Embracing God's Vision: A Call to Action
Summary
### Summary
Welcome to Vision Sunday! Today, we are diving into the vision that God has for our church and for each of our lives. Vision is crucial because it provides direction and purpose. Without it, we risk wandering aimlessly, succeeding at things that don't truly matter. Our mission at CLC is to change the way people think about church, making it a place where they can encounter God and find a community that supports them in their spiritual journey.
We start by understanding that the ultimate mission of every church is to make disciples, as Jesus commanded in Matthew 28. This mission is not just for the church as an institution but for each of us individually. We are all called to make disciples and to be disciples. Discipleship happens best in relationships, not just by listening to sermons but by engaging with others in meaningful ways.
To make this vision actionable, we break it down into four key steps: Know God, Find Freedom, Grow in Purpose, and Make a Difference. Knowing God is about developing a personal, intimate relationship with Him, not just acquiring information. This happens through attending services, engaging in worship, and continuing to seek Him throughout the week.
Finding freedom is essential because we all have past hurts, habits, and hangups that can hold us back. True freedom comes in community, where we can be vulnerable and receive support. Life groups are a vital part of this process, providing a space where we can take off our masks and be real with one another.
Growing in purpose is about discovering and continually developing the unique calling God has for each of us. This is not a one-time event but an ongoing journey. Our Growth Track program helps you identify your gifts and provides the tools to grow in them. It's about becoming more effective in the work God has prepared for you.
Making a difference is the ultimate goal. God has saved us for a purpose, and that purpose involves impacting the lives of others. Whether through serving on a Dream Team, participating in Serve Day, or engaging in community outreach, we are called to use our gifts to bring others closer to God.
Today, we also have an exciting announcement: CLC is launching a new campus in the Homewood-Flossmoor area in the fall of 2025. This new campus will allow us to reach more people and make more disciples while maintaining the close-knit community that fosters genuine relationships. Marcus and Crystal Ivey will be the campus pastors, and we are thrilled about the work God will do through them.
As we move forward, it's crucial to remember that vision without action is just a daydream. We must each take responsibility for our part in this mission. Whether it's deepening our relationship with God, finding freedom from our past, growing in our purpose, or making a difference in our community, we all have a role to play. Let's ask the Holy Spirit to guide us and give us the courage to take the necessary steps.
### Key Takeaways
1. Knowing God Personally: Developing a personal, intimate relationship with God goes beyond just acquiring information. It's about heart knowledge and a life fully devoted to Him. This relationship is nurtured through attending services, engaging in worship, and seeking God throughout the week. The goal is to leave each service knowing God better than before. [01:12:01]
2. Finding Freedom in Community: True freedom from our past hurts, habits, and hangups comes through community. Life groups provide a space where we can be vulnerable, receive support, and grow together. It's not an instant fix but a journey of building trust and relationships that help us become all that God has created us to be. [01:14:58]
3. Growing in Purpose: Discovering and continually developing our God-given purpose is an ongoing journey. The Growth Track program helps identify our gifts and provides the tools to grow in them. It's about becoming more effective in the work God has prepared for us, recognizing that our purpose can evolve and change over time. [01:18:20]
4. Making a Difference: God's ultimate plan for our lives is to make a difference in the lives of others. This involves using our gifts to serve and reach out to our community. Whether through Dream Teams, Serve Day, or other outreach efforts, we are called to impact the world around us and bring others closer to God. [01:19:57]
5. Vision and Action: Vision without action is just a daydream. We must take responsibility for our part in God's mission. Whether it's deepening our relationship with God, finding freedom, growing in our purpose, or making a difference, we all have a role to play. Let's ask the Holy Spirit to guide us and give us the courage to take the necessary steps. [01:21:52]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[39:23] - Introduction to Vision Sunday
[40:32] - The Importance of Vision
[41:13] - The Mission of the Church
[41:52] - Making Disciples
[42:37] - Unique Mission of CLC
[43:27] - Changing Perceptions of Church
[44:19] - The Role of the Church in Community
[45:06] - The Challenge of Discipleship
[46:02] - The Need for Relationship
[47:17] - Multisite Strategy
[48:17] - Successes and Challenges
[49:10] - Space and Growth Issues
[49:55] - New Campus Announcement
[50:52] - Location and Leadership
[51:41] - Introducing Marcus and Crystal Ivey
[57:25] - How to Support the New Campus
[58:01] - Ways to Get Involved
[59:38] - The Importance of Commitment
[01:00:20] - Future Campus Plans
[01:00:53] - Personal Vision and Direction
[01:01:43] - The Right Vision
[01:02:26] - Vision from God
[01:03:31] - The Story of Matt Emmons
[01:05:00] - Conclusion and Call to Action
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Habakkuk 2:2 - "And the Lord answered me: 'Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so he may run who reads it.'"
2. Matthew 28:18-20 - "And Jesus came and said to them, 'All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.'"
3. Proverbs 29:18 - "Where there is no prophetic vision the people cast off restraint, but blessed is he who keeps the law."
### Observation Questions
1. What does Habakkuk 2:2 instruct us to do with the vision from God? How does this relate to the sermon’s emphasis on actionable vision? ([40:32])
2. According to Matthew 28:18-20, what are the key components of the Great Commission? How does this align with the mission of CLC as described in the sermon? ([41:13])
3. In Proverbs 29:18, what happens to people when there is no prophetic vision? How does this verse support the need for vision in our lives and church? ([01:00:53])
4. What are the four key steps outlined in the sermon to make the vision actionable? ([01:11:22])
### Interpretation Questions
1. How can writing down and making the vision plain, as instructed in Habakkuk 2:2, help individuals and the church to take actionable steps? ([40:32])
2. Why is the Great Commission in Matthew 28:18-20 considered the ultimate mission for every church and individual believer? How does this mission impact your personal life? ([41:13])
3. Proverbs 29:18 mentions that people cast off restraint without prophetic vision. How can having a clear vision from God provide direction and purpose in your life? ([01:00:53])
4. The sermon outlines four steps: Know God, Find Freedom, Grow in Purpose, and Make a Difference. How do these steps interconnect to fulfill the vision God has for us? ([01:11:22])
### Application Questions
1. Knowing God Personally: Reflect on your current relationship with God. What specific actions can you take this week to deepen your personal, intimate relationship with Him? ([01:12:01])
2. Finding Freedom in Community: Are there past hurts, habits, or hangups that you need to address? How can joining a life group help you find the freedom you need? ([01:14:58])
3. Growing in Purpose: Have you identified your God-given purpose? If not, what steps can you take to discover and grow in your purpose, such as participating in the Growth Track program? ([01:18:20])
4. Making a Difference: In what ways can you use your gifts to serve others and make a difference in your community? Consider joining a Dream Team or participating in Serve Day. ([01:19:57])
5. Vision and Action: Vision without action is just a daydream. What specific steps will you take this week to move forward in the vision God has for your life? ([01:21:52])
6. Supporting the New Campus: How can you support the new campus launch in the Homewood-Flossmoor area? Consider ways to give, pray, or join the launch team. ([50:52])
7. Personal Reflection: What has the Holy Spirit been prompting you to do that you have been putting off? How can you take a step of faith to act on that prompting this week? ([01:22:23])
Devotional
Day 1: Developing a Personal Relationship with God
Knowing God personally is about more than just acquiring information; it’s about heart knowledge and a life fully devoted to Him. This relationship is nurtured through attending services, engaging in worship, and seeking God throughout the week. The goal is to leave each service knowing God better than before. This personal relationship with God is the foundation of our faith and the starting point for everything else in our spiritual journey. It’s about experiencing God’s presence in our daily lives and allowing Him to transform us from the inside out. [01:12:01]
Jeremiah 9:23-24 (ESV): "Thus says the Lord: 'Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.'"
Reflection: How can you intentionally seek to know God better this week? What specific steps will you take to deepen your relationship with Him?
Day 2: Finding Freedom in Community
True freedom from our past hurts, habits, and hangups comes through community. Life groups provide a space where we can be vulnerable, receive support, and grow together. It’s not an instant fix but a journey of building trust and relationships that help us become all that God has created us to be. In community, we find the strength to face our struggles and the encouragement to keep moving forward. It’s in these relationships that we experience the love and grace of God in tangible ways. [01:14:58]
James 5:16 (ESV): "Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working."
Reflection: Is there a life group or community you can join to find support and freedom? How can you be more open and vulnerable with others in your journey towards healing?
Day 3: Growing in Purpose
Discovering and continually developing our God-given purpose is an ongoing journey. The Growth Track program helps identify our gifts and provides the tools to grow in them. It’s about becoming more effective in the work God has prepared for us, recognizing that our purpose can evolve and change over time. This journey involves seeking God’s guidance, being open to new opportunities, and continually developing the skills and talents He has given us. It’s about living a life that is aligned with God’s will and making a meaningful impact in the world. [01:18:20]
Ephesians 2:10 (ESV): "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them."
Reflection: What steps can you take to discover or further develop your God-given purpose? How can you use your gifts to serve others and glorify God?
Day 4: Making a Difference
God’s ultimate plan for our lives is to make a difference in the lives of others. This involves using our gifts to serve and reach out to our community. Whether through Dream Teams, Serve Day, or other outreach efforts, we are called to impact the world around us and bring others closer to God. Making a difference is about being the hands and feet of Jesus, showing His love in practical ways, and being a light in the darkness. It’s about living out our faith in action and making a tangible impact in the lives of those around us. [01:19:57]
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 use your gifts and talents to make a difference in your community this week? What specific actions can you take to show God’s love to others?
Day 5: Vision and Action
Vision without action is just a daydream. We must take responsibility for our part in God’s mission. Whether it’s deepening our relationship with God, finding freedom, growing in our purpose, or making a difference, we all have a role to play. Let’s ask the Holy Spirit to guide us and give us the courage to take the necessary steps. It’s about being proactive in our faith and taking intentional steps to live out the vision God has given us. It’s about being obedient to His call and trusting Him to lead us every step of the way. [01:21:52]
Proverbs 16:3 (ESV): "Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established."
Reflection: What is one specific step you can take today to move towards the vision God has for your life? How can you commit your plans to the Lord and trust Him to guide you?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "Right? Because if the only time you ever get to know God is once a week. That's a really lousy relationship. Okay? So at home you open up your Bible. And you begin to learn more about him. And you put on some worship music in your home. And maybe you turn on the Between Sermons podcast. And you know, whatever it is that you need to do so that you can get to know. You like that? You like that shameless plug? That was for you, Jaden. But maybe you get into a group where you're discussing the Bible. You're discussing God. And you're learning. And you're growing. And you're making this journey all throughout the week in your life to know God better than you did before." [01:13:16]
2. "Mark Twain said the two most important days of your life are the day you're born and the day you find out why. That might be my favorite quote in the world." [01:16:07]
3. "It's so awesome. God has a purpose and a plan for your life. You are an important part of the work that God is doing. And your life is never going to make sense until you figure out what that purpose is. The truth is that God didn't just save you from something. He saved you for something. There's a work for you to do. In fact, Ephesians 2.10, the paraphrase says, That means God is doing a work on this earth. And he has invited you to join him in it. It's the good work he's gotten ready for us to do. Work we had better be doing. Right? You got to be doing the thing that God created you for. He created you with a good work." [01:16:51]
4. "You know why Jesus adds that last little bit? Because the mission is scary. Like, the mission, it's big. Right? And he wants you to know that I'm not just giving you this impossible task and then dipping out of here. No, he's saying, I'm going to do this with you. I'm going to be right there by your side. I'm going to hold your hand as you go about this thing. He doesn't leave you all alone." [41:52]
### Quotes for Members
1. "True freedom happens in circles during the week when you're in a community with somebody, when they can know your story and they can speak into you. And so the method for that, the action. The action for you is to join a life group. These are community groups all over Chicagoland where you get into that kind of relationship where they can encourage you and challenge you. They can point out your blind spots. They can lift you up when you fall. They can pray for you when you're discouraged. They can be there to help disciple you and make you more like Christ." [01:14:58]
2. "And so we need to find freedom. This is because we all have a past. Right? There are things in our lives that we need freedom from. Wouldn't it be great if the moment you made Jesus Lord of your life, all of a sudden all the problems disappeared? That'd be awesome. But that's not how it works. You can actually know God and still have junk in your life. Right? And so we need to find freedom. We call it our hurts, habits, and hangups. That's the sin issues, the wounds of the past, the roadblocks that are in our lives that are keeping us from being all that God has created us and called us to be." [01:13:48]
3. "And so the Apostle Paul, there's these four things that show up all throughout the Bible in the Old Testament and the New Testament. These four things that God wants for your life. And the Apostle Paul puts those four things together in one verse. And I love it. It's found in Ephesians chapter 1 where Paul says, I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the spirit of wisdom and revelation. So Paul is praying that you would have this revelation from God. And I'm praying that prayer for you today as well. That you would today have an aha moment, a eureka moment. A light bulb goes off and you go, wow, Brent, I see it now. I see what it is that God wants to do in me and through me. I see the vision. I want that for you." [01:06:00]
4. "And so we work on it and we grow here and then we make a difference in our communities. And actually there's a great opportunity to do just that coming up on July 13th. It's Serve Day. It's a national day where churches all over the country are going out in their communities to serve. To make a difference in the world around them. And so you can save the calendar date or you can also go to the website to sign up for one of the programs. There's a plethora of groups that we're going to be participating with that we're going to be serving. We've got a team working with Habitat for Humanity. Another with Together We Cope. Working with Pregnancy Aid South Suburbs. Love Inc. I think. The Hope Center. What is it? South Suburban Recreation Association. There's a lot of different organizations that we're partnering with on this. And so I would encourage you to go to the website. Sign up to serve." [01:20:50]
5. "And so here's what I want you to do. I want you to prayerfully consider and ask the Holy Spirit right now. God, what have I been failing to do? What have I put aside? What have I kind of said? You know, now's not the right time. But maybe one day. Or maybe you've just been ignoring something. But maybe there's something on this list that God's saying. You know what? This is the season. This is the time where I want you to know me better. I want you to focus on your relationship with me." [01:22:23]
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