Dream AGAIN!
Hebrews 11:1
Hebrews 11:1- Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
Mark in your Bible – Faith is a dream
Faith is a propelling dream. It is that belief which causes us to live in a particular almost driven way.
Once again our nation has been touched with the unbiased hand of tragedy.
Yesterday just 16 minutes from touchdown, exhilaration turned into horror, relief gave way to sorrow and laughter to tears.
If you heard or seen any of the coverage, you are well aware of the names of the 7 lost crew members, you have no doubt heard about them,
2 of them have Valley connections,
Michael Anderson – attended Avondale Elementary
Rick Husband – Has a Brother who is an America West Airline Pilot.
They like countless others who have made this country great – were dreamers, who acted on their dreams.
They weren’t “wishing well” daydreamers who wanted to pay a small price for a big reward. They were willing to endure rigorous hours of training, committed themselves to competition to note their worthiness of the honor, they fought off the demons of doubt and fear to succeed in their dreams.
Some would say this is a good time to stop, The space program.
Tragedy – death.
The fleet is old,
The budget is overdrawn
The Space race has ended
We have reached our limits
Stop! --- But the dreamer says “keep on trying”…If those 7 were to be able to speak, they would say don’t give up on the dream.
BUZZ ALDRIN --- ‘The biggest tragedy – would be not to FLY AGAIN – We must show STS # 107 their sacrifice is not in vain.”
There is a call today to pray for the families, pray for wives, children, siblings, parents – who now must live everyday of their lives with a footnote of tragedy. Pray that God would give them a peace that passes all understanding.
Yet it is also a call to those of you who are sitting on the porch of life, looking into the stars and dreaming but not acting on those dreams.
I wish my marriage were better.
I wish my career was more what I like
I wish my walk with God were more real then religious
I wish. ……Fill in the blank. This morning
In early 1960 – JFK – challenged a nation that by the end of the decade the US would indeed put a man on the moon.
Mockers and disclaimers…But it happened – because some dared to Dream…
Michael Anderson’s sister – said, “It was more then a dream to Mike – It was a reality- He lived everyday just knowing someday he would travel in space”
You have live with your dreams in mind,
Michael Anderson – I don’t know a lot about him, but I do know he sold out to see his dream accomplished.
The true Christian life is a sold out life,
It taken up crosses – not just promises
It is going down – that we might be raised up
It preference of others instead of preferential treatment of ourselves
It is dying to live,
It understands the price might be great but the purchase is so much more wonderful.
Mike Anderson’s brother in law was asked the question – did he talk about dying? -- - “Frankly – YES he did. – but he said the research for the greater good was worth the RISK.”
Holy Ghost is ministering to someone right know----
Helen Keller – said the “only truly happy people are the people who have found a cause bigger then THEMSELVES to live for” and I add even to die for.
Ilan Ramon – Israeli pilot – war hero – son of prison camp survivors carried with him a picture drawn nearly 60 years ago – by 10 year old boy who one night looked out of that despicable –deplorable bunk house of the Aushwitz prison concentration camp and began to draw with pencil and scarp paper – the earth from the viewpoint of the moon…. he was dreaming in troughs of death…. shaved head – hard labor – cruelty and hatred – yet dreaming and years later Ilan Ramon was the eyes of that little dreamer….
He found and gave his life for a cause greater then himself.
Truly happy people are people who found a cause – who dare to dream a dream that is bigger then selfish pleasure and pursuits!
The day calls for a difference.
And there is a clarion call to the church for courageous living ……Only those with courage can make a difference.
What does courageous living look like?– Philippians 2?
1Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, 2fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. 3Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. 4Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.
5Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. 9Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
It is :
Selfless
Service
Willing to Surrender of fame and liberty to serve one another in love.
The Highest calling is the call of God.
The biggest dream is the GOD PLANTED DREAM IN EACH OF US!
But to possess it you must be courageous,
Courageous enough to care,
Courageous enough to turn a deaf ear to the mockers or the siren song of those who call us to an easier path,
Courageous enough to be blind to the temptress of shallow living and what seems to be greener pastures.
Courageous enough to Die OUT to our own way – AND say THY will be DONE
Courageous enough to understand DEAD MEN OWN NO KINGDOMS
This CHURCH – THIS DREAM IS HIS DREAM, THIS IS HIS CHURCH
AND I AM HIS SERVANT!
What’s DIFFERENCE ----between Dream achievers / and those who only fantasize --- Committed ACTION
Hebrews 11 - Hall of FAITH – Abel- Noah- Abraham – Moses – Deborah – unknown heroes of faith that were
Men and women of ACTION
They waxed valiant in the fight.
What is your dream?
Are you willing to live in a way that will set you up for that dream to come to pass?
Luck is the intersection in which preparation and opportunity meet!
The enemy wants to steal your dream --- Excuses are often given but they are nonsense!
Too Old ---- NONSENSE – CALEB WAS 85 and still Dreaming – still claiming, still accomplishing…
Too FAR GONE – I have invested in the wrong dreams already – Nonsense! – a bruised reed He will not break – a smoking flax He will not quench…
I don’t know if I can do it - YOUR BEATEN ALREADY ----
BUT IF YOU COULD MUSTER UP THE STRENGTH TO SAY GREATER IS HE THAT IS IN ME………I CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST WHO STRENGHTHENS ME…
Somebody needs to dream a little this morning…. Dream in the Holy Ghost, dream a God dream….
Dream – you must sell-out --------- Michael Jordan cut as an 8th grader.
Listen there is now around 160 NCAA Division one schools –
Each receives approx. 5 scholarships that means out of thusands of High School seniors who play Basketball hoping – dreaming for more.
ONLY - 800 high school seniors will enter college playing basketball,
Of that 800 who enter 60 % will graduate = 480 -- Of that 480 – who graduate – no more then 20 will be drafted by the pros, of that 20 no more 12 will make a roster – no more then 4 will play more then 5 years in the league. Out Thousands of H.S. Seniors -- 4 will be in the NBA 10 years after Graduation – 2 might be all-stars – 1 might be hall of fame…
CUT IN THE 8th grade – but he kept on going that is more then talent – that is more then just good breaks, his daddy did not have a name, HE HAD A DREAM AND THE PURE FORTITUDE TO LIVE THAT DREAM
Dream achievers say No matter what!
Paul said
In much patience,
In tribulations
In needs
In distresses
In stripes
In imprisonments
In tumults
In labors
In sleeplessness
In fastings
by purity, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by sincere love, 7by the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, 8by honor and dishonor, by evil report and good report; as deceivers, and yet true; 9as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold we live; as chastened, and yet not killed; 10as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.
Paul said I am sold out!
Later he would say……
For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. 7I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.
Sold out ----
There is a revival dream that was planted years ago and it is coming to fruition –
There is a HARVEST that is upon us.
There is a dream of the miraculous and the power of God that is about to fulfilled,
Wanderers are coming home,
Prodigals who have spent time in pursuit of their own dreams are waking up this morning saying – There is more then THIS
There is a dream to reach our kids – It is happening
There is dream to see this house full of teenagers – searching for identity – looking for role models, searching for the cause that is bigger then themselves,
There is dream that is calling saying the Spanish-speaking people of MESA need the witness and love ABC can bring,
There is dream that 100 people can receive the baptism of the Holy Ghost!
There is a dream out there – MEN take the reigns of the priesthood and not only provide – but lead in prayer and praise….
There is expectancy….
There are some personal dreams in this house… God has not given up on some of you…don’t quit dreaming
Don’t quit dreaming Joseph ----
Your pit will lead to Potipher’s
Potipher’s may lead to prison
But prison will lead to a palace and palace will lead
To position and authority
That position will lead to authorization of provision
And that provision will lead to preservation…….not only of your people – but of the promise GOD GAVE YOUR GREAT GRANDAD Abraham along time ago…
Somebody needs to dream, somebody needs to dare to live that dream.
You can be the best dad/mom in world for your kids
You can be the best husband/wife
You can be the most “on fire” Christian
You can be used in the gifts of the Spirit
You can break the bondage of fiscal debt
You can overcome setbacks and disruptions…
If you will sell out to God’s purposes – Seek first the kingdom of Heaven.
Nay Sayers will say it will never happen
Tried that!
Given that a shot!
SO WHAT!
Get up My brother try again, get up my sister Try AGAIN – God’s not done with you just yet.
Dream again!!!
I can do all things…
I can do all things…
What if I fail…. the only person who does not fail…is the person who does not try! BUT ----- NOT TRYING IS THE BIGGEST FAILURE!
It is not the Critic that counts, not the man who points out how the strong man stumbled, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena; whose face is marred by the dust and the sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, spends himself in a worthy cause; who at best, knows in the end the triumph of high achievement; and who at worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring so greatly, so that he will never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither VICTORY nor defeat! – Theodore Roosevelt
