Receiving a message from the Lord
Habakkuk
“Our company has lots of vision, but nothing ever gets done.”
Is that vision? No. A vision is something that must be.
Call for help (Hab. 1:1-4)
Habakkuk received message b/c he complained.
Habakkuk “Violence, misery, destruction, arguing, fighting, ineffective laws, no justice.”
He had a Holy Discontent
Popeye principle: “That’s all I can stand, and I can’t stands no more.”
What can’t you stands?
Things we have determined as a church “we can’t stands no more.”
Can’t stand it…Young families & young adults do not know our God.
Can’t stand it…Living in a technological revolution, but we are not using it to the full advance of the kingdom of God.
Can’t stand it…that high tech is creating isolation; we need a high touch environment so that we can help the people God is already touching.
Can’t stand it…Limited in our outreach b/c a lack of facilities.
Can’t stand it…People in the church can go weeks without someone knowing what they are going through.
Can’t stand it…that the church takes the living, active, powerful Word of God and bores people with it. I want people to experience God and learn that church can be fun.
What can’t you stand?
Are you just complaining, or are you doing something about it?
Who are you calling upon to answer this need?
Watch and be astounded (Hab. 1:5)
Habakkuk called for help and the Lord answered
v.5
Watch and be astounded at what I will do! For I am doing something in your own day, something you wouldn’t believe if someone told you about it.
Compare Habakkuk with Jeremiah: plans for us to give us a hope and a future.
He has given me a hope & a future…
I can’t believe I am where I am today.
Church planter, counselor, senior pastor, PhD. Candidate. God has astounded me.
How does God want to astound you? What hope and future does He have for you?
Every member a minister. Until everyone in this church is involved, this church will not reach its redemptive potential.
God wants to turn your “I can stand” into something astonishing.
Gene and Ruth: Can’t stand the fact that their neighbors don’t know Jesus. Astonishing that a couple without children has such a passion for kids and their families.
Habakkuk wasn’t satisfied with God’s reply, so he complains again v.12-17
God answers…
Write the answer (Hab. 2:2)
v.2
Write my answer in large, clear letters on a tablet, so that a runner can read it and tell everyone else.
For me, what gets written down usually get done.
Our church has written out its vision/goals too.
We need vision champions-ministry leaders to be Habakkuks.
We need runners who will read and tell everyone.
Example of a Habakkuk type ministry
Ways for us to get out our message, but no one to get it out. We need a Habakkuk-a communications director.
God has a message for the world, and we are the bullhorn.
Habakkuk wrote the answer, but things didn’t happen has the Lord said it would.
Wait patiently (Hab. 2:3)
v.3
But these things that I plan won’t happen right away. Slowly, steadily, surely, the time approaches when the vision will be fulfilled. If it seems slow, wait patiently, for it will surely take place. It will not be delayed.
Won’t happen right away: God’s time isn’t ours.
This is a real vision from the Lord-one you can count on. Surely…the vision will be fulfilled.
v.4 Proud trust themselves; but righteous live by faith
v.12-14 Time will come when earth will be filled, like waters fill the earth, with the awareness of the glory of the Lord
This is the only thing that will matter. Why waste our time with anything else?
v.18 What have you gained by worshipping all your man-made idols?
Despite impending doom, Habakkuk said in 3:18, “Yet I will rejoice in the Lord! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation.
The sovereign Lord is my strength! He will make me as surefooted as a deer and bring me safely over the mountains.
Pastor Vinnie Cappetta, PhD
Cornerstone Community Church
Marlborough MA
www.faithandreality.com
