Vision (Paul, Barnabas, & Timothy)

INTRODUCTION: 1 minute

Different kinds of visions

Vision in the Bible often has to do with:

A vivid apparition - an angel appearing - or like Moses when he saw the burning bush

A mode of revelation - God revealing a mystery to his people - like prophetic visions of Daniel, John, and many more.

But when we talk about vision today — it’s usually different

Vision, how it is most commonly used today, has to do with:

The ability to think about or plan the future with imagination or wisdom

THE SOLUTION: Transition into objective of sermon 2 minute

How many of you have been asked this question, “What do you want to be when you grow up?”

That question essentially is asking — What is the vision you have for your life?

A teacher asks her class, "What do you want to be when you grow up?" Little Johnny says "I wanna be a billionaire, going to the most expensive clubs, take the best girl with me, give her a Ferrari worth over a million bucks, an apartment in Hawaii, a mansion in Paris, a jet to travel through Europe, an Infinite Visa Card and make her the love of my life”.

The teacher, shocked, and not knowing what to do with the bad behavior of the child, decides not to give importance to what he said and then continues the lesson.

"And you, Susie? " the teacher asks. Susie says "I wanna be Johnny's girl."

Anyone can have a vision — but not everyone is a visionary

When it comes to vision there are 3 types of people

Those that have a vision

Those that come alongside the person with the vision and help them accomplish it

Those that carryon the vision after that person is gone

Today we will look at 3 examples in the Bible that match each type

While they all played a different role — They were part of the same vision — God’s vision for the early church

Transition to next point: The first person we will look at is the Apostle Paul.

1. Those that have the vision 6 minutes

Is your vision FROM God?

A. Paul’s Bio2 min

Paul is a very important figure in the NT — and the history of Christianity

An Apostle that was chosen by God through a miraculous encounter

In Acts 9 we read the story of how Jesus appears to Paul and appoints him to go and preach to the Gentiles

A missionary for Christ — embarked on 3 major missionary journeys — traveling over 7000 miles and planting at least 14 new churches

13 of the epistles (letters/books) in the NT are written by him

A lot of today’s church doctrine was introduced through his teaching

But if you had asked Paul what he wanted to be when he grew up — he would have never imagined he would be doing any of those things —

B. Paul’s vision min

Paul was born in a Jewish family — he grew up in the traditional Jewish customs —He was a Pharisee and did all he could do to defend his traditional Jewish religion

Acts 26:4–5 “4 “The Jewish people all know the way I have lived ever since I was a child, from the beginning of my life in my own country, and also in Jerusalem. 5 They have known me for a long time and can testify, if they are willing, that I conformed to the strictest sect of our religion, living as a Pharisee.”

To him — this new Christian movement was a threat to his people, to his faith, and to his identity —

Paul, in his mind — his vision — was to arrest all the Christians — and destroy this new movement

Acts 26:9 “9 “I too was convinced that I ought to do all that was possible to oppose the name of Jesus of Nazareth.”

Paul thought his plans, his vision, was right — He even thought what he was doing was for God

Illustration of plans I thought were from God

Isaiah 55:8–9 “8 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. 9 “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

C. God’s vision 2 min

God’s vision was for Paul was actually completely opposite to Paul’s own vision

Acts 26:16–18 “16 ‘Now get up and stand on your feet. I have appeared to you to appoint you as a servant and as a witness of what you have seen and will see of me. 17 I will rescue you from your own people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them 18 to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’”

Paul’s vision was to stop the spread of Christianity — God’s vision for Paul was to advance the gospel to the far corners of the world

Is your vision FROM God?

The question we should be asking ourselves is not:

What do I want to be when I grow up? — but rather — what does God want me to be?

Jeremiah 1:5 “5 “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.””

Transition to next point: God’s vision for Paul was bigger than him — It was not something he would be able to accomplish on his own

2. Those that help the vision 6 minutes

Is your vision is FOR people?

A. Barnabas’ Bio2 min

Before we are introduced to Paul — in Acts 4 we read of a man named Barnabas — a generous man — a man of the people

Acts 4:36–37 “36 Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means “son of encouragement”), 37 sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet.”

When the Christian movement was in it’s early stages — While Paul was out doing everything he can to stop Christians —Barnabas was doing all he can to help Christians

Barnabas cared more about others than he did about himself

B. Barnabas vouches for Paul 2 min

After Paul had that miraculous encounter — he tried to join the rest of the disciples in Jerusalem — But everyone was afraid of him

Acts 9:26–27 “26 When he came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple. 27 But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord and that the Lord had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus.”

