Dream Again

Devotional

Day 1: Desire God's Presence

To dream God’s dreams, we must first cultivate a deep hunger and longing for His presence, not just going through the motions of church attendance but earnestly seeking Him with all our hearts. True revival and spiritual awakening begin when we thirst for God as a deer pants for water, yearning for Him more than anything else in this world. This desire is not passive; it requires intentional pursuit—through prayer, worship, and repentance—placing ourselves where God can move in our lives. When we truly long for God, He promises to pour out His Spirit and fill us with His dreams and visions, but only if we are genuinely hungry and open to Him. [18:16]

Psalm 42:1-2 (ESV)
As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God?

Reflection: What is one practical way you can intentionally seek God’s presence today—perhaps through prayer, worship, or time in His Word—so that your heart is truly hungry for Him and not just going through the motions?

Day 2: Receive God's Power

When God pours out His Spirit, He empowers ordinary people to do extraordinary things for His kingdom, giving them boldness, wisdom, and the ability to speak and act beyond their natural abilities. The Holy Spirit is not meant to be a passive presence in our lives but an active source of power, enabling us to shine as lights in the world and to fulfill the dreams and visions God gives us. We must be willing to let go of control and allow the Spirit to work through us, trusting that it is not about our own strength or qualifications, but about what God can do through us when we are connected to His power. [20:33]

Acts 1:8 (ESV)
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.

Reflection: Where in your life do you need to let go of control and invite the Holy Spirit to empower you to do what you cannot do on your own?

Day 3: Embrace God's Vision

God’s dreams and visions for us are often far bigger than anything we could imagine or plan for ourselves, calling us to trust Him for things that seem impossible or beyond our comfort zones. Embracing God’s vision means being willing to receive and accept what He reveals, even when it challenges our assumptions or stretches our faith. Rather than picking apart or dismissing what God places on our hearts, we are called to open our eyes, hearts, and spirits to His God-sized plans, believing that He is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine. [23:14]

Joel 2:28-29 (ESV)
And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions. Even on the male and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit.

Reflection: Is there a dream or vision God has placed on your heart that feels too big or intimidating? What would it look like to fully embrace and trust Him with it today?

Day 4: Act on God's Word

It is not enough to simply hear or receive God’s dreams and visions; we must take action and obey what He calls us to do, stepping out in faith even when it feels risky or uncomfortable. Throughout Scripture, those who acted on God’s word—like Jonah, Peter, and Ananias—saw lives and communities transformed because they were willing to move beyond intention to obedience. When we act on the dreams God gives us, we become participants in His work, and our obedience can lead to revival, healing, and salvation for others. [25:27]

James 1:22 (ESV)
But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.

Reflection: What is one specific step of obedience you can take today in response to something God has been prompting you to do, no matter how small it may seem?

Day 5: Manifest God's Glory

The ultimate purpose of every God-given dream is to reflect and magnify His glory, not our own, so that others may see His goodness and be drawn to Him. When we allow God’s light to shine through us—like a flashlight reflecting off a mirror—His presence is made even more visible and powerful in our lives and in the church. Our calling is to do everything for the glory of God, letting His Spirit work through us so that the impact of our lives and ministries is multiplied far beyond what we could accomplish on our own. [29:58]

Matthew 5:16 (ESV)
In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

Reflection: How can you intentionally point others to God’s glory through your actions, words, or service today, so that it is clear He is the source of all good in your life?

Sermon Summary

Dreams are a powerful part of the human experience—sometimes delightful, sometimes unsettling, but always a window into our hopes and fears. From childhood, we carry dreams about our future, our families, our impact on the world. History is shaped by dreamers—people like Martin Luther King, Jr., Nikola Tesla, and even inventors like Elias Howe, who literally dreamed up the sewing machine needle. But dreaming isn’t just for inventors and visionaries; it’s for all of us, and it’s a deeply spiritual matter.

Scripture is filled with stories of God speaking through dreams—Jacob’s ladder, Joseph’s guidance, the Magi’s warning. In Joel 2, God promises to pour out His Spirit so that all people—young and old, men and women—will dream dreams and see visions. This promise is fulfilled in Acts 2 at Pentecost, and it remains true for us today. We live in the age of the Holy Spirit, where God desires to plant His dreams in our hearts, not just for our benefit, but for the good of others and the glory of His name.

