Executing God’s Vision

Jun 26

Discover the transformative power of Habakkuk 2:2 and its impact on justice and disciple-making. Uncover three essential steps to executing God's vision in your life. Embrace a profound message that transcends the noise of our modern world.

Write the vision. Make it plain on tablets, so he may run who reads it.

Martin Luther King Jr. once stood on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial and painted a vivid picture of a future where all men would be judged, not by their skin color, but by their character's content. This vision wasn't merely a dream but a clear and resolute calling that would eventually change the course of history. In many ways, King's vision echoes the divine counsel offered in the book of Habakkuk.

The Context of Habakkuk 2:2

"Then the LORD replied: 'Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets so that a herald may run with it.'" Habakkuk 2:2

This verse was set in the backdrop of the late seventh century BCE when Habakkuk bore witness to the impending Babylonian invasion, a time of great peril and distress for the people of Israel.

Habakkuk was wrestling with a difficult question: Why does God allow His people to suffer?

In response, God gives Habakkuk a vision that answers this question. The vision is not a blueprint of an escape plan from the Babylonian threat; instead, it is a profound revelation of divine justice.

God assures Habakkuk that He is still in control even amid immense suffering. Though the Babylonians may seem invincible, they will face downfall due to their arrogance and unjust practices.

This vision offers the hope that God sees the suffering of His people and promises a day of salvation, thus encouraging patience and resilience among His followers. In the broader biblical narrative, the act of delivering visions is a recurring pattern through which God communicates His divine truth and plans.

When Moses received the Ten Commandments, inscribed by God on stone tablets, it was not merely a set of rules but a transformative vision of a just society where people live in harmony with each other and God. This vision shaped the Israelites into a covenant community, giving them a distinct identity and purpose.

In Revelation, John's vision unveils the end times, where God's ultimate triumph over evil is revealed. John's vision bolsters the resolve of the early church undergoing persecution, offering Christians the hope of ultimate victory and eternal life.

Each of these visions had profound impacts on their respective communities. Moses' vision shaped the foundational laws of Israelite society and still influences our understanding of justice and morality today. John's visions gave the persecuted church the strength to endure and remain faithful despite severe trials.

Similarly, Habakkuk's vision likely provided much-needed hope and resilience to the people of Israel, reaffirming God’s sovereign control despite seemingly insurmountable adversities.

How Do We Apply Habakkuk 2:2 to Our Lives?

We live in a world where the cacophony of competing messages and priorities can distract us from the vision Jesus has clearly articulated for His church.

In Matthew 28:19, Jesus says, "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit." This Great Commission is a clear, compelling vision for the global spread of the Gospel and the making of disciples in every nation.

Despite this clear command, our current American church culture often seems more consumed with inward-facing concerns. Our resources, time, and energy are frequently spent on internal programs and maintaining our comfort, while the unreached people groups, who have never heard the Gospel, continue to wait.

Research indicates that the global Christian community gives only a fraction of a percent of its income towards missions in unreached areas. Furthermore, it's estimated that only one out of every 100 missionaries serve in regions with unreached people groups. This starkly contrasts Jesus’ vision of making disciples of all nations and reveals a need for renewed focus.

How Do We Execute God’s Vision?

1) Cultivate a Global Mindset

There are several practical steps we can take to regain our focus on Jesus’ vision for his church.

We can encourage one another to develop a global perspective on God’s mission. Resources like the Joshua Project provide invaluable insights into the demographics of unreached people who wait in need of a gospel witness. Their website provides daily prayer requests for different unreached people groups, offering a practical way to engage in intercessory prayer.

Additionally, organizations like Operation World offer comprehensive prayer guides for every nation.

2) Prioritize Discipleship

Focus on making disciples, not just attending events or programs.

Zume is a training curriculum that provides a wealth of resources for cultivating a discipleship culture. Discipleship training materials like Zume can equip us to share our faith naturally and confidently with people we interact with daily.

