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[0:00] As we start our new year, we like to revisit our vision as a church, if you like. It's a good! time to take stock where we've come from and where we're going, but really in simple terms, just a message that focuses on what we're here for and what we're wanting to be as a church and our vision as a church.

[0:24] You know, we look forward in faith as we see a world that is ever more closer to the return of our Lord. We see the world events pointing to those perilous times ahead that the Bible tells us of.

[0:37] And yet for us as believers, the blessed hope that we have, the blessed hope we have of our Lord's returning. And for this we look up in glad faith and trust to know that our Saviour is coming.

[0:51] And as a church we can plan and aim for meetings, for this and that, for events, for programs, for activities, but one absolute and essential key, that object that we must communicate and that must be our foundation, that must be our motivation, is to know more of our Lord and of his word, to have Christ at the very centre.

[1:18] And our vision must be of Jesus. Our vision must be of Jesus. In simple terms, it boils down to that, that five-letter word, Jesus. Jesus.

[1:29] We see that in John 12 from verses 20 through 21. John 12, 20. The Passover was approaching and these certain Greeks came.

[2:02] They came up to worship and they desired of Philip. They said, Sir, we would see Jesus.

[2:12] I've heard it said that on some pulpits they have this plaque there. These very words are imprinted as a plaque. Sir, we would see Jesus.

[2:22] That's why we're here. And that's what we, as those who preach, would want to deliver, that essential key truth. There's just something about Jesus that intrigues people, that blesses.

[2:35] Something about this one, this holy one. And as believers, we know him as our Lord, as our saviour, as our master. And he is the one that we can find our strength in.

[2:46] And as we go day by day to his word, chapter by chapter, line upon line, we see Jesus in every chapter, in every line. And the heart's cry of these men here in John 12 is this.

[3:01] Sir, we would see Jesus. That was what was driving them, what was consuming them. And our church vision is that same essential truth.

[3:12] Sir, we would see Jesus. It's all wrapped up in this all-consuming thought to see Jesus, to have that vision of Jesus. It's what motivates us. It's what thrills us.

[3:23] It's what draws us to fellowship and to worship, to see Jesus. As we see all creation around us, we see his handiwork in the stars, in the firmament.

[3:40] We see Jesus. We see him at work in his creation, the wonder of it. And as we sing his praises, as we rejoice in his name, in his goodness to us, we see Jesus.

[3:52] We see Jesus as we sing, as we gather, as we gather to pray. When we gather to pray, we would see Jesus. We want to see Jesus as he promises to be with us as we pray corporately.

[4:07] And even in our fellow believers, we would see Jesus. Paul said, Christ in you, the hope of glory. Colossians 1, 27.

[4:17] So that in each believer, Christ is in you. Christ is in you. And as Paul prayed, that Christ would be formed in you. Jesus. We would see Jesus.

[4:28] And as we take each opportunity, that we come, as we know some have been witnessing. As we all can witness in different ways, that some have deliberately, intentionally gone witnessing.

[4:39] And we've seen fruit from that. We've seen numbers of people who have come to fellowship, to come to be with us. As we take that opportunity to witness, we would guide others to see Jesus, to point them to Jesus.

[4:55] As we know that Philip cometh and telleth Andrew. And Andrew and Philip tell Jesus. There's that telling of one another. As we take that opportunity, we want to know him and to make him known.

[5:10] The Greeks wanted to see Jesus. Because they were seeking after God. In this context here, they had come to the feast to worship.

[5:21] They had come to that Passover festival, that Passover feast. They had a heart to worship. They had a heart to worship. It drew them to this place, to this time, to this special moment to worship.

[5:32] They had that heart to worship. And I trust as we are gathered here tonight, that's our heart. It is to worship. It is to see Jesus. They were outsiders.

[5:44] They were Greeks. They would have perhaps stood out from the crowd somewhat. They would perhaps have been a bit different. Yet they would not let that stop them. They would not let that stop them.

[5:58] Now some come to meetings such as this. Some come to fellowship meetings as spectators. Some as doubters. Some as sceptics. Some as hypocrites.

