Each
minister who has been called of God must write down a vision to define their
ministry's identity and guiding purpose by which goals and actions are
established to accomplish. According to Proverbs, where there is no vision, the
people run wild. If we're confused about our identity, we'll proceed in the
wrong direction without constraint. What's the end game? What are we
trying to produce? What difference will it make in a person's life if they
loiter around the ministry for several years, wandering in the wilderness? We
must know our identity and our purpose if we're going to finish the course. Paul
was intentional about the course that he completed when he said in 2
Timothy 4:7-8, “I have fought a
good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth
there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous
judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also
that love his appearing.”
Six things related to the vision: (1) Thousands of people going into the inner chamber of fellowship with their Lord Jesus Christ - thousands, not as they are, but as they will be when they live in proximity with Jesus Christ. (2) Thousands of men and women hungry to grow and become the people of God whom God intended them to be. (3) Active children of God, who are spiritual leaders in their homes and their churches. (4) Faithful followers of Jesus Christ, who serve faithfully to the finish line. (5) Born again Believers, who have been set free in Christ and are committed to set others free. (6) Disciplined disciples influencing their world for Jesus Christ to become just like Him. If this is the vision, then what's the cost? It will cost everything we've got. To commit to the Journey this side of eternity; to become just like Christ we must be "all in." Jesus said, in Matthew 10:39 “He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it.”
Six things related to the vision: (1) Thousands of people going into the inner chamber of fellowship with their Lord Jesus Christ - thousands, not as they are, but as they will be when they live in proximity with Jesus Christ. (2) Thousands of men and women hungry to grow and become the people of God whom God intended them to be. (3) Active children of God, who are spiritual leaders in their homes and their churches. (4) Faithful followers of Jesus Christ, who serve faithfully to the finish line. (5) Born again Believers, who have been set free in Christ and are committed to set others free. (6) Disciplined disciples influencing their world for Jesus Christ to become just like Him. If this is the vision, then what's the cost? It will cost everything we've got. To commit to the Journey this side of eternity; to become just like Christ we must be "all in." Jesus said, in Matthew 10:39 “He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it.”
Matthew
16:25 “For whoever desires
to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find
it.”
When
Jesus called his disciples, he did not choose them for their worldly credentials
and accomplishments. He saw them not as they were, but as they would become ...
transformed according to God's purpose for their lives. We see millions
of people around the world not as they are. Godly people, who are not content
spiritually where they are today. God’s people, who desire to continue to grow.
As Paul said in Philippians 3:14, “I
count myself not to have arrived but I press toward the mark of the upward
calling of God in Christ Jesus.” This earthly journey to the Promised
Land for proximity to our Lord is not a sprint. It takes persistence,
patience, long suffering and endurance.
Let's continue Michael's message on "Vision" in the next post.
In Christ, Brian
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