Living Out God's Vision for Our Lives

Devotional

Day 1: Vision and Direction**

Theme: Vision aligns our efforts with God's will.

Description: Vision is crucial for direction in life. Without it, we risk succeeding at things that don't matter. Proverbs 29:18 warns that without prophetic vision, people cast off restraint. We need a vision from God to keep us on the right path and ensure that our efforts are meaningful and aligned with His will. Vision is not just about having a plan; it's about having a God-given direction that guides our actions and decisions. When we align our vision with God's, we find purpose and fulfillment in our endeavors.

In Habakkuk 2:2, we are reminded of the importance of making the vision plain so that it can be actionable. This means that our vision should be clear and specific, allowing us to take concrete steps towards achieving it. As individuals and as a church, we must seek God's vision for our lives and commit to following it. This involves prayer, reflection, and a willingness to act on what God reveals to us. By doing so, we ensure that our lives are not just busy but purposeful and impactful. [01:02:48]

Bible Passage: "Where there is no prophetic vision the people cast off restraint, but blessed is he who keeps the law." (Proverbs 29:18, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you feel directionless? Spend time in prayer asking God to reveal His vision for that area and write down any insights you receive.

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Day 2: Making Disciples Through Relationships**

Theme: Discipleship thrives in genuine relationships.

Description: Discipleship happens best in relationships, not just through sermons. Life groups provide a space for genuine relationships where people can be vulnerable, share their struggles, and grow together. This relational approach is essential for true discipleship and spiritual growth. In a large church setting, it can be challenging to build these kinds of relationships, but life groups offer a solution by creating smaller, more intimate communities within the larger church body.

These groups allow individuals to connect on a deeper level, fostering an environment where they can support and encourage one another in their faith journeys. By participating in life groups, members can experience the transformative power of community, where they can be real and vulnerable, and where discipleship can truly flourish. This relational approach aligns with the biblical model of discipleship, where Jesus invested deeply in a small group of followers, teaching and guiding them through close, personal relationships. [45:41]

Bible Passage: "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: Think of someone in your life who could benefit from a deeper relationship with you. How can you reach out to them this week to start building that connection?

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Day 3: God's Vision for Your Life**

Theme: God's vision includes knowing Him, finding freedom, growing in purpose, and making a difference.

Description: God's vision for your life includes knowing Him personally, finding freedom from past hurts, growing in your God-given purpose, and making a difference in the world. This holistic approach ensures that you are not just spiritually informed but transformed and active in your faith. Knowing God is about having a personal, intimate relationship with Him, not just head knowledge. This relationship is the foundation of our faith and the starting point for everything else.

Finding freedom involves dealing with our past hurts, habits, and hang-ups. This happens best in community, where we can be real and vulnerable. Growing in purpose means discovering and developing the unique work God has created us for. Finally, making a difference involves using our gifts to serve others and impact the world. By following these steps, we can live out God's vision for our lives and experience the fullness of His plan for us. [01:21:35]

Bible Passage: "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: Reflect on the four steps of God's vision for your life. Which step do you feel most challenged by right now, and what is one practical step you can take to move forward in that area?

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Day 4: Launching a New Campus**

Theme: Expanding to reach more while maintaining relational discipleship.

Description: CLC is launching a new campus in the Homewood-Flossmoor area in the fall of 2025. This expansion aims to reach more people with the gospel while maintaining the relational aspect of discipleship. Marcus and Crystal Ivey will lead this new campus, and we are excited about the impact it will have on the community. The goal is to create a space where people can experience genuine relationships and grow in their faith, just as they do in our existing locations.

This new campus is part of a broader multi-site strategy that allows us to reach more communities while staying small enough to foster genuine relationships. By launching new campuses, we can bring the message of Jesus to more people and create environments where discipleship can thrive. This approach aligns with our mission to change the way people think about church and to make disciples through relationships. [49:43]

Bible Passage: "And he said to them, 'Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.'" (Mark 16:15, ESV)

Reflection: How can you support the launch of the new campus, either through prayer, volunteering, or other means? What role can you play in helping to foster genuine relationships in this new community?

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Day 5: Action Behind Vision**

Theme: Vision requires actionable steps to be realized.

Description: Knowing God's vision for your life is not enough; you need to put action behind it. Whether it's joining a life group, attending the growth track, or serving on a dream team, take steps to live out God's vision. It's important to move beyond just understanding what God wants for us and to actively pursue it. This involves making intentional choices and taking practical steps to align our lives with His vision.

