THE CHRIST VISION

27th May 2012 Eltham Baptist Church

No. 377

When I went to Life Conference this year I was intimidated by some of the amazing speakers that came from both America and Australia. They had great ministries, large dreams and had reached and influenced thousands of people in their communities and around the world. The messages they gave were really challenging and presented us with the question; "What was your dream?" What bothered me even more was "what was my dream for the church?" I love my church and serve my people as best I can but have no great plans like these men of God do but feel my ministry is more of a servant. Its not that I dont ask God for more vision for the Church but I dont get stuff like these guys do. The Devil took advantage of this and brought me under condemnation. "God what is wrong with me? One of the messages I heard was about the calling of Moses. God spoke to Moses to turn aside in the wilderness and look at the burning bush and there God spoke and commissioned Him.
Now Moses was tending the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian, and he led the flock to the far side of the desert and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. There the angel of the Lord appeared to him in flames of fire from within a bush. Moses saw that though the bush was on fire it did not burn up. So Moses thought, I will go over and see this strange sightwhy the bush does not burn up. When the Lord saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him from within the bush, Moses! Moses! And Moses said, Here I am. Exodus 3:1-4

This was a really supernatural thing a burning bush experience, an encounter with God that changed Moses forever and commissioned him to save Gods people from bondage. We'd all love to have an experience like this wouldnt we? Some have had a visitation from an Angel and others have had a burning bush experience, but what was my experience? I felt the Lord remind me of a visitation I had in Africa where the Lord told me of the importance of worship. He reminded me of the fact that I have something far greater than a bush or an Angel and that is Christ. I do have a wonderful vision and that is Christ Himself. Since that day I am addicted to that vision and am not happy until I get back to that place of seeing Him and being excited by Him and this passion consumes me each and every day. We all have this priceless privilege, but the question is Are we turning aside? I have turned aside to see this amazing person, Christ not on the cross, but in His glorified form. He is far better than a burning bush or an Angel.
Yes, furthermore, I count everything as loss compared to the possession of the priceless privilege (the overwhelming preciousness, the surpassing worth, and supreme advantage) of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord and of progressively becoming more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him [of perceiving and recognizing and understanding Him more fully and clearly]. For His sake I have lost everything and consider it all to be mere rubbish (refuse, dregs), in order that I may win (gain) Christ (the Anointed One), Philippians 3:8 (amplified)

This revelation is not a one off experience either, for we can come and see Him at any time that we want too. The Bible says He is with us always.
And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. Matthew 28:12 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:16

We see here that we can approach God at any time, so we are mightily blessed. The question is do we appreciate this amazing truth? How do we apply it to our lives? I have found that the way its done is through worship. Mary was sitting at Jesus feet while Martha complained in the kitchen. Jesus said to Martha that Mary had discovered something far better and that was Christ himself and the experience she was having would not be taken away from her.
There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her. Luke 10.42

Paul said to the Corinthian Church that we are changed as we behold Christ and we dont need a burning bush or a visitation from Heaven for we can do it through the word.

And all of us, as with unveiled face, [because we] continued to behold [in the Word of God] as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are constantly being transfigured into His very own image in ever increasing splendour and from one degree of glory to another; [for this comes] from the Lord [Who is] the Spirit. 2 Corinthians 3:18

I have discovered something that is amazing, just like Mary did and it wont be taken away from me. I have found my Burning Bush my Door into Narnia, My Vision and My Dream and its Christ the Lord of Glory. God is seeking for those who will come and worship Him but we have to turn aside from what we are doing, which requires faith, courage and discipline.
Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth. John 4:23-24

There are so many things that are trying to distract us these days. These mighty men of God at the Conference may have great plans, dreams and visions which they are called to embrace but not all of us are called to the same thing and we shouldnt compare. We all have different callings and each one of them is significant to God. We need to be made aware of the fact that there is an amazing place available for all, yet few ever discover it in this life, and that is the Secret Place of the Most High God. To get to this place you cant treat this casually, for it requires our full attention. You may feel useless compared to others who are so focused and have a tangible dream, but don't despair for there is a place for you that is left open to the throne of grace and the very presence of God. As you know, I am an artist by trade and know how a painting is composed. First you start with a blank canvas and build it up with the basics, building layer upon layer. Our personal picture of Christ is very similar to this in our lives. You may just start with nothing (a blank canvas) but with a prayer and a brush stroke like, "He is Lord," but you can build on that. Revelation gives us a picture of the glorified Christ in Revelation 1:12-16 and says that His face shines like the sun and a whole lot more. I have committed these verses and many others to memory and use them to paint a beautiful picture of Christ whenever I turn aside to look. I start with a blank canvas each and every day and build on that. To give you an example of what I mean, while away after Conference we stayed at a church unit in Orewa which is next to the hot springs at Waiwera. We went there to have a swim while there, and before it got dark I felt the Lord calling me aside, to go for a walk on the beach next door. I got changed while the others were swimming and went for a prayer walk on the beach and started praying in tongues as I went. As I walked I then began recollecting all his glorious attributes that I had stored in my mind. The things that I saw around me prompted me to quote different verses in worship. As I quoted a verse His eyes are like shining torches and said to Him that His glory can be seen from miles away, my eyes caught a light that flashed far away from the Whangaparoa Peninsular where the setting sun behind me was reflecting off some large house windows. As I began to say that His glory can be seen for miles, here was a confirmation. I then began quoting how His glory is the colour of Amber and Flame
I was caught up at once in deep worship and, oh!a Throne set in Heaven with One Seated on the Throne, suffused in gem hues of amber and flame with a nimbus of emerald. Revelation 4:2-3 msg

When I looked behind me there was a brilliant red and orange sunset (suffused with amber and flame). I had turned aside with nothing but His word, believing I would see an amazing spectacle and could have missed it. As it says in John, the Father is looking for worshipers but will we need turn aside? Remember its not about us, our feelings or our desires - but His. What does He desire? He desires worshippers. The other thought that came to me was from Psalm 45:10
Now listen, daughter, don't miss a word: forget your country, put your home behind you. Be here the king is wild for you. Since he's your lord, adore him. (Message)

This Psalm describes Christ as being fairer than any other human, it then goes on to describe the Bride (The Church) and how Christ loves her. He says that He is wild about you. (Message) "He greatly desires her beauty." (KJV) This thought really amazes me for when we turn aside and give Him our full attention, just enjoying Him, then He enjoys our beauty too. He actually enjoys our company when we share our lives with Him. If you are distracted with other things and too busy then you cant do this. Are you willing to turn aside and see this amazing person Christ? The amazing thing is that you will receive the fire of God and will not be consumed.
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