"The Need For Vision"

"THE NEED FOR VISION"

(Prov 29:18 KJV) Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.

1. Any successful endeavor requires a vision. We must have a vision.

a. The word "vision":

1) Literally means the ability to see things that are visible

2) It also used to mean the ability to see other things

b) "Vision is the art of seeing things invisible" (Jonathan

Swift)

2) Without the ability to visualize worthy goals and how these

can be realized, very little of importance is achieved

2. In the Lord’s work, we desperately need an elevated vision of what

it is all about.

a. We need greater goals (what can be done) and greater objectives

(How it can be done)

b. Jesus certainly had a great vision: the saving of souls!

(Mat 9:36 KJV) But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. (Mat 9:37 KJV) Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; (Mat 9:38 KJV) Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.

(John 4:35 KJV) Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.

c. We need to have visions that are worthy of the "King of kings and

Lord of lords"

I. TWO WAYS OUR VISION CAN BE INADEQUATE

a. May be too small concerning what can be done

b. May be too general without any plan for what he can be

doing now to make his vision a reality

B. OUR VISION OF THE LORD’S WORK MAY LIKEWISE BE INADEQUATE...

a. We may think too small concerning what can be done

b. We may think too generally about what we should be doing

C. THE PROBLEM OF A VISION THAT IS TOO GENERAL...

2. For example, it is fine to plan:

a. To go to heaven

b. To serve the Lord faithfully

c. To do the work of evangelism

D. THE PROBLEM OF A VISION THAT IS TOO LITTLE...

1. When we do think specifically about the Lord’s work, we often

fail to set our sights high enough

a. Perhaps we are hindered by our past experience

1) Personal efforts made in the past may have not born

fruit

2) Congregational efforts did not seem to go anywhere

b. Perhaps we have been fed a steady diet of defeatism

1) Told by others that people are not interested in

spiritual matters anymore

2) Telling ourselves that people are not interested

2. With small visions, many churches and individuals seem content

with:

a. Just "keeping house for the Lord" We sing ’Hold the Fort" when we need to go forth in the Name of Jesus and do the Will and Work of God.

b. With the limited vision of many churches, little is done and

little is accomplished

I believe the Lord intends greater things for His church, especially

for those servants with a willingness to work (cf. (Mat 13:31 KJV) Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field:

(Mat 13:32 KJV) Which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof.

(1 Cor 16:9 KJV) For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries.

(Rev 3:8 KJV) I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.

II. WHAT OUR VISION NEEDS

A. OUR VISION NEEDS TO BE GREAT...

1. We need to think we can double in attendance every year

2. We need to spread the gospel to thousands in our community each

year

B. OUR VISION NEEDS SPECIFIC ACTION.

(Mat 16:26 KJV) For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

If each person succeeded is just getting one person to come

regularly, the attendance would easily double.

2. To spread the gospel to thousands in our community each year:

a. Give a tract to one person per week

b. A congregation of 50 would share the gospel with more than

2500 people per year

C. OUR VISION NEEDS FAITH.