For Want of a Vision
Proverbs 29:18
What is Vision?
Vision is more than just looking on the bright side. It is looking on God’s side.
Finding the vision God has for us takes time and prayer.
Steve Goodier says " Both the hummingbird and the vulture fly over our nation’s deserts. All vultures see is rotting meat, because that is what they look for. They thrive on that diet. But hummingbirds ignore the smelly flesh of dead animals. Instead, they look for the colorful blossoms of desert plants. The vultures live on what was. They live on the past. They fill themselves with what is dead and gone. But hummingbirds live on what is. They seek new life. They fill themselves with freshness and life. Each bird finds what it is looking for. We all do.
George Barna said : "vision for ministry is a reflection of what God wants to accomplish through you to build His Kingdom." (not your kingdom)
Vision is the God-given ability to see possible solutions to everyday problems of life.
John Maxwell defines vision in a three-fold manner; "The ability to see---awareness. The ability to believe---attitude. The ability to do---action."
Vision is the ability to see not what we are but what we desire to become.
How do we get a vision?
1. STAND UPON YOUR WATCH
You must separate yourself from the crowd. You are not common, so your vision is not common. Don’t look at what your friend is doing and feels like doing the same thing. Get your own pathway in life. Caleb and Joshua refused to follow the mindset of other spies, they chose to follow their own path. (Numbers 13:30-31)
2. WATCH
Vision can be obtained through prayers (Acts 10:9-16). Prayers gives grace to vision, watching gives alertness and direction to vision. When prayers gives birth to vision, watchfulness keeps it from being forgotten.
3. WRITE THE VISION
A vision not written will soon be forgotten. God wrote down His vision for His creation in the bible. Write your own visions down too. If God would write, who are you not to write?
4. RUN WITH THE VISION
Activities of your vision must become a daily routine. It should be what you live for. Vision plus action equal realization.
What will it do for us?
I. We Need Vision to Lead Us into Divine Purpose.
We need the God-kind of vision that will enable us to find our self-worth in helping to build the kingdom of God.
II. We Need Vision to Empower Our Inward Man.
Our work is to take this vision of Jesus and reproduce it in others, sharing the good news of deliverance.
III. We Need Vision to Keep Us Connected to Each Other.
When ever the body of Christ can get on the same page with the Holy Spirit, the church will experience the unlimited power of God.
IV. We Need Vision as a Trampoline for Change. Vision will catapult us beyond the blockades of life.
God’s vision for our life gives us purpose… drives us and enables us to live above mediocrity.
With a clear vision of what we can become in Christ, no ocean of difficulty is too great. Without it, we rarely move beyond our current boundaries.
I have a powerpoint for this sermon rhpendleton57@gmail.com
