Embrace Your Dreams: A Prophetic Call for 2025
Summary
In this message, I shared a prophetic declaration for 2025, encouraging everyone to embrace the God-given ability to dream. Reflecting on my recent time in Australia with family, I was reminded of the importance of dreaming, a theme deeply rooted in Scripture. From the womb, God has instilled in us the DNA to dream, and this year, I urge everyone to rediscover that gift. Despite life's disappointments and challenges, we are called to dream again, to erase past hurts and embrace the possibilities God has for us.
The Bible is rich with stories of dreams and dreamers, from Joseph to Moses, Ruth, David, and Mary. Each of these figures faced unimaginable circumstances, yet God’s plans for them were beyond what anyone could see, hear, or conceive. This is a reminder that God’s dreams for us are not limited by our current realities. We are encouraged to dream not just for ourselves but for the community, the church, and the nation. Our dreams should align with God’s purposes, bringing about transformation and hope.
Dreaming is not just for the young or the naive; it is a divine mandate for all ages. We must resist the temptation to let life’s responsibilities and setbacks stifle our dreams. Instead, we should embrace the creativity and potential that God has placed within us. Whether it’s in business, family, or ministry, God’s dreams for us are expansive and meant to impact the world around us.
As we move forward, let us dream together, supporting one another in our God-given visions. Let us be a community that encourages and nurtures dreams, understanding that our collective dreams can lead to significant change. In 2025, may we be a people who dream boldly, trusting that God’s plans for us are greater than we can imagine.
Key Takeaways:
1. Rediscover the Gift of Dreaming: God has hardwired us to dream, and this year is an invitation to rediscover that gift. Despite past disappointments, we are called to erase those hurts and embrace the possibilities God has for us. Dreaming is a divine mandate, not limited by age or circumstance. [07:26]
2. Biblical Dreamers as Inspiration: The stories of Joseph, Moses, Ruth, David, and Mary remind us that God’s plans are beyond what we can see, hear, or conceive. These biblical figures faced challenges, yet God’s dreams for them were fulfilled. Their stories inspire us to trust in God’s greater vision for our lives. [26:42]
3. Dreams for Community and Nation: Our dreams should not be in isolation but should align with God’s purposes for the community and nation. By dreaming together, we can bring about transformation and hope, impacting the world around us. [31:29]
4. Overcoming Dream Killers: Life’s responsibilities and setbacks can stifle our dreams, but we must resist this temptation. Embrace the creativity and potential God has placed within us, understanding that our dreams are meant to impact the world. [19:02]
5. Support and Accountability in Dreaming: As a community, we should encourage and nurture each other’s dreams. By supporting one another, we can achieve significant change and fulfill God’s purposes together. Our collective dreams can lead to transformation and hope. [32:37]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[04:00] - Family Reflections and Childhood Memories
[06:10] - The Art of Dreaming
[07:26] - Prophetic Declaration for 2025
[09:31] - Protecting Our Children's Imagination
[10:54] - The Transition from Pretend to Reality
[12:23] - Biblical Dreams and Their Significance
[13:40] - The Power of Dreaming for the Future
[14:58] - Overcoming Personal Barriers to Dreaming
[15:55] - The Influence of Others on Our Dreams
[17:33] - Unfulfilled Expectations and Hope Deferred
[19:02] - The Call to Get Serious and Stop Dreaming
[20:41] - Children and the Center of Our World
[21:41] - Scriptural Encouragement to Dream
[23:40] - The Role of Community in Fulfilling Dreams
[26:42] - Biblical Examples of Unseen Dreams Fulfilled
[29:28] - The Story of Mary and the Power of Belief
[31:29] - Dreams for the Church and Nation
[32:37] - Accountability and Support in Dreaming
[33:27] - Creativity and the Influence of God
[34:02] - Historical Examples of God-Inspired Innovation
[36:04] - The Early Church and the Spread of the Gospel
[37:00] - The Impact of Dreams on Global Missions
[39:03] - Banish Disappointment and Dream Again
[40:02] - Closing Encouragement and Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. 1 Corinthians 2:9-10 - "However, as it is written, what no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, what no mind has conceived, the things God has prepared for those who love Him."
