Vision: Clearly See What is Right in Front of Us
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To see what is right in front of us...
Vision has to grab hold of what we can easily see.... but often what is right in front of us becomes FUZZY as it becomes aged...
Let me explain...
These are my reading glasses — when I was younger I had no need for them - my eyesight was better than 20/20, but as I grew older, even though everything before my eyes was something I was used to seeing --- it got a little fuzzier because I got older!
Sometimes we grow used to things as they age around us and fail to see their importance in the picture - OR THE VISION --
Maybe we have been slanted in our perspective based on an experience we had, or did not have, or just have shut what is right in front of us out.
This morning I want to challenge us to first look at, strengthen, and grab hold of the vision that is already laid out before us.
strengthening and grabbing hold of the vision that is already laid out before us
We may have to put on SPIRITUAL READERS to allow our vision to focus on these things!
At Destiny as we seek Direction for Life we need to MOVE toward some goals - or journey points! Things that describe who we want to be as a church family — we may not be perfect at any of these, but we want to strive to make these standards in our lives, families and community!
1. Christ Honoring
1. Christ Honoring
Vision or Divine guidance begins with the fear of the Lord according to
18 When people do not accept divine guidance, they run wild.
But whoever obeys the law is joyful.
- As New Testament Christians that means we desire to Honor Christ with our lives!
How can we impact the communities around us if our lives and what we do as a church is not Honoring to Christ?
14 What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone? 15 Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing, 16 and you say, “Good-bye and have a good day; stay warm and eat well”—but then you don’t give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do?
17 So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless.
18 Now someone may argue, “Some people have faith; others have good deeds.” But I say, “How can you show me your faith if you don’t have good deeds? I will show you my faith by my good deeds.”
19 You say you have faith, for you believe that there is one God. Good for you! Even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror. 20 How foolish! Can’t you see that faith without good deeds is useless?
21 Don’t you remember that our ancestor Abraham was shown to be right with God by his actions when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see, his faith and his actions worked together. His actions made his faith complete. 23 And so it happened just as the Scriptures say: “Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith.” He was even called the friend of God. 24 So you see, we are shown to be right with God by what we do, not by faith alone.
25 Rahab the prostitute is another example. She was shown to be right with God by her actions when she hid those messengers and sent them safely away by a different road.
James
- Do we truly stop to examine our behavior and choices to see if we honor ourselves, our wants or if we are truly endeavoring for others to see Christ in us?
- How do we grow in Christ so we might honor Him?
By being discipled and by discipline others. Learning the Word if God and how it applies to our lives!!!
Yes Sunday morning church is a necessary component to that - making the gathering together of the saints a PRIORITY -
25 And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.
13 There he waits until his enemies are humbled and made a footstool under his feet.
a not forsaking - is essential - but there is more!
a not forsaking - is essential - but there is more!
My vision is as a church our entire body involves itself in discipleship groups and growing deeper in the Word of God!!!
Vision to be Christ honoring is simple! Get into the Word and apply it to our lives! - JUST LIVE IT!
As we enedeavor to offer specific areas of discipleship and growth they only effect is when the body invests time to learn!!!
We don’t learn if we don’t go!!!!
Discipleship Groups Video
2. Hope Giving
2. Hope Giving
How do we give hope but by our testimony?
God has given you each a testimony - those things He has done in our lives!
Are we sharing that testimony - are we going out and telling our friends, family and coworkers what God has done?
Our attitude determines our altitude and if we crash into houses or encourage them to fly high.
If God has redeemed you say Amen, if He has set you free tell others!
People hurt and long to be free and healed - and helped
How can we give Hope?
Invite others to church, small groups and d groups so they can here others testimonies
Testimony Video ---
As we already have groups, there are some more we want to see, like
Celebrate Recovery - hope to be free!!!
English as a second language - offering hope to those who are wanting to connect in our society and culture and hopefully lead them to Jesus as well...
We desire more groups to help in specific areas of growth for people of like need or want to belong and grow...
As we build a stronger church right here in the here and now and become more invested and committed to it - we provide a place where people can find Hope and Direction for life!
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How many people know that our building testifies to how much we care!
We want our building to also be an inviting place that draws people in and makes them comfortable while they are here. We do not need a massive sanctuary or facility to be a center for HOPE to be found.
We do need to take care of a few things though...
BUILDING VIDEO ---
Now, here is some practical vision — we gather and meet in
this place - and here are some things that become difficult to function!
- How many like to stand in line to pee?
- When we can’t get through for a coffee or figure out where to go when coming into meet with Pastor?
We need to modify his awesome facility we have to function with the current needs of our ministries. We need to prepare the facility for a second service. (When we get to this place, and we are almost there - we are making preparations behind the scenes as we speak - how will we connect with each other --- as we are coming and going in between services!!!!) That is nearly impossible with our foyer and bathrooms!
How about a bigger foyer that can House small gatherings, classes, and Bible studies without having to do the stairs which is difficult for some?
When people come to find hope we want to be the most hospitable and comfortable place we can be!
That means being the church people being Uber friendly and welcoming, not leaving any first time guest wondering where to go or if they matter!
AND making the facility a comfortable place
(Do you know why we freeze out the church when you come in the morning --- because it cannot keep up with the load once it heats up— we need a bigger unit on the sanctuary and to install the current one for the lower level - and add ceiling fans!)
We need to upgrade our electrical supply! So we don’t blow circuits and can divide lighting to be more effective and reachable (ask a sound person who runs to the hall to adjust lights)
Let’s give hope by being a welcoming place where others can come and hear what God can do for them by sharing our changes lives!
Modifying will take some sacrifice, investment and giving of time and resources just like making ministries happen!
BUT AREN’T YOU THANKFUL SOMEONE DID IT BEFORE SO WE COULD BE AT THIS PLACE???
3. Community of Faith
3. Community of Faith
Everyone needs a place to belong - a second space, third space?
Everyone needs a place to belong - a second space, third space?
A few years ago when I went to a gym they were trying to sell me on making that gym my third space - I thought - wow - a place to work out your body and be physically fit and have activity be a third space --- yes it is good to exercise - but it is better to exercise your spirit man!
8 “Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come.”
What would happen if we went back in time to where people made the church family and gathering together their THIRD SPACE???
What community is most important for you to belong to?
What community is most important for you to belong to?
If being a follower of Christ matters - being a part of the community of faith with the body of Christ should be amongst our highest priorities!
I think this is what we see in the New Testament when they were constantly gathering in homes with one another!
46 They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity—
We see in Scripture how the believers came together often for fellowship and encouragement as well as Worship and learning the Word.
Church is not just something we throw in for an hour a week - but a community/ a family we become a part of! Our common bond like any other family is our PARENT - GOD OUR FATHER, CHRIST OUR BROTHER!
As we build authentic community - others will desire to be a part of that!
The contemporary church has lost sight of community.
We are not intended to just be friendly on Sunday am - but truly share in this life together.
Life groups are a vital part of making that happen - a part of creating true community. I am witnessing groups gathering well outside of their monthly scheduled time for fellowship, prayer, celebration and to help through difficulties!
Life Group Video
Will we refocus and make it a priority to get together and make that community?
Not everyone who comes to church has large extended family in the area therefore our community of faith steps in!
In community our differences are united by our love of Christ - and they hold us together in a deep way.
(The International church in Italy - had a powerful bond as people from other countries came together with their only common bond being Christ)
It does not just happen - it takes an intentional decision by members of the body to commit and invest in one another’s lives - and it is a choice that has great dividends!
We invest sooooo much in our own wants and interests and goals - but if we are not participating in the community of faith - we are missing out on God’s INTENTION FOR OUR LIVES.
The church is not a place to attend for an hour, but a community to do life with! Don’t wait to be pursued, be the one who pursues connection with others!!! It will happen!
CONCLUSION
CONCLUSION
This morning let me challenge you to grab hold of a spiritual pair of readers and FOCUS IN on what is in front of us!
Being a Christ Honoring People
Being a People that are Hope Giving
Being a Community of Faith
- may we see the need to strengthen, commit and invest in OUR church!
OUR, not mine or someone elses - but OUR church!
Invest our time and resources into our ministries, people, discipleship and fellowship!
Invest ourselves into helping modify things to accommodate the growth and things the Lord is doing
Let us become not a motto - but a way of life at Destiny!!! So we can move forward in reaching the Lost, discipling the saved, and encouraging the body of Christ!