A number of years ago Grace Baptist Temple adopted a purpose statement which is included in our constitution stating that our purposes are to spread the Gospel of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, to make converts to the Christian faith, to carry on divine worship and service, to raise funds by voluntary contributions to defray the cost and expenses of such objectives, and carry on the regular and ordinary functions of the Church.
Later we simplified that statement and referred to it as our mission statement. "OUR GOAL IS TO WIN PEOPLE TO CHRIST, BUILD THEM UP IN THE FAITH, AND SEND THEM FORTH TO SERVE THE LORD." This may be the first time for many of you to ever hear either of those two statements. The truth is, just because we have them written down, it doesn't mean that we are fulfilling those purposes. Don't get me wrong. Vision is important. The old saying, "If you aim at nothing, you will hit it every time" is certainly true. Vision is of great importance.
Proverbs 29:18a, "Where there is no vision, the people perish…"
We need a strategy for reaching people. We need prayerful, deliberate plans. However, the question is not, "What is Grace Baptist's vision for the future?" We don't need to ask, "What is the vision of the Pastor, deacons and leadership?" The question that we should ask is, "What is God's vision for our church?" Some folks have unusual ideas about what a church should be.
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We don't need to market the church like a secular company. All we need to do is heed the words of Jesus Christ. In Matthew 28:19-20, Jesus says to us, "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age."
Does that sound familiar? It should, because it is the passage from which we drew both our purpose and mission statement. You see, knowing God's vision for us is not the problem. Fulfilling God's vision is where we stumble; both individually and corporately.
Over the last few weeks we've talked about looking up in confidence and looking up in encouragement. When it comes to vision, again we must look up to the Lord.
(PSALMS 5:3) MY VOICE SHALT THOU HEAR IN THE MORNING, O LORD; IN THE MORNING WILL I DIRECT MY PRAYER UNTO THEE, AND WILL LOOK UP.
Paul told the church at Corinth that the things that happened to Israel were to serve as an example to the local church. This morning I want to use the nation of Israel as an example for us today concerning fulfilling God's vision for Grace Baptist Temple.
I. The Example
A. God's Vision for Israel was the Promised Land
1. The nation of Israel had been held in captivity in Egypt for 400 years.
2. God raised up a leader named Moses and used him to speak to the Pharaoh.
3. He led them to the border of Canaan, the Promised Land.
4. Canaan was their goal; it was God's vision for them.
5. They could see it; they were almost home.
6. God brought them to the right place. He gave them the right plan.
7. Now all they needed to do was step out in faith and they could fulfill God's vision.
8. We are in the right place, and have the right plan all we must do is step out by faith and fulfill the vision God has for us!
B. The Spies were sent on a Fact-Finding Mission in the Promised Land.
1. Moses never asks them to determine whether they could conquer the land.
2. They were merely to scout it out because God had already assured them He would give it all to them.
(EXODUS 23:27) I WILL SEND MY FEAR BEFORE THEE, AND WILL DESTROY ALL THE PEOPLE TO WHOM THOU SHALT COME, AND I WILL MAKE ALL THINE ENEMIES TURN THEIR BACKS UNTO THEE.
(EXODUS 23:30) BY LITTLE AND LITTLE I WILL DRIVE THEM OUT FROM BEFORE THEE, UNTIL THOU BE INCREASED, AND INHERIT THE LAND.
3. They found both great opportunities and great obstacles.
4. The problem came when the majority of them forgot the purpose of their mission.
5. They saw the obstacles and determined that the land could not be taken.
(NUMBERS 13:32A-14:1) "AND THEY BROUGHT UP AN EVIL REPORT OF THE LAND WHICH THEY HAD SEARCHED … AND ALL THE CONGREGATION LIFTED UP THEIR VOICE, AND CRIED; AND THE PEOPLE WEPT THAT NIGHT."
6. Their report discouraged the people from following God's vision.
7. Our lack of faith can cause others to be discouraged from following God's vision.
C. Two Spies Gave a Faithful Report of the Promised Land
1. In the midst of the moans of the crowd, Caleb and Joshua sought to encourage them.
(NUMBERS 13:30) AND CALEB STILLED THE PEOPLE BEFORE MOSES, AND SAID, LET US GO UP AT ONCE, AND POSSESS IT; FOR WE ARE WELL ABLE TO OVERCOME IT.
2. Caleb was up to the task.
3. Note: He didn't say there weren't any obstacles…He just believed that God would do what He had promised.
4. He sought to encourage the people to follow God's vision…Let us go up at once!
5. Are we encouragers or discouragers?
6. Which do you suppose the Lord wants us to be?
(NUMBERS 14:24) BUT MY SERVANT CALEB, BECAUSE HE HAD ANOTHER SPIRIT WITH HIM, AND HATH FOLLOWED ME FULLY, HIM WILL I BRING INTO THE LAND WHEREINTO HE WENT; AND HIS SEED SHALL POSSESS IT.
D. The Rest of the Story:
1. All of the generation who refused to follow God's vision died in the wilderness with the exception of two - Caleb and Joshua.
2. After 40years of wandering in the wilderness…God's vision had not changed.
3. Joshua and Caleb would go into the Promised Land and enjoy the blessings God intended for His people.
II. The Principles
A. God's Vision Always Challenges Our Faith
B. God's Vision Always Requires Our Obedience
C. God's Vision Always Results in Our Blessing
D. God's Vision Always Gives Us a Choice.
1. Let me remind you of our vision statement:
a. To win people to Christ
b. To build them up in the faith
c. To send them forth to serve the Lord.
2. That is not the vision for the few…that is the vision for all.
3. Just as the nation of Israel, we get to choose whether or not we will follow God's vision for us.
4. What is our choice today?
(JOSHUA 24:15) "AND IF IT SEEM EVIL UNTO YOU TO SERVE THE LORD, CHOOSE YOU THIS DAY WHOM YE WILL SERVE; … BUT AS FOR ME AND MY HOUSE, WE WILL SERVE THE LORD."
Are you ready to embrace God's vision this morning?