September 11 2016 Seeing Through The Eyes Of Faith

SEEING THROUGH THE EYES OF FAITH

Numbers 13:17-33

TWO WAYS TO SEE THINGS

I.    Notice what happens when we allow fear to dominate our lives.

A)    We misunderstand what God can do.

1. Verses 28-29 – But the people who live there are powerful.  The cities are fortified and very large.  The Amalekites, the Hittites, Jebusites, and Amorites (all giants) live there.

• Lesson The longer you look at a problem, the bigger it gets.

B)    They underestimate what God can do.

1. Verse 33 – We felt like grasshoppers before them, they were so tall.

• Lesson: Problems rarely defeat us it’s our perspective that defeats.

C)    The results of fear:

1. Discouragement.

a)    14:1 – Then all the people began weeping aloud and they carried on all night long.

       2. Discontented.

        a) 14:2 – Their voices rose in a great chorus of complaint against Moses and Aaron.

       3. There was a desire to return to the old.

       a)   14:3 – Let’s get out of here and return to Egypt, they shouted.

II.    We need to see what happens when faith dominates our life.

       A)   Verse 30 – But Caleb reassured the people as they stood before Moses, “Let us go       up at once and possess it,” he said, “for we are well able to conquer it.”

1. Ephesians 1:18
2. Examples of Spiritual sight.

Genesis 21 – Hagar

Luke 24 – Disciples on Emmaus Road

2 Kings – Elisha’s servant

Genesis 13 – Abraham
        
3.    Spiritual eyes see opportunities, not obstacles.

III. We see the decision of the future here.

A)    Kadesh means place of decision.

CONCLUSION: Moses could lead the people to Kadesh, but he couldn’t make the decision for them.

He didn’t bring us out this far to bring us back again.
He brought us out to bring us into the Promised Land.
He didn’t bring us out this far to bring us back again.
He brought us out to bring us into the Promised Land.
Though there be giants in the land,
We will not be afraid.
He brought us out to bring us into the Promised Land.

April 12 2015 When We Need 20-20 Vision

WHEN WE NEED 20-20 VISION

Matthew 6:22-23 – The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness.

Mark 8:17-29

AN EMBARRASSING MISUNDERSTANDING

Mark 8:13-21 – Then Jesus got into the boat and crossed to the other side.  The disciples had forgotten to bring bread, except for one loaf they had in the boat. Be careful, Jesus warned. Watch out for the yeast of the Pharisees and that of Herod. The disciples discussed why Jesus had said this and they decided it was because they hadn’t brought bread with them. Aware of their discussion, Jesus asked, why are you talking about having no bread? Do you still not see or understand? Are your minds closed? You have eyes, but now don’t really see! You have ears, but you don’t really listen. Remember when I divided five loaves of bread for the five thousand? How many baskets did you fill with leftover pieces of food? They said, twelve. And when I divided seven loaves of bread for the four thousand, how many baskets did you fill with leftover pieces of food? They said, seven. Then Jesus said, and you still don’t understand yet?

WHAT KEEPS ME FROM 20-20 VISION?

1. Pride.

“Watch out for the yeast of the Pharisees.”

2. Short term thinking.

“The disciples discussed why Jesus had said this and they decided it was because they hadn’t brought bread with them!”

3. Short term memory.

“Remember the two miracles?”

A PROGRESSIVE MIRACLE

Mark 8:22 – They came to Bethsaida, and some people brought a blind man and begged Jesus to touch him. Jesus took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village.

THREE CONDITIONS FOR A MIRACLE

1. When some body cares.

2. When we get close to Jesus.

3. When we trust Jesus to lead us.

Mark 8:23-26 – Then Jesus spit on the man’s eyes and put His hands on him, and then asked, do you see anything? The man looked up and said, I see people but they look like trees walking around. So Jesus put his hands on the man’s eyes a second time. Then his eyes were opened fully, his sight was restored completely, and he saw everything clearly. Jesus sent him home, saying, don’t go back into town.

THREE LESSONS ABOUT 20-20 VISION

1. My spiritual vision grows in stages.

2. The test of my vision is how I see other people.

3. Jesus heals my sight three ways:

• My focus gets sharper.
• My perspective gets larger.
• Makes my vision clearer.

Job 34:32 – Teach me what I cannot see; and if I’ve done wrong, I won’t do it again!

A CLARIFYING QUESTION

Mark 8:27-29 – Then Jesus asked them, who do people say I am? They replied, some say you are John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and still others you’re one of the other prophets. But what about you, Jesus asked, who do you say I am? Peter said, You are the Christ, the Messiah!

How I see Jesus determines how clearly I see everything else.

March 8 2015 Thirty Days To A No Regrets Life part 3

Thirty Days To A No-Regrets Life (part 3)

1 Corinthians 1:18 (NIV) "For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God."

The Mountain of  Misunderstanding

The Mountain of Me First

The Mountain of Mistakes

THREE STRATEGIES FOR KEEPING RELATIONAL MOUNTAINS SMALL

1. THE ROPE OF Acceptance

Memory Verse: "Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God." Romans 15:7

Acceptance: Stop trying to Change me and start cherishing me

Genesis 2:25 "The man and his wife were both naked, and they felt no shame."you

2. GAIN TRACTION WITH Loving Actions

• Consideration

Philippians 2:4 (GN)"And look out for one another's interests, not just for your own."

• Cooperation

John 13:1 "It was just before the Passover Feast. Jesus knew that the time had come for Him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved His own who were in the world, He now showed them the full extent of his love."

• Comittment

Philippians 2:13 (NLT)"For God is working in you, giving you the desire to obey him and the power to do what pleases him."

3. TETHERED BY Forgiveness

Colossians 3:13 (NCV ) "Get along with each other, and forgive each other. If someone does wrong to you, forgive that person because the Lord forgave you."

1 John 3:16 "This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers."

August 11 2013 Trusting God During Adversity And Misunderstandings

Trusting God During Adversity/Misunderstandings

Genesis 50:20 - You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good, to accomplish that which is now being done, the saving of many lives.

5 Ways To Hang On In Adversity

1.  He knew the practics of survival.

3 Things To Remember
• He didn’t give in to self pity.
Genesis 39:3 - The Lord gave him success in everything he did.

• He didn’t give in to bitterness.
Genesis 45:15 - He kissed all his brothers and wept over them.

• He knew God sees everything and cares.
“But the Lord was with Joseph.”

2.  We see the plan of God.
Romans 8:28 - In all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.

Psalm 37:25 - I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken.

3.  Remember the promises of God.
Romans 15:4 - For everything that was written was so that we might have hope.

Psalm 9:10 - For you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.

Psalm 34:6 -I sought the Lord and He answered me and delivered me.

Philippians 4:19 - My God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.

4.  The people of God.
Hebrews 10:24-25 - Spur one another on, encourage one another.

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 - The God of all comfort comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others in trouble.

Genesis 39:21

Genesis 40

5.  There is God’s presence through Christ.
Rom 5:10 - When we were God’s enemies we were reconciled to Him through the death of His Son.

1 Peter 5:7 - Cast all your cares upon Him because He cares for you.

Genesis 49:22 - Joseph is a fruitful bough.  Whose branches run over the wall.

Two Words In Turning To Christ

• Repent of your sins.

• Trust in Christ alone.