Rev. Stephanie Anthony:
The prophet, Habakkuk, planted himself at a watch post to wait and see how God would answer him. When he had seen the violence that God’s people were experiencing at the hands of their enemies, he challenged God, “Will you not save us?” To Habakkuk it seemed like God was sleeping on the job or just plain ignoring the destruction that was tormenting Israel.
But God showed up when Habakkuk called. God showed up and answered, “[You] write the vision; make it plain on tablets so that a runner may read it.” In other words, make it big enough and simple enough that someone bolting down the road will be able to read it and remember it.
I imagine that Habakkuk was immediately ready to take notes on the next part, the part where God would tell him what that vision is, but God didn’t do that. Instead God says there is “still” a vision for this present moment. No one needs a new vision. God’s one vision hasn’t changed. It is the vision, the bold vision, that has been true from the beginning of time – God is present. God is love, and God’s love is for all.
When the universe was created out of nothing, God was there.
When God’s people were slaves in Egypt, in love God set them free.
When the hungry needed food, the grumblers and the ones with praise on their lips, alike, God gave manna to all.
When a stranger was living among God’s people, God commanded God’s people to care for them, to show them God’s love.
This is the vision – in times of desperation and destruction, in times of division and hatred – it is God’s vision for us and it is the vision we are called to make plain to the world, to hold up big enough that it can be seen by those who are rushing around, wondering if God is even out here anyway.
Actually, what if we are meant to not just hold the signs, but to be the signs? What if what we do and what we say and how live – as individual followers of Jesus, but also as a church that bears his name and claims his mission – what if we are meant to be the demonstration of God’s vision that makes it clear to the world that God is present? God is love? and God’s love is for all?
It’s an exciting prospect, but also a bit daunting, if I’m honest. As we say in our church mission statement, we are an imperfect people, but we are also striving to live God’s love in the way of Jesus Christ. Where do we do this well? Where do we faithfully follow God’s call to demonstrate God’s love in the world?
Well, I think we do it in this very service of worship, in this time when we worship in multiple languages, with different styles of music. We do it when we show the world that the things that too often divide people, are less powerful than the love and unity of God who we know in Jesus Christ.
We do it in the way we pray for each other and care for each other and the world around us. As Paul reassured Timothy, we are bound together in our prayers that celebrate milestones or hold before God those who are grieving or suffering. We do it when we are attentive to each other’s lives and worries and needs.
How else are we a people who show God’s vision to the world? My colleagues, Moufid Khoury and Abraham Pa Cawi, are going to share their own word for us today, their own understanding of how we here at First Presbyterian Church of Allentown are and can be carriers of God’s vision into the world.
Pastor Moufid Khoury:
Who are we?
I’m sure that you all hear a strange language when you pass by the chapel every Sunday, and ask yourselves “Who are they? What are they doing here?” Well, let me try to answer some of your curiosity. In the book of Acts, Luke says that in Antioch we were first called Christians. The residents of Antioch used to give names to all those who come to live among them. They heard these people talk about Christ, pray to Christ, before and after their meals. So, they decided to call them Christians. Ever since then, the name has stuck to us.
Antioch is part of Syria, which is commonly known as the Fertile Crescent. From this pivotal place, the new faith was exported to the whole world. Antioch became the center of the world. So, we are the descendants of the first Christians of Antioch. We kept the faith for you, we carried the faith, we introduced the faith to your ancestors. We put our lives in danger in order to keep Christianity alive.
Fast forward 2000 years. The Presbyterian Church established a mission to Lebanon and built schools, churches, orphanages, and on top of it all was the greatest institute in the east, namely the American Institute of Beirut. As a result, a lot of people converted to the new sect and became Presbyterians.
So now we are here, praying in a different language, yes, but anchored by the same, singular faith. Finally, let me remind you again: We were all called Christians in Antioch, Syria. Amen.
Pastor Abraham Pa Cawi:
Brothers, and sisters, today I want to speak to you on the theme of Vision. In the time of the prophet Habakkuk, Judah was surrounded by injustice, violence, and fear. Habakkuk stood on his watchtower and cried out to God. And the Lord answered: “Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so he may run who reads it. For the vision awaits its appointed time… but the righteous shall live by his faith.” (Habakkuk 2:2–4).
Many years later, the Apostle Paul encouraged Timothy, a young pastor facing challenges and opposition. Paul said: “God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” (2 Tim. 1:7). He urged Timothy to guard the gospel with faith and courage.
From Habakkuk to Paul, God’s message is the same: His vision has not changed. God is present. God is love. And God’s love is for all people.
Let us reflect on three points about God’s vision for us as His church today.
God’s Vision Is Rooted in His Presence
Habakkuk stood in silence and waited on God to speak (Hab. 2:1). Paul reminded Timothy that his calling came from the promise of life in Christ Jesus (2 Tim. 1:1).
The starting point of vision is not human wisdom, strategies, or buildings. It begins with God Himself. Without His presence, there is no true vision. With Him, there is direction and hope. So as a church, we must seek God’s presence first—through prayer, worship, and faith.
…Our vision must be centered in Christ, not ourselves.
God’s Vision Is Plain and Bold
God told Habakkuk: “Write the vision, make it plain.” (Hab. 2:2). Paul told Timothy: “Do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord.” (2 Tim. 1:8).
God’s vision is simple but powerful: God is here. God is love. And His love is for all. This is not a complicated message—it is plain. But it takes boldness to live it out in a broken world.
…Our church must be clear and bold in proclaiming this vision—through our preaching, our acts of love, and our witness in the community.
God’s Vision Calls for Faithful Endurance
God told Habakkuk: “If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come.” (Hab. 2:3). Paul declared: “I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that He is able.” (2 Tim. 1:12).
God’s vision is not fulfilled overnight. It calls us to walk by faith, not by sight. It calls us to persevere even when times are hard, because God’s promises never fail.
…Our church is called to be patient, courageous, and faithful -enduring in love and hope until the fullness of God’s vision is revealed.
Beloved, God’s bold vision has not changed from the beginning of time: He is present. He is love. His love is for all people. So let us, as a church, root our vision in God’s presence, proclaim it with boldness, and live it out with faithful endurance. In this way, we embody God’s vision in the world, walking in the way of Jesus until His glory fills the earth. Amen.
“Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever.” (Ephesians 3:20-21)
Rev. Stephanie Anthony:
God calls the church together, the followers of Jesus, to be bearers of God’s bold vision. It hasn’t changed from the beginning of time – God is present. God is love, and God’s love is for all. It’s really that simple – that plain – but also that beautiful. And it’s our call walk faithfully in the way of Jesus that we may embody God’s bold vision in and for the world.
Scripture:
2 Timothy 1:1-10 & Habakkuk 2:1-4
Preached at First Presbyterian Church of Allentown on October 5, 2025 by Pastor Stephanie Anthony, Moufid Khoury and Abraham Pa Cawi