Last week I talked about how vision leads us to our eternal home. This is the greater vision of God for the redemption of the world. This prophecy of Isaiah pictures God promising a new future for his people who were in a very dark and seemingly hopeless situation. Everything they had known was taken away and they were exiled to a foreign land. Hard to imagine a darker place. But God is unfolding His vision for His people. And bringing about new things that will restore their fortunes and change the entire landscape of their lives.
I wrote about this in the Newsletter article this week. This is of greatest importance because we need to make sure we are following the right vision…God’s vision for our salvation and eternal life. The scriptures from Genesis to Revelation are all about God’s saving activity, culminating in the coming of Jesus to be born, to die and be raised to life and will come again in final glory!
It’s not just about eternity, although that is most important. But it is about how we live now.
First, Seeing the Vision Note that Isaiah shares that God is doing a new thing…And then asks, Do you not see it? It seems obvious that they could have missed this vision and gone in another direction. Vision Involves Faith
Yes, even blind men and women can have great spiritual vision.
I was in the Atlanta airport a few years ago. I ran into the restroom quickly before getting on the plane. And I was washing my hands in the sink and suddenly, this man slammed right into me. As a matter of fact, he knocked me completely over. I’m a pretty big guy, so it takes some force to knock me over. And I was thinking in my mind…not a good thing. I was thinking of saying, “Man, are you blind?” So glad I didn’t say that. Because guess what? He was blind! And then he apologized. He apologized again and again. And then he walked out of that restroom into the very busy thoroughfare of the Atlanta airport. And I started shaking my head in wonder and amazement at this gentleman! I admired his courage and his tenacity, not letting his sight impairment prevent him from moving forward in life. I thought this man, though he might have been blind, had great vision! Perhaps better vision than I had. And he showed great courage to walk out into the concourse as busy as it was. I think he was living with greater vision than most of us might realize in our lives. It really inspired me. And this called me to question, “How am I living my life now?” Am I seeing more than what is just in front of me? Am I following into the greater vision of God for my life? Do I have the faith and courage to live out what God has for me to do?
Paul reminds us so clearly in 2 Corinthians 5:7, We walk by faith and not by sight. The clear implication of this is when we are following the vision of God it is not necessarily the easiest path to follow. Remember Jesus did say that the straight is the gate and narrow is the way that leads to life, and few are on that road. So, living in the vision of God is not always the most popular or socially acceptable path to follow. Very often it may place us in a position that is against what might be easier or popular. As M Scott Peck titled his book…it can be, The Road Less Traveled.
You will probably remember the story of Moses, who sent spies to check out the promised land. This event is recorded in Numbers 13. The majority came back and gave their report, which was based on fear. Let me give you a condensed version of the majority report… “We can’t go into that land. It’s occupied by giants. We look like grasshoppers in their sight. The cities are well guarded and fortified. We can never take one of those cities. This is impossible. We must go back.” But the minority report was given by Joshua and Caleb. It was based on faith. Based on vision of what God wanted them to do. “God is with us. The land is flowing with milk and honey. We can take the land, and we need to march forward.” Interestingly, both groups saw the same thing… but had very different conclusions. Both had physical eyes to see. But the majority did not have real vision. What was the result? The children of Israel wondered for 40 more years. And many of them perished in the wilderness because they lacked the faith and vision where God wanted them to go. Truly, without vision people perish! Or else wander needlessly in the wilderness. From this event in the OT, we move to the NT. And we move to another important aspect of living into the vision of God.
Second, Enacting the Vision
Vision Involves Spirit Empowerment
As you see the vision of God unfold in the scriptures, I think of Zechariah’s words…Not by power, not by might BUT by my Spirit, says the Lord! (Zech 4:6)
Ultimately, the greater fulfillment of God’s vision has to do with the Church. As the body of Christ on earth, the church is God’s vision for His people and the future redemption of the world. Jesus chose 12 disciples. And when he chose those disciples, he clearly had a vision for the church. This is most clearly seen in Jesus words to Peter, “Upon this rock, I will build my church, and the gates of hell will not prevail against it”. (Mt 16:18)
And another great part of this vision for the church was given by Jesus before He ascended. We call it the Great Commission. And the Great Commission is a mission that stems from the vision of God for the world. This is found in Matthew 28:19 New International Version
Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
And then the further unfolding of the vision of God came with the sending of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost. Something very pivotal happened at this event. Jesus told the disciples to wait in Jerusalem and they would receive power to be His witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and the end of the earth. (Acts 1:8).
When you see these statements, you might think this is a really BIG vision. It sounds overwhelming and impossible. Similarly, I’m sure the Hebrews were thinking their situation was impossible. Yet we find ourselves here in this New Year 2025, over 2,000 years later. And guess what the leading religion is in the world now? Christianity is the leading religion world-wide with over 2 billion people who claim belief in Christ. The promise that Jesus foretold has become a living reality. But it came only because of the Spirit’s work to change lives and empower believers. This leads to our last part.
Third, Fulfilling the Vision How is this vision going to be ultimately fulfilled?
Vison Involves Obedience
When you look at the NT and particularly the book of Acts, you find that Peter was the apostle to the Jews. His work centered on ministry particular to Jewish Christians in the Early Church movement.
Then there was Paul. Some see Paul’s conversion as a vision. It is recorded in Acts 9 when he was blinded after seeing the brilliant light and confronted by the Risen Christ who was directing Paul to preach the good news to the Gentiles. So, Paul was the apostle to the Gentiles and completed missionary journeys to impact the larger Gentile world!
But both Peter and Paul though living out a different calling, were working within the larger vision of God’s kingdom and fulfilling how the gospel would be proclaimed to the world!
In our own Methodist tradition, there was a vision that John Wesley had which brought about renewal to the nation of England after his conversion experience.
Wesley believed Methodists were raised up for 2 reasons:
To reform the nation
To spread scriptural holiness over the lands…
These are vitally connected because reform will not happen until holiness is enacted. But this vision of Wesley was in sync with the larger vision of God.
All the people God called into His vision had to respond in faith and obedience. The same is true for us today.
Now let’s come down to where we are today. Again, amazing to consider all that God has done across these 2,000 years! Think about where we are now in this place.
There was a vision to start 5 Rivers Church…There was perhaps no blinding light from heaven or grand vision that took place. But people responded to the leading of God and there has been a great beginning. We are moving forward in anticipation of a greater and more functional space for ministries to happen. We are certainly only one of many churches on the Eastern Shore…but we are carrying out the vision God has given particularly to us and praying that God will continue to direct our steps forward into what He is calling us to do as part of His greater vision.
We are named after the 5 Rivers converging in the Delta. They are different rivers, right? But they are all converging into the larger Bay of the Holy Spirit.
I think of the place we are worshipping in today, the Prodisee Pantry. Deann Servos and others had a vision for a food pantry but much more. They are now serving people throughout Baldwin Co and beyond. It has grown and developed into a vital mission affecting hundreds of lives. Look at the board and see how many families have been served. Amazing!
I think of other missional efforts like Kidz Eatz. Ann Davis and other teachers had a vision to help provide food for vulnerable children. It has grown to embrace partnerships with several schools and many volunteers are involved in packing and delivering food.
But we can say that these different missions and the vision God gave them are all merging into the larger vision of God for His kingdom work. And friends, anyone and everyone is involved in what God is doing. Yes, even a blind man can do this!!
So there is personalization of this vision for it to be effective and relevant for each of us.
And even more, as Paul teaches us in I Corinthians 12, We are all uniquely gifted to be connected in the body (I Cor 12).
This means that our personal participation is a greater fulfillment of God’s vision for our church and for our world.
