Message Outline 26th Feb 2006 - VIP Christians

Be a VIP Christian

1.0 What is VISION?
i) A God given picture of the desired outcome.
ii) A revelation from God in its many forms – a picture, oracles, or verbal instructions.
Famous Bible Verse
“For without vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he. (Prov. 29:18 - KJV)
“Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint; but blessed is he who keeps the law.” (Another rendering of the same verse in NIV)
Context: The Israelites descend into immorality and orgies in the wilderness – hence a whole generation missed the promised land!

Why is a personal Vision so Crucial?
1. Vision will keep us from deviating from the focus.
2. Vision tells us to change course if we are heading the wrong way
3. It does not only determine what we do but who we want to become.

1.1. How to receive Vision
“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” (Heb11:6)
--> With faith and a seeking heart
--> Be faithful and obedience in little things
-->God often reveals His vision to whom He can trust
-->Much of God’s revelation is already in the Bible

1.2. Can God entrust us with the heavenly vision?
“I was not disobedient to the vision from heaven.”(Acts 26:19)
- God did something to these men before he entrust them with the vision
Jacob – shatters his own scheming
Isaiah – removes his false security
Ezekiel & Habakkuk – despair at the oppression & injustice
Paul – struck him down from the high horse of self-righteousness!

2.0 IINTEGRITY
What is Integrity?
Who you are when no one is watching.
How you react and behave when faced with trials and temptations
Integrity makes us wholesome & righteous

2.1. Why is integrity so important?
- Integrity helps us to be effective in the long term.
- It is the key that help us finish well.
- Without integrity, we self–destruct and sabotage our own future and the future of others – SHOOT OURSELVES IN THE FOOT!
Lack of integrity is the most powerful weapon in the hands of the devil- Too many people are turned away from the kingdom by the lack integrity among the children of God!

2.2. How to cultivate Integrity?
a) Intentional Boundary setting - distrust our self control or own judgment.
Be realistic with our hearts
- Jeremiah 17:9 “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?”
I Cor 10:12“Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.” (NKJV) – avoid flirtatious jokes
b) Intentional safeguards – beware of areas of temptations.
In Boy – girl Relationships for instance; plan your dates; have something meaningful and purposeful to do. If you go traveling, go in groups to avoid too many time alone.

Don’t create moments where you‘re vulnerable to temptations.
Eg Uni/Overseas students where boy and girl friend sharing a house? Your chances of staying pure is almost zero due to proximity and physical closeness.

We have many stories of students leaders living secret sinful lives! The lifestyle portray in sitcom like "friends" are plainly unattainable and unrealistic!

Why is pre-marital sex wrong? – The Bible say so!. Also – it will bring many unpleasant consequences - Innocence Lost, disillusion, dissatisfaction with sex lives, hurtful ex-lover history etc which can lead to much distrust and disloyalty in later marriage life.

But for those who have failed in the past. Well, don’t just stay there.
Come back to God! – King David was not called a man after God heart for nothing. In PS 78:92 “ he shepherd them with integrity of hearts and skillful hands.” Because he knew how to come back to God! He confessed his sins when confronted by Prophet Nathan.

Make no mistake- The kingdom is bigger than your failure.
The cross is sufficient for your sins. Be a man & woman after God’s heart.

c) Include others in your lives (Loneliness & idle minds are the favorite playground of the devil!)
d) Include a reality check & confession of sins in your life curriculum

3.0 PASSION
From Latin – “passio” – to bear , to suffer Greek – “Pathos”
A compelling, intense feeling and fervour or emotion for God
Our faith in Christ is a relationship that touches our whole being – our body, souls & spirit

3.1 How to maintain our Passion?
-->Priorities your affection – never allow your first love to grow cold (Rev 2:4)
-->Pick your peers carefully
-->Passion is Vision driven
-->Position ourselves in the right place – What happen to Australia will happen to you. What happen to your church will affect your family. Etc (Attitudes and behavior are formed in the family – don’t blame anybody else. )
-->Posture your attitude - Are you "inner man" sleeping? Sitting? Standing, or face down? eg - Paul was on the horse back – blinded by pride and bigotry – but Jesus struck him down – he begins to kneel & postrate on the ground and began to see from his "ears".
-->Integrity affects our passion – lack of integrity causes guilt – killer of passion for God.
--> You got to take responsibilities for your faith.
-->Take responsibility for your attitudes, action and their consequences. Eg a major part of leadership is to take responsibilty. Keep checking for any negative attitudes in our hearts.
-->Pray – P.U.S.H = ->We all have passion – passion to just sleep or do something good and God honoring, if we do not use our passion in the right way, we will devote it for the worse!

CONCLUSION:
We have learned something very practical today. -->Integrating the 3 Key elements
1. The importance of Vision. Ask God for a personal vision
 there is much more to know in this journey of faith....
2. The importance of Integrity.
seek for ways to improve your integrity.
Check for negative emotions - greed, lust, fear & insecurity.
Set intentionally boundaries to safeguard yourself.
Keep the vision of God clear – so you would value your integrity.
3. The Importance of Passion for God. –
Position, & posture ourselves to renew and rekindle our first love.
Pray until something happens.
All three--> V.I.P. intertwine and reinforce each other.