Healthy Eyes

Healthy Eyes Healthy Eyes Michael Morse / General Crossfit / Light; Understanding; Belief; Wonder; Miracle; Evil; Lamp / Luke 11:29-36 Introduction - Eye Strain 1. Eye strain is a common ailment for everyone who were born with eyes and are not afflicted with blindness. a. Multiple symptoms i. Sore, tired, burning or itching eyes ii. watery or dry eyes iii. Blurred or double vision iv. Headache v. Sore neck shoulders or back vi. Increased sensitivity to light vii. Difficulty concentrating viii. Feeling that you cannot keep your eyes open b. Eye strain has many causes i. Looking at digital devices - with their back-lit tiny screens ii. Reading voraciously without pausing to rest your eyes iii. Driving long distance and doing other activities involving intense extended focus iv. Bright lights or glare v. Too dim of light vi. Stress or fatigue c. Eye strain comes from continuous looking and focusing without rest and without ideal lighting conditions i. It is important to recognize the symptoms of eye strain - and practice exercises meant to alleviate eye strain before more permanent problems set in ii. Eye sight is very important and we must do all that we can to preserve our eyesight 2. Spiritual eyestrain is real also and while physical eye strain doesnt have serious or long-term consequences - spiritual eyestrain does - it has eternal consequences a. So we must recognize the signs of spiritual eye strain in order to maintain healthy spiritual eyes b. Our passage in Luke today - Jesus talks about the health of the eyes for the people gathered around - he speaks as a warning to them that perhaps their eyes have become unhealthy from spiritual eye strain i. Check the symptoms as we read Jesus words of caution, and warning. › SLIDE Luke 11:29-30 CSB 29 As the crowds were increasing, he began saying, "This generation is an evil generation. It demands a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah. 30 For just as Jonah became a sign to the people of Nineveh, so also the Son of Man will be to this generation. › SLIDE Luke 11:31 CSB 31 The queen of the south will rise up at the judgment with the men of this generation and condemn them, because she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and look-something greater than Solomon is here. › SLIDE Luke 11:32-33 CSB 32 The men of Nineveh will stand up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, because they repented at Jonah's preaching, and look-something greater than Jonah is here. 33 "No one lights a lamp and puts it in the cellar or under a basket, but on a lampstand, so that those who come in may see its light. › SLIDE Luke 11:34-36 CSB 34 Your eye is the lamp of the body. When your eye is healthy, your whole body is also full of light. But when it is bad, your body is also full of darkness. 35 Take care, then, that the light in you is not darkness. 36 If, therefore, your whole body is full of light, with no part of it in darkness, it will be entirely illuminated, as when a lamp shines its light on you." › SLIDE Never See Enough › SLIDE Luke 11:29-30 CSB 29 As the crowds were increasing, he began saying, "This generation is an evil generation. It demands a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah. 30 For just as Jonah became a sign to the people of Nineveh, so also the Son of Man will be to this generation. 1. Spiritually unhealthy eyes always desire and look for signs a. Jesus calls the crowds and evil generation for demanding a sign i. demand = seek, look for, or desire ii. sign = miracle or wonder 1. Those sent by God in O.T. times came with signs and wonders to validate their message 2. Jesus came proclaiming to be sent from God - so its normal for them to look for a sign to validate His message - so why would He say they were an evil generation for doing so? b. The context of what Jesus is speaking is tied back to what happened in verses 14-16 › SLIDE Luke 11:14-16 CSB 14 Now he was driving out a demon that was mute. When the demon came out, the man who had been mute spoke, and the crowds were amazed. 15 But some of them said, "He drives out demons by Beelzebul, the ruler of the demons." 16 And others, as a test, were demanding of him a sign from heaven. i. Jesus had just cast out a demon - as a sign that He has authority and power over the spiritual realm and authority to set captives free 1. The some in the crowd saw and were amazed - but not convinced - so they said we need to see another sign 2. They demanded the sign to test Him - if He really is from God then He can do this or that ii. Jesus has been doing signs and wonders prior to this event as well 1. Feeding the 5000, healing the sick, giving sight to the blind, the lame walk, demons cast out - etc 2. The reputation of these signs preceded Him such that people would hear Jesus was coming and would setup to "bump" into Him - like the leper who Jesus not only healed but healed through touch to boot c. Perhaps its blurry or dim - but Spiritually unhealthy eyes never can seem to see enough detail to make out the picture i. Never satisfied - always looking straining the spiritual eyes as they look for perfect evidence › SLIDE Demanding a sign is not evidence of a willingness to "see" ii. Be careful - be warned if you are one who say I will believe in Jesus if I can see enough evidence or signs 2. There will be only one sign given a. This will be one final sign - as I have already pointed out Jesus came performing many signs and wonders - Gospel of John is dedicated to them › SLIDE John 20:30-31 CSB 30 Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples that are not written in this book. 31 But these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. › SLIDE John 21:25 CSB 25 And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which, if every one of them were written down, I suppose not even the world itself could contain the books that would be written. b. The one sign given (after all the others) is the sign of Jonah - which can be seen two ways i. The message from God being preached - repentance 1. God called Jonah to go to Nineveh to preach against it › SLIDE Jonah 1:1-2 CSB 1 The word of the LORD came to Jonah son of Amittai: 2 "Get up! Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it because their evil has come up before me." 2. After trying to flee and avoid going - because Jonah knew God would be merciful and Nineveh didnt deserve His mercy in his opinion - Jonah eventually preached in Nineveh › SLIDE Jonah 3:4 CSB 4 Jonah set out on the first day of his walk in the city and proclaimed, "In forty days Nineveh will be demolished!" › SLIDE Jonah 3:10 CSB 10 God saw their actions-that they had turned from their evil ways-so God relented from the disaster he had threatened them with. And he did not do it. 3. The city of Nineveh repented and judgment was avoided - the message of Jonah - despite Jonah not wanting to say it was judgment is coming - repent! ii. Most scholars and bible students agree that the second view is more inline - Jonah being a reference to the future resurrection of Jesus. Matthews Gospel also seems to support this interpretation. › SLIDE Matthew 12:39-40 CSB 39 He answered them, "An evil and adulterous generation demands a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. 40 For as Jonah was in the belly of the huge fish three days and three nights, so the Son of Man will be in the heart of the earth three days and three nights. 1. Support for this view - a sign as I said is a wonder or miracle - so a message although similar doesnt seem to meet the bill for a miracle (God's grace mercy and forgiveness is though) 2. Jesus doesnt mention the words of Jonah - but rather the person of Jonah and Himself a. Jonah became a sign to the people of Nineveh b. Jesus WILL BE a sign - so its pointing to the future 3. 3 days and 3 nights in the belly - an idiom - a sign of deliverance from the belly a. Jonah was delivered after 3 days from the belly of the fish - alive and well b. Jesus was resurrected from the belly of death - alive and well c. The resurrection would be the final and greatest sign given for one to believe in Jesus as Messiah - Son of God. › SLIDE The resurrection of Jesus truly sets Him apart from every other religious leader or guru and shows Him to be God › SLIDE Rejects What Is Seen › SLIDE Luke 11:31-32 CSB 31 The queen of the south will rise up at the judgment with the men of this generation and condemn them, because she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and look-something greater than Solomon is here. 32 The men of Nineveh will stand up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, because they repented at Jonah's preaching, and look-something greater than Jonah is here. 1. Spiritually unhealthy eyes won't believe what they do see a. Jesus uses two illustrations from history for them to see and consider 1. Queen of the south a. This is a reference to the Queen of Sheba spoken of in 1 Kings 10 and 2 Chronicles 9 › SLIDE 1 Kings 10:1-2 CSB 1 The queen of Sheba heard about Solomon's fame connected with the name of the LORD and came to test him with difficult questions. 2 She came to Jerusalem with a very large entourage, with camels bearing spices, gold in great abundance, and precious stones. She came to Solomon and spoke to him about everything that was on her mind. › SLIDE 1 Kings 10:3-4 CSB 3 So Solomon answered all her questions; nothing was too difficult for the king to explain to her. 4 When the queen of Sheba observed all of Solomon's wisdom, the palace he had built, › SLIDE 1 Kings 10:5-6 CSB 5 the food at his table, his servants' residence, his attendants' service and their attire, his cupbearers, and the burnt offerings he offered at the LORD's temple, it took her breath away. 6 She said to the king, "The report I heard in my own country about your words and about your wisdom is true. › SLIDE 1 Kings 10:7-8 CSB 7 But I didn't believe the reports until I came and saw with my own eyes. Indeed, I was not even told half. Your wisdom and prosperity far exceed the report I heard. 8 How happy are your men. How happy are these servants of yours, who always stand in your presence hearing your wisdom. › SLIDE 1 Kings 10:9 CSB 9 Blessed be the LORD your God! He delighted in you and put you on the throne of Israel, because of the LORD's eternal love for Israel. He has made you king to carry out justice and righteousness." b. She came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon i. Hundreds of miles because she heard of Solomon's wisdom and had to see for herself ii. After testing and - being satisfied she acknowledged - received his wisdom and glorified God 2. Men of Nineveh a. They repented at Jonah's message i. The men of Nineveh repented at the preaching of Jonah - and he never even told them they could - they feared judgment so much and wanted to be right with God they said let us appeal for mercy and repent › SLIDE Jonah 3:8-9 CSB 8 Furthermore, both people and animals must be covered with sackcloth, and everyone must call out earnestly to God. Each must turn from his evil ways and from his wrongdoing. 9 Who knows? God may turn and relent; he may turn from his burning anger so that we will not perish. ii. Though God was prepared to destroy the city - because they repented they were saved from God's judgment iii. Jonah was the only successful prophet - the entire city repented some 100,000 people b. Yet here they are with one greater than either of those men i. Jesus is greater in wisdom than Solomon 1. The Jews - refuse to believe and thus reject what their eyes see - one here who is greater in wisdom than Solomon - they have already heard it and testified to it, and here now Jesus answered their accusation by showing the folly of their logic 2. How far are you willing to go for wisdom? Will you accept it when you find it? a. We have the word of God in our own language because of the struggle of men who knew the importance to have the wisdom of God in the hands of the common person and in their language ii. Jesus is one who brings rescue and repentance greater than Jonah 1. Jonah didnt want Nineveh to repent and be saved - he wanted their destruction a. Jesus is here because He doesnt want any to be destroyed but for them to find salvation in His name b. Jesus wept over the lost › SLIDE Luke 19:41-42 CSB 41 As he approached and saw the city, he wept for it, 42 saying, "If you knew this day what would bring peace-but now it is hidden from your eyes. 2. Jonah brought the message of God - only the judgement side a. Jesus brings the truth of judgment but the offer of forgiveness 2. These two will rise up at the judgment a. They are a judgment to those who seek a sign for they saw and accepted without a sign - but what they saw they believed and accepted and it was enough b. It will be condemning because they had less and did more with it than those who had the Messiah in their midst › SLIDE John 20:29 CSB 29 Jesus said, "Because you have seen me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe." › SLIDE Its Not the Light, Its Your Eyes › SLIDE Luke 11:33-34 CSB 33 "No one lights a lamp and puts it in the cellar or under a basket, but on a lampstand, so that those who come in may see its light. 34 Your eye is the lamp of the body. When your eye is healthy, your whole body is also full of light. But when it is bad, your body is also full of darkness. › SLIDE Luke 11:35-36 CSB 35 Take care, then, that the light in you is not darkness. 36 If, therefore, your whole body is full of light, with no part of it in darkness, it will be entirely illuminated, as when a lamp shines its light on you." 1. Unhealthy eyes cannot see not because the light is hidden a. Jesus gives the parable of the lamp lit and put on a lampstand i. One who lights a light does it not to hide it - that would be ridiculous and ludicrous 1. A lamp is lit to be placed on a lampstand so its light may radiate and illuminate everything and those who come near it may see by its light ii. God has lit a lamp in the person of Jesus - He is the light of the world that has come into darkness. 1. Jesus is saying if one cannot see - it is not God's fault - He sent a light that all who can will see iii. God has not given special revelation or hidden wisdom in an effort to prevent people from repenting and finding forgiveness, mercy and grace. b. Jesus then tells them and us today that their eyes and our eyes are the lamp of the body i. A healthy eye fills your body with light and a bad unhealthy eye fills the body with darkness 1. So whether you are filled with light or darkness is not the fault of the light given but of the condition of your own eyes! a. Healthy eyes allow the light to come in and sight occurs b. Bad eyes do not allow light to come in and darkness and spiritual blindness is the result 2. A healthy eye has a pure desire and sees by the light provided - wants to know Jesus and hear Him 3. A diseased and unhealthy eye is blinded because it is clouded by desires and motives and interprets the light through its shade and cannot see Jesus for who He really is › SLIDE If you do not see Jesus it is not because he has hidden himself in darkness, but because your eyes are blinded. 2. Jesus says take care then - be careful, be cautious, examine yourself - that the light you have is not in fact darkness a. This happens when we are deceived by what we think we know as truth i. Causing us to reject real truth because it calls us to change to see differently ii. When we care more about how we feel or what we feel as opposed to what the truth is b. I believe it is implied here that if you examine yourself honestly with the light given you will come to Jesus and He will cast out the darkness and you will be filled with light - His light Conclusion Signs do not produce faith - we must be cautious not to place faith and trust into signs and wonders for they will be used to deceive many in the last days (the days I believe we are living in) › SLIDE If your eyes are healthy there is no need for a spectacular sign from heaven and if they are bad no amount of signs will be enough God calls us to walk by faith and not by sight - the unbelieving asks to see so they can believe and God says believe and you will see. Even the resurrection - the greatest sign will not produce faith in an unwilling and blind heart. › SLIDE Romans 10:17 CSB 17 So faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the message about Christ. Spiritually blind are not blind by lack of light but by rejecting the light given. Rejecting the Light doesnt free one from responsibility of the light but increases instead the condemnation. We are responsible to have good eyes so we respond with faith and obedience - it is our responsibility to remove any obstruction or hindrance to receiving the light of the Gospel Jesus came to proclaim the word of God and to die on the cross - the sign being His resurrection - those who cannot see or believe is not because of the amount of light but because they have willfully blinded themselves by rejecting the truth If you're walking with the Lord by the light of His Word, then praise Him, shine your light and help others to do the same. But if you recognize you're in darkness, it's time to get help so you can see the light. The light from God's Word is clear. We're all sinners, deserving of the penalty of death and then judgment. God sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to die in our place, to take our penalty, to be our substitute so that we could have eternal life. And all who trust in Him for salvation have forgiveness of sin, set free from judgment and are promised eternal life with Him. Page . Exported from Logos Bible Software, 11:51 AM August 29, 2020.