VISION FOR THE REGIONS BEYOND
2 Cor. 10:15-16; Acts 16:9-10
INTRODUCTION
A. HUMOR
1. Some years ago, Israel's Finance Minister was ordered by the Prime Minister to continue to fund the Israel Defense Force without raising taxes. Cash was running low after years of struggle.
2. In desperation, the Finance Minister went to the International Monetary Fund and asked for a loan. Naturally, they asked him for some collateral. Inspired, he offered them the Star of David symbol.
3. The IMF looked at it and said to him, "OK, we'll lend you $1m for it." "But it’s priceless!" the Finance Minister protested. "It’s been the symbol of my race for thousands of years and is entirely unique. Don't you know who I am? I am the Finance Minister of Israel."
4. The IMF replied, "When you wish to pawn a Star, makes no difference who you are."
B. TEXT
“Our hope is that, as your faith continues to grow, our sphere of activity among you will greatly expand, 16 so that we can preach the gospel in the regions beyond you. 2 Cor. 10:14-16.
“9 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night. A man of Macedonia stood and pleaded with him, saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” 10 Now after he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go to Macedonia, concluding that the Lord had called us to preach the gospel to them.” Acts 16:9-10
C. THESIS
1. “Praying Hyde,” a missionary in India, prayed, “Father, give me these souls, or I die.” Hyde had an insatiable desire to reach people for the kingdom of God.
2. Once we find Christ in salvation, too many of us lose our zeal to share Christ with others. We get comfortable hanging around with other Christians instead of looking for ways to share Christ with those without Him.
3. Friends, we must always have a vision of the harvest fields. We must regularly rekindle in our hearts a burden for the lost: who aren’t in God’s family; who haven’t experience. God’s grace; who don’t have eternal life.
4. I would like for us to look at three things in our text that I hope will stir our hearts about those who need the saving story of the Savior.
5. The title of this message is “Vision for the Regions Beyond.” We’re looking at Paul’s passion and an outstanding example of its fulfillment.
I. FIRST, WE SEE THE VISION
“And a vision appeared to Paul in the night…” Acts 16:9
A. THE NEED FOR A VISION
1. Paul had a supernatural vision of a man beckoning, “Come over into Macedonia and help us.” We need a vision today -- a mission, a goal, a direction for our church and for our lives.
2. Proverbs 29:18 says “Where there is no vision, the people perish…”
3. God’s people move when they get a vision—but they are absorbed into their culture when they don’t have a vision—when they don’t clearly see God’s mission and their part in it.
4. Why is this church here – as a people of God? Why are you here? What’s your mission? Why did God leave you here on this earth?
5. If we can’t answer those questions, then we lack vision and are destined to wander aimlessly in this life.
6. VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rHZiR7qCwSE
B. EVERY CHRISTIAN HAS THE GREAT COMMISSION
1. Five times in his remaining days on earth, Jesus gave some form of the Great Commission (in all 4 Gospels, Acts):
a. Matthew 28:19-20, “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…”
b. Mark 16:15, And he said unto them, “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.”
c. Luke 24:46-47, “And [Jesus] said unto them…that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.”
d. John 20:21, “Then said Jesus to them…as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.”
e. Acts 1:8, “But you shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and you shall be witnesses unto Me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”
2. He said the same thing 5 DIFFERENT TIMES. Now, whenever God speaks once, we should listen.
3. God has called you and me, and this church collectively, to share the Gospel of Christ and send the Gospel of Christ to every corner of the earth, so that people can come to faith in Christ and be baptized and discipled and brought to spiritual maturity so that they too can carry on the mission of the church.
II. SECOND, A PLEADING VOICE
“…There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us.” Acts 16:9. We wrongly assume the lost are happy without Christ. They’re NOT!
A. THIS LIFE FULL OF SADNESS
Job said that our days are “Few…and full of trouble” Job 14:1.
1. Marriages fall apart. Husbands and wives bicker, fight, and are unfaithful. Divorce rates hover near 50%.
2. Jobs are lost; loved ones die before their time; there’s never enough money; children go off the deep-end and their lives are hit by a tsunami of problems.
3. People regularly say to me, “I’m so grateful I have Jesus! I don’t know what people do without the Lord!” They don’t do good!
4. We look on the outside of people and they look like they’re ok, but statistics show they’re not. Check out the millions of sedatives and stimulants prescribed. Psychologist’s offices are jammed. Everywhere people are sad and live with tragedy.
B. THE GOSPEL IS THE ONLY HOPE
1. People will never be fulfilled without God in their lives. We’re empty without God being in our spiritual lives. There’s a sense of estrangement from the Creator.
2. The Bible says, “But the [godless] are like the tossing sea, which cannot rest….“There is no peace,” says my God, “for the wicked.” Isa. 57:20-21. David said, “My soul finds rest in God alone!”
3. People are hurting and we have the answer. Only Jesus can really improve their lives. We have to tell them!
4. Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” Jn. 14:27.
C. PEOPLE ARE GOD’S FOCUS
Notice that Paul saw a MAN pleading, not an angel or the voice of God. God wants to impress upon us that our focus ought to be on PEOPLE.
1. Not primarily on the pursuit of fun and entertainment, or accumulating money, or material things.
2. ILLUS. A Missionary was waiting in a Pastor’s office. When the Pastor entered, the missionary commented, “You have an impressive library.” Just as the proud young preacher was about to agree, the missionary said, “Too bad it’s all going to burn up some day!”
3. You know what, the same can be said of your car, furniture, stereo, computer and house and all the money you have in the bank. It’s all going to burn up someday, so why we invest so much in that what is temporary?
