Opening Our Spiritual Eyes to God's Truth
Summary
In our recent gathering, we experienced a powerful move of the Holy Spirit, particularly during the Drip Youth Night. It was a time of profound spiritual awakening for the youth, where they witnessed firsthand the power of God through healing and prophetic words. A young girl experienced healing in her knee, which was a testament to the living power of God among us. This event was not just about hearing a message but about experiencing the tangible presence and power of Jesus, much like the encounters He had with people during His earthly ministry.
The focus of our teaching today is on the significance of our spiritual eyes. The Lord has impressed upon me the importance of understanding the role of our eyes, both in the natural and spiritual realms. Our eyes are not just for physical sight but are symbolic of spiritual insight and understanding. The Greek term for eyes, "athlomi lomai," encompasses sight, perception, and understanding, pointing to a deeper enlightenment beyond mere physical sight. This spiritual vision is crucial for walking by faith and not by sight, as Jesus taught.
We explored Matthew 6:22, where Jesus speaks about the eye being the lamp of the body. If our eyes are good, our whole body will be full of light. This passage emphasizes the importance of having spiritual eyes that are open to God's truth and light. Our spirit acts as a lamp, revealing the hidden motives and conditions of our hearts. It's vital to use our eyes for gaining knowledge that glorifies God, rather than indulging in sinful pleasures.
The story of Saul's conversion in Acts 9 illustrates the transformation that occurs when spiritual blindness is removed. Saul, who was once persecuting Christians, encountered the light of Jesus, which blinded him physically but opened his spiritual eyes. This encounter led to a radical transformation, showing that when we stop resisting God's will, we can truly see and understand His purpose for our lives.
In conclusion, we are called to open our spiritual eyes to gain a deeper understanding of God's kingdom. This involves removing any spiritual blindness and seeking God's will above our own agendas. As we do this, we will experience the fullness of God's light and truth in our lives.
Key Takeaways:
1. Experiencing God's Power: The youth night demonstrated that God's power is not just a concept but a reality that can be experienced. Healing and prophetic words are manifestations of God's presence, encouraging us to seek more of Him in our daily lives. [08:20]
2. Spiritual Eyesight: Our eyes symbolize more than physical sight; they represent spiritual insight and understanding. We are called to look beyond the physical and perceive the deeper truths of God's kingdom. [41:35]
3. The Lamp of the Body: Jesus teaches that our eyes are the lamp of the body, influencing our entire being. A good eye, full of light, leads to a life filled with God's truth, while a bad eye leads to darkness. [42:38]
4. Transformation through Encounter: Saul's conversion shows the power of encountering Jesus. His physical blindness led to spiritual sight, illustrating that true understanding comes from surrendering to God's will. [53:12]
5. Removing Spiritual Blindness: We must be vigilant against spiritual blindness, which can numb us to God's voice. By opening our spiritual eyes, we can align with God's purpose and experience His transformative power. [01:04:17]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[08:20] - Experiencing God's Power
[39:29] - Introduction to Spiritual Eyes
[41:35] - Understanding Spiritual Sight
[42:38] - The Lamp of the Body
[44:31] - Light vs. Darkness
[45:50] - Saul's Journey to Damascus
[53:12] - Saul's Encounter with Jesus
[55:05] - Ananias' Vision
[57:04] - Saul's Transformation
[01:04:17] - Removing Spiritual Blindness
[01:06:00] - Personal Testimony
[01:08:30] - Call to Open Spiritual Eyes
[01:10:00] - Prayer for Spiritual Sight
[01:12:00] - Closing and Announcements
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Matthew 6:22-23: "The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!"
2. Acts 9:1-19: The story of Saul's conversion on the road to Damascus.
3. Ephesians 1:18: "I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people."
#### Observation Questions
1. What was the significance of the healing that occurred during the Drip Youth Night, and how did it impact the youth present? [08:20]
2. How does the sermon describe the role of our spiritual eyes in understanding God's truth? [41:35]
3. In Matthew 6:22-23, what does Jesus mean by the eye being the lamp of the body?
4. Describe the transformation that Saul experienced after his encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus. [53:12]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the concept of spiritual eyesight relate to walking by faith and not by sight, as mentioned in the sermon? [41:35]
2. What does the sermon suggest about the consequences of having "bad" spiritual eyesight, and how does this relate to the passage in Matthew 6:22-23? [42:38]
3. How does Saul's conversion story illustrate the removal of spiritual blindness and the opening of spiritual eyes? [53:12]
4. What role does surrendering to God's will play in gaining spiritual insight, according to the sermon? [53:12]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you experienced a tangible move of God's power in your life. How did it affect your faith and understanding of God's presence? [08:20]
2. In what ways can you actively seek to open your spiritual eyes to perceive God's truth more clearly in your daily life? [41:35]
3. Consider the areas of your life where you might be experiencing spiritual blindness. What steps can you take to align your vision with God's purpose? [01:04:17]
4. How can you ensure that your spiritual eyes are focused on gaining knowledge that glorifies God rather than indulging in sinful pleasures? [44:31]
5. Saul's transformation was radical and immediate. Is there an area in your life where you feel God is calling you to make a significant change? How can you respond to this call? [57:04]
6. How can you cultivate a heart that is open to receiving visions and insights from God, similar to Ananias' experience? [55:05]
7. What practical steps can you take this week to remove any spiritual darkness and allow God's light to fill your life? [42:38]
Devotional
Day 1: Experiencing God's Power in Our Lives
The youth night was a vivid demonstration of God's power, showing that His presence is not just a concept but a tangible reality. During this gathering, the youth experienced profound spiritual awakening through healing and prophetic words. A young girl was healed of a knee issue, serving as a testament to God's living power among us. This event emphasized that encountering Jesus is not limited to hearing His message but involves experiencing His presence and power, much like the encounters He had during His earthly ministry. As believers, we are encouraged to seek more of God's presence in our daily lives, allowing His power to transform us and those around us. [08:20]
Isaiah 40:29-31 (ESV): "He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint."
