Mark 3: 13-21; Nehemiah Ch. 1-4

Recurrent Thought

Clear and well-articulated Visions capture the attention of possible Partners, who may in turn be significant supporters to its achievement

Jesus knew the reality that the work of the Kingdom, which must be ever growing, demands an increasingly number of workers. Therefore, He recruited workers, purposefully. The text we read has specific elements on Vision creation, which is one of the hallmarks of teams (partnership)

Intentional and functional teams create people of purpose and direction and by this very fact, it produces leaders, ultimately.  The creation of work teams, is at the foundation of successful and enterprising organizations. As we stated earlier, a team is a group of people with a high degree of interdependence geared toward the achievement of a goal or completion of a task. A Work team is created with clear intentionality around it. A team is a small number of people with complementary skills, who are committed to a common purpose, performance goals, and approaches for which they are mutually accountable.

It is essential to define terms we working with. First, Purpose is the reason for existence, Purpose is the truth that frames the being of an organization and the explanation of what it produces and benefits and endows its clients.  Second, Vision is the preferred future. It is the beacon that allows the fulfillment of purpose. “Vision is a clear picture of what the leader sees his group being or doing (Maxwell, p. 149).  This is corporate vision.   “Vision is an internal picture, not of what exists, but what will be in the future.”–Wilkinson. Without it there is no direction in a group.  Vision and goals are often used interchangeably and are closely related.[i]  We can talk of vision being the end result and goals being the steps that will take us to the vision. Visionary targets are milestones, which measurably mark the direction of an organization.

Every work team or organization is bounded by those two essential parameters. Organizations have purposes that reveal their reason for existence, formation and foundation and they vision that drive them. Todays, massage amplifies the descriptions and understanding of the Vision Jesus stated for the Team he created. We see this clearly stated in the text:

And he appointed twelve (whom he also named apostles) so that they might be with him and he might send them out to preach and have authority to cast out demons (Mark 3:14-15). 

Vision is essential for the future of a person or an organization. Figuratively, Vision FEEDS the future of a work team or organization:

1.  Focus
   • Vision enables us to keep our eyes on a fixed objective.  It keeps us from being distracted from other things that may also be good but are not the best for us.
   • Prov. 29:18, "Where there is no vision (revelation NIV) the people cast off restraint."  They will live carelessly and without a sense of purpose. Without a vision in the church you have only a group of people assembled together but not moving together.
   • “Vision focuses life to reach its fullest potential” -Wilkinson
   • Vision sharpens our focus to the end that we have steady gaze on what is important to our journey while everything is blurry and vague.
2.  Energy
   • Vision energizes a leader.  Those who pursues specific visions receives strength from the picture of where he is going and it gives him power for the task. 
   • An effective leader keeps his vision in his mind night and day.  He dreams about it at night and during the day.  He talks about it and he acts upon it.
3.  Endurance
   • The vision not only gives energy for the task but gives endurance, the ability to keep on
   • going even when it is tough.
   • Without a vision you won't have "staying power."   Leaders never quit and it is the vision that provides this quality of endurance. 
   • If you are going to make a difference as a leader you must have a vision and you must be able to get others to follow the vision.
4.    Determination
   • Vision creates the zeal and passion to pursue the future. Vision creates determination and a longing to see the targets be met
   • Vision does not just give energy to to endure, but it gives you the passion to pursue.
5.  Speed
   • Vision also ensures that people pursuing their destiny are mindful of time.
   • Vision frames the goals in time frames therefore, vision gives speed to the fulfillment of dreams
   • Visions are always time bound otherwise they become endless wish lists and pipe dreams.

Vision always FEEDS your future.

Notice Five Laws of Vision from the life of Jesus  (Mark 3:13-21; Neh. 1:1-4) 

