The Real Jesus (III) Man of Vision, Purpose, and Urgency

Lived Life with a Sense of Vision A vision is a realistic, credible, attractive future for an organization (Burt Nanus) “Vision is more than what you see with eyes: It’s what you see with your heart” (Cindy Van Winkle, a blind person) "The only thing worse than being born blind is to be born with sight but with no vision:” (Helen Keller)

Lived Life with a Sense of Vision Jesus’ vision: Luke 19:10 "For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost."

Lived Life with a Sense of Vision Jesus’ vision: Mt 9:13 “But go and learn what this means: ‘I DESIRE COMPASSION,AND NOT SACRIFICE,’ for I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

Lived Life with a Sense of Vision Jesus’ vision: Mk 10:45 “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”

Lived Life with a Sense of Vision Vision requires that we stay focused Lk 10:38-42 “Now as they were traveling along, He entered a village; and a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her home. She had a sister called Mary, who was seated at the Lord's feet, listening to His word. But Martha was distracted with all her preparations; and she came up to Him and said, ‘Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to do all the serving alone? Then tell her to help me.’ But the Lord answered and said to her, ‘Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things; but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her.’”

Lived Life with a Sense of Vision Vision requires a target

Phil 3:7-14 “But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ. More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ, and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith, that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death; in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”

Lived Life with a Sense of Purpose How is purpose different from vision? –Vision is where you want to be in the future –Purpose is your reason for going there

Lived Life with a Sense of Purpose Jesus’ sense of purpose John 4:31-34 “Meanwhile the disciples were urging Him, saying, ‘Rabbi, eat.’ But He said to them, ‘I have food to eat that you do not know about.’ So the disciples were saying to one another, ‘No one brought Him anything to eat, did he?’ Jesus said to them, ‘My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to accomplish His work.’”

Lived Life with a Sense of Purpose Jesus’ sense of purpose Jn 17:4 “I glorified You on the earth, having accomplished the work which You have given Me to do.”

Lived Life with a Sense of Purpose We were created for a purpose Eph 2:10 “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.”

Lived Life with a Sense of Purpose Purpose means living with good aim 1 Cor 9:24-27 “Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.”

Lived Life with a Sense of Purpose Will you be able to say…: 2 Tim 4:7-8 “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing.”

Lived Life with a Sense of Urgency Lk 9:51 “When the days were approaching for His ascension, He was determined to go to Jerusalem”

Lived Life with a Sense of Urgency Lk 12:49-50 “I have come to cast fire upon the earth; and how I wish it were already kindled! But I have a baptism to undergo, and how distressed I am until it is accomplished!”

Lived Life with a Sense of Urgency Jn 9:4 “We must work the works of Him who sent Me as long as it is day; night is coming when no one can work.”

Lived Life with a Sense of Urgency Demands proper priorities Mt 6:33 “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”

Lived Life with a Sense of Urgency Demands proper priorities Jn 6:27 “Do not work for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you, for on Him the Father, God, has set His seal.”

Lived Life with a Sense of Urgency Demands we recognize the momentary nature of opportunity Jn 12:35 “So Jesus said to them, ‘For a little while longer the Light is among you. Walk while you have the Light, so that darkness will not overtake you; he who walks in the darkness does not know where he goes.’”

Lived Life with a Sense of Urgency Demands we recognize the momentary nature of opportunity –Life is but a vapor: Jas 4:14 “Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away.”

Lived Life with a Sense of Urgency Make the most of the opportunity Eph 5:15-16 “Therefore, be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil.”

Jesus Lived Life… With a Sense of Vision With a Sense of Purpose With a Sense of Urgency