Conversations - Leading from Vision

Throughout the Bible, God has used Human vessels to give out His words & commandments.

Hebrews 1:1–2 NKJV

1 God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, 2 has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds;

God has used imperfect leaders throughout the History of Israel and it didn’t destroy His great plan for His people.

I am an imperfect leader!

Recently:

God told me, “You’re not doing it My way and it is not blessing My people, my church, or you.”

Exodus 18:17–18 NKJV

17 So Moses’ father-in-law said to him, “The thing that you do is not good. 18 Both you and these people who are with you will surely wear yourselves out. For this thing is too much for you; you are not able to perform it by yourself.

Through God showing me my personal weaknesses & shortcomings, I understand that while I was desperately trying to be kind & sensitive & understanding to the flock He asked me to lead - it wasn’t leading God’s way .

God helped me to see that I had fear in my heart about being accused of making people do “too much” for God’s Kingdom, because there have been some terrible stories of both real & perceived abuse of God’s people.

-For years there has been a backlash in Christian Circles from those who served and gave and felt taken advantage of by Churches and leaders.

People often feel taken advantage of because they are doing things for the pastor or for the organization, not for God Himself.

Colossians 3:23–24 NKJV

23 And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.

So What is God’s Way?:

God’s way is to put up a vision & put out a call and allow people to choose to rally to Him & His vision.

Habakkuk 2:2 NKJV

2 Then the Lord answered me and said: “Write the vision And make it plain on tablets, That he may run who reads it.

God invites us into His plans.

Matthew 22:1–14 NKJV

1 And Jesus answered and spoke to them again by parables and said: 2 “The kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who arranged a marriage for his son, 3 and sent out his servants to call those who were invited to the wedding; and they were not willing to come. 4 Again, he sent out other servants, saying, ‘Tell those who are invited, “See, I have prepared my dinner; my oxen and fatted cattle are killed, and all things are ready. Come to the wedding.” ’ 5 But they made light of it and went their ways, one to his own farm, another to his business. 6 And the rest seized his servants, treated them spitefully, and killed them. 7 But when the king heard about it, he was furious. And he sent out his armies, destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city. 8 Then he said to his servants, ‘The wedding is ready, but those who were invited were not worthy. 9 Therefore go into the highways, and as many as you find, invite to the wedding.’ 10 So those servants went out into the highways and gathered together all whom they found, both bad and good. And the wedding hall was filled with guests. 11 “But when the king came in to see the guests, he saw a man there who did not have on a wedding garment. 12 So he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you come in here without a wedding garment?’ And he was speechless. 13 Then the king said to the servants, ‘Bind him hand and foot, take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ 14 “For many are called, but few are chosen.”

God spoke to my heart (Soul & Spirit - innermost being) and told me

“Jake, you have been making Christianity too “convenient” for My people at The Ark & you have been encouraging & enabling them to put Me into their lives and schedules wherever they don’t have anything else to do...That’s not even what YOU do.”

(I’ll share about what I do next week).

This is how Jesus did it -

Jesus simply called & said, Follow me & I will make you fishers of men.

& Some people immediately left everything and followed Him!

An invitation is only that, an invitation - it is an opportunity to be a part of what God is doing.

What an honor to be invited to participate in God’s plan and to be in God’s presence.

Isaiah 6:8 NKJV

8 Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying: “Whom shall I send, And who will go for Us?” Then I said, “Here am I! Send me.”

Just One Thing:

When the Holy Spirit gives you your next invitation into God’s vision, will you make an excuse, or will you make a way?

Choose to be chosen.

Discussion Questions:

What’s your best example of easy come, easy go?

What has been your typical response been when Jesus has invited you to something when you had a competing opportunity? What, if anything, would you like to change about that response?

Please Read Colossians 3:23-24 and share how this verse speaks to you personally & share how you can apply it in your personal life.

How do you feel & what do you think about the phrase “Convenient Christianity” - in what ways do you see this phrase play out in your life and/or those around you?