Clear Eyes, Full Hearts: Embracing Faith's Journey
Summary
### Summary
Happy Father's Day to all the dads out there! Today, we continue our series on the Psalms, focusing on Psalm 73, written by Asaph, a worship leader who experienced a raw and powerful journey of doubt and envy but ultimately surrendered to God's sovereignty and goodness. The central theme of today's message is encapsulated in the mantra: "Clear eyes, full hearts, can't lose." This phrase, borrowed from the TV show "Friday Night Lights," serves as a spiritual guide for us.
Asaph begins Psalm 73 by affirming God's goodness but quickly shifts to a place of vulnerability, admitting that he almost lost his faith. This raw honesty is something we can all relate to, as faith is a journey filled with mountains and valleys. Asaph's struggle is a reminder that life can be tough, and sometimes it feels like evil people are prospering while we face hardships. This tension between knowing God is good and experiencing life's difficulties can be challenging to reconcile.
Asaph's turning point comes when he enters the temple of God, where he gains clarity and understands the ultimate fate of the wicked. This shift in perspective is crucial. When we fix our eyes on God, our hearts become full, and we can't lose. This is not about finishing first in life's race but finishing well, anchored in God's love and guidance.
I shared a personal story about my grandmother, Meemaw, who prayed for nearly three decades for my parents to come to faith. Her unwavering faith and persistence changed our family's trajectory, demonstrating the power of being in God's presence and community. Asaph's journey and my family's story both highlight the importance of clear eyes fixed on God and full hearts anchored in His love.
In conclusion, we need to stop looking at the evil around us or being self-centered and start looking up to God. Clear eyes and full hearts lead to a life where we can't lose because the victory is already won through Christ. Today, I invite you to make a decision to follow Jesus, to get baptized, and to experience the transformative power of God's love.
### Key Takeaways
1. Faith is a Journey: Asaph's raw honesty about almost losing his faith reminds us that faith is not a one-time decision but a continuous journey filled with ups and downs. It's essential to acknowledge our struggles and doubts, as this vulnerability allows God to meet us where we are and strengthen our faith. [26:17]
2. The Tension Between God's Goodness and Life's Hardships: Life can be tough, and sometimes it feels like evil people are prospering while we face hardships. This tension can be challenging to reconcile, but it's crucial to hold space for both truths: God is good, and life can be difficult. This acknowledgment allows us to navigate our faith journey with honesty and resilience. [28:16]
3. The Power of Community and God's Presence: Asaph gained clarity and understanding when he entered the temple of God. Being in God's presence and community transforms us and provides the clarity we need to navigate life's challenges. This is why it's essential to be part of a faith community and regularly engage in worship and fellowship. [39:50]
4. Unwavering Faith and Persistence: My grandmother's nearly three-decade-long prayers for my parents' salvation demonstrate the power of unwavering faith and persistence. Her faith changed our family's trajectory, showing that God moves powerfully when we remain faithful and persistent in our prayers and actions. [36:59]
5. Fixing Our Eyes on God: Clear eyes and full hearts come from fixing our eyes on God, not on the evil around us or our self-centered desires. When we focus on God, our hearts become full, and we can't lose because the victory is already won through Christ. This perspective shift is crucial for living a life anchored in God's love and guidance. [42:06]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[22:24] - Shout-outs and Series Introduction
[23:13] - Clear Eyes, Full Hearts, Can't Lose
[24:25] - Introduction to Psalm 73
[25:16] - Asaph's Struggle with Doubt
[26:17] - Faith as a Journey
[28:16] - The Tension Between God's Goodness and Life's Hardships
[29:35] - Frustration with Evil People Prospering
[31:15] - Asaph's Rant and Perspective Shift
[32:39] - The Desire for God's Judgment
[33:29] - Personal Story: Shifting Focus from People to God
[35:12] - The Power of Forgiveness
[35:53] - Is Following Jesus Worth It?
