Intro: The New Year is traditionally a time to forget past mistakes and make resolutions. Sometimes these resolutions and vows grow out of our good objectives. Dear fellow Christians, let’s have more than a yearly resolution; let’s have a vision for our entire life. May I ask....do you have a vision from the Lord? Then what is it?
I. WHAT IS A VISION?
A. A “vision” is a clear mental image of a preferable future, imparted by God to His chosen servants and is based upon an accurate understanding of God, self, and circumstance.
B. Based on this definition, there are three aspects of vision: (1) GOD – Your vision comes from God, it is not something you thought overnight; (2) SELF – Your priorities and spiritual gifts will help you focus on your vision; (3) CIRCUMSTANCES – your vision begins where you are now; so you must face and solve your problems, and then overcome all barriers to fulfill your dream.
C. A vision is a dream, an ambition. To “envision” means to see ahead or conceive something your heart desires. A vision is a mental view or image of something good and worthwhile which is not yet actually present. To envision means to imagine, plan beforehand, or consider the possibilities. Vision is for you, not just leaders. Vision is all about the future, not the past and present!
II. WHY IS VISION IMPORTANT?
A. Vision applies to all individuals, churches, organizations. People who don’t have plans for the future are planning to fail! What a BLUEPRINT is to a future high-rise building, a biblical VISION is absolutely essential to successful living (Prov. 29:18a).
B. Your present vision will serve as a bridge to walk from the past to the future. Vision is the eye of faith to see the invisible, a decision to get it started, and a motivation to make it happen!
C. Vision can be compared to PAINTING. First, you get a canvass and all. Then you imagine an image of something that doesn’t yet exist. Then you start sketching , etc. In vision you paint things in mind that will help make your dream come true.
D. Those who are so close to God see something others don’t see! (I Sam. 9:9). A seer is a prophet. A prophet is a visionary. And a visionary is one who sees first and sees most. He sees farthest into the future! He gets things started and done!
III. WHAT CAN YOUR VISION DO?
A. Your vision gives purpose and adds meaning to your life (Phil. 1:21). While it is true that you won’t accomplish all your personal dreams, having a vision will at least help you realize some of the things you want to do for the glory of God. Note that a true vision cannot be self-serving or self-centered!
B. Your vision will help you have a sense of direction and fulfillment as you work your way to your dreams. When you put yourself in advance to the future, you’ll be energized by your dreams (Rom. 4:18). In spite of hardships, you’ll possess joy, peace and hope as you press towards your goal (Rom. 8:24).
C. Your vision will help you endure and sacrifice to make your dream come true. Great achievements are born out of great sacrifice. No Pain, No Gain! No Guts. No Glory! (Phil. 3:13-14).
IV. WHAT YOUR VISION INVOLVES?
A. Your vision must grow out of biblical principles. Needless to say, your vision must be tied up and consistent with the word of God (Prov. 29:18b). It is your key to happiness and blessedness!
B. Your vision will reflect your walk with God (Prov. 23:7a).
C. Your vision must grip your soul. As you search for life’s purpose, your vision will grow in your heart and soul. As you search for God, He will vividly show you His plan for your life.
D. Your vision involves inevitable CHANGE which most people don’t want to. “If you always do, what you have always done, you will always be where you have always been.”
E. Your vision must not be hindered by present weaknesses & limitations. The Bible is filled with stories of men of faith in difficult situations, with limited resources, against impossible odds, who prevailed and did something great (Phil. 4:13; II Cor. 5:14a).
F. Your vision must be so great and seemingly impossible that it calls for supernatural help from God (Rom. 8:31; Eph. 3:20-21).
G. Your vision must include the price you’ll be paying and the earthly things you’ll be losing to reach it (Luke 9:23; Phil. 3:8).
CONCLUSION: Someone asked me, what is now my vision? By the grace of God, after 22 years of labor where two local churches were started from scratch, my new vision is as follows: (1) Build a printing press and freely give Bibles, books, etc to our countrymen; (2) Bring the Gospel to our 8 million Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs); and (3) Retire in Heaven!! What about you my friend, what’s your vision?
