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What Do You See?. Looking Backwards/Looking Forwards. Looking Back. Ernie & Barbara Davis Alfredo & Susannah Celaya Dylan & Valerie Romo Fred & Jenny Rogers Javier & Arcelia Chimal Dave & Jeni Berkheimer Joe & Aileen Wilson Elijah & Kerris Mwitanti. Vision.
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What Do You See? Looking Backwards/Looking Forwards
Looking Back • Ernie & Barbara Davis • Alfredo & Susannah Celaya • Dylan & Valerie Romo • Fred & Jenny Rogers • Javier & Arcelia Chimal • Dave & Jeni Berkheimer • Joe & Aileen Wilson • Elijah & Kerris Mwitanti
Vision • Something seen in a dream or trance • A supernatural appearance that conveys a revelation • A manifestation to the senses of something immaterial • The act or power of imagination • Unusual foresight or discernment • The act of seeing • Physical sight
Vision - Proverbs 29:18 • KJV - Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he. • NKJV - Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint; but happy is he who keeps the law. • NIV - Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint; but blessed is he who keeps the law. • NASB - Where there is no vision, the people are unrestrained, But happy is he who keeps the law. • TLB - Where there is ignorance of God, crime runs wild; but what a wonderful thing it is for a nation to know and keep his laws. • NLB - When people do not accept divine guidance, they run wild, but whoever obeys the law is happy.
Vision • Acts 2:17 • ‘In the last days, God said, I will pour out my Spirit upon all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, and your old men will dream dreams. • “visions” = horaseis = means appearance or an ecstatic revelation • In Scripture the Greek word is used for both: • what a man can envision within his own mind (see, imagine, think, cause to appear) • what is given him by God through a special revelation
God’s Purpose with Visions • To convert and call believers to the ministry • Acts 26:19 • To encourage believers • Acts 18:9-11; 2 Cor. 12:1-7 • To guide and direct believers • Acts 9:10-16; Acts 10:17; Acts 16:8-11 • To reveal spiritual things to believers • Revelation 1:10 • To reveal the truth of Christ • Luke 24:23 • To show people that they are living in the last days • Acts 2:17-21
Vision • Joel Barker • Vision is dreams in action • Vision + Action = You can change the world! • Nowhere is this more true than with Jesus and the vision He has given us for reaching the world! • The Great Commission
The LighthouseOur Vision • A Great Commission Church • A Disciple-Making Church • A Praying Church • A Philadelphia Church
The Great Commission • Matthew 28:18-20 • Priority of Obedience • Priority of Worship • Basis in the Authority of Christ • Strategy – Make disciples of all nations • By going • By teaching • By baptising • Expect – count on – depend on Jesus being with you always – even to the end of the age!
The Great Commission • Mark 16:15-18 • Priority of preaching the gospel • Strategy = go into all the world • Expect results • Believers will be saved • Disbelievers will be condemned
The Great Commission • Luke 24:44-49 • Priority of the Word • Gospel = good news • Repentance and forgiveness of sins • Resurrection • Strategy • Start in Jerusalem • Every Christian a witness • Holy Spirit empowered – indwelling and filling
The Great Commission • John 20:19-23; 21:15-23 • Priority of Love for Christ • Motivation for fulfilling the Great Commission • Following Christ because we love Him • Strategy • Feed My sheep/lambs • Leaders/Elders are responsible
The Great Commission • Acts 1:1-11 • Priority • Witnessing • The Holy Spirit’s Power • Strategy • Both in Jerusalem and Judea and Samaria and even the uttermost parts of the world • Telling, Teaching, Training, Transforming • Expect – Jesus to continue to do and to teach until the end of time
Driving Priorities for a Great Commission Church Worship Prayer Edification Stewardship Benevolence Fellowship Evangelism Great Commission Church
The LighthouseOur Vision • A Great Commission Church • A Disciple-Making Church • A Praying Church • A Philadelphia Church
Elders/Leaders • Must share the vision so that each individual • Can see their part • Can see how they fit into the vision • Can see how their part must be a positive contribution to the vision • Best way to do this is by disciple making • The Discipler models the life style that fulfills the vision
The LighthouseOur Vision • A Great Commission Church • A Disciple-Making Church • A Praying Church • A Philadelphia Church
Praying for The Great Commission • Ask and you will receive what you need in your life to fulfill The Great Commission • “I will supply all your needs through Christ Jesus” • Seek and you will find how to do your part in fulfilling The Great Commission • Knock and the closed doors will be opened unto you in fulfilling the Great Commission
The LighthouseOur Vision • A Great Commission Church • A Disciple-Making Church • A Praying Church • A Philadelphia Church
A Philadelphia ChurchRevelation 3:7-13 • The Church in Philadelphia - A Church that loves one another • The One Who Speaks - v. 7b • He that is Holy and True • He that opens and closes doors - Isaiah 22:15-25 • What Jesus Says to a Philadelphia Church - vv. 8-13 • The Commendation - I know your works and see, I have set before you an open door - v. 8a • The Obstacles to overcome - vv. 8b-9 • lack of strength - v. 8 • opposition - v. 9 • The Counsel – Behold, I am coming quickly! - v. 11 • The Promises • Jesus will take care of our enemies - v. 9 • Jesus will keep us from Tribulation - v. 10 • God will honor us - v. 12 • The Warning - v. 13 • “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”
God’s Vision of Your Future • Where will you be 5-10 years out? • Career/Family • Personal Life • Spiritual Life • What are you doing to get there? • All of us are essential in fulfillment of The Great Commission! • All of us have something significant yet to do in the future
The Way God Made Us • Man can only live by looking toward the future • His salvation in the most difficult moments of his existence comes from • Choosing to be an active participant • Choosing to make a difference • Choosing the life that God has planned for us
What Do You See?What is the vision God has given you for your life?