ML King
Martin Luther King Jr. organized the massive March on Washington (Aug. 28, 1963) where, in his brilliant "I Have a Dream" speech, he "subpoenaed the conscience of the nation before the judgment seat of morality." In January 1964, Time magazine chose King Man of the Year, the first black American so honored. Later that year he became the youngest recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize.
"I have a dream"
With that speech MLK Jr. changed the expectations of the world. He gave this nation a new vision.
A vision of future is vital to the success of every living thing. If there is no vision - no purpose - no purpose - no direction - no direction - no joy. This is a terrible way to live.
No one ever accomplished anything without first having a vision. There are no exceptions. Not one invention.
Not one artistic endevear. Not one building.
A vision; a dream; a hope is the foundation of all accomplishment.
Christian Life is powerful fulfillling life - because it has a built in vision for the future.
Purpose is the reason to live. The mission and vision is God’s and he give us the resources to accomplish it!
The most marvelous day of the history of the World was the Day of Pentecost.
What about resurrection day? Well, yes, and no.
Pentecost is when resurrection blossomed into reality in our lives!
Resurrection spread to 3000 souls who were baptized
went through their own Death burial and resurrection!
What happened?
The Holy Spirit happened. There were tongues of fire. There were 14 languages spoken - without anybody studying the language.
Now , don’t get confused about what to focus on. Don’t focus on the miracle! The miraculous exists to draw our attention to the real issues. The real issue is what Peter talked about...
Joel 2:28 quoted: "the last days"
"’In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams.
Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy.
I will show wonders in the heaven above and signs on the earth below, blood and fire and billows of smoke.
The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord.
And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’
By the spirit of God some pretty marvelous things will take place to people.
The sons and daughters will prophesy
Your young men will see visions
Your old men will dream dreams
God’s servants, both men and women, will prophesy
to the world.
There will be wonders in heaven above
Signs on earth
Blood and fire and billows of smoke
Sun turned to darkness/moon to blood
There are two views - neither matters much.
In one view this day started something which has not yet been finished.
In the other view this day started and great things were completed!
in either case we have a world changed dramatically because of the coming of the Holy Spirit.
But most important: Everyone who calls on name of the Lord will be saved!
What a Vision! Everyone! look at the masses of people
Look this afternoon at the people you pass by; the waitress; gas attendant; your mom; your dad; the
billions living on the earth.
John says that the fields white unto harvest.
The plain fact is that God wants me to be his friend for ever. You too!
If you were the only sinner - he would have died for you. If you were the worst sinner - he would have died for you. If you were the least important sinner - he would have...
All they and you have to do is call upon God!
Romans 3:20-22 sends shivers up and down my spine!
This is the Vision we must have and that God wants to give us! Young men will have visions.
Eric Derry’s vision for Caracas is a vision of a young man. Eric took us up to a mountain top overlooking the city. We prayed for the city. All five million.
Eric’s vision is for all the people. Listen to his words:
"Raynier, Renaldo, Frank, Frandy, Alejandro. All these fellows have visited our church recently and I’m in contact with them during the week too, most are studying with me and asking questions, pray God will open their eyes and call them to Christ, that they will respond and become new babes in Christ.
Continue to pray for Jorge the man who sold me the car. I’m still studying with him, but so far he says he can’t make that decision, he can’t because there are too many obstacles. He’s a great dad, husband, dentist but he lacks turning it all over to the Lord.
Pray for Samuel too. He’s our office errand boy. He’s actually 29 years old. Several weeks ago, he was robbed, beaten up, harrassed. He’s really having problems, emotionally, mentally, physically, spiritually. Pray God will rescue him from his trauma. He’s really missed around our office, in the church & in the home.
Pray for Alfredo, Joel, Jesus, Doris, Rafael. These 5 people really help out in the ministry."
Old men will dream dreams
Frank Hayden & Clarence Blair’s dream for a church in Beavercreek. These are the dreams of old men. It would have been easier to just stay and keep the status quo in the old church but they didn’t - they dreamed about the future.
Sons and daughters prophesying
Forth telling - speaking forth the truth - trumpeting the truth. Men and women alike ministering and serving and teaching all around us.
By the way, Philips daughters prophesied. Paul taught them to prophesy - with a sign of authority. We need to let the women loose. They can teach and they can preach.
My vision for BCC (not sure if I’m a young man or an old one!)
First Part is a church functioning and growing house to house. Buildings are not where the church happens
buildings define and limit the church. Building all too often controls the ability of church to do its work
that is wrong! Buildings are a tool - no more and no less.
They are not the goal
The church is the people - happens all through the week
led by men and women who prophesy. They are trained; equipped; accountable; teaching, guiding, encouraging others to know Jesus.
They they teach others to do the same! Growing like yeast as it infiltrates every corner of our town - that is the church!
We need to take aim at the communities. Place Home Groups stategically to reach every neighborhood - winning people to Jesus by loving them and caring for them.
This is done through relationships - not salesmanship and contests.
The second part is a church with ministry that flows out of those groups. Programs are not the foundation of the church. Programs can become cold and lifeless. They are run by professionals and are often watched rather than participated in by the people. They take on a life of their own.
The annual "Revival" is still going in some places. The goals are good but the aim is short. It rarely hits because it is a program that no longer fits the culture.
Small groups ministrying in the body is the foundation
Like cells of a body all cells have certain basic characteristics in common
1 they take food and sustain life
2 reproduce
3 they accomplish a mission
4 there is a nucleaus which maintains direction and mission
the mission can be different and diverse
groups that concentrate on music and worship
groups that work with children
groups that teach youth and are made up of youth
groups that serve as ushers, greeters
groups that meet the needs of those going through divorce, struggle with dependancy, or some other need for special support and help
yet it is still one body; with many different kinds of cells
The third part of church is a celebration of Praise, teaching, ad encouragement. This is where we come together to worship. This is where we come to pray and celebrate our life. This is where we remember at the Lord’s table. This is where we get and give encouragement and direction for the body. This is where we see the vision!
Vision for the masses - start thinking in terms of thousands! The more - the better singing - the more impact on community.
Can a church grow and be large and accomplish this mission?
1. yes Celebration things in celebration/community things in cells
2. Do we really have a choice - When can we quit?
Peter had such a vision!
He said to all those who would listen
Look at the cross
You killed him
God raised him
We rejoice!
You can too!
And 3000 were baptized into name of Jesus in one day!
Let us be the young men the old men and the sons and
daughters Joel 2:28!
Dream the dreams!
See the vision!
Proclam the news!
Celebrate the victory!
