Embracing God's Vision: A Journey of Transformation
Summary
Embracing God's vision for our lives is a transformative journey that requires faith, courage, and obedience. As we conclude our series on "A New Beginning," we focus on the power of vision—specifically, God's vision for us individually and as a church. Vision is not just for dreamers; it is for everyone who desires a better future. Ephesians 2:10 reminds us that God has prepared a path for us, and our responsibility is to embrace and follow it.
The story of Saul's conversion in Acts 9 serves as a powerful illustration of God's transformative vision. Saul, a notorious persecutor of Christians, was chosen by God to become a pivotal figure in spreading the Gospel. Through Ananias' obedience, Saul regained his sight and immediately began preaching about Jesus. This story is not just about Saul's conversion; it is a call for us to embrace God's vision for our lives.
Similarly, the story of Jim Elliott and his fellow missionaries, who gave their lives to reach the Waorani tribe, exemplifies the power of embracing God's vision, even when it leads to uncomfortable and risky situations. Their sacrifice and the subsequent transformation of the tribe highlight the impact of obedience to God's call.
To embrace God's vision, we must be willing to follow His leading, even when it is uncomfortable. Ananias' willingness to approach Saul, despite his fears, teaches us to trust God's unseen work. We are also called to see others through God's eyes, not their past, extending grace and recognizing their potential in Christ.
Stepping into the mission God has for us requires immediate action. Saul did not wait to be fully prepared; he began preaching as soon as he was transformed. We, too, must act on God's vision for our lives, understanding that growth happens in motion.
As a church, our mission is to help people find and follow Jesus. This mission guides everything we do, from our services to our ministries. Each of us has a role to play in this mission, and as we discover and embrace God's vision for our lives, we contribute to a church that transforms lives.
Key Takeaways:
- Follow God's Leading: Embrace God's vision even when it leads to uncomfortable situations. Ananias' obedience to God's call to approach Saul, despite the risks, teaches us to trust God's unseen work and step out in faith. [15:33]
- See Through God's Eyes: We must learn to see others through God's eyes, not their past. Ananias saw Saul not as a persecutor but as God's chosen instrument, reminding us to extend grace and recognize the potential in others. [19:22]
- Step Into Your Mission: When God calls, act immediately. Saul began preaching as soon as he was transformed, showing us that we don't need to wait until we feel fully prepared to step into God's mission for us. [27:38]
- Growth Happens in Motion: As we move forward in obedience, our understanding and faith deepen. Saul's immediate action after his conversion exemplifies how growth occurs as we engage in God's work. [30:11]
- Impact Through Obedience: Our obedience to God's vision can transform lives and communities. Just as Ananias and Saul's obedience impacted generations, our faithfulness can have a lasting impact on those around us. [35:17]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [02:28] - Embracing God's Vision
- [04:10] - Ananias' Call
- [05:24] - Saul's Transformation
- [06:43] - Jim Elliott's Story
- [10:47] - Transformation Through Obedience
- [15:33] - Following God's Leading
- [19:22] - Seeing Through God's Eyes
- [23:24] - Extending Grace
- [25:02] - Encouraging Others
- [25:59] - Stepping Into Your Mission
- [27:38] - Saul's Immediate Action
- [29:16] - Growth in Motion
- [30:11] - Discovering Your Shape
- [35:17] - Impact of Obedience
- [39:54] - Church Mission and Vision
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: Embracing God's Vision
Bible Reading:
- Ephesians 2:10
- Acts 9:10-20
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Observation Questions:
1. What was Ananias' initial reaction to God's command to visit Saul, and why was he hesitant? [04:10]
2. How did Saul's life change immediately after his encounter with Ananias? [05:24]
3. What actions did Jim Elliott and his fellow missionaries take to reach the Waorani tribe, and what was the outcome of their mission? [06:43]
4. How did Ananias address Saul when he met him, and what does this reveal about Ananias' perspective? [19:22]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. What does Ephesians 2:10 suggest about the nature of God's vision for our lives, and how should this influence our daily decisions?
2. In what ways does the story of Saul's conversion illustrate the concept of seeing others through God's eyes rather than their past? [19:22]
3. How does the story of Jim Elliott and his fellow missionaries exemplify the idea of embracing God's vision despite personal risk and discomfort? [06:43]
4. What can we learn from Saul's immediate action to preach about Jesus regarding the importance of stepping into God's mission for us? [27:38]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt God leading you into an uncomfortable situation. How did you respond, and what was the outcome? [15:33]
2. Is there someone in your life whom you have judged based on their past? How can you begin to see them through God's eyes and extend grace to them this week? [23:24]
3. Identify an area in your life where you feel God is calling you to step out in faith. What small step can you take this week to move in that direction? [29:16]
4. Consider the concept of "growth happens in motion." What is one area of your spiritual life where you feel stagnant, and what action can you take to initiate growth? [30:11]
5. How can you actively participate in your church's mission to help people find and follow Jesus? What specific role or ministry can you engage in to contribute to this mission? [39:54]
6. Think about a person or group you feel called to reach with the Gospel. What practical steps can you take to build a relationship and share your faith with them? [35:17]
7. Reflect on the idea that there are people waiting on the other side of your obedience. How does this perspective motivate you to embrace God's vision for your life? [35:17]
Devotional
Day 1: Trusting God's Unseen Work
Embracing God's vision often leads us into situations that challenge our comfort zones. Ananias' story in Acts 9 exemplifies this truth. Despite his fears, Ananias obeyed God's call to approach Saul, a known persecutor of Christians. His obedience was pivotal in Saul's transformation into Paul, a key figure in spreading the Gospel. This narrative teaches us that God's plans often involve unseen work that requires our trust and faith. When we step out in faith, even when the path is unclear, we align ourselves with God's greater purpose. [15:33]
"For we walk by faith, not by sight." (2 Corinthians 5:7, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area in your life where you feel God is calling you to step out in faith, despite uncertainty? How can you take a small step of obedience today?
Day 2: Seeing Potential Through God's Eyes
Seeing others through God's eyes means looking beyond their past and recognizing their potential in Christ. Ananias saw Saul not as a threat but as God's chosen instrument. This perspective shift is crucial for extending grace and fostering transformation. When we view others through the lens of God's love and purpose, we become conduits of His grace, helping them realize their potential in Christ. This approach not only transforms relationships but also aligns us with God's redemptive work in the world. [19:22]
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." (2 Corinthians 5:17, ESV)
Reflection: Think of someone in your life who you find difficult to understand or forgive. How can you begin to see them through God's eyes and extend grace to them today?
Day 3: Immediate Action in God's Mission
When God calls, He often requires immediate action. Saul's transformation was marked by his immediate response to begin preaching about Jesus. This teaches us that we don't need to wait until we feel fully prepared to step into God's mission for us. Growth and understanding often come as we move forward in obedience. By taking immediate action, we open ourselves to the transformative work of God in our lives and the lives of others. [27:38]
"But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves." (James 1:22, ESV)
Reflection: What is one step you can take today to act on something God has been prompting you to do, even if you don't feel fully ready?
Day 4: Growth Through Obedience
Growth in our spiritual journey happens as we engage in God's work. Saul's immediate action after his conversion exemplifies how growth occurs in motion. As we obey God's call, our understanding and faith deepen. This dynamic process of growth requires us to be active participants in God's mission, trusting that He will equip us along the way. By stepping out in faith, we allow God to shape us into the people He has called us to be. [30:11]
"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:28, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on a recent experience where you stepped out in faith. How did this action contribute to your spiritual growth, and what did you learn about God's faithfulness?
Day 5: Transformative Impact of Obedience
Our obedience to God's vision can have a profound impact on the lives of others and our communities. Ananias and Saul's obedience led to a transformation that impacted generations. Similarly, when we faithfully follow God's call, we become agents of change, contributing to the transformation of those around us. This ripple effect of obedience underscores the importance of aligning our lives with God's vision, trusting that our faithfulness can leave a lasting legacy. [35:17]
"And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up." (Galatians 6:9, ESV)
Reflection: Consider a time when your obedience to God had a positive impact on someone else. How can you continue to be a vessel of God's transformative work in your community?
Quotes
Vision is for all of us because we all want a better future. Don't you want a better future for yourself? And don't you want a better future for your family, for your children? We all do. We don't want to stay where we are. We want to grow. We want to move forward. And so vision is for all of us. [00:01:54]
Ephesians 2:10 tells us that God already prepared a path for us long ago. Here's what it says, Ephesians 2:10, For we are God's handiwork created in Christ Jesus to do good works which God prepared in advance for us to do. So what Paul is saying is that God has prepared a path for us a long time ago. That's his vision for us. [00:02:28]
In Damascus, there was a disciple, named Ananias. The Lord called him in a vision, Ananias. Yes, Lord, he answered. The Lord told him, Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight. [00:03:46]
Then Ananias went to the house and entered it, placing his hands on Saul. He said, Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit. Immediately something like scales fell from Saul's eyes and he could see again. He got up and was baptized. [00:04:50]
Jim recruited four other like-minded young men and in 1956 they and their families it was five young married men with young wives with young children they felt called to reach this violent tribe and so they moved to Ecuador and they began to make contact with this isolated tribe with a goal of reaching them with the gospel reaching them for Christ. [00:06:58]
Through an obeying, obedience to that call, as well as forgiveness and obedience of the other missionary families, that very tribe that had once been feared by its neighbors, that very tribe that killed their husbands, they became devoted followers of Jesus. The gospel changed them completely. [00:10:47]
Be willing to follow God's leading even when it's uncomfortable. Ananias was a faithful disciple of Jesus in Damascus and God spoke to him in a vision the instruction was clear look again at verse nine the Lord I'm sorry verse 11. the Lord told him go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and as for a man from Tarsus named Saul for he is praying. [00:13:57]
The reality is that God often calls us to step into uncomfortable situations. The vision that God has for us often involves uncomfortable situations. If we're going to embrace God's vision for ourselves, we've got to be willing to do this. We've got to be willing to follow his leading, even when it's uncomfortable. [00:15:26]
We learned to see others through God's eyes, not through their past. To see others through God's eyes, not their past. Because Ananias had every reason in the world to be skeptical of Saul. I've heard testimonies and stories of somebody said, yeah, I became a Christian. I'm a Christian now. And I'm a little skeptical. [00:18:50]
God's perspective was different. Here's God's perspective. Look at verse 15, Acts 9, 15. But the Lord said to Ananias, Go, this man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. See, God saw more than Saul's past. He saw his potential. His potential. [00:19:54]
The moment that Ananias laid hands on Saul, something incredible happened. When Ananias... Ananias stepped into this mission that God had given him, and God gave him his vision for Paul, and this was a mission for Ananias. The moment that Ananias went over there and prayed for him, here's what happened. Acts 9, 18. Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul's eyes, and he could see again. [00:26:32]
So when God gives you a vision for your life, step into it with obedience, because delayed obedience is often disobedience. Delayed obedience is often disobedience. And like Saul, we've got to be ready to act. So how can we put this into practice today, this week? Three things. Number one, ask God to reveal the mission he has for you this year. [00:29:16]
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