Legacy Sunday
Part of understanding where we are going as a church is rooted in understanding where we came from.
Today, we are living out what was only dreams and ideas on paper just a few short years ago!
Question: On a level from 1-10, how is your spiritual vision? (5 is not an answer)
Proverbs 29:18 (ESV)
18 Where there is no prophetic vision the people cast off restraint, but blessed is he who keeps the law.
Is this a picture of our society or what?!
People cast off restraint
So, our ability to see in the spirit affects everyone around us:
Our family
Our co-workers
Our peers
Today - we want to de-mystify the idea of having "prophetic vision"
Shift our thinking from "weird prophetic person"
To - being a person who is simply able to hear from and be led by the Holy Spirit
Amos 3:7 (ESV)
7 “For the Lord God does nothing without revealing his secret to his servants the prophets.
Now, the argument becomes - But Pastor; that's old testament stuff - don't be weird!
1 Corinthians 14:1 (ESV)
1 Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy.
This is NT - the is the apostle Paul - and the context is that when the New Testament church is operational -
People are empowered to speak truth into each others lives
1 Corinthians 14:3 (ESV)
3 On the other hand, the one who prophesies speaks to people for their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation.
Do you know what a prophet (Old Testament and New Testament) did?
They spoke the truth of God's word in proper, current context!
So - to speak the word in context - you must have vision!!!
Let's go back to the question:
How is your spiritual vision?
Let's talk about vision!
Habakkuk 2:2–3 (NKJV)
2 Then the Lord answered me and said: “Write the vision And make it plain on tablets, That he may run who reads it. 3 For the vision is yet for an appointed time; But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; Because it will surely come, It will not tarry.
So I want to give you some steps to improve your vision:
Spend time looking!
In 2 Kings 6 - the King of Syria sends a whole army to kill Elisha
2 Kings 6:15–17 (ESV) 15 When the servant of the man of God rose early in the morning and went out, behold, an army with horses and chariots was all around the city. And the servant said, “Alas, my master! What shall we do?” 16 He said, “Do not be afraid, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” 17 Then Elisha prayed and said, “O Lord, please open his eyes that he may see.” So the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw, and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.
Sometimes you need to spend time looking before you really learn how to see
It's like adjusting your eyes to a dark room - the longer you stay there, the better you can see!
Write it down!
"Write the vision and make it plain"
Here's the most applicable - easy to do thing that you're going to hear all day long
Write down what you feel like God is saying!
Write down the things you're praying about!
Write down the scripture that is on your heart!
My notebooks are full of stuff that I feel like God is saying - sometimes I go back months or years later and realize that what I wrote then made no sense, but now I understand completely!
Share it!
Notice in the verse in Habakkuk the "vision" was meant to be shared with someone else!
Micro-churches - share your vision
Hub City Church - share your vision
Wait for it! - It will come to pass!
While you wait, work on your part
Look again (for clarity)
Read it again (for encouragement)
Share it (for clarity and encouragement)
Our next year and years to come are depending on the people of Hub City Church to have vision.
To be inspired by the Spirit
To start businesses
To answer the call to missions
There is no telling what the end will look like - but here's what you have to know -
You cannot wait until you understand the ending before you start the beginning!
3 For the vision is yet for an appointed time; But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; Because it will surely come, It will not tarry.
Ecclesiastes 3:11 (NKJV)
11 He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also He has put eternity in their hearts, except that no one can find out the work that God does from beginning to end.
God is putting vision in your heart - but it is eternal
You are a piece of the eternal puzzle
