God’s Vision – Big Vision Getting to all your target group in this generation

Jesus (God) has a Vision / Purpose Jesus had a Vision that drove his strategy and what he did (This was God’s Vision). What was Jesus’ (God’s) vision? We should have the same vision!!

Mark 1:21-39 We can see Jesus’ Vision that drove his strategy in Mark 1: Read Mark 1:21-37 – Jesus had great results in Capernaum! Jesus was received well Jesus shared the Gospel Jesus caste out demons Jesus healed many people Many people were looking for Jesus Jesus left Capernaum… Why?

Read Mark 1:38-39 Why did Jesus leave Capernaum? There were so many other villages that had not yet heard the Gospel Jesus’ Purpose – All hear the Gospel (Luke 4:43 – Gospel of the Kingdom) “He traveled throughout Galilee” Jesus remembered his Vision and Purpose from the Father – all people hearing the Gospel – this is why He came. Don’t get distracted and stay too long! Like Jesus, let us focus on God’s Vision!

GOD’S VISION AND HEART 2 Peter 3:9 God does not want anyone to perish but wants everyone to repent. Does God want the Muslim terrorist to be lost? No, God’s heart is that everyone would repent.

What was Jesus’ Strategy to reach every City and Village in the Jewish People Group? Group I: Study Matthew 9:35-10:16 Group II: Study Luke 10:1-9, Group III: Study Acts 19:8-10; 17:1-10; 1 Thess 1:4-10 According to these verses: 1.Where did Jesus / Paul go? 2.What strategy did he use to reach the area?

Matthew 9:35-10:16 Jesus went through ALL the towns and villages Jesus had compassion on the crowds – shepherd-less The harvest is plentiful Preached the Gospel (teaching), healed To reach all these places he did not do it alone. He asks his disciples to PRAY and he SENT 12. In Matthew 10:5-42, Jesus gives his disciples a simple plan as they go to all the places he sends them. (Does not require money) (Sheep among wolves) Share the Gospel – Kingdom of Heaven Heal the Sick / Raise the Dead / Drive out Demons Look for a worthy person (Person of Peace) Jesus prepared them for persecution / suffering

Luke 10:1-9, Jesus SENT 70 others (12 not included) - 2 by 2 Harvest is plentiful but workers few Asked them to PRAY They don’t know much ( they are like lambs among wolves ) – prepare them for persecution Don’t need money or other things Gives them a simple plan to go and do (Same thing he and the 12 had done) Share the Gospel of the Kingdom Heal the Sick Search for a person of Peace They come back and report (with correction)

Acts 19:8-10 Paul started in Ephesus and in 2 years all of Asia heard the Word of God Asia Minor was a large area with many large cities Paul did not work alone According to Colossians 2:1, Paul had never met the disciples in Colosse and Laodicea in Asia Minor. Epaphras had planted the church there (Colossians 1:6-8). Paul shared the Gospel but also spent much time focused on training believers to go out and reach the whole province. All the people living in the province of Asia heard the Gospel in 2 years.

10 Thessalonica – Paul’s Strategy Acts 17:1-10; 1 Thessalonians 1:4-10 Paul’s Strategy 1. Share the Gospel with people (started with capitol) a. Proclamation (Words) b. Power of the Holy Spirit c. Presence (Life and Convictions) also 2:8 2. Train them to multiply (Gave them a model; Have to have a process for multiplication) Paul was there only 3-4 weeks Does your church or you have a process to multiply? Ask yourself how many churches have you or your church started? How many of them multiplied? (This will tell you if you have a good multiplication process.)

SUMMARY OF JESUS’ STRATEGY Jesus shared the Gospel in every village and city in the Jewish People Group. He covers it by going geographic area by geographic area in Israel. (He reached His vision of all of them hearing in 3 years!) In order to accomplish this Jesus: He prays and asked his disciples to PRAY (gives them spiritual authority) PREACHED/TAUGHT/HEALED He MOBILIZED AND SENT 82 disciples (They lacked knowledge but they had given up all to follow Him) – Given a simple plan

The Plan Jesus gave His Disciples Share the Gospel of the Kingdom Miracles - Heal the Sick / Caste Out Demons / Raise the Dead Search for a person of Peace (family in that community who would take it to others in that area) Jesus prepared the disciples for persecution They come back and report (with correction) Process for reproducing THIS IS WHAT PAUL DID AS WELL! IS THIS OUR STRATEGY?

Getting to ALL of the LOST God’s Heart for the Lost Read Luke 15:1-7 – Leave the 99 & Go after the 1 Lost Sheep “Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was LOST!” (Lk 15:6) “For the Son of Man has come to seek and save that which was lost.” (Lk 19:10) [Religious people grumbled!] The reason for the sending of both the 12 and 70 was… “The HARVEST is plentiful...” (Mt 9:37, Lk 10:2) Not wait 4 months and then the harvest – the harvest is now! 2 Peter 3:9 shows us God’s heart: He does not wish for any to perish but all to come to repentance! (Snap)

Why do Some Believers and Churches not have this Vision? They do not know God’s Vision or they don’t understand Jesus’ Command in Matthew 28: They are focused on their own desires (Big Church; Our church needs to show strength and wealth so others will want what we have; we are not comfortable going out; no one will pay me to go out; our pastor’s salary is not enough yet – Mat 6:33)

They do not have the same heart as God for lost people especially unreached people groups. They have received a pattern or thinking that is not Biblical. Some think this is not for every believer (have to strength our own church first; this is not our job or gifting) This vision and heart is for all believers – John 14:12 (Acts 8:1-13; 11:19-21) Why do Some Believers and Churches not have this Vision?

Our Vision has to be God’s Vision Make Disciples of all people groups - Every city and village hears the Gospel – Every person hears the Gospel. Disciple in churches all who believe. Don’t just stay in one village or one place (even if you are seeing success); every church going out and also sending members to other UPGs. Our vision has to be the same as God’s so that all have the opportunity to hear the Gospel and believe!

Write the Vision God has given you! What are the verses that God has laid on your heart for your people group? What is God’s Vision for your People Group? What has he said about your people group? He wants every one of your people to hear the Gospel. Do you have a strategy so that all people hear the Gospel?

The Basic Question We Ask What will it take for ALL my people group to hear the Gospel in the next few years? (not what I like to do, trained to do, etc.) Comes from the basic question – How many of my people will hear the gospel today? This week? How many people are in your target group? How many people will hear the Gospel this week in your target group?

2 Questions What percentage of my people coming to faith would give an adequate witness across the whole of my people group? (If _% of my people were believers – it is reasonable that all will hear the Gospel.) How many churches are needed to get to that percentage?

Assessment Do you have a compassion for lost people? (Snap) Do you have God’s Vision for your people group? Will your present strategy reach your whole people group? Is your people group (s) / city presently being reached? Does everyone have an opportunity to hear the Gospel? Will you give yourself to the Lord to reach that people group / city? (You do not have the ability but God will work in you.) Will you commit to use Jesus / Apostles Strategy to reach your people group / city?

THE FOCUS OF THIS TRAINING IS TO EQUIP YOU TO DO GOD’S BIG VISION THROUGH GOD’ STRATEGY In teams or tables discuss how you will apply this (5 minutes)