Proverbs 29:18 states, “Where there is no vision, the people perish…” The Old Testament Prophets were called “Seers”, because they saw something. Jesus said, “If the blind lead the blind, they both fall into a ditch”. He was speaking of a spiritual blindness. The prayer of the Psalmist was, “Open our eyes that we might behold wondrous things out of thy law”. Jesus said to Nicodemus, “Except a man be born again he cannot see the kingdom of God”. The physically blind have no physical vision. The spiritually blind have no spiritual vision. What a tragedy to not be able to see and understand the things of God. Personally, no vision of what God has done and is doing for us, and no vision of what we have the privilege to do and accomplish for God, is the cause of spiritual ruin and destruction. This lack of knowing God affects the family, the church, the community, the country and ultimately the world. I want to focus our devotional on the purpose of our local churches. There certainly is a spiritual battle set in array against the Church. Paul said, “A great door and effectual is opened unto me, but there are many adversaries”. But in another text he said, “If God be for us, who can be against us?”
“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.” The Biblical local church has the right vision of God and His purpose. It is a Lighthouse in the midst of a dark world. The fellowship of believers is important. Christians encourage one another when they meet together to pray, sing, learn and worship. But there is a great work that the church must be involved in wholeheartedly.
Acts 1:8, “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” We are to share the Gospel with our families, friends and neighbors. “Beginning at Jerusalem!” But we should not stop there. Our mission is the whole world. Erwin Lutzer wrote, “Christianity spread rapidly during the first century because all Christians saw themselves as responsible for disseminating the gospel.” The church is responsible. You are responsible. I am responsible.
“The only way the corporate Body of Christ will fulfill the mission Christ has given it is for individual Christians to have a vision for fulfilling that mission personally.”
David Jeremiah“A common vision can unite people of very different temperaments.”
Tim Keller
May our church be united for the cause of Christ. There can be no greater purpose.
“Often our influence in our communities extends to church programs, musicals, or weekly services. While those things can help present the Gospel, God desires for us to personally be influences on the world around us. Spreading the Gospel isn’t solely the church’s job; it’s the job of every Christian.”
Paul Chappell
Let others report bad news; we’ll share the good news.