THE POWER OF VISION
Acts: 16:6-15
Introduction:
Walt Disney
was a remarkable man of vision. The early days were tough. Early in his career
a newspaper fired him because they thought he had "no good ideas".
That just made Disney try harder. That remarkable, creative visionary refused
to give up. Walt would occasionally present some unbelievable, extensive dream
to his board about an idea he was entertaining. Almost without exception, the
members would resist even the thought of such a thing. Unless everyone RESISTED
the idea he would not take it. Is it any wonder that Disneyland and Disney
World are now realities?
When
Walt Disney World in Orlando, FL. opened in 1974, Mrs. Disney was sitting
beside Walter Cronkite. Walt Disney has passed away a few years earlier. Walter
Cronkite wanted to say just the right thing to Mrs. Disney, so he leaned over
to her and said, "Wouldn't it be great if Walt were here to see this
today." Mrs. Disney wisely replied, "If Walt had not first seen this you
would not be seeing it today."
That is the power
of vision. This type of faith is required for visionaries in business -- but
also for us as Christians. Like Disney we need to dream big and trust in God
for the impossible. Soon after I got saved I had a vivid vision in 1982, in
that vision I saw myself in an auditorium filled with people from many parts of
the world and I was speaking to them.” After that vision, I thought maybe one
day God would give me an international ministry. I am ever so grateful to God
for giving me that vision, which changed everything in my life. In 1985 I
joined YWAM, one of the largest Mission organization over 20,000 full time
staff serving the Lord from all over the world. After 20 years of serving with
YWAM, and pastoring a Church for eight years, now here I am in Sharon Hope
Church preaching the gospel in a town rich in its diversity.
From
time to time the Lord brings that vision back to me to remind me of my purpose
which is to share the good news of the gospel to people from all over the
world. Today I want to talk about, “THE
POWER OF VISION.” ACTS 16:6-15. Before we delve in, let’s consider these
questions: What is vision? and Why is vision important?
I.
WHAT IS VISION?
There is a natural vision that most
people are blessed with, it is “the faculty or state of being able to see.”
That is our eyesight. But there is also a supernatural vision. It is an
experience of seeing someone or something in a dream or trance or as a supernatural
appearance of something remarkable, like seeing an angel or a vivid picture. It
is like seeing myself in that auditorium.
The Hebrew word used for vision in the OT comes from a root word Chazah which means, “a mental sight, a
dream, a vision, a revelation, an oracle.” It was especially appropriate for
the visions presented to the minds of the OT prophets, “oracular revelations.” In common words, a vision is “seeing a
mental picture or a string of words, or hearing an audible voice that no one has
seen or heard, which is uniquely personal to the one who is having that vision.
II.
WHY IS VISION IMPORTANT?
Big corporations, agencies, even Churches
spend a lot of time and resources developing their vision and mission
statements as if their entire depends on them, that tells us why we need
vision. Without vision, we don’t know
where we are going and why we are doing what we are doing. Let me share a few
famous quotes on the importance of vision: Helen Adams Keller was an American
author, political activist, and lecturer. She was the first deaf-blind person
to earn a bachelor of arts degree noted, “The only thing worse than being blind
is having sight but no vision.” George
Washington Carver born into slavery in Missouri became a famous Botanist and
inventor highlighted the importance of vision, “Where there is no vision, there
is no hope.”
King
Solomon said, Proverb 29:18a, “Where there is no vision people perish.” In NASB
it reads, “Where there is no vision, the people are unrestrained, the Hebrew
word used here is “Para” the sense is
to let something slip through the fingers by ignoring an opportunity. It
probably means undisciplined. In other words, if you have no vision you are
probably aimless and directionless. Is your life like a kite without string?
When
the Apostle Paul wrote the Ephesians perhaps he had in mind a group of people
who were just wondering without a vision and a sense of direction, letting
every opportunity slip through their fingers through their undisciplined life
style. He wrote this wakeup call to them saying, “Wake up, sleeper, rise from
the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” Be very careful, then, how you live—not
as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days
are evil.” Ephesians 5:14-16.
The
Bible is full of stories of those who had a vision that changed their lives
drastically. Here are a few examples: Abraham saw the city with foundations,
whose architect and builder is God. (Hebrew 11:10), through his wonderings
became an example of all those who are seeking for better things in the
afterlife. We all know the dreamer boy Joseph; his dreams have changed his life
not only that God used him to preserve the blood line of Jesus.
Moses
parents saw he was no ordinary child, and they were not afraid of the king’s
orders. When Moses grew up he persevered hardships because he saw him who is
invisible (Hebrews 11: 23, 27). When the three Hebrew boys were thrown up in
the fiery furnace they had Jesus appearing with them in the flames. The
interesting part was when King Nebuchadnezzar, saw “Jesus” in the flames his
life changed and he made a decree to all the people of that time “not to say
anything against the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego.” Daniel 3. In the
New Testament: Jesus, for the Joy that was set before Him endured the cross. (Hebrew
12:2).
