SERIES OVERVIEW
This is a ten-part series – based on John Maxwell’s Best Selling Book “Put Your Dream To The Test: Ten Questions To Help You See It and Seize It!” This week, Pastor G talks about “The Pathway Question: Do I Have A Strategy To Reach My Dream?”
MESSAGE NOTES
I envision a growing, vibrant, Christ-centered church in Waikoloa Village with each of us being disciples in the fulfillment of God’s Will as He directs our steps. Furthermore, with the help of the Holy Spirit, that each of us will develop a close, more personal relationship with Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. Finally, that each of us will be ‘beacons of light’ to our friends and neighbors, encouraging them to join in our fellowship. ~ Knut Hovde, WCC Council President
In the last days, God says, “I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams.” ~ Acts 2:17
A man is not old until regrets take the place of dreams. ~ John Barrymore
For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them. ~ Ephesians 2:10
Now let Pharaoh look for a man discerning and wise, and set him over the land of Egypt. Let Pharaoh take action to appoint overseers in charge of the land, and let him exact a fifth of the produce of the land of Egypt in the seven years of abundance. Then let them gather all the food of these good years that are coming, and store up the grain for food in the cities under Pharaoh’s authority, and let them guard it. Let the food become as a reserve for the land for the seven years of famine which will occur in the land of Egypt, so that the land will not perish during the famine. ~ Genesis 41:33-36
Moses’ father-in-law said to him, “The thing that you are doing is not good. You will surely wear out, both yourself and these people who are with you, for the task is too heavy for you; you cannot do it alone. Now listen to me: I will give you counsel, and God be with you. You be the people’s representative before God, and you bring the disputes to God, then teach them the statutes and the laws, and make known to them the way in which they are to walk and the work they are to do. Furthermore, you shall select out of all the people able men who fear God, men of truth, those who hate dishonest gain; and you shall place these over them as leaders of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties and of tens. Let them judge the people at all times; and let it be that every major dispute they will bring to you, but every minor dispute they themselves will judge. So it will be easier for you, and they will bear the burden with you. If you do this thing and God so commands you, then you will be able to endure, and all these people also will go to their place in peace.” So Moses listened to his father-in-law and did all that he had said. ~ Exodus 18:17-24
And He commanded them all to sit down by groups on the green grass. They sat down in groups of hundreds and of fifties. And He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up toward heaven, He blessed the food and broke the loaves and He kept giving them to the disciples to set before them; and He divided up the two fish among them all. They all ate and were satisfied, and they picked up twelve full baskets of the broken pieces, and also of the fish. There were five thousand men who ate the loaves. ~ Mark 6:39-44.
HOW TO S.E.C.U.R.E.YOUR DREAM
S) STATE ALL YOUR POSITIONS
1) What is my present position?
Everyone who got to where they are had to begin with where they were. ~ Richard Evans
2) What is my future position? What finish line am I trying to reach?
3) What are the positions in between?
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. ~ Psalm 119:105
The LORD makes firm the steps of the one who delights in Him; though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the LORD upholds him with His hand. ~ Psalm 37:23-24
E) EXAMINE ALL YOUR ACTIONS
1) Do SOMETHING!
All worthwhile people have good thoughts, good ideas, and good intentions, but precious few of them ever translate those into action. ~ John Hancock
“But what do you think? A man had two sons, and he came to the first and said, ‘Son, go work today in the vineyard.’ And he answered, ‘I will not’; but afterward he regretted it and went. The man came to the second and said the same thing; and he answered, ‘I will, sir’; but he did not go. Which of the two did the will of his father?” They said, “The first.” Jesus said to them, “Truly I say to you that the tax collectors and prostitutes will get into the kingdom of God before you. ~ Matthew 21:28-31
2) Do Something EVERY DAY That Relates To Your Dream.
