Phil 2 5 In your relationships with one

Phil 2: 5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in very nature God, … made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant… he humbled himself… by becoming obedient to death…on a cross! 9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father.

How big is your vision? • When you close your eyes, what do you dream about? • What would you like to see come about? • What wrong would you like to see righted? • What problem would you like to see fixed?

1. Paul was an evangelist • Paul firmly believed every person needs Jesus! The Realm of God and Angels The Realm of Humankind The Realm of the Dead

2. Paul had a vision that involved every person who has ever lived • “that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord “ More than entrepreneurship Not in it to make money Not in it to benefit himself Living Hope is based on the vision and passion that God gives people to make a difference • “The Holy Spirit gifts people for ministry” • Not a filling in the blanks; but an empowering • •

3. Paul had a call Acts 9: 1 Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest 2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. 3 As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. 4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, why do you persecute me? ”

5 “Who are you, Lord? ” Saul asked. “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting, ” he replied. 6 “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do. ” 10 In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, “Ananias!”(Ananias argued with God) 15 But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel.

16 I will show him how much he must suffer for my name. ” 17 Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit. ” 20 At once he began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God. 21 All those who heard him were astonished …Yet Saul grew more and more powerful and baffled the Jews living in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Messiah.

5 “Who are you, Lord? ” Saul asked. “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting, ” he replied. 6 “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do. ” 10 In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, “Ananias!”(Ananias argued with God) 15 But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel.

3. Paul had a call • Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. • The very group of people Paul had been so opposed to, God called him to minister to. – People of Israel who followed the way – The Gentiles – The kings of the Gentiles (the people in power)

Paul had a call • A call is sometimes a voice that you hear, but it is not audible. • An inkling • The voice guides your mind in a way it wouldn’t normally go • A call becomes a passion you can’t shake

Do you have a call/ leading? • Some I am aware of – Lead Bible studies – Make people feel special – Communicating the message via drama – Guys ministering together – Women ministering together – Teens exploring faith and doing good – Connecting people to others – Helping people stay healthy • Living Hope is a place to test a call, a vision, a burden – Writer, actor,

So What? • Making faith Fun Again – Go back to the dream – Let it re-kindle – “fan into flame the gift that is in you. ” – “Wind them up and let them go” • Organized chaos • Rest is OK; even needed • How big is your vision? – Something you can do? – Something only God can do