Opening Our Eyes to God's Transformative Light

In Acts 26, Paul stands before King Agrippa and shares his testimony, recounting how his life was radically transformed by an encounter with the risen Jesus. Paul, once a zealous persecutor of Christians, was blinded by his own limited understanding until Christ opened his eyes—both physically and spiritually. This story is not just about Paul; it’s a picture of what God desires to do in each of our lives. We are all called to be people whose eyes have been opened to the glory and power of God, and then to become instruments through whom God opens the eyes of others.

Spiritual blindness is a reality in our world. Just as physical blindness limits a person’s experience, spiritual blindness keeps people from seeing the goodness, love, and majesty of Christ. Jesus came to bring light into darkness, to reveal the truth about God, and to set people free from the power of sin and the enemy. As followers of Christ, we are called to be salt and light, to carry the brightness of God’s presence into every environment, and to challenge the limitations we’ve placed on God in our own minds.

Throughout Scripture, we see moments when God opens people’s eyes—Thomas, who doubted until he saw the risen Christ; the disciples on the road to Emmaus, whose hearts burned as Jesus revealed Himself; John on Patmos, who saw Jesus in His full glory; and Isaiah, who saw the Lord high and lifted up. Each of these encounters shattered old perceptions and brought a new, deeper revelation of God’s greatness. God wants to do the same for us: to remove the lids from our understanding, to show us that He is far greater than we have imagined, and to empower us to live in victory.

We must ask ourselves: What limits us? What limits God? Often, it is our own unbelief, our small thinking, and our willingness to tolerate things that Christ has already given us victory over. God is a good Father who desires to heal, deliver, and set us free—not just for our own sake, but so that we can be agents of His light in a world blinded by darkness. The invitation is to open our eyes, receive a greater vision of who God is, and step into the fullness of what He has for us.

Key Takeaways

• 1. God’s Light Exposes and Transforms Just as a brighter light reveals what was hidden in the shadows, a deeper revelation of God exposes areas in our lives that need His touch. When we allow God to illuminate our hearts, He not only reveals our need but also provides the power to change. We must continually seek greater understanding of His glory, refusing to settle for a dim view of who He is. [03:24]
• 2. Spiritual Blindness Is the Enemy’s Strategy The enemy works to blind the minds and hearts of people, keeping them from seeing the truth of the gospel. This blindness is not just ignorance—it is a spiritual stronghold that resists the light of Christ. Our calling is to pray, witness, and love persistently, trusting that God can break through even the hardest hearts and open eyes to His salvation. [34:56]
• 3. God Uses Our Limitations to Display His Power Paul’s story shows that God can take our past, our misunderstandings, and even our opposition, and turn them into a testimony of His grace. What once limited us becomes the very platform for God’s glory when we surrender to Him. Our weaknesses and failures are not obstacles for God, but opportunities for Him to reveal His strength. [10:01]
• 4. A Greater Vision of God Leads to Greater Faith Every time someone in Scripture had their eyes opened to a new aspect of God’s character, their faith and boldness increased. When Isaiah saw the Lord high and lifted up, he was transformed from a bystander to a willing messenger. We must ask God to expand our vision, to see Him as He truly is—mighty, victorious, and loving—so that our faith can rise to meet His purposes. [32:20]
• 5. The Urgency of Responding to God’s Invitation Life is uncertain, and the opportunity to respond to God’s call is not guaranteed. The gospel is not just information; it is an urgent invitation to step from darkness into light, from death into life. We must not delay in surrendering to Christ, and we must carry this urgency as we pray for and witness to others, knowing eternity is at stake. [45:12]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:47] - Paul’s Vision and Our Calling
• [01:56] - Called to Be Salt and Light
• [02:46] - The 40-Watt Bulb: Levels of Spiritual Illumination
• [04:04] - Expanding Our Understanding of God
• [06:01] - Paul’s Testimony Before King Agrippa
• [08:20] - The Damascus Road Encounter
• [10:01] - God’s Purpose in Paul’s Transformation
• [12:44] - Personal Stories of Eyes Being Opened
• [14:54] - The Blind School: Lessons from Physical Blindness
• [18:09] - D.L. Moody and the Blind Girl
• [20:42] - Thomas’ Doubt and Revelation
• [23:52] - The Road to Emmaus: Recognizing Jesus
• [27:14] - John’s Vision of the Glorified Christ
• [32:08] - Isaiah’s Encounter: Seeing the Lord High and Lifted Up
• [34:39] - The God of This World Blinds Minds
• [39:13] - What Limits Us and What Limits God?
• [41:54] - God as a Good Father
• [43:51] - The Urgency of Salvation
• [47:26] - Prayer for Salvation and Healing
• [49:40] - Prayer for Open Eyes and Victory
• [51:58] - Closing Blessing

