20/20 Vision

Introduction

- How many of you made new years’ resolutions? Show of hands?

< come out of pulpit> Anybody want to share? <let them share>

Share yours...”I’m going to testify with you a minute”:

1. Cutting way back on sugar....I’m finding to be VERY difficult....not because I can’t do it, but because EVERYTHING has added sugar…craziest thing I’ve ever seen in my life....

Went to the grocery store yesterday....during school, don’t usually eat much for breakfast, don’t usually have time....looked at every “health” bar/protein bar in the store....ONLY ONE had 1 gram of sugar…all the rest had between 6 and 25 grams of sugar....also, when I find stuff that’s sugar free, it’s doggone expensive!

I say all that to say I’m already struggling to find what I need so, pray for me in that regard…I’m doing pretty good already, but I need to stick with it.

2. Exercise: We have a stationary bicycle that it’s easy for me to get on and watch TV or whatever while I’m on it....and my resolution is to get on every single day at least a few minutes…thus far I’m doing pretty good....so pray with me that I keep it up.

3. Sleep: As many of you know, I struggle with sleep apnea…and I’m trying to wear my CPAP mask like I’m supposed to....the problem is that it dries out my mouth, so I’m trying to find a way to remedy that, and also that I happen to be a little bit claustrophobic…and waking up with all that mask and everything on my face, frankly freaks me out a bit....so pray with me on that if you would.

So those are mine....

I have another good question for yall.....why do we make resolutions at new years?

<let them share>

Those are some great answers....I appreciate yall sharing....I think we do it, like some of you said, because we feel like the new year is a new opportunity from God to better ourselves....

Not only should we do that as individuals....but as families....as husbands and wives....as a pastor myself, I have new years’ resolutions about how to be a better pastor to you....but our church, as a group....we need resolutions too.

“'In this world you're either growing or you're dying so get in motion and grow.'” - Lou Holtz, Notre Dame football coach…and that’s really true.

Now I’m not talking about numbers....I let God worry about the numbers at this church. I don’t mean growth in numbers....would I like to see this church packed every Sunday? Sure I would....but God has charged us to grow spiritually....He wants to see me become a better Christian....a better preacher…a better husband....a better teacher....He wants see YOU become a better disciple of Jesus....he wants to see you grow in the Word....to become better husbands and wives and grandparents....So for us to grow spiritually, we have to make some resolutions and plan to do that....

and here’s the REALLY cool part: I have found in my life that when you grow spiritually, GOD gives the increase…no matter what the area of life is....if you are obedient and grow spiritually, it’s amazing how God blesses your life....and I believe if we are obedient to God here at Morningside as a church, he will bless US numerically....I believe over time he WILL pack this church out....but we have to be obedient and willing to grow…and just like Coach said....in order to grow, we have to get in motion…we have to move.

This morning I’d like to direct your attention over to the new banner over here....our 20/20 vision is a 3 part commitment to each other as a church and to God....and this morning I’m going to teach you the Biblical basis of each part of this commitment that I’m asking you to make with me....now I’m not FORCING anybody to do anything…I can’t do that anyway....what I’m doing is asking you to go on a journey with me....a journey that is straight from the Bible....one that is Biblical....and to do what God is asking us to do, is to be obedient to Him....and when you’re obedient, blessings will follow.

This morning I don’t have one particular verse we’re focusing on....I have several....so before we jump right in, I’m going to ask you to hold your Bible in your right hand as we stand together, and let’s thank Him for His holy, perfect, sufficient and inerrant Word today…and ask that He blesses us as we work through these verses of Scripture…let’s pray.

<PRAY>

Thank you and you may be seated.

As I said before, our overall vision is Each One Reach One....but we have separated that into a 3 part commitment…and I want to work through each part of it with you.

This year, we each pledge to one another and to God....

<pause right there>

pledging to each other is important: to love one one another is to hold one another accountable....so we should take that part very seriously.