[36:23] - Personal Story: Meemaw's Unwavering Faith
[39:50] - Clarity in God's Presence
[40:58] - Asaph's Shift in Focus
[42:06] - Fixing Our Eyes on Jesus
[43:15] - Story of Drew Green
[48:57] - Invitation to Faith and Baptism
[50:38] - Worship and Response
[52:23] - Closing Prayer and Declaration
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
- Psalm 73 (New Century Version)
### Observation Questions
1. What does Asaph initially affirm about God in Psalm 73:1? How does this set the stage for the rest of the Psalm? [25:16]
2. In Psalm 73:2-3, Asaph admits to a personal struggle. What is he struggling with, and how does this reflect a common human experience? [25:50]
3. How does Asaph describe the prosperity of the wicked in Psalm 73:4-12? What emotions does this evoke in him? [31:15]
4. What significant change occurs in Asaph's perspective when he enters the temple of God, according to Psalm 73:16-17? [39:50]
### Interpretation Questions
1. Asaph's journey in Psalm 73 shows a tension between knowing God is good and experiencing life's hardships. How does this tension manifest in his thoughts and feelings throughout the Psalm? [28:16]
2. The sermon mentions the importance of community and God's presence in gaining clarity. How does Asaph's experience in the temple illustrate this point? [39:50]
3. The pastor shared a personal story about his grandmother's unwavering faith and persistence. How does this story parallel Asaph's ultimate surrender to God's sovereignty and goodness? [36:23]
4. The phrase "Clear eyes, full hearts, can't lose" is used as a spiritual guide in the sermon. How does this mantra relate to Asaph's journey and the overall message of Psalm 73? [23:13]
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt like Asaph, struggling with doubt and envy. How did you navigate that period, and what helped you regain your faith? [25:50]
2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of being part of a faith community. How has your involvement in a faith community helped you gain clarity and strength in difficult times? [39:50]
3. The pastor shared about his grandmother's persistent prayers for nearly three decades. Is there someone or something you have been praying for persistently? How can you remain faithful and hopeful in your prayers? [36:23]
4. Asaph's perspective shifted when he entered the temple of God. What practices or habits help you shift your focus from life's difficulties to God's presence and goodness? [39:50]
5. The sermon encourages us to fix our eyes on God rather than on the evil around us or our self-centered desires. What specific steps can you take this week to keep your focus on God? [42:06]
6. The pastor invited people to make a decision to follow Jesus and get baptized. If you haven't made this decision yet, what is holding you back? If you have, how can you support others in making this life-changing decision? [48:57]
7. The phrase "Clear eyes, full hearts, can't lose" suggests a life anchored in God's love and guidance. What does this look like in your daily life, and how can you cultivate a heart full of God's love? [23:13]
Devotional
Day 1: Faith is a Journey
Faith is not a static state but a dynamic journey filled with highs and lows. Asaph's raw honesty about almost losing his faith reminds us that it's okay to struggle and have doubts. These moments of vulnerability are opportunities for God to meet us where we are and strengthen our faith. Asaph's journey in Psalm 73 shows that faith involves navigating through periods of doubt and envy, but ultimately finding solace and strength in God's presence. This journey is a continuous process of growth and transformation, where each step, whether forward or backward, is part of our spiritual development. [26:17]
Psalm 73:2-3 (ESV): "But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled, my steps had nearly slipped. For I was envious of the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked."
Reflection: Think about a recent time when you felt your faith wavering. How did you respond, and what steps can you take to invite God into those moments of doubt?
Day 2: The Tension Between God's Goodness and Life's Hardships
Life can be incredibly challenging, and it often seems like those who do wrong prosper while we face hardships. This tension between knowing God is good and experiencing life's difficulties can be hard to reconcile. It's crucial to hold space for both truths: that God is inherently good, and that life can be tough. Acknowledging this tension allows us to navigate our faith journey with honesty and resilience, understanding that God's goodness is not negated by our struggles but can be found within them. [28:16]
Habakkuk 1:2-3 (ESV): "O Lord, how long shall I cry for help, and you will not hear? Or cry to you 'Violence!' and you will not save? Why do you make me see iniquity, and why do you idly look at wrong? Destruction and violence are before me; strife and contention arise."
Reflection: Reflect on a current hardship you are facing. How can you hold onto the truth of God's goodness while navigating this difficult season?
Day 3: The Power of Community and God's Presence
Asaph gained clarity and understanding when he entered the temple of God. Being in God's presence and community transforms us and provides the clarity we need to navigate life's challenges. This is why it's essential to be part of a faith community and regularly engage in worship and fellowship. In the presence of God and among fellow believers, we find the support, encouragement, and perspective needed to face our struggles with renewed strength and hope. [39:50]
Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV): "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."
Reflection: How can you more actively engage with your faith community this week to seek God's presence and gain clarity in your life?
