Where Are You Going

Good morning CHURCH!

Since it’s friends and family day I thought I’d start with an interesting story that I read about.

A families fourth grader celebrated his birthday on crutches, so he couldn’t carry the cupcakes into school without help.

They asked their sixth-grader, Noah, to help his brother carry them in.

“I could,” he said, “but I’d prefer not to.”

Spotting a teaching moment, her husband asked Noah, “What would Jesus do?” Noah answered, “Jesus would heal him so he could carry his own cupcakes.”

Are you ready to be equipped today?

Let me see your Bibles.

Let’s go to the book of Ephesians for this week’s wisdom Vaccination.

This Week’s Wisdom Vaccination

Ephesians 2:10

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

His workmanship G4160 (poiema) that which has been made by God.

We are his masterpiece. His work of art. And some of us are a piece of work alright.

The gulf that was created between God and mankind by sin can only be bridged by God’s work and our acceptance.

For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son; for God so loved the world that Jesus became the bridge to connect us back to a Holy God. (That just melts my heart.)

Last week I completed my series on Drawing Near to God.

Next week will start the month of February which is going to be relationships month.

All month the messages will be geared towards relationships.

Today will be a stand-alone message to help us get somewhere in 2022.

Today’s message title is:

Where Are You Going

Point #1

Your Vision Tells Where You Are Going

Vision is often thought of in terms of dreams with a slight difference of being awake versus being sleep.

Mankind has been understood to be eye-minded in that we think, imagine and remember more often than we do most anything.

God often uses visions to show his people supernatural things that aren’t yet visible to the naked eye.

While we are in the midst of a pandemic, if God hasn’t shown you anything or you don’t see anything good, this might be a difficult time for you.

Did you know that the most difficult time for many believers seems to be the in-between time?

What’s the in-between time you ask?

The time between the promise and the fulfillment.

Often when we think about vision, the Habakkuk chapter 2 passage comes to mind.

Habakkuk had just finished interrogating God in chapter 1

Habakkuk 2:1-3 ESV

I will take my stand at my watch post and station myself on the tower,

and look out to see what he will say to me, and what I will answer

concerning my complaint.

And the Lord answered me:

Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so he may run who reads it.

For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the

end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it

will not delay.

Habakkuk 2:1-3 Message

What’s God going to say to my questions? I’m braced for the worst. I’ll climb to the lookout tower and scan the horizon. I’ll wait to see what God says, how he’ll answer my complaint.

And then God answered: “Write this. Write what you see. Write it out in big block letters so that it can be read on the run. This vision-message is a witness pointing to what’s coming. It aches for the coming—it can hardly wait! And it doesn’t lie. If it seems slow in coming, wait. It’s on its way. It will come right on time.

If you go and read the rest of the chapter in your study time you will see that God laid out the vision for Habakkuk.

In this we see the prophet got away from the hustle and bustle to be alone and focus on hearing from God to see how God would answer him. He probably had a place where he saw visions from the Lord.

The vision is going to be a confirmation of where we are going and at times, you’re going to need that vision as confirmation because it might seem delayed. And times may seem tough.

But in spite of the delays or difficulties the vision is from God, and it will come. Don’t lose hope. Don’t doubt. Don’t faint.

Keep your eyes on the vision.

Point #2

Set Some Godly Visions

Most believers have never gotten alone with God and begin to see some godly visions for every area of their life.

As a ministry we have a vision to see as many people in this Kansas City community saved, healed, discipled, set free, equipped and empowered to serve and lead others.

As a couple my wife and we have a vision to see as many marriages and families go from broken to healed and from healed to flourishing.

As a husband I have a vision to grow into a compassionate and understanding husband who loves my wife like Christ loves the church.

As a father I have a vision to love my children the way my God loves me and to see my children the way God sees me.

As a Pastor I have a vision to be the best teacher I can possibly be according to the gift God has given me and diligent work on my part.

As a friend and family member I have a vision to show my friends and family that I love them and care about them.

And I also have a vision to be a better golfer than any of my friends, family or other Pastor’s I know.

Your Assignment:

Get with God and write the visions for your life.

Point #3

How To Reach Your Visions

(Tell them about the cross-country coach’s strategy.)

Assignment #2:

For every vision set small obtainable steps and when those steps become habits, build upon them.

If you’re watching online or here in the room, I have a very important question to ask you.

What is Holy Spirit saying to you right now?