When I go across to downtown Mobile, I often walk by the old Saint Francis Street United Methodist Church, which is now only an historical building. That church, I’ve been told, was one of the most active and fruitful churches in Mobile. Once Upon a Time it was a nice church building but over time and the shift of population it became only an empty shell. A shell! And now it is only an historical building. But I know that’s no isolated incident. I see in other cities like Dothan and Montgomery, but more so in cities across our nation. This served as a stark reminder to me that the church certainly is not a building, even though it might be comprised of a building. It is the people of God. It is the body of Christ on earth.
My son often calls me Reverend Obvious. Sometimes because I’m good at stating the obvious. But we must be reminded of the obvious. The church is not a building. It is the people of God. It is the people of God carrying out God’s mission, carrying out God’s vision. And if we do not do that, we will become an empty shell, we ultimately cease to exist or perish.
The priority of our calling is to fulfill the gospel message. Be faithful in our witness in our community, and even to the ends of the earth. This is the mission. This is the vision. This is the heartbeat of the church. It is the only hope of the world.
I simply ask you today. How are you engaging or carrying out your place of connection within the body of Christ? How are you fulfilling the greater vision of Christ within His church? I’m thankful for those who have accepted positions of responsibility as our leaders this year for saying yes to lead. But I recognize that God has placed all of us here as parts in this body of Christ. We’re not here by accident but we’re here by providence. God has bought us with Christ blood and brought us to be where we are today.
Just like the widow who put in 2 mites or the little boy’s lunch that was used to feed 5000…the prayers you pray may open the windows of heaven for someone in need! Your part is important and significant. I would encourage you not to underestimate even the smallest things you do in your connection through the Body of Christ…and being part of the fulfillment of God’s vision for his people on this earth.
Today, I am thankful for this church and for its people. We’re fortunate to live in a growing community with so much growth potential. I pray we may continue to be in sync with God’s greater vision for this Church and for His vision for us.
I’m now on the backside of my life. But I’m still seeking to fulfill what I know God is calling me to do as a pastor. And I believe that God has a call on each of our lives that is as unique as our fingerprints. Yet it is flowing into God’s greater plan and vision.
Jesus said two things and I want to close with this. He said, “I am the way, the truth and life.” Jesus is the way. The only way we can truly fulfill God’s plan, God’s vision for our lives, personally and in the world.
Jesus also said, “I’ve come that you might have life and have it abundantly.” Jesus is the only source that truly brings us abundant, fulfilling, satisfying life. Because the only way we can be in sync with God’s vision is through Him.
I pray we may continue to be the hands and feet of Christ in this community. And indeed, as God calls us to the ends of the earth. Remember, where there is no vision or where we’re not living into that vision…the people perish. Where there is no vision, people run wild. Where there is no vision, a nation without God’s guidance is the nation without order. But happy are those who keep God’s law, who are living in God’s vision.
My question would simply be… Are you being true to what God might be calling you to do to fulfill His vision for you and through you?
Today we celebrate the baptism of Jesus which was His launching pad for ministry. He submitted himself in obedience to baptism and that propelled Him in public ministry to open blind eyes, heal the lame, feed the multitude and bring deliverance to all oppressed. We understand that our baptism places us into the church, the body of Christ, and this becomes our launching pad for ministry also.
Our baptism gives us our identity with Jesus. He is now our Way. He is the One who gives us meaning and purpose and life as we worship and serve Him day by day. We are going to have a time when we remember our baptism and our identity with Jesus, and we seek to carry out the vision of God for our lives and our church. All are invited to come.
May we pray? Lord, we have said many things today. I pray through you Holy Spirit, a kernel of what was spoken today may find a resting place in our hearts. That we as individuals may find our place within your vision for us. And that we as a church, continue in the vision that you had, even when you spoke those words to Peter. Lord, we long to be faithful to what you’re calling us to do. Forgive us for those times we may have strayed. Help us God even in these moments if you need to redirect us or if we need to renew our commitment to your vision, that we would do that in these moments we pray in Jesus Holy Name. Amen.