11 11 09 HT PM Vision
Vision
11 11 09 HT PM
Acts 2:16-17 NKJV
Acts 2:16 NKJV
But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:
Acts 2:17
‘And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God,
That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh;
Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
Your young men shall see visions,
Your old men shall dream dreams.
Do you have a current vision for your life?
In reviewing the life of Paul, his significant vision experience models for us what a vision can do for your life.
Vision will:
1. Stop you
Acts 26:12 NKJV
“While thus occupied, as I journeyed to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief priests,
Acts 26:13
at midday, O king, along the road I saw a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, shining around me and those who journeyed with me.
Acts 26:14
And when we all had fallen to the ground, I heard a voice speaking to me and saying in the Hebrew language, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’
Acts 26:15
So I said, ‘Who are You, Lord?’ And He said, ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.
- What direction is you headed that you need stopped?
- When you get stopped, let that moment reveal to you who you are NOT who another is or is not!
2. Send you
Acts 26:16 NKJV
But rise and stand on your feet; for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to make you a minister and a witness both of the things which you have seen and of the things which I will yet reveal to you.
Acts 26:17
I will deliver you from the Jewish people, as well as from the Gentiles, to whom I ◙ now send you,
Acts 26:18
to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.’
Visions will be used to lead you personally; at the same time they will open your eyes to others around you. It’s hard to have selfish vision.
Example people never have visions of being in solitary confinement (this is different that seeing peace and quiet J)
If your envisioning does NOT include others, go back the vision board!
Visions will move your life from where it is to where it needs to be!
Where are your visions taking you and who is going up with you? Whose life will be better off because of what has been birthed in you?
Think about the story of Moses…he wanted it fixed but struggled with the going part!
3. Strengthen you
Acts 26:19 NKJV
“Therefore, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision,
Acts 26:20
but declared first to those in Damascus and in Jerusalem, and throughout all the region of Judea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent, turn to God, and do works befitting repentance.
Acts 26:21
For these reasons the Jews seized me in the temple and tried to kill me.
Acts 26:22
Therefore, having obtained help from God, to this day I stand, witnessing both to small and great, saying no other things than those which the prophets and Moses said would come—
Acts 26:23
that the Christ would suffer, that He would be the first to rise from the dead, and would proclaim light to the Jewish people and to the Gentiles.”
Think of the task for preaching the Gospel at that time and place!
Logistical issues / resource issues / influence issues and so on!
Isaiah 40:31 NKJV
But those who wait on the Lord
Shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary,
They shall walk and not faint.
4. Stretch you
Acts 26:24 NKJV
Now as he thus made his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, “Paul, you are beside yourself! Much learning is driving you mad!”
Acts 26:25
But he said, “I am not mad, most noble Festus, but speak the words of truth and reason.
Acts 26:26
For the king, before whom I also speak freely, knows these things; for I am convinced that none of these things escapes his attention, since this thing was not done in a corner.
Acts 26:27
King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you do believe.”
Acts 26:28
Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You almost persuade me to become a Christian.”
Acts 26:29
And Paul said, “I would to God that not only you, but also all who hear me today, might become both almost and altogether such as I am, except for these chains.”
Paul’s vision enlarged him and extended him to places and conversations he would NOT have normally been found! If you find that you life is NOT facing some stretching you may be living without vision J
Prayer of Jabez
1 Chronicles 4:9-10 NKJV
9 Now Jabez was more honorable than his brothers, and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, “Because I bore him in pain.” 10 And Jabez called on the God of Israel saying, “Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!” So God granted him what he requested.
5. Satisfies you
Acts 26:19 NKJV
“Therefore, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision,
Psalm 107:8 NKJV
Oh, that men would give thanks to the Lord for His
goodness, And for His wonderful works to the
children of men!
Psalm 107:9
For He satisfies the longing soul,
And fills the hungry soul with goodness.
People run to a fro – looking for satisfaction! In the end only those things done by, God for God or within Gods will bring satisfaction. Everything else is a bit of a derail and detour!!!
Take a place in your life, a place where maybe satisfaction seems to lack, ask yourself if you are totally surrendered to Gods will, acting on his principles and engaging his people – satisfaction is the outcome of fulfilling God’s vision for your life!
The apostle paul, lived an aggressive life, he was busy, he was creating much change. Yet his fulfillment came through completing Gods will not competing with himself or even society J