Vision + Provision | Message 4

Vision + Provision | Message Four

This new series is called “Vision and Provision.”

By ‘vision’ we mean the big spiritual questions of life:

❔ Why are we here?

❔ What is our dream for our life, and what is God’s dream for our life?

By ‘provision’ we mean the practical resources God provides to make dreams a reality: time, money, effort, energy, etc.

Scriptures | Matthew 28:16-20 | Perhaps the greatest spiritual vision ever given by Jesus was the Great Commission.  

Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted.  Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 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.” ~Matthew 28:16-20

Question 1 | You don’t have to have heard the sermon from Sunday, but if you were in church, watched online, or listened to the podcast, what stuck with you?

Question 2 | Jesus tells us to make disciples of “all nations.”  The Greek word “nations” is the word “ethnos.”  It’s a general term that means not only countries, but also bloodlines, races, and ethnicities.  Heaven is depicted as a place where people from “every tribe, tongue, and nation” are gathered around the throne of Jesus (Revelation 9:7-10).  

❔ So if “all nations” is the command of Jesus and the vision of Heaven, how does that line up with your experience of church?

❔ So if “all nations” is the command of Jesus and the vision of Heaven, how does that line up with your experience of church?

Follow up question!  Jeremy suggested that sometime this week, when we walk into a room (any room with people in it) we should look around the room and ask God to identify someone in the room we should “go” to – and then simply to approach the person with kindness and hospitality. 

❔ Did you try this?  If not, would you be willing to try it and report back next week?

Question 3 | Jeremy shared the story of a bright, wonderful friend from Thailand who said, “I can’t be a Christian because I’m not American.  Americans are Christians, and Christianity is for Americans.”  Obviously this is different than what Jesus taught... 

❔ What is your personal response to this statement? 

❔ How might you respond in Christ-like kindness and love to someone who said this to you?

Question 4 | In John 12:32, Jesus says, “When I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw all people to myself.”  In this case, “lifted up” means not only the crucifixion (Jesus was “lifted up” on the cross) but also that when Jesus is exalted, praised, promoted, and lifted high in our love and esteem Jesus will draw “all people” to himself.  Based on this, the message ended with the call to “Lift up Jesus.”  Think and pray practically:

❔ How can you “lift up Jesus” this week in your life?