1. The Need for Vision
In the Lord’s work, we need vision. Greater Goals… Greater Plans… Greater accomplishments in our service of the King of Kings!
Originally preached January 4, 2003
Preached at West Side, September 17, 2006

2. Matthew 9:37-38
“Then He said to His disciples, ‘The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.’”
Jesus certainly was a man who had vision!

3. John 4:35
“Do you not say, ‘There are still four months and then comes the harvest’? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest!”
Jesus certainly was a man who had vision!

4. What our Vision Needs Besides scope (Greatness) and Vision (Specific action)
Our Vision Needs Faith
Romans 1:16-17; 1 Corinthians 16:8-9
Philippians 4:13

5. Romans 1:16-17
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, ‘The just shall live by faith.’”

6. 1 Corinthians 16:8-9
“But I will tarry in Ephesus until Pentecost. 9 For a great and effective door has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.”

7. Philippians 4:13
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

8. What our Vision Needs Besides scope (Greatness) and Vision (Specific action)
Our Vision Needs Faith
Romans 1:16-17; 1 Corinthians 16:8-9
Philippians 4:13
Our Vision Needs Boldness
Displayed by early Christians (Acts 4:13; 14:3)
Based on Hope in Christ (2 Corinthians 3:12)

9. Acts 4:13
“Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus.”
(vs. 20), “For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.”

10. Acts 14:3
“Therefore they stayed there a long time, speaking boldly in the Lord, who was bearing witness to the word of His grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands.”
Paul and Barnabas did this despite the violent persecution from the unbelieving Jews.

11. 2 Corinthians 3:12
“Therefore, since we have such hope, we use great boldness of speech.”
Our boldness in Christ is compared to the veil before the eyes of those under the Old Covenant. (vs. 14), “Because the veil is taken away in Christ.”

12. What our Vision Needs Besides scope (Greatness) and Vision (Specific action)
Our Vision Needs Faith
Romans 1:16-17; 1 Corinthians 16:8-9
Philippians 4:13
Our Vision Needs Boldness
Displayed by early Christians (Acts 4:13; 14:3)
Based on Hope in Christ (2 Corinthians 3:12)
Our Vision Needs Persistence
Galatians 6:9; 1 Corinthians 15:58
Often we give up too soon to realize our vision!

13. Galatians 6:9
“And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.”

14. 1 Corinthians 15:58
“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.”

15. Conclusion
We must have the same vision that our Lord has. Share the gospel with the lost!
“Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest!” (John 4:35)