1. Embracing God’s Vision

2. Embracing God’s Vision
“Where there is no vision, the people perish.”
Proverbs 29:18 (kjv)

3. “Vision” = a compelling picture of a desirable future.

4. 3 Kinds of Visions
1. The SECULAR Vision (we initiate)
“Look here, you people who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we are going to a certain town and will stay there a year. We will do business there and make a profit.’” James 4:13 (nlt)

5. 3 Kinds of Visions 1. The SECULAR Vision Don’t plan without God
“How do you know what will happen tomorrow? … What you ought to say is, ‘If the Lord wants us to, we will live and do this or that.’ Otherwise you will be boasting about your own plans.” James4:15-16 (nlt)

6. 3 Kinds of Visions 1. The SECULAR Vision Don’t plan without God
“We may make our plans, but God has the last word.” Proverbs 16:1 (gnb)

7. 3 Kinds of Visions 1. The SECULAR Vision Don’t plan without God
“We should make our plans - counting on God to direct us.” Proverbs 16:9 (tlb)

8. Don’t presume about tomorrow
3 Kinds of Visions
1. The SECULAR Vision
Don’t plan without God
Don’t presume about tomorrow
“Why, you don’t even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes As it is, you boast and brag. All such boasting is evil.” James 4:14,16 (niv) 

9. Don’t put off doing good
3 Kinds of Visions
1. The SECULAR Vision
Don’t plan without God
Don’t presume about tomorrow
Don’t put off doing good
“Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it.” James 4:17 (nlt)

10. The SOVEREIGN Vision (God initiates)
3 Kinds of Visions
The SECULAR Vision (we initiate)
The SOVEREIGN Vision (God initiates)
Initially Moses told God: “Here I am!”
Exodus 3:4 (niv)

11. 3 Kinds of Visions 2. The SOVEREIGN Vision 1. The SECULAR Vision
Then Moses protested: “I am not the person for a job like that! … Suppose I go … Then what? … Look, they won’t believe me! … I’m not just a good speaker! … O Lord, please send someone else!”
Exodus 3:11, 13; 4:1, 10, 13 (tlb, niv, nlt)

12. 3 Kinds of Visions The SOVEREIGN Vision 1. The SECULAR Vision
 When God calls my name, I must cooperate

13. The SACRED Vision (we initiate, God responds)
3 Kinds of Visions
The SECULAR Vision (we initiate)
The SOVEREIGN Vision (God initiates)
The SACRED Vision (we initiate,
God responds)
God: “Call to Me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.” Jeremiah 33:3 (niv)

14. 3 Kinds of Visions The SACRED Vision 1. The SECULAR Vision
The SOVEREIGN Vision
The SACRED Vision
Jesus: "You can ask for anything in My name, and I will do it, because the work of the Son brings glory to the Father.” John 14:12-13 (nlt)

15. 3 Kinds of Visions The SACRED Vision 1. The SECULAR Vision
The SOVEREIGN Vision
The SACRED Vision
If we desire to know God’s vision, we must
pray for it

16. 3 Kinds of Visions The SACRED Vision 1. The SECULAR Vision
The SOVEREIGN Vision
The SACRED Vision
God is sovereign and can do anything. Yet
in His sovereign wisdom He has decided to do certain things only in response to the prayers of His people

17. 3 Kinds of Visions 1. The SECULAR Vision (we initiate)
The SOVEREIGN Vision (God initiates)
The SACRED Vision (we initiate, God responds)
“’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. In those days I will pour out My Spirit upon … men and women alike.’”
Acts 2:17-20 (nlt; from Joel 2:28-32)