Listening, Vision, and Action: Fulfilling God's Purpose
Summary
In today's message, we explored the profound impact of what we hear on our lives and how it shapes our vision and actions. The journey begins with a burden, which leads to a vision, followed by a plan, and ultimately provision. This process is exemplified in the story of Nehemiah, who, upon hearing about the broken walls of Jerusalem, was moved to rebuild them. His response was not just a fleeting emotion but a determined action fueled by prayer and a clear vision. Similarly, Jesus had a burden for the lost and remained focused on His mission despite distractions and opposition.
The essence of our faith is deeply connected to what we hear. Faith comes by hearing, and what we hear shapes our perception and actions. It's crucial to listen to the truth of God's Word, which tells us we are fearfully and wonderfully made, and that God has a good plan for us. This truth liberates us and sets us on a path of righteousness, peace, and joy. We must guard our hearts against negative voices that seek to derail us from God's purpose.
Vision is vital in our spiritual journey. Like Nehemiah, we must write down our vision and run with it, ensuring that we are not distracted by the noise around us. A clear vision helps us stay focused and disciplined, allowing us to fulfill God's calling in our lives. This discipline is akin to having a list when shopping; it keeps us on track and prevents unnecessary distractions.
Moreover, anticipation and expectation are key components of faith. They propel us into action, enabling us to overcome obstacles and achieve what God has set before us. Jesus exemplified this by anticipating opposition but remaining steadfast in His mission. We are called to thrive, not just survive, by making God the final authority in our lives and developing habits that deliver us from sin and lead us to righteousness.
In conclusion, our spiritual journey is about hearing God's voice, embracing the vision He gives us, and running with purpose and discipline. By doing so, we align ourselves with His will and experience the fullness of life He promises.
Key Takeaways:
- The Power of Hearing: What we hear profoundly influences our faith and actions. Faith comes by hearing, and it's essential to listen to God's truth, which liberates us and shapes our vision. We must be discerning about the voices we allow to influence us, ensuring they align with God's Word. [05:04]
- Vision and Action: A burden from God leads to a vision, which requires action. Like Nehemiah, we must write down our vision and run with it, staying focused and undistracted. This discipline ensures we fulfill God's purpose in our lives. [14:37]
- Anticipation and Expectation: These are crucial elements of faith that drive us to action. Jesus demonstrated this by anticipating opposition but remaining focused on His mission. Our faith must be accompanied by expectation and anticipation to be effective. [27:41]
- Developing Delivering Habits: The habits we cultivate should lead to deliverance and righteousness. By making God the final authority in our lives, we develop habits that align with His will and lead us to spiritual growth and freedom. [30:56]
- Thrive in God's Purpose: We are called to thrive by making God central in our lives and developing a clear vision. By staying focused on His Word and purpose, we experience the fullness of life and fulfill our divine calling. [36:31]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [05:04] - The Power of Hearing
- [12:47] - Nehemiah's Burden and Vision
- [14:37] - Writing and Running with Vision
- [16:33] - Burden for the Lost
- [18:30] - The Importance of a List
- [21:36] - Facing Opposition
- [27:41] - Anticipation and Expectation
- [30:56] - Developing Delivering Habits
- [36:31] - Thrive in God's Purpose
- [40:06] - Closing Prayer and Invitation
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Nehemiah 1:3-4 (Nehemiah's burden for Jerusalem)
2. Romans 10:17 (Faith comes by hearing)
3. Habakkuk 2:2-3 (Writing and running with the vision)
#### Observation Questions
1. What was Nehemiah's initial reaction upon hearing about the broken walls of Jerusalem, and how did it shape his actions? [12:47]
2. According to the sermon, how does what we hear influence our faith and actions? [05:04]
3. What role does anticipation and expectation play in the life of faith, as demonstrated by Jesus? [27:41]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does Nehemiah's response to the news of Jerusalem's broken walls illustrate the process from burden to vision to action? [12:47]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that hearing God's truth can liberate us and shape our vision? [05:04]
