Gifts From God, Eyes

 Eyes to see

As we enter the Holiday season, we here at TAG did a sermon series entitled "The Gift." We have done this for the past few years. I encourage you to check it out if you wish in the archives. However, this year we are going to do things a little differently. This year we are going to talk about some of the, oh so many gifts, that we receive from God when we receive the Spirit of adoption.

Of course, the greatest gift we could ever receive is Jesus. Is salvation. Is the very Christmas story. With that though, comes many gifts and some, are of the uttermost importance for a child of God. As a matter of fact, the world cannot even receive these gifts.

Jesus tells us this.

He said, “To you, it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of God, but for others, they are in parables, so that ‘seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand.’" Luke 8:10

Jesus was referring to Isaiah 6:9

And He replied: "Go and tell this people, 'Be ever hearing, but never understanding; be ever seeing, but never perceiving.'

We also read this in Jeremiah 5:21

"Hear this, O foolish and senseless people, who have eyes but do not see, who have ears but do not hear."

The world cannot see the things we can see. Jesus put it this way.

"For truly, I say to you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it." Matthew 13:17

We read this in 2 Thessalonians.

"And with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false, in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness." 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12

Paul spells out how the world would become in Romans 1. He talks about God giving the people up to their own desires and lusts. All because they can not see, hear, or understand, the ways of God. But this is not you. No no no. This is not you anymore.

"that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, 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, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all." Ephesians 1:17-23

Without God, without Jesus, without the Holy Spirit, we can never see the things of God. Well, we can see them, but we cannot perceive them. We cannot understand them. We cannot accept them. Take the crucifixion of Christ itself. The Cross.

"For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved, it is the power of God. For it is written,

“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise,

and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart.”

Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe. For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men." 1 Corinthians 1:18-25

We see the cross as our salvation. A new beginning. The world sees the cross as an end. The death of Jesus. We have been giving the gift to see Jesus rise from the dead. We see Jesus at the right hand of God. We see Jesus getting ready to return. The world cannot see Him. They cannot accept Him. They cannot believe in a God that would do such things as these.

We are given eyes to see God's hand in all things. We can see God move in situations where the world may call coincidence, happenstance, or even just plain luck. Jesus even told us that this gift, our eyes to see, will be given to us, so that we may be His witnesses.

"He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven." Acts 1:7-11

We are given eyes to see. So that we may share. For the? The glory of God. Yes, we have a great commission. We are to spread the gospel. We are to share the Word. We are to give God praise and glory.

Did you know many people have read the Bible? It's true. Number one bestseller in history. Many people over the years have read it. Some feel it is nonsense. Some feel it is filled with contradictions. Some feel it is just another "religious book," written by man, most likely to attempt to control the masses.

However, when you, with the Spirit of God, read the Word, you see it for what it is. It is the living word of God. It is an owner's manual for this journey called life. It is salvation. It is the absolute and final truth in all things. We have eyes to see Jesus in all the old testament. We have eyes to see God speak directly to us, as we go through the Word. Make no mistake about it. "Eyes to see" is a great gift from God that we should all be so very thankful to have received. As Jesus told us.

"For truly, I say to you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it." Matthew 13:17

We are truly blessed to have eyes to see. Do you? Do you know Jesus as your Savior? Have you been adopted into the Family of God? If not, say this Prayer. Right now. Wherever you may be. Say it in your own words, and do not doubt in your heart. God will hear you. He will send the Spirit of Life to you. Let us Pray.

"Oh heavenly Father, Lord God. I am a sinner. I know this. I know there is nothing I can do to change that. But I know you can. I accept Jesus's sacrifice for me. I believed He rose from the dead. I repent my sins. Please send the Spirit of Adoption into my life. Help me to get to know the real you. Save me. Please. In the name of Jesus, Amen!"

That's it. It really is that simple. Now go tell someone what you have just done. "That if you shall confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and shall believe in your heart that God hath raised him from the dead, you shall be saved." Romans 10:9. You need to find a Church that God leads you to and be Baptized the way Jesus said to be. You are now a Child of God. A New Creature. You "have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him."Colossians 3:10

If you want to tell me, or comment, question, give testimonials, or just say "Hi," the Email is opntalk@gmail.com

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen. 2 Corinthians 13

Until next time, be blessed, be a blessing, and Jesus is Lord!