At a recent speaking engagement, Pastor Jerry Falwell noted that believers today find themselves in a very critical point. He said we are called to proclaim the gospel to a culture that rejects it and to a world that is in desperate need of it. According to Falwell, truly successful ministers are not the ones who try to do everything themselves, but those who communicate their God-given vision to others in such a way that they will follow it and join in its efforts.

Falwell said, "You've got to be willing to go where He sends, do what He says, and stay as long as He wants. We get (vision) from God, and we translate it to the people so they will run with what He's put in our hearts." Falwell encouraged the audience to live radical lives for the Gospel of Christ and to prepare themselves toward that end. He added, "You've got to decide who you are. Between now and the time the Lord calls you home, be a dreamer. Be a revolutionary."

—www.bpnews.net, 'Be a revolutionary,' Falwell tells seminarians, March 29, 2004, Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell.

Matthew 28:18 (NASB) “And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.”

In their book, "Lead Like Jesus", Blanchard and Hodges write, "Leadership is about going somewhere... If your followers don't know where you are going and where you are trying to take them, they will have a hard time getting excited about the journey. It is especially important to have a compelling vision that provides direction and focuses everyone's energy on getting where they are headed."

Joel 2:28 (ESV) "And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions."

In their book, "Lead Like Jesus", Blanchard and Hodges write, "...while the leader may involve experienced people in shaping direction, the ultimate responsibility for establishing a compelling vision remains with the leader and cannot be delegated to others."

Hosea 12:10 (ESV) "I spoke to the prophets; it was I who multiplied visions, and through the prophets gave parables."

In "The Servant Leader: Transforming Your Heart, Head, Hands & Habits", Blanchard and Hodges write, "Leadership is not about power, it's not about control. It's about helping people live according to the vision. It's the vision—the purpose, picture of the future and values—that everyone should serve."

Proverbs 29:18 (KJV) "Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he."

In "The Servant Leader: Transforming Your Heart, Head, Hands & Habits", Blanchard and Hodges write, "in practical terms a good vision has three parts:

Your purpose/Mission: What business you are in—how will you benefit your customers?

Your preferred picture of the future: Where are you going—what will you look like if everything is running as planned?

Your values: How you want people to behave when they are working on your mission and picture of the future—what do you stand for?

2 Chronicles 26:5 (NKJV) "He sought God in the days of Zechariah, who had understanding in the visions of God; and as long as he sought the Lord, God made him prosper."

In his book, The Greatest Communicator: What Ronald Reagan Taught Me About Politics, Leadership, and Life, Dick Wirthlin writes, “The word "vision" has become the cultural equivalent of elevator music-its ubiquity has rendered it meaningless. Quite literally, vision means ‘the ability to see’ But what a person sees and how he or she talks about it are what differentiates those who lead from those who are led. Compelling visions are like masterpieces of art: although they depict scenes and objects of varied kinds, they are created using similar tools-canvas, paint, brush.”

-- The Greatest Communicator: What Ronald Reagan Taught Me About Politics, Leadership, and Life, Kindle Loc. 1161-63 Illustration by Jim L. Wilson

Proverbs 29:18 (HCSB) “Without revelation people run wild, but one who keeps the law will be happy.”

In his book, The Greatest Communicator: What Ronald Reagan Taught Me About Politics, Leadership, and Life, Dick Wirthlin writes, “Leadership is the ability to enlarge men's vision about the future and give them expectations of a less uncertain and more gratifying future."

-- The Greatest Communicator: What Ronald Reagan Taught Me About Politics, Leadership, and Life, Kindle Loc. 579 Illustration by Jim L. Wilson

Proverbs 29:18 (HCSB) “Without revelation people run wild, but one who keeps the law will be happy.”

Zefram Cochran is a legendary figure in the twenty-fourth century world of Star Trek.
Cochran’s vision changed the world, paving the way for bright future after a disastrous third world war in the twenty-first century. He flew the first war- powered spaceship which opened the door for peace and prosperity in the years to come. Since he had such a powerful influence on history, Cochran’s name was well known, and the site where he built and launched his ship became an historic park.

When an invading alien race threatens to change history by preventing Cochran’s flight, the crew of the Enterprise travels to the past to set things right. In the twenty-first century, they encounter Cochran, who turns out to a lot different than history represents. The crew knows Cochran as a larger than life historical figure, and is in awe. Cochran has no idea about the impact of his invention, and resents being put on a pedestal. He is pushed to the breaking point by the overwhelming pressure from the future and feels a huge burden to perform. Most of all, Cochran is puzzled because people from the future do not know who he really is. They do not understand his vision or motivation for building the ship, known as the Phoenix.

