Double Vision (2)

Opening

Matthew 6:22–24 (ESV)

“The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light, but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!

“No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.

Haplous- single, generous

Poneros- evil- evil eye- greedy, selfish, focused on material

Proverbs 28:22 ESV

A stingy man hastens after wealth and does not know that poverty will come upon him.

3 types of vision- healthy, blind, double vision

The focus of our eye determines the direction of our body

The eye is the lamp of the body

Our eyes allow our body to find its way

OT theme- Proverbs 4:25-27

Proverbs 4:25–27 ESV

Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you. Ponder the path of your feet; then all your ways will be sure. Do not swerve to the right or to the left; turn your foot away from evil.

If our eyes are not looking where we are going, we will stumble or veer off track

Quarterback illustration

We are not star quarterbacks, most of us are backups on JV at best

Where our focus is, our actions will follow

Literal- some of our worst sins begin with our eyes

Look-covet-steal/harm others to receive

Look-lust-adultery

Look-hate-injure/kill

Look-admire-worship

In order to serve and glorify God, our eyes must be focused on Him

So, if your eye is healthy, your body will be full of light

Haplous- Single

Singular in focus/devotion

Other forms of the word can mean generous

Makes sense when comparing to evil eye

Greedy, selfish, unwilling to give

Proverbs 28:22 ESV

A stingy man hastens after wealth and does not know that poverty will come upon him.

having a “generous eye” keeps us from getting our focus stuck on material things

Bodies full of light

righteousness, goodness, presence of God

Focus solely on Christ, access to righteousness, goodness, God himself

If our focus is elsewhere, our lives will follow

But if your eye is bad, your body will be full of darkness

evil eye- specifically greed, selfishness- eye on possessions

eye focused on anything besides God

When our focus shifts, our lives will follow

Car/Dog illustration

we cannot follow or serve God without or focus being fully on Him

Full of darkness

absence of light

absence of goodness, righteousness, presence of God

evil, sinfulness

If, then, the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness

completely given over to the darkness

“no true good or bad”

leads to justification of horrible things

Jeremiah 6:15 ESV

Were they ashamed when they committed abomination? No, they were not at all ashamed; they did not know how to blush. Therefore they shall fall among those who fall; at the time that I punish them, they shall be overthrown,” says the Lord.

When we lose the light completely, we lose the ability to see our wrongs

We cannot split our focus between God and material possessions

No one can serve two masters

Douleuein- lit. be a slave of

could have two employers, but not two masters or lords

for either he will hate the one and love the other or will be devoted to the one and despise the other.

comparative language

one has to take priority

Lordship- one determines decisions, motivations, etc.

You cannot serve God and money

Mamona- wealth, possessions, money

Christmas

Conclusion

By focusing our lives fully on Christ, we are able to love and serve him in the way in which he deserves.

context of all of chapter 6- keep our focus on him by being generous to the needy, praying, and fasting. Also in studying his word and spending time in worship

good sight, blind, double vision

look to what we have with thankfulness instead of what we don’t with longing

be aware of things that mindlessly take our attention

Be careful not to let our eyes linger