When the Vision Appears to Die

When the Vision Appears to Die
Three Stories & Three Lessons

Pastor Terry Wilcox

Three Stories About Vision

1. God gives Abram a radical vision
   Genesis 12:1-4

   900 people awarded Nobel Prize
    · 22% to Jewish people
    · .2% of population

   Abram at 100 years of age fathered a son by Sarah

2. God gave Joseph a vision
   Genesis 37:5-11

   It appears to die – Genesis 37:28, 36
   Flounders, but hopeful – Genesis 39:1-4
   A glimmer of hope – Genesis 38:20-21

   Then we see the fulfillment: Joseph as Prime Minister

3. Death of Lazarus in John 11
   John 11:12
   Isaiah 55:8-9

Three Lessons About Vision

1. Compromise is the result of relying on human effort.
   a. God’s goal is our transformation.
       Galatians 5:22-23
   b. Satan tempts us to develop God’s vision:
        · with our own efforts.
         · settle for reformation rather than transformation.

   We think God’s best is something we do, God says it is what we become.

2. Never try to box God in with the clock or calendar.
   Patience = willingness to face a problem without giving God a deadline to solve it.
3. Surrender expectations and focus hope
   Romans 15:13

Personal Notes