Just before the momentous launch of the ship, Commander William Riker of the Enterprise and Cochran have a discussion where Cochran reveals that though history disagrees, he is just a human as everyone else. His real vision and motivation are laid bare before Riker in the moments before lift-off.

OPTION I: Play clip from Star Trek First Contact, Chapter 23, Cochran’s Vision, 1:14:21 to 1:16:20 and make application.

With the launch of the Phoenix only one hour away, the launch bay doors are opened. Commander William Riker is seated behind Zefram Cochran in the ship’s cockpit going over the last details before take-off. As the doors open, the moon is visible directly overhead. Riker remarks, “Look at that!” Cochran winces as the light hurts his eyes. He shakes his head and nonchalantly replies, “What? You don’t have a moon in the twenty-fourth century?” Riker explains, “Sure we do. It just looks a lot different. There are 50 million people living on the moon in my time. You can see Tyco City, New Berlin…even Lake Armstrong on a day like this.”

Cochran acknowledges Riker, with a quick “Uh-huh.” The Commander starts again, “And you know doctor...” Cochran cuts him off. “Please! Don’t tell me it’s all thanks to me!” Sarcastically, he adds, “I’ve heard enough about the great Zefram Cochran. I don’t know where you got your information from, but you people got some pretty funny ideas about me.” He pauses a moment then goes on, “You all look at me like I’m some kind of saint or visionary or something.” Riker is a little surprised by the answer and says, “I don’t think you’re a saint, doc.” He looks around him, and then with a smile, adds, “But you did have a vision and we’re sitting in it.”

Cochran turns to Riker with a sly smile and says, “You want to know what my vision is?” Without waiting for an answer, he opens up to Riker. “Dollar signs, Money! I didn’t build this ship to usher in a new era for humanity.” He points at the sky above. “You think I want to go to the stars? I don’t even like to fly. I take trains. I built this ship so I could retire to some tropical island.” He sighs, and with a note of shame adds, ““with naked women.” Cochran gives Riker a moment to digest what he’s just said before going on. “That’s Zefram Cochran. That’s his vision. This other guy you keep talking about, this historical figure. I never met him I can’t imagine I ever will.” Cochran looks down, and silently goes back to his work.

Riker considers Cochran’s words for a minute then says, “Someone once said,” Don’t try to a great man, just be a man and let history make its own judgments.’” Cochran looks over his shoulder and says,” That’s rhetoric nonsense.” He pauses and asks, “Who said that?” Riker’s grin grows ever bigger before he answers. “You did. Ten years from now.” He checks his watch, and starts to swing out of the cockpit... “Got 58 minutes doc. You better get on that checklist.”

APPLICATION: History judged Zefram Cochran kindly. Too kindly. Though many people put him on a pedestal, Cochran knew he was only human. He saw the real source of his vision, and knows it was less than honorable. The Lord may have big or little purposes in mind for us, no matter what we think about our actions today, God always has the final say.

Pro 16:1-2 CEV We humans make plans, but the LORD has the final word. We may think we know what is right, but the LORD is the judge of our motives.

Max is a dreamer. He has a fertile imagination and a journal filled with stories of superheroes he invented, including Sharkboy and Lavagirl. Though Max holds tightly to his dreams, his life is headed in the opposite direction. His parents are having problems, and are threatening to split up. He has trouble in school with a bully named Linus who wants to crush Max and steal his dreams. Max’s real life troubles translate to his dreams when he is whisked away to an imaginary world. His heroes Sharkboy and Lavagirl insist Max is the only person who can save the world from darkness, but he does not know how. Max’s ability to save himself and his world begin to disappear as encroaching darkness slowly robs him of his dreams. He keeps running into difficulty after difficulty, and his hope fades. When Shark Boy is injured by their nemesis Mr. Electric, Lava Girl risks her life to save him. Though Lava Girl is able to return to the surface, saving her friend has proven too much for her and she passes out. As both of his dream world heroes lie dying beside him, Max is desperate to find an answer. His desperate cry “What am I going to do?”Everything seems lost unless Max can find a way to dream again, and dream a different dream.

OPTION 1: Play scene from Sharkboy and Lavagirl, Chapter 14, 1:08:52 to 1:12:12
and make application.

As Max kneels on the ice, desperate to save his friends and himself, one of his dream friends from the past, Tobor the robot approaches. Tobor asks, “What do you think you should do?”Uncertain how to answer, Max guesses, ”Dream a better dream.”“Interesting” Tobor responds. “Explain.”

Max digs back into his memory and begins, “I wanted all my dreams to come true, but I only dreamt for myself. I wanted to escape my real world, when the world needed my help to make it a better place.”On the verge of tears, Max is beginning to understand his problem. “Selfish dreams shouldn’t come true.” Tobor offers Max a little guidance.”You’re becoming a very good dreamer, Max. A very good dreamer indeed!”Max looks up at Tobor and then back at his dying friends, then asks, “What do you do when your dreams have been destroyed?” Tobor responds, “Dream a better dream.”He begins to float away as he finishes his admonition, “An unselfish dream.”

