Dream Bigger: Living Out God’s Vision and Power

We are called to be a people who live out multiplied, abundant lives, not settling for the smallness that the world or our circumstances might dictate. From the very beginning, God’s story is one of multiplication—He is the God of the ever-expanding kingdom, and He invites us to partner with Him in dreams and callings that are far beyond what we could ever accomplish on our own. The world is quick to remind us of statistics, limitations, and the odds stacked against us, but God’s “math” is different. He is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, and He calls us to dream bigger, to let His vision lead us to more.

Throughout Scripture, we see God meeting people in their brokenness, fear, and doubt, and calling them into something greater. Whether it’s fishermen becoming apostles, the demonized becoming evangelists, or the fearful women at the tomb becoming the first witnesses of the resurrection, God’s pattern is to take ordinary, even trembling people, and invite them into His extraordinary purposes. The resurrection itself is the ultimate proof that God’s power is not limited by what we see as possible.

Yet, fear is a real and persistent visitor. The call to dream big with God often feels intimidating, and we may be tempted to let fear become a resident in our hearts. But the most repeated command in Scripture is “Do not be afraid.” God does not call us to a life of comfort or smallness, but to obedience—even when we are afraid. Taking the first step, even trembling, is often how God’s greater purposes are released in and through us.

Belief is also essential. If our dreams are only as big as what we can accomplish in our own strength, we are missing out on the fullness of what God wants to do. We are called to remember His faithfulness, to let the stories of His past provision and power fuel our faith for the present and future. When we remember who He is and what He has done, it becomes almost impossible not to believe that He can and will do it again.

Finally, all of this is only possible as we remain connected to God. Dreaming big is not about striving in our own strength, but about abiding in His presence. It is in the place of connection, of “wasting time” with God, that our dreams are shaped by His heart and empowered by His Spirit. Even the smallest acts of obedience, when done in connection with Him, become part of a greater mosaic of His kingdom purposes.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Do it afraid, not unafraid Fear is a universal experience, but it does not disqualify us from God’s calling. The women at the tomb were trembling, yet the message of the resurrection still went out through them. God’s invitation is not to wait until we feel fearless, but to step forward in obedience even when we are afraid. When we do it afraid, we make room for God’s power to be displayed in our weakness. [17:22]
• 2. Dream beyond your own strength If our dreams are only as big as what we can accomplish, we are settling for less than God’s intention. The Great Commission was impossible for the disciples to fulfill in their own power, but God’s call is always accompanied by His provision. When we dream God-sized dreams, we are forced to rely on His faithfulness and not our own abilities, and we open ourselves to miracles and growth that would otherwise be impossible. [29:31]
• 3. Remember God’s faithfulness Doubt and discouragement are real, but remembering what God has done in the past fuels our faith for the future. The story of God is filled with impossible situations turned around by His intervention. When we recall His victories—both in Scripture and in our own lives—we are strengthened to believe that He can do it again, even when we cannot see the whole path ahead. [33:39]
• 4. Abide in God’s presence Dreaming big is not about striving harder, but about staying connected to the source of all life and creativity. Abiding in God—through prayer, worship, and stillness—aligns our hearts with His and empowers us to bear fruit that lasts. Even the smallest acts, when done in His presence, become part of His greater story. True multiplication and transformation flow from a life rooted in abiding. [42:15]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [01:07] - The Call to Multiplication
• [03:57] - Praying for God’s Word to Transform
• [06:37] - God of Immeasurably More
• [09:06] - Called to Greater Things
• [12:23] - Let God’s Vision Lead You
• [14:49] - The Women at the Tomb
• [17:22] - Do It Afraid
• [20:31] - Obedience in the Face of Fear
• [22:46] - Faithfulness Over Results
• [25:07] - The Disciples’ Doubt and Jesus’ Commission
• [27:35] - Do It Believing
• [29:31] - Dreaming God-Sized Dreams
• [33:39] - Remembering God’s Faithfulness
• [36:07] - Do It Connected
• [37:12] - The Power of Abiding
• [39:44] - Small Acts, Greater Mosaic
• [42:15] - Wasting Time with God
• [44:37] - Circle Prayer: Praying Big Prayers
• [47:10] - God Can Do the Impossible

Bible Reading

Ephesians 3:14-21 (ESV) — > For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
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> 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.

Mark 16:1-8 (ESV) — > When the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb. And they were saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance of the tomb?” And looking up, they saw that the stone had been rolled back—it was very large. And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe, and they were alarmed. And he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen; he is not here. See the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.” And they went out and fled from the tomb, for trembling and astonishment had seized them, and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.

Observation Questions

1. According to Ephesians 3:20-21, what is God able to do, and how does Paul describe the extent of God’s power?
2. In Mark 16:1-8, what emotions did the women experience when they discovered the empty tomb, and what message did the angel give them?
3. The sermon mentioned that the most repeated command in Scripture is “Do not be afraid.” What are some examples from the Bible or the sermon where God tells people not to fear? [17:22]
4. What was the initial response of the disciples when they heard the news of Jesus’ resurrection from the women? [25:07]

Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think Paul emphasizes that God can do “immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine”? What does this reveal about God’s character and our expectations? (Ephesians 3:20)
2. The women at the tomb were afraid, yet the message of the resurrection still spread. What does this suggest about how God works through our weaknesses or fears? [14:49]
3. The sermon says, “If our dreams are only as big as what we can accomplish, we are settling for less than God’s intention.” What does it look like to dream “God-sized” dreams in practical terms? [29:31]
4. The sermon highlights the importance of abiding in God’s presence rather than striving in our own strength. How does abiding change the way we approach our dreams and callings? [42:15]

Application Questions

1. The sermon encourages us to “do it afraid, not unafraid.” Can you think of a time when you felt fear about stepping out in faith? What would it look like to take a first step even while still feeling afraid? [17:22]
2. Are there any dreams or callings in your life that you have dismissed because they seemed too big or impossible? What would it look like to revisit those dreams with God’s perspective? [09:06]
3. The sermon says, “Remember God’s faithfulness.” What is one specific way God has shown up for you in the past? How can recalling that story help you trust Him for something you’re facing now? [33:39]
4. The idea of “abiding” was described as “wasting time with God.” What are some practical ways you can slow down and spend intentional time with God this week? How might this shape your dreams or decisions? [42:15]
5. The sermon challenges us to pray “impossible” prayers. Is there something in your life right now that feels impossible? What would it look like to draw a “circle” around that in prayer and trust God with it? [47:10]
6. The world often tells us to settle for less because of statistics or limitations. Where in your life have you let fear, statistics, or past disappointments limit your vision? How can you invite God to expand your vision in that area? [06:37]
7. The sermon says, “Even the smallest acts of obedience, when done in connection with Him, become part of a greater mosaic of His kingdom purposes.” What is one small step of obedience you sense God inviting you to take this week? [39:44]