VISION IMPAIRED

I FORGIVE YOU......HOW MANY OF YOU FORGAVE SOME PEOPLE THIS PAST WEEK

HOW MANY OF YOU HAVE EXPERIENCED MORE FREEDOM BECAUSE OF IT?

IM TELLING YOU, FORGIVENESS IS LIFE CHANGING.

LETS TURN TO ACTS CHAPTER 8 REAL QUICK THIS MORNING.

WHAT I REALLY WANT TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT THIS MORNING IS GETTING YOUR VISION BACK.

SOME OF YOU DON’T EVEN REALIZE IT BUT YOU’VE LOST SOME OF YOUR VISION

YOU HAVE LOST SOME PERSPECTIVE ON LIFE, ON LOVE, ON PEOPLE

WHAT WE SEE IN THIS STORY OF SAUL AND HOW HE CONVERTS HIM TO PAUL IS....

GOD GIVES HIM A FRESH VISION

SAUL THOUGH HE WAS SEEING THINGS CLEARLY BUT

HE WAS REALLY SEEING THINGS THROUGH A FILTER

HE WAS SEEING THINGS FROM THE WRONG PERSPECTIVE

THE STORY OF SAUL REMINDS ME OF A STORY I’VE HEARD ABOUT A GUY NAMED ALFRED.

IN THE LATE 1800’S, TRUE STORY, THERE WAS A GUY BY THE NAME OF ALFRED.

HE WOKE UP ONE DAY AND STARTED TO READ THE NEWS PAPER, HE SAW HIS NAME IN THE OBITUARY COLUMN. IT SAID ALFRED NOBEL THE MERCHANT OF DEATH. HE INVENTED MORE WAYS TO KILL PEOPLE THAN THERE EVER WAS, THE INVENTOR OF DYNAMITE. ALFRED HAD INVENTED DYNAMITE AND MORE PEOPLE HAD DIED BECAUSE OF HIS INVENTION. HE WAS READING HIS OWN OBITUARY AND THE NEWSPAPER SAID HE WAS THE ONE WHO DIED WHEN IT WAS ACTUALLY HIS BROTHER, NOT HIM. HW COULD OF SUED THE NEWSPAPER BUT INSTEAD HE DECIDED TO SPEND THE LAST 10 YEARS OF HIS LIFE CHANGING HIS OBITUARY. HE DECIDED TO CHANGE HIS LEGACY. ALFRED NOBEL STARTED A TRUST FUND THAT WOULD HONOR PEOPLE WHO BROUGHT PEACE INTO THE WORLD. HE CALLED THIS AWARD THE THE “NOBEL PEACE PRIZE” NAMED AFTER HIMSELF GIVING AWAY LARGE AMOUNTS OF MONEY AND AWARDS EVERY YEAR FOR ANYONE WHO HAS BROUGHT PEACE INTO THE WORLD EACH YEAR. INSTEAD OF BEING REMEMBERED AS THE MERCHANT OF DEATH HE BECAME KNOWN AS THE MAN OF PEACE. ON HIS GRAVE STONE WAS A QUOTE “EVERY MAN OUGHT TO HAVE THE CHANCE TO CORRECT HIS OBITUARY IN MIDSTREAM AND WRITE A NEW ONE”.

MAYBE YOU CAME IN HERE TODAY AND THOUGHT....

I SHOULD REALLY CHANGE MY LIFE

I WONDER IF GOD HAS GRACE FOR ME?

CHURCH...

IF THERE IS ONE THING WE CAN LEARN FROM THE STORY OF SAUL ITS THAT

EVERY MAN, EVERY WOMEN, EVERY YOUNG ADULT, EVERY SINGLE OR MARRIED PERSON

IS A CANDIDATE FOR THE GRACE OF GOD

TO CHANGE YOUR HEART

TO GET YOUR VISION BACK AND TO BE WHO GOD HAS CALLED YOU TO BE

WE CAN’T DETERMINE THE LEGACY WE RECEIVE BUT

WE CAN DETERMINE THE LEGACY WE’RE GOING TO LEAVE

LETS LOOK AT ACTS 8:1

The New International Version Chapter 8

8 And Saul approved of their killing him.

ACTUALLY LETS GO BACK REAL QUICK TO ACTS 7:54

The New International Version Chapter 7

54 When the members of the Sanhedrin heard this, they were furious and gnashed their teeth at him. 55 But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. 56 “Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.”

57 At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, 58 dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul.

59 While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” 60 Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he fell asleep.

OK NOW BACK TO CHAPTER 8:1

The New International Version (Chapter 8)

1 And Saul approved of their killing him.The Church Persecuted and ScatteredOn that day a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. 2 Godly men buried Stephen and mourned deeply for him. 3 But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off both men and women and put them in prison.

HE BEGAN TO DESTROY THE CHURCH....

OTHER VERSIONS OF THE BIBLE SAY HE BEGAN TO RAVAGE THE CHURCH

HE WAS LIKE A RAVAGING WOLF

PAUL WAS ONE OF THOSE PERSONALITIES THAT ONCE HE SAW SOMETHING, HE COULDN’T LET IT GO

ONCE HE THOUGHT OF SOMETHING HE BECAME OBSESSED ABOUT IT

SOME OF YALL IN HERE HAVE THAT SAME PERSONALITY

ONE OF THE GREATEST THINGS ABOUT SAUL IF THAT GOD DOESNT ACTUALLY CHANGE OR TAKE HIS PERSONALITY AWAY

HE CHANNELS THAT OBSESSION INTO THE RIGHT DIRECTION

OH COME ON...

GOD DOESN’T WANT TO TAKE AWAY WHO YOU ARE OR THE PERSONALITY HE’S CREATED YOU TO BE

HE JUST WANTS TO REDIRECT WHO YOU ARE AND WHO HE’S CREATED YOU TO BE FOR HIS GLORY AND HIS PURPOSE.

GOD TAKES SAULS OBSESSION TO DESTROY THE CHURCH AND HE CHANNELS IT TO BUILD THE CHURCH

OH COME ON....SOME OF US IN HERE JUST NEED TO BE REDIRECTED

WE NEED GOD TO PULL THE SCALES OFF OF OUR EYES SO WE CAN SEE CLEARLY

WE SEE THAT PAUL GOES ON TO WRITE 13 BOOKS IN THE NEW TESTAMENT

HE PLANTS MORE CHURCHES THAN ANY OTHER DISCIPLE....

BECAUSE ONCE HE CHANNELS HIS OBSESSION IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION

HE BECAME THE GREATEST MISSIONARY IN THE NEW TESTAMENT

UNDERSTAND THIS....

BEFORE THERE WAS A PAUL

THERE WAS A SAUL

BEFORE THERE WAS A CHANGED MAN

THERE WAS A DERANGED MAN

BEFORE THERE CAN BE A CHANGED YOU

THERE HAS TO BE A RECOGNITION THAT...

SOMETHING IS NOT RIGHT

SO SAUL IS DRAGGING OFF BOTH MEN AND WOMEN AND PUTTING THEM INTO PRISON.

CHAPTER 8:4 SAYS...

The New International Version Chapter 8

4 Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went. 5 Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Messiah there. 6 When the crowds heard Philip and saw the signs he performed, they all paid close attention to what he said. 7 For with shrieks, impure spirits came out of many, and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed. 8 So there was great joy in that city.

THERE ARE SOME HERE THIS MORNING THAT NEED DELIVERANCE FROM DEMONIC OPPRESSION

THE ENEMY HAS BEEN FIGHTING YOU WITH THOUGHTS AND EMOTIONS THAT ARE CAUSING YOU TO LOSE A GRIP ON REALITY.

OH COME ON....GOD WANTS TO HEAL AND DELIVER YOU FROM THE DEMONIC OPPRESSION THIS MORNING. DON’T LEAVE UNCHANGED.

I LOVE VERSE 8.....

THERE WAS GREAT JOY IN THAT CITY

IN THE MIDST OF PERSECUTION

IN THE MIDST OF OPPOSITION

THERE WAS GREAT JOY IN THE CITY

I BELIEVE GOD WANTS TO RESTORE JOY IN YOUR FAMILY THIS MORNING

HE WANTS TO BRING JOY BACK TO YOUR LIFE TODAY

I WANT TO SKIP DOW TO CHAPTER 9 NOW

The New International Version Chapter 9

Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples.

IT’S IMPORTANT TO KNOW WHO IT WAS THAT WAS PERSECUTING THE CHURCH

SAUL WAS A BROUGHT UP A RELIGIOUS PERSON

HE BORN IN 5 AD AND WAS ABOUT 27 OR SO WHEN JESUS WAS CRUCIFIED

SAUL GREW UP IN JERUSALEM

HE WAS TAUGHT BY A TEACHER NAMED GAMALIEL

HE WAS RAISED BY A MOM AND DAD WHO WERE PHARISEES

THEY FOLLOWED THE LAW AND STUDIED THE TORRAH

SAUL KNEW THE BIBLE

HE KNEW GOD

HE THOUGHT HE WAS CLOSE TO GOD BUT HE WAS SO FAR AWAY

OH COME ON....

