Some definitions:

Every real Christian must have vision.

1. Power for Purpose.

   Without proper vision of knowing who we are, where we have come from and where we are going, our life will not have eternal significance to it. We will be no different from the world simply going to work and enjoying our free time.

   Our purpose is to love God supremely and our neighbor as ourselves.

   Colo. 1: 16:

   '…all things were created by Him and for Him:…'

   Eccles. 12:13:

   'Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man….'

   There are millions of so-called Christians in the world in the anemic condition of still not knowing their purpose. They know God intellectually but lack a spiritual conversion from total selfishness to living for the Glory of God and the good of the universe.

   '…they honor me with their lips but their heart is far from me…'

   1 John 2: 6: '…He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked…'

   Example: share a personal story about someone you know who seems to be bored with their existance in life…

   James 4: 14: '…Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little-time, and then vanisheth away…'

2. Power for Guidance.

   If you lack vision, you'll be like a blind man walking in the dark. How can you possibly assure yourself you are headed in the right direction with no vision of God's global perspective?

   Prov. 7 talks about a young man going after a girl in the streets like an ox to the slaughter…her ways are the ways of hell, she has cast down many a wounded…

   With no vision, you'll destroy your future and the future of those you know. You'll date the wrong person. You'll marry the wrong person. You'll apply for the wrong job. You'll enroll in the wrong school. You'll attend the wrong church.

   Example #1: X and Y: She was attracted to him for whatever reason but he had not a heart after God. Their daughter turned out bad and their marriage ended in divorce. She had no vision.

   Example #2: A and B: Same thing. Heart after God but still a bit worldly. An anger problem resulted in beating up of the kids and eventually divorce. She lost her vision.

   Example #3: G in St. Louis married the wrong person and now is stuck in a dead church that thinks that homosexuality is OK. She can't leave because it's her husband's church and he doesn't want them to go to different churches for the kids' sake. It's like quicksand. She had no vision from the very beginning.

   Many young and old men and women lack vision and as a result they have guidance which is far short of God's best for them and their future. Their vision is too small.

   1 Tim. 5:14: '…I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully.'

   Remember your responsibility parents to get vision since you have responsibility to impart your vision to your children. If you as parents have no vision, most likely your children will have no vision.

    

3. Power from Idleness.

   If you have no vision, you will wake up each day not knowing what to do. Idleness is not in the house of someone who has vision. You'll just 'go with the flow' rather than controlling your time and planning ahead.

   Eccl. 10:18: By much slothfuless the building decayeth; and through idleness of the hands the house droppeth through.

   Remember the ten virgins in Matthew 25? Five of them were left behind behind because they were not prepared. Laziness should be not known amongst you.

    

   Husbands, love your wives and be responsible, and ladies, you don't baby sit kids by having them just watch TV.

   Prov. 31:27 She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.

   Matt. 24:42 'We are commanded to 'WATCH THEREFORE: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come…'

   Matt. 24:46: '…Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing…'

4. Power for Living.

   Without vision, we will have no passion for life. No energy. No excitement.

   Example #1: I think of the 'standbys' in the Philippines by the hundreds of thousands just 'waiting' for something to come around. No excitement to live for anything.

   Example #2: When I visit Walmart in my home town, I'll just see people sitting there for hours at a time, drinking coffee and waiting for the latest story to pass on. No one seems to have passion. about anything.

   1 Tim. 5:13 And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not.

5. Power for Salvation.

Conclusion: