Vision (2)

Hosea 10:12 NIV

12 Sow righteousness for yourselves, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the Lord, until he comes and showers his righteousness on you.

Introduction:

Happy Memorial Day weekend.

Leader’s I would love to have 10 minutes of your time after church if you do not mind.

Next door church if you want to still fellowship then please make your way next door for some refreshments and treats for everyone. But following service ill be hosting a meeting in here and will ask that we get on up outta here.

About 350 years ago a shipload of travelers landed on the northeast coast of America. The first year they established a town site. The next year they elected a town government. The third year the town government planned to build a road five miles westward into the wilderness.

In the fourth year the people tried to impeach their town government because they thought it was a waste of public funds to build a road five miles westward into a wilderness. Who needed to go there anyway?

Here were people who had the vision to see three thousand miles across an ocean and overcome great hardships to get there. But in just a few years they were not able to see even five miles out of town. They had lost their pioneering vision. With a clear vision of what we can become in Christ, no ocean of difficulty is too great. Without it, we rarely move beyond our current boundaries.

Lynn Anderson.

I wonder what five miles we arent traveling?

I mean come on....is it the hardships? because if so....you have to know that on the other side they told the men and women....”HEY this will be hard.....

what was it? was it child labor? were all the women prego? I mean what was it? were there to many wars with natives? were there too many scary animals? Or did they not want to build new houses, did they not want to grow into more schools?

Or was it…they had started over once too many times from scratch and dang were five years into this thing and now we are comfortable.....

- Weather its hard ships, new lifes, or work. When you have a good vision from God you never say enough is enough....

Somebody needs a vision in the room today..is it okay if the Word of God can give each one of us a clear vision...

Today were moving beyond out boundaries. Today were gonna shake up the ground beneath us, Today were gonna plow the boundaries of comfort and begin to search for our pioneering Vision.

another direction i could go other than the purple letters are this..

---> I dont think people lose vision, I think we forget to wonder.

We get soo busy with trying to make life perfect that the real mission gets outside of our focus.

Today were going to take this journey…into the unknown.....but I want us to take off the comfort goggles we have on, the safety nets around us let us place those to the ground.Because.....what if…350 years ago…there was a christian on that boat…one that would set up a church…one that would hand carve the pews, marry a wife to make some comfty cushions for the congregants…hire a worship team and guest speakers to come bring forth a new voice and big message....that christian travelled across the ocean to bring the good news to them(amazed) NEW WORLD …but then this power couple got stuck…got sucked in…forgot what it was like to be in the wilderness preaching the gospel. doing the good work of God.

This man and women in my more then not made up story....but i did make this portion up...

this man and women lost sight of God’s plan…and got caught up in there own.

As i was preparing this message…as i have been planning this year for ignite…ive been thinking man we gotta get ready…man we need to have it together....i remembered this week a saying that has floated around our board meetings...

“lets stay just uncomfortable enough so we want to leave”

and how often do we allow ourselves to get comfortable. and never leave....

Often enough for us to stay home on a regular basis and sometimes go to church.

how often do we get uncomfortable in the word of God.

how often do we get uncomfortable in worship

And we have this feeling that if we are uncomfortable then we must not be in the will of God....

Well next time you hear that (whisper) just say this.... “ Get behind me satan”.......

Come on tap your neighbor on the shoulder and say… “ Im getting uncomfortable for Jesus”

Today were going to take a quick look at the disciples as they are walking with God in Mark 6...

Mark 6:7–13 NIV

7 Calling the Twelve to him, he began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over impure spirits. 8 These were his instructions: “Take nothing for the journey except a staff—no bread, no bag, no money in your belts. 9 Wear sandals but not an extra shirt. 10 Whenever you enter a house, stay there until you leave that town. 11 And if any place will not welcome you or listen to you, leave that place and shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.” 12 They went out and preached that people should repent. 13 They drove out many demons and anointed many sick people with oil and healed them.

to hold a vision you must first Hold Jesus.

So todays question is this....

IF im going to follow Jesus, what guarantees do i have....

he will equip you

He will do work though you

Your faith will grow

1). He will Equip you.

Mark 6:7 (NIV)

7 Calling the Twelve to him, he began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over impure spirits.

a. with everything you need

Ephesians 4:11–12 (NIV)

11 So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers,

12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up

Whenever God calls us to a task, He will equip us and enable us to complete that task.

Michael youssef.

Speaking of these ministries lets look at this…So lets see Apostle Paul Sends Titus....but it doesnt say paul sent him it says what lets read it.

Since God comforts the downcast. (2 COR 7:6

2 Corinthians 7:6–7 NIV

6 But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus, 7 and not only by his coming but also by the comfort you had given him. He told us about your longing for me, your deep sorrow, your ardent concern for me, so that my joy was greater than ever.

Apostle paul is nobody. Its God who used the apostle to send one of his pupils away.

Its not pastor this, or deacon that whoms making the decisions in the House of God. Its God’s house. It’s Him sending.

What happen to the reverance in the body of Christ?

Ill tell you what happen to it…The Reverance changed definitions to opinionated. The church has turned from Fearing the Lord to overthrowing its goverment.

And ill be the prophetic warning. When Israel asked for a New King back in the day.....It didnt work out for the people…and God is done with that buisness.

The King, King Jesus is upon the Throne and he is and will Always rule.

God sends…God Leads..and for us to undermine or question…God’s Vision…is beyond me.

But we do it dont we....and when i say we....im included...

God: “ Hey Emanuel go tell that homeless man about me”

ME: “ God you know i have to....or I dont know what to say...”

God:

see were already on the wrong foot.

When God sends he equips...

God: “The man will lead you, just listen”

Cant tell you how many times although less than id like to admit...

When i Do listen…and i Do allow the stranger..or the person to lead and me to listen…What i need to say…was found in suffering i had just walked through.

Thats how God has taught me.

Let’s look at afflictions for just a moment.

God uses our suffering to help others and complete task for Him.

2 Corinthians 1:4 NIV

4 who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.

here it is, blievers ought to expect to suffer as an inevidtable part of our calling.

To believe is not to evade sffering it is to face it with a NEW confidence and hope.

Suffering develops the character of believers, and equips us for a more effective service, even draws believers closer to Jesus Christ and prepare us for eternal life.

b. with more than you need

Mark 6:8 NIV

8 These were his instructions: “Take nothing for the journey except a staff—no bread, no bag, no money in your belts.

take nothing for ill have everything for you when you arrive....

c. with power unspeakable

remember this power is over impure spirits.

2). He will do work though you

Mark 6:12–13 NIV

12 They went out and preached that people should repent. 13 They drove out many demons and anointed many sick people with oil and healed them.

a. His Work

b. Saving work

c. Great Work

however.....if we just pay attention to the work were doing and not the power therin we are working…Then we can be caught in a place of failure.

What happens when the way we have been walking.. even if it was uncomortable..even if it was a work…a lot of progress for us.

What happens when one day all of a sudden the mighty work we were doing begins to run dry? The vision is the same, you can still see it, youve been crying out to God all day and night, youve just hit a rock and are discouraged.

IDk about you but when i get discouraged i tend to have these bottled up emotions begin to come out…these bits and pieces of undealt with issues along the way that all of a sudden begin to unravel.

This ....unplowed ground…this unmet issue that just simply got overlooked...

Seems to be what happened to these disciples …Jesus is on the road doing his ministry when He comes up on some of his disciples whom he sent out to have authority over impure spirits....

He sees this…vs 14.

Mark 9:14–19 NIV

14 When they came to the other disciples, they saw a large crowd around them and the teachers of the law arguing with them. 15 As soon as all the people saw Jesus, they were overwhelmed with wonder and ran to greet him. 16 “What are you arguing with them about?” he asked. 17 A man in the crowd answered, “Teacher, I brought you my son, who is possessed by a spirit that has robbed him of speech. 18 Whenever it seizes him, it throws him to the ground. He foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth and becomes rigid. I asked your disciples to drive out the spirit, but they could not.” 19 “You unbelieving generation,” Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy to me.”

The man asked the disciples…idk about you..but i dont ask people unless i think they can do it…but all of a sudden the authority was gone, the faith had been wavered, the man had been found out.

When my flesh fails....i know what wont…and thats the Name of Jesus.