As soon as Tobor disappears, Sharkboy suddenly gasps and jumps up. He looks at Max and then at Lavagirl. Max tells him, “She knew this would happen if she saved you. I couldn’t stop her.”Max’s dreams are beginning to operate again because a volcano appears behind them. Sharkboy sees it and says, “Look.”Max is puzzled at first, but then realizes what it means, “Lava” With renewed hope he adds, “We have to get her to that volcano.” Sharkboy responds to the challenge saying, “I’ll go. I’m stronger and faster.”
Max protests, “You’ll burn up!” Without a word Sharkboy picks up Lavagirl and prepares to run toward the volcano. He asks Max, “Sure this will save her?” Confidently Max says, “It’ll do more than save her” As Sharkboy runs toward the volcano and throws Lavagirl in, Max lets his new dream take hold.”I know who you are Lavagirl. You are not fire or a simple flame. You’re greater than that. Something more important. Something so necessary. That’s why you must live. You’re not destruction. You are not evil. “As Sharkboy throws Lavagirl in, the volcano explodes. Suddenly, she reappears at the top of the mountain revived by Max’s new dream. Max finishes his description saying, “You are Light.” Lavagirl sends out a display that transforms the landscape and travels all the way back to Max. Even Mr. Electric sees the difference, and groans, “Who turned on the light?”

Minus, the boy who tried to crush Max’s dream sees the difference, and from his seat miles away, is worried too. Filled with a new power Max rushes to Sharkboy’s side and asks him to handle Mr. Electric while he faces Minus. Reenergized by a dream centered on other’s Max now has the power to face the darkness and change the world.

APPLICATION: Each of us has been created with God-given dreams and abilities. Difficult circumstances in life can cause us to lose focus. We turn inward trying to save ourselves and the darkness only gets heavier. Like Max, we must realize that God has given us His power, love, and self control so that we can overcome the darkness as we shine for Him. We must dream a new dream, and dream focused on others, not ourselves.

2 Timothy 1:6-7 (CEV) So I ask you to make full use of the gift that God gave you when I placed my hands on you. Use it well. 7 God's Spirit doesn't make cowards out of us. The Spirit gives us power, love, and self-control.

In his book, The Top Ten Mistakes Leaders Make, Hans Finzel writes, “Vision is an effective leader’s chief preoccupation.”

In Leading Change, John Kotter writes, “Vision refers to a picture of the future with some implicit or explicit commentary on why people should strive to create that future.”

-- Leading Change, p. 68 Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Tony Lee

Proverbs 29:18a (KJV) “Where there is no vision, the people perish:”

In their book, Spiritual Leadership: Moving People on to God's Agenda, Henry and Richard Blackaby write, “Vision is crucial for an organization. Its source is God’s revelation of his activity. God’s revelation can usually be stated as a promise and can be expressed through an image. When leaders successfully communicate vision to their people, it will be God who sets the agenda for the organization, not the leader, and the people will know it is God.”

----Spiritual Leadership, 56. Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Tony Lee

Proverbs 29:18a (KJV) “Where there is no vision, the people perish:”

In their book, Spiritual Leadership: Moving People on to God's Agenda, Henry and Richard Blackaby write, “Vision can serve as the North Star for organizations, helping leaders keep their bearings as they move their people forward.”

--Spiritual Leadership, 56. Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Tony Lee

Proverbs 29:18a (KJV) “Where there is no vision, the people perish:”

In Thriving through Ministry Conflict by Understanding Your RED and Blue Zones the authors write, “That vision is given to the people of a congregation and that my job as a pastor to draw that vision out, clarify it, and then champion it.”

--Thriving through Ministry Conflict by Understanding Your RED and Blue P.91 Illustration by Jim L. Wilson.

Proverbs 29:18 (ESV) “Where there is no prophetic vision the people cast off restraint, but blessed is he who keeps the law.”

According to John Micklethwait, Politics is taking an active role on the two levels of human society. One level the power of presidents, kings, and would-be dictator leaders. Another level is the ideological conflicts. These conflicts between left wing and right wing, liberalism and autocracy, have been changing so fast that the situation becomes very unpredictable. For example the event of France (1789), Russia (1917), Eastern Europe (189), and the Arab world (2011).

Human understanding cannot predict the fate of a nation, let alone the world affairs. It is impossible to know about the future or about life after death.

God has given us the definite and firm assurance. Clear vision is important for human life.

--Democracy and its enemies by John Micklethwait: Editor in Chief, The Economist, 2011. Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Bawm Luk Lagwi

Isaiah 55:8-9 (HCSB) “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, and your ways are not My ways.” ?This is? the LORD’s declaration. (9) “For as heaven is higher than earth, so My ways are higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.

In Developing Vision for Ministry in the 21st Century, Aubrey Malphurs says, “Ministry without vision is like a surgeon without scalpel, a cowboy who has lost his horse, a carpenter with a broken hammer. To attempt a ministry without clear, well-articulated vision is to invite stillbirth. Church and Para church ministries may grow at the very beginning, but without God’s vision they are destined to plateau and eventually die.”

-- Developing Vision for Ministry in the 21st Century, 83. Illustration by Jim L. Wilson

Proverbs 29:18 (AMP) Where there is no vision [no redemptive revelation of God], the people perish; but he who keeps the law [of God, which includes that of man]—blessed (happy, fortunate, and enviable) is he.

Andy Stanley says, “Vision is a clear mental picture of what could be, fueled by the conviction that it should be.”—Jim L. Wilson

-- Visioneering: God’s blueprint for Developing and Maintaining Personal Vision, pg 18.

Joel 2:28 (NASB) “It will come about after this That I will pour out My Spirit on all mankind; And your sons and daughters will prophesy, Your old men will dream dreams, Your young men will see visions.”

VISION

It took him 60 years, but 96-year old Alfonso Gonzales received a Bachelor of Science degree in zoology from the University of Southern California. For years, Gonzales thought he had graduated. When relatives contacted the university to get a copy of Gonzales’ diploma, they found that he was one unit short of completing the degree. Even though the school no longer offers a degree in zoology, they put together an independent study program to help Gonzales complete the degree. When he received his diploma at the age of 96, Gonzales became the oldest graduate in USC’s history. School officials called Gonzales a “wonderful inspiration.” –Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

96-year-old becomes oldest USC graduate, https://www.yahoo.com/news/96-old-becomes-oldest-usc-graduate-005219301.html?nhp=1, Accessed May 13, 2016.

Proverbs 16:9 (HCSB)“A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord determines his steps.”

Police in the Netherlands helped a 99-year-old woman fulfill one of her lifelong dreams. The woman, named Annie, said she wanted to “experience a police cell from within.” He niece contacted the local police department and organized the elderly woman’s arrest, to help make her dream come true. In response, officers drove Annie’s house, handcuffed her and took her to the police station. Then to make her experience more realistic, they locked her in a cell. Authorities said Annie didn’t seem to mind, because she was smiling the entire time.–Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

Philippians 3:15 (HCSB)“Therefore, all who are mature should think this way. And if you think differently about anything, God will reveal this also to you.”

In Nebraska, Craig Luttman noticed that six young squirrels were attached by their sap soaked tails and could not get free. He said, it was "kind of like a tug of war, going in completely opposite directions." —Jim L. Wilson

https://abcnews.go.com/Weird/wireStory/young-squirrels-rescued-ordeal-tangled-tails-55235815

Without vision, that is what we are like. We can be united, even attached at the hips, but without clear direction we will all be going in opposite directions.

A Vermont state board will hear a man’s request to change the name of a mountain because the name does not mean anything. Hartland resident Rob Hutchins said he discovered that the name of Mount Ascutney was made up and the original name of the nearby peak was Kasdaenak, which means “wide mountain” in the Abenaki language. Hutchins tracked down the proper spelling and pronunciation of the original name and now the State of Vermont Board of Libraries will consider officially changing the name to something meaningful at an upcoming meeting.—Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell.

“The one who conquers I will make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he will never go out again. I will write on him the name of my God and the name of the city of my God—the new Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from my God—and my new name.

Mike Oberloier was 11 years old when his father told him about a steam shovel sitting on the bottom of Wixom Lake in Michigan. Since that day, Oberloier dreamed of retrieving the machine and restoring it. His opportunity came when the Edenville Dam failed in May 2020, draining the lake. He assembled a team and painstakingly removed every piece of the digging machine that had built the dam in the 1920s. Oberloier said the engines are in good enough condition to restore, and he is beginning work on his dream project. He said he hopes to put the machine on display where everyone can see it. Oberloier added,” My hopes and dreams are to make it dig again.”—Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

Whatever you do, do it from the heart, as something done for the Lord and not for people,

In his book, Bezonomics: How Amazon Is Changing Our Lives and What the World's Best Companies Are Learning from It, Brian Dumaine writes, “Bezos embodies three characteristics that separate him from all other mere mortal entrepreneurs. He believes that resourcefulness is the greatest virtue. He faces the truth no matter where it leads him. He is a visionary who thinks in terms of not years but decades and centuries.”