Reset Your Vision

Introduction

Abram and Sarai (Abraham and Sarah) told by God to go “to the land that I will show you.” (Gen 12:1-3)

God promised that he would make Abraham into a great nation of people.

He promised that he would be blessed and that he (Abraham) would be a blessing to the world.

God gave Abraham and Sarah a future and they obeyed. The left their home to follow the vision God gave them.

But sometimes they drifted from God’s preferred future, usually because of challenges and problems (fear of powerful leaders, famine, or unbelief [will God actually give them a son]).

Fear and unbelief are the real obstacles in following the vision that God has for our lives.

While in Egypt, Abraham acquired a slave by the name of Hagar.

Since Sarah was still incapable of getting pregnant, Abraham and Sarah decided to “help” God out by having Hagar become pregnant with Abraham’s child. And that is what happened.

Sarah became angry with Hagar and mistreated her—and Hagar ran away.

We pick up the story in Genesis 16:7.

Genesis 16:7–8 ESV

7 The angel of the Lord found her by a spring of water in the wilderness, the spring on the way to Shur. 8 And he said, “Hagar, servant of Sarai, where have you come from and where are you going?” She said, “I am fleeing from my mistress Sarai.”

“Where have you come from and where are you going?”

That is a question so many of us are asking these days. Just like Abraham, Sarah, and Hagar, our plans and dreams seem to not work out and we try to take matters into our own hands.

Transition

I want to remind you that God has a future for you—a future that is so powerful it affects your present.

We need to take a good look at where God is leading us. Sometimes that means that we need to reset our vision!

We see this truth declared in Paul’s letter to the Ephesian church.

Text

Ephesians 1:16–18 ESV

16 I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, 17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, 18 having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints,

Focus

“Having the eyes of your hearts enlightened…”

Our lives presently and our future is focused on and hinged to eternity with God.

So, how can we “reset” our “vision” and see God’s promise for our lives (present and future)?

Point 1

Know where you are and where you came from!

In Paul’s letter to the Philippians, he reminded the church of his life before experiencing salvation and transformation through Jesus Christ.

Philippians 3:4–7 ESV

4 though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also. If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5 circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; 6 as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless. 7 But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ.

Paul (Saul) was religious and lost. His faith was in his own abilities rather than God’s grace.

What was your life like before Christ saved you from your sins? It is actually to good exercise to remind yourself that God rescued you. It keeps you grounded—and helps you take seriously your faith and conduct.

Illustration: Jerry Riggs. Before he was introduced to Jesus Christ, he was a bar owner and pool player—and an alcoholic—and lost. He never wanted to forget the depth and length God went to save him and give him a new life.

Point 2

Know God’s vision for your life!

How can you know God’s vision and plan for you?

For Paul, he recognized that God had a plan and a future for him and all believers in Christ.

Philippians 3:13–14 ESV

13 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

What is the goal, the vision from God for us? Heaven, yes. With God, definitely—forever—for eternity.

This is the finish line—this is what we are aiming for! This is God’s preferred future for you and me.

So, how should this vision, this goal, this aim affect our lives today?

Philippians 3:8–9 ESV

8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith—

Point 3

Know Christ!

Look what Paul says:

I count everything as loss—everything this world has to offer and views as significant is nothing.

Jesus Christ (his teachings, his example of living and ministry, his Personhood and divinity) surpasses everything else. There is no comparison.

Even his suffering and letting go of what this world says is important or of value is worth it to gain life and hope in Christ Jesus.

Moreover, it is not about how good or great I am—it is the fact that Jesus and His righteousness is what counts—and Paul’s faith is in Him (Christ).

In know where I was and where God wants me to be—I know longer have to live in worry or fear.

Life and eternity with God rearranges our priorities.

For Paul, his priorities were this:

Philippians 3:10–11 ESV

10 that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.

I want to know Christ!

Conclusion

A life centered on God’s vision for you is a life centered on knowing and living for Jesus Christ.

Psalm 107:4–9 ESV

4 Some wandered in desert wastes, finding no way to a city to dwell in; 5 hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted within them. 6 Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. 7 He led them by a straight way till they reached a city to dwell in. 8 Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man! 9 For he satisfies the longing soul, and the hungry soul he fills with good things.

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