The importance of having a clear God given vision for our life

Having a clear God given vision for our life is a

great key to keeping our passion for Jesus alive

In today’s teaching I will be looking

at why having a clear God given vision

for our life helps us to maintain our

passion for the things of God and

to lead a fruitful Christian life

• We are now living in those times when Jesus said that the love of many would grow

Jesus Himself said,

“And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. But he who endures to the end shall be saved.”

(Matthew 24:12-13)

• The Apostle Paul also referred to the perilous times that we are now living in. Times of increasing lawlessness and ungodly attitudes

The Apostle Paul wrote, “But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!” (2 Timothy 3:1-5)

• So given the many ungodly influences and distractions in our world how important it is that we have a clear God given focus and vision for our life as Christians

In the book of Proverbs we read, “Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint; But happy is he who keeps the law.” (Proverbs 29:18)

• We have many examples of passionate Christians who have had a clear God given vision for their lives. Some of these include, Reinhard Bonnke, Billy Graham, Jentzen Franklin, Joyce Myer and Brian Houston to name just a few

• I will now look at the importance of having a clear God given vision for our lives and how it impacts our passion for the things of God

1) A clear God given vision for our life helps us to bear much eternal fruit in our life and

to keep our focus on the eternal things

Jesus Himself emphasised the importance of storing up treasures in heaven. “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:19-21)

• Being fruitful and productive in our walk with the Lord is a great key to enjoying the life and life more abundantly that Jesus spoke of

Jesus Himself said, “You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.” (John 15:16)

• In particular winning people to Christ will always give us great fulfilment and joy in life

• Having a clear focus and vision for helping others to come to Christ this year will help us to lead many others to Christ in 2019

In the book of Proverbs we read, “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, And he who wins souls is wise.” (Proverbs 11:30)

In the book of Daniel we read, “Those who are wise shall shine Like the brightness of the firmament, And those who turn many to righteousness Like the stars forever and ever.” (Daniel 12:3)

• As Christians we have been given the ministry of reconciliation where we are to help lead others into a relationship with Jesus Christ

The Apostle Paul wrote, “Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.” (2 Corinthians 5:18-19)

“Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God.” (2 Corinthians 5:20)

• Having a clear focus on helping others to come

to Christ this year will give us great purpose and meaning over the course of the year. Truly God’s heart is that none would perish but that all would be saved by coming to faith in Christ

The Apostle Peter made this clear when he wrote,

“The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9)

2) We were all created for a unique God given purpose

• Having a clear God given vision for our life helps us to fulfil His unique destiny for our life

The Apostle Paul wrote, “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:10)

• True meaning and purpose comes from living out God’s plan for our life

Jesus Himself said,

“The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10)

3) Without a clear God given vision for our life we will be more easily distracted by the things of this world and more prone to discouragement

• The cares of this world and the desires for other things will choke the word in our hearts and steal our passion for the things of God

• Without a God given focus for our lives we will invariably be sidetracked in our walk with the Lord by the things of this world

Jesus in His explanation of the Parable of the Sower said, “Now these are the ones sown among thorns; they are the ones who hear the word, and the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things entering in choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.” (Mark 4:18-19)

In the book of Psalms we read, “Incline my heart to Your testimonies, and not to covetousness. Turn away my eyes from looking at worthless things, and revive me in Your way. Establish your word to Your servant, who is devoted to fearing You...Revive me in Your righteousness.” (Psalm 119:36-38, 40)

A clear God given vision for our life helps us to keep our focus on things above

4) Joy comes from flowing in our own unique gifts and calling and from walking in

obedience to God’s will for our life

• Having a clear God given vision for our life helps us to flow in our own unique gifts and calling

• Jesus made it clear in the Parable of the

Talents that joy comes from faithfully using our gifts and talents

Jesus said in this Parable, “For the

kingdom of heaven is like a man

travelling to a far country, who called

his own servants and delivered his goods to them.

And to one he gave five talents, to another two,

and to another one, to each according to his own

ability; and immediately he went on a journey.

Then he who had received the five talents went

and traded with them, and made another five

talents. And likewise he who had received two

gained two more also.” (Matthew 25:14-17)

“But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his Lord’s money. After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them.”

“So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, ‘Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.’ “His Lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your Lord.” (Matthew 25:18-21)

“He also who had received two talents came and said, ‘Lord, you delivered to me two talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them.’ “His Lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your Lord.” (Matthew 25:22-23)

5) Having a clear God given vision for our life helps us to have right priorities in life and a

right perspective in all that we do

• Making right choices that are in line with God’s will for our life, is a great key to realising our God given potential in life

• Consistently living for the Kingdom Cause helps our lives to make a great eternal difference in the lives of many others

The Apostle Paul wrote, “If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.” (Colossians 3:1-2)

Having a clear God given vision for our life

helps us to consistently make right choices that are in line with God’s unfolding plan for our life

Jesus Himself said, “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ Or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” (Matthew 6:31-33)

6) Remaining in God’s will for our life is a great key to being energized and

empowered in our walk with the Lord

• A clear God given vision for our life helps us to remain in the will of God for our life

Jesus Himself said,

“My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work.” (John 4:34)

• The Apostle Paul clearly emphasised the importance of knowing the will of God for our lives

• Especially given the lawless times that we are now living in, we need to continually seek to know the will of God for our lives at all times

The Apostle Paul wrote, “See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.” (Ephesians 5:15-17)

7) Having a clear God given vision for our life helps us to remain intimate in our walk

with the LORD as we seek God’s ongoing guidance to see the vision come to pass

In the book of Proverbs we read,

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)

• To see God’s vision for our life coming to pass we need to continually remain close and intimate in our walk with the LORD. We need to continually seek the LORD’s guidance to see His vision being outworked in our life and church

King David wrote,

“The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD and He delights in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; For the LORD upholds him with His hand.” (Psalm 37:23-24)

• With a clear God given vision and focus for our life we can prayerfully make plans to see the vision come to pass

In the book of Proverbs we read, “Commit your works to the Lord, and your thoughts will be established.” (Proverbs 16:3)

In the book of James we read, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” (James 1:5)

• God directed plans help to see God’s vision for our life become a reality

• Plans that are implemented help to see the vision that God has for our life being outworked over time

In the book of Proverbs we read, “The plans of the diligent lead surely to plenty, but those of everyone who is hasty, surely to poverty.” (Proverbs 21:5)

• If we remain intimate in our walk with the Lord this year and prove faithful in the little things, we will invariably see God’s vision and plan for our life in 2019 being stretched and expanded and further CLARIFIED as the year progresses

• For this reason we need to be continually

intimate in our walk with the Lord and guided by the Holy Spirit in all that we do

Jesus Himself said, “However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.” (John 16:13)

8) When we have a clear God given vision for our life we do not allow trivial things to

steal our peace

In the book of Isaiah we read, “You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You. Trust in the LORD forever, For in YAH, the LORD, is everlasting strength.” (Isaiah 26:3-4) AND

9) Having a clear God given vision for our life helps us to remain strong and focused during the trials and challenges of life

The LORD said to the prophet Habakkuk,

“Write the vision and make it plain on tablets, that he may run who reads it. 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.” (Habakkuk 2:2-3)

The Apostle Paul wrote, “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 15:58)

• Having a clear God given vision for our life

helps us to remain focused on the things of the Kingdom, even when we are going through trials and struggles in life

The bible makes it clear that no one will be exempt from problems

The Apostle Paul wrote to the young pastor Timothy, “Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.” (2 Timothy 3:12)

But as Christians we can depend on God’s help and strength

The Apostle Paul also wrote, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13)

The Apostle Paul also wrote,

“What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31)

As it is written:

“For Your sake we are killed all day long;

We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.”

Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.” (Romans 8:36-37)

Jesus Himself said,

“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

Having a clear God given vision

for our life helps to keep us strong and focused in our walk with the Lord during the trials and disappointments of life

• So may I encourage you at the beginning of 2019 to seek God for His plan and vision for your life this year

• That you would continually remain intimate in your walk with the Lord, so that all that God has planned for your life this year will come to pass and that your life will bear much fruit

King David wrote, “Delight yourself also in the Lord, And He shall give you the desires of your heart.” (Psalm 37:4)

• God has so much planned for each of our lives in 2019

• However without a clear God given vision for our life we can be easily distracted in our walk with the Lord and lose our passion for the things of God

• So in conclusion may I encourage you to seek God for a clear understanding of His will and vision for your life in 2019 and that you would be intimate in your walk with the Lord this year, so that all that God has planned for your life this year will come to pass