Open Eyes
Notes
Transcript
Sermon Tone Analysis
A
D
F
J
S
Emotion
A
C
T
Language
O
C
E
A
E
Social
Introduction
Introduction
Greetings...
We have all heard the phrases like...
“If you will open your eyes you can see.”
He went into that with his eyes closed or wide open.”
I don’t think anyone would disagree that we should go into everything with “Open Eyes.”
Whether business, war, research, or anything.
There’s an interesting account of wherein Elisha prays for his servant to have “open eyes.”
The king of Syria had tried several times to ambush the king of Israel.
Each time Elisha told the king of Israel of the plot and it was not accomplished.
The king of Syria got upset and found out Elisha was the one prophesying against him and he had an army surround the city where Elisha was staying.
When Elisha and his servant saw the army the servant was scared but Elisha told him their army was greater and then prayed...
17 Then Elisha prayed and said, “O Lord, please open his eyes that he may see.” So the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw, and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.
Today this is a great need within the church the world over.
We need “Open Eyes” to see, but why?
God Demands Open Eyes
God Demands Open Eyes
Pleasing God requires open eyes.
Pleasing God requires open eyes.
If we want to please our God we must have open eyes towards our God.
18 having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints,
If our eyes are closed our “real enemy” Satan will be able to sneak up without notice.
Eph
12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.
Summery
Summery
If our eyes are closed to righteousness or to the devil we will fail in this life to be what we should.
So the real question then is, “what do we need our eyes open to see?”
Christian Open Eyes Will See...
Christian Open Eyes Will See...
The extreme danger of sin.
The extreme danger of sin.
Satan is prowling and looking for the one whom he can destroy and we all struggle with sin.
8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
10 If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
We all struggle with
Sin isn’t something to be “indifferent” about.
23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Christians need to have open eyes to the extreme dangers of sin and therefore...
The opportunities around them.
The opportunities around them.
Because we know of the dangers of sin we see the lost state of souls and are seeking opportunities to teach the “soul saving” gospel of our Lord and Savior.
35 Do you not say, ‘There are yet four months, then comes the harvest’? Look, I tell you, lift up your eyes, and see that the fields are white for harvest.
Because we know of the dangers of sin in this world, we cannot hide our heads in the sand and ignore sin and its consequences.
To many in the church today think its ok to just ignore the dangers of “change agents” in the name of “just getting along.”
We can’t be afraid to call sin “sin” and point out the pain and destruction is causes, even if it hits close to home.
If this means calling out names, then so be it.
19 holding faith and a good conscience. By rejecting this, some have made shipwreck of their faith, 20 among whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme.
If this means calling out specific sin then so be it.
1 It is actually reported that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not even among the Gentiles, that one of you hath his father’s wife.
1 Cor
Christians must see the opportunity and try their best to “remove the leaven” from the lost soul or the church.
Summery
Summery
Conclusion
Conclusion
If our eyes are closed, we will never see the danger of sin until it is too late and the damage is done by the fiery darts of Satan.
Let’s make certain our eyes are always open and we are vigilant to see the opportunities that are there for us to notice.
Invitation
1 Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save, or his ear dull, that it cannot hear; 2 but your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear.
6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.