What is vision?
Who are visionary people of the past?
Thomas Edison(telegraph & lightbulb – over 1,000 patents) Thomas Edison and his lab associates, called "Muckers," conducted thousands of experiments to develop the electric light bulb. To make it functional, each step required the invention of a new component, from vacuumed and sealed glass bulbs to switches, special types of wire and meters. Like previous efforts, the greatest challenge was coming up with a material that could serve as a long-lasting filament. After testing thousands of materials, including over 6,000 types of plant growths, they found the best substance was carbonized cotton thread.
The Wright Brothers (flight)On December 17, 1903, at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, the Wright Flyer became the first powered, heavier-than-air machine to achieve controlled, sustained flight with a pilot aboard. ,
Martin Luther King, Jr. (Civil Rights) Did you know that one of Martin Luther King Jr.'s advisers had recommended that he leave out the "I have a dream" phrase for his speech on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in 1963? Luckily, King ignored that recommendation. Other quote: "Faith is taking the first step even when you can't see the whole staircase."
Michael Jordon (Basketball) In 1978, Michael Jordan was just another kid in the gym, along with 50 or so of his classmates, trying out for the Emsley A. Laney High School varsity basketball team. There were 15 roster spots. Jordan—then a 15-year-old sophomore who was only 5'10" and could not yet dunk a basketball—did not get one. Then he picked himself up and turned the cut into motivation. “Whenever I was working out and got tired and ?gured I ought to stop, I’d close my eyes and see that list in the locker room without my name on it,” Jordan would explain. “That usually got me going again.”
Abraham (Faith) Left his homeland not knowing where he was going and believed God to show him. Became the father of the nation of Israel and through his line came Jesus from which all Christians are brothers and sisters
Moses (Leader) He couldn't speak well and would stutter, but let millions out of the captivity in Egypt under Pharaoh
What are some attributes of people who have vision and made accomplishments:
Some people have a vision. They envision winning the lottery and their life being so much better. Many times, these people spend all their money they "won" and end up bankrupt. Why? The simple answer is this: Once you have more and get used to it, you want even more. There is not satisfaction found in fulfilling your earthly desires.
An exhaustive study was done to find out what things make people happy and content:
What is God's vision for your life? What should our vision for our lives be based on?
John 5: 19b - "the Son can do nothing by himself: he can do only what he sees his Father doing..."
Anything we do on our own is like wood, hay, and stubble that will be burned up in the fire of judgement. I Corinthians 3:12-14:
If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, 13their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. 14If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward.
Proverbs 37: 3-6
Trust in the Lord and do good;
dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.
Take delight in the Lord,
and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Commit your way to the Lord;
trust in him and he will do this:
He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn,
your vindication like the noonday sun.
English Standard Version
Habakkuk 2:2 - And the LORD answered me: “Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so he may run who reads it.
New International Version
Hebrews 3:13 But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called "Today," so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness.
New Living Translation
Philippians 3:9-14 I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ.c For God’s way of making us right with himself depends on faith. 10I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I want to suffer with him, sharing in his death, 11so that one way or another I will experience the resurrection from the dead!
12 I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. 13No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it,d but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, 14I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.
Abraham Lincoln's Failures FAILURES or SETBACKS and SUCCESSES
1832 Lost job, Defeated for state legislature, Elected company captain of Illinois militia in Black Hawk War
1833 Failed in business, Appointed postmaster of New Salem, Illinois, Appointed deputy surveyor of Sangamon County
1834 Elected to Illinois state legislature
1835 Sweetheart died
1836 Had nervous breakdown, Re-elected to Illinois state legislature (running first in his district), Received license to practice law in Illinois state courts
1837 Led Whig delegation in moving Illinois state capital from Vandalia to Springfield, Became law partner of John T. Stuart
1838 Defeated for Speaker, Nominated for Illinois House Speaker by Whig caucus, Re-elected to Illinois House (running first in his district), Served as Whig floor leader
1839 Chosen presidential elector by first Whig convention, Admitted to practice law in U.S. Circuit Court
1840 Argues first case before Illinois Supreme Court, Re-elected to Illinois state legislature
1841 Established new law practice with Stephen T. Logan
1842 Admitted to practice law in U.S. District Court
1843 Defeated for nomination for Congress
1844 Established own law practice with William H. Herndon as junior partner
1846 Elected to Congress
1848 Lost renomination (Chose not to run for Congress, abiding by rule of rotation among Whigs.),
1849 Rejected for land officer, Admitted to practice law in U.S. Supreme Court, Declined appointment as secretary and then as governor of Oregon Territory
1854 Defeated for U.S. Senate, Elected to Illinois state legislature (but declined seat to run for U.S. Senate)
1856 Defeated for nomination for Vice President
1858 Again defeated for U.S. Senate
1860 Elected President
- The ability to see
- A compelling portrait (of the future) - Philippians 3:9-14
Who are visionary people of the past?
