Introduction: I remember quite vividly the early days of this ministry (Grace Evangelistic Ministries, Qns NY). Some of you who have been with us over the years, no doubt remember how it used to be. I have always maintained, and I guess I always will, that this ministry was birthed as an act of faith. We were in a crisis back then and it took a crisis to springboard us into this ministry. But the small group of people who were instrumental in its start did not have a clearly articulated vision for the future. I myself, as the pastor of a fledgling flock, did not quite know where we were headed. The only thing for certain back then was that God had launched us out into this ministry.
As I look back over those early years I am a bit ashamed to say that the out look I had for this ministry, was quite small. I guess I was a bit afraid of growth and I became comfortable pastoring a small group. I remember making very negative statements about the growth of the church because I did not care for a big congregation but as time passed the Lord changed my small minded mindset. This He achieved through the chastisement of my wife, who never agreed with my small thinking mentality and through a word from Pastor Quamina. I heard him say one day that people who do not see the need for growth in the church are simply saying to all the lost of the world, “you can go to hell for all I care!”
The years passed quickly, the church began to grow and the Lord developed a vision in my heart. I started to see the reason for Grace and with every new family that was touched by the ministry, it became easier and easier to see what God wanted to do amongst us and through us. To day I believe we have a clear picture of the vision of Grace but like any vision it must be communicated to the people. You too must understand this vision and you must buy in to it. You must be able to see how this vision impacts you and your family!
The Prophet Habbakkuk saw the violence around him. He recognized the awful state of the world in which he lived. He prayed about it but he felt that he was not getting an answer. He pleaded with God regarding the burden that he saw but God’s answer was not what he wanted to hear; in fact it was quite the opposite! God told him that the ungodly will rise up and be profitable. The prophet then posed a second set of questions before God; questions which showed the prophets inability to understand the ways of God. He then said that he will set himself on the rampart “and watch to see what He will say to me.” The Lord’s answer came in the form of a command: “Write the vision and make it plain on tablets, that he may run who reads it. For the vision is yet for an appointed time; but at the end it will speak and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.” Hab2:2-3
No one likes a complainer; nobody likes a whiner. The problem is we all whine a little bit – some more than others. We look around and we see the state of the world. We see that sin abounds and man seems to be getting mor and more evil as time progresses. So we complain about it.But complaining never solves problems; it takes more than a whiner to effect change.
Habakkuk complained, and God showed him what would happen and then God essentially said, let’s see what you are willing to do about it. The world is full of issues and we have been called to do something about it. For most people it is easier to curse the darkness than to light a candle…the vision of Grace is to light a candle…
1.“Launch out into the deep…” Luke 5:1-7
A.The people crowded around Jesus
-They wanted to hear the Word
-There was a hunger, a need evident
- There is a harvest to be brought in
B.The disciples were washing their nets
- They thought they were done
- “We have worked hard all night…”
C.“Let down your nets for a catch
- Its hard to refuse a request from the Savior
- The Disciples were reluctant
- Peter: Nevertheless at your word I will let down the net.
D.A reason to serve
- Because He says so
- Because He commands – Go ye
- Because He gives power and authority
- Because He is with you.
APPLICATION: There is a need out in the world and it will take people of visionto meet that need. People are hungry for the Gospel of Jesus Christ
2.“O Lord how long shall I cry…?” Hab 1:2
A.Habakkuk’s first complaint to God
- He cries out for help
- It is a picture of our time
- There is violence – injustice – wrongdoing
- There is strife and conflict around
- The law is powerless – no justice
- The wicked surrounds the righteous
B.God’s response – Watch and be astonished
- I will do a work you will not believe
- I will raise up the Chaldeans
- A ruthless people
- A feared and dreaded people
- A law to themselves- bent on violence
- They scoff at kings because their strength is their god
C.Where sin abounds, Grace much more (Romans 5:20)
- Grace increases as sin increases
- Grace thrives in an atmosphere of ungodliness
- Grace is God’s unmerited favor
- God’s response was not callous but to make the harvest field more evident
D.Habakkuk’s second complaint: Why do you tolerate this treachery?
- You are from everlasting…
- You are my God, my Holy One…the Rock…
- Your eyes are too pure to look upon evil
- Why do you make men like fish in the sea?
- The wicked hooks them…he catches them in his net
- Their net is their god… the ungodly are prosperous
- Will he continue doing this
- “I will stand my watch, and set myself on the ramparts and watch to see what He will say to this and what I will answer when I am corrected.” 2:1
APPLICATION: We can see all what is happening around us. We can see our young people being caught up in the snares of evil and we think that God has to do something about it…but we are here for that purpose
3.“Write the vision and make it plain on tablets…” (God’s answer).
A.Write the vision down
- It must be clear and concise
- People must be able to catch the vision
- People who catch the vision will run with it
B.The vision is for an appointed time
- Vision is always futuristic
- God gives us the ability to see what can happen ahead of us
- God has already given to this church a vision of the future
C.God is looking for people who will run with His vision for us
- Moses: Who is on the Lord’s side?
- God said to Isaiah: Who will go and whom shall we send?
- Jesus said: Go in to all the world…
APPLICATION: It is extremely important that one commits to pen and paper the vision that God gives. As a pastor the vision must come through me….i have written it down, I have preached about it, I have reinforced it…so by now you know the vision of Grace…we are here to take this community for God…we will see our young people rising up to be leaders and pastors…professionals in the community…we will see families being blessed and business owners coming from among us…we will see people saved and delivered from addictions…we have a vision
4.“ I had it in my heart to build a house…” 1 Chron 28
A.Casting vision
- David had a vision to build the temple – a house of rest for the Ark of the covenant
- God said you are an adulterer and a murderer…your hands have shed blood
- David communicated his vision to the people
B.David made it clear that the vision was from God (Verse 3)
- He assembled all the people together
- The leaders, the captains, the stewards, the officials and the valiant men
- David outlined what was in his heart and what God said
C.He informed Solomon that the job would be his
- If he is steadfast to observe the commandments and judgments of God…
- He said that total devotion to the Lord
- “Serve Him with a loyal heart and with a willing mind…”
- God searches hearts and He knows our motives
D.David laid the plans for the temple (Verse 11)
- Plans that came from God
- David gave encouragement to his son and to the people
- “ Be strong and of good courage, and do it; do not fear nor be dismayed, for the Lord God – my God – will be with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you until you have finished all the work for the service of the house of the Lord.” Verse 20
CONCLUSION: In Chapter 29 of 1 Chronicles David tells the people that his son is young and inexperienced and the work is great but God has chosen him alone to do the work. Then David called for a commitment on behalf of the people to stand with Solomon in giving for the temple…”Who then is willing to consecrate himself this day to the Lord?”
On that day the people “offered willingly.” They gave for the work of the house of God.
Verse 9: “Then the people rejoiced for they had offered willingly because with a loyal heart they had offered willingly to the Lord.”
