God calls us to lift our eyes above our circumstances and see the greater vision He has for our lives. Just as He told Abraham to look up at the stars and count them, God wants us to change our focus from our limitations and past failures to the limitless future He has prepared for us. When we look up, we are reminded that our past does not define us; instead, God’s promises and vision pull us forward into the “more” He has for us. No matter what you’re facing, choose today to look up and let God’s vision shape your future. [01:03:08]
Genesis 15:5 (ESV)
And he brought him outside and said, “Look toward heaven, and number the stars, if you are able to number them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your offspring be.”
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you’ve been focused on your past or your limitations? How can you intentionally “look up” today and ask God to show you His vision for your future?
Vision is essential for living a purposeful and blessed life. When we lack vision, we find ourselves stumbling, unsure of what to do next, and easily distracted by the challenges around us. God’s vision gives us clarity, direction, and the ability to move forward with confidence. It is not enough to simply exist; God wants us to live with intention, guided by His vision, so that we don’t just end up somewhere, but end up somewhere on purpose. [01:06:21]
Proverbs 29:18 (ESV)
Where there is no prophetic vision the people cast off restraint, but blessed is he who keeps the law.
Reflection: In what area of your life do you feel like you’re just “stumbling around”? What is one step you can take today to seek God’s vision and direction for that area?
Jesus commands us to go and make disciples, not just to stay comfortable or passive. Engaging the world means moving into position, stepping out, and actively sharing the love and message of Jesus with those around us. We are called to combat the enemy’s hold on people’s lives by bringing them into relationship with Christ, knowing that the only thing we can take to heaven is people. Let’s press the clutch, shift into gear, and get going—engaging our community and the world for Jesus. [01:12:28]
Matthew 28:19-20 (NIV)
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Reflection: Who is one person in your life you can intentionally engage with the love of Jesus this week? What practical step can you take to reach out to them?
Being a disciple of Jesus means more than just being a fan who enjoys His blessings; it means actively following Him, denying ourselves, and taking up our cross. True freedom is found not just in knowing about God, but in surrendering our lives and dying to the things that hold us back. If you’re still struggling with bondage or addiction, remember that you are one step away from freedom—don’t give up. Jesus calls you to follow Him fully, and in doing so, you will find the freedom He paid for you to have. [01:26:42]
Matthew 16:24 (ESV)
Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.”
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to move from being a fan to a true follower of Jesus? What would it look like to surrender that area to Him today?
God’s vision for your life is not just about personal growth, but about being empowered by the Holy Spirit to make a real difference in your family, your community, and the world. Every step—knowing God, becoming a follower, discovering your purpose, and being equipped—leads to this: making a difference for the kingdom of God. Don’t let the enemy’s distractions or your own doubts hold you back. You are called and empowered to impact lives, fill heaven, and empty hell. Now is the time to rise above the noise and soar higher, making a difference wherever God has placed you. [01:42:08]
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: What is one specific way you can make a difference for God’s kingdom today—at home, at work, or in your community? How can you rely on the Holy Spirit’s power as you do it?
Today, the invitation is to step into the “more” that God has for each of us—a life marked by vision, purpose, and impact. Too often, we let our past or our present circumstances dictate our future, but God calls us to look up, to lift our eyes above the distractions and limitations, and to see the greater vision He has prepared. Just as God told Abraham to look up at the stars and imagine the impossible, we are called to shift our focus from what’s around us to what God is doing and wants to do through us.
Vision is not just a lofty idea; it’s the practical outworking of refusing to let the past define us. The enemy would love to keep us stuck, but God’s vision pulls us forward into blessing, clarity, and purpose. Without vision, we stumble, but with it, we move intentionally, living on purpose rather than by accident. Like the eagle who soars above the crows, we are called to rise above the noise and opposition, to fly higher into God’s plans.
This is a season to embrace more vision—not just for ourselves, but for our families, our church, and our community. God’s vision for us is not just about personal fulfillment; it’s about engaging the world, establishing disciples, equipping the saints, and empowering each other to make a difference. The Great Commission is not a suggestion but a mandate: to go, to engage, to move into position, and to bring as many as possible into the kingdom.
