1.24.12 "The Big Dream"

"The Big Dream"

Genesis 48:1-49:33
Matthew 15:29-16:12
Psalm 20:1-9
Proverbs 4:20-27

The "DREAM" (all caps) that we speak of each day represents the elements of the Balanced Christian Life. God also has a "Big Dream" that he has given each one of us. Do you realize the great plans God has for your life? Do you understand that God has created you to be a world changer? The details of God's plan for each of us will vary quite a bit. God's plan for some of us is to be world changers for a few people, others for millions, but if you know God at all, you know that he desires to use each one of us to carry out His plan. He has a "Big Dream" for every one of us

In Matthew 15, Jesus has been healing hundreds of people. There are 4,000 of them gathered there. verse 31 says, "What a spectacle it was! Those who hadn't been able to say a word before were talking excitedly, and those with missing arms and legs had new ones..."

Can you imagine a sight like that? Absolutely incredible. Today's message comes from the next section:

"Then Jesus called his disciples to him and said, 'I pity these people - they've been here with me for three days now, and have nothing left to eat; I don't want to send them away hungry or they will faint along the road.' the disciples replied, 'And where would we get enough here in the desert for all this mob to eat?' Jesus asked them, "How much food do you have?' And they replied, 'Seven loaves of bread and a few small fish!' Then Jesus told all of the people to sit down on the ground, and he took the seven loaves and the fish, and gave thanks to God for them, and divided them into pieces, and gave them to the disciples who presented them to the crowd. And everyone ate until full - 4,000 men besides the women and children! And afterwards, when the scraps were picked up, there were seven basketfuls left over!"

It's a great story, but I believe with all my heart that within there is an outline for the "Big Dream" God has for my life and for yours.

1. See the need. Jesus saw how hungry the people were & didn't want to send them away. You may already have an intense burden for something. You may not be there yet. Either way, the Big Dream is for the purpose of meeting a need. What need do you see? What needs to be "fixed"? Who do you see hurting?

2. The need is probably overwhelming. The disciples asked where they would get enough food. The need seemed impossible to meet. Most of the time, your Big Dream is to meet a need that seems impossible to meet. You may have expressed your burden for this need to someone, and they've said something like "yeah right. Like that could ever happen." You need to understand, that their response doesn't negate the fact that God has placed this within you.

3. What do you have? Jesus didn't tell the disciples, "You know what? You're right. I didn't realize the magnitude of this need. We are in trouble." He said, "What do you have?" That question is asked of us today. What do you have? Everyone of us have a God-given "SHAPE". This stands for Spiritual gifts, Heart (passions), Ability, Personality, and Experience. What is your SHAPE? Do you realize that you are the way you are so that God could use you the way he needs to?

4. Give it to Jesus. Jesus took what they had and gave thanks for it & blessed it. We need to be thankful for the SHAPE God made us, and give ourselves entirely to him so he can bless it.

5. The results are up to him. So many times we view success or failure in human terms. True success is really the answer to one question: Was I obedient? When it comes to the Big Dream for your life, are you walking in obedience? Under God's blessing, the results are exponential when we live a life of radical obedience.

This is a lesson in Active Ministry Involvement. The principle is Responsibility. Are you being responsible to give him all of your resources to meet the need he has laid out in front of you?

Take time today to pray that God will open your eyes to the need. Don't stop because it seems overwhelming. Take inventory of what you have and offer it to him. Pray that he would use your obedience to bring about the results he desires.




Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!

Pastor Greg Lathe

Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