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 1.Something seen in a dream or trance –A supernatural appearance that conveys a revelation –A manifestation to the senses of something immaterial 2.The act or power of imagination –Unusual foresight or discernment 3.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 Lighthouse Our 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 Fellowship Evangelism Great Commission Church WorshipPrayer EdificationStewardshipBenevolence

The Lighthouse Our 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 Lighthouse Our 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 Lighthouse Our Vision A Great Commission Church A Disciple-Making Church A Praying Church A Philadelphia Church

A Philadelphia Church Revelation 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 –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

Deuteronomy 30: “See, I have set before you today life and prosperity, and death and adversity; 16 in that I command you today to love the LORD your God, to walk in His ways and to keep His commandments and His statutes and His judgments, that you may live and multiply, and that the LORD your God may bless you in the land where you are entering to possess it. 17 “But if your heart turns away and you will not obey, but are drawn away and worship other gods and serve them, 18 I declare to you today that you shall surely perish. You will not prolong your days in the land where you are crossing the Jordan to enter and possess it. 19 “I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. So choose life in order that you may live, you and your descendants,

What Do You See? What is the vision God has given you for your life?