VISION
Character Tour 4 of 8
November 4, 2007
mikematijevich
mmatevich@aol.com

Intro:
David was a man of vision.
* What is VISION?
"The God-given ability to see the unseen, seeing the transparent through the apparent.
*** God wants all of us to become great Visionaries.
If we could see what God wants for our lives, our church team we probably wouldn't believe it.
* For my life- marriage, dating relationship, business, ministry.
* How do we INCREASE our vision?
How do we know God's vision?

PRINCIPLES:
I. VISION TAKES HOLD IN THE OBSCURE (It takes root in the private areas of our lives)
A. David spent a lot of time by himself- meditating on God.
Note: David didn't ask God why he was being wasted in the fields with dumb sheep- like we do.
B. David knew God in an INTIMATE way - worshipped him.
1. When the lion came he killed it without applause.
2. When the bear came he killed it without applause. NO CNN ESPN
Note: God always gives us His vision for us in the private / obscure place of our lives.
Because a faith that is not TESTED cannot be TRUSTED.
Note: Our problem in the INSTANT SOCIETY that we live in -
We want instant Marital bliss… today
We want instant Financial success… today
We want instant Run the company right now…
Note: David didn't take a shortcut from the PASTURE to the PALACE.

* Yes He does- in the obscurity is where you find out what the vision is for you.
If you remain faithful- stay humble- understand it is by the grace of God- He will take you to the vision the He has for your life- in a phenomenal way.
Mt 25:21

II. VISION & UNCERTAINTY ARE INSEPARABLY LINKED
Driving at night in Las Vegas - lights illuminate in front of you…
Question- how do you see beyond that illumination? You drive….
* That's the way God is with His vision.
He gives just enough light to show where He wants us to go… family, business, career, business, and as a church… but don't STOP- DRIVE.
* DO you think David KNEW that he was going to fight Goliath, a Lion, a Bear, play a harp before Saul, Jonathan would become best friends, run from Saul because Saul went nuts, that he would become king? NO! UNCERTAINTY.

* So if you are a little uncertain - YOU are RIGHT where God wants you!
Trust Him- we Paradise need to trust Him.
- Because He will reveal himself to you/us through His word, other Christians, His Spirit & through anointed teaching.

Four quick things we can do RIGHT NOW about vision:

1. VISIONARIES DIESEL DOWN VISON VANDALS
* Every time you have a vision somebody is going to try to put it down.
2 weeks ago Joshua & Caleb & the 10 spies. (They came after Josh & Caleb)
1 Sam. 17:28 David had one - Eliab (oldest brother)
John 10:10 "The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly."
* That's what vision vandals do- steal, kill, and destroy VISION.

1 Sam. 17:29-30 David didn't come back to Eliab - he turned to another way (we argue / comeback)
* Who is your ELIAB? Don't waste your time trying to get them to get the vision.

2. VISIONARIES RECOGNIZE YOUR RESOURCES
* Resources are right before us- if we get our vision from God we discern the resources.
* David walked with God - so he knew how to use the sling / the stones; why he wouldn't wear Saul's armor.
1 Sam 17:38-40 Visionaries are great eliminators- (Not just who you hang out with but who / what you avoid) Have you PROVED it / them?
Eph 6:11 God DOESN"T dress us- we grown up we need to put on righteousness

3. VISIONARIES VALUE VICTORIES 1 Sam 17:33-37
* When you have a great spiritual victory - keep a memento from the victory.
* You can use that when you have those BOUTS with DOUBT.
1 Sam 17:54 Head of Goliath (armor in his tent) cp 17:39 Put off Saul's armor
* David was not planning to wear it- but kept it for a trophy to remind him of the victory!

4. VISION IS A CONTAGIOUS COMODITY 1 Sam 17:52-53
* David had no idea when he got this vision in obscurity that it would go public & have a huge effect on the hearts & lives of others. BUT God DID!
* If you can understand the vision God has for you in your marriage, corporate world, academic world, it is contagious.
- Contagious with your kids, fellow workers, fellow Christians, community, neighborhood, WORLD!

Conclusion:
When Israel & Saul looked at the battle, the giant they saw it exclusively from the EXTERNAL.
They saw what they could & couldn't do.
They saw Goliath the undefeated warrior- David didn't see that…
* David saw the unseen- because David was a man of Vision.
* That is the kind of person that God wants us to be.