Some may disagree and say that food brings people to church, but in my heart I believe that we have been called together today for God’s glory, and this morning I want us to look together at God’s Word on where we are headed.
Remember at the picnic we listed all of the accomplishments that have happened from: the sign outside, to Sunday night services, to the new carpet in the Sanctuary, to Children’s Church starting and tripling in attendance to tripling our normal Harvest Festival attendance to last week preparing 60 boxes for Operation Christmas Child.
Do you know that we have done all these things since March 2007!!! March!! Now, imagine for a moment the rejoicing in Heaven as this church has come alive – and I believe that NOW is the time to dream big and intently move forward in the Kingdom. Let’s dream together Saints – for with God, ALL things are possible!
Pray
Point 1 – Starting Small
I believe that all dreams should start small, and gradually grow as God increases our ability and our faithfulness to serve Him. Remember that Jesus Himself said that “He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much” (Luke 16:10) – and this is the first point of realizing that it is important to dream, but to be faithful first.
I am sure that God had many dreams and thoughts and plans for this Earth originally and the prophet Jeremiah stated it best in Jeremiah 29:11 when he said, “For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” – and I wonder aloud what God’s plans were for His Earth when He looked into the future and saw what would happen.
Remember that God started small; with two people in the Garden of Eden until sin came into their lives and they disobeyed God. From there, God’s vision of this world was forever changed, and I am certain that as He wrestled with the decision to one day send His Son to die for us – would we be worth it?
Would we be thankful enough to honor Him … to trust Him … to allow ourselves to lean fully on His provisions? Think on that – there had to come a time where God had to ask Himself, “Is it worth it?” I think we have our answer.
God sent His Son Jesus to die on cross for us to accept, believe, and understand that we needed a Savior; that we needed to be forgiven and that without this forgiveness we would forever be separated from a God that loves us (present tense) unconditionally; with no strings or requirements attached – only that we would accept His Son as our Savior.
Now, come forward almost two thousand years later and here we are – are we worth it?
Is what God is doing at our church worth being involved in? As your Pastor I want to say that I am proud of our church, I think we are worth it, I know God says we are worth it.
So let’s think on a small portion of this ministry as we begin to dream. By a show of hands, who wants a blessing right now? (Pause) We need a choir! Are you volunteering? God’s Word simply says to “make a joyful noise unto the Lord” (Psalm 66, 81, 95, 98, and 100). I don’t think anywhere he is concerned with pitch, perfection, or even can you sing. But we are to simply make a joyful noise in worship!
This is my first dream – that God would restore to us a choir, a full music ministry, and that we would be faithful in the worship and preparation of our hearts to hear the Gospel. To God we give the glory because it is deserved, and we (emphasis) will praise His name in this Sanctuary.
Point 2 – Getting Bigger
Let’s dream a little bigger …
My next vision for this church is for a full time evangelism staff. This will consist of men and women who are 100% sold out for spreading the Gospel, and we will step out of the “same old thing routine” and be on total mission for the Lord.
It is time to take back what the devil took from us – and he has robbed us of our members, our livelihood, and our desire to grow for far too long. God has given me a vision that each room back there will be used for His purpose, and not as a home for wayward spiders and critters.
I believe that we have begun to see steps in the right direction (children’s church, nursery remodel, new floors, etc.), but that is not all I see God doing. I see God expanding our wings and increasing our territory in this neighborhood.
Isaiah 54:2 says, “Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back; lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes.”
Isaiah was declaring that this generation is to expand their tent stakes, to increase their territory, and to proclaim it Holy Land for the Kingdom of God. He was saying that we shall inherit the Gentiles (the lost in this world) and we shall break out of this shell we have been trapped in!
We must expand our stakes, and trust God for growth to happen for the Kingdom! We have to break out of this shell of “this is the way it always has been” and REACH for the skies! Why would we not dream big? Did not Jesus not say that “He came to give us life and life more abundantly”? I don’t see in that where we should be limiting ourselves … do you? (Expound)
Point 3 – So let’s dream HUGE!
King Solomon was a man who was faithful to God – and a man who was intent on pleasing the Lord by offering up to God a temple that would glorify Him.
1 Kings 5:1-5 says “Solomon sent back this message to Hiram: "You know that because of the wars waged against my father David from all sides, he could not build a temple for the Name of the LORD his God until the LORD put his enemies under his feet. But now the LORD my God has given me rest on every side, and there is no adversary or disaster. I intend, therefore, to build a temple for the Name of the LORD my God, as the LORD told my father David, when he said, ’Your son whom I will put on the throne in your place will build the temple for my Name.’ ”
I believe God for growth because He has shown it to me over the past two years.
