Vision 2022

• Ezra Earl Jones >> Leaders do not have to be the greatest visionaries themselves. The vision may come from anyone. The leaders do have to state the vision, however. Leaders also have to keep the vision before the people and remind them of the progress that is being made to achieve the vision. Otherwise, the people might assume that they are failing and give up.
• You are an absolutely essential part of the vision of Agape Baptist Church.
• Here is the simple idea: God

. It is our privilege to

Reveal Answer

.

Acts 16:6-10

6 And they went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia. 7 And when they had come up to Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them.
• This is

Christianity. If you are not experiencing this kind of interaction with the Holy Spirit where God speaks and you respond, then you need to change your definition of what it means to walk with Jesus.
• Paul had already

Reveal Answer

God’s call on his life >> Acts 13:2-3 | While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” 3 Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.
• God knew that Paul had embraced his calling in such a way that he was going to preach the Gospel wherever he went. The question was not what he was going to do, but where God wanted him to do it.
• Richard Foster >> God has to help us let go of our tiny vision in order to release the greater good he has in store for us.
• It is in these verses that we get the idea of

Reveal Answer

and

Reveal Answer

doors. The Holy Spirit closes doors and tells you not to walk through them.

8 So, passing by Mysia, they went down to Troas. *
• They didn’t stay where they were and

. They kept moving, seeking God, and being faithful.
• They continued the 400 mile trek to the next places that Paul had strategized to go until they saw the opens doors that they needed to.

9 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing there, urging him and saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” 10 And when Paul had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go on into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.
• God is

to speak clearly and make His will known. When you know His will, move confidently.
• As God spoke and made His will clear, Paul responded.
• Ultimately, their obedience to keep moving led them to a heart that had been prepared. Her name was Lydia and she trusted Christ. From that point on, an incredible door of ministry was opened to them. As Chuck Swindoll said, “When you’re following the plan of God, dead ends are never mistakes.”

Application

• The starting point is what God has already said. Of this we can be certain.
• We can be certain of God’s

and immerse ourselves in them.
• We can be certain of what God has revealed in the

Reveal Answer

. Our vision >> Worship God, Love People, Make Disciples
• We can be certain that God wants to

Reveal Answer

us. G.K. Chesterton quote >> “We do not want, as the newspapers say, a church that will move with the world. We want a church that will move the world.”
• We can be certain of God’s

Reveal Answer

to use the church to introduce Jesus and live out our relationship with Him in our workplaces, neighborhood, and community.
• If God is at work in us, around us, and through us, then what should our response be? William Carey >> “Expect great things from God. Attempt great things for God.”
• If you’ve accepted Christ’s invitation to

Reveal Answer

, have you obeyed his commission to

Reveal Answer

?

Starting point for this new year

• Read your Bible >> Consider the promises of God
• What has God already said?
• What have you heard today that has stirred you?
• Where does God want to use you this year?