3. How can the concept of writing down a vision and running with it, as mentioned in Habakkuk 2, be applied to our spiritual journey? [14:37]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt a burden for something. How did you respond, and what steps did you take to turn that burden into action? [12:47]
2. What are some negative voices or influences in your life that you need to guard against to stay aligned with God's purpose? How can you actively counteract them? [05:04]
3. Consider a vision or goal you have. Have you written it down? What practical steps can you take to ensure you stay focused and undistracted in pursuing it? [14:37]
4. How can you cultivate anticipation and expectation in your faith journey, especially when facing opposition or challenges? [27:41]
5. Identify a habit in your life that may not align with God's will. What changes can you make to develop habits that lead to spiritual growth and freedom? [30:56]
6. Think about a specific area in your life where you feel called to thrive. What steps can you take to make God the central authority in that area? [36:31]
7. How can you ensure that the voices you listen to are those that align with God's Word and truth? What practical steps can you take to discern these voices better? [05:04]
Devotional
Day 1: The Influence of Hearing on Faith
Hearing plays a crucial role in shaping our faith and actions. What we listen to can either build us up or tear us down. Faith comes by hearing, and it is essential to be discerning about the voices we allow to influence us. Listening to God's truth liberates us and shapes our vision, guiding us toward His purpose. We must guard our hearts against negative voices that seek to derail us from God's path. By focusing on the truth of God's Word, we can align ourselves with His will and experience the fullness of life He promises. [05:04]
"So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ." (Romans 10:17, ESV)
Reflection: What voices are you currently allowing to influence your faith journey? How can you ensure that God's truth is the primary voice you hear today?
Day 2: Vision Leads to Purposeful Action
A burden from God often leads to a vision, which requires action to fulfill. Like Nehemiah, who was moved to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem, we must write down our vision and run with it, staying focused and undistracted. This discipline ensures we fulfill God's purpose in our lives. A clear vision helps us stay on track, much like having a list when shopping prevents unnecessary distractions. By maintaining focus and discipline, we can fulfill the calling God has placed on our lives. [14:37]
"And the Lord answered me: 'Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so he may run who reads it.'" (Habakkuk 2:2, ESV)
Reflection: What vision has God placed on your heart? How can you take a concrete step today to move closer to fulfilling that vision?
Day 3: Anticipation and Expectation in Faith
Anticipation and expectation are key components of faith that propel us into action. Jesus exemplified this by anticipating opposition but remaining steadfast in His mission. Our faith must be accompanied by expectation and anticipation to be effective. By expecting God to move and anticipating His guidance, we can overcome obstacles and achieve what He has set before us. This mindset allows us to thrive, not just survive, in our spiritual journey. [27:41]
"Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." (Hebrews 11:1, ESV)
Reflection: What are you expecting God to do in your life right now? How can you actively anticipate His guidance and provision today?
Day 4: Cultivating Habits for Deliverance and Righteousness
The habits we cultivate should lead to deliverance and righteousness. By making God the final authority in our lives, we develop habits that align with His will and lead us to spiritual growth and freedom. These habits help us overcome sin and live a life of righteousness, peace, and joy. Developing delivering habits requires intentionality and a commitment to align our daily actions with God's purpose. [30:56]
"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." (Romans 12:2, ESV)
Reflection: What habit can you start today that will help you align more closely with God's will and lead you toward spiritual growth?
Day 5: Thriving in God's Purpose
We are called to thrive by making God central in our lives and developing a clear vision. By staying focused on His Word and purpose, we experience the fullness of life and fulfill our divine calling. Thriving in God's purpose means living with intention and discipline, allowing His truth to guide our actions and decisions. As we align ourselves with His will, we can experience the abundant life He promises. [36:31]
"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." (Ephesians 2:10, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways can you make God more central in your life today? How can you ensure that your actions align with His purpose for you?
Quotes
Once there was a burden, there came a vision, and with that vision came a plan, and with that plan came provision, and 43 and a half years later, God has provided, and we haven't stopped, and we continue to serve the people in this community and training up a child in the way they should go. And when they grow old, they're not going to depart from it. And we do that by sowing into their lives. [00:00:27] (35 seconds)
What shapes your faith is not what you see but what you hear. Do you, what do you think about yourself? So many times I hear people, they think about themselves. Why do you think about yourself that way? Because that's what I was told all my life. That's what I was said to when I was a young age. That's what my mom, my dad, my coach, my teachers, my siblings, that's what the government said that I am. That's what the school said I am. [00:01:37] (27 seconds)
We want to believe what we hear so much but you why let's let's believe the truth that we hear from the Word of God that you are fearfully and wonderfully made that he has a plan for you it's a good plan that that you were born and placed here for such a time as this that God loves you so much he knows how many hair or no hair you got on your head but more than that he knows the desires of your heart why because oh he knows you he loves you [00:02:28] (31 seconds)
What are you hearing it'll shape what you see sometimes you start shaping what you see and what you hear inside these two ears and that's what you're thinking upon what are you meditating on you start hearing those that it's kind of like I've heard people say I hear voices okay if you hear those voices how are you letting that shape who you are hey you know what you should be hearing voices because the Bible says my sheep know my voice so you should be hearing the voice of the Holy Spirit and think upon the things that are pure holy and good and God ain't gonna sit here and tell you stuff that's self -destruction God God if you're sitting here and you're hearing that ah that she doesn't love me anymore are you sitting there healing that here that well I'm not worth anything no one cares about me I'm telling you right now that's not God speaking to you that's what you shouldn't be listening to because what that's going to do is going to put a vision and shape what you think don't hear that you don't need to hear that Matthew 24 14 says and the good news about the kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world so that all nations will what hear it and then the end will come they're going to hear it yes they're going to see things happen but it comes down to they're going to hear it they're going to hear about the good news about the kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world when I hear that about the kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world world world [00:05:04] (100 seconds)
You got to know your identity You got to know where you're from I can tell you the stories Of how I came into this world And I want to Can't even remember it All because of what I Heard I can see myself In the I'm probably getting too graphic But it's okay I can see myself In the canal I can see myself Like going down the road And my mom holding her legs together And there's a trash bag Ready to receive this guy Right I can see myself Like my dad walking Running [00:08:18] (38 seconds)
That's why it says it this way so don't allow your hearts to grow dull and lose your enthusiasm Hebrews 6 12 says but follow the example of those who fully received what God has promised because of their strong faith and patient endurance I'm gonna follow that I'm gonna follow the ones that I know I heard that are see I can see the results that's happening I can see the reliving a life of righteousness peace and joy and it's all by the Holy Ghost the power of the Holy Ghost is the power of the Spirit that raised Christ from the dead what we hear shapes what we see the [00:10:00] (43 seconds)
unresolved issues like I already said how those things will derail and distract you from what God has for you the importance of really truly guarding your heart and not taking on more than what God said to do sometimes you got to say a dedicated no the same way you say a dedicated net yes just because it's a good idea doesn't mean it's a godly idea and we got to make sure we're doing the things that God has called us to do and don't get distracted by those types of things continue to listen and see Nehemiah was a great example of that Nehemiah is a guy that was building the temple that was broken and destroyed Nehemiah's response to the news of Jerusalem's broken walls was what we got to go build it he didn't get distracted he went straight to you you [00:10:52] (59 seconds)
Follow Nehemiah to make sure it gets done. Follow Jesus' example, even when Jesus, he had a burden for the lost. He had the burden for you. He had the burden for me. He had the burden for the whole world. He had a burden, and he continued to pray. Even though he had the burden, he had the vision, but he continued to pray and hear his Father. [00:12:17] (21 seconds)
A burden empowers you to make sacrifices and take action. Habakkuk 2 says it this way, There's a key that some people forget about this. When you get that burden for something, you're going to write it down and you're going to run with it. [00:13:53] (25 seconds)
You want to get out of HEB the way that's intended? Get a list. That's what vision is. Write the vision down. Make it plain. Make it clear. So when you are running, you can look at it. When I'm running down the aisles, I can do it. And don't get distracted. You say, that's so funny, Pastor Brent. But that is how our life is. Not just physically in this world, but spiritually. We get distracted because we don't have a list. We don't have a vision. And we end up spending so much more effort of our time, our talent, our treasure, and our testimony, and we still don't even get what we came for. [00:18:48] (43 seconds)
Making God final authority in your life. When you make God final authority in your life, and you make God bigger than everything else in your life, you don't see the little things. You don't see the little things. You don't care about the little things, because all your focus isn't on him. I'm going to say it this way, parents. Then we take this same phrase, and you apply it to yourself. Whatever habits you're developing in your kids, make sure it is something that can deliver them. [00:29:53] (30 seconds)
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