Peter
had to swallow his Jewish pride when he saw a vision from heaven. He saw a
blanket coming down from heaven, that contained all kinds of unclean animals.”
That changed his perspective and made him realize that God was deeply concerned
about the gentiles when many Jews, including Peter conveniently avoided them.
When
a radicalized Jew, Saul met Jesus on the road of Damascus, he became blind for
three days. The Lord appeared to Ananias and told him to go and find out a man
from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. In a vision, he has seen a man named
Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.” Go! This man is my chosen instrument to
proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. I
will show him how much he must suffer for my name.” Acts 9
I
believe that during those three days when Paul’s natural eyes were closed, God
has opened up his spiritual eyes and let Paul see what was in-store for him in
the future. That vision has changed Paul forever. He became indeed a powerful
instrument in the hands of a powerful God. If it was not for Paul we would be
missing about 13 books in the New Testament. Why am I sharing these ancient
stories you may wonder? These and many other encounters clearly illustrate the
power of vision, just not any vision but a vision from God has the power to
change.
III.
THE POWER OF VISION
Coming
back to our story in Acts 16th chapter. After that dramatic
conversion, Paul went on to preach the gospel far and wide. Paul and his
companions had power revival meetings throughout the region of Phrygia and
Galatia. They reaped a great harvest of souls.
They
wanted to continue to Asia, but the Holy Spirit prevented them. They came to the border o Mysia, they tried to
enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to do so. Let’s
pause here:
What
does this tell us? In our pursuit of following Christ not necessarily every
open door of opportunity is from God. At times, we think we should do a certain
thing, but God may have totally another thing in mind. Secondly, the Holy
Spirit orchestrates detours in order to accomplish His bigger purpose. Why did
the Holy Spirit hinder Paul and his companions twice? Because he had a much
different plan for them to accomplish.
It
is interesting to see how the Holy Spirit has directed Paul and his companions
on this important mission of saving souls. They passed by Mysia and went down
to Troas. During the night, Paul had a vision of a Man of Macedonia standing
and begging him, “Come over to Macedonia
and help us.” Here Paul saw in his vision the desperation of the lost
souls. In recent years, this particular call of the man from Macedonia, known
as the “Macedonian Call” has been a powerful instrument to usher people in to
missions all over the world.
Without
hesitation Paul and his companions concluded that God was calling them to
preach the gospel to the people in the region of Macedonia, so they got ready
at once and left. See the route they took, from Troas, sailed straight for
Samothrace, and the next day went to Neapolis, from there travelled to
Philippi, a Roman colony and the leading city of Macedonia. They stayed there for several days. On one
Sabbath day, they went outside the city gate to the river where they expected
to find a place of prayer. Obliviously looking for some men, probably a group
of ten so that they can recite their prayers, but instead they found women. As
a staunch Jewish man, Paul could have turned away from that place, if it was
not for the Holy Spirit.
As
they sat down and began to speak to the women, the Lord opened up the heart of
Lydia a dealer in purple cloth. Lydia
must have been a very successful business woman with purple cloth business.
When she heard the message, she responded to the Gospel and along with her
household was baptized. Lydia persuaded Paul and his companions to stay at her
house.
This
is a fascinating story of the power of vision. The vision of a Macedonian man
begging Paul has become an instrument to change the demographics of entire
Europe. The recorded evidence shows that Lydia was the first Christian in
Europe. We can assume that the young Christian congregation in Philippi gathered
in Lydia’s house. Vs 40, “After Paul and Silas came of the prison, they went to
Lydia’s house, where they met with the brothers and sisters.
What
can we learn from this story? Firstly, God’s vision is much bigger than anyone
of our visions and dreams. He wants everyone to get saved. Secondly, when we are
sensitive to the Holy Spirit he will give us his vision for the lost that might
change our lives completely. Thirdly, when you hear or see a vision from God,
be obedient and act upon it, for souls are at stake.
Fourthly,
in your God given vision you might not get all the details right, nevertheless
as you take those steps of faith, it will become more clear as you go. What
does this all mean for us at Hope Church? We are here because of God’s over all
vision for the lost souls. As a local expression of God’s universal Church, we
do have our unique vision. Our vision is “Glorifying God by becoming devoted
followers of Christ.”
What
does this really mean, and what would it look like practically? That is what we
are going to wrestle through in prayer, and discussion in our upcoming vision
retreat. If you are a member, or regularly visiting Hope Church we don’t want
you to miss this opportunity. We welcome you to come dream with us, pray and
plan with us. Your opinion matters and we want to hear your voice, so together
we will discover God’s plan and purpose for individuals, families and our Church.
In closing a quote from the pioneer of Modern Missions in India William Carey, “Expect
Great things from God and Attempt Great things for God.” It is exciting to
dream big dreams, but it is even more exiting to be a part of something much
bigger than ourselves. May the Lord Help all of us to dream His Dreams and see
His Visions. Amen
