What is Vision?

TEXT: Hebrews 11:1, 24-27 TOPIC: What is Vision?

Bobby Earls, First Baptist Icard, NC

February 9, 1997 (Appreciation is made to Dr. John Maxwell for much of the material from his lesson on this same topic from the Enjoy Life Tape series.)

1. THE ABILITY TO SEE - AWARENESS King George III of England wrote in his Journal on July 4, 1776, (kind of an important date), “Nothing happened today.” They asked Helen Keller once if anything could be worse than being blind. She said, “Yes, having eyesight and not being able to see.” That’s why the Apostle Paul prayed, “That the eyes of our hearts might be open.” That we would have the ability to see the things of God. Hebrews 11:1, 24-27 (Read the Scripture) Moses overcame the hazards of commitment because his vision was clearly defined. Quote by Max Lucado from He Still Moves Stones. Bill Bright, Founder and President of Campus Crusade for Christ says, “Study the attributes of God. Once we understand how awesome God is, we will not hesitate to believe great things for God’s Kingdom.” Vision is the ability to see. But it’s not only the ability to see, but it’s the ability to see a little bit longer, a little bit clearer, a little bit farther than those around us. One of the things that distinguishes our church from many other churches is our vision. The ability to see. To see a little bit longer, a little bit clearer, a little bit farther than those around us. 2. THE FAITH TO BELIEVE -- ATTITUDE Romans 4:18-21 Read the quote from The Message A.W. Tozer said, “God is looking for those through whom He can do the impossible. What a pity that we settle only for the things that we can do ourselves.” Never tell a person that something cannot be done. God may have been waiting for centuries for somebody ignorant enough of the impossible to do that very thing. Aren’t you glad that Noah didn’t say to God, “I don’t do boats.” Aren’t you glad that Mary didn’t say to Mary, “I don’t do virgin births.” Aren’t you glad Jesus didn’t say to God, “I don’t do crucifixions and resurrections.” My father placed in me an indomitable ambition by reminding me again and again, “There ain’t no such word as ‘can’t.’” In fact he would often say this, “Can’t never could until he tried.” I’ve often said of the church today, “We’re too busy saying we can’t to realize God can.” Arthur Rubenstein, famous concert pianist was once asked if he would like to attend church while in New York City, he responded, “Take me to a church that will challenge me to attempt the impossible.” Jesus said, “According to your faith be it unto you.” I call this the Faith Factor. There are many factors that influence our ministry as a church over which we have no control: our background, our location, the make-up of our membership, our giftedness. But there is one important factor that we do have control over: how much we will choose to believe God! ILLUSTRATION Teacher hoping to help her Sunday School class of second graders better understand the story of Christmas, the wise men, the star, and the baby Jesus, gave them the assignment to go home and count the stars one night and come back and share how many stars they saw the next Sunday. The next Sunday the responses of the children ranged from 149 to millions. Except for one little boy--Bobby. I only saw 3. Why? “Well, the only thing I can figure is that we have an awfully small back yard.” Too many churches and too many people have back yards that are too small. As we consider our Long Range Plans for our future, we need the ability to see. We need the faith to believe, and we need....

3. THE COURAGE TO DO -- ACTION This is the most important point of them all. This is the practical part of what a vision is. This is the part that keeps you from simply being a visionary, a dreamer. John Maxwell says, “Anyone who has ever taken a shower has had an idea. It’s what you do after you’ve dried off that determines whether or not you are successful.”

Visions are worthless unless we get the courage to do what we dream about. Comments about Courage: 1) Courage rises when the cause is Greater than the Circumstances. Courage falls when the circumstances are greater than the cause. Share the 12-year study of successful entrepreneurs Biblically, I think of two who showed courage and faith to accomplish a vision God had assigned: Nehemiah 1. He had no official authority with the Jews or experience building walls. 2. There was a strong vocal constituency who criticized the work. 3. He faced the barrier of a task that his generation had never done before. 4. His workers were volunteers who were preoccupied with self-interest. 5. Most of his help wanted to quit half-way through the project. 6. He built despite constant threat of attack from the opposition. Moses 1. He had no official role or authority among the Hebrew slaves. 2. He had failed once already in bringing justice to a Jewish man. 3. He had been missing for 40 years due to his fears. 4. He had a history of ease in the palace with which no Jew could identify. 5. He could not speak well by his own admission and he lacked the self-confidence and the desire to do the job. Other than that, no problem. 2) Our Flesh Encourages Us to Live in the Comfort Zone. God Encourages Us to Live in the Courageous Zone. How could God call Moses to leave the comfort of the Pharaoh’s Palace to live in the isolation of the backside of the desert? How could God call Abraham to leave the comfort of his family and homeland to go and dwell in a land He would reveal? Every disciple of our Lord left all to follow Jesus only to end their lives on a cross or at the end of a sword. How could God leave His Throne of Glory to come dwell as a man, to be rejected, mocked, and crucified by His own?

Because God always calls us to leave the Comfort Zone for the Courageous Zone.

Quote by Henry Blackaby in Experiencing God.

“The Gospel Commandments of Leadership”

Karl Barth, the great German theologian said, “Courage is Fear that has said its prayers.”

John Wayne, the great American theologian said, “Courage is being scared to death but saddling up anyway.”

Vision is....

1. The Ability to See -- Awareness

2. The Faith to Believe -- Attitude

3. The Courage to Do -- Action

4. THE HOPE TO ENDURE -- ACHIEVEMENT

Paul said, “I have fought the good faith, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”

James 1:12 says, “Blessed is the man who endures temptation, who perseveres under trial;

because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him.”

The word “endure” means to “hold up under fire; having the ability to withstand hardship, adversity, or stress; to remain firm under difficulty, without yielding.”

Mother Teresa says, “Faith keeps the person that keeps the faith.”

The diary of Christopher Columbus sounds very repetitious. Often he wrote, “This day we sailed on.” What he did not say was, “this day the waves and the storms were buffeting the ship.” He said, “This day we sailed on.” The Santa Maria, the Nina, and the Pinta, sailed on. He did not say, “Today, hunger, sickness, fever, and disease are ravaging the crew.” He said, “This day, we sailed on.”

What a motto for the church! As we Chart the Course into the 21st Century, we do so with a vision that is defined by the Ability to See. We sail into the future with a vision hoisted by a Faith to Believe. We anchored our vision with the Courage to Do. And we aim our stern toward the Hope that Endures. And together, as a church, we sail on!