WORLD SERVICES 2015 I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel. PHILIPPIANS 1:4 6 (NIV) WEEK 3 VISION THEME Fueling our vision for World Services comes as a result of seeing our ministry from God s point of view. SCRIPTURE READING Revelation 19:5 10 KEY VERSE Proverbs 29:18 (KJV) Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he. INTRODUCTION We continue today focusing on our Global Gospel Partnership. We have spoken about this World Services emphasis and how it impacts us personally as fellow Christians and as Salvationists. We highlighted our Mission and then the Equipment needed in this partnership. Today we will focus on another word, that word is Vision. Here is an important verse for our consideration: Without vision the people perish. Proverbs 29:18 These are familiar words you will have heard before. Without vision the people perish. Sometimes we hear this Vision verse used by leaders who want to inspire the church in a new endeavor, gain support for a building project, or launch an attendance campaign. After all, shouldn t we have great expectations for what God will do if we have enough faith? Wouldn t that make us stronger and keep us from getting weak? Is that the way to understand the word vision in our scripture verse? No, there is something greater to be understood. Salvationists are serving all around the world. Aren t there dreams and plans for programs and buildings that would be wonderful if they could be fulfilled? If we could just catch the vision and give enough money, wouldn t it be wonderful? It would be wonderful, but that still is not the vision described in this scripture verse. In fact, the verse focuses on something that is greater than our schemes and dreams or even our finances. It reminds us of what is crucial to our Global Gospel Partnership. Listen to this same verse but in a different translation, as presented in the Amplified Bible. Where there is no vision [no redemptive revelation of God], the people perish; but he who keeps the law [of God, which includes that of man] blessed (happy, fortunate, and enviable) is he. Proverbs 29:18 1. THE NEED FOR VISION VISION THE REDEMPTIVE REVELATION Vision, described in this verse from Proverbs, is not like a dream or an inspiration or a challenge. It is the same word used when a prophet received direction personally and straight from God, and then told the people what God said. WORLD SERVICES 2015: WEEK 3 SERMON VISION PAGE 1 of 5 WS15_Sermon3.indd 1
VISION PAGE 2 of 5 It is the same word used at the beginning of Isaiah. His book begins with these words: The vision concerning Judah and Jerusalem that Isaiah saw After this experience, the prophet proceeds to proclaim the word given to him for the people. That is the kind of vision required direction straight from God. VISION WHAT DIFFERENCE DOES IT MAKE? Truth or Consequences was the name of a game show from many years ago. The saying still makes sense. The Truth Since I am not a prophet, to benefit from the meaning of this verse, I must take God s vision as revealed in the Bible which His redemptive revelation, His truth, and apply it to my life. Remember we have the divine rule of Christian faith and practice. Before I act on my own grand ideas and opinions about serving God, I must bow before Him and decide whether or not I will accept all God has said, and obey it in my daily life. Do you push back against God s revelation? This verse makes you realize you must choose between God s vision and your own. It has been said, God doesn t need you to have a vision, a goal or a five year plan. He wants and needs you to observe the plan He already put in place 3500 years ago. (Skip Moen) Or Consequences According to our verse, I need a revelation from God. Without it terrible things happen. Various translations say that without this kind of vision, people run wild (NOG), people are uncontrolled (NCV), the people cast off restraint (NIV), the people do whatever they want to (NLV). Doesn t that sound like Genesis 6:5 which states, God saw that human evil was out of control. People thought evil, imagined evil evil, evil, evil from morning to night. (MSG) With this kind of vision, that is a redemptive revelation from God, we don t have to live out of control. In fact, following God s direction protects my life. What a benefit! How our community and country would benefit from accepting this truth. Because of our need for this vision, we know that we won t escape the principle of truth or consequences. 2. VISION AND BLESSING The good news is that when you accept the vision you can anticipate blessing. But he who keeps the law [of God, which includes that of man] blessed (happy, fortunate, and enviable) is he. Proverbs 29:18 (AMP) Following the vision of God for our lives opens up wonderful possibilities that can only be known by doing the will of God. It also protects us from foolish and wasteful living. When someone becomes a Salvation Army soldier they accept certain requirements, for example, like not smoking or drinking any alcohol. While some may not like those restrictions they are so healthy for us. Similarly, the person who keeps the law of God may find it demanding but in the end will find it life changing. Imagine, waiting for a concert to start where your favorite singer is about to appear. What were the feelings you had? Or imagine going to the premier of a movie that you have been waiting to see. It s exciting! This kind of keen anticipation and much better can be part of our spiritual lives. Obeying the word of God opens the door to divinely directed chapters in our lives. Where will He lead us? WS15_Sermon3.indd 2
VISION PAGE 3 of 5 Lt. Colonel Lyell Rader (O.F.) spoke about standing on tip toes waiting to see what God is going to do next. That is just like our verse. We know we will be blessed and with excitement anticipate our daily partnership with God if we live our lives as He directs. Can you imagine being that excited about observing the work of God in your life? You can be, as you experience the benefits of a life that embraces His vision, His redemptive revelation. Major Marcia Cocker is currently serving in Indonesia. Her experience depicts people who have great anticipation and excitement for the Word, albeit in a unique setting. Listen to her description: My recent trip to Sulawesi allowed me to see a part of the Army world that is very difficult to describe. The corps in Sulawesi are in very remote locations, and in what appear to be very small villages with minimal amenities. At each of the divisions, the women come from the corps in that division many walking or coming on motorbikes to attend. One group actually came in the back of a garbage truck, while at least two groups came in carts pulled by pairs of oxen. The host corps provides all the accommodations and food for the 2 3 day event. Each Home League woman from the host corps opens her home and takes on 10 15 other women from other corps. She is then responsible for meeting all their needs. It s an interesting method and it works very well here. It also helps to build strong ties between the corps. The first location in the West Palu division had about 200 women for the Local Officer Training and an additional 200 for the rally a day later. The next division was Kulawi where the numbers tripled. The third division Mangalla was the most remote and the smallest with just about 150 women in attendance. The final location in East Palu was just unbelievable. We had over 700 women for the training, and more than 2000 for the rally. What excitement and hunger for the word of God Major Cocker experienced in Indonesia! Right here and right now, in our community, we can cherish and enjoy God s revelation! The word of God can be a book on the shelf or it can be the source of great anticipation. What is God going to say to me today? You may find yourself saying, As I study this part of scripture I never imagined that it would change my whole way of thinking and behaving. Who ever knew that we could live anticipating and experiencing such blessing? God knew. It s His vision. It s His word. It s for you. 3. VISION AND GLOBAL GOSPEL PARTNERS What does this kind of vision mean for us as Global Gospel Partners FIRST, WE HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO GO FORWARD WITH OUR MISSION What authority do we have as Global Gospel Partners? We are not Old Testament prophets. What are we equipped to do? Do we dare speak with authority, with prophetic vision as required by our scripture verse as we seek to reach others? Here is why we can speak with confidence and clarity, why we can speak in a way that offers hope and blessing rather than chaos. Revelation 19:10 says it; For the essence of prophecy is to give a clear witness for Jesus. (NLT) We do have a word for this generation we do have a vision that we can share, we do have a redemptive revelation that we are empowered to share. It is Jesus. Lets affirm it again with scripture from Hebrews 1:1 2. In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son. You can go forward if you have a clear witness for Jesus. WS15_Sermon3.indd 3
VISION PAGE 4 of 5 SECOND, WE HAVE AN OBLIGATION TO SHARE THE VISION The Gowans/Larsson musical Jesus Folk included a song that asked some important questions: Is there anyone here with an answer? Is there anyone here who knows? Is there anyone here who casts out fear, and evil overthrows? Is there anyone here with an answer For the tempted and distressed? Is there anyone here who ll volunteer To free a soul possessed? The chorus contained the answer. There was only one name that is given There s only one thing we need There s only one savior for all the world Whose grace is guaranteed. There s only one name and it s Jesus For the (one) who would be free; There is only one Name and it s Jesus For all the world and me! Once we know something we are responsible for what we know. We have this great scriptural promise of blessing for those that accept the redemptive revelation of God. And that vision, that revelation, is Jesus. The presence of Jesus brings wholeness to life, peace of heart, and blessings. That is what we have to share. That is the message of repentance, forgiveness and the ministry of the Holy Spirit. This also means that rejecting Jesus, God s redemptive revelation, is a recipe for chaos and trouble. If we can do something to help we must take action. His name was Sam. He was thought to be the worst alcoholic in his town of Oceanport, New Jersey. He came to a Salvation Army meeting and during the prayer time went to the altar. The officer prayed with Sam until 11:00 PM, still there was no spiritual victory gained. But seeds of a new way of life were planted; the redemptive revelation had been shared. Sam left the Army and went to his room, which was located next door to a bar. But instead of drinking the night away as usual, he continued to pray until 3:00 AM. He gained a victory trusting in Jesus. The next morning everyone he encountered could tell immediately that he was a different man. Talk about going from chaos to blessing. It was said of Sam, the day he got right with God he got right with people. He then went on quickly to find and keep a job. It was not long before he was able to return to the wife and children he had abandoned. But there is more. A neighborhood hardware dealer heard of the conversion and asked the corps officer to come to his store. Captain, he said, As long as you can keep Sam straight you can come to me for a donation every month. I m saving that much at least by having him live honestly. Before the change in his life we could never keep anything unless it was locked up. You see how the acceptance of the word of God changed one person. That is something we have to share, we can t keep it to ourselves. WS15_Sermon3.indd 4
VISION PAGE 5 of 5 CONCLUSION Personally, God s vision for your life should be changing you daily from the inside out. When the Army s Founder said, God shall have all there is of William Booth he set himself on a course that touched the world. God fueled his vision! Returning to our Vision verse, this time reading from the Message, it says: If people can t see what God is doing, they stumble all over themselves; but when they attend to what he reveals, they are most blessed. The time for stumbling is over; we can have God s vision in ministry. You may be at a decision point today that is vital to our Global Gospel Partnership. If there is anybody here, if you were truthful about your life, would say stumbling describes me better than being blessed? If that is you, for your sake and the sake of the ministry, you are urged to accept the whole gospel into every part of your life. Are you willing personally, to fully accept all the direction of God as given in His word, through His Holy Spirit and as confirmed by your spiritual leaders? Does your life show evidence of this? Will you accept the urgency of our Salvation Army mission and be a Global Gospel Partner? While our mission makes us known as people of compassion and service, no matter how many people we help, we don t create the blessings. He does the blessing of those who accept His vision. We have the amazing redemptive revelation of God to share and that is what fuels our vision. Remember, When you attend to what He reveals you will be most blessed! SONGS Song #969 I Love to Tell the Story Song #258/867 Wonderful Words HCB #30 All that I Am WS15_Sermon3.indd 5