Write the Vision: The Lord Shall Do Well With Us

Sermon outline

A God-given vision is heaven's blueprint for our lives: it comes from God, gives direction and focus, demands obedience and faith, and unfolds progressively, so write it, wait for it and declare that the Lord shall do well with us.

1. Write the vision and make it plain

   The Lord told Habakkuk to write the vision plainly so that whoever reads it may run, and if it seems slow, to wait for it, because it will come at its appointed time. Where there is no prophetic vision, the people cast off restraint; a God-given vision brings us into the discipline of His ways, the same higher moral ground the chronicle described. Many have goals and ambitions, but a God-given vision is heaven's blueprint, and without it we drift and grow frustrated and impatient.

   Illustration: An architect and an engineer draw up a plan that sets everything in order. A God-given vision is that drawing for our families and the church.

   “A God-given vision is Heaven's blueprint for our lives.”

   • Habakkuk 2:2-3
   • Proverbs 29:18

2. Number one: vision comes from God, not ambition

   True vision originates with God, aligns with His kingdom principles and is always confirmed in His word. With it comes a God-given destiny and lifestyle: the right friends, the right people and the most efficient way of fulfilling His purpose.

   Illustration: An old satnav that loses its satellite signal keeps shouting "rerouting, rerouting" and drives in circles. With the right coordinates it finds the most efficient route straight away.

   “True vision always is confirmed in God's Word.”

3. Number two: vision brings direction and focus

   Vision clarifies what we pursue and what we refuse, so we do not put ourselves in places that take us away from it. Temptations and distractions still come, but we are far less likely to be derailed. He says plainly that this church is not unfocused or fruitless, and that every member is part of it, because the church is the people, not the building.

   Illustration: A magnifying glass ignites a fire only when it is focused.

   “A church that is unfocused will remain very, very busy, but will remain very fruitless.”

   • Philippians 3:14

4. Number three: vision requires obedience and faith

   Paul was not disobedient to the heavenly vision. God's vision may seem impossible, but obedience brings supernatural help, and it requires sacrifice, like the brazen altar in Sunday's teaching on the outer court, inner court and Holy of Holies. Friends who keep feeding who you were will hold you back; separate yourself and plant yourself where you are going. Noah built the ark with no sign of rain and was mocked by everyone around him.

   “When you know God's plan, not everybody around you is going to confirm that.”

   • Acts 26:19
   • Genesis 6:13-22

5. Number four: vision is always progressive

   Though it tarries, wait for it, because it will surely come at God's appointed time, not necessarily ours. God rarely shows the whole picture at once, partly so that He gets the glory and partly because we may not yet be ready to pay the price. He builds, grows and trains us, and by the time we reach the next part we are ready for it.

   Illustration: Would the grape tell the one who crushes it, "I don't want to be used", when its oil will anoint kings?

   “Why would God call anybody that He never intended on using?”

   • Habakkuk 2:3

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