We Need a Vision

Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he. (Proverbs 29:18)

The Hebrew word for, “vision,” is “chazown” (khaw-zone’) and means a sight (mentally), i.e. a dream, revelation, or oracle:– vision.

We first need 20/20 vision into the spiritual realm. The world is in a down hill slide. The time of Christ’s return is drawing ever nearer. People are interested in everything but God. With all the possessions people have, there is still no satisfaction. We are living in a time of spiritual darkness. The same thing happened to Israel.

And the child Samuel ministered unto the LORD before Eli. And the word of the LORD was precious in those days; there was no open vision. (I Samuel 3:1)

Without a vision of the spiritual conditions, men are dying and going to hell. The sad thing is that many of God’s own people have no vision. We are too involved in our own lives to serve God and to see the needs of those around us.

Then we need a vision of what God can do with College Heights Baptist Church. Not everything we do can be seen within these walls.

Let’s consider some things we need a vision of.

I. WE NEED A VISION OF HELL.

And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. (Luke 16:23-25)

1. It is a literal place – it is real.
2. It is a place of torment.
3. It is a place with no water.
4. It is a place of flames.
5. It is a place without mercy.
6. It is a place of darkness.
   

   But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. (Matthew 8:12)

7. It is a place of sorrow.
8. It is a place of gnashing of teeth.
9. It is a place where the worm does not die.
   

   Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. (Mark 9:44)

10. It is eternal.
    

    And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal. (Matthew 25:46)

II. WE NEED A VISION OF HEAVEN.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.
(Psalm 23:6)

Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
(John 14;1-3)

1. It is a literal place.
   

   After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter. And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne. And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald. And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold. And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God. And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four beasts full of eyes before and behind.
   (Revelation 4:1-6)

2. It is a place of comfort.
3. It is a place of living water.
4. It is a place of rest.
5. It is a place of mercy.
6. It is a place of light.
7. It is a place of joy.
8. It is a place of love.
9. It is a place where nothing can harm.
10. It is eternal.

Everything that hell is, heaven is not and everything that heaven is, hell is not.

III. WE NEED A VISION OF CHRIST.

For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.(Luke 19:10)

1. We need a vision of His life.
2. We need a vision of His death, burial and resurrection.
3. We need a vision of His commandments.
   

   Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. (Matthew 28:19-20)

4. We need a vision of serving Him with our whole being.

IV. WE NEED A VISION OF THOSE AROUND US.

Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest. (John 4:35)

1. There are some who serve God.
2. There are some who are weak.
   

   Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. (Galatians 6:1)

   We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. (Romans 15:1)

3. There are those who are lost.
   

   Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest. (Matthew 9:37-38)

4. We need a burden for them.
5. We need to do everything we can to lead them to a saving knowledge of Christ.
6. We need to pray earnestly for laborer to help reach them.