Thomas Edison(telegraph & lightbulb – over 1,000 patents) Thomas Edison and his lab associates, called "Muckers," conducted thousands of experiments to develop the electric light bulb. To make it functional, each step required the invention of a new component, from vacuumed and sealed glass bulbs to switches, special types of wire and meters. Like previous efforts, the greatest challenge was coming up with a material that could serve as a long-lasting filament. After testing thousands of materials, including over 6,000 types of plant growths, they found the best substance was carbonized cotton thread.
The Wright Brothers (flight)On December 17, 1903, at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, the Wright Flyer became the first powered, heavier-than-air machine to achieve controlled, sustained flight with a pilot aboard. ,
Martin Luther King, Jr. (Civil Rights) Did you know that one of Martin Luther King Jr.'s advisers had recommended that he leave out the "I have a dream" phrase for his speech on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in 1963? Luckily, King ignored that recommendation. Other quote: "Faith is taking the first step even when you can't see the whole staircase."
Michael Jordon (Basketball) In 1978, Michael Jordan was just another kid in the gym, along with 50 or so of his classmates, trying out for the Emsley A. Laney High School varsity basketball team. There were 15 roster spots. Jordan—then a 15-year-old sophomore who was only 5'10" and could not yet dunk a basketball—did not get one. Then he picked himself up and turned the cut into motivation. “Whenever I was working out and got tired and ?gured I ought to stop, I’d close my eyes and see that list in the locker room without my name on it,” Jordan would explain. “That usually got me going again.”
Abraham (Faith) Left his homeland not knowing where he was going and believed God to show him. Became the father of the nation of Israel and through his line came Jesus from which all Christians are brothers and sisters
Moses (Leader) He couldn't speak well and would stutter, but let millions out of the captivity in Egypt under Pharaoh
What are some attributes of people who have vision and made accomplishments:
- Hard work
- Discipline
- Faith – Hebrews 11:6 – Without Faith it is impossible to please God.
Some people have a vision. They envision winning the lottery and their life being so much better. Many times, these people spend all their money they "won" and end up bankrupt. Why? The simple answer is this: Once you have more and get used to it, you want even more. There is not satisfaction found in fulfilling your earthly desires.
An exhaustive study was done to find out what things make people happy and content:
- Meaningful work
- Helping people
- Close relationships
What is God's vision for your life? What should our vision for our lives be based on?
- FAITH
- OBEDIENCE TO GOD'S WORD
- PRAYER
- TRUST AND DELIGHT IN THE LORD – DESIRES
- THE SPIRIT of GOD (NOT THE FLESH)
- ENCOURAGE (Nowhere in the Bible does it ever tell you to not encourage)
- THANKFUL - I Thessalonians 5:18 "give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus."
- VISION (DREAMS)
John 5: 19b - "the Son can do nothing by himself: he can do only what he sees his Father doing..."
Anything we do on our own is like wood, hay, and stubble that will be burned up in the fire of judgement. I Corinthians 3:12-14:
If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, 13their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. 14If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward.
Proverbs 37: 3-6
Trust in the Lord and do good;
dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.
Take delight in the Lord,
and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Commit your way to the Lord;
trust in him and he will do this:
He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn,
your vindication like the noonday sun.
English Standard Version
Habakkuk 2:2 - And the LORD answered me: “Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so he may run who reads it.
New International Version
Hebrews 3:13 But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called "Today," so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness.
New Living Translation
Philippians 3:9-14 I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ.c For God’s way of making us right with himself depends on faith. 10I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I want to suffer with him, sharing in his death, 11so that one way or another I will experience the resurrection from the dead!
12 I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. 13No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it,d but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, 14I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.
Abraham Lincoln's Failures FAILURES or SETBACKS and SUCCESSES
1832 Lost job, Defeated for state legislature, Elected company captain of Illinois militia in Black Hawk War
1833 Failed in business, Appointed postmaster of New Salem, Illinois, Appointed deputy surveyor of Sangamon County
1834 Elected to Illinois state legislature
1835 Sweetheart died
1836 Had nervous breakdown, Re-elected to Illinois state legislature (running first in his district), Received license to practice law in Illinois state courts
1837 Led Whig delegation in moving Illinois state capital from Vandalia to Springfield, Became law partner of John T. Stuart
1838 Defeated for Speaker, Nominated for Illinois House Speaker by Whig caucus, Re-elected to Illinois House (running first in his district), Served as Whig floor leader
1839 Chosen presidential elector by first Whig convention, Admitted to practice law in U.S. Circuit Court
1840 Argues first case before Illinois Supreme Court, Re-elected to Illinois state legislature
1841 Established new law practice with Stephen T. Logan
1842 Admitted to practice law in U.S. District Court
1843 Defeated for nomination for Congress
1844 Established own law practice with William H. Herndon as junior partner
1846 Elected to Congress
1848 Lost renomination (Chose not to run for Congress, abiding by rule of rotation among Whigs.),
1849 Rejected for land officer, Admitted to practice law in U.S. Supreme Court, Declined appointment as secretary and then as governor of Oregon Territory
1854 Defeated for U.S. Senate, Elected to Illinois state legislature (but declined seat to run for U.S. Senate)
1856 Defeated for nomination for Vice President
1858 Again defeated for U.S. Senate
1860 Elected President