4. I’m not saying that God doesn’t want us to have fun, to save for our future or have some nice things. The question is, is that our primarily focus? Our primary focus should be on God and His kingdom – on reaching PEOPLE. Why?
a. Because we can take people to heaven when we go.
b. Because GOD’S focus is on people.
c. Because Jesus died for people.
5. Paul said in 1 Timothy 1:15, “This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners…” Since Jesus so loved people—we also ought to love people.
6. ILLUS.
a. Years ago in England, there was a shortage of silver. Someone came to Cromwell one day and said, “There is no more silver. We can’t mint any coins until we get some more silver.”
b. It was explained that the only silver that could be found was in the statutes of the saints found in the Churches. Cromwell said, “Well, then, melt down the saints and put them into circulation.” That's what we need: to be put back into circulation!
III. THIRD, CONSIDER WITH ME THE VINEYARD
“And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavored to go into Macedonia…” Acts 16:10.
A. WE ALL HAVE A PLACE OF SERVICE
1. When the Holy Spirit pointed Paul to where his vineyard was -- the place where Paul was to serve—Paul’s ministry team immediately endeavored to go there.
2. That was Paul’s heartbeat -- to be in the Lord’s vineyard -- to be working, laboring to see a great ingathering of people into Christ’s kingdom.
3. Did you know that you too have a vineyard? God has a place where the lost are calling out to you to tell them the Good News.
4. God put you in Huntsville, Texas to witness for Christ! Huntsville is your Vineyard! GOD put you and I here so our neighbors can find God’s forgiveness; so our co-workers can see the Light, so our friends can hear the Gospel. Huntsville is your vineyard.
B. THERE IS URGENCY IN THIS CALL
1. When Paul got his Macedonian call, Luke records that: “IMMEDIATELY we endeavored to go into Macedonia…” Many Christians are too busy with earthy pursuits and the things of this world to see any kind of URGENCY about their neighbors going into eternity without Christ.
2. Many of us get along great with our friends and neighbors and co-workers. You men talk sports with them, or the women talk about home or kids. You argue politics barbecue together, and play video games with them.
3. But have you ever shared your faith with them to them? Have you ever even invited them to church? Have you ever told them how they can find forgiveness and peace and purpose in Jesus Christ?
4. Listen—in the light of eternity, it doesn’t matter who’s going to win the Super Bowl, what size buck we kill, or how good our golf game is.
C. WE MUST KNOW: GOD INTENDS TO USE US
1. “…immediately we endeavored to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering [concluding] that the Lord had called US for to preach the gospel unto them.” Acts 16:10.
2. The vision Paul and his team had here is often referred to the “Macedonian call.” Well folks, we have the “Huntsville call.” It doesn’t quite have the same ring to it, but God help us to answer that call.
3. Everyone here is either a mission field or a missionary: either you’re NOT SAVED and need to be, or you ARE SAVED and are to tell others.
4. You say, “Wow, I’m not sure I know what I’m supposed to do!” Ok, I’ll tell you 4 ways you can easily work your Vineyard in Huntsville:
a. Simply invite friends and acquaintances to church.
b. Another way is drop church fliers/cards in mailboxes in the housing areas or offices.
c. Third, develop relationships with your neighbors that can open doors of evangelism.
d. Learn how to take the Bible and lead someone to Christ. We have some tracts “Steps to Peace with God” that will great simplify doing this.
5. Lastly, every believer should give monetarily to get the Gospel to the rest of the world. That’s why we have a Missions Department. Did you know YOU can be a partner in supporting a missionary on a foreign mission field?
6. May God help us to answer the call to the vineyard God has given us.
CONCLUSION
A. ILLUSTRATION
1. Chaplain Jeff Congdon, who spoke last Sunday night, told a story that moved all of us who were there. I want to recount it.
2. When Jeff was in Bible College, he was assigned by a professor to witness 3X, and write a report on each witnessing encounter and turn them in by a certain date.
3. The due date arrived, but Jeff was one witnessing encounter short of his assignment.
4. “Where could I find some young people to witness to?” Jeff asked himself. He remembered that the pier on Lake Michigan always had some young couples strolling on it about this time!
5. He went and there was a young man and woman on the pier. He walked up to them, told them of his assignment and asked them if they could ‘help him out’ by listening to his presentation. They agreed.
6. As he went through the Four Spiritual Laws tract, explaining each step to salvation, the young lady got tears in her eyes, “I’ve been searching for this all my life! I go to church sometimes but didn’t know the steps to salvation.”
7. In the concluding prayer, she wept her way to God. Her name was written in gold in the Lamb’s Book of Life. Her destination changed from hell to heaven! All this because Jeff was required to fulfill an assignment for a class!
B. THE CALL
1. As I was thinking about speaking to you this morning, the Lord laid on me to give YOU the same assignment the professor gave to Jeff; to witness to 3 people in the next two weeks and possible share it in church if God leads.
2. How many will raise your hand and agree, “With God’s help, I’ll witness to 3 people in the next two weeks!” Good! Remember, the Lord and me will hold you to your promise. Our ushers want to give each of you a tract to do this easier.
3. Lastly, how many of you know that your life isn’t where it needs to be? Maybe you’re not as close to the Lord as you used to be, or you haven’t been praying/reading your Bible, or maybe some area of sin has snuck in.
4. God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life. We all need a new vision of the Harvest field. We need a new commitment to our Vineyard – this Church and Reaching Huntsville!
5. Let’s all pray for forgiveness and a burning zeal/urgency to reach our families, co-workers, friends and neighbors before Jesus comes back! PRAYER.
[This is a rewrite of Chuck Sligh’s message, “Come Over and Help Us.”]
