I Can See Clearly Now

Proverbs 29:18 “Where there is no prophetic vision the people cast off restraint, but blessed is he who keeps the law.”

The late Supreme Court Justice Oliver Holmes was on a train when the conductor came through collecting tickets. Holmes couldn’t find his ticket and became rather distraught. The conductor tried to console him by saying, "Mr. Holmes, don’t worry. When you find your ticket, just mail it in. We trust you." Mr. Holmes responded in frustration, "My dear man, that’s not my problem. I need my ticket to tell me where I’m going."

We all need to know where it is that we’re going.

Why? ...

When people become settled in their lives and in their ministry, they tend to become complacent

"I don’t care" attitude -- leads to a miserable life.

Who wants a miserable life?

1. This is a new year --- 2023. Time for new goals and new perspectives.

It’s an exciting time to be a part of the church.

A church where the people love one another

A church that has truly been blessed.

But a church where many people around us still need Christ.

2. This is a time to look ahead with confidence.

A time to have a vision for what God would have us do during this next year.

A time to expect the very best that God has to offer.

A time to build our church.

A time to build the Kingdom.

3. In order to build the kingdom, we need to have a vision.

Where there is no vision, no preachers who preach, no teachers to teach the good news of the Lord, no grace, there is no open vision.

Where there is no vision the people perish.

We need to do as God has commanded and Go out and teach our community the message of the Gospel, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

I. Our vision should build the kingdom thru EVANGELISM.

Luke 10:1-3 “After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them on ahead of him, two by two, into every town and place where he himself was about to go. And he said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. Go your way; behold, I am sending you out as lambs in the midst of wolves.”

A. These people had a vision to spread the gospel to a lost and dying world.

1. We tend to think there were only 12 disciples sent out and chosen by Jesus: here we see another 70.

A. How many is in our church???

B. You can’t share what you don’t have.

2. These people were not better qualified to go than anyone else.

3. They weren’t better educated or more capable than anyone else was.

4. They were just like any other Christian.

5. But they were willing..... And as they went, they went in the power of the name of Jesus with a vision to reach people for Christ!!

Christianity is 10% ability and 90% availability.

6. Jesus told them that "the harvest is truly great" but there’s not enough people to help.

7. People, we need to get busy sharing our faith in Christ to our community around us.

A small church can change the world.......

8. We should be using our talents and dedicate our skills to "kingdom building."

B. Evangelism is Vital to our existence as a church.

1. We need to bring people to hear the gospel.

Between 1987 and 1989, four hundred new religious groups were formed.

American corporations spend an estimated $4 billion per year on New Age consultants.

Unchurched America may not be knocking down the doors of our churches, but they sure are hungry for spiritual direction.

2. We should also be living lives that are a witness to Christ within us.

3. And we should always preach the gospel whenever, and wherever we feel impressed.

Mark 16:15-16 And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.

4. Many times we want a sign from God before we will share our faith to someone.

Norman Cates shared the humorous story of a guy who prayed this prayer every morning: "Lord, if you want me to witness to someone today, please give me a sign to show me who it is." One day he found himself on a bus when a big, burly man sat next to him. The bus was nearly empty but this guy sat next to our praying friend. The timid Christian anxiously waited for his stop so he could exit the bus. But before he could get very nervous about the man next to him, the big guy burst into tears and began to weep. He then cried out with a loud voice, "I need to be saved. I’m a lost sinner and I need the Lord. Won’t somebody tell me how to be saved?" He turned to the Christian and pleaded, "Can you show me how to be saved?" The believer immediately bowed his head and prayed, "Lord, is this a sign?" Are you looking for a "sign" to start witnessing?

If so, why??? The Bible already tells us to go into all the world preaching the gospel to every creature.

II. Our vision should build the kingdom thru EXHORTATION.

1. To exhort is to encourage — we should all be encouragers.

2. If we are to be sent out as a lamb among wolves (vs 4), we will be discouraged enough without someone else helping out.

A. Let’s encourage those who are discouraged

B. Let’s encourage those who feel like giving up

C. Let’s encourage our own families

D. Let’s encourage the leaders of our church.

E. Let’s encourage our brothers and sisters in Christ.

We should be encouraged and be an encourager.

Throughout the Bible, people shared the scriptures and taught those who would listen.

They encouraged fellow believers to a greater faith in Christ Jesus.

III. Our vision should build the kingdom thru EDIFICATION.

1. To edify is to build up

2. Some people specialize in tearing down others.

1 Thess 5:11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

3. We should refuse to listen to the devil and be a part of tearing others down.

4. Be a builder, not a destroyer.

5. I have seen people trying to give their talents and service to the Lord only to be torn down by another person within the church. Sad!!

6. There is enough bad in the world for everyone. Let’s edify one another in the Lord.

7. Help each other in the work of the Lord.

A rabbi dreamed he had been given the opportunity to see both heaven and hell. He was directed to a closed door and informed that hell existed beyond the doorway. As he entered he was surprised to see a banquet hall set for a feast. Everything was exquisitely prepared, but all of the diners moaned and wailed in agony. In the center of the table was a mouthwatering dish of food, and each person had a very long spoon set beside them. The spoon was long enough for one to dish out the food, but too long to reach one’s mouth. Consequently, they were unable to eat and were shrieking with pains of hunger. The horror was more than the rabbi could bear, so he asked to leave. When he opened the door to heaven he was petrified to see the same scene. Everything was the same, except laughter replaced the pitiful cries. The difference in the two places was that those in heaven did not cry over their inability to feed themselves. They simply celebrated the privilege of feeding each other with the same long spoons. The law of the harvest promises joy to those who joyfully serve others.

Without a vision the people perish.

We should pray for God to keep His vision of Kingdom building in front of us every day.

1. Pray that the Lord will give you a vision for your life this year.

2. Pray that God would send you to share your faith with someone.

3. Pray for others as they go out into this world.

4. There is no unemployment in Christian service. There is a place for everyone.

5. Don’t allow yourself to sit back and watch others work — look for ways to help with the harvest.

2023 is going to be a great year to build our church.

Today we have talked about the ingredients needed:

1. Evangelism

2. Exhortation

3. Edification

We need to rise up to the high calling of God and together, build the kingdom of God.