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.
1. Faith in the power of the gospel
a. To save souls - (Rom 1:16 KJV) For I am not ashamed of the
gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that
believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
(Rom 1:17 KJV) For therein is the righteousness of God
revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
b. To produce souls that have been born again - (1 Pet 1:23
KJV) Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the
word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
(1 Pet 1:25 KJV) But the word of the Lord endureth forever.
And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.
2. Faith in the power of the Lord
a. To open doors for His prepared servants (1 Cor 16:9 KJV)
For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many
adversaries.
b. To empower His servants wanting to do His will - (Phil
4:13 KJV) I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
(Eph 3:16 KJV) That he would grant you, according to the riches of
his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;
(Eph 3:20 KJV) Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly
above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,
D. OUR VISION NEEDS BOLDNESS...
1. A vision was displayed often by the early Christians - (Acts 4:13
KJV) Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they
were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of
them, that they had been with Jesus.
(Acts 9:27 KJV) But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles,
and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had
spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus.
(Acts 13:46 KJV) Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was
necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing
ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we
turn to the Gentiles.
(Acts 14:3 KJV) Long time therefore abode they speaking boldly in the
Lord, which gave testimony unto the word of his grace, and granted signs and
wonders to be done by their hands.
(Acts 19:8 KJV) And he went into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the
space of three months, disputing and persuading the things concerning the
kingdom of God.
(Acts 28:31 KJV) Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things
which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him.
2. For which they prayed and solicited prayers - (Acts 4:29 KJV) And now,
Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all
boldness they may speak thy word, (Acts 4:30 KJV) By stretching forth thine hand
to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child
Jesus.
(Eph 6:19 KJV) And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I
may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,
(Eph 6:20 KJV) For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may
speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
3. A vision that has boldness based upon our hope in Christ (2 Cor 3:12
KJV) Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech:
4. To say what needs to be said, when it needs to be said, despite the
circumstances (1 Th 2:2 KJV) But even after that we had suffered before, and
were shamefully entreated, as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to
speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention.
E. OUR VISION NEEDS PERSISTENCE...
Not losing heart, for we shall reap in due time - (Gal 6:9 KJV) And
let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint
not.
Always abounding, knowing that our labor is not in vain - Many visions
are never realized because people give up too soon!
1. Not all "vision" is good...
a. Some have "tunnel vision" - focusing on small and often
insignificant problems in the church
b. Some have "visions of despair" - seeing only the negative,
never the positive
2. But a vision that has...
a. A grand scope worthy of its mission (saving souls)
b. Specific steps to accomplishing its goal (teaching others)
c. Faith in the Lord and in His word
d. Boldness and perseverance in carrying it out ...such a
vision is what the people of God need today!
Is this your vision? Or have you allowed yourself to have "tunnel vision" or a
"vision of despair"? How much better to heed the words of Jesus: "Behold, I say
to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for
harvest!" (Jn 4:35)God bless you and yours!
On behalf of this generation,
Your friends in the service of Christ,
Tony
and Marge Abram
Abundant Life Crusades
If we could be
of more help or if you want more information please visit:
www.tonyabram.com or
www.abundantlifecrusades.com
Home
|
The Good News
|
Tony's Sermons
|
Some Thoughts
|
The Team
|
About Us
|
Support Us
|
Contact Us
Web Pages and HTML Sources are
©Copyright 2002-2024 |
Web Development: Digital Smiles
|
