July 24 2016 Prevailing Through A Vision

PREVAILING THROUGH A VISION

Acts 26:19

Verse 19 – So then King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the vision from heaven.

Five Facts About A Vision:

I. Gods vision will stop you.

Ver. 12-15 – We all fell to the ground and I heard a voice saying to me, Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?

A vision caused Paul to:

1. See himself.

2. See your possibilities.

II. God’s vision will send us.

Ver. 16-18 – Now get up and stand on your feet.

A vision helps us to see others.

III. God’s vision will strengthen us.

Ver. 20-23 – But I have had God’s help to this very day.

When you focus on God’s vision, it produces: power and strength.

IV. God’s vision will stretch us.

Ver. 24-29

This vision gave Paul:

1. Conviction to stand. (verse 26)

2. Conviction to speak. (verse 27)

3. Compassion to show. (verse 29)

V. God’s vision will satisfy us.

Ver. 19 – I was not disobedient to the vision from Heaven.

Who is the happiest person in the world?

People who have a vision.

Remember, when there is no faith in the future, there is no power in the present.

January 10 2016 Jesus Looks For Disciples

JESUS LOOKS FOR DISCIPLES

Matthew 4:18-22

The choice of Jesus. (V.18)

• He saw two brothers.

Three reasons why you are important to God:

1. Because of who we are.
2. Because of what we cost.
3. Because of what we can become.

Man surveys the crowd and values it by:

• We look at each other with the eyes of what they were.
• We see people for what they are today.
• The call of Jesus (V. 19)
  "Come follow me and I will make you fishers of men."

The significance of a call depends upon:

• It has to do with who calls.
• It has to do with what they say.
• Where I am at in my own life.
  Our life, once stretched, never regains its original dimension.

The challenge of Jesus (V. 19)
"I will make you..."

What made the challenge irresistible?

• Jesus took responsibility for their success.
• Jesus gave them hope.
• Jesus gave them vision.

The concerns of Jesus.

• Relationships.
• Growth.
• Fruitfulness.
• Obedience.
  (V. 20) Immediately they left their nets and followed Him.

LOOK THEM OVER
“Lord, as you “Look Me Over,” it’s unbelievable that you would choose me to help build your Kingdom.  I accept the challenge to follow you into the exciting journey of ministry.  I admit that I’m a little fearful and have areas in my life that you must change before you can use me.  Nevertheless, today I make myself available to you.”
Love, _____________________________________

Areas of my life that need to be changed:

April 12 2015 When We Need 20-20 Vision

WHEN WE NEED 20-20 VISION

Matthew 6:22-23 – The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness.

Mark 8:17-29

AN EMBARRASSING MISUNDERSTANDING

Mark 8:13-21 – Then Jesus got into the boat and crossed to the other side.  The disciples had forgotten to bring bread, except for one loaf they had in the boat. Be careful, Jesus warned. Watch out for the yeast of the Pharisees and that of Herod. The disciples discussed why Jesus had said this and they decided it was because they hadn’t brought bread with them. Aware of their discussion, Jesus asked, why are you talking about having no bread? Do you still not see or understand? Are your minds closed? You have eyes, but now don’t really see! You have ears, but you don’t really listen. Remember when I divided five loaves of bread for the five thousand? How many baskets did you fill with leftover pieces of food? They said, twelve. And when I divided seven loaves of bread for the four thousand, how many baskets did you fill with leftover pieces of food? They said, seven. Then Jesus said, and you still don’t understand yet?

WHAT KEEPS ME FROM 20-20 VISION?

1. Pride.

“Watch out for the yeast of the Pharisees.”

2. Short term thinking.

“The disciples discussed why Jesus had said this and they decided it was because they hadn’t brought bread with them!”

3. Short term memory.

“Remember the two miracles?”

A PROGRESSIVE MIRACLE

Mark 8:22 – They came to Bethsaida, and some people brought a blind man and begged Jesus to touch him. Jesus took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village.

THREE CONDITIONS FOR A MIRACLE

1. When some body cares.

2. When we get close to Jesus.

3. When we trust Jesus to lead us.

Mark 8:23-26 – Then Jesus spit on the man’s eyes and put His hands on him, and then asked, do you see anything? The man looked up and said, I see people but they look like trees walking around. So Jesus put his hands on the man’s eyes a second time. Then his eyes were opened fully, his sight was restored completely, and he saw everything clearly. Jesus sent him home, saying, don’t go back into town.

THREE LESSONS ABOUT 20-20 VISION

1. My spiritual vision grows in stages.

2. The test of my vision is how I see other people.

3. Jesus heals my sight three ways:

• My focus gets sharper.
• My perspective gets larger.
• Makes my vision clearer.

Job 34:32 – Teach me what I cannot see; and if I’ve done wrong, I won’t do it again!

A CLARIFYING QUESTION

Mark 8:27-29 – Then Jesus asked them, who do people say I am? They replied, some say you are John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and still others you’re one of the other prophets. But what about you, Jesus asked, who do you say I am? Peter said, You are the Christ, the Messiah!

How I see Jesus determines how clearly I see everything else.

January 26 2014 The Great Harvest

The Great Harvest 

HOW TO FOCUS ON THE HARVEST

Have a proper vision.
Matthew 9:36 – When He saw the crowds, He had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.

• Jesus had a vision for outsiders.

2 Peter 2:8 – For that just man (lot) living among them tortured his righteous soul every day with what he saw and heard of their unlawful and wicked deeds.

Acts 17:16 – While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was greatly distressed to see that the city was full of idols.

Have an understanding of the coming verdict.
Matthew 9:37 – The harvest is plentiful.

Joel 3:13 & 14 – Swing the sickle, for the harvest is ripe, multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision.

Matthew 13:30 – Let both grow together until the harvest.

2 Corinthians 5:11 – Since then, we know what it is to fear the Lord, we try to persuade men.

We need a correct view of the workers.
Matthew 9:37 – The workers are few.

• Few consecrated to the work.
• Few that are faithful.

The great harvest requires prayer.
Matthew 9:28 – Pray the Lord of the harvest to send out labors into His harvest.

James 2:14 – Faith without action is dead.

November 7 2010 Focusing On The Harvest

Focusing On The Harvest

Matthew 9:35-38 - Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. 

Matthew 9:36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field."

How To Focus On The Harvest

1. Have a proper vision

Verse 36 - When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.

• Jesus had a vision for outsiders

2 Peter 2:8 - for that righteous man, living among them day after day, was tormented in his righteous soul by the lawless deeds he saw and heard

Acts 17:16 - While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was greatly distressed to see that the city was full of idols.

2. Have an understanding of the coming verdict

Verse 37 - Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.

Joel 3:13-14 - Swing the sickle, for the harvest is ripe. Come, trample the grapes, for the winepress is full and the vats overflow— so great is their wickedness!" 

Joel 3:14 Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision! For the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision.

Matthew 13:30 - Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.

2 Corinthians 5:11 - Since, then, we know what it is to fear the Lord, we try to persuade men. What we are is plain to God, and I hope it is also plain to your conscience.

3. We need a correct view of the workers

Verse 37 - Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.

• Few consecrated to the work
• Few that are faithful

We Must Focus On The Harvest