Proverbs 29:18 is translated many different ways:
*The KJV says, “Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.”
*The NIV says, “Where there is no revelation, people cast off restraint; but blessed is the one who heeds wisdom’s instruction.”
*The ESV has, “Where there is no prophetic vision the people cast off restraint, but blessed is he who keeps the law.”
*The NLT says, "When people do not accept divine guidance, they run wild. But whoever obeys the law is joyful."
No matter how you read it, the truth of what it says is the same: Without vision—people are doomed to wander aimlessly. The question is, what is vision and where does it come from? That has to be answered BEFORE a church can discover what their vision is - because the foundation of vision is incorrect, our vision will be…incorrect!
Vision Defined
The Hebrew word used here that is translated “vision” or “revelation” is the word “chazon” (haw-zawn) and it is literally translated as “as a sight (mentally) - vision, dream, revelation” and it describes the divinely granted “vision” by which the Lord discloses His mind to His chosen servants. It is more than an ecstatic experience, it is an authoritative revelation that carries covenantal weight. This word is scattered throughout the Old Testament about 35 times and is only used in terms of the specific vision of God that He allows His chosen servants to see. In other words, VISION IS THE ABILITY TO SEE WHAT GOD SEES - WHAT HE DESIRES! This is of vital importance - it is NOT the vision of a person or group of people - it is God’s VISION - it is what HE sees and what HE desires to see happen! That means the vision is NOT the pastor's vision...it is God's that he gives to the pastor to lead the people toward. In other words, the vision should not be tied to the pastor, it should be tied to the God of the pastor!
Vision Importance
Why is vision - Godly Vision - important in the life of the church? According to v. 18 it's because without it, "...people perish." The word translated “perish, etc.” lit. means “loosen, expose, let loose, go away, perish” and it describes someone slipping loose from an ordained covering. A great picture of this is what long hair does when it is "let down" from it's binding. It is used 16X’s in Scripture from literal unbinding to moral and spiritual abandonment. The point is, when there is no vision, people are NATURALLY inclined to throw off what is keeping them bound together…and they scatter! When there is no vision, people lose their restraint, do their own thing, & go their own way. Therefore, vision is vital to the church because it is vision that KEEPS US TOGETHER & GOING in the SAME DIRECTION!
Antlers First Baptist Church Vision
The vision that the Lord has given to Antlers FBC as we move into the future is to be a church:
“United at the Cross & Standing on His Word!”
This may sound simple - and some might even be thinking: “that’s it…that’s the vision?!” But there is a lot packed into those two statements and from them will flow our purpose; mission; & priorities of ministry - each of which are in-depth aspects of the why, how, and priorities it takes to accomplish this vision.
This vision statement has 2 simple statements that unite into our vision. Here's what each of them mean:
United at the Cross...
Unity can’t be overstated in the life of the church. If the church isn’t unified, they will never be the church God intends for them to be! Scripturally, there are about 7 RECURRING themes concerning the church & who & what it is (or ought to be).
1. Discipleship 2. Worship 3. Mission 4. Unity 5. Love 6. Holiness 7. Stewardship
The one that recurs the most often is unity. The reason for this is because “a house divided against itself can’t stand!” Matt. 12:25; without it, our witness is hindered (Jn. 13:35); our prayers are hindered (Matt.5:23); and we become easy prey for the enemy (1 Pt. 5:8)!
Another aspect of being united is that we have a United Purpose - Many but One, because of ONE! Unity is definitely a vital aspect of any church, BUT WHAT ARE WE TO BE UNIFIED ABOUT? Many churches find certain "preferences" and unite around those. However, we all have different preferences! So those with the prevailing "preferences" are united but those on the outside are not. Further, when you start using "preferences" as the baseline for what unites you - pretty soon only those who are just like you or agree with you feel welcomed. Some may like that! Though, what happens when there’s no one left like you…? THE CHURCH DIES! That’s why "preferences" can not be what unites us! So what does? THE CROSS! Galatians 3:28 says, "There is no Jew or Greek, slave or free, male and female; since you are all one in Christ Jesus." The cross is what unites us! We are all different, we all have different likes & preferences - but NONE of that matters when it comes to the church! What matters is “AM I” and “ARE YOU” “IN CHRIST?!” If so, that is what unites us! If we can’t lay aside personal preferences (NOT BIBLICAL PRECEDENCE), to be united with a brother or sister in Christ, my emphasis is on the wrong thing! Remember, we are many individuals, but, in Christ (b/c of the Cross) we are one!
Standing on His Word
Authoritative Foundation
Our foundation is the Word of God -not the word of man! Why? B/c the Word of God is solid - it never fails (Isa. 55:11 & Luke 1:37) Jesus himself said, “Anyone who hears these words of mine and does them, will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock and when the wind & rain & waves came, the house didn’t collapse b/c its foundation was on the rock.”
Authoritative Posture
Not only is our foundation solid, we are to stand on it! The church is called to be Salt & Light in a lost and dying world. You can’t do that if you are cowering to it while holding the Scripture. Scripture is the Light and ONLY IT can expose darkness - we must stand with it for all to see! This does not mean we have to be mean-spirited, critical, harsh, unloving, or judgemental toward the lost - but honest, rightly dividing the Word of Truth, with love, for the world to see & for God to use in their lives. Jesus said he is "the Way, the Truth, and the Life"(John 14:6)…the truth is something we should never be ashamed of! Therefore, we are to STAND on His word!