2. Genesis 37:5 - "Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers, they hated him all the more."
3. Psalm 139:13 - "For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb."
#### Observation Questions
1. What does 1 Corinthians 2:9-10 suggest about the nature of God's plans for us? How does this relate to the concept of dreaming? [04:00]
2. How does the story of Joseph in Genesis 37:5 illustrate the challenges and potential of dreaming? [12:23]
3. According to Psalm 139:13, what role does God play in our ability to dream? How does this influence our understanding of dreams as a divine gift? [07:26]
4. What examples of biblical dreamers were mentioned in the sermon, and how did their dreams align with God's purposes? [26:42]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How might the idea that "no eye has seen, no ear has heard" challenge our understanding of what is possible in our lives? [04:00]
2. In what ways can the story of Joseph serve as an inspiration for those facing setbacks in their dreams? [12:23]
3. How does the sermon suggest we should respond to life's "dream killers" such as responsibilities and setbacks? [19:02]
4. What does the sermon imply about the importance of community in realizing our dreams? How can this be practically applied in a church setting? [31:29]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a dream you once had but abandoned. What steps can you take to revisit and possibly revive that dream? [07:26]
2. How can you ensure that your dreams align with God's purposes for your community and nation? What practical steps can you take to involve others in your dreams? [31:29]
3. Identify a "dream killer" in your life. What strategies can you implement to overcome this obstacle and pursue your God-given dreams? [19:02]
4. How can you support someone else in your community who is pursuing a dream? What role can you play in encouraging and nurturing their vision? [32:37]
5. Consider the biblical examples of dreamers mentioned in the sermon. Which story resonates most with you, and why? How can this story inspire you to dream boldly? [26:42]
6. What practical steps can you take this week to protect your imagination and creativity from being stifled by daily responsibilities? [09:31]
7. How can you incorporate prayer into your dreaming process to seek God's guidance and creativity? What specific prayer can you start with this week? [34:02]
Devotional
Day 1: Rediscovering the Divine Gift of Dreaming
God has intricately woven the ability to dream into our very being, a gift that often gets overshadowed by life's disappointments and challenges. This year is an invitation to rediscover that gift, to erase past hurts, and to embrace the possibilities that God has for us. Dreaming is not just a youthful endeavor but a divine mandate for all ages, encouraging us to look beyond our current circumstances and envision a future filled with hope and purpose. [07:26]
"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." (Jeremiah 29:11, ESV)
Reflection: What past disappointment or hurt is hindering your ability to dream? How can you invite God to heal that area and open your heart to new possibilities today?
Day 2: Inspired by Biblical Dreamers
The Bible is rich with stories of dreamers like Joseph, Moses, Ruth, David, and Mary, who faced unimaginable circumstances yet saw God's plans fulfilled in their lives. These stories remind us that God's dreams for us are beyond what we can see, hear, or conceive. They inspire us to trust in God's greater vision for our lives, encouraging us to dream boldly and align our dreams with His purposes. [26:42]
"And Joseph dreamed a dream, and he told it to his brothers, and they hated him even more." (Genesis 37:5, ESV)
Reflection: Which biblical dreamer do you resonate with the most, and why? How can their story inspire you to trust in God's vision for your life today?
Day 3: Dreaming for Community and Nation
Our dreams should not exist in isolation but should align with God's purposes for the community and nation. By dreaming together, we can bring about transformation and hope, impacting the world around us. This collective dreaming is a powerful force for change, encouraging us to look beyond personal ambitions and consider how our dreams can serve the greater good. [31:29]
"Seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare." (Jeremiah 29:7, ESV)
Reflection: What is one dream you have that could benefit your community or nation? How can you take a step towards pursuing this dream today?
Day 4: Overcoming Dream Killers
Life's responsibilities and setbacks can often stifle our dreams, but we must resist this temptation. Embracing the creativity and potential that God has placed within us is essential, understanding that our dreams are meant to impact the world. We are called to overcome the barriers that hold us back and to pursue our God-given visions with courage and determination. [19:02]
"Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord." (Romans 12:11, ESV)
Reflection: What is one responsibility or setback that is currently stifling your dreams? How can you reframe this challenge and seek God's guidance to overcome it?
