|
VISION- AN INTRODUCTION TEXT- JEREMIAH 29:11-14 DECEMBER 31, 2006
INTRODUCTION 1- Many of us will have personal/family/business goals for the new year 2- In order to achieve those goals, we have to envision what it will look like when we accomplish those goals 3- In order to achieve those goals, we have to have some sort of plan
When we talk about our God-inspired vision for Whitepine Baptust Church, we are talking about something very specific
VISION vs MISSION Sometimes we confuse the words ‘mission’ and ‘vision.’ It’s easiest to understand I this way- we never have to wonder or work at discovering what our mission is. Jesus gave it to us clearly in Matthew 28:18-20- Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given complete authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” This is our mission- this is the prime directive of each and every church of Jesus Christ. And this mission differs from our vision in a few important ways:
1- mission never changes… vision can and does regularly change. If a church ever takes on something other than the Great Commission as its mission, it is no longer a church. But the vision is what the mission looks like in a specific location through specific people at a specific time- and because all of these things are specific, they change as situations, resources, and personnel change (elaborate)
2- mission is very general; vision is more specific- the mission says to go and make disciples… but it doesn’t say how. It also doesn’t tell us what teaching method to use. That is entirely up to the local fellowship, again- depending on the gifts, resources, and surroundings it finds itself in (elaborate)
3- mission motivates vision; vision motivates action- mission hopefully impresses us to do something… vision shows us what it is we are to do.
WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT? Proverbs 29:18 tells us that where there is no vision, the people will perish. I find it interesting that most other translations render the verse as where there is no prophecy, or revelation, or word from God, the people perish, or cast off all restraint.. I believe this is true at several levels:
1- we as individuals perish- if God does not speak to us, inspire us to new heights and depths of faith, then we lose our motivation to live and strive and succeed.
2- we as a church fellowship perish- if we have no clear vision and focus, the future of our local fellowship is at risk. We don’t reach out to new people, and those within start to drop out- not so much because they aren’t committed, but because they have nothing to commit to.
3- those we are responsible for may perish- if we do not have a vision for our calling, and are not passionately involved in seeing it become a reality, the souls that we are responsible for may not be reached or ministered to.
WHAT WILL A VISION DO? 1- encourage unity- people buy into and work for a vision. Eph 4:15-16- we will hold to the truth in love, becoming more and more in every way like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. Under his direction, the whole body is fitted together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.
2- creates energy- in Nehemiah’s day, no one cared about the broken walls of Jerusalem but his vision inspired the people
3- provide purpose- brings divine meaning to life; we see ourselves as part of something important and bigger than ourselves. Galatians 6:9- So don’t get tired of doing what is good. Don’t get discouraged and give up, for we will reap a harvest of blessing at the appropriate time.
4- foster risk-taking- vision embraces the excitement of going into the unknown with no guarantees but with a clear purpose. Hebrews 11:1 says, What is faith? It is the confident assurance that what we hope for is going to happen. It is the evidence of things we cannot yet see.
5- promote excellence- people want to do a good job because it is for God & it is important. Colossians 3:23-24- Work hard and cheerfully at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and the Master you are serving is Christ.
6- sustain ministry- when the going is hard, the vision keeps us going. Ephesians 6:10-13- Be strong with the Lord’s mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies and tricks of the Devil. For we are not fighting against people made of flesh and blood, but against the evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against those mighty powers of darkness who rule this world, and against wicked spirits in the heavenly realms. Use every piece of God’s armor to resist the enemy in the time of evil, so that after the battle you will still be standing firm.
HOW IS THIS GOING TO HAPPEN? Lay out the plan for the next several weeks: 1- looking deeper at vision and how to receive it 2- involving everyone in the process (filling out notes during sermons, receiving handouts that you are to read at a later time) today, I simply want you to use the prayer cards we have provided, as well as the prayer day-timers. 3- involving everyone in prayer 4- supper and brainstorming session on Saturday, January 20 @ 5PM
Now, you might just ask- Why aren’t we simply giving you a vision and asking you to bless it? 1- you are the body of Christ in this fellowship 2- belief in empowering leadership 3- for the vision to happen, you have to be committed
Habakkuk 2:3 says this: these things 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. WRAP UP… At the business meeting, we emphasized a couple of things that require commitment from the fellowship in order for them to happen: need for part-time secretarial staff, and continued pursuit of part-time CE Director. These are things that will need to be in place (or part of falling in to place) in order for us to better understand and realize God’s vision for this church.
It will cost something, and we must be willing to pay whatever that price may be. Luke 14:26-33- “If you want to be my follower you must love me more than your own father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, more than your own life. Otherwise, you cannot be my disciple. And you cannot be my disciple if you do not carry your own cross and follow me. “But don’t begin until you count the cost. For who would begin construction of a building without first getting estimates and then checking to see if there is enough money to pay the bills? Otherwise, you might complete only the foundation before running out of funds. And then how everyone would laugh at you! They would say, ‘There’s the person who started that building and ran out of money before it was finished!’ “Or what king would ever dream of going to war without first sitting down with his counselors and discussing whether his army of ten thousand is strong enough to defeat the twenty thousand soldiers who are marching against him? If he is not able, then while the enemy is still far away, he will send a delegation to discuss terms of peace. So no one can become my disciple without giving up everything for me.
Jeremiah 29:11-14- For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me in earnest, you will find me when you seek me. I will be found by you,” says the Lord. “I will end your captivity and restore your fortunes. I will gather you out of the nations where I sent you and bring you home again to your own land.” |