The Opening of Spiritual Eyes

Greeting

My, what church we had on Sunday morning!

And, excellent job, everyone on the Around the World Dinner for MTM!

I’ve recently felt just like a stream of things I felt like God has dealt with me about. I’m going to talk about it.

And maybe you’ve heard these scriptures before. Maybe you know all about it… but… it doesn’t hurt to hear the word twice. As a matter of fact, sometimes all we need is to hear the word again.

I believe it’s Ps. 62 that David said “once have you spoken, Lord - and twice have I heard this.”

Text

Acts 9:17–22 NKJV

17 And Ananias went his way and entered the house; and laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 Immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he received his sight at once; and he arose and was baptized. 19 So when he had received food, he was strengthened. Then Saul spent some days with the disciples at Damascus. 20 Immediately he preached the Christ in the synagogues, that He is the Son of God. 21 Then all who heard were amazed, and said, “Is this not he who destroyed those who called on this name in Jerusalem, and has come here for that purpose, so that he might bring them bound to the chief priests?” 22 But Saul increased all the more in strength, and confounded the Jews who dwelt in Damascus, proving that this Jesus is the Christ.

Title: The Opening of Spiritual Eyes

Saul’s Journey

Disclaimer

There is much more we would like to know about the persons and details of this event.

What was the Jewish Christian community of Damascus like?

What was Ananias’s background, and whatever happened to him after this incident?

When did Saul receive the vision about Ananias’s coming and how?

And (chiefly), What was the “scaly substance” that fell from Saul’s eyes?

I’ve got a firm answer on all of this: I HAVE NO IDEA.

I want to talk to you about what happened here, but I also don’t want you to get the wrong idea. And it’s for that reason that this point in my notes, I’ve added a note that says: “Give Disclaimer.”

So here’s the disclaimer: I don’t believe that when someone is converted that scales come off of their eyeballs. Although, I’m sure some snakehandler somewhere would love to get the chance to take this scripture out of context.

And I am NOT trying to make more out of the scales than what actually is - which is, we have no idea, only the Lord does.

But what I do want to do is make some comparisons. I want to compare what happened with Paul to what happens in conversions every time they happen. And what it means for us today.

A Birthing

Let me start at the beginning. At the BIRTH of Saul. You didn’t know that Saul’s birth was in scripture, did you???

There was a birthing that took place.

Acts 6:8–10 NKJV

8 And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and signs among the people. 9 Then there arose some from what is called the Synagogue of the Freedmen (Cyrenians, Alexandrians, and those from Cilicia and Asia), disputing with Stephen. 10 And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke.

A common theme within Acts 6 is the pairing of being “full of faith and the Holy Ghost” or full of “wisdom and the Spirit”. This is particularly connected to Stephen, who from these two things performed “wonders and signs” (Acts 6:8) by the hand of God.

You cannot afford to continue only with wisdom or only with the Spirit. It is the will of God to walk in fullness of both! Stephen’s wonders were by BOTH.

So, they “were not able to resist” the wisdom and the Spirit Stephen had. That’s important. It’s almost like they are getting a glimpse of something they don’t fully understand.

So, curious but also intimidated, they got together some men who would come forward and accuse Stephen of blasphemy. (Just like they had done with Jesus)

And you know, for a person who walks in wisdom and Spirit such as Stephen did, it would seem that the only way for the enemy to level an attack on him is to get the people to believe a lie.

But still yet, God continued to use this to get glory. Scripture says in the middle of the accusations the whole council turned around and saw Stephen’s face appeared like an angel. Again, it’s like they are witnessing a glimpse of something.

The high priest, after hearing the accusers, asks Stephen, “Are these things so?” And this is the point where Stephen starts preaching. He talks about Abraham, Joseph, Moses and Egypt, the Red Sea parted, and then about Israel rebelling and making the golden calf. The tabernacle afterward...

… and coming to his conclusion, Stephen says this...

Acts 7:51 NKJV

51 “You stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit; as your fathers did, so do you.