To receive God’s dream, we must first desire His presence. It’s not enough to simply go through the motions of church or faith; we need a deep hunger and thirst for God, a longing that drives us to seek Him above all else. When we do, God pours out His Spirit, empowering us to live boldly and speak truth beyond our own abilities. The Holy Spirit is not meant to be a passive presence in our lives, but an active force that enables us to shine with God’s light.

Embracing God’s vision means being open to dreams that are bigger than we could imagine—God-sized dreams that stretch our faith and challenge our comfort. But it’s not enough to receive a dream; we must act on it. Whether it’s starting a ministry, reaching out to someone in need, or stepping into a new calling, obedience is the key to seeing God’s purposes unfold. And as we act, the ultimate goal is not our own recognition, but the manifestation of God’s glory. When we reflect His light, the impact multiplies far beyond what we could achieve on our own.

God is inviting us to dream again—to desire His presence, receive His power, embrace His vision, act on His word, and manifest His glory. If we are willing, He can do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine.

Key Takeaways

1. Desire God’s Presence Above All Else A genuine hunger for God is the foundation for receiving His dreams. It’s not about routine or obligation, but a soul-deep longing that drives us to seek His presence. Only when we thirst for Him will we be positioned to experience revival and the outpouring of His Spirit. [13:02]
2. Receive the Power of the Holy Spirit God’s dreams are not accomplished by our own strength, but by the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit. When we allow the Spirit to take control, He enables us to speak, act, and live beyond our natural abilities. The Spirit’s power is meant to be active and transformative, not passive or occasional. [19:13]
3. Embrace God-Sized Vision, Not Just Human Plans God’s dreams for us are often far greater than what we would choose for ourselves. Embracing His vision means being willing to accept dreams that stretch our faith and challenge our assumptions. It’s not our role to dissect or diminish what God gives, but to trust and receive it with open hearts. [23:14]
4. Act in Obedience—Don’t Just Dream, Do Hearing from God is only the beginning; true faith is demonstrated in action. Whether it’s starting a new ministry, reaching out to someone in need, or stepping into a calling, obedience unlocks the fruitfulness of God’s dreams. Inaction leads to spiritual dryness, but obedience brings life and impact. [24:31]
5. Manifest God’s Glory, Not Our Own The ultimate purpose of every God-given dream is to reflect His glory, not to build our own reputation or comfort. When we act on God’s dreams, His light shines through us, multiplying the impact far beyond what we could achieve alone. Our calling is to magnify Him in all we do, so that others are drawn to His presence.

** [28:26]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:31] - The Nature of Dreams
[01:16] - Dream Researchers and Sharing Dreams
[02:28] - Personal and World-Changing Dreams
[04:15] - Historical Dreamers and Inventions
[05:26] - Dreamers in the Church and Scripture
[06:54] - God Speaks Through Dreams in the Bible
[07:12] - Joel’s Prophecy of Dreams and the Spirit
[08:27] - The Outpouring of the Holy Spirit
[09:39] - Living in the Age of the Spirit
[12:25] - Five Steps to Receiving God’s Dream
[13:02] - Desire God’s Presence
[19:13] - Receive God’s Power
[22:49] - Embrace God’s Vision
[24:31] - Act on God’s Word
[28:26] - Manifest God’s Glory
[33:33] - God Gives Purpose and Life
[34:06] - Immeasurably More Through God
[34:47] - Closing Prayer

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: "Dream Again"

Bible Reading

Joel 2:28-32 (ESV)
> “And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions. Even on the male and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit. And I will show wonders in the heavens and on the earth, blood and fire and columns of smoke. The sun shall be turned to darkness, and the moon to blood, before the great and awesome day of the Lord comes. And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

Acts 2:16-18 (ESV)
> “But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel: ‘And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams; even on my male servants and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy.’”

