Once Blind But Now I See

2 Corinthians 4:1-6

Illustration: There once was an explosion in a coal mine of West Virginia. It was a large explosion and trapped several miners below ground. The rescuers dug through the debris looking for these miners. After more than 24 hours they located them. They slipped them some water as they continued digging to free them. They finally got their lights on them and dug them out. One of the miners trapped said, “Why don’t you turn on your lights?” He had been blinded by the explosion and didn’t know it in the dark.

We Live In A Sight World Making It Difficult For The Blind

1. There are many blind people today and they don’t know what it’s like to see because they were born blind or lost their sight at an early age.

a. People who can’t see are blind to their needs even when it is right in front of them.

(1) The blind’s needs are the same as yours they just can’t find where they are.

(2) The seeing have a better opportunity to find their needs than the blind.

b. Would it do any good to even tell a blind person where to look for their daily need?

(1) Your daily needs change from day to day so you must search in different places for those needs daily.

(2) If you were blind how difficult would it be for you to find your changing daily need.

(3) Everything must be in the same place everyday or it could be dangerous for them just to move around

2. Let’s Read The Scripture

2 Corinthians 4:1-6

a.

(1)

(2)

Matthew 20:30-34 ... two blind men sitting by the way side, when they heard that Jesus passed by, cried out

to the fact that they need a Savior.

And they have help with their blindness.

5. In verse 4, we’re told the god of this age has blinded people’s minds.

6. The “god of this age” is the devil himself, Satan.

7. Folks, the devil is real, alive, and well.

8. Satan is putting people’s spiritual eyes out right now.

9. He’s blinding men today.

10. What does Satan blind men to?

First, Satan blinds men to the goodness of God.

A. God extends His mercy to all of us every day of our lives.

1. God is merciful in just letting us live today.

2. The lost person walks in God’s mercy every day.

3. Ain’t God good to us all!

B. Many ignore God.

1. Read Romans 1:20–22.

2. The ACLU threatens a school because they have “God Bless America” on their signs.

3. They are ignorant that God sustains them, too.

4. People in this church right now are ignoring God and His call right now

C. God has exceptional mercy on this country.

1. Despite the majority of this country straying from God, He is still merciful on this country.

2. He has allowed us to become the most powerful country in the world.

3. If there are levels of punishment in hell, the worst is probably reserved for Americans.

4. Why? Because we, of all people, should be the most aware of God’s mercy.

5. The Gospel is freely preached and everyone has an opportunity to hear.

Second, Satan blinds men to their spiritual condition.

A. Satan leads men to believe they are all right because they’re good.

1. As long as I try my best to live a good life, I’m OK.

2. As long as I look good, I’ve got it made.

B. God looks at the heart.

1. God sees past the show we put on.

2. He doesn’t look at our acting ability, He looks at the heart.

C. A lost man’s real condition before God:

1. He is a sinner.

2. His best are filthy rags before God.

3. He lives under the wrath of a “sin hating God.”

Satan blinds men to the truth of the Bible and the way of salvation.

A. Read 2 Corinthians 4:3–4.

1. He blocks the light of the Gospel.

2. He blocks the light with the darkness of humanism, relativism, and hedonism.

B. Satan does not want men to believe the Gospel. Why?

1. Because the Gospel is good news to the lost sinner.

2. Because the Gospel is the “power of God unto salvation”

Romans 1:16

3. Because the Gospel will turn a servant of Satan into a servant of God.

Satan blinds men to the shortness of life and the certainty of judgment.

A. God’s Word says:

1. Death is certain. Hebrews 9:27

2. Life is short. James 4:14

3. There is no promise of tomorrow. Proverbs 27:1

4. There is judgment coming.

1. Hebrews 9:27 again.

2. Hell is waiting.

3. Read Revelation 20:11–15.

Has Satan blinded you?

A. Has the Holy Spirit removed the blinders this morning?

1. Do you see your need for Jesus Christ?

2. Has God shined His light of truth into your heart today?

3. Don’t go through this life blind.

4. You’ll end up walking blindly into eternal hell, separated from God forever.

5. Come to Jesus today.