What Are Your Dreams?

A Sermon Preached by

Rev. Eddie Smart

Zephyr United Methodist Church

Early First United Methodist Church

September 25, 2005

Acts 2:14-17

But Peter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed them, "Men of Judea and all who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen to what I say. ¹⁵Indeed, these are not drunk, as you suppose, for it is only nine o'clock in the morning. ¹⁶No, this is what was spoken through the prophet Joel:

¹⁷'In the last days it will be, God declares,

that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh,

and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,

and your young men shall see visions,

and your old men shall dream dreams.

            Have you ever seen that section in Reader’s Digest called “My Most Unforgettable Character?” One of my most unforgettable characters would be Casey Stengel. In the 50's and 60's he was the manager of one world champion team after another in the New York Yankees. He was quiet a character who was classic and quotable. Casey once said, "The secret of managing is to keep the guys who hate you away from the guys who are undecided." No wonder he was such a successful manager. He knew it was important to look ahead. An eye on the future is necessary.

          What is a vision?

          I want to talk about our visions and our dreams. What is a vision? The prophet Joel said these spirit filled people will prophesy, have visions, and dream dreams. Joel is telling us that spirit filled people are future oriented. A vision is about a future. What will the future look like?

          If our future is to match our vision, it is important to state our vision and keep it before us. The vision statement is an expression of what we would like to be doing in the future. It should include our intended impact on our community. We ask “How should the mission and ministry of our church affect Zephyr / Early-Brownwood and the lives of the people in Zephyr / Early-Brownwood.

          Why have a vision?

          We have seen in the last few days the importance of having a good vision. Having a vision of the future has a direct impact on that very future. With modern technology, we have satellite images that show us approaching hurricanes. We have aircraft that gather data on the hurricane. We have buoys that transmit the effects of a passing hurricane. With this knowledge there is enough warning that people can escape the path of the hurricane drastically changing the future. Saving thousands of lives.

          We have been reminded over and over of the destruction and devastation that occurred as a result of the 1900 hurricane that hit Galvestion. Somewhere between 5 and 10 thousand people were killed because that did not have a clear vision of the future. The hurricane was there before they knew about it.

          Proverbs 29"18 tells us, “Where there is no vision, the people perish...”

          So what does a vision look like?

          Let’s take a minute to look at a video that was designed to promote Operation Christmas Child, a ministry of Samaritan’s Purse.

          You have just seen the reaction of some of the children who have been touched by Operation Christmas Child. You have seen the future, but you have seen far more than the future. You have seen a vision. Not a single child would have received a shoe box filled with goodies for Christmas if someone had not had a dream, a vision years ago.

          What does a vision look like? You have just seen a vision.

          The website of the National School Board Association says that one’s vision must encompass their beliefs. The vision of a church of Jesus Christ should reflect its belief in Jesus Christ and its obedience to the teachings and commands of Jesus.

          A vision for our church could begin by asking, “What does God expect us to do and be?”

          The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection in Overland, KS takes its vision seriously. They have their vision printed in large letters on a wall outside the entrance to their sanctuary. Their vision:

                     - To transform lives, to transform our community and

                              to renew the mainline church.

            The stated vision of the Old Cutler Presbyterian Church is to minister to every person in Miami with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

          BUT whose vision is it?

Is it the vision of the church leaders or is it God’s vision?

Why are the sons and daughters able to prophesy?

Why are the young men able to see visions?

Why are the old men able to dream dreams?

          Because God’s Spirit was poured out upon them.

So the vision for this church is a view of this church’s future, a view of our community’s future. While written by the church’s leaders, it comes to us as God’s purpose for us through the power of the Holy Spirit. A vision that is God’s vision needs to be followed with a passion.

It is the year 2025. As a church you have successfully created the ideal and desired church.

Describe what the Early/Brownwood area is like. How has it been shaped by this church?

What does the church look like? What kinds of ministry?

How is the church living out its beliefs?

What are all the people in our area doing?

What are the people in our church doing and describe their being?

What does the spiritual life of the congregation look like?