Sermon Tone Analysis

Week 1 - The Disciple-Maker - Mission (

) - WHAT ARE WE DOING?

Inviting People To Heal Spiritual Wounds & Connecting To A Life Changing Relationship With Christ.

Week 2 - Revive The Stones - (…thou art Peter and upon this Rock…)

Values - WHY ARE WE DOING IT??

Week 3 -

Vision - answers the question, WHERE ARE WE GOING??

INTRODUCTION

In August of 1964, under the backdrop of the Lincoln Memorial, Martin Luther King delivered the speech of his lifetime and perhaps the speech of his generation--a speech that served as the seedbed of social change.

“I Have a Dream” was a capsulated summary of the dream that a generation of African Americans felt in their hearts.

Dr. King was a leader.

“I Have a Dream” was his vision.

What he saw was a better America--an America of equality and brotherhood.

His dream has fueled a thousand other dreams and many of those dreams have become a reality.

This is the power of vision.

Every movement begins with a dream.

The dream or vision is the force that invents and helps create the future.

WHAT IS VISION?

A very well known author and businessman named Steven Covey once wrote, “All things are created twice.”

First there is the mental creation and then the physical creation.

Vision pertains to this first creation.

I would disagree with this statement as it pertains to men/women of God.

For us, the Vision must first be received from God and then comes the physical creation.

From a Christian perspective, vision is the ability to clearly see and articulate where God wants us to go or what God wants us to do in a given situation.

Vision is the bridge between present and future reality.

God reveals Vision when there is need of a change in some area of life; whether your own personal life, your family, your church or the nation itself.

When we look at the little book of Habakkuk (3 chapters), God presents just such a vision to the prophet Habkkuk Himself.

`Being a perceptive man, Habakkuk knew the kingdom of Judah was rapidly deteriorating.

Ever since the death of King Josiah in 609 B.C., his religious reforms had been forgotten and his son and successor Jehoiakim had been leading the nation closer to disaster.

“Why do good people suffer and evil people prosper?” or “Why isn’t God answering my prayer?” or “When I’m doing my best for the Lord, why do I experience the worst from others?”

`“Why do good people suffer and evil people prosper?” or “Why isn’t God answering my prayer?” or “When I’m doing my best for the Lord, why do I experience the worst from others?”

`The basic cause ().

The nation’s problems were caused by leaders who wouldn’t obey the law.

“Therefore when the law is paralyzed, justice never prevails.

The wicked hem in the righteous, so that justice is perverted” (v. 4, NIV).

The rich exploited the poor and escaped punishment by bribing the officials, by redistricting so certain communities’ votes don’t count, or by fixing voting poles illegally.

Wait, is this the ancient land of Judah or is it America today??

The same thing that happened back then is happening today and many Christians are asking the same question that Habakkuk asked & COMPLAINED about in the 1st chapter of the book; O LORD, how long shall I cry, and thou wilt not hear!

The prophet’s complaints were then met with the Lord’s command, “Write down the revelation,” in chapter 2. God’s declaration included the fact that He would use the Babylonians to bring punishment on the unlawful nation of Judah who would then turn and repent for their rebellion against Him.

Chapter 3 climaxes with a magnificent doxology of Praise.

The ever-present “Why?” is best answered by the everlasting “Who!” His confusion over “Why all the conflict?” is resolved with his comprehension of who is in control: God!

Though the outlook may elicit terror, the uplook elicits trust.

The prophet’s complaints and fears were resolved in confidence and faith.

This is the heart of the message of Habakkuk: “The righteous will live by his faith” (2:4).

This same thought was carried over in the NT when Paul said in

There’s a message right there for everyone of us today: OUTLOOK VS.

UPLOOK:

Instead of worrying about looking out and seeing my children out of control I’m going to look up and see that My Father is in complete control

Instead of looking out at government shut-downs and corrupt politicians, I’m going to look up and see that My God knows how to Trump Trump and get paychecks back into people’s hands!

He knows how to get air traffic controllers back on the payroll

He knows how to get airline workers smiling again because they can pay the rent

He knows how to get Coast Guard and other military happy to do their job knowing their families have money for food and formula!!!

Saints of God, don’t look out; learn to look up!!!!

David got this point and hollered out in

Vision

Here’s on focus for this morning: In the 2nd chapter, v.2-4 - God gives Habakkuk a vision to answer his questions and complaints and I say today that God is still giving visions to His children when they ask the questions:

God what am I supposed to do w/ my life?

God what am I supposed to do w/ my life?

God what is my ministry?

God what is Your will regarding me?

God will provide Vision

THE VISION OF THE DWELLING PLACE IS: ONE CHURCH, EQUIPPED TO HEAL & TRANSFORM LIVES FOR CHRIST (IN CONTRA COSTA COUNTY AND BEYOND)

What is our working definition of Vision?

Vision can be described as:

A Revelation from God; witnessing something supernatural that is not visible to the naked eye.

(God’s ability)

[webster] the state of being able to see (man’s ability)

v.1

Why does H. have to write the vision?

ANS: [point]BECAUSE TO WRITE SOMETHING DOWN MEANS TO CREATE A RECORD OF THE THING.

RECORDING THE VISION MEANS:

YOU WON’T FORGET IT

YOU CAN GO BACK TO IT IN DARK TIMES WHEN IT SEEMS LIKE IT WON’T COME TO PASS

WHEN THE ENEMY TRIES TO STEAL YOUR VISION, YOU CAN GO BACK AND SAY GOD TOLD ME....(THINK OF EVE WHEN satan tried to move her off of what God had told her and Adam)

Vision is:

ANS: Vision is divine revelation.

It is seeing the unseen.

3. [point]Vision is also purpose “YOUR VISION DETERMINES YOUR PURPOSE”

[illustration] If I see in my vision that God wants me to be doctor then my purpose is to take the steps necessary to be a doctor

If God gives me a vision of of ministering to the homeless then my purpose is to find resources, apply for grants

If God gives me a vision to help young children be successful in school......

WE MUST HAVE A VISION!!

2. VISION KEEPS US ON THE STRAIGHT AND NARROW ROAD

When God gives us a vision, we can stand firm and not waver left or right but do His will while we are able!

Jesus had a vision of going to the cross to save the lost and the devil himself could not shake Him!

[ill] - movie about horse riding - IN OTHER WORDS, OUR VISION KEEPS OUR BODIES MOVING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION

3. [point] Your Vision sees the impossible and says its possible!

NEW MINISTRIES

NEW BUSINESSES

A HUSBAND

A WIFE

RESTORED RELATIONSHIPS

Make it plain.

In other words, God will give us 20/20 vision.

Full vision, full clarity, full understanding!!

Why

[point]THE VISION IS TO BE MADE PLAIN SO THAT WHEN IT COMES TO PASS EVERYONE WILL KNOW THAT WHAT GOD SAID GOD HAS DONE

man didn’t give me a home

man didn’t give me a wife

man didn’t give me a husband