In the midst of this rebuke, Stephen speaks the main charge against them that has held them back so many years: resisting the Spirit. Fully submitting to it is the only way to really be led by it.

He went on to say:

Acts 7:52–60 NKJV

52 Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who foretold the coming of the Just One, of whom you now have become the betrayers and murderers, 53 who have received the law by the direction of angels and have not kept it.” 54 When they heard these things they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed at him with their teeth. 55 But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God, 56 and said, “Look! I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!” 57 Then they cried out with a loud voice, stopped their ears, and ran at him with one accord; 58 and they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul. 59 And they stoned Stephen as he was calling on God and saying, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” 60 Then he knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not charge them with this sin.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.

They laid down their clothes (most translations say “coats”) at the feet of a young man named Saul...

Very next verse says:

Acts 8:1 NKJV

1 Now Saul was consenting to his death. At that time a great persecution arose against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.

All of these spiritual glimpses that the council and men from the synagogue were getting… Saul was getting also. “Not able to resist” Stephen’s wisdom and Spirit… the angelic glow of Stephen’s face… every glimpse, Saul was present, even in his evil state.

And I believe that the clear anointing and the boldness and faith that Stephen walked in that day… helped give birth to Paul. This was a transition in the book of Acts, highlighting the presence of Saul. He was there. Twice, we’re told. He saw. He got a glimpse of something.

In a way, Stephen birthed Paul the Apostle. He wasn’t the only one… but he was involved…

So, I ask the question today: What are you birthing?

I know that you were born again, but who have you been a part of being born again???

You’re more invested into something you’ve helped birth before…

Maybe Stephen never realized or could think that Saul would one day become the Apostle Paul after this horrible scene… but I sure do thank God that Stephen never stopped being the Stephen God wanted him to be!

I just wonder when I’m around other people in this world what all manner of glimpses they get into the spiritual realm by the way that I am? Can I tell you that those glimpses add up!!!

Conversions start with a glimpse!

Let me tell you something… I need some people to get a glimpse of the glory of God off of me!

An Encounter that Altered His Sight

And then… after the glimpse… there is an encounter.

Let’s take a trip to Damascus for a moment.

Acts 9:1–9 NKJV

1 Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest 2 and asked letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. 3 As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. 4 Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” 5 And he said, “Who are You, Lord?” Then the Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads.” 6 So he, trembling and astonished, said, “Lord, what do You want me to do?” Then the Lord said to him, “Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” 7 And the men who journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice but seeing no one. 8 Then Saul arose from the ground, and when his eyes were opened he saw no one. But they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. 9 And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank.

Again, Saul’s sight has been affected by the glory of God.

Now, there in the city of Damascus, is another man.

I want you to notice how God sets things up. Multiple people, here, are all involved in Saul’s spiritual journey. All used of God.

So here is this other man, by the name of Ananias. God speaks to Ananias and says, “I want you to get up and go to Straight Street. And at Judas’s house, there is this guy named Saul I want you to find. And he’s been praying. And I gave him a vision of you coming into there and laying your hand on him in prayer that he could receive his sight.”

And, it’s funny, in all honesty and sincerity, Ananias was like, “God, I have heard of this Saul already. This is the guy who has killed Bro. So-and-so and maimed and tortured Sis. So-and-so. And all of the priests have given him authority to do whatever he wants to us. I just want to make sure it’s the same guy…”

God responds:

Acts 9:15–16 NKJV

15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. 16 For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name’s sake.”

“I’m going to show him some things...”

“I’ve been giving him glimpses…”

But in order for God to really give you an about face and put you into the work and lifestyle He wants for you, he has to change your sight!

Things that once made you mad will amaze you!

Things that once seemed normal to do will feel out of place!

All throughout my early school years, I struggled with headaches. Couldn’t figure out what it was. But eventually, the school nurse figured out that I was squinting at the board in class. And the moment that I got prescription glasses, there was a change for me. Corrective lenses caused a MASSIVE change.

And, the deal is… the Spirit is corrective!

