The Strategy For The Vision

INTRODUCTION

For the past 8-weeks, we have done a topical series on Vision.

Ultimately, the vision for a church must always be rooted in the unchanging Word of God

Just like Isaiah experienced in Isaiah 6, vision starts with a vision of God.

The more clearly we see the Lord:

the more clearly we see ourselves and our need

the more clearly we see the world and what it needs

the more clearly we see the gospel and its power to save

the more clearly we see the call to serve

From the time we have spent in the Word, allowing it to inform us, the clearer that God’s vision for FBS has become:

Having been called by God to be in Christ for salvation, First Baptist Shapleigh will represent His image through our lives by seeking to make disciples through our witness of what Christ has said and done for us. These disciples will then be baptized, as a public proclamation of their identifying with Jesus Christ as their Savior. These baptized disciples will then be taught the Word of God and equipped to go make disciples, looking to Jesus as our example of what God’s image ought to look like to the world.

Not too bad for a limited study in the Word of God.

Now the question remains, How do we go about seeing it accomplished? Or better yet, What is the strategy for the vision?

In order to answer this question honestly, we must look at the whole counsel of God and determine some direction

Pray For Message To Go Forth

Ephesians 6:19 [make supplication] for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel

2 Thessalonians 3:1–2 Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored, as happened among you, and that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men. For not all have faith.

Read Colossians 4:2-4

Illustrations:

George Whitefield, the famous English evangelist, said, “O Lord, give me souls, or take my soul!”

John Knox is known for his prayer “Give me Scotland, or I die.” His prayer was a passionate plea from a man willing to die for the sake of the pure preaching of the gospel and the salvation of his countrymen.

This is similar to Paul’s words in Romans 9:3 For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my kinsmen according to the flesh.

The opportunities are unique for each one of us based on our context. Pray for the message to go forth!

Personally Proclaim The Gospel

It has been estimated that probably 95% of all church members have never led anyone to Christ.

Matthew 28:19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations

Ephesians 6:19 [make supplication] for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel

Acts 5:42 And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and preaching that the Christ is Jesus.

Illustration: One Could Become Many

Andrew brought Simon—just one. But that one was many, for under God, Simon brought three thousand in one day.

Joel Stratton, a waiter in a restaurant, brought John Gough to Christ. Just one. And Gough brought many to Christ.

Ezra Kimball, a Sunday school teacher, brought Moody to Christ—just one. But that one was many, for Moody rocked two continents for God.

But why say more? Just as one digit is valuable in the multiplication table, and one letter in the alphabet, far more valuable is just one soul in God’s sight.

1 Corinthians 9:16 For if I preach the gospel, that gives me no ground for boasting. For necessity is laid upon me. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!

1 Peter 2:9 you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.

Lord, don’t just give us the opportunities. Give us the boldness to proclaim the truth of the gospel. Souls are lost and Hell is hot. Amen

Love One Another

Read John 13:34-35

The love and support of believers for one another enables us to survive in a hostile world.

As Jesus was the embodiment of God’s love, so now each disciple should embody Christ’s love to each other.

This love is a sign to the world as well as to every believer.

Read John 15:12

Hebrews 10:24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works

We focus so much on our need to love the world of unbelievers that we neglect the fact that it starts in the Church.

Some of the nastiest attitudes and actions that exist come out at heated business meetings of the Church

What a terrible testimony to the world!

Trust The Holy Spirit’s Enabling

Acts 1:8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.

Illustration: It is reported that Moody’s farewell words to his sons as he lay upon his deathbed were, “If God be your partner, make your plans large.”

Matthew 28:20 I am with you always, to the end of the age. CONCLUSION When it comes to faithfully serving the Lord and carrying out His vision for the Church, it is easy to allow obstacles to get in our way.

But we must not allow this to happen…we must not allow obstacles to overwhelm or distract us from the vision God has given to His people.

Napoleon saw Italy, but not the Alps. He had an objective and knew where he was going. Washington saw the Hessians at Trenton, when many would have seen the Delaware choked with ice.

The majority see the obstacles; the few see the objectives.

History records the successes of the former while oblivion is the reward of the latter.

Jesus has already guaranteed victory, we just need to look beyond the obstacles to the goal.

Matthew 16:16, 18

Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” … “I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.”