As we pray, let's ask the Holy Spirit to reveal what we need to focus on and take action on it. Let's not just daydream about God's vision; let's live it out. By doing so, we can experience the fullness of God's plan for our lives and make a meaningful impact in the world around us. Remember, vision without action is merely a dream. It's time to turn that dream into reality by taking concrete steps towards fulfilling God's vision for your life. [01:22:44]

Bible Passage: "But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves." (James 1:22, ESV)

Reflection: What is one specific action you can take this week to move closer to God's vision for your life? Write it down and commit to doing it.

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Welcome to Vision Sunday! Today, we are diving into the vision and values of our church, CLC, and the vision that God has for your life. Vision is all about direction, and we want to ensure that we are heading in the right direction, both as a church and as individuals. We start with the Bible, specifically Habakkuk 2:2, which emphasizes the importance of making the vision plain so that it can be actionable. Vision should not just be known; it should be done.

The mission of every church, as given by Jesus in Matthew 28, is to make disciples. This mission is not just for the church but for each one of us. The church is a collection of people, and if it's our job to make disciples, then it's the church's job too. Our unique mission at CLC is to change the way people think about church. Many people today view the church negatively, seeing it as hypocritical, judgmental, or irrelevant. We aim to change these perceptions so that people can approach the church and, ultimately, God, with an open heart.

We face a challenge in making disciples through relationships, especially in a large church setting. Discipleship happens best in small, relational settings, not just by listening to a sermon. To address this, we have life groups where people can build relationships, be vulnerable, and grow together. We also have a multi-site strategy to reach more communities while staying small enough to foster genuine relationships. Over the past 20 years, we've launched six locations, with three thriving today and one becoming the Hope Center, our outreach initiative.

Today, I'm excited to announce that CLC is launching a new campus in the Homewood-Flossmoor area in the fall of 2025. This gives us a year to build a launch team and prepare for this new venture. We already have a large number of CLCers in that area, and we believe God is calling us to make a difference there. Marcus and Crystal Ivey will be the campus pastors for this new location, and we are thrilled about the work God will do through them.

God's vision for your life includes four key steps: knowing God, finding freedom, growing in purpose, and making a difference. Knowing God is about having a personal, intimate relationship with Him, not just head knowledge. Finding freedom involves dealing with our past hurts, habits, and hang-ups. This happens best in community, where we can be real and vulnerable. Growing in purpose means discovering and developing the unique work God has created us for. Finally, making a difference involves using our gifts to serve others and impact the world.

We need to put action behind this vision. It's not enough to know what God wants for us; we need to do it. Whether it's joining a life group, attending the growth track, or serving on a dream team, we need to take steps to live out God's vision for our lives. As we pray, let's ask the Holy Spirit to reveal what we need to focus on and take action on it. Let's not just daydream about God's vision; let's live it out.

###

Key Takeaways

1. given purpose, and making a difference in the world. This holistic approach ensures that you are not just spiritually informed but transformed and active in your faith. [01:21:35]
4. Launching a New Campus: CLC is launching a new campus in the Homewood-Flossmoor area in the fall of 2025. This expansion aims to reach more people with the gospel while maintaining the relational aspect of discipleship. Marcus and Crystal Ivey will lead this new campus, and we are excited about the impact it will have on the community.

5. Action Behind Vision: Knowing God's vision for your life is not enough; you need to put action behind it. Whether it's joining a life group, attending the growth track, or serving on a dream team, take steps to live out God's vision. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal what you need to focus on and take action on it.

### [81:35]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[40:00] - Vision for the Church
[41:28] - Making Disciples
[42:58] - Changing Perceptions of the Church
[44:24] - The Importance of Relationships
[45:41] - Discipleship Through Relationships
[46:59] - Multi-Site Strategy
[48:22] - Past Successes and Challenges
[49:43] - New Campus Announcement
[51:11] - Homewood-Flossmoor Campus
[52:27] - Introducing Campus Pastors
[57:46] - Supporting the New Campus
[58:58] - Opportunities to Serve
[60:08] - Future Campus Plans
[61:23] - Vision for Your Life
[62:48] - Importance of Prophetic Vision
[64:21] - Aiming at the Right Target
[65:57] - Four Things God Wants for Your Life
[67:17] - Knowing God
[68:32] - Finding Freedom
[70:25] - Growing in Purpose
[71:47] - Making a Difference
[73:01] - Continuing the Journey at Home
[74:14] - True Freedom in Community
[75:31] - Life Groups
[76:49] - Discovering and Growing in Purpose
[78:00] - Growth Track
[79:12] - Serving on the Dream Team
[80:26] - Making a Difference in the Community
[81:35] - God's Vision for Your Life
[82:44] - Taking Action on God's Vision
[83:46] - Prayer and Conclusion

