Embracing God’s Vision

Embracing God’s Vision“Where there is no vision, the people perish.”

PROVERBS 29:18 (KJV)

“Vision” = a compelling picture of a desirable future.

3 Kinds of Visions

1. The SECULAR Vision (we initiate)“Look here, you people who say, ‘Today or

tomorrow we are going to a certain town and will stay there a year. We will do business there and make a

profit.’” JAMES 4:13 (NLT)

3 Kinds of Visions

1. The SECULAR Vision

Don’t plan without God“How do you know what will happen tomorrow? … What you ought to say is, ‘If the Lord wants us to, we will live and do this or that.’ Otherwise you will be boasting about your own plans.” JAMES4:15-16 (NLT)

3 Kinds of Visions

1. The SECULAR Vision

Don’t plan without God“We may make our plans, but God has the last word.” PROVERBS 16:1 (GNB)

3 Kinds of Visions

1. The SECULAR Vision

Don’t plan without God“We should make our plans - counting on God to direct us.” PROVERBS 16:9 (TLB)

3 Kinds of Visions

1. The SECULAR Vision Don’t plan without God

Don’t presume about tomorrow“Why, you don’t even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. ... As it is, you boast and brag. All such boasting is evil.” James

4:14,16 (NIV) 

3 Kinds of Visions

1. The SECULAR Vision Don’t plan without God Don’t presume about tomorrow

Don’t put off doing good“Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it.” James 4:17 (NLT)

3 Kinds of Visions1. The SECULAR Vision (we initiate)

2.The SOVEREIGN Vision (God initiates)Initially Moses told God: “Here I am!”

EXODUS 3:4 (NIV)

3 Kinds of Visions1. The SECULAR Vision

2. The SOVEREIGN VisionThen Moses protested: “I am not the person for a job like that! … Suppose I go … Then what? … Look, they won’t believe me! … I’m not just a good speaker! … O LORD, please send someone else!”

EXODUS 3:11, 13; 4:1, 10, 13 (TLB, NIV, NLT)

3 Kinds of Visions1. The SECULAR Vision

2.The SOVEREIGN Vision When God calls my name, I must cooperate

3 Kinds of Visions1. The SECULAR Vision (we initiate)2. The SOVEREIGN Vision (God initiates)

3. The SACRED Vision (we initiate, God responds)God: “Call to Me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.”

JEREMIAH 33:3 (NIV)

3 Kinds of Visions1. The SECULAR Vision2. The SOVEREIGN Vision

3. The SACRED VisionJesus: "You can ask for anything in My name, and I will do it, because the work of the Son brings glory to the Father.” JOHN 14:12-13 (NLT)

3 Kinds of Visions1. The SECULAR Vision2. The SOVEREIGN Vision

3. The SACRED Vision If we desire to know God’s vision, we must pray for it

3 Kinds of Visions1. The SECULAR Vision2. The SOVEREIGN Vision

3. The SACRED Vision God is sovereign and can do anything. Yet in His sovereign wisdom He has decided to do certain things only in response to the prayers of His people

3 Kinds of Visions1. The SECULAR Vision (we initiate)2. The SOVEREIGN Vision (God initiates)3. The SACRED Vision (we initiate, God responds)

“’In the last days,’ God said, ‘I will pour out My Spirit upon all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, and your old men will dream dreams. In those days I will pour out My Spirit upon … men and women alike.’”

ACTS 2:17-20 (NLT; from JOEL 2:28-32)