TITLE: We Must Have A Vision.

TEXT: Pro 29:18 Pro 29:18 NIV Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint; but blessed is he who keeps the law. Pro 29:18 KJV Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he. PROPOSITION: We must have a vision of several things to stay alive, so we do not perish, or throw off the restraints we should maintain. INTRODUCTION: In Proverbs, our reference says that without a vision or a revelation from God, His people will perish. Since we do not want this to happen to our church, what are some of the things we must have God's revelation about? I. A vision of our present condition. Ro 12:3 NIV For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. 1. Christ, through the Holy Spirit, will reveal our present condition to us, through a vision if necessary, but usually by other means. 2. Christ will also give us a vision of what condition He would like to see in us. 3. Christ will help us attain the condition He desires for us. II. A vision or revelation of the lost. Lk 10:2 NIV He told them, "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field. 1. Christ will give us a vision of the vastness of the harvest. 2. Christ will give us a vision of the way to bring in the harvest. III. A vision of where the lost are. Acts 1:8 NIV But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." 1. Christ will give us a vision, an awareness that the harvest begins at home. 2. He will give us a vision that the harvest is not limited to one area. 3. He will give us a growing vision of the harvest field as we are faithful where He has placed us. IV. A vision of our part in the harvest. Eph 2:10 NIV For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. 1. Christ has specific jobs for each of us to do. 2. He will give us a revelation of what our job is as we seek Him. 3. He will also enable us to do the work He has for us. V. A vision of our reward. Php 3:14 NIV I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. 1. Christ has revealed there are prizes, or rewards to be won. 2. Christ has crowns of righteousness for all who faithfully serve Him in their work here. 2 Ti 4:8 NIV Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day--and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing. SUMMARY: When we realistically look at our lives, as they are revealed to us by the Holy Spirit, we can work on the areas which He shows us need to be changed. Then, as we catch a vision of the multitude of the lost, both local and worldwide, we will see the need. After we see the need, the Holy Spirit will reveal to us our part in meeting the need as we seek God's will for us, as individuals, and as a church in Linn, Mo. A vision of the rewards which await us, both presently in this world, and later in the world to come, this will keep us on the path to fulfillment of God's call to us.