But even more important is the second part of that statement....and that is that we pledge to God....you ever heard “don’t make promises you can’t keep”?.....well you had especially better not make a promise to God that you don’t intend to keep...

Folks…you might notice the big white space at the bottom that banner....that’s not a mistake....that’s a place for you to put YOUR name on the dotted line and declare to God and to your church family here that you intend to keep this pledge to the absolute best of your ability this year....yes....I’m going to ask you to take a sharpie, and sign your name....BUT....if you don’t intend to keep this commitment....I don’t want you to sign it.....Nobody’s gonna judge you....nobody’s going to come to your house and harass you....I’m asking you to be courageous…I’m asking you to be accountable and to be obedient....Now I won’t ask to do it today....I first want you to pray about it....and NEXT Sunday....during our service....I’m going to ask you, if you would be willing, to walk forward and put your name on the line....As always, I’m not going to ask you to do anything I’m not willing to do myself, so I can tell you, I’m going to sign it first....and then you come up as you feel led. But I just want you to know that I take this very seriously....and I want you to as well....because I really believe, if we’re obedient, we are going to see God do big things.

So that’s the first part....the next part of the first statement is: to choose ONE person outside of our church community to love, pray for, encourage, share the Gospel with, and invite to church as many times as necessary.

Flip open your Bibles, if you will to Romans Chapter 12.

Romans 12:9–13 NASB95

Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor; not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer, contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality.

Folks....we are supposed love one another....that’s not a suggestion....it’s a commandment....when Paul wrote these words, he didn’t say “you know you MIGHT want to be devoted to one another”....what did he say? BE devoted to one another in brotherly love....honor eachother....serve the Lord....be DEVOTED in prayer....contribute to the needs of others....be generous....be hospitable....BE....in other words....DO IT.

Church: I think a lot of folks think they are somehow doing God a favor by being obedient....by helping somebody else....

Let me ask you something: when you write a check to the IRS to pay your taxes, do you get a letter in the mail THANKING you for doing what you were supposed to do and paying your taxes? I never have....does the IRS agent show up at your house and give you a big ole hug and thank you for being a good citizen? If they did, that’d be kinda creepy wouldn’t it? You know why they don’t do that? Because it’s what you’re supposed to do....

Yall, sometimes being a Christian is a real thankless responsibility....A lot of times nobody notices at all....but you know who does know? God. That’s why Jesus says in Matthew Chapter 6 that people who do things expecting thanks in THIS world won’t find it in the next....he says you have recieved your reward....you see it has to do with who you are serving....if you are doing it for the recognition of man, then you’ll get it....but don’t expect God to pat your head and say good job. He wants you to do it because you love Him. It’s what we’re supposed to do.

Church: I’m asking you to commit this year to loving, praying for, encouraging, lifting up, inviting to church, and sharing the Gospel with ONE person....not to the neglect of everybody else God sends your way....but one person to laser focus on....Just IMAGINE what God can do with you if you love one person and pray for them and all that other stuff EVERY SINGLE DAY for the rest of this year. Folks I think we are going to see God move in a big way if you’ll make this commitment and go on this journey with me.

You should see posters all over this building now that remind us of our goal: Each One Reach One....just imagine how much God can do if all of us in here reach out and reach another person....and then THEY reach out and reach one....24 can become 48 and 48 and become 72....God can move in a BIG way....

And not only that, next week there will be a big poster in the back somewhere where you can write the name of your one person on the back of a card and your name on the front....and then we will tape it to that poster so nobody can see the name of your person....only you and God will know their name....but we can begin praying over those names each week and watching God work....This year we want each one to reach one....and I KNOW God is going to bless it.

Trans: What’s the next part of the commitment?

2. We pledge to GO OUTSIDE of our church and reach those in our communities, taking every opportunity that God gives us.

Two key words there: GO

Folks....we cannot stay in this church building and expect the lost to come here. I don’t know if you’ve noticed or not, but they ain’t here are they? We have to GO to them.