IT’S POSSIBLE TO BE RAISED IN CHURCH

THINK YOUR CLOSE TO GOD BUT HAVE A WARPED VISION ABOUT WHO GOD IS

SAUL THOUGHT HE WAS OBEYING GOD

HE THOUGHT HE WAS SEEING THE CHURCH THE WAY GOD SAW THEM

BUT SAULS VISION WAS IMPAIRED IT WAS BLURRY

SOMETIMES AS CHRISTIANS WE CAN BEGIN TO SEE THINGS THROUGH A BLURRY FILTER AND NOT EVEN REALIZE IT.

OH COME ON....

HOW MANY OF YOU HAVE BEEN IN A SEASON OF LIFE THATS BLURRY?

GOD WANTS TO BRING THINGS BACK INTO FOCUS FOR YOU

HE WANTS TO BRING CLARITY BACK TO YOUR LIFE

TELL YOUR NEIGHBOR.....

GET YOUR VISION BACK

IT’S TIME TO GET YOUR VISION BACK

The New International Version Chapter 9

He went to the high priest 2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. 3 As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. 4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”

5 “Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked.

“I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. 6 “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”

7 The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone. 8 Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus.

OPEN IN PRAYER.........LORD HELP US THIS MORNING, TO SEE THINGS THE WAY YOU SEE THEM. LORD BRING CLARITY BACK TO US, RESTORE OUR VISION, RENEW OUR HEARTS, RENEW OUR MINDS TO SEE THINGS IN FOCUS FATHER. IN JESUS NAME.

I WANT TO TALK TO YOU THIS MORNING BRIEFLY ABOUT GETTING YOUR VISION BACK.

SAUL, LATER BECAME PAUL AND HE WROTE A BOOK CALLED EPHESIANS

HE WROTE IN EPHESIANS 1:18 A PRAYER

Ephesians 1:18 (NIV)

18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people,

“I PRAY THAT THE EYES OF YOUR HEART MAY BE ENLIGHTENED”

WHAT WAS PAUL TALKING ABOUT HERE?

HE WASN’T TALKING ABOUT YOUR NATURAL EYES

HE WAS TALKING ABOUT YOUR SPIRITUAL EYES

THAT YOU WOULD BE ABLE TO SEE THE HOPE THAT GOD HAS FOR YOU

THAT YOU WOULD BE ABLE TO RECOGNIZE THE RICHES OF HIS GLORIOUS LEGACY

THE RICHES OF HIS GLORIOUS INHERITANCE IN HIS HOLY PEOPLE

WHY WOULD PAUL PRAY THIS?

BECAUSE PAUL HAD AN EPIPHANY

PAUL HAD AN EYE OPENING EXPERIENCE

AN ENLIGHTENMENT

LATER ON IN ACTS CHAPTER 9 IS SAYS THAT

SCALES FELL FROM PAULS EYES

SOMETHING LIKE SCALES

I LOOKED THAT UP....WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO HAVE SCALES ON YOUR EYES

IT MEANS WHEN SOMEONE SUDDENLY REALIZED THE TRUTH ABOUT SOMETHING

WHEN SOMEONE FINALLY SEES THE REAL THING

THAT THEY HAVE BEEN DECEIVED ABOUT SOMETHING AND THE SCALES FINALLY BEGIN TO FALL

IT’S A COMMON EXPRESSION INDICATING A SUDDEN REALIZATION OR A REVELATION

TO FINALLY SEE THE LIGHT OR THE TRUTH

IM THE WORST AT THIS…AND MY WIFE WILL AGREE, BUT.....SHE WILL TRY TO TELL ME SOMETHING AND THEN A FEW DAYS LATER SOMEONE MIGHT TELL ME THE SAME THING AND ILL GO AND TELL HER AND THEN SHE’S LIKE.......

REALLY? I’VE BEEN TRYING TO TELL YOU THAT

IN FACT I JUST SAID THE SAME EXACT THING LIKE 2 DAYS AGO.

THE EYES ARE AN INCREDIBLE PART OF OUR BODY

THEY ARE THE SECOND MOST COMPLEX PART OF THE HUMAN BODY OUTSIDE OF THE BRAIN

OUR EYES DETERMINE THE QUALITY AND SINCE OF CONTENTMENT IN OUR LIFE.

IF THE ENEMY CAN GET TO YOUR EYES....

THIS IS WHY JESUS SAID TO PROTECT YOUR EYES

IF YOUR EYES CAUSE YOU TO SIN

COME ON.....JESUS TALKED A LOT ABOUT THE EYES BEING THE WINDOWS TO THE SOUL

HE SAID IF YOUR EYES HAVE BECOME DARKENED IN THEIR UNDERSTANDING

IF YOUR EYES HAVE BECOME DISCONTENT WITH LIFE

EVERYTHING BEGINS TO BE SEEN THROUGH A DIFFERENT FILTER

SPEAKING OF LOSING YOUR SIGHT

I WENT FOR AN EXAM A COUPLE WEEKS AGO AND THE DOCTOR HAD TO DILATE MY EYES (EXPLAIN)

NOW I DON’T REMEMBER HAVING MY EYES DILATED BEFORE SO I WASN’T EXPECTING TO LOSE MY VISION SO FAST AND FOR SO LONG.

IT WAS TERRIBLE, I WAS FRUSTRATED BECAUSE I COULD SEE MY PHONE

I KNEW I WAS GETTING TEXTS BUT COULDN’T READ WHAT THEY WERE OR WHO THEY WERE FROM

IT WAS LIKE SCALES WERE STRETCHED OVER MY EYES AND IT WAS MISERABLE

(TALK ABOUT THE NEAR MISS AS YOU FELL ASLEEP)

I USED TO DRIVE TRUCKS FOR A LIVING

I WORKED FOR SAFEWAY AS A TRUCK DRIVER

I WORKED NIGHTS AND I LIKED WORKING NIGHTS BUT I ALSO HATED WORKING NIGHTS. (EXPLAIN)

I WAS TIRED AND STARTED TO FALL ASLEEP AND YOUR VISION STARTS TO TUNNEL AND THEN STARTS TO GO BLURRY AND BEFORE YOU KNOW IT, YOUR IN A DITCH OR WORSE.

THE MANAGER CALLED ME INTO HIS OFFICE AND SHOWED ME THE VIDEO

I WAS LITERALLY A FOOT AWAY FROM GOING OVER THE EDGE OF A HILL.

I LOST FOCUS OF WHERE I WAS HEADING

WE’VE ALL BEEN THERE WHERE WE LOOK AWAY FOR A SECOND AND THEN ALMOST RUN OFF THE ROAD

Proverbs 4:25 NIV

25 Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you.

CHURCH...

SOME OF US ARE STRUGGLING WITH SCALES OVER OUR EYES

WE’VE LOST OUR VISION

OUR REASON FOR LIVING

OUR PURPOSE

SOME OF YOU MAY BE TIRED IN LIFE AND IT’S CAUSING YOU TO HAVE TUNNEL VISION AND NOW YOUR MAKING POOR CHOICES AND DOING THINGS THAT YOU SHOULDN’T DO BECAUSE...

YOUR TIRED AND BURNT OUT

YOU NEED YOU VISION BACK

YOU NEED YOUR VISION RESTORED

HERE ARE SOME SCALES THAT NEED TO FALL OFF......

SHAME

DECEPTION (BELIEVING SOMETHING THAT ISN’T TRUE)

PRIDE (NEVER WRONG, ALWAYS RIGHT)

FEAR (GAS PRICES, ECONOMY) IT’S A TRAP

HURT (SOME OF YOU HAVE BEEN HURT BY THE CHURCH)

ANGER (PAUL WAS FULL OF ANGER) (HE WAS KILLING PEOPLE OUT OF HIS ANGER)

SIN CYCLES

HOPELESSNESS AND DEFEAT

(DEPRESSION CAN LOOK GREAT ON THE OUTSIDE BUT HURTING AND DARK ON THE INSIDE) (ROBIN WILLIAMS WAS THE SMILING COMEDIAN)

HE SEEMED HAPPY ALL THE TIME THAT WE SAW HIM.

WHEN THE SCALES FELL FROM SAULS EYES AND HE BECAME PAUL

- HE STARTED WRITING THINGS LIKE 1 CORINTHIANS 13

LOVE IS PATIENT

LOVE IS KIND

LOVE KEEPS NO RECORD OF WRONGS

HE STARTED WRITING THINGS LIKE PHIL 4:8

THINK ON THINGS THAT ARE PURE AND HEAVENLY

THINK ABOUT SUCH THINGS, I’VE LEARNED THE SECRET TO CONTENTMENT

I CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST WHO GIVES ME STRENGTH

HE WROTE TO TIMOTHY

GOD HAS NOT GIVEN YOU A SPIRIT OF FEAR OR ANXIETY OR DEPRESSION

NO HE WANTS TO TAKE THOSE SCALES OFF SO YOU CAN SEE THAT...HE’S GIVEN YOU

POWER, LOVE AND A SOUND MIND

LETS LOOK AGAIN AT THIS STORY REAL QUICK......

BACK IN ACTS 9 ON THE ROAD TO DAMASCUS

THE ROAD TO DE-MASC-US

IM NOT TALKING ABOUT THE MASK YOU PROBABLY THINK IM TALKING ABOUT

IM TALKING ABOUT THE MASK WE WEAR WHEN WE GO TO CHURCH

GOD INTERRUPTS SAUL AND HIS LIFE

GOD WILL INTERRUPT YOUR LIFE IF HE HAS TO, TO GET YOUR ATTENTION.

..........WORSHIP TEAM COME............

The New International Version Chapter 9

8 Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing

SOMETIMES GOD HAS TO REMOVE OUR NATURAL SIGHT IN ORDER TO RESTORE OUR SPIRITUAL SIGHT.....AMEN?

The New International Version Chapter 9

9 For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything.

HIS APPETITE WAS CHANGING

HAVE YOU EVER BEEN THERE?

GONE THROUGH A DARK SEASON WHERE YOU JUST LOST YOUR APPETITE TO EAT

The New International Version Chapter 9

10 In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, “Ananias!”

“Yes, Lord,” he answered.

11 The Lord told him, “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. 12 In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.”

13 “Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your holy people in Jerusalem.

WHO ARE WE TO DETERMINE WHO GOD USES?

WHO ARE WE TO DETERMINE WHO GOD WILL HEAL AND DELIVER

WHAT IF YOU ARE ANANIAS AND GOD IS SAYING “PRAY FOR YOUR BROTHERS”?

The New International Version Chapter 9

15 But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. 16 I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.”

ANANIAS SAID, “HE’S GONNA SUFFER”?

I’M IN.....LOL

WE SEE THAT ANANIAS GOES AND LAYS HANDS ON SAUL AND BEGINS TO PRAY FOR SAUL......

BROTHERS SAUL, I AM HERE THAT YOUR SIGHT MAY BE RESTORED SO THAT YOU CAN SEE THROUGH THE EYES OF JESUS

I AM HERE THAT YOU MAY BE FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT AND USED FOR THE GLORY OF GOD’S KINGDOM

CAN YOU SEE HIM PRAYING FOR SAUL?

VERSE 18 SAYS....

The New International Version Chapter 9

18 Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, 19 and after taking some food, he regained his strength.

OH MY LORD.....

IMMEDIATELY HIS SIGHT WAS RESTORED AND IT SAYS THAT HE GOT UP

ONCE HE SUBMITTED HIS WILL TO THE FATHERS WILL

AND ONCE HE SURRENDERED TO HIM

HE WAS HEALED AND RESTORED

IT SAYS THAT HE GOT UP AND HE BEGIN TO REGAIN STRENGTH

GOD GAVE HIM A NEW APPETITE....AMEN

..........STAND TO YOUR FEET.........

CHURCH.

GOD CAN RESTORE YOUR SIGHT

HE CAN REMOVE WHATEVER NEEDS TO BE REMOVED SO THAT YOU MAY GET YOUR VISION BACK

PROVERBS 29 TELLS US

WHERE THERE IS NO VISION, THE PEOPLE PERISH

OTHER VERSIONS SAY PEOPLE CAST OFF RESTRAINT

MEANING, THEY’RE LIVES BECOME OUT OF CONTROL

THIS IS WHAT HAPPENED TO SAUL

HE LOST HIS VISION

AND IN ORDER TO RESTORE HIS SPIRITUAL VISION

HIS FLESH VISION HAD TO BE TAKEN

EVERY HEAD BOWED AND EYE CLOSED

SAUL WAS OUT OF CONTROL BECAUSE HE HAD NO VISION

YOU MAY FEEL LIKE YOU’VE LOST YOUR VISION ON LIFE

YOU MAY FEEL LIKE THINGS ARE STARTING TO GET OUT OF CONTROL

YOU NEED TO UNDERSTAND THIS.....

GOD CAN RESTORE YOUR VISION NO MATTER HOW FAR GONE YOU ARE

NO MATTER WHAT YOU’VE DONE GOD CAN RESTORE VISION.

NO MATTER HOW MESSY YOUR LIFE IS, GOD CAN RESTORE ORDER BUT....

LISTEN TO THIS......

YOU HAVE TO SURRENDER

YOU HAVE TO SUBMIT YOUR WILL TO HIS

AS WE PLAY THIS SONG “MY CHAINS ARE GONE, I’VE BEEN SET FREE”

IF THIS IS YOU AND YOU WANT YOUR VISION BACK

THEN I WANT YOU TO COME TO THE ALTAR AND WE WILL PRAY FOR YOU