The Scales Fell Off (at Conversion)

The Bible says that Ananias walked into the house and laid his hands on Saul! And he said, “Brother Saul!”

Ananias had reminded God of just who this was God was sending him to see - the executioner! But at this moment, he is BROTHER Saul!

“Brother Saul, Jesus, who appeared to you on your way here, has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Ghost!”

And the Bible says that IMMEDIATELY, there fell from his eyes something that was like scales. And filled with the Spirit, he was baptized.

But I want to point out to you… that it was at the point of conversion that the scales began to fall off of his eyes.

Look at this…

Paul was experiencing what is like an embryonic transformation of conversion...

In his sight, he caught glimpses of the supernatural

He had a supernatural encounter, himself, that affected his sight

He prayed and obeyed the Lord, surrendering his sight to God

Then he was filled with the Holy Ghost and baptized and the scales fell off to a new outlook on life!

The Opening of Spiritual Eyes

The Conversion Crisis

This is what I want to submit to you today…

With every conversion, there comes a crisis.

When someone experiences New Birth, in a very real way they now can "see" the Kingdom. And once they see the Kingdom, they have to decide to enter the Kingdom way of life.

Tell Harold Hoffman’s story of being led to a US Embassy in a foreign land he was preaching in. They thought it would cure his homesickness.

The Embassy has its own laws on its ground. The Kingdom has its own separate laws, as well.

And when your eyes have been opened to it, you see what Kingdom life should look like… And the longer you live for God and pray and reach for the Kingdom, the more your vision is changed to a holy vision! You understand more! Daniel said, “But there is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets…”

As a matter of fact - it’s being repaired! Adam and Eve didn’t know they were naked until they had sinned. Their vision was altered. Today, our vision has to be altered in repair!

And when your eyes are opened to Kingdom life… you have to make a decision: am I going to appear as an ambassador of the world, or an ambassador of the Kingdom?!

And people have to come to that decision. And sometimes it’s a bit uncomfortable. Sometimes flesh will try to keep things the way that they are.

And there’s sometimes that saints get the idea that it ought to be entirely completely comfortable for someone who is in the presence of God. And I don’t think we need to work against people who are open to God. We need to do right. But also, if at some point there is not some discomfort or some

There is a fine line between having an atmosphere of acceptance where people come and have their lives transformed by good solid Biblical teaching and having an atmosphere of validation where people feel comfortable continuing in their sin.

Because, some people are not nearly as concerned about pleasing God as they are about living like they want and then finding a church where they are being told they are pleasing to God.

2 Timothy 4:3 NKJV

3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers;

But I say, that when they come in here… or when they’re around me, I’m going to love them like I ought to, but also… they need to get a glimpse of the Kingdom here on earth!

Matthew 6:10 KJV 1900

Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

We Need Clearer Vision!

My vision could use some adjustment today! I believe the Spirit could be corrective in my life today!

I’ve got to be willing to be transformed by the renewing!!! And that makes me different over time!

1 Corinthians 13:12 KJV 1900

For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.

We are created to be different. Used to, everybody knew it and Pentecostals were criticized. Now we want to spend a lot of time trying to convince people, “I’m just like you.”

We’re created to glorify Him. But we don’t just glorify Him in our shout. We don’t just glorify Him by speaking in tongues. But also, I GLORIFY HIM IN THE WAY THAT I LIVE!

Because the way that I live gives a GLIMPSE!

Conclusion

I am to let my light shine before men!

Jesus is the light of the world!

And the light shines in darkness and the darkness comprehends it not!

That’s because a glimpse is enough to capture the mind and spirit of someone who is lost in darkness! They don’t understand everything about what you’ve got… but they know that they don’t have it, and they need it in their life!

We need to pray, “Lord make us ambassadors of the Kingdom! God help us to show others glimpses of the supernatural!”

I’ve got one more scripture:

1 Corinthians 2:9–12 NKJV

But as it is written: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God.

Our final vision change is when we are able to see all things when we are with Him!