1. The Law of Vision Birthing
   • Jesus spent the whole night in Prayer before he chose the twelve to whom he stated the vision
   • Similarly, Nehemiah’s vision to go and build the broken walls of Jerusalem began with a prayer.  He wept, fasted and prayed about the condition of his city.  He was not happy with what he saw. He had a burden to see change take place.  From that his vision began to grow.
   • As Christ-Devoted followers we also need to get a burden for what God wants to do.  What is he calling you as church to do? 
   • What is you burden for Zone? Super12 Cell? The Cell system captures the vision of Jesus for the Church which is to “Win Souls & Disciple Believers. But the reality is that a lot of us we have not even caught the glimpse of Jesus desire for mankind
   • We must essentially, learn to bring ourselves in the presence of God until he (God) lays a burden on our hearts for the Lost and for the equipping of the saints.
   • May your vision be birthed in prayer. Begin praying and asking God to give you the vision that impacts his Kingdom                                                  
2. The Law of Vision Size
   • God’s workings are from generation to generation. He desires the Covenant Blessings be woven up to a thousand generation (Permanent Impact)
   • The Vision Jesus set for the Apostles was large. He tells to go preach the Gospel of the Kingdom, cast out demons; however, this must be done to all nations.
   • Mathew 28: 18-20; Mark 16:14-16; Luke 24;John 20:21. These scriptures reveal the largeness of the Vision of the Kingdom
   • Similarly, Nehemiah knew very well that without the intervention of God he could not build a city wall.  It was a big job requiring many resources and he was far away from the city. 
   • Our vision must be something that is too big for us to do apart from God's help.  If your vision can easily be accomplished it is too small! 
   • Nehemiah knew that he would face a tough challenge to build the wall in the midst of opposition but he had a dream!  He had a vision.
   • "The task always appears out of reach.  And the reason it appears that way is because it is.  God ordained visions are always too big for us to handle.  We shouldn't be surprised.  Consider the source."  Andy Stanley
   • If you are a zonal pastor how large is your vision? How demanding is Your Vision?
   • Unfortunately, a lot of us we frame our vision based on our limited time and scarce resources
   • Financial estimation of the dream does not approximate the power of God
   • The truth also remains that People flow towards great visions. Maxwell says, “Successful people stretch to the vision; unsuccessful people shrink from the vision.” 
3. The Law of Vision Clarity
   • Ensure Your Visions are Clear and Specific
   • Jesus had a sense of clarity: Select, Shape, and Send
   • Nehemiah was raised to build the wall at Jerusalem.  He was clear about it
   • Visions must be clear enough to be described and adequately specific to be measured.
   • Paul who was confronted with a heavenly vision was very clear of its content:  (Acts 9:15), to preach the gospel to the Gentiles, and yet knowing he would suffer for it (acts 9:15). 
   • It is essential to write down the Vision. This is co-creation.
   • Hab. 2:2, "Write the vision" (KJV, NIV says, "revelation")
   • Write the vision of the Zone or Super12 Cell
4. The Law of Time for Vision Development
   • Here is advise: Be patient visions take time to develop. 
   • The Vision of Jesus took him 33 years, from Birth to ascension. From announcing to the ascension, it took three years.
   • For Nehemiah it took some time to think and pray over his vision before he even approached the king.  Then he began his journey and reached Jerusalem.
   • Nehemiah spent some time before talking to the people and then they took 52 days to do the actual project.
   • Don't think that just because God has given you a vision it will come to pass in a day.  It may take time.  You may need a lot of training and shaping before it will become a reality.  You may need to spend more time praying and fasting over it, but one day it will be time for the vision to come forth.
   • It may take time for you to accept the vision and it may mean that God perform a deep work in my heart so that I will accept the vision that he has given.  Or I may know the vision but fear implementing it and I stand frozen in the spot.
   • This time lags may include the time of resistance against your dreams. Sometimes it will take time for others to accept the vision. 
   • It will also take time to do the vision.  It is not the job of one day, it will take time! 
5. The Law of Vision Communication
   • Be aware the Vison must be Communicated (Neh. 2:17-18)
   • In Calling the apostles, Jesus also laid a communication strategy. He told them the reason for calling and setting them apart
   • They were to Without effective communication of the vision nothing will happen.
   • The leader that is able to communicate his vision will do far more than the one who has a great vision but doesn't know how to communicate it to the people.
   • Communicate the Vision at the right time: Timing is very important when presenting a vision. 
   • Frame Your communication as a fulfillment of a need. Identify the need your vision meets
   • Every vision that comes from God must meet a need.  It must be about people and their needs; not your need as a leader.  (from Wilkinson)
   • Remember to communicate with enthusiasm, with clarity and with commitment
   • Challenge the people to action. Plan, Prepare and Pray
   • Speak persuasively. Show where you are going and do it with clarity
   • It must be communicated to people.  When the vision is communicated to people, some will join with you and support you.  Your work will be greatly expanded.  Money will be provided. 

Conclusion

Every one of us, at any specific time, we are either at the helm of the work team, or will are the supporters of the leaders in a team. Whatever Your position in the team at this time of history, play your role well

Discussion

1. Why do you think we fail to follow through with the visions we write for ourselves or organizations;
2. Have you formulated the Vision (picture) or visionary goals for your life group, cell or zone. If so, share with everyone in the discussion