In the movie, Chicken Run, dozens of chickens are held captive in the prisoner-of-war-like camp at Tweedy Farms. Ginger is the chicken mastermind who keeps devising new plans to help her fellow chickens escape. Ginger knows that when a chicken’s egg production is down they will face the chopping block. Ginger dreams of a place where the grass is green and the chickens can be free.
In a chicken coop organizational meeting Ginger shares her new escape plan with the chickens. They have tried going under the fence, now they will find a way to fly over the fence. Ginger encourages the chickens to imagine a place on the other side of the fence where the grass is green, a place where there is no farmer, no egg counts, and no chopping block.
Some of the chickens have a hard time seeing the place Ginger imagines. One chicken says, “Perhaps we should just try not escaping.”
Ginger responds “What kind of life do we have just laying eggs until we get wacked and stuffed. . . Don’t you see, the fences aren’t just in the yard; they’re in your mind.”
The chicken gruffly answers back, “The chances of us getting out of here are a million to one.”
“There’s still a chance then,” Ginger replies.
Today we begin week number 5 of our 50-day spiritual adventure, “Daring to Dream Again: Overcoming Boundaries That Hold You Back.” This morning I want us to be set free to dream a dream that is bigger than we are; let’s be set free from the fences in our mind to have a Spirit-inspired imagination greater than Ginger’s dream for the chickens to fly to freedom. I want us to “Dream a God-Sized Dream.” With a Holy Spirit-inspired imagination we can dream a dream bigger than we are.
If we are going to dream a God-sized dream, then we need to allow God to do some things within our lives. It is impossible to dream a divine daring dream unless God has transformed the dreamer within your heart. In order to learn what we need to let God do in us, we are going to look at the life of Peter. Through Peter’s life we can discover how God can take our ordinary dreams and “super-size” them–to make our dreams God-sized dreams.
A. Peter was a dreamer.
✎ How do we know that Peter was a dreamer? Peter was a fisherman. Each day he would rise before the sun to go out on the Sea of Galilee to fish. After the sale of his daily catch, Peter would work through the late afternoon into evening to mend his nets and prepare his boat for the next days work. Peter worked hard to provide for his wife and family, but deep within his heart I believe Peter longed for more. That’s when Jesus gave Peter an invitation, “Come follow me, and I will make you fishers of men” (Matthew 4:19).
Peter was ready; this was the dream he had within his heart to be more than just a fisherman. Peter left his nets and followed Jesus. Thus, Peter began to pursue a God-given and a God-sized dream.
Nearly three years later Jesus wanted to know if those he had chosen to follow Him understood the dream He had called them to participate in. Jesus asked the disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” They responded saying, “Some say John the Baptist, or that you are Elijah; others say you are a prophet.” Then Jesus asked them, “What about you? Whom do you say I am?” Peter spoke up and said, “You are the Christ; God’s Son!”
Peter had discovered a Holy Spirit inspired reality; He understood that Jesus was the Messiah–the One who would deliver and save His people. Jesus affirmed Peter’s statement, “This wasn’t made known to you with human reasoning; my Father in heaven has revealed this to you” (see Matthew 16:17).
As Peter had followed Jesus, he began to see that his dream to be more than just a fisherman was God’s dream too, and he began to recognize that his dream was dependant upon Jesus. Apart from Jesus, Peter’s dreams wouldn’t amount to anything, but with Jesus, Peter began to dream a God-sized dream.
When Peter confessed that Jesus was the Messiah, Jesus gave Peter a new identity; “You’re no longer Simon, one who hears; you are Peter, a rock.” That brings us back to an important truth about dreaming a God-given dream, one which we have heard repeated again and again over the last several weeks. The first step to a God-sized dream is to embrace your God-given identity. In order to pursue a Holy Spirit-inspired dream, if you are going to be set free to dream again, then you must first see yourself through God’s perspective.
Peter took on his new name; he was ready to pursue his God-given dream. Unfortunately, Peter wasn’t ready for this God-sized dream to become a reality. God would have to continue to do a work within the heart of this dreamer before his dream could be realized. After God completed His work within Peter, then with a transformed heart and a God-sized dream that was being live out Peter could say:
+ 1 Peter 3:15 But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect. (NIV)
We could put what Peter said like this, “When you let Jesus Christ have control of your life, when he is your Lord, then get ready to participate in His divine dream for your life. Get ready then to tell others about the hope God has given you; open their eyes to God’s dream for their lives. But don’t force people to hear God’s good news; to their shame let them throw it back in your face if they want to.”