In these situations you are hung out high and dry.

what will you do?

will you grow angry and cast stones on the faulty Jesus who lead you away...

or will you still be submissive to the vision although God kept the outcome hidden?

See IF im going to follow Jesus, what guarantees do i have....

he will equip you

He will do work though you

You’re faith will grow

3). You’re faith will grow

a. Submissive Faith

you must believe.

Mark 9:23–29 (NIV)

23 “ ‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.”

24 Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”

25 When Jesus saw that a crowd was running to the scene, he rebuked the impure spirit. “You deaf and mute spirit,” he said, “I command you, come out of him and never enter him again.”

26 The spirit shrieked, convulsed him violently and came out. The boy looked so much like a corpse that many said, “He’s dead.”

27 But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him to his feet, and he stood up.

28 After Jesus had gone indoors, his disciples asked him privately, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?”

29 He replied, “This kind can come out only by prayer.”

b. we must have Working Faith

Mark 9:29 NIV

29 He replied, “This kind can come out only by prayer.”

Matthew 17:21 KJV 1900

21 Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.

most manuscripts here say Fasting and Prayer

c. True Faith

Is a faith you walk in.

Defining Faith.

Faith is making real what cannot be seen or sensed with human faculties

See if we can have living faith, a true faith. if we can have a faith that makes sense just as much on monday as it does on sunday. and just as much living it sunday as you are saturday night.

See that type of Living faith will take your life out of the natural and into the supernatural.

Come on is there anyone in the house this morning that wants a faith that transcends EVERYTHING they once knew??

Big Vision Spill here…coming up…be sincere be real if not dont do it.

Our vision last year…was foundation…to build a strong foundation of family and of coming together.

IF im going to follow Jesus, what guarantees do i have....

he will equip you

He will do work though you

You’re faith will grow

Here at Ignite we want to be a church set apart by the word of God, lead by the Holy Spirit to Ignite a generation of Believers.

However…Ive found a better way of saying our vision this year. For now for the time being…unless its told to you from this pulpit a different way.

Here at Ignite we want to be a place where faith and life intersect so our vision statment this year is.

Vision Statement: This year we are focusing on becoming equip to do Gods work, building faith in the real world and at home in the church.

So go to communion next.

Vision: the capacity to create a compelling picture of the desired state of affairs that inspires people to respond; that which is desirable, which could be, should be; that which is attainable.  A godly vision is right for the times, right for the church, and right for the people. A godly vision promotes faith rather than fear. A godly vision motivates people to action. A godly vision requires risk-taking. A godly vision glorifies God, not people.

Bob Logan

Honestly I was compelled as we speak of vision and what God has warranted in His word…We cant talk about our goals…without remembering the one who set the course to achieve them…So today we are not only learning abou tnew things were remembering the Best one in our lives…His name is Jesus Christ.

Communion.....

Jesus says when you come together do this in remembrance of me.

Galatians 2:16–21 NIV

16 know that a person is not justified by the works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no one will be justified. 17 “But if, in seeking to be justified in Christ, we Jews find ourselves also among the sinners, doesn’t that mean that Christ promotes sin? Absolutely not! 18 If I rebuild what I destroyed, then I really would be a lawbreaker. 19 “For through the law I died to the law so that I might live for God. 20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. 21 I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!”

Communion is for any person who has believed in or trusted Jesus alone for his or her salvation.

It is good and encouraged for a person to examine themselves before the Lord in this moment.

(Invite board members to come forward)

1 Corinthians 11:23–26 NIV

23 For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” 25 In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 26 For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.

Pray : thankful for the broken body

if you choose…break the bread with me and then lets take it together.

Pray: thankful for the blood shed for us.

lets drink the cup together...

If you can let us rise up and lets exercise our faith through song.

Our vision has gotten a little more defined.

It’s been Ignite wants to be a place set apart by the word of God, lead by the Holy Spirit to Ignite a new Generation of Believers.

Now we combine Spirit Led’ness and The Word of God to be our Faith…and our Igniting of new believers to become part of our life.

So our vision is to be a place where faith and life intersect creating a Fire within.

Our vision is to apply the word of God to our lives.

Note I didn’t say or teach today to remember the word and you must apply it in every situation. Someone sneezes and you quote a scripture to them.

Praying a prayer over each hospital room you walk by to visit.

But to try. To be bold enough standing fully equip and ready.

Standing in a stronger faith in the midst of trials

Standing upon the greatest help this world has.

The reverent, unashamed, majestic power of the Holy Spirit.

How many of us read scriptures to be this static book, not living breathing with the author himself.

We need to go ahead and shake up the ground…we need to stir things up.

Remembering Him

Christianity is a combination of faith and reality that makes up our lives. Gal 3:11 ….its not that we live by law, it’s that we walk in faith…walking is still doing something yall.

Galatians 3:11 NIV

11 Clearly no one who relies on the law is justified before God, because “the righteous will live by faith.”

J.

God doesnt just equip us with

Next we are able to recieve gifts from the father that equip

Our vision this year is to apply the word of god in our life….which is essentially a vision of discipline.

The discipline of Vision

Are you ready to accept this His calling?

A calling that equips you

A calling that provides for you

A calling that places you

Malachi 2:1–2 NIV

1 “And now, you priests, this warning is for you. 2 If you do not listen, and if you do not resolve to honor my name,” says the Lord Almighty, “I will send a curse on you, and I will curse your blessings. Yes, I have already cursed them, because you have not resolved to honor me.

….

Haggai 2:2–5 NIV

2 “Speak to Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, to Joshua son of Jozadak, the high priest, and to the remnant of the people. Ask them, 3 ‘Who of you is left who saw this house in its former glory? How does it look to you now? Does it not seem to you like nothing? 4 But now be strong, Zerubbabel,’ declares the Lord. ‘Be strong, Joshua son of Jozadak, the high priest. Be strong, all you people of the land,’ declares the Lord, ‘and work. For I am with you,’ declares the Lord Almighty. 5 ‘This is what I covenanted with you when you came out of Egypt. And my Spirit remains among you. Do not fear.’

Priest must uphold the Word….or the church will fall.

The story of Hosea and Gomer can be a story between the Church….and its Mission. In truth it’s a story about God and His people.

Sometimes God uses his prophets/His people…to do things even life long choices…that would be not only symbolic but also sacrificial.

This is so that God can communicate a larger image to His people.

What if your life and sacrifices have been for that.

Let me remind you…In every situation…the devil wants you to do the exact opposition of Where God is leading you.

You come to church and on the way you are singing songs…but when you get here even with the songs you do know..you stand silently.

You have talked all day long but when wedensday service comes around you lost your energy to pray and seek God with believers.

God says to israel in Hosea…When Israel was a child i loved Him, and out of Egypt i have called my son. The more they were called, the more they went away; they kept sacrificing to the Baals and burning offerings to idols”n Hosea 11 1-2

Hosea 11:1–2 NIV

1 “When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son. 2 But the more they were called, the more they went away from me. They sacrificed to the Baals and they burned incense to images.

‘

God along the way correcting and teaching. Through afflictions and suffering…Through hard conversations..

Hosea confronts Gomer who continues to run back to the safety of physical sin, who continues to run back to cutting off feelings,

For if she runs enough, if she distances herself enough maybe this husband that seems to be too good for her wont come back, maybe he will learn and realize that she’s no good and there’s no hope for her.

Hosea would confront the sin, and then forgive.

Astonished by these accusations from Hosea, Accusations of a forgiveness for what she had done…she couldn’t believe.

You wanna know when homer decided she could believe?

When she found it to be convientiet….Well yes she did that a few times….

You wanna know when homer decided she could believe this love was real, this forgiveness was true…not when she needed it, but when she saw homer….take his money take his dignity, take his pride. Lay down humility and spend it all to buy what was already his.

When Gomer had to be bought back…

2 Corinthians 8:16–18 NIV

16 Thanks be to God, who put into the heart of Titus the same concern I have for you. 17 For Titus not only welcomed our appeal, but he is coming to you with much enthusiasm and on his own initiative. 18 And we are sending along with him the brother who is praised by all the churches for his service to the gospel.

Titus is coming to you with much enthusiasm and on his own initiative.

Read…story of when jesus launches ministry for his disciples.