Text: Proverbs 29:18
Where there is no vision, the people perish:
but he that keepeth the law, happy is he. KJV
Where there is no vision, the people are unrestrained,
But happy is he who keeps the law. NASB
Where there is no revelation, the people cast off
restraint;
But happy is he who keeps the law. NKJV
Where there is no revelation, the people cast off
restraint;
but blessed is he who keeps the law. NIV
Where there is no word from God, the people are
uncontrolled,
but those who obey what they have been taught are
happy. NCV
Note:
Negative consequences / positive rewards.
One extreme to the other.
Contrasts, like we studied in Ecclesiastes.
How important, then, is this idea of "vision"?
Introduction: Where there is no vision, the people perish. Are you a "people"? If so, then this statement applies to you! It means if you have no vision, YOU will perish. Listen to that again. If you have no vision, you WILL perish. Once more. Ponder the simple statement, then think about the implications. If you have no vision, YOU WILL PERISH!!
Physical sight--vision dims, blurs with age, disease, injury, etc. Near-sighted, far-sighted, astigmatism, etc. There is help to correct, sharpen focus.
Spiritual sight--vision dims, blurs, etc. There is also a Helper Who will correct our spiritual vision, sharpen our focus!
I. NO VISION, NO REVELATION, NO WORD FROM GOD.
A. Vision. Not visions as apparitions or dreams in a trance state, or some other New Age type thing, but as spiritual sight, spiritual insight, dreams of the things that God wants to do in us, for us, through us.
B. Revelation. There are things about God that are evident in His creation. But there are things of God that we can know only if He reveals them to us.
C. Word from God. The Word of God given to the Prophets and the Apostles. The still small voice that says, "This is the way, walk ye in it" (Isaiah 30:21).
II. THE PEOPLE CAST OFF RESTRAINT, ARE UNCONTROLLED.
A. Cast off restraint.
B. Are uncontrolled.
C. Are wild and liable to do anything.
(No self-control. Not controlled by the Spirit,
but controlled by the flesh, by the sinful
nature, by sinful desires.)
III. THE PEOPLE PERISH.
A. They perished. Physically, culturally, intellectually, emotionally, spiritually.
B. We will perish. As a congregation in the same ways if we follow the same paths.
C. You will perish. YOU will perish, too, if you follow those same paths. You WILL perish. You will PERISH!!!
One of my favorite introductory phrases to statements in the Bible is "But God..." There are things that man may do, that the enemy of our souls may do, that are not the best for us, that are destructive, that bring misery, suffering and death. Then we read, "But God..." Praise the Lord that there is a "But God..." in all this perishing business!
The good news is:
"The Lord is...not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance" (2 Peter 3:9).
And the GREAT NEWS is:
"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:16).
IV. HOW TO BE HAPPY? KEEP THE LAW, OBEY THE LAW.
A. "Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be added unto you" (Matthew 6:33).
B. "Blessed is the man...whose delight is in the law of the Lord" (Psalm 1).
C. "If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life, appears, they you also will appear with Him in glory" (Colossians 3:1-4).
There is a saying that we should not be so heavenly-minded that we are no earthly good. I think I understand what most people mean when they quote that saying. But look at what Paul says in Colossians 3. Someone has observed that "those who have done the most earthly good have been precisely those who have been the most heavenly-minded"!
"Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven" and "Your heart is where your treasure is". That’s what Jesus said.
V. HOW TO BRING FORTH YOUR VISION.
(from "Six Steps in Bringing Forth Your Vision",
chapter 4, Your Vision Is Your Future, Casey Treat)
A. "Find the Holy Spirit’s will and desire for you."
"For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are the sons of God" (Romans 8:14).
B. "Meditate daily on God’s Word and will for you."
"This Book of the Law shall not depart form your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success" (Joshua 1:8).
(See also Psalm 1:2 and Psalms 19 and 119)
C. "Find a role model."
"Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men" (Matthew 4:19).
"Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ" (1 Corinthians 11:1).
"As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance jof his friend" (Proverbs 27:17).
D. "Discuss your vision with faith people."
Seek those who would encourage you to continue in faith. Stay away from those who are "vision killers" (see Matthew 7:6). Beware of these and other "vision killers" (George Barna): Tradition, fear, stereotypes, complacency, fatigue, short-term or limited thinking.
E. "Confess ownership of the vision."
Refer to "The Power of Our Words", sermon by Pastor Billie Crittendon.
Not as magical formula or some type of borderline sorcery, but as encouragement and focus.
F. "Write it down simply and concisely."
"Write the vision, and make it plain on tablets, that he may run who reads it..." (Habukkuk 2:2).
My personal vision for 2004: "I have been called, appointed and equipped to encourage and lead people to read the Word of God as they have never read it before."
That includes encouraging people who have never read the Bible to begin reading it.
That includes encouraging, insisting (Ephesians 4:17 NIV), that those who do read their Bibles do so in a way they never have before, whether it means more regularly, more prayerfully, more imaginatively, more studiously, more reverently, more practically, more obediently, more faithfully, more believingly, or in whatever way will bring them to the next level in their walk with God.
Usefulness of a "slogan": "200 MORE IN 2004"
Conclusion:
"Characteristics of vision:
Inspiring, Change-Oriented, Challenging, Empowering, Long-Term, Customized, Detailed, People-Oriented, Reveals a Promising Future."
"Vision becomes a bold reason for living. It is a badge of purpose that the bearer wears proudly and courageously." George Barna, The Power of Vision.
Conclude with prayer in Ephesians 1:15-21; 3:14-19.