You say “but brother Vic, you can’t drag people here”…you’re right we can’t....but when I stand before the Lord and He asks me what I did with the time He gave me, I refuse to insult Him by saying “well we had church every Sunday and they could’ve come”.....What am I supposed to say when my heavenly Father asks me “How many did you love?....How many did you invite?.....How many did you visit with?”....am I supposed to look at Him and say “none” and expect Him to accept that? NO SIR! Not me....

I can NOT drag them here....but I can invite them....I can share with them....the LEAST I can do is put the ball in their court. If a person never comes here because I invited them, shared truth with them, and offered them love, then it’s their fault....but if I NEVER visited with them and could’ve....if I NEVER made an attempt....if I NEVER invited them....you know what....it’s mine.

Our Lord gave us this great commission, I didn’t make it up....look at what Jesus said to the disciples in

Acts 1:8 NKJV

But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

Mark 16:15–16 NASB95

And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. “He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned.

What did Jesus command us to do, folks? “GO”.....we have to....we have to GO to them…Jesus said that....He said GO to the world…why? They ain’t comin here....so we’re going to go get them.

Folks

The next key word in our commitment is OUTSIDE....not just GO, but GO OUTSIDE of our church. That means we have to go to them where they are....that may mean their homes....and I know that makes some of you uncomfortable because several of you have expressed that to me…so please don’t think I’m calling one of you out, because I’m not....SEVERAL of you have expressed that you are uncomfortable visiting people at their homes…and believe me: I GET IT....I’m uncomfortable with it too…but listen....I know several of you that decided to come here because someone loved you enough to invite you and come see you. Jeff and Sharon shared with me that they came because Louis Pearce loved them and visited them at home....

You say “well we don’t want to be like the Jehovah’s witnesses”....You know what? The cult of Jehovah’s witnesses is growing.....what are we doing?

Statistics say that betweeon 100 and 200 churches will CLOSE THEIR DOORS forever between when we eat lunch today and when we come back to church next Sunday....

Just a few years ago in 2014, 3,700 churches closed their doors in that year alone.

Folks listen to me…I don’t want Morningside Baptist Church to become a statistic....I came here because I believe God called me....I came because I fell in love with you all…but I promise you this: I did NOT come here to go down with a sinking ship.

Thom Rainer of Lifeway Christian Resources tells us that the numbers show that by the time most churches are ready to do what is necessary to save themselves, it’s about 10 years too late.

Now thankfully, I don’t think we’re there yet…and I know this sounds harsh....but if I didn’t care I wouldn’t say it....listen to me: if we keep sitting here on our backsides and doing nothing to reach people in our communities and get them saved (number 1..cause that’s most important) and get them HERE (number 2)…this church will be just like those others. We’ve got to get busy....to move....to GO to the world and get them here…to show them Jesus....The Jehovah’s Witnesses....the Mormons....Muslims....they’re growing....Islam is currently the FASTEST growing religion in the world....people are dying and going to hell right here in our communities…and we’re scared we might…bother somebody....Look, if we visit and they say don’t bother me anymore…we’ll leave and not bother them anymore....but what if what they need is exactly why we came by? We can’t afraid of rejection…Jesus was rejected....we can’t be afraid of that. We have to be courageous…put ourselves out there.

We have to go outside of this building....we have to connect with people and invite them....to share Jesus.

Just up the road in Higgston, GA…a community no bigger than this one, my friend Dr. Alan Rea took over as pastor of Higgston Baptist church just 3 years ago....

They began visiting people and inviting them....even people who USED to come but got their feelings hurt by somebody and quit coming before....

Listen to me: within three years, there was so much growth at that church that they had to build a new sanctuary because they can’t hold all the people.

Alan took me on a tour of it the other day....it’s HUGE....and they pack it out every Sunday.