But vision alone is not enough. We need a culture that matches our calling—a culture of knowing God, finding freedom, discovering purpose, and making a difference. This happens as we move from being fans of Jesus to true followers, willing to take up our cross and die to ourselves so that we can live in the freedom and power He offers. It’s about real relationships, not just digital connections; about serving, growing, and being equipped together as one body.
God has set each of us up for this moment. Our past struggles, our victories, even our pain, have prepared us to make a difference now. The time is short, and the need is great. Let’s look up, receive fresh vision, and step out to make a lasting impact for the kingdom of God.
Genesis 15:5 — He took him outside and said, “Look up at the sky and count the stars—if indeed you can count them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your offspring be.”
- Proverbs 29:18
Where there is no vision, the people perish; but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.
- Matthew 28:19-20
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
There is more. There is more to worship than what you've experienced. And I think we got a little glimpse of that this morning. There is more for your life. There's more power. There's more purpose. There's more there's more favor. There's more vision that God wants to show you and share with you. [01:01:58]
He wants to keep you looking at your past, focused on your past. Why? Because he wants to use your past as evidence that you're not qualified for the future that God has for you. Amen. But I want you to know that that's the opposite of what God does. [01:02:43]
Vision is simply what you become when you don't allow your past to dictate your future. Let me say that again. Vision is simply what you become when you don't allow the past to dictate your future. God told Abraham this in Genesis 15 verse 5. [01:03:59]
But in the middle of that, God said, "Look up into the sky and count the stars if you can." In other words, you can't. Go ahead and try though. That's how many descendants you're going to have. Praise God. That's how many you're going to have. [01:04:25]
So, I would tell you this morning, like Abraham, look up. Stop looking at the circumstances that you're dealing with. Stop looking at the things around you. You need to look up because God has something higher. He has more vision for you than you can imagine. [01:05:56]
Vision is one of the most important commodities that you can have from God. It's one of the most important commodities that he can give you. It's something you need in your life. And when you don't have it, you're just stumbling around trying to figure out what to do next. [01:06:03]
The truth is we all end up somewhere, but only certain people end up somewhere on purpose. We all end up somewhere, but only some people end up somewhere on purpose. Those that have vision, if you lack vision, you need a better picture. You need a better picture. [01:07:13]
God wants to give you more vision for your marriage, for your family, for your kids, for your business, for your life. In every area, he wants to give you more. I believe I believe he wants to give us more vision for the church. Amen. [01:09:49]
A vision and a culture together are unstoppable. They're unstoppable when you have the right vision and you have the right culture. And so it's important that we not just have a vision, but we have a culture with it because a vision without a culture is like a calling without a character. [01:10:20]
To engage. What did he say? Therefore, go. All right. Few of you got it. you're going. Amen. He didn't say therefore stay. Therefore, stay, hang out, just do what you want to do, be what you want to be. No, he said therefore go and engage the world around you, the community around you. [01:12:16]
From the moment you walk in, there's there's somebody at the front door greeting you. Where where you at, Ivan? Come on now. Praise God. God bless you, Ivan. How many of How many How many have had your hands shaken by this man over here? Raise your hand over there. [01:17:04]
But he said make disciples. I want I want disciples. I want people that are that are following me. We want to see people get saved, but we want to see people get established as a disciple of Jesus Christ. So, what is a disciple, pastor? It is simply a follower of Jesus Christ. [01:24:45]
But this is what Jesus said, and it probably gives us a pretty good idea of why there are more fans and followers. Look at this. Matthew 16:24, Jesus said to his disciples, "Whoever wants to be my disciple," Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. That's me, me, me. Come on, come on, come on. Tell me more. Must deny themselves, hold up, hold up, stop right there. [01:26:50]
You really won't find freedom without being a follower of Jesus. You really won't find freedom in God just knowing him. You find freedom by being a follower. You find be freedom by being a follower. So, I would say this serious moment. [01:27:58]
If you have felt like giving up on an area of your life that man, I've tried. I've done everything. I've done I've done the self-help books. I've done the, you know, I've done the seminar. I've I've I've, you know, bought the medicine. I've done I've done all the stuff and I just give up. [01:28:26]
You are one member of a of a whole a whole body. And I love what it says. You don't belong to yourself. You belong to others. You belong to me. Guess what? I belong to you. I belong to you and you belong to me. We need each other. We need the hand. We need the eye. We need the foot. We need all the parts of the body coming together. [01:39:37]
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