Bible Reading

Acts 26:12-18 (NKJV) — > 12 “While thus occupied, as I journeyed to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief priests,
> 13 at midday, O king, along the road I saw a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, shining around me and those who journeyed with me.
> 14 And when we all had fallen to the ground, I heard a voice speaking to me and saying in the Hebrew language, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’
> 15 So I said, ‘Who are You, Lord?’ And He said, ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.
> 16 But rise and stand on your feet; for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to make you a minister and a witness both of the things which you have seen and of the things which I will yet reveal to you.
> 17 I will deliver you from the Jewish people, as well as from the Gentiles, to whom I now send you
> 18 to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.’”

2 Corinthians 4:3-6 (NKJV) — > 3 But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing,
> 4 whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them.
> 5 For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your bondservants for Jesus’ sake.
> 6 For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

Luke 24:30-32 (NKJV) — > 30 Now it came to pass, as He sat at the table with them, that He took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them.
> 31 Then their eyes were opened and they knew Him; and He vanished from their sight.
> 32 And they said to one another, “Did not our heart burn within us while He talked with us on the road, and while He opened the Scriptures to us?”

Observation Questions

1. In Acts 26, what specific purpose does Jesus give Paul for appearing to him on the road to Damascus? ([10:01])
2. According to 2 Corinthians 4, who is responsible for blinding the minds of unbelievers, and what is the result of this blindness? ([34:56])
3. In the story of the disciples on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24), what event caused their eyes to be opened to recognize Jesus? ([26:35])
4. The sermon mentions several people in Scripture whose eyes were opened to a new understanding of God. Can you name at least two of them and briefly describe their experience? ([20:42], [32:20])

Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think Jesus chose to use Paul’s past as a persecutor of Christians as part of his testimony and calling? How does this show God’s ability to use our limitations for His glory? ([10:01])
2. The sermon says spiritual blindness is not just ignorance but a stronghold. What are some ways this spiritual blindness shows up in people’s lives today? ([34:56])
3. When the disciples’ eyes were opened on the road to Emmaus, their hearts “burned within them.” What does this suggest about the connection between spiritual revelation and personal transformation? ([26:59])
4. The pastor asked, “What limits us? What limits God?” According to the sermon, what are some things that limit our experience of God’s power and presence? ([39:29])

Application Questions

1. The sermon challenges us to ask, “What limits you? What limits God?” Are there specific areas in your life where you feel limited by unbelief, small thinking, or fear? What would it look like to surrender those areas to God this week? ([39:29])
2. Paul’s encounter with Jesus led to a radical change in his life and purpose. Have you had a moment when God “opened your eyes” to something new about Himself or your calling? How did it change you, and is there a next step you sense God is asking you to take now? ([12:44])
3. The sermon says that spiritual blindness is the enemy’s strategy to keep people from seeing the truth. Is there someone in your life who seems spiritually blind? How can you pray for them or be a light to them this week? ([34:56])
4. The pastor shared that sometimes we tolerate things in our lives that Christ has already given us victory over. Is there a struggle or habit you’ve been “putting up with” that you sense God wants to set you free from? What practical step can you take to walk in that freedom? ([40:05])
5. The message emphasized the urgency of responding to God’s invitation. Is there a decision or step of faith you’ve been delaying? What is holding you back, and what would it look like to respond with urgency this week? ([45:12])
6. The sermon described how a greater vision of God leads to greater faith and boldness. What is one way you can intentionally seek a deeper understanding of God’s greatness this month (for example, through prayer, worship, or studying a specific passage)? ([32:20])
7. As followers of Jesus, we are called to be “salt and light” in our environments. What is one specific way you can bring the light of Christ into a situation or relationship that feels dark or hopeless right now? ([01:56])