Ephesians 3:20-21 (ESV)
> “Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”

Observation Questions

According to Joel 2, who does God promise to pour out His Spirit on, and what are the results of that outpouring?
In the sermon, what are some examples from the Bible where God spoke to people through dreams? ([06:24])
What does the pastor say is the first step to receiving God’s dream for our lives? ([13:02])
How does the sermon describe the difference between just “going to church” and truly desiring God’s presence? ([14:18])

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think God chooses to speak through dreams and visions, according to Joel and Acts? What does this say about how God wants to interact with His people?
The pastor says that God’s dreams are often “God-sized” and stretch our faith. Why might God give us dreams that are bigger than what we think we can handle? ([23:14])
The sermon mentions that the Holy Spirit is not meant to be a passive presence in our lives. What does it look like for the Holy Spirit to be “active and transformative” rather than “passive or occasional”? ([20:33])
The ultimate goal of God-given dreams is to manifest God’s glory, not our own. Why is this distinction important, and how can it change the way we pursue our dreams? ([28:26])

Application Questions

The pastor says that a genuine hunger for God is the foundation for receiving His dreams. What does “hungering for God” look like in your daily life? Are there specific habits or attitudes you need to change to desire God’s presence more deeply? ([13:46])
Think about a time when you felt spiritually dry or stuck. Looking back, was there a dream or prompting from God that you ignored or put off? What would it look like to act on it now? ([27:49])
The sermon challenges us to embrace dreams that are bigger than we could imagine. Is there something you sense God might be calling you to do that feels too big or intimidating? What is holding you back from embracing it? ([23:14])
The Holy Spirit empowers us to live and speak beyond our natural abilities. Can you recall a moment when you felt the Holy Spirit helping you do or say something you couldn’t have done on your own? How can you be more open to the Spirit’s leading this week? ([19:13])
The pastor gives practical examples like starting a ministry, reaching out to someone in need, or stepping into a new calling. Is there a specific action God is prompting you to take right now? What is one step you can take this week to move forward in obedience? ([25:02])
The sermon says that when we act on God’s dreams, His light shines through us and the impact multiplies. Who in your life could be impacted if you acted on a God-given dream? How might you reflect God’s glory to them? ([29:58])
Ephesians 3:20 says God can do “immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine.” What is one area of your life or our church where you want to see God do more than you can imagine? How can you pray and act toward that this week? ([34:06])

Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Invite the group to pray for a fresh hunger for God’s presence, openness to the Holy Spirit, and courage to act on God-sized dreams for His glory.

Sermon Clips

24s

#SpiritInAction

“The Holy Spirit is never meant to be passive. It was meant to be every day, constantly at play in our lives. We don't get to tell the spirit when it can and when it can't. Our responsibility is to allow our hands, our feet, our voice, our actions to all be taken over by that spirit.”

38s

#EmbraceGodsVision

“We must embrace God's vision, God's dream. This is the essential part of it because when we desire to dream, when we receive that spirit, we must embrace what he has to say to us. He's not going to give us some penny and a little dream. He's going to give us something that is God-sized. Do we believe in a big God? Do we believe in a God-sized vision being given, something that you and I would have never considered before, something you and I would have never have thought up before, something that if it would place down on a table in the committee, we would have said absolutely not, next.”

27s

#ActOnYourDream

“If he's given you a vision, if he's given you a dream, don't just hear the dream or receive the dream, act on that dream. Maybe he's placed someone on your heart, something on your heart, a ministry to start, a Bible study group to start maybe at in your home or in the break room. Maybe God has planted on you a dream that your co-workers start gathering together for prayer, receiving an encouraging word in the morning scripture.”

24s

#ReflectHisGlory

“Some of us are having those dreams, but we're refusing to act on it. And so there is a drought in our lives. There's a dryness. There's a lifelessness. Because we're not acting on the dream that God has given us personally.”

35s

“``He can do immeasurably more. If we're willing to let him. He can do immeasurably more. If we're willing to receive his dream and vision. We're able to do immeasurably more if we embrace that dream and act on that dream. And he can do immeasurably more if we allow his glory to be manifested and not our own. Let's begin to see what we can do when we allow him to do what only he can do.”

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First Baptist Church of Mableton This sermon · AI assistant

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