TITLE: VISION FOR THE CAUSE
(I started with Timothy Peck's sermon "Renewing Our Vision" and drove a sermon under it. a few of his elements remain--mostly his points.)
03-11-2013
TEXT: 2 Timothy 1:1-10 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, in keeping with the promise of life that is in Christ Jesus, 2 To Timothy, my dear son: Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. 3 I thank God, whom I serve, as my ancestors did, with a clear conscience, as night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers. 4 Recalling your tears, I long to see you, so that I may be filled with joy. 5 I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also.6 For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 7 For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. 8 So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God. 9 He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, 10 but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.
I. VISION...OR THE LACK OF IT
ILL. A little league coach reminisced about his childhood years playing baseball in little league. He remembered back how during his first year, his coach had called together the entire baseball team for a picnic, and he asked the team, "Who here wants to eventually play major league baseball." Every single hand went up, as every child there dreamed about playing in a major league stadium and hitting the game winning hit. That boy grew up to become a little league coach himself, and the week before opening day his first year of coaching he did the same thing. He had a team picnic, and he asked the team, "Who here wants to grow up and play in the major leagues?" Not one hand went up on a team of twelve kids. He said he could see in their eyes that not one kid on his team believed that he had what it took to become a major league baseball player.
A. Consider the contrast between people who have vision and people who lack vision.
1. Vision is that elusive thing that dares to dream big dreams about the future.
--Vision has been called hope with a blueprint.
--Vision is what an inventor has when he or she thinks outside the box to create something new.
--Vision is what a mother has as she looks at her newborn baby and imagines all that child could grow up to become.
--Vision has a way of ignoring its critics and chasing its dream. It seems deaf to those who say it can’t be done.
ILL. Consider some of these famousless visionless-aries which made incredibly powerful, defining statements which catapulted them high, high into the dim blurry lights of obscurity. Why almost everyone in the world has never heard their names:
-- Thomas Watson, the chairman of IBM in 1943 said, "I think there is a market for maybe five computers in the world."
--Ken Olson, president and founder of Digital Equipment Corporation said in 1977, "There is no reason why anyone would want a computer in their home."
--Consider this Western Union memo from 1876: "The Telephone is has too many shortcomings to be seriously considered as a means of communication."
--Or consider the words of Decca Recording company, when why they turned down signing the Beatles in 1962: "We don’t like their sound and guitar music is on the way out."
--Charles Duell, commissioner of the U.S. Office of Patents said in 1899, "Everything that can be invented has been invented."
2. Fortunately, those with vision are able to march on, even when negativity is being shouted from the rafters
A. Even great vision fades. The flame begins to dim, its passion begins to cool, and its heat begins to dissipate.
1. That’s what was happening to young Timothy, the Apostle Paul’s young protégé.
2. You see, the apostle Paul had sent Timothy to try to salvage a mess in the church in Ephesus. Yet when Timothy got there, he found himself in way over his head.
--The entire leadership team in the Ephesian church was older than he was, and didn’t respect his leadership.
--To make matters worse, Timothy was shy and timid, so he had a tendency to avoid confrontation.
--The stress of his ministry assignment was effecting Timothy’s health, as he found himself sick with constant stomach ailments.
3. Meanwhile, back at the ranch, his mentor Paul had been arrested by the Roman government.
4. Timothy’s vision had dimmed, the excitement and enthusiasm when he joined Paul’s ministry team some years earlier was gone.
5. Somewhere between his bad health, his discouragement about the church in Ephesus, and his fear for Paul’s life, Timothy’s vision had slipped away.
6. Timothy needed his vision renewed, and that’s a big reason why Paul wrote him a second letter.
B. From time to time pastors, individual believers and entire churches go through various trials, or sometimes just seasons of boredom and it steals their vision.
1. Like Timothy, we will all go through a handful of seasons in our lifetime when we must have our vision renewed for whatever it is God is calling us to accomplish.
2. This is one of those seasons for me and you...and for Powdersville Community Church.
3. So today we’re going to see five specific areas where our vision needs to be renewed.
II. RENEWING OUR VISION FOR WORSHIP V 1-3
A. 3 I thank God, whom I serve, as my ancestors did... WE RENEW OUR VISION FOR WORSHIP BY EMBRACING A LIFESTYLE OF λάτριν TO GOD.
1. We find an emphasis on worship in the word "serve". It’s a very important word. This is not the usual New Testament Greek word for "serve," The Greek word λατρεύω =I serve/ I worship, I work for out of a sense of immense devotion.
--Not the sort of service for and earthly boss, only for God
--Derive the word liturgy—structured, planned worship.
2. Paul believed his whole life was an act of λατρεύω—even sitting in that prison cell for Jesus. In fact we know that he passed time singing hymns there.
B. I SEE POWDERSVILLE COMMUNITY CHURCH FULL OF PEOPLE EAGER TO BE λάτριν—WORSHIPERS/SERVANTS.
1. Can you tell me, “I’m a servant of the Most High God set apart to do His bidding on this Earth!”?
2. Oh friend, I can’t beat it into you. The Holy Spirit has to light a fire within you. But you have to let Him. –No, you have to beg Him.
3. When you are able to offer this sort of service/worship, you will be excited to be in this sanctuary come Sunday Morning. You will be excited because you will have left the shackles of Paul’s prison cell—that is your sin behind.
4. You are in the sanctuary now. What does that mean? --A place of refuge or safety. --A place where you have immunity from arrest. –the devil can’t lay a hand on you here friend. –The blood of Jesus covers you here!
5. You better Jump! You better shout! You better lift your hands and sway side to side!
6. You better do something else too. You better pray for more of the Holy Spirit to come upon you. Because if you are a true λάτρις of the Most High God it doesn’t stop here, it only begins here.
7. The heavy lifting begins as you take your enthusiasm for salvation, healing, freedom given to you by Jesus out into the street.
--To Walmart; --To BiLo; --To the Office; --To the work truck; --To the everyday of your life where you rub shoulders with the ordinary.
III. RENEWING OUR VISION FOR PRAYER V 4, 5
A. WE RENEW OUR VISION FOR PRAYER BY EXPRESSING OUR HEARTS TO GOD. Paul packs a lot of meat about into this 2 verse sandwich. He says he has been praying a lot of prayers for Timothy: There’s thanksgiving, a clear conscience—so repentance is involved, it’s night and day, it’s constant, he remembers, recollects Timothy’s tears, he visualizes seeing his son in the faith again he feels the warmth inside—it comforts him, it fills him with joy, he remembers the sincerity of faith of Tim’s mother and grandmother—Tim was raised in a loving Christian home! That same love, faith and fire now burns strong in Timothy’s eyes—Paul can see it!
1. What’s going on? Is there a point? There are a lot of points. Paul, under great duress himself sitting in prison, wishing he could have a face to face with Timothy but cannot, is actually doing something far, far better. He is pouring his heart out to God.
2. You don’t have a passionate conversation with someOne like the conversation Paul relays to Timothy in this verse unless you know that the Person you are speaking to is listening and really, really cares.
B. I SEE POWDERSVILLE COMMUNITY CHURCH FULL OF PEOPLE BECOMING PASSIONATE PEOPLE OF PRAYER
1. I guess I’ve been taught and tried every gimmick ever invented when it comes to prayer. But here are the basics: 1) Take your request to the Father on the throne boldly; 2) Stand, speak and make requisition in Jesus name. –you’re not there because you have strung together a couple a real good weeks of personal holiness; 3) Ask for things that you are quite certain benefit the Kingdom of God and deliver defeat to the dominion of the evil one; 4) Have faith knowing your Father loves you and wants His cause to succeed on this earth.
2. Within this general outline pour—pour your soul, pour your heart, cry, laugh, moan when the Spirit gives utterance to deep for words.
3. If we are to have success in prayer, it will be when we have pursued God’s heart. If you are still full of self—it ain’t gonna happen.
--You have to be filled with God’s Spirit to know God’s heart
--You have to beg God for more of His Spirit.
--But first, you have to care enough to beg.
4. I believe God wants our church to be a church where our passion for The Cause inspires us to believe Him for what earthlings consider impossible. Ephesians 3:20 ...through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.
--It starts with begging for His Spirit
--It continues through pursuing His heart in prayer.
IV. RENEWING OUR VISION FOR JESUS BY USING THE GIFTS V 6, 7
A. WE RENEW OUR VISION FOR JESUS BY FANNING THE GIFT INTO A FLAME.
1. God had given Timothy all he needed to be effective for God. But the fire was going out. Only the glowing embers remained. Heat was dissipating.
2. Paul encourages Timothy to fan into flame the gift of God so he would regain his fire, intensity and power.
3. How does this happen? The way we fan the flame of our spiritual gifts is by using them. It’s a use it or lose it situation. We fuel the fire when we use our gifts.
4. Fear was holding Timothy back from using his gifts. The word timid δειλίας =cowardice, fearfulness.
--It doesn’t come from God.
5. What comes from God is power, love and self-discipline.
--Power is the capacity to face our fears and use our gifts, even when feel threatened.
--Love is the capacity to do do that voodoo that you do so well, (Cole Porter)--your gifts man, your gifts...and people sense the love and compassion of God flowing through you
--Self-discipline is the courage to go forward even when we’re fearful.
B. I SEE POWDERSVILLE COMMUNITY CHURCH, AS INDIVIDUALS MOVING OUT OF THE CHURCH BUILDING TO USE THEIR GIFTS DRAWING PEOPLE TO JESUS.
1. There isn’t a single person in this room I don’t like. There is something about your personality that is unique, impelling and interesting.
2. You can do stuff. --Some of you can talk. --Some of you can sing. --One guy here can bench press a whole lot of weight. --Others can play instruments. --Some can organize. --Some can serve. –Some can listen.
–Some can pray. You get the picture.
3. There is something you can do to contribute to The Cause—the Kingdom of God—lifting up Jesus—Drawing People to Him.
4. Are you actively doing it right now in with your gift and your life?
V. RENEWING OUR VISION TO SPEAK THE NAME OF JESUS V 8
A. We know, deep, deep, deep inside we know, Jesus is the answer for the world today... for virtually every problem we see on the street, on the TV at work, in our home, in our own attitudes. Why are we so ashamed/feel disgraced (greek) to speak that wonderful name?!
B. I SEE POWDERSVILLE COMMUNITY CHURCH FULL OF PEOPLE EXCITED TO SPEAK ABOUT THE DIFFERENCE JESUS HAS MADE IN THEIR LIVES.
1. You don't have to memorize the 4 spiritual laws, but it will help.
2. What you have to do is sit down with a pen and paper and write down from your heart—let it pour; --all that you can recount; --the wonders that Jesus has worked in your life;
3. Then organize it. Organize it into 3 categories: 1) Ways My Life Was A Wreck Before I Put It Completely Into Jesus Hands; 2) How I came To The Decision To Put It Into Jesus Hands (describe the transition); 3) The Positive, Powerful Difference Jesus Has made in My Life Now.
4. If you will do this simple assignment with the help of the Holy Spirit, submit it to Him, let me look over it too. Then go back to God and say, “OK God, I’m ready to be used now.”
--You will be amazed how soon doors will open before you to share from your heart what you have put on that paper.
–You will be amazed at the miracles God will work in the lives of others if you will be obedient to share.
5. Our passion is to be a church which tears down every barrier keeping lost people who have disregarded the church as the solution to their problems and get them directly to Jesus.
--We are the last whistle stop before the gate of Hell for many.
VI. RENEWING OUR VISION FOR SACRIFICE AND LIVING RIGHT V 8-10
A. V8 ...join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God. He has saved us and called us to a holy life...
1. Paul is very clear in this passage, we didn’t get to where we are by pulling ourselves up by our boot straps, but by the change God’s grace made in us.
2. But that said, the gift of salvation received, the next thing which comes is the call for sacrifice and to right living.
--a life of spiritual depth and growth.
B. I SEE POWDERSVILLE COMMUNITY CHURCH FULL OF PEOPLE DAILY LAYING THEIR LIVES DOWN FOR THE CAUSE.
1. Discipleship is the key. 1) Learning, understanding, devouring, applying the Bible to your life (not someone else’s), 2) The encouragement of fellowship (friendship as a word doesn’t approach what I’m talking about); 3) A true relationship with Abba Father—Daddy; Big Brother Jesus; The Constant Companion, Empower-er, who points the way, holds the flash light in the valley, takes you by the hand, whispers in your ear and adds the boldness of God Himself to your prayers—the Holy Spirit.
2. When you are in the process of being discipled—you will feel the weight—the tug of The Cause in your soul. No preacher will need to brow beat you or manipulate you into tithing and then giving sacrificially after that—The Cause is worth every penny can afford. It is worth missing meals; --doing without the latest fashion; --driving an older car; --turning your heat down in the winter and your temp up in the summer; --It’s worth turning off the HomeShopping Network, that infomercial, closing down the Amazon tab; --It’s worth eating a baloney sandwich over a steak dinner every once in a while.
3. When you are being discipled, no one will have counsel you on your lifestyle. The Holy Spirit will stick with you. He won’t let up. He will teach you how to live a God pleasing, Holy life out of a heart-felt desire rather than living by a check-list of rules and regulations.
4. But you don’t float into discipleship process buoyed by fairy dust and warm fuzzy feelings.
--You drive there or call me for a ride on dark rainy Tuesday nights about 6:30 pm (to be there by 7:00—on time) for fellowship and Bible study.
--You set your alarm an extra hour early to get to be on time for Sunday-School when that demonically-inspired concept called “Daylight-Savings-Time” rolls around.
--In the Summer you make a firm decision. This year, we are not going to be at the lake on Sunday morning, it’s 21 miles from the front door of this church. The preacher comes in his swim suit when he baptizes people. You are able to be here to celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus and the good things God has done and is doing in your life with us when you are within 50 mile of this place.
--It will mean planning ahead—you will have to DVR that TV show or event and not use it as an excuse to miss any discipleship opportunity –any discipleship opportunity!
5. Sacrifice and right living!
VII. CHALLENGE
A. I’ve been praying there would be some who would listen to me this morning and say in their heart, “Scott, I’m right there with you. I need to renew my vision too...I need to fan into flame the gift of God in my life too! Here is what I ask you to do—something concrete—something you will remember that you did. Take in your hand this Pink Card. The HELP ME FATHER Card.
1. I ask you to take a pen/pencil in your hand and pray with me. Do it if you will. Don’t if you won’t.
2. We are going to pray together and ask God to Supernaturally—By His Holy Spirit renew our vision is each of these areas. I cannot do this for you or in you. Only the Holy Spirit can make such a move in our Church.
--It is up to your willingness to ask.
--It is up to your faith for Him to hear.
--It is up to His Sovereign will to respond.
3. As we pray over each item, I ask you to initial each item to demonstrate you take it completely seriously. Do it if you will. Don’t if you won’t.
B. THE CARD
1. Heavenly Father, I come in Jesus name. By your Holy Spirit renew Your vision in me to be a true servant/worshipper. Make Your vision, my vision.
2. Father, I ask that Your Holy Spirit come back and take over my life—fill me anew. Put Your heart in me so I care about the things You care about. Renew vision in me to pray. I will set aside time for prayer and pray as Your Spirit moves me to pray.
3. Father, you made me, ME and you called me for Your purpose—to use me. Renew vision in me to use Your gifts for The Cause. I give you ME. Empower ME and Your gifts in me.
4. Father, Jesus has done magnificent things in my life. Renew vision in me to speak His name. Guide me by Your Holy Spirit to write those things down on paper in 3 categories: 1) Ways my life was a mess before Jesus had control; 2) The story concerning how Jesus gained control of my life; 3) The positive difference Jesus has made in my life.
5. Father, renew my vision for sacrifice and right living. I commit to the hard work of discipleship. As I do, do what I cannot do. Infuse me with more of Your Holy Spirit and maturity in my relationship with You so I may understand the importance of Your cause on this Earth. Amen!
C. As an act of worship and surrender, I invite you to lay your card on the altar this morning. You have been a copy to take home to prayerfully remember your experience here today.
