A New Vision?
Promise, Purpose, Power and Peace of Christmas • Sermon • Submitted • Presented • 53:09
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Opening Prayer:
Heavenly Father,
We thank You for this opportunity to hear Your word.
We ask You to speak to us through the sermon and to open our hearts and minds to Your truth.
We pray that You would give us a clear vision of Your plan and purpose for our lives as we approach a new year.
We pray that You would help us to follow Your guidance and to obey Your commands.
We pray that You would bless us with Your wisdom and Your grace.
We pray all these things in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen
Good morning, today's message is entitled “A New Vision?”
The verse is Proverbs 29:18; Matt 16:16,18; 1 Cor 2:1-5;
With the New Year 2024 coming tomorrow, well you know the drill, renewal, revitalization, recommencement, re invite and reset all resolutions and start again. Often within church circles this verse comes to mind.
Where there is no vision, the people perish: But he that keepeth the law, happy is he.
This is perhaps the most misunderstood passages when it come to vision casting within churches and ministries. Misunderstood because people today practice bad interpretations. Now in most cases the translations of the text is not bad it is just back interpreted badly.
Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint; But happy is he who keeps the law.
Where there is no prophetic vision the people cast off restraint, but blessed is he who keeps the law.
None of these translations are bad, People make them mean what they want them to mean. There is only one Hebrew word used here and it is חָזוֹן (ḥāzôn), N. vision; word of revelation from God. It is a revelation from God. Do we have such a thing in our possession today?
Yes, it the Holy Scriptures “The Bible”
And yet today it seems that everyone is looking for a new vision. A new way of doing things.
Football coaches cast a vision for their team’s upcoming season.
The CEO sets forth a vision for his company’s approaching fiscal year.
The President lays out a vision for the country in the State of the Union Address.
That is the worldly standard. We within the church are not to follow the ways of the world yet even a pastor casts new visions for his church. In many cases the vision has to do with some souped up modern day church model that aims to draw the world into the church by making the church look a lot like the world and less like the LORD.
Perhaps the question we need to be asking is, What is God’s vision for His church?
God’s vision for His church is not new.
In fact, His vision for the church is more than two thousand years old.
We don’t have to call a meeting or attend a conference to develop a vision for the church.
To discover God’s vision for His church, you simply need to read Jesus’ words in Matthew 16:18
And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.
God’s vision for His church is wrapped up in three truths.
First, it is grounded in a confession.
Grounded in a Confession
Grounded in a Confession
Peter’s confession that Jesus is the Son of God is the foundation on which the church is built Matt 16:16
Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
Second, it is backed up by a promise.
Backed up by a Promise
Backed up by a Promise
Jesus promises to “build” His church.
Who builds the church? The Pastor, deacons, faithful church members. It is Jesus who said, “I will build my Church”
Third, it is guaranteed in its success.
Guaranteed in its Success
Guaranteed in its Success
Not even hell itself can thwart God’s ultimate purpose for His church.
Not all churches that claim to be a church in not truly a church who worships YHWH in Spirit and Truth.
According to recent studies, an estimated 3,500 to 7,700 churches close their doors every year in the United States.
A churches success is not based on man’s ability to build it. A true Church that belongs to the Lord will be established on Jesus, it is being built by Jesus, and its future is guaranteed because of the work of Jesus.
Thus the vision for God’s church must be centered on the proclamation of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
We don’t discover God’s vision by “brilliance of speech” or creative “wisdom”; we fulfill His vision by preaching “Jesus Christ and Him crucified” 1 Cor 2:1–5
1 And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God.
2 For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.
3 I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling.
4 And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power,
5 that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.
Did you catch that v5. faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God. And the power of God is found in His gospel.
There should be great hope in this for those of us who lack creativity.
God is not interested in how creative you are;
He is interested in how faithful you are.
And your faithfulness is reflected in the consistent, passionate proclamation of God’s Word.
We have been given the most precious of gifts, His word of promise, grace and truth.
When God gives you a word, the only fitting response is to proclaim it. When it’s proclaimed, it does its work.
Yours and my responsibility is to deliver it just as He gave it to you.
John MacArthur said, “the preacher is not a chef; he’s a waiter. God doesn’t want you to make the meal; He just wants you to deliver it to the table without messing it up” (“Principles”).
How true that statement is. God merely calls you to deliver His message. It is up to Him and the power of His Word to “effectively” accomplish its purpose in those who believe.
16 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.
Let us pray:
Heavenly Father, We thank You for Your grace and mercy that sustained us through this past year.
We praise You for Your faithfulness and goodness in every situation.
We acknowledge that You are the source of our hope and joy.
As we enter a new year, we ask You to empower us by Your Spirit to proclaim the message of the Gospel of Christ your Son to those who do not know You.
Help us to be bold and courageous in sharing our faith with others.
Help us to be faithful and obedient to Your will and Your word.
We pray that You would open the eyes of the blind, the ears of the deaf, and the hearts of the hard-hearted to receive Your love and salvation.
We pray that You would use us as Your instruments to bring light and life to a dark and dying world.
We also ask You to renew our minds and hearts with the same revelation that You have already given us more than 2000 years ago.
Remind us of the truth and power of Your gospel.
Remind us of the hope and glory of Your kingdom.
Remind us of the love and grace of Your Son, Jesus Christ.
Lord, we do not need a new vision, but we need a fresh encounter with You.
We do not need a new plan, but we need a deeper commitment to You.
We do not need a new resolution, but we need a stronger reliance on You.
May this new year be a year of revival, renewal, and rejoicing in You.
May this new year be a year of harvest, healing, and holiness for You.
May this new year be a year of grace, glory, and gratitude to You.
We pray all these things in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen.