Catch & Carry Out Gods Vision Proverbs 29:18 Where there is no revelation (vision), the people cast

off restraint; but blessed is he who keeps the law. When there was no prophetic revelation/vision from God of what God desires to do/or what God is telling us to do, people cast off restraint/are left to run wild in their own ways 1 Sam 3:1 The boy Samuel ministered before the LORD under Eli. In those days the word of the LORD was rare; there were not many visions. and the word of the Lord was precious/rare in those days; that is, a word from the Lord in a dream or vision, revelation, directing, informing, or rebuking therefore, without direction, information, or rebuke/correction from God, we lose our way, we forget our focus, we cast off restraint (we stop doing what were called and purposed to do) We can get fatigued/tired in our walk with God ... demoralized ... living with no sense of meaningful purpose theres no life in our walk with God routine, complacent

Why do we do what we do what is the purpose of what were doing (are you personally convinced of the purpose/our vision)? / Do we remember why do we exist as a church, as a lifegroup? - Not just memorising, or even knowing, the vision, but actually OWNING it! Our church / movement has a vision that God has called us to (transform nations), thats why even when you want to join church membership, we invite you to sit through a membership class share about our church, but because our aim is not just wanting to have a lot of members, we call it Joining the Vision joining this church in its God-given Vision Churches die because they lose the vision, not because they lose the people We dont want a big church that has no heart for the lost, no desire to see life transformation that is why without each of us owning the vision to build a Christ-centred church and to reach out by planting biblical churches, we can stop doing that what God has called us to do (the vision)

1. Vision gives our life a purpose: if not, well just flow along life start of semester, busy orientation, trying to settle back to study mode after the holidays, when youre a bit settled, theres busy mid-sem exams, then mid-sem break, and then trying to adjust after the short break, and before you know it, assignment datelines & final exams! Is there more to life than the here and now and the pleasures it offers? Vision will give you a reason to live for, something to wake up to every day. A visionary person understands that there is a calling and purpose from God in his life that he needs to pursue. The world is constantly trying to get us to settle for less than that. The world would have us authenticate our existence through achievements, accomplishments, pleasures. This is how the world tells us we can find our place in this world. In stark contrast, Gods truth reveals to us that God alone can ultimately authenticate our existence.

2. Vision helps us to stay-focused: instead of getting distracted / chasing other things in life. 3. Vision helps us to stick on and persevere when times are tough we know that were achieving something greater, something more glorious and more worth it than our present sufferings 2 Cor 6:16-18 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

1. Catch and Personalise the Vision Make it your own! Its not our pastors/leaders vision, but its yours (and mine)! It doesnt sound like that: Its what God has called my church to do, but I have nothing to do with it, or Others with more time or talent can do the work, when we own the vision, we are activated by it! Lets pray that well own the vision (both church/lifegroup), knowing that its not just the churchs vision its not just what God has called the church to do, but what God has called ME to do as Im part of this church seeing yourself involved in fulfilling the vision How do you know whether you own it? When you own something, it affects you in every way. For example: Im pretty sure it pains and grieves the pastors/leaders when church members dont own the vision and help fulfil it -> ask yourself: does it concern/pain/grieve you when you see other members not getting/owning the vision? Do you pray that they may own the vision and be part of it too? Because its something that you own and treasure and you hope the others treasure it as well others will see the importance of it You know you own it because its important to you, its personal it affects you/has an impact in your life: it moves you, it excites you, energizes you, it puts your hands and feet into action! A) Ask God to help each of us to see the importance of our Church/Lifegroup Vision importance to flow with Gods given vision for the church/lifegroup if you have not yet realised the importance of a vision, ask God to reveal to you why its important B) Ask God to help us own the vision (or maybe we have caught the vision before, but if we have lost sight, lets ask God for a renewed vision) that its not the churchs vision, be involved in the vision it will come alive in our hearts and in our lives that it will impact us!

2. Carry Out / Obey the Vision A) We need to be intentional in carrying out the vision Yes, in the bible it says God is the one that makes things/people grow, but who planted the seed? Who watered the seed? The seed still has to be planted & watered theres work for us to do! 1 Cor 3:6 (Paul says) I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. (v8-9) The man who plants and the man who waters have one purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor. 9 For we are Gods fellow workers; you are Gods field, Gods building. We are Gods fellow workers! Ask God for a soft heart and whatever that He calls us to, well be ready and willing to respond because we are His coworkers! If God calls us to rise up to be a disciple maker in His church, if God calls us to reach out to someone, well respond B) Lets pray against the hindrances that cause us not to carry out/obey the vision: That the vision in our hearts will be bigger than these hindrances.

What do you think are some of them? Fear of failure, unknown, sacrificing/losing out Joshua 1:8 Be strong and courageous, do not be terrified, do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with You wherever you go. Matt 6:33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Wrong priorities Complacency/Pride Comfort/Laziness step out of comfort zones! Losing sight of the vision ask God to help us renew/revive it to make it alive again in our hearts/lives!