For even when we were with you, we used to give you this order: if anyone is not willing to work, then he is not to eat, either. For we hear that some among you are leading an undisciplined life, doing no work at all, but acting like busybodies. Now such persons we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ to work in quiet fashion and eat their own bread. But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary of doing good. ~ 2 Thessalonians 3:10-13
C) CONSIDER ALL YOUR OPTIONS
Successful generals make plans to fit circumstances, but do not try to create circumstances to fit plans. ~ General George S. Patton
Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed. ~ Proverbs 15:22
U) UTILIZE ALL YOUR RESOURCES
If you’re walking along a fence and spot a turtle sitting atop a fencepost, you know it didn’t get there by itself. ~ Unknown
Then Saul sent messengers to David’s house to watch him, in order to put him to death in the morning. But Michal, David’s wife, told him, saying, “If you do not save your life tonight, tomorrow you will be put to death.” So Michal let David down through a window, and he went out and fled and escaped. ~ 1 Samuel 19:11-12
When many days had elapsed, the Jews plotted together to do away with him, but their plot became known to Saul. They were also watching the gates day and night so that they might put him to death; but his disciples took him by night and let him down through an opening in the wall, lowering him in a large basket. ~ Acts 9:23-26
R) REMOVE ALL YOUR NONESSENTIALS
Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. ~ Philippians 2:3-8
Only do what only you can do!
But at these words he was saddened, and he went away grieving, for he was one who owned much property. And Jesus, looking around, said to His disciples, “How hard it will be for those who are wealthy to enter the kingdom of God!” ~ Mark 10:22-23
E) EMBRACE ALL YOUR CHALLENGES
If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail. ~ Benjamin Franklin
A sensible man watches for problems ahead and prepares to meet them. The simpleton never looks, and suffers the consequences. ~ Proverbs 27:12
HOMEWORK
1) Pray! Get guidance from the Lord.
2) Write out some necessary daily disciplines to help you along the path.
3) Write out some monthly goals.
4) Write out a long-term (multi-year) plan.
5) Start — Do SOMETHING! ~
Take ONE STEP onto the pathway, toward your dream.
6) Follow the plan and adapt as you go.
GO DEEPER
PRIVATE OR GROUP DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
READ: Knut’s Vision for WCC, Acts 2:17, Barrymore quote & Ephesians 2:10
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
1)Do we ever reach a point where we have “outgrown” dreams? Do we ever “age out” of having a passion for accomplishing something new?
2) Do you feel like it is “too late” for you to have a passionate dream? Why?
3) Knut shared his dream for our church. What is YOUR dream for our church?
READ: Genesis 41:33-36, Exodus 18:17-24 and Mark 6:39-44
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
1) What do these three events have in common? In what ways are they different? What can we glean from these three events when it comes to developing a plan to accomplish our dream? How is your dream similar to these two events? How is it different?
2) Jesus could have miraculously placed a fish and a loaf of bread in front of each person. In fact, He could have just miraculously placed the food directly in their stomachs. Why do you think He chose to do it this way instead?
READ: Psalm 119:105 and Psalm 37:23-24
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
1) When you read these two passages, how confident are you that you will ultimately be successful on the pathway toward the fulfillment of your dream? Why?
READ: Hancock quote, Matthew 21:28-31 & 2 Thessalonians 3:10-13
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
1) Do you agree with Jesus’ critics that the first son was the one who actually did the will of his father? Why? How does that apply to you and me? Are you more like the first son or the second son when it comes to doing ALL the things our Heavenly Father has commanded us to do?
2) Do you agree with Paul’s point of view in the Thessalonians passage? Do you exemplify the type of lifestyle within the Body of Christ that Paul is exhorting or the type of lifestyle within the Body of Christ that Paul is rebuking or somewhere in between? Explain your answer.
READ: Patton Quote, Proverbs 15:22, 1 Samuel 19:11-12 & Acts 9:23-26
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
1) Who are the mentors or “advisors” in your life that can help you plan within your circumstances? Who are your “human resources” that you can call on when you really need help?
READ: Philippians 2:3-8, Mark 10:22-23, Franklin Quote & Proverbs 27:12
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
1) What are some “nonessentials” in your life you are still holding on to that are dragging you down on the pathway toward your dream? Why is letting go of them so difficult? Was “The Rich Young Ruler’s” extreme wealth a “nonessential?” Why or why not? If he lived his whole life and died with a massive bank account was that successful in the eyes of Jesus? What would have been a better use of his wealth according to Jesus? What lesson is there in this for us? How prepared are you to meet the challenges on your pathway? What kinds of things have you done in order to “be prepared?”