Vision Transmits, Vision Transcends, Vision Transforms
Speaker Notes
Influence Factors
“Making the Most of Vision”
Thursday Morning Breakfast at the Union Club
Pastor Paul Atwater
January 24, 2008
Three Timeless Principles about Vision:
a. Elisha could envision what his servant (Gehazi) could not.
b. Vision transcended all reasons for fear and panic.
.
1. Vision trans__________.
2. Vision trans__________.
3. Vision trans__________.
These principles all come from the ministry of Elisha.
1. Vision transmits God’s ____________________.
2 Kings 6:8-16
Elisha Traps Blinded Arameans
8 Now the king of Aram was at war with Israel. After conferring with his officers, he said, “I will set up my camp in such and such a place.”
9 The man of God sent word to the king of Israel: “Beware of passing that place, because the Arameans are going down there.” 10 So the king of Israel checked on the place indicated by the man of God. Time and again Elisha warned the king, so that he was on his guard in such places.
11 This enraged the king of Aram. He summoned his officers and demanded of them, “Tell me! Which of us is on the side of the king of Israel?”
12 “None of us, my lord the king,” said one of his officers, “but Elisha, the prophet who is in Israel, tells the king of Israel the very words you speak in your bedroom.”
13 “Go, find out where he is,” the king ordered, “so I can send men and capture him.” The report came back: “He is in Dothan.” 14 Then he sent horses and chariots and a strong force there. They went by night and surrounded the city.
15 When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. “Oh no, my lord! What shall we do?” the servant asked.
16 “Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”
a. Background on This Event:
1) Elisha followed Elijah. Approximately 852 – 798 BC.
2) He was also considered the greatest miracle-working prophet other than Christ himself.
3) When we meet him in 2 Kings 6
• He counsels the evil King Jehoram under attack.
• God reveals every move of Aram’s King Ben-hadad.
4) Aramean soldiers surrounded Dothan to capture Elisha.
5) When Elisha’s servant sees the chariots, he panics.
b. The Lesson:
1) Elisha’s responsibility was to Transmit God’s Perspective.
2) Equipped with the Vision to sense what God is doing,
he exudes great confidence: “Those who are with us
are more than those who are with them.”
2. Vision transcends ____________________.
2 Kings 6:15-17
15 When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. “Oh no, my lord! What shall we do?” the servant asked.
16 “Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”
17 And Elisha prayed, “Open his eyes, Lord, so that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.
3. Vision transforms _______________ & skeptics.
2 Kings 6:18-23
18 As the enemy came down toward him, Elisha prayed to the Lord, “Strike this army with blindness.” So he struck them with blindness, as Elisha had asked.
19 Elisha told them, “This is not the road and this is not the city. Follow me, and I will lead you to the man you are looking for.” And he led them to Samaria.
20 After they entered the city, Elisha said, “Lord, open the eyes of these men so they can see.” Then the Lord opened their eyes and they looked, and there they were, inside Samaria.
21 When the king of Israel saw them, he asked Elisha, “Shall I kill them, my father? Shall I kill them?”
22 “Do not kill them,” he answered. “Would you kill those you have captured with your own sword or bow? Set food and water before them so that they may eat and drink and then go back to their master.” 23 So he prepared a great feast for them, and after they had finished eating and drinking, he sent them away, and they returned to their master. So the bands from Aram stopped raiding Israel’s territory.
a. This story is full of enemies and skeptics:
1) Jehoram
2) Ben-hadad
3) Aramean soldiers.
b. Dealing with the soldiers:
c. Three Results:
1) Jehoram treats enemy soldiers honorably.
2) The soldiers return to their king peacefully.
3) Ben-hadad, the King of Aram stops raiding Israel
Finding Christ’s Vision for the Church:
1. Jesus’ Vision for the Church is ______________________.
34 “My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work. 35 Do you not say, ‘Four months more and then the harvest’? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest.” -- John 4:34-35
2. The Apostles’ Vision for the Church is
____________________________.
1Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. 2Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. -- Romans 12:1-2
My Part in Making the Most of this Vision:
1. Embrace this year of ______________________.
2. Self-______________________.
Are you moving closer to the action of God’s work in your church?
3. Take Responsibility for my ________________.
4. Help Others ________________.
Answers:
Pg. 1 -Transmits, Transcends, Transforms, Perspective
Pg. 2 - Difficulties
Pg. 3 - Enemies, Optimistic
Pg. 4 - Transformational, Challenge, Evaluation, Growth, See What I See
Paul’s church: North River Community Church in Pembroke