Listen church: it all started with people going out soul winning....can that work here....I believe it can. Higgston is no bigger than this community…We are at the intersection of a highway and the Interstate....we are a short drive from Metter, Aline, Stillmore, Swainsboro, Vidalia and Soperton…why CAN’T God work here?

But we have to be OBEDIENT and God out to the people....that’s one reason we will begin studying a book together on Soul winning on Wednesday evenings so we can be as effective as possible....

Maybe you’ll make the commitment to go visit old friends on your own…that’s great....to write some cards…that’s wonderful.....whatever you feel led to do....but another thing we’re going to have is a team called Soul Winners. If you’re interested in this group, we are going to meet here once in a while, break up into groups and go into our communities....and listen…we might get some doors slammed in our faces....I’ve done this sort of thing before....and it’s happened....but I’ve also seen souls saved....and people begin coming to church....maybe you’ll consider joining our soul winner team....I hope you’ll pray about it. We’ll have an informational meeting about it NEXT Sunday at 5 PM. If you don’t feel God calling you to that, that’s fine too....but I hope that either way, you wills till make a commitment to reach people outside of this church building....

Trans: That’s the second thing....and finally:

3. The third part of the commitment is to expect God to do BIG things in 2020.

Paul wrote this to the people at the churches in Galatia:

Galatians 6:9 NASB95

Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.

Listen folks....God can and WILL do big things this year. When you have the right focus, and you are doing the RIGHT work, God WILL bless it.

You ever heard the saying that “worker smarter not harder?” When I first got here, a bunch of you were absolutely worn out. You were getting very burnt out. The deacons, myself, and the activities committee took a look at that church calendar last year and we said “boy you know, we sure have a lot of activities…but it is wearing us out”....so we met and decided to have a little less activity and a little more quality. We are trying to line up some speakers and singers for our special events and things like that....

We have a beautiful church calendar with most of the year planned out so you can make plans....

We have a clear church Mission Statement: Worship, Grow, Serve....that’s what we do here....

We have a beautiful church logo....it’s on your bulletin....its on that banner....it’s on our website and Facebook....

We have clear communication on our Texting App and on Facebook, if you use those things....

We ordained a new deacon since I’ve been here...

We have a clear focus on studying deeply into God’s Word....we do that in Sunday School....on Sunday Night’s in our Dig Deeper series…I try to always preach that way

Now we have a clear focus for 20/20 in reaching out to others....

Church: we have come a long way in building on what was already so wonderful here....and as long as we remain diligent in being obedient to God and doing what He wants us to....I EXPECT God to do great things this year....I believe He will....

Church: I hope what I have done is challenge you today....because if it’s JUST the preacher praying for His one....if it’s JUST the preacher going out and ministering to folks and inviting them to church....if it’s JUST the preacher believing God will do big things....God can still work....but it won’t be AS big....and if that’s the way it’s gotta be, then fine…I mean it....I’LL go out and be obedient, no matter what, I mean it....I’m EXCITED about this year....I’m rejuvenated....I’m rested…and I’m ready to get to work this year.

I think we’ve got a good plan....we’ve got the right attitude....but all that will mean very little if we don’t do it.

I started off talking about new years resolutions....did you know that one study showed that over 88% of new years resolutions failed in 2018....and the reason is that most people set overly ambitious goals....to say “I’m going to lose 200 lbs this year” is overly ambitious....but to make smaller commitments about your diet and exercise can lead to progress....Folks....let’s embrace these steps…If I said I want this church house to be bursting at the seams by this time next year, that’s unreasonable....but to commit to do what our focus is this year…to focus on just one person....to go out and visit and invite folks once in a while....and to trust God with the results....now we can do that....That’s too ambitious....

So what about you? Will you commit to these goals? They’re not that hard…they just require commitment....and obedience…will you commit to this journey with us as a church? Let’s trust God this year....let’s watch Him work and bless OUR work....it’s going be amazing....will you commit?

Let’s pray.

<pray>