I believe God for growth simply because I see that people are serious about wanting growth in this church. At one time it was a “nice church phrase”, a “catch phrase” to have and to hold onto – but I believe that through prayer and supplication God has begun to move us into a place of explosion and expansion for Him.
I believe God to deliver this final dream He has given me in my heart. Psalm 37:4 says we are to “Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart.”
God has given me a vision to build a new sanctuary and most especially a new fellowship hall. I have no idea how we are going to get from here to there, but I believe that God can do it if we are faithful to Him.
Zechariah 6:15 has given me a promise that I can stand on. It says “Those who are far away will come and help to build the temple of the LORD, and you will know that the LORD Almighty has sent me to you. This will happen if you diligently obey the LORD your God.” … if we obey Him – this is the SOLE key of it all!
Remember “IF my people who are called by my name …” … this is the key to it all! We have to do do something first! God is waiting for us to act, as willing vessels!! If we do not act, then He will use someone else!
There are 20 acres for sale down at the end of the road … why can we not claim that for God’s purpose and believe Him to deliver it and use it? Why would it be so hard to commit to spreading out and asking the Lord to bless it? If you ask in Jesus’ name, He will do it. Isn’t that what we claim? It is not a dream my friends, but a vision that God never intended for His church to remain small and tucked away!
When the disciples witnessed Jesus transfigured, do you remember what they said? Mark 9:5-6 says, “Peter said to Jesus, "Rabbi, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah. (He did not know what to say, they were so frightened.)”
The disciples wanted to build a temple, lock it up, and keep it for themselves. The Word says that he was speaking just off the cuff because he was afraid, and I believe out of this fear came instinct to just shut it up from the world. WRONG! Interestingly enough is that Jesus does not even address that point after Peter said it – because it was not the right thing to do!
If we are faithful to work towards the growth and believe that it will happen, then God will provide the “how to’s” as we seek Him in this church.
Here is where you have to put your faith into action. We can no longer afford to warm the pews; it is time to spring into life. We have drunk up the water long enough, now it is time to blossom – or we will wither away.
I saw something special one Sunday in October and one Sunday in November this past year – I saw fullness of the Spirit in the Sanctuary. I saw life, and I heard life. There is something special about standing up there singing and hearing the voices come back at you! That is how it is supposed to be always!
Conclusion
This is the time to grow. Today is about catching the vision for this church.
I want to ask you, to be very honest with yourselves at this moment. If you want to see growth, then you have to make a difference. You have to step forward and do something that maybe you have never done before. You have to be willing to labor to build the temple.
30,000 men were sent by Solomon to work on this temple which took 7 years to build – how much time are you willing to spend to work on Bethlehem Baptist Church? I am here for the long haul … I stand here committed to grow this church ALONGSIDE men and women who DESIRE to be closer to God.
Right where you are, I want you to close your eyes. Don’t shuffle the bibles and the papers and reach for a piece of candy or head for the door. This is a private moment and no one is looking around and it should be handled as such.
I want to ask you two questions:
The first is the most important one you will ever be asked. God thought you were so worth it that He sent His Son to die for you, because He thought YOU were worth it. If you were to die this moment, would you spend eternity in Heaven? If you are not sure where you will go or if you would say to me “Pastor, I don’t know where I would go” - I want you to raise your hand right now. You are making a commitment to the Lord right now where you sit. In a moment I am going to invite you to come down and talk to me and we can settle your eternity once and for all. Maybe you are seeking a church home – we would love to welcome you into our family here.
Pause
The second question is for the entire church. With your eyes still closed, if you want to see growth and you want to make a commitment before God and one another that you believe we must grow, I want you to raise your hands right now. Just slip them up and you can put them down. You are making a commitment to the Lord right now where you sit and He is serious about commitments that we make with Him.
Pause - You may open your eyes now.
Invite Singers
If you raised your hand this morning, then you have business to attend too. If you raised your hand because you are not sure of where you will spend eternity, then when we start singing I want you to come right up here and talk to me so that we can get it right and get it settled forever. Each of us has a decision to make and this one is the most important of your entire life – each of us will die one day, and where you spend eternity is a choice that you have to make. Once you make the decision for Jesus, you will never be the same – and you will never again have to wonder where your future lies. (Invitation to join church as well if needed …)
Now, if you raised your hand because you wanted to commit to growing this church than I want you to come to this altar and pray about it. I want you to ask God for wisdom, for guidance, and for spiritual discernment. We are not going to grow unless there is prayer involved first. We are not going to grow without prayer, and if you are serious, you will come here to this altar and you will begin to seek out God’s anointing as we begin this road together.
Phil 4:8 which says, “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” Think on what you would do for the Lord this morning.
Are you ready to attempt great things for God?
Pray