God had made a change in Peter’s heart, so that he could be a live out the realization of a God-given and God-sized dream. However, Peter wasn’t always ready to live out God’s dream God’s way.
A-1. Peter had a dream and confessed Jesus as Lord, but he was not always ready with an answer.
+ Luke 22:54-62 54Arresting Jesus, they marched him off and took him into the house of the Chief Priest. Peter followed, but at a safe distance. 55In the middle of the courtyard some people had started a fire and were sitting around it, trying to keep warm. 56One of the serving maids sitting at the fire noticed him, then took a second look and said, "This man was with him!" 57He denied it, "Woman, I don’t even know him." 58A short time later, someone else noticed him and said, "You’re one of them." But Peter denied it: "Man, I am not." 59About an hour later, someone else spoke up, really adamant: "He’s got to have been with him! He’s got ’Galilean’ written all over him." 60Peter said, "Man, I don’t know what you’re talking about." At that very moment, the last word hardly off his lips, a rooster crowed. 61Just then, the Master turned and looked at Peter. Peter remembered what the Master had said to him: "Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times." 62He went out and cried and cried and cried. (MsgB)
On that awful night Peter was unprepared. His hopes and dreams were slipping away. How could Jesus be arrested as a common criminal? What’s happening? Peter never imagined anything like what he saw going on around him.
Peter was unprepared to answer those who questioned him about Jesus. Peter was unable to standup and defend Jesus. Had Peter somehow missed God?
A-2. Peter had a dream and confessed Jesus as Lord, but he also gave the wrong answer.
In John 21 Peter is together with some of the other disciples. I can imagine them talking with joy and wonder about the events that had happened. They were had all been together with the doors locked when suddenly Jesus stood in the room with them; He really was alive. They had sat together and listened to Jesus as they shared a meal together.
As their time together passed I can imagine one of them asking, “Well what should we do now?” What is Peter’s response? Does Peter say, “Let’s wait here for Jesus to come and join us again”? Does he say, “Let’s go and tell others about Christ’s resurrection”? No! Peter the spiritual giant says, “I’m going to go fishing.” And guess what, the others follow Peter to just go fishing.
Wrong answer! Jesus had not called Peter to be a fisherman, but a fisher of men. Fortunately, even though Peter had lost sight of the dream, Jesus was still willing to work with Peter.
Early the next morning after the group had spent the night trying to catch fish but had caught nothing, Jesus called to them from the beach. He directed them to throw their nets to the right side of the boat, and to their surprise there was a great catch of fish. When Peter realized it was Jesus he jumped out of the boat and swam to shore to be with Jesus.
A-3. Peter had a dream & confessed Jesus as Lord, but he was also forceful with no gentleness or respect.
Remember that dreadful night when Peter had no answer to give in response to those who asked if he had been with Jesus? Earlier that night when the soldiers came to arrest Jesus, Luke chapter 22 and John chapter 18 tells us what happened.
✎ Jesus had taken the disciples with Him into the garden and asked them to pray, but they all fell asleep. When Jesus came the last time to awaken them He said, “here comes my betrayer.” Wiping the sleep from their eyes Peter and the others tried to understand what was happening. Once Peter comprehended what was going on he sprung into action; taking his sword, Peter cut off the ear of the High Priest’s servant.
Peter was too tired to think clearly; why didn’t he strike the guards holding Jesus? Did Peter think that by cutting off an ear he could get everyone’s attention and tell them what they were doing was wrong?
What ever Peter’s motivation to brute force, Jesus gave a gentle response. Jesus touched the servant’s ear and healed him. Sometime you have to be willing to let people throw things back in your face answering with gentleness and respect.
B. What did God need to do within the heart of Peter to bring him to the place where he could dream a God-sized dream? What transformation does God also wants to work within each of our hearts that we might dream a Holy Spirit-inspired dream?
We can see the steps God brought Peter through in order to transform his heart. The Lord wants to lead us down the same path so we can dream God-sized dreams.
