Scouting Out The First Step Of Your Vision Series

Scouting out the first step of your vision Joshua 2

Sent our secretly by Joshua the spies were led to Rahab’s house.

Two walls somewhere around 12-15 feet high; built houses in between these walls.

Why her house?

1. No questions asked (she was a harlot)

2. House was in the wall for fast escape

3. She was open to God

•She Faced opposition from the King and people, yet she hid the spies in her flax (in harvest time flax was piled high on top of roof; 3-4 feet high).

there are several theories about Rahab’s lie

1. God forgave her b/c of her faith

2. deceiving enemy is normal in war time

3. she was not a jew; not held responsible to jewish law

4. she broke a lesser principle to uphold a higher principle (protecting God’s people)

The point is, she had to make a fast decision; it may not have been perfect, but it was the best she knew how to do.

All that God wants for us is right there in front of us, but if we are not careful, we will forge ahead without the guidance of the Lord and miss out on much of what He has for us.

Scouting out your first steps…

Do your homework

Are you teachable? Homework comes from a teacher! Can you follow the leader?

God sends teachers into your life; they help lead you to vision God has for you.

No one sees homework but the teacher

Are you willing to do ministry/work that others will not know about?

Homework necessary before you go out and forge ahead with the vision. You need to know where you are going.

Expect the unexpected

Spirit will lead you places you never dreamed of.

Scouting out the first step means asking God to lead and going where God leads you even if it isn’t where you want to go.

Where is God calling you to go that you don’t want to go?

Ask the hard question

Opposition will come even on the scouting trip

There will be some tough decisions; what is God leading me to do?

That is the critical moment when you face a decision of which way to head. Make sure you answer, “What would God have me do?”

Pray, make a decision, and go. Don’t look back! God sees your heart. Can’t allow fear to paralyze you.

Look for God at work

He is working even though it may not seem like he is. Look at the story of Rahab and the spies...

He is working where you least expect it.

What God is doing is terrifying the enemy!

What God is doing is bringing glory to Himself!

What God is doing is drawing people to Himself!

Finish what you start

Part of scouting out what God wants for you is being involved in ministry and completing tasks. Not getting discouraged but finishing strong! Sometimes we jump around b/c we don’t see results. God says stay awhile.

Scout out the first steps and take them…

EVEN IF NO ONE ELSE FINDS OUT

EVEN IF YOU DON’T UNDERSTAND

EVEN IF IT REQUIRES TOUGH DECISIONS

EVEN IF IT SEEMS GOD ISN’T WORKING

EVEN IF IT SEEMS IT REQUIRES EXTRA WORK

Pastor Vinnie Cappetta, PhD

Crossroads Community Church

Framingham MA

crosscommchurch.org