Day 4: Unwavering Faith and Persistence
The story of the nearly three-decade-long prayers of a grandmother for her family's salvation demonstrates the power of unwavering faith and persistence. Her faith changed the trajectory of her family, showing that God moves powerfully when we remain faithful and persistent in our prayers and actions. This kind of faith requires patience and trust in God's timing, believing that He is at work even when we don't see immediate results. [36:59]
Luke 18:1-5 (ESV): "And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart. He said, 'In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected man. And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, "Give me justice against my adversary." For a while he refused, but afterward he said to himself, "Though I neither fear God nor respect man, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will give her justice, so that she will not beat me down by her continual coming."'"
Reflection: Is there something you have been praying for over a long period? How can you renew your commitment to persistent prayer and unwavering faith in God's timing?
Day 5: Fixing Our Eyes on God
Clear eyes and full hearts come from fixing our eyes on God, not on the evil around us or our self-centered desires. When we focus on God, our hearts become full, and we can't lose because the victory is already won through Christ. This perspective shift is crucial for living a life anchored in God's love and guidance. By keeping our eyes on Jesus, we find the strength and clarity to navigate life's challenges and remain steadfast in our faith. [42:06]
Hebrews 12:1-2 (ESV): "Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God."
Reflection: What distractions or self-centered desires are keeping you from fixing your eyes on God? How can you refocus your attention on Jesus today?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "With clear eyes fixed on God, full hearts anchored in his love, we simply cannot lose. Are you ready today? Are you ready? Here we go. Let's dive right in. Verse 1, it says this. God is truly good to Israel. To those who have... To those who have pure hearts. He starts off with the truth, right? God is good. This is the truth each of us need to know, by the way, on this journey of faith." (24 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Faith is called a journey for a reason. It's not a one-time decision. It's not even a destination. It's this path that we choose to follow. The ups and the downs. The mountains and valleys. And you know what? If we're honest and we're real today, it can be difficult for us to keep the faith. To never stop believing." (19 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Following Jesus, doing good doesn't mean we finish first. It means we finish good, right? So that's what Jesus is calling us into. Asaph, he doesn't have clear eyes and that's why he's feeling frustrated. He's feeling burdened." (16 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Bitterness makes sure that you are stuck in your past. But forgiveness makes sure that you have a future. So, church, let me ask you today. What is your heart full of? What is our heart full of today?" (16 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "There's only one way, there's only one path, there's only one choice that we can make in this life to ensure that we won't lose. We won't lose for eternity. I want you to make that choice today." (11 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "In the scriptures, we see this valley moment that Asaph has. You see, that's why faith is a journey. It's an ebb and flow. It's mountains. It's mountains and valleys. It's not always going to be up on the mountaintop. Faith is called a journey for a reason. It's not a one-time decision. It's not even a destination. It's this path that we choose to follow. The ups and the downs. The mountains and valleys. And you know what? If we're honest and we're real today, it can be difficult for us to keep the faith. To never stop believing." (19 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "When you hold on to baggage like bitterness because of what people do to you sometimes, that means you have to let go of your future. You can't hold both. When people have hurt you, when they've done you wrong. When they've gotten ahead of you, the only way to our future is if letting go and forgiving. Bitterness, here's the deal. Bitterness makes sure that you are stuck in your past. But forgiveness makes sure that you have a future." (16 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "In verse 16, here's what Asaph says. He says, remember he's struggling. He said, I tried to understand all of this, but it was too hard for me to see. Until, somebody say until. Until I went to the temple of God. Then I understood what will happen. We get clarity in God's presence. In fact, he will transform us by his power. By being together with other people who are worshiping Jesus, no matter what's happening in our lives. Giving honor and praise to God. There's power in this." (34 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Clear eyes means this. Stop looking out at evil people. Stop looking in and being so self-centered. Start looking up. Clear eyes means this. Don't let the struggle you're facing rob you and blind you of the future filled with possibilities and wonder and hope of all that God has for you. Clear eyes. Don't let your temporary failures steal from you the greater eternal success of carrying Jesus on this journey. Clear eyes." (25 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Once you have clear eyes and a full heart, then you get all that God has for you. Here's how Asaph wraps up the psalm in verse 26. My body, my mind may become weak, but God is my strength and here it is right here. He is mine forever. God can be yours forever. Forever, for eternity. It's hard for us to even compute that because it's forever. You can't put a number on that. He can be yours." (33 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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