Thanks to Barnabas — Paul was able to join the Christian movement and now had the backing of the church of Jerusalem

Because of what Barnabas did — he was able to join Paul on his missionary journey — And later the Holy Spirit affirmed their partnership

In Acts 13:2 “2 While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.””

Paul was the one who received the vision — but now we see that God had also sent Barnabas to help him

C. God’s vision is for others 2 min

Is your vision FOR people?

The Vision that God has for your life — it’s not just for you — It’s for other people also.

Why would Barnabas vouch for someone like Paul?

Barnabas knew that Paul had a miraculous encounter with God — and that God had given him a huge vision to preach the gospel all over the world —

Barnabas was not just vouching for Paul — Barnabas was partnering with that God was doing through Paul

Whether we are the one that receive the vision — or we are the one God has sent to help the vision — what really matters is that we are obedient to what God has called us to do

1 Corinthians 3:6–8 “6 I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. 7 So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. 8 The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor.”

Transition to next point: God’s vision for Paul was beyond him — It was not something that would be realized in one generation

3. Those that carryon the vision 6 minutes

Is your vision is FUTURE-PROOF?

A. Timothy’s Bio 2 min

Timothy is first introduced to us in Acts 16.

Acts 16:1–3 “1 Paul came to Derbe and then to Lystra, where a disciple named Timothy lived, whose mother was Jewish and a believer but whose father was a Greek. 2 The believers at Lystra and Iconium spoke well of him. 3 Paul wanted to take him along on the journey, so he circumcised him because of the Jews who lived in that area, for they all knew that his father was a Greek.”

Timothy was a close friend and trusted coworker of Paul

They traveled on many mission trips together

Paul trusted Timothy so much that he would often send him places to represent himself — and sometimes have him stay at a city where they had planted a church to make sure they were cared for —

In Philippians 2:19–22, Paul expresses how much he cares for and trusts Timothy

“19 I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered when I receive news about you. 20 I have no one else like him, who will show genuine concern for your welfare. 21 For everyone looks out for their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. 22 But you know that Timothy has proved himself, because as a son with his father he has served with me in the work of the gospel.”

B. Timothy the protege 2 min

As you can see, Timothy was like a son to Paul.

What’s interesting is that Timothy comes into the picture — right after Barnabas and Paul decided to part ways

There are people that you only need in your life for a season — and those that you will need even after you’re gone — Timothy was one of those people

There is only so much we can accomplish in our lifetime

Paul had traveled all across Asia minor (modern day Europe) — he had planted many many churches — That’s what Apostles do — they plant churches

What about after that? Who is going to take care of those churches

Paul knew that he needed someone to carryon the work that he had begun

When Paul was nearing his death — he sent Timothy a letter to encourage him and remind him to carryon the vision

2 Timothy 3:14–15 “14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, 15 and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.”

2 Timothy 4:6–7 “6 For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”

C. Timothy’s charge 2 min

Is your vision Future-proof?

When God gives you a vision — the vision is not just for you — and the vision is not just for those around you — the vision is even for those after you

The truth is we are all Timothy’s in someway

It’s not just Paul that asked Timothy to carryon the vision

Before Jesus ascended to heaven he left his disciples with what is called the great commission

Matthew 28:19–20 “19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.””

2000 Years later — Jesus’ vision to make disciples of all nations still goes on — It’s up to me and you to continue in what we have learned

Transition to end: It’s never too early — or never too late — To be a part of God’s vision

REVIEW: Objective and rationale 1 minute

The truth is we are all a Paul, a Barnabas, or a Timothy in some way or another

If God gives you a vision — make sure the vision is also for others around you and not just yourself — And make sure that the vision is carried on after you

If God asks you to help the vision — then do it selflessly — even if it’s only for a season

If God asks you to carryon on the vision - then do faithfully

Paul, Barnabas, and Timothy were all part of the same vision — God’s vision —To preach the gospel all over the world —

When the vision is from God, it doesn’t matter if you are the one

That has the vision

That helps the vision

That carries on the vision

All that matters is that you do your part faithfully

APPLICATION: 1 minute

1 Timothy 4:12 “12 Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.”

PRAYER: