Eyes and Choices

Introduction

Each quarter, we set aside a sermon to talk about what the children have been talking about in the classroom building.

We do this so that the parents are aware of what’s being taught.

All of us parents are tasked with teaching our kids and instructing them in godliness.

We don’t always know where to start.

There are binders that folks here make available as well.

Take advantage of these opportunities.

These are not kiddie concepts.

Every time I’ve looked through the list of lessons, I’ve always come away thinking how relevant those topics are for me.

For parents, as you interact with your kids about these topics, it’s possible you might come across one you need to work on.

All of us should be able to learn because (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

Today’s lesson is on eyes and choices

What we see impacts what we do.

This puts an emphasis on what we choose to look at.

Physically - What we look at

Figuratively - What we look forward to

This concept is not unique to spiritual things.

Phrases like, “keep your eye on the prize” are used to describe keeping your focus on future goals.

If you’re on a diet, they tell you to keep certain foods out of the house so you don’t even see them.

If you saw something dangerous in the road, you’d swerve to avoid it.

We are used to trusting what our eyes see and making decisions off of that.

Spiritually, sometimes there are choices we have to make without being able to lay our eyes on the full picture.

Sometimes, we make choices that our eyes might even be uncomfortable with.

Maybe we do this with non-spiritual things too from time to time.

Spiritually, there are more times where that’s appropriate when we don’t have the full picture.

Spiritually, our ability or inability to make decisions when our eyes can’t see everything could have eternal implications.

This is a really tough thing for our generation, because we are used to seeing and understanding everything before making decisions.

Think about all of the things that we can see now. (Cells, outer space, we can send things into space and see earth from space)

Also, information into how things work is at an all-time high. (We know how things work)

We are used to having every single itty bitty detail and making decisions off that, but spiritually, it doesn’t always work like that.

As unnatural as this may feel or sound, it’s an important lesson for every Christian to learn and to grow in.

That ability to make the right decision when our eyes don’t see it all is faith.

Hebrews 11:1 - There are a couple of words that give translators fits to try to choose what word best represents the sentiment here.

You are assured of what you are hoping for in God. (Not finger crossing and not a lottery ticket)

You are convicted even though your eyes have not seen every single detail.

In the following examples many have some sense of this “eyes haven’t seen yet”

This is a core trait of what it means to be someone who follows God.

This is something you grow in.

As something is growing or getting stronger, it ends up in times where it may not be strong enough.

What do we do in those moments when our faith is not where it needs to be?

What does God think of that?

What are some tools we can use to strengthen our faith?

I think all of these questions are answered in a story towards the end of the book of John. (John 20:24-29)

This is the story of “doubting Thomas” and he puts his foot down and says he won’t believe Jesus is alive unless he touches His hands and His side.

Here are some things that have happened up until this point.

Jesus has been crucified, one of Thomas’ worst days.

Thomas believed Jesus was the Messiah and Savior. (Miracles and Teachings)

The disciples are saying that Jesus is alive and they’ve seen Him!

Until I see (and feel) these things, I won’t believe.

Jesus does oblige Thomas.

He appears to Thomas and the other disciples and allows Thomas to touch His hands and side.

Thomas believes! (v27)

Jesus responds by saying blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe.

I.e. blessed are those who have faith.

The story ends up going well, but there are some lessons we can learn about doubt when the eyes aren’t allowing for faith.

Body

Thomas makes a reasonable request.

Thomas wants to see the marks of the nails and touch them and feel His side.

This may seem like an odd or specific request from him on the surface.

The other disciples have already done that.

He’s not asking for anything extra here, he’s asking for what brought faith and belief to these other people.

Sometimes, the thing that people say they need to see to believe, is something that isn’t reasonable.

Not that God isn’t capable of doing it, but it’s not within the realm of things He said He’s going to do.

This has happened a decent bit around me when talking with complete nonbelievers.

“Jesus needs to come back and tell me He’s real.” (Even if there are other pieces of evidence that I could use)

We always have to operate within the framework of what God has revealed to bring about faith.

When we demand God act in ways that we dictate, we’re flipping the roles a bit aren’t we?

When we say, “unless you do this unique thing, I won’t believe” we are trying to make Him work for us rather than depending on Him.

Imagine if the Lord responded like that for everyone.

When we say that we need something to happen to alleviate our doubts, it has to be reasonable.

Thomas stays connected to the believers.

A week after Thomas expresses his doubts, where is he?

He’s with the disciples.

Thomas stays close to the people who can help him with his doubts.

Thomas also stays in the environment where his doubts might be alleviated.

Imagine if when Thomas was doubting he said, let me go hang out with the Sanhedrin and the people who killed Jesus.

Do you think that would have helped or hurt his faith?

When you have doubts, there will be a temptation to isolation.

I’m struggling with my faith, so now I’m missing worship services.

You’ll notice that at first you might have legitimate reasons...but over time it becomes easier to find reasons and the entire time your faith is decreasing.

When faith is weak, the one place you need to be is wherever God’s people are!

This is what Hebrews 10:24-25 is all about.

Are other Christians always going to have the exact answer to your concerns? No.

But if you’re really seeking to grow in your faith, then you need to be surrounded by believers while you’re working through things.

You need to be encouraged by them and you need to encourage them with your presence. (People notice)

You may find that their working through the same thing you are.

You may find that their working through something you never even imagined.

Thomas is honest about his doubts.

Thomas is well in tune with what his doubts are really about.

Thomas says all I need to do is see and touch Jesus and I’m good.

We know he was being truthful because when he sees and touches Jesus, he’s good. He believes.

If there is ever a particular thing that is bothering you...look for answers.

You have to look in the right places, going to our last point.

Go to the Bible, trusted counsel...going to non-believers to grow your faith is never going to be the answer.

If in your searching, you find a good answer to that, let that satisfy you.

Don’t let it be something where you say this is the problem, oh that got answered? Well what about this?

The Israelites in the wilderness are a good negative example of this.

There are several times where they doubt because their eyes are telling them a particular story.

Water, food, battles, giants

Each time God gives them an answer and each time they’re like okay, what about this?!

Eventually it becomes evident that even though God is answering time and time again, they’re not growing in faith.

Because the real problem is their hearts are still in Egypt.

Sometimes we say we have doubts, but there are really underlying problems.

Sometimes we say we have doubts, but really we have a sin problem.

Sometimes we say we have doubts, but really we just want to live however we want to live.

As long as those other things are going unaddressed, we’re just playing whack-a-mole and our faith will never really grow.

We have to be honest about our concerns.

Jesus answers Thomas’ concerns.

Thomas says I need this and Jesus says okay.

You don’t read any animosity or adversarial behavior from Jesus.

Jesus recognizes the unique difficulty of this faith test and gives Thomas what he needs to be faithful.

I have no doubt that God will answer our concerns when we take them to Him.

He is not going to be our enemy because of that.

If you pray, “Lord I need to increase in my faith. I’m struggling with X, please help my belief,” He’s going to answer that prayer.

Be ready for His answer.

This answer might be in a verse, in a conversation, in a shared experience with someone, but He will answer.

I also think this is a good reminder for times when people come to us and express doubts.

We need to be ready to alleviate concerns without shaming.

Sometimes the church gets a reputation for being a place where you can’t ask questions.

I’m not in every church across the world, so I don’t know what all is going on but I do know we need to be sure not to contribute to a culture like that.

If someone comes to us and says they’re having trouble thinking through something or they’re lacking in faith in a particular situation our job is to say, “let me bear that burden too.”

This allows for our time together to be encouraging.

Jesus challenges Thomas to do better.

While Jesus recognizes what Thomas needs to build his faith, He also knows Thomas can’t stay like this.

Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe is a challenge to Thomas to start growing in his faith to where his eyes aren’t the dominating decision maker.

It’s also a reminder for all the people who will never be able to see what Thomas saw.

This ability to operate righteously without all the physical answers is crucial for believers moving forward.

This is what Paul is stressing in 2 Corinthians 5:7

Moving forward, Thomas and many more disciples are going to be in situations where what they’re seeing isn’t the full picture.

In the book of Acts, you can’t even make it 4 chapters before the apostles run into trouble. (Peter and John)

What do you think Thomas is thinking when he hears about that, knowing he’s sharing the same message? Not sure, but he needs to walk by faith and not by sight.

In Acts 12, Peter and James are arrested and James is killed.

What do you think Peter is thinking? Not sure, but he needs to walk by faith and not by sight.

Paul as he’s being afflicted, perplexed, persecuted, and struck down...how does he manage that? He walks by faith and not by sight.

Jesus wants us to get to that point too.

There will be times where you’ve been living godly and you hit a rough patch. Faith not sight.

There will be times where you’re struggling to understand some bible verse. Faith in God not trust in your ability to understand how He does things.

There may even be times where you have some big task to take care of and you don’t know how you’re going to do it. Faith not sight.

Conclusion

God wants to increase our faith and this is both comforting and convicting...

Comforting because if you want to increase in faith and God wants to increase your faith...well things are looking pretty good.

The Lord is on your side as far as faith goes.

This is why the book of John is recorded (So that you may believe)

The Lord is not going to become your adversary because you’re grappling with your faith and trying to find footing.

Convicting because He does want to see us improve in our faith.

There are things that might happen where He wants to see us grow (1 Peter 1 and James 1)

This means the struggles in life could be here for our learning. (Puts a premium on my attitude)

This is also convicting because if He wants my faith to be growing then I should be getting stronger.

There are all kinds of doubts in the Bible.

Israelites

Thomas

John the Baptist sends messengers to make sure Jesus is who He thinks He is.

Then you have religious leaders saying “give me a sign!”

Our job is to make sure that our questioning is leading us to God.

The Lord said seek and you will find.

Invitation

We always want to extend an invitation for someone to follow Jesus.

It’s the best decision you’ll ever make.

It requires faith to make the decision right now.

It’ll require more faith for situations in the future.

Thankfully, as we saw today, God gives plenty of help to bolster our faith.

You’ll become part of His family of believers who can help you.

He has other things in store for you along the way.

To follow Jesus, one must be baptized into Jesus.

Baptism is the process through which God washes away your sins.

Even that takes faith based on what is said in Colossians 2.

Baptism is also when you become a part of the family.

Don’t let this chance pass by.

Maybe you have questions or doubts.

We want to have those conversations too.

We don’t want anyone to leave here today without getting closer to God.