Christ Church will begin offering training in Zume this fall on Sunday mornings. Contact Grant Caldwell or Nathan Cook at nathanc@christchurchmemphis.org if interested.

3) Partner with like-minded Organizations

Several mainline denominations have prioritized unreached people groups as the main focus of their missionary efforts. We can advocate for unreached people groups within our church and within the broader Global Methodist church.

We can also continue exploring partnerships with mission agencies like International Leadership Institute, which focuses explicitly on equipping leaders to spread the Gospel in unreached areas.

By leveraging these resources, we can align our efforts more closely with Jesus' vision, ensuring that our church not only welcomes believers but actively equips them to carry His message to all nations.

Faith Challenge For Executing God’s Vision

Over the next few weeks, take on the challenge of living out Jesus' vision of making disciples in all nations tangibly and practically.

Pray

Set aside a specific time each day to pray for the unreached people of the world. Use resources like the Joshua Project to guide your prayers. Commit yourself to intercede for these groups, seeking God's will to be done in their lives.

Reflection Questions

What steps can you take to cultivate a global perspective in your daily life and better understand God's heart for the unreached?
In what ways are you currently practicing disciple-making in your everyday interactions? How could you improve or expand on this practice, and what resources might you utilize to equip yourself better in disciple-making?
What changes might you need to advocate for within our church or community to prioritize disciple-making and the allocation of resources toward reaching the unreached? What challenges do you anticipate in this advocacy, and how might you prepare for them?

Learn

Spend time each week looking into resources that help you better understand and practice discipleship. Resources like Zúme can be invaluable in this journey. As you learn, seek to put these teachings into practice in your everyday interactions.

Advocate

Start conversations within your discipleship group or Sunday school class about the importance of focusing on reaching the unreached and making disciples. Share what you've learned and experienced during this challenge and advocate for resource allocation towards this vision.

Share

Intentionally share your faith with others. Look for opportunities to share the Gospel and invite others to follow Jesus in your community or through supporting international missions.

Remember, making disciples is not a one-time event but a lifelong journey. This challenge aims to foster habits that will bring you closer to the heart of Jesus' vision. Remember that progress may be slow, but each step taken is a step closer to the fulfillment of the Great Commission.

A Prayer for Renewed Focus on Jesus’ Vision

Heavenly Father,

I thank You for the gift of Your Son, Jesus Christ, who came into this world to save us and show us the path to You. I am in awe of the incredible love that propelled Jesus to lay down His life for us willingly.

Lord, I confess that there are times when I am distracted when my focus wavers from the mission that Jesus has given us—to make disciples of all nations. I get entangled in the busyness of life, in my comfort and concerns, and lose sight of the greater calling.

I am deeply grateful for Your grace, which is ever-sufficient and ready to guide me back to God. Today, I desire to redirect my heart and mind to the vision of Jesus—to see the lost found, the unreached reached, and disciples made in every corner of the globe.

Father, grant me a spirit of wisdom and revelation to understand Your heart for the nations. Kindle in me a passion for the Gospel that transcends borders, languages, and cultures. Equip me, Lord, to be an effective witness for Your kingdom, prepared and willing to contribute in whatever capacity You have called me.

May Your Spirit guide me as I seek to learn more about disciple-making. Give me the courage and strength to live out Jesus' command in my daily life and interactions. Empower me, Lord, to not only understand Jesus' vision but to act on it—inspiring and influencing others to do the same.

May my life echo the great commission of Jesus and contribute to the fulfillment of Your glorious plan for all nations. And may all glory, honor, and praise be unto You, the Author and Perfecter of our faith.

In the powerful name of Jesus, I pray.
Amen.

TL;DR

Just as God gave visions to prophets like Habakkuk, Moses, and John, Jesus articulated a clear vision for His church to spread the Gospel globally.
How to execute Jesus' vision: