Vision: Grabbing Hold of What Is Right In Front of Us

Last week we looked at SEEING WHAT IS RIGHT IN FRONT OF US..

We spoke of our church’s vision to be and become a people who are

Christ Honoring

Hope Giving

Community of Faith

A strong focus was on how people who have come to Destiny have found DIRECTION FOR LIFE regarding marriage, family and freedom! and how our COMMUNITY has had powerful impact on changed lives!!!

Our need to be discipled and become more like Christ, and how our COMMUNITY points to that.

EACH OF US HERE TODAY BENEFIT FROM THE INVESTMENT of OTHERS into this church - not just historically back some years, but those who are currently INVESTING TIME TALENT TREASURE

We would not have ministries that have so powerfully impacted lives if you were not INVESTING

TIME (to lead groups and teach kids, teens, and other adults)

TALENTS (bringing your gifts and abilities in serving the Lord)

TREASURE (Giving your finances to invest in the changed lives of others so we can keep doing what we do)

Binoculars to see what is in the near distance - what do we prepare for and expect to encounter - it could be intimidating and yet we can be surprised

BUT THERE IS MORE!!!!

Binoculars help us to see what is in the near distance!

Those things in the near distance --- they are REACHABLE, ATTAINABLE, and can be TAKEN HOLD OF!

The difference is they take a little more effort to get to them!

That means we have to prepare for them

Determine we will encounter them

Overcome what could be intimidating to us!

This morning I want to talk about what we see nearby, but often avoid because we do not want to INVEST THE EFFORT of TIME, TALENT, and TREASURE ---- but WOW - we may be missing out on great opportunity and fulfillment in our own lives by ignoring what is just ahead.

Last weekend we drove through Rocky Mountain National --- don’t you love it when the elk are in the road in front of your face! - it is like WHOA --

But sometimes, they are a little off in the field! If you don’t make the effort to pull over, get out of your car, and zoom in - you may miss the opportunity to see them interact with each other and operate in their natural habitat.

We can be like that in the church --- always waiting for opportunities that COME TO US --- PEOPLE THAT COME TO US and then we try and capture or take it in --- when with a little effort and commitment we could be experiencing so much more!

You see GOD gives each of us a piece of vision to be a part!!! He speaks into various lives, various things --- they all flow together with the VISION of the church, and yet they may seem individualized --- BECAUSE THEY ARE!

Part of MY VISION as a PASTOR is to see the body of CHRIST engaging in vision the LORD has given to them individually! That means - I MAY NOT DREAM IT UP AND CREATE THE OPPORTUNITY.

A common thing I here in the church is:

We should do this or that.... (insert your own thoughts) a specific type of group or gathering, an outreach to the homeless, a feeding ministry, prison ministry, etc. , a missions trip

The reality is - YOUR RIGHT — and if God is helping you see that thing in your binoculars He may just be calling you to lead and organize it!!!! It may not be something you take part in, but you create!!!!

I desire to see the BODY catching God’s vision for them as they lead others in the church!!!

A body that will INVEST their TIME, TALENT and TREASURE to do KINGDOM BUILDING WORK for the LORD and make an impact on lives --- not just what we have placed inside the “walls” of Destiny Church - but our hands extended --

Whatever you do for the Kingdom — you are part of Destiny Church’s ministry - because as a member/adherent of Destiny - you are the church!

(Talk about Donna in the Bayou --- Humble Hearts and the Homeless Feeding Ministry — both started by members of the church, but not created by the “admin” of the church, although many in the church participated --- when I arrived I brought funds and resources to the ministries as VALUABLE KINGDOM BUILDING MISSIONS of the church...

There are a few things that have to take place for this to happen that I want to look at this morning!

1. Eyes to See Like Jesus

Matthew 9:35–38 NLT

35 Jesus traveled through all the towns and villages of that area, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And he healed every kind of disease and illness. 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 He said to his disciples, “The harvest is great, but the workers are few. 38 So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.”

In order to grab hold of a vision of what God wants us to do --- we have to see like Jesus does!!!

Grab those binoculars and look out there at the need and pray for the harvest!!!

The reason why so few are engaged in ministry is because so few pray!!!

We don’t pray because we don’t want God to ask us to invest?

This week is First Wed prayer — who will come and pray for the harvest???? ask the Lord to give you eyes to SEE THE NEED!!!! What is right out there and how you can be a part!!!

ROLAND VIDEO

I think of Roland in the video --- God helped him to see the need of prisoners and to reach out to them — he did not wait around for the church to make a ministry or way — he went out and sought a way to be used.

The Lord has opened amazing doors to work in the prison — doors that are now available to others to participate in!

WHY — he looked at the fields and saw the need!!!

If our eyes are closed and our ears are shut up — how will we see the opportunities right in front of us…?

What needs do you see in the fields around you — they are close by, they are within reach! With just a little effort!

1 Corinthians 2:9 NLT

9 That is what the Scriptures mean when they say, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.”

1 cor 22.9

What if we saw that verse in relation to us not having caught glimpse of how God wants to use us…

That is why we ask Him to show us — to give us HIS EYES FOR THE HARVEST!!!! TO GRAB THE BINOCULARS TO SEE CLEARLY WHAT WE CAN EACH DO IF WE OPEN OURSELVES TO HIS PLAN!!!!

2. FEET TO TAKE THE GOOD NEWS

Romans 10:15 NLT

15 And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, “How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!”

Romans 10:15–16 NLT

15 And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, “How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!” 16 But not everyone welcomes the Good News, for Isaiah the prophet said, “Lord, who has believed our message?”

Scripture calls feet that bring the GOOD NEWS of JESUS as beautiful!!!!

It is not enough to see --- we must do!!!!

My VISION for Destiny is that we stop seeing needs alone and become ENGAGED IN DOING!!!

ENGAGED in taking the GOSPEL out to the streets, neighborhoods, etc.

How are each of us serving in our community??

Going into the realm of the lost --- not for our gain, but for the GOSPEL

Laura Doanes returned last night from a MISSIONS TRIP to HAITI ---

She is a REGISTERED NURSE --- with a vision to touch lives through that nursing. If you listen to her testimony, it goes beyond nursing to share JESUS with the lost.

Testimony of Laura! - VIDEO

You don’t have to go past Fort Lupton to use a skill to reach the lost!!!

You do have to see that your talents were given to you for more than just making money or your own benefit — they are a gift from God to bless others.

One of the church’s in Frederick organizes teams of people in their church with abilities to go out and bless neighbors and citizens of the community. I see the youth doing my disabled neighbors lawn work a few times a year!!! It is a powerful testimony of the church as they reach out to this woman and so many others in our area.

What has God enabled you to do that with some effort — you could bless the lives of others, or gather some guys together to help.

We have a an elderly gentlemen who comes to our church when in town moving here — he needs some help tonight at 9PM to unload!

What if we had a man in our church that helped to coordinate projects when needs arise to go out and help people with repairs, electical, construction, etc.?

WE ARE DESTINY CHURCH when we take our talents and gifts to the needs of our community! Not to serve just the physical, but to then pray with others and talk to them about Jesus!!!

Doing this here, in our state and in our world ----- GOING to serve!

3. Hearts WILLING to Go

VIDEO — KIM and JENNIFER

Isaiah 6:8 NLT

8 Then I heard the Lord asking, “Whom should I send as a messenger to this people? Who will go for us?” I said, “Here I am. Send me.”

isa

Jeremiah 1:4–7 NLT

4 The Lord gave me this message: 5 “I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb. Before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as my prophet to the nations.” 6 “O Sovereign Lord,” I said, “I can’t speak for you! I’m too young!” 7 The Lord replied, “Don’t say, ‘I’m too young,’ for you must go wherever I send you and say whatever I tell you.

Ezekiel 2:1–7 NLT

1 “Stand up, son of man,” said the voice. “I want to speak with you.” 2 The Spirit came into me as he spoke, and he set me on my feet. I listened carefully to his words. 3 “Son of man,” he said, “I am sending you to the nation of Israel, a rebellious nation that has rebelled against me. They and their ancestors have been rebelling against me to this very day. 4 They are a stubborn and hard-hearted people. But I am sending you to say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says!’ 5 And whether they listen or refuse to listen—for remember, they are rebels—at least they will know they have had a prophet among them. 6 “Son of man, do not fear them or their words. Don’t be afraid even though their threats surround you like nettles and briers and stinging scorpions. Do not be dismayed by their dark scowls, even though they are rebels. 7 You must give them my messages whether they listen or not. But they won’t listen, for they are completely rebellious!

Our world needs a prophetic voice in it today — setting the path of the Lord and His WORD before it!

Many a church has lost its direction and the truth of God’s WORD — who will speak for the Lord? Who will go for the Lord?

Who will open up their hearts to be used by the Lord in this day?

So what if they will not listen — they still need to hear!!!!!

If God is for us --- who can be against us???

We do not have to fear what men might do if we are His voice in this generation!

Philippians 4:13 NLT

13 For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.

He promised the prophets of the OT - He would be with them!

God is looking for WILLING HEARTS to say ‘ HERE AM I LORD — SEND ME’

Will we be those hearts in this region???

CONCLUSION

My VISION this morning as a Pastor for Destiny...

To see the people of Destiny engage in bringing HOPE to our COMMUNITIES!

SEEING the opportunities God puts into each of our hearts...

GOING out to use our talents and time to touch the lives of others for HIS KINGDOM

WILLING to say HERE AM I LORD, SEND ME!

God has something for EACH OF US TO DO!!!! ARE WE DOING IT????

Put on the binoculars and see clearly what He has for you - it may take a little effort to do it - an investment of time, talent and treasure ---- but as we SEEK FIRST HIS KINGDOM — the rest will follow through in our lives!

Investment of ourselves in the ministry and outreach

What exUses do we use to avoid involvement and shut out what we see out there???

I don’t have the opportunity - Kim prayed for It - God brought it

MY BISION IS TO RELEASE PEOPLE TO FULFILL GODS VISION IN THEIR LIVES - ie LAURA ON HER MISSION TRIP USING HER MEDICAL ABILITIES

VISION TO BE A COMMUNITY OF FAITH THAT IS GIVING HOPE AND HONORING CHRIST BY SERVING AND INVESTING IN THE KINGDOM IF GOD

Or god gives a vision for you to make happen

Remember - Abraham saw nothing when he set out —-

What is out there that we have not yet explored

Unknown or new experiences may intimidate - can I do, accomplish, succeed -

I can do all things...

(Doing missions work, getting involved in a new ministry - leading a group - making that time commitment)

Kim C taking in preschool coordinator role/ Jenn Elementary school

Grabbing hold of new things at Destiny requires the people of Destiny to have a vision for ministry where God wants to use them

It is better to try and fail than not try at all (Paul set out to do one thing and then God redirected - it happens - it’s ok - if we never set out we never get moving) press toward the mark of ministry)

Roland starting up prison ministry...

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