Catching a vision while in Bible College

I was asked to speak about something thats very dear to me and thats vision.

For some catching a vision in Bible college could be a discouraging task.

Because you look at your peers and they are moving with God and going on the mission field. and pioneering church. And maybe you don’t receive the same fan fair.

KJV Proverbs 29:18  Where there is no vision, the people perish: But he that keepeth the law, happy is he.

NLT Proverbs 29:18 When people do not accept divine guidance, they run wild. But whoever obeys the law is joyful.

NKJV Proverbs 29:18 Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint; But happy is he who keeps the law.

Prophetic vision, Gods Word

The idea of there being no vision from Yahweh is also cast as a serious detriment to the people of God.

A vision just means to see . it gives us clarity of purpose .

The issue isn’t that there isn’t any vision. The issue is I don’t have clarity about the vision God has given me.

Vision is all around us. It’s omnipresent.

Everything that is made started with a vision.

The world was in the mind of God and He spoke it into existence.

The very Bible we have started with a vision.

The fact you’re in Bible college started with a vision.

The word of God is prophetic vision.

Bible college you have vision constantly communicated to you.

Every-time the Bible is opened vision is communicated.

As a Pastor my primary goal is to communicate vision.

I’m initiating vision

I’m encouraging vision

I’m enabling vision

I’m creating opportunities and venues, and platforms to showcase vision.

Psalm 16:11 - Show me the pathways that lead to life . David wanted clarity of purpose .

His word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path . Clarity of purpose .

Habakkuk 2:2-4 (KJV)

Hab 2:2 (KJV) And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.

3 For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.

4 Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.

Galatians 2:20 (KJV) Gal 2:20 (KJV) I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

One of the worst things we can do in life is not to have a vision .

When theres no vision we will wander.

Jeremiah 14:10 (KJV) Jer 14:10 (KJV) Thus saith the LORD unto this people, Thus have they loved to wander, they have not refrained their feet, therefore the LORD doth not accept them; he will now remember their iniquity, and visit their sins.

A Godly vision keeps us from wandering .

But we could have a vision but it could be a false vision .

Eze 13:7 (KJV) Have ye not seen a vain vision, and have ye not spoken a lying divination, whereas ye say, The LORD saith it; albeit I have not spoken?

Having a false vision you prophesy falsely .

What is a false vision ?

1. A false vision could be someone else’s vision for your life. But not Gods vision for you .

Someone could be well intentioned. They see your potential so they encourage you in what they see.

But you will end up most miserable if you’re always tossed by these great opportunities but maybe not Gods perfect will for you .

Maybe someones telling you that you’re a Pastor but its not Gods will for you to be a Pastor .

Remember God called Abraham alone .

Isaiah 51:2 (KJV) Isa 51:2 (KJV) Look unto Abraham your father, and unto Sarah that bare you: for I called him alone, and blessed him, and increased him.

2. False vision could be being overly ambitious .

We used church to earn honor amoungst men . To gain a reputation .

But remember Christ made Himself of no reputation Phil 2:7 “but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men.”

(Christ emptied Himself of His privileges)

We could have ambitions to be a Pastor . And pursue it as if your applying for a job .

Sometimes we have misconception or a overestimation about being a Pastor . A Pastor isn’t the best christian in the church . But a Pastor is a gift to the church.

3. A False vision could be when you have all the answers, all the methods and all the techniques.

These things can cause us not to live by faith.

Sometimes when you’ve been in the ministry for years and you’ve had success you tend to overlook basic core principles. and rely on your methods and experience.

Curtain methods aren't aways transferable, so we have to rely on the Holy Spirit to guide us. As cliche as that may sound.

When I went to Zimbabwe for my practicum I financially prepared to stay for 3 months ended up saying close to a year. So practical it requires no faith . Like running a business .

Also to much practically can turn into legalism .

When Jesus called his disciples he said follow me . There was nothing practical about that just a faith move . Thats it .

4. Comparison can kill a vision . You can be so consumed with someone else vision and neglect what God is doing in your life . Be content with the vision God has given you .

1 Timothy 6:6 (NKJV) 1Ti 6:6 (NKJV) Now godliness with contentment is great gain.

What does a godly vision look like .

1.A godly vision should always point you to Christ . It should be Christo centric . Christ is the bulleyes for everything we do. The vision shouldn’t point me to another man . numbers , or a change in lifestyle per say . But to Christ

2 . It should point you to the Bible . Our vision should be sourced in scripture .

The Bible brings us into close proximity to God . Because I’m in close proximity to God that cultivates intimacy and clarity about the vision God has given me .

Ps 119:105 (KJV)

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

The word gives us vision

3.A godly vision is if I’m in a place where I’m growing spiritually .What you feed will grow

4. The vision should be larger then your capacity . The visions should push us to the place of faith .

Do something a nonbeliever can do . The Natural man doesn’t under spiritual

1Co 2:14 (KJV) But the natural man receives not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

If we have a proper vision we should be committed . If you want any kind of fruit in your life you have to be committed .

Proverbs 16:3 (KJV) Pr 16:3 (KJV) Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established.

Theres been time in Edgewood where theres 10 people and theres been time where theres 50 . But we stay committed but faith .

Plus people want to know if you’re committed first before they follow you .

A proper vision is a vision that communicated . Hab 2:2 (AMP) And the Lord answered me and said, Write the vision and engrave it so plainly upon tablets that everyone who passes may [be able to] read [it easily and quickly] as he hastens by.

You’ll be surprise who responses and what God will do .