Day 5: Supporting and Nurturing Dreams in Community
As a community, we are called to encourage and nurture each other's dreams. By supporting one another, we can achieve significant change and fulfill God's purposes together. Our collective dreams can lead to transformation and hope, reminding us of the power of unity and collaboration in pursuing God's vision for our lives and the world. [32:37]
"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." (Hebrews 10:24-25, ESV)
Reflection: Who in your community can you support in their dreams today? What practical step can you take to encourage and nurture their God-given vision?
Quotes
And this is our prophetic declaration to you this year, that 2025 for you will be a year whereby every single one of us in this place understand and learn what it is to dream again. I wonder if I can take a big eraser for a moment and just erase all the disappointments and all the challenges of the past and that, and maybe just encourage you that it's a season again to dream. [00:08:17] (23 seconds)
Now I understand that's going to fall on different people's ears. Some of you are actually so disappointed, you know that it hurts to dream because when the dream doesn't come to pass, it's actually better not to dream because then I don't feel and then I don't hurt. But there's others of you in this place, you go, yeah, I'm up for dreaming. But either way, we're wired to dream. [00:08:40] (20 seconds)
Creation was the fulfillment of a dream. God dreamt of you. He dreamt of humankind. He said, let there be. He created everything and everything that was formerly a dream came to pass. Friend, you cannot read the Bible without realizing that you and I were hardwired for dreaming. [00:12:46] (22 seconds)
And no mind could conceive that Ruth, the Ruth of the Bible could become the great grandmother of King David and part of the lineage of Jesus. How did that come to pass? Because no eye has seen. Friends, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived for what God has in store for those who love Him. [00:28:35] (25 seconds)
And no mind could conceive that David would become Israel's greatest King thousands of years ago. Israel's greatest King, the writer of the Psalms. The Bible says that the only person in Scripture with a heart after God was David. How did that happen? From a forgotten boy in a shepherd's field. How did it happen? It's because no eye has seen. [00:29:27] (24 seconds)
But what I want you to lay a hold of is this, is that the dreams of God for you are not for you in isolation. It's not for you to say, hey, I've got a dream. Off I go, gonna do my own thing. No, no, no. When you read Scripture, you realise the importance of the family of God. [00:31:05] (19 seconds)
Dreams beginning to be birthed. But not in isolation. When I look at the life of Joseph, initially his dreams caused division, but Joseph had to realise that the dream wasn't just about himself. It was about his brothers, his family, and for the nations. And together, there was a collaboration where God used the community to bring about a larger purpose. [00:32:14] (24 seconds)
And the reason God connects your dream with another is not so you can run off and just do your own thing, but that there's accountability. There's a brotherhood and sister around you that encourages you in your dream. Why can't a future prime minister of our great nation come out of one of our churches? Why not? [00:32:41] (19 seconds)
And you read about the inventors of old, whether it be the Wright brothers or the people who invented submarines or the myriad of people from 100 years ago and the early copyright that went out. These Christian men and women who read the Bible and thought, oh, maybe we can fly. [00:34:49] (21 seconds)
There's a psalm that talks about the currents under the ocean. And the inventors of the submarine thought, well, if we can sail on the currents above the ocean, then maybe we can sail on the currents beneath the ocean. Well, George Washington Carver, this emancipated slave from North America, when he got freed, he got his freedom papers and he inherited a vast peanut plantation, but not knowing what to do with them. [00:35:12] (21 seconds)
That actually maybe what your business needs is just the creativity of heaven and the devil's got you so, so busy that you forgot the art of just getting with God and just having a bit of a God dream. Lord, help me to dream. Help me to dream about my family and help me to dream over my finances and let me dream over all we're doing. [00:35:25] (20 seconds)
In the early church, remember this, Matthew chapter 28, Jesus said, go and make disciples of that people. All nations, ethnos. The word ethnos in the Greek means people groups. In other words, this gospel is not just for a certain people. It's for all people. Did you know that? [00:36:09] (24 seconds)
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