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What does Habakkuk 2:2 emphasize about the nature of vision? How does this relate to the sermon’s message about making vision actionable? [40:00]
According to Matthew 28:18-20, what is the mission given by Jesus to His followers? How does this align with the mission of CLC as described in the sermon? [41:28]
In Proverbs 29:18, what happens to people when there is no prophetic vision? How does this verse support the importance of having a clear vision for life and church? [01:01:23]

Interpretation Questions

How does the concept of making vision plain in Habakkuk 2:2 apply to both personal and church-wide vision? Why is it important for vision to be clear and actionable? [40:00]
What are some practical ways that discipleship can be fostered through relationships rather than just sermons, as mentioned in the sermon? [45:41]
How does the negative perception of the church impact its mission, and what steps can be taken to change these perceptions according to the sermon? [42:58]
What are the four key steps in God's vision for your life as outlined in the sermon, and how do they contribute to a holistic approach to spiritual growth? [01:05:57]

Application Questions

Reflect on your personal vision. Is it clear and actionable like Habakkuk 2:2 suggests? What steps can you take to make your vision more actionable? [40:00]
How can you actively participate in the mission of making disciples in your daily life? Identify one person you can reach out to this week. [41:28]
In what ways can you contribute to changing the negative perceptions of the church in your community? Share a specific action you can take this month. [42:58]
Are you currently part of a life group or similar community? If not, what is holding you back, and how can you take a step towards joining one? [45:41]
Which of the four key steps in God's vision for your life (knowing God, finding freedom, growing in purpose, making a difference) do you need to focus on right now? What specific action will you take this week to move forward in that area? [01:05:57]
How can you support the new campus launch in Homewood-Flossmoor, either by joining the launch team, giving, or praying? What specific commitment can you make today? [49:43]
Think about a time when you succeeded at something that didn’t really matter. How can you ensure that your efforts are aligned with God’s vision for your life moving forward? [01:02:48]

Sermon Clips

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "You have a purpose. You were not a mistake. You were not an accident. You are not arbitrary. You are part of God's great plan on this earth. And so you need to know what it is because if you don't take this third step, you're never going to make it to the fourth step where he says that this is the hope to which he's called you." [01:08:32](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip | Download vertical captioned clip)

2. "The only thing you bring to heaven with you? People. It's the impact you make on this earth in the lives of other people. That's your glorious inheritance, that your life would make a difference in the life of somebody else. And you'll get to heaven one day and there's going to be people that are going to say, man, because of you, I'm here today. That is a beautiful thing." [01:10:25](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip | Download vertical captioned clip)

3. "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. 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." [01:16:49](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip | Download vertical captioned clip)

4. "If people can't see what God is doing, they stumble all over the place. But when they attend to what he reveals, they are most blessed. And so I love that God didn't leave us to stumble around in the dark trying to figure out what it is he wants for a life. No, no. He has revealed to us his will, his vision for our lives. And we are most blessed when we actually do the thing that he called us to do." [01:05:57](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip | Download vertical captioned clip)

### Quotes for Members

1. "Vision without action is a daydream. And so if you'll just give me a couple more moments, I want to give you some action to put behind this. Because it's not about knowing that God has a vision for your life, it's about doing the thing that God has a vision for your life." [01:11:47](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip | Download vertical captioned clip)

2. "True freedom, it doesn't happen when a preacher is standing on a stage preaching at you. 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." [01:14:14](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip | Download vertical captioned clip)

3. "We believe that our mission here, our purpose as a church is to make disciples and then train those disciples and equip those disciples to do what? To go and make more disciples, right? Like it kind of, it completes the circle, right? So disciples make disciples. And that's what it's all about." [41:28](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip | Download vertical captioned clip)

4. "The challenge we have to overcome is how do we reach new people with the gospel, make new disciples, all while staying small enough that you can actually have relationship. Right? Because there's a challenge, there's a struggle, there's a danger in large church gatherings, especially when we've got multiple services." [45:41](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip | Download vertical captioned clip)

5. "We are launching campuses because for us, that's the solution to staying small while still reaching as many people with the gospel as possible. We want to see more people in heaven, but we know we got limited space in this building. So what are we going to do? Well, we're going to go where the people are." [01:00:08](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip | Download vertical captioned clip)

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