1. God gives us an undivided heart to love Him.
Peter had failed Jesus. Peter had tried to prove his love for the Lord in the garden when Jesus was arrested; he said he was ready to die with Jesus. Then after Jesus arrest, Peter was unable to even acknowledge that he knew Jesus to strangers around a fire.
Jesus’ love for Peter was greater than Peter’s failure. God wants to restore us in His love in order that we might love him more.
As Jesus was along the shore of the Sea of Galilee with his disciples he asked Peter, “Do you love me?” (see John 21). Peter answered Jesus, “Lord, You know I love You.” Three times Jesus asked Peter if he loved Him, once for each time Peter had denied the Lord. Jesus is telling Peter, “Forget your past failure; I forgive you. I love you Peter, and I know you love me.”
When asked what the greatest commandment was Jesus replied, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind” (Matthew 22:37NIV).
If we are going to be free to dream a God-sized dream, a divine daring dream, then our hearts must be undivided. Love God with everything within you.
HOW CAN YOU HAVE AN UNDIVIDED HEART OF LOVE FOR THE LORD?
A. Ask God to show you how your heart is divided.
B. Ask the Lord to forgive you; when we confess our sin he is faithful to forgive us of all our sin.
C. Lay down whatever God shows you that has divided your heart and put the Lord in His rightful place.
D. Begin and end each day by telling the Lord that you love Him. Put on some worship music and sing a personal love song to God.
2. God calls us to single-mindedly pursue His will.
Each time Peter answered Jesus, “Yes, Lord I love you”, Jesus commissioned Peter to do his will saying, “Feed my sheep. . . Feed my lambs. . . Feed my sheep.”
Love is a verb. Jesus wanted Peter to put his love in action by doing His will. We too need to learn to do the will of God–to keep the main thing the main thing.
HOW CAN WE PURSUE GOD’S WILL?
A. Don’t use politically correct thinking; let God transform your way of thinking.
+ Romans 12:2 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will know what God wants you to do, and you will know how good and pleasing and perfect his will really is. (NLT)
If you want to do God’s will it begins by asking Him to change your way of thinking so you can recognize His will when you see it.
B. Go to God with every decision and let Him lead you.
✎ I sometimes like to call these “chocolate cream stick choices.” We all will have times when we will enjoy a chocolate cream stick or some other favorite treat; it’s a temporary pleasure that has no eternal value or consequence. However, if we ask God about these seemingly insignificant decisions, then we will discover that at some times God will give us the opportunity to transform something temporal into the eternal. One simple way our family has made this kind of choice is by not buying a beverage when we go out to eat. We save $7 to $10 that we can give to support our missionaries; a temporal pleasure is made eternal.
+ Proverbs 3:5-6 5Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. 6Seek his will in all you do, and he will direct your paths. (NLT)
+ 5Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own. 6Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he’s the one who will keep you on track. (MsgB)
C. Read God’s Word, the Bible, and do what it says. God’s will is not a mystery; He’s given us an in-struction manual so that we can follow in His steps.
3. God empowers us by His Holy Spirit to live the dream.
Peter had fallen as low as he could go. After Peter had forcefully tried to defend Jesus, after he failed to stand up for Jesus and give an answer to those who questioned him, and after Peter had given the wrong answer he reached the place where Jesus could tell him, “Now wait in Jerusalem, and you will receive power from on high to be my witnesses” (see Acts 1:4-8), and Peter would go and wait like he was told to. Peter wasn’t going to try to do it on his own any more.
+ Zechariah 4:6 This is the word of the Lord. . . “Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,” says the Lord Almighty. (NIV)
It is impossible to pursue a God-sized dream in your own strength, you need the Power of the Holy Spirit in your life!
When Peter was filled with the Holy Spirit in Acts 2, he was empowered to live out his God-given dream. Peter stood before a massive crowd and told them about Jesus; 3,000 were brought into the church that day. Through the power of God’s Spirit within Him Peter could speak without boldly and without fear; Peter disregarded the threats of imprisonment and even death. With the power of the Holy Spirit nothing could stop him now!
HOW CAN YOU BE EMPOWERED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT?
A. You must first have a right relationship with Christ. God won’t fill a dirty vessel. Ask God to cleanse you from your sin and make you His child.
B. Ask God to fill you with His Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in other tongues. Jesus said to ask, and the Father would fill you (see Luke 11:11-13).
C. Begin to praise the Lord and speak as the Holy Spirit give you the utterance. Let me put it another way, let God take control of your tongue and speak through you.
D. For those who have been baptized in the Holy Spirit, then continue to pray in tongues so that you can be strengthened and encouraged (see 1 Cor. 14:4; Eph. 5:18).
Well you might think that now Peter has everything together, no more problems right? Wrong! Peter still had one more barrier to dreaming a God-sized dream.
4. God sets us free from prejudice to enlarge His dream in our hearts.
✎ Acts 10 tells the story of how God exposed Peter’s Jewish prejudice against the Gentiles. In a vision Peter saw all kinds of animals that the Jews regarded as unclean and would not eat. The Lord told Peter to “Kill and eat”. This happened three times, then men who had been sent to find Peter from Cornelius’ house arrived at the home where Peter was staying.
Cornelius was a Roman centurion, a god fearing man who prayed and gave money to help the poor. But as far as Peter would have been concerned Cornelius would have been like an Iraqi Captain who prayed daily to God. Peter and Cornelius had nothing in common, and that was okay with Peter. Jews were God chosen people, and Gentiles were the scum of the earth.
Peter, however, was aware that God was directing him, so he went with these men to meet Cornelius. When he arrived he spoke with Cornelius and said, “You are well aware that it is against our law for a Jew to associate with a Gentile or visit him. But God has shown me that I should not call any man impure or unclean” (Acts 10:28 NIV).
Later as Peter was sharing the gospel of Jesus with Cornelius and his household, the Holy Spirit came upon them all as he was speaking and they began to speak in other tongues. God confirmed to Peter that He had accepted the Gentiles by giving them the same Holy Spirit He had poured out on the Jewish believers in Jerusalem.
If God had not dealt with Peter’s prejudice, then none of us would be here today. Christianity would still be just a sect of the Jewish religion, but God’s dream was bigger than what Peter was able to comprehend until God stripped him of his prejudice.
Who is it that you are biased against? What prejudice do you hold that God wants to expose so you can dream a God-sized dream?
▸ Is yours a racial prejudice?
▸ Is yours an economic prejudice?
▸ Is yours a political or a conservative/liberal prejudice?
▸ Is yours a prejudice against those who smoke or drink, or any other lifestyle that offends you?
Let me ask you another way. Who are the people that you choose to keep your distance from because they are different from you? DISTANCE AMPLIFIES OUR DIFFERENCES; who do you keep your distance from? There is probably a prejudice there that God wants to expose.
HOW CAN WE BE FREE FROM PREJUDICE TO DREAM A GOD-SIZED DREAM?
(See pages 46-47 of your adventure guide books.)
A. Identify a group of people you have shut out of your life.
B. Examine the reasons behind your prejudice.
C. Select an individual from that group and begin to pray for them by name.
D. At an opportune time, let the person know that you have been praying for them, and begin to build a relational bridge.
E. Consider how your own behavior might need to change.
Conclusion:
As we close today, let me remind you about an important principle about dreaming a God-given and a God-sized dream. How many of you think you know what it is? A GOD-GIVEN DREAM TAKES TIME. Peter learned that lesson.
+ 2 Peter 3:8-9 8But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. 9The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. (NIV)
I know that Peter is talking about the promise of the Lord’s return, but I don’t think we abuse the text to make an application to seeing our God-given dreams fulfilled.
1. God’s timetable isn’t always our timetable. God is eternal and is not bound by the limits of time; a day for the Lord is like a thousand years.
2. A God-given, Holy Spirit-inspired dream is God’s promise to you. The dream is His dream and He will bring it to completion.
3. Let God increase the size of your dream because the dream is bigger than you are. God isn’t willing that any should perish; the Lord just may want to expand your dream to reach others with His love.
Remember Ginger and the “Chicken Run”? When the chickens discover that Mrs. Tweedy has built a machine to make Chicken Pies, they make one last escape plan. With the help of Fowler the barnyard rooster, and Rocky “the flying rooster” who escaped from the circus, Ginger and the chickens finally do fly away from Mrs. Tweedy in their “chicken made” flying machine. Ginger’s dream for freedom finally came true, and they all lived happily ever after in a place where the grass is green.
Don’t be penned in by the fences in your mind. Let God set you free dream again and empower by His Holy Spirit to live your divine daring dream.