[6:09] Some as critics. Some as scoffers. But some come as worshippers. As worshippers. And I trust that is the heart that we have tonight.

[6:19] That we would come with that heart to worship. May this be our heart. Our heart of hearts. My prayer is that we would be as these Greeks.

[6:32] With that same plea, that same cry. We would see Jesus. We want to see Jesus. That's why we're here. We want to worship him.

[6:43] We have that desire to see the Lord Jesus. That drive, that passion. And that cry of the human heart is still echoing today. That still same plea.

[6:55] Sir, we would see Jesus. There's people out there that as we go witnessing. As we share the word. As we share the gospel. They're searching for Jesus. They're wanting to see Jesus.

[7:07] And we can point them unto him. The word tells us if we seek the Lord with all our heart, we will find him. As we seek him with all our heart, we will find him.

[7:20] So where do we find Jesus? We know he is revealed to us in the scriptures. We know that he walked along with some disciples. And he showed them that Christ was in all the scriptures.

[7:32] There's that sense where he's right through from cover to cover of your Bible. The Lord Jesus is there. In every book, there's that indicator of Jesus.

[7:46] He's revealed through the scriptures. Where is Jesus? He is praised. Through the gathering together of his people. As we gather to sing his praises. As we rejoice in the Lord.

[7:57] Always. He's with us. In that gathering together. And he promises to be with us as we pray together. He's promised that. Let's not miss that.

[8:08] That opportunity to pray together. It's important. And above all, as our number one priority, may this be our heartfelt prayer. We would see Jesus.

[8:20] Will you see Jesus this new year? Sometimes we complicate things and we can miss these key truths.

[8:33] Will we know the simplicity that is in Christ? The Bible speaks about the simplicity that is in Christ. I know this is a very simple truth. Sir, we would see Jesus.

[8:45] That's what we're homing in on here. It's a simple message. But a vital one. A simplicity that is in Christ. To see Jesus. To see Jesus at work. In our every day.

[8:57] Not just on Sundays. Between certain times and certain programs. But to see him in the 24 by 7. By 365. To see the Lord Jesus at work.

[9:09] In our every day. Walking with us. Walking besides us. Walking in our shoes. As it were. In us. To see Jesus. Let us see him.

[9:20] At work. In our every day. For example. We see Jesus as our peace. In this world of conflict. And testing. And trial.

[9:32] To see Jesus as our peace. When we're facing trouble and hurts. To see Jesus as our refuge. As our strength.

[9:42] When we're living in a world full of sin. And hate. And evil. We can see Jesus as our saviour. As our salvation.

[9:54] As our Lord. To see Jesus as our all in all. We know. As Pilate had imprinted. On that placard.

[10:05] Above the crown. Bleeding head. Of our Lord. It says this is Jesus. The king of the Jews. King of.

[10:17] Jesus of Nazareth. This is Jesus. And. He became Jesus. Really. Jehovah. Our saviour. At that ultimate.

[10:28] Point. Of the cross. As he came. And bled and died. For sinful man. There is no hope. For this world. Outside of Christ. And people still need.

[10:39] To see. To see. Jesus. You know. We know. Only too well. How people look in vain. To the God substitutes. Of this world. You know.

[10:49] We know people. And they've got God substitutes. God substitutes. Whether it be sport. Or some vain amusement. Some will pour their energy.

[11:00] Their gusto. Their zeal. Their energy. Their time. Their money. Into such vain things. Empty things. Wasteful things.

[11:11] And they'll be just. Yet. Left empty. From it all. Some will look to philosophy. Or even to. Religion. So called. Or to science.

[11:22] Yet in vain. Because they miss this. One truth. They miss Jesus. They miss Jesus. And to miss Jesus. Is to miss everything. Wise men came at his birth.

[11:36] From the east. They came. To seek him. To seek for him. From the east. At his birth. And now as death looms. These wise men.

[11:46] These Greeks. These certain Greeks. They sought him. From the west. The wise men from the east. The Greeks from the west. Wise men still seek him.

[11:58] Some will seek for a lifetime. After vain pursuits. They'll be all consumed. With the vanities. And empty things. Searching perhaps after fame. Or fortune.

[12:09] Maybe realizing that. Seeking knowledge. And education. And learning. Yet. Never able. To come to the knowledge. Of the truth. And being left empty handed.

[12:20] At the end of a life. Wasted. Blinded minds. Grote. In the darkness. Their only hope. Of deliverance.

[12:30] Is this. To see Jesus. It's their only hope. We see. As I've. Expressed it before. It's like. Dead men walking. Isn't it?

[12:41] At blind. Men. And blind men. Leading blind men. Blind leaders of the blind. Their only hope. Is to see Jesus.

[12:55] That those blinded minds. Would have the shackles. Would have the blinkers. Taken off. As it were. Their only hope. Of deliverance. Is to see Jesus.

[13:06] And friends. As a church. As a church body. As. Individual believers. This must be our vision. A biblical vision. And everything starts.

[13:16] And ends with this. One truth. To see Jesus. And may we have a heart. That seeks after. The things above. Not. Settle for those things. On the earth.

[13:27] And miss that. Which is most important. In Colossians 3. Verses 3. It says. Paul says. Set. Make it a deliberate intent. Set.

[13:38] Your affection. On. Things above. Not. On things. On the earth. Paul says. Make it your deliberate. Intent.

[13:48] Your deliberate. Application. To set. Your affection. Your love. That desire. That. Wanting. That longing. For those things.

[13:59] That are above. On heavenly things. Not on things. On the earth. When we have a heart. That's set upon this. A heart that is stirred. Set on fire. A heart after God.

[14:10] When we have a cry. As the cry of the psalmist. In Psalm 40 verse 8. He cried out. I delight. I delight. To do thy will. O God. Yea.

[14:20] Thy law. Is within my heart. He said. I delight. To do thy will. O my God. There's a delight. There's a joy.

[14:31] There's a satisfaction. There's a springing up. Of fulfillment. To know his will. And to do it. May we that love the Lord so. So much.

[14:44] And his word so much. That we will have that same delight. As he had. Thy law. Thy word. Is within my heart.

[14:54] And we should hide his word. In our heart. Delight in our God. Do we have this passion. You know. Nowadays we hear. All these accounts. Of people running here.

[15:05] And running there. Running after knowledge. As the Bible says. They'll run here and there. And you hear some people. Who go chasing their favorite entertainers. Across the nation.

[15:16] You know. When some great. What the world calls great. Some great. Performer. Or entertainer. Some. Great act.

[15:28] Or actor. Comes. People flock to them. And they flock across the nation. Or even around the globe. And they can. Shell out lots of money.

[15:38] To get. The latest. Tickets. The front. Front row seats. To their. Latest. Concerts. And they will stand in lines.

[15:52] Sometimes for hours and hours. Just to get that ticket. Or the long queues. To get to their. Idol. As they call them. This is the reality.

[16:02] That consumes many. What a passion. They have. Don't they? Now you hear some people.

[16:13] That. Are mad keen. Footy. Fans. Or. Whatever sport. It is. And they're just. Mad keen. About such a thing. About such a team.

[16:24] Or such a. Player. Or such a person. Their idol. Whoever it is. That they. Put on this. Pedestal. And run after. And you hear these stories.

[16:35] As we've heard. Of recent times. Of the sad passing. Of certain people. And just because they. Featured in some film. And they had a starring role.

[16:46] That the world. Is just. In awe of them. And. And treats them. Almost venerates them. Like a saint. When they die. And. It's all across the headlines.

[16:56] And across the. The front page news. That such and such a person. Has died. And. It's sad when anyone dies. Whoever they be. But.

[17:07] To think that such a person. Was made. So famous. For such a. A trivial thing. As. As performing. In some. Film.

[17:19] That the world. Would venerate them. And almost treat them. As sacred. To worship them. Even in their death. It's. What goes on. Isn't it? But.

[17:29] There's this passion. That people have. Towards such things. And. Yet. Just how badly. Do you. Want to. See Jesus. How badly.

[17:40] Do you want to see him. Now. We thank God. That you're here tonight. Many are not. We want to see Jesus. That's why we're here. Isn't it? That's why we're here.

[17:51] And this is our desire. Our delight. It drives us. You know. The Bible tells of this. This heart. This. This. Zeal. This.

[18:03] Adoration. This love. This. All consuming. Passion. You know. The Bible speaks about. Earnest. Prayer. Earnest. Prayer.

[18:13] Not just a. Take it or leave it. Carefree. Careless prayer. But an. Earnest. Prayer. To pray. With. With that. Zeal. It tells of.

[18:25] Zealous. Of good works. Of such a people. Who are zealous. Of good works. There's this. Boiling hot. Gusto.

[18:36] This. This vitality. This intensity. To spiritual life. That's what God wants. For his church. That burning in our bones.

[18:47] That. That. Wanting to be a burning. And shining light. A delight. To do his will. That is what he wants. For us. For all of us.

[18:58] A longing. To seek his face. To be in fellowship. To be a support. To our church fellowship. To be in worship.

[19:09] Together. To be in prayer. And the true work of God. Happens. In the soul. As men see Jesus. That must be our passion.

[19:22] This absolute truth. To see him. How do we see Jesus? You know. Sometimes we need to maybe take a stop. Take. What is blocking our vision?

[19:34] What is stopping us seeing Jesus? You know. People can get glaucoma. That kind of gradually just clouds the vision. And the clarity goes till it's gone.

[19:49] What is stopping us from seeing Jesus? We must remove it out of the way. What's blocking the way?

[20:00] Remove what is getting in the way. Is it sin? Is it some carelessness? Is it some slackness that's crept up on us? This excusing of things?

[20:14] Is it disobedience? Has that love. That first love. Grown cold.

[20:25] Or is it just the love of other things. Have crept in and crowded him out. The love of other things. The cares of this world.

[20:38] Crowded out. Our Lord. You know. I was blessed lately to take a phone call from a friend. People would know him. Vic. People. Some might know him. And Vic was having a yarn as he likes to do.

[20:51] And he likes to yarn on about the things of the Lord. And it's always a joy to hear that personal zeal that he has.

[21:01] That personal love for our Lord. And Vic was telling me of a time where he would go aside and pray.

[21:14] He had a place on a little hillside. And he would go aside and pray. And he would spend time there. And as he put it. Have a chat with Jesus.

[21:25] Have a chat with Jesus. And I remember as a younger person too. As a younger Christian. A particular place I would go and pray too. And it was on a hillside as well.

[21:36] Looking up. Over an area. And Vic was just lamenting really how other things had kind of crept in. And how sometimes as we know only too well.

[21:49] Technology. Different things. Whatever it be. Different things that can occupy us and distract us. And take our attention away from spiritual things. And deter that time with him.

[22:01] But friends today. How important it is. Have a chat with Jesus. Have that time with him. That time with him. It's so easy to get distracted and to lose focus.

[22:12] Those other things crowd in. And our vision is lost. And so let's pray for that greater boldness. That greater drive. That desire to grow. We know how in 1 Peter 2 verse 2.

[22:26] We read how Peter says to those new Christians. As newborn babes. Desire the sincere milk. That pure milk.

[22:38] Of the word. That you may grow thereby. As newborn babes. Would desire. And if they don't get the milk. What do they do? Wah!

[22:50] Till they get the milk. They want the milk. They desire the milk. And so we need to desire. That sincere milk. That pure milk. As it were of the word of God.

[23:02] That pure milk. There's a hungering and a thirsting. That should be within us. As believers. In Matthew 5 verse 6. Our Lord says. Blessed are they which do hunger.

[23:14] And thirst after righteousness. For they shall be filled. Let's have that hunger. That thirst. Refreshed again. Let us pray for those spiritualised.

[23:26] To see things as he would have us see them. That mindset. That reaches out for Jesus. To see Jesus. Let that be our mindset. What is this vision?

[23:39] It's a holy vision. As Isaiah saw the Lord high and lifted up. And his train filled the temple. And he cried out. Holy. Holy.

[23:50] Holy. Holy. Is the Lord God. Almighty. The Lord God of hosts. Was a holy vision. For Isaiah. It was a heavenly vision.

[24:01] For Paul. As Paul. Was. Rocked. From his. Intent. Of going to Damascus. To. Threaten.

[24:12] And. Harm. The Christians. That there was a heavenly vision. That stopped him. That stopped him in his tracks. And. Turned his life around. It was a heavenly vision. As he saw.

[24:23] Jesus. And it's a harvest vision. As we see the fields. We see. As Jesus would see them. As he says to you. See. Look. Behold.

[24:34] The fields are white. They're ready. They're ready. For harvesting. And to see Jesus. Takes. That holy vision. That heavenly vision. That harvest vision. That puts action.

[24:45] Into our step. To see Jesus. It takes a spiritual vision. We would see Jesus. Emmanuel. God. With us. This is a God thing.

[24:57] This is a. Glorious. Joyful. Tremendous truth. To see Jesus. To see Jesus. As our great burden bearer. And we don't have to carry our burdens.

[25:09] He carries them. He carries our burdens. He carries our sorrows. He carries our griefs. He carries our sin. We see Jesus. Lord. Of all.

[25:19] Lord. We use that word so. Flippantly. Don't we? Lord. You hear some people. Honestly.

[25:31] And well meaning. Say Lord. Lord. Lord. Through their prayers. Let's not. Take it. Carelessly. Certainly call him Lord.

[25:42] And certainly pray. Lord. But let us not be as those who say. Lord. Lord. And do not. The things which. He's told us to do. So we must not.

[25:52] Lose this vision. This focus. We would. See Jesus. We must. See Jesus. And we will. See Jesus. It says. That behold.

[26:03] He cometh with the clouds. And every eye. Shall see him. Friends. We must. See Jesus. Because if we miss Jesus.

[26:15] We miss. Everything. If we miss Jesus. We have nothing. We have nothing. So let us see Jesus. See Jesus. As your king.

[26:26] Your deliverer. Our church vision. Is this. Five letter word. Jesus. Jesus. Jesus in the midst. Jesus in our hearts.

[26:37] Jesus in our worship. Jesus in our preaching. Jesus in our praying. Jesus in our praying. And our praising. Our vision is this. That in all things.

[26:49] He. Might have the preeminence. That he would be. Center stage. And. Foremost. Uppermost. Are all in all.

[27:01] The Lord Jesus. Sir. We would. See Jesus. That was their plea. They wanted to see Jesus. Let that be.

[27:12] Our hearts cry too. As a church. As each individual. As families. As people here today. That. This will be our cry too. We would see Jesus.

[27:23] Let's pray. Lord. We know these men. Came from. Greece to. Worship to. That time of Passover.

[27:40] Father. And. The one. Request was. To see you. Lord. We pray as a church. That we. Would have that same heart.

[27:52] That same love. That same desire. That same delight. That. Holy vision. That heavenly vision. That harvest vision.

[28:03] That. Hearts cry. Lord. Forgive us when we fail. When the clarity. Is clouded. And we lack that.

[28:15] Clear vision. Help us Lord. When we. Get. Distracted. And other loves come. And. Crowd you out. Lord. Help us. That we be not.

[28:27] Lacking in our love. That it won't be. A love that is. Waxing cold. But growing stronger. And hotter. Brighter. Burning.

[28:37] Burning. And shining. As John the Baptist. A burning. And shining light. Lord. Help us to be such a people. Help us as a church. To have this vision. That we would see Jesus.

[28:47] In everything that we do. Lord. That this will be our motive. Our motive is not. In any other direction. Other than to see Jesus.

[28:58] To. To see you high and lifted up. Lord. To. To glorify you. In our lives. That. Our worship. Our service. That.

[29:09] Every. Activity of this church. Would be directed to this one object. That we would point people to Jesus. That we would be a people. Centered in Christ.

[29:21] And. In. Awe of you. In the wonder of you. In the delight of you. Lord. We pray if there's any believers here. Struggling. With whatever it be.

[29:32] Lord. That we'd put aside those things. That hold us back. Help us. Lord. To refresh that vision. That love. That yearning. That longing. That delight. To do thy will.

[29:43] Oh God. In Jesus name. Amen. Thank you.