Reflection: Think of a situation in your life where you need to experience God's power. How can you invite His presence into this area today?
Day 2: Seeing with Spiritual Eyes
Our eyes are more than just organs for physical sight; they symbolize spiritual insight and understanding. The Greek term "athlomi lomai" encompasses sight, perception, and understanding, pointing to a deeper enlightenment beyond mere physical sight. This spiritual vision is crucial for walking by faith and not by sight, as Jesus taught. We are called to look beyond the physical and perceive the deeper truths of God's kingdom. By opening our spiritual eyes, we can gain a deeper understanding of God's will and purpose for our lives. [41:35]
Ephesians 1:17-18 (ESV): "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."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to see with spiritual eyes? How can you ask God to open your eyes to His truth today?
Day 3: The Eye as the Lamp of the Body
Jesus teaches that our eyes are the lamp of the body, influencing our entire being. If our eyes are good, our whole body will be full of light. This passage emphasizes the importance of having spiritual eyes that are open to God's truth and light. Our spirit acts as a lamp, revealing the hidden motives and conditions of our hearts. It's vital to use our eyes for gaining knowledge that glorifies God, rather than indulging in sinful pleasures. A good eye, full of light, leads to a life filled with God's truth, while a bad eye leads to darkness. [42:38]
Proverbs 20:27 (ESV): "The spirit of man is the lamp of the Lord, searching all his innermost parts."
Reflection: Consider what you are allowing your eyes to focus on daily. Are there things you need to change to ensure your eyes are full of light?
Day 4: Transformation through Encounter with Jesus
The story of Saul's conversion in Acts 9 illustrates the transformation that occurs when spiritual blindness is removed. Saul, who was once persecuting Christians, encountered the light of Jesus, which blinded him physically but opened his spiritual eyes. This encounter led to a radical transformation, showing that when we stop resisting God's will, we can truly see and understand His purpose for our lives. Saul's transformation is a powerful reminder that true understanding and change come from surrendering to God's will. [53:12]
2 Corinthians 4:6 (ESV): "For God, who said, 'Let light shine out of darkness,' has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ."
Reflection: Reflect on an area of your life where you are resisting God's will. What steps can you take to surrender this area to Him today?
Day 5: Removing Spiritual Blindness
We must be vigilant against spiritual blindness, which can numb us to God's voice. By opening our spiritual eyes, we can align with God's purpose and experience His transformative power. This involves removing any spiritual blindness and seeking God's will above our own agendas. As we do this, we will experience the fullness of God's light and truth in our lives. It's a call to be proactive in seeking God's guidance and allowing His light to illuminate our path. [01:04:17]
Psalm 119:18 (ESV): "Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law."
Reflection: Identify one area where you feel spiritually blind. How can you actively seek God's guidance to gain clarity and understanding in this area today?
Quotes
The Lord wants me to talk about eyes. He wants me to talk about eyes. There's a specific on your eyes. There's a specific on your eyes. And there's many scriptures and many ways that the Lord brings eyes to us. And the Lord, I'm going to break down what eyes means in the spirit and in the natural and pretty much people think it's like, well, it's just for seeing, but there's so much more. There's so much more to it. [00:39:02] (27 seconds)
The lamp of the body is the eye. If, therefore, your eye is good, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If, therefore, the light that is in you is darkness, how great is that darkness? So, we're, so we, on Thursdays, we've been going over our spirit, like our actual spirit, not the Holy Spirit, but our very own spirit that's inside of us right now. And the, the Lord actually explains that our spirit is a lamp. [00:42:43] (64 seconds)
So, when we see these hidden motives or we have anger, we have unforgiveness, we have bitterness, we have lust in our hearts, we have anger. Whatever it may be, you can hide it from everyone. But the Lord, his, our spirit, the Lord's using it as a lamp and saying, I see it clear as day. You cannot hide anything from me. And I see it. So, that's what the lamp, the lamp of the body, that's what we're talking about, the lamp of the body. It's your spirit, right? But then it's referring to your eye. [00:44:11] (33 seconds)
So, the Lord's saying that with your eye, spiritually and physically, it could either be full of light or it can be full of darkness. Is that making sense? So, it's very important that you use your eyes for knowledge. Good and not evil. We don't abuse what God has given us for the sake of our own sinful pleasures. Our eyes should be kept holy because these eyes belong to God at the end of the day. This is his temple. It's for his glory. Is that making sense? [00:45:01] (41 seconds)
So, your spiritual eyes should be for a deep understanding of God's word, of his love. Of his peace. Amen. Peace not for porn not for hate not for your own pleasures of what you see around this world that's just the honest truth we're going to go super deep in this in this as we go and i really want to just touch on um the uh the lamp part just real quick so it your lamp is figuratively speaking anything which enlightens intellectually or morally morally um so that's that's what it is it's intellectually or morally well again we use sometimes scientists use it for the worst right they create atomic bombs what does atomic bombs do they just kill everything fortunately it's created it's done it's there but they use their intellectual eyesight to learn how to do something destructive even at that magnitude does that make sense okay [00:45:41] (64 seconds)
So Ananias had to be obedient to what God said. And Ananias had that insight, that understanding beyond mere physical sight of what Paul was doing. He had to go beyond that. He had to go beyond that. He had to go beyond that physical sight. So as he went beyond that physical sight, as he got beyond that physical sight, then he realized, well, I have to go do this. Not question anything and go do what God had told me to do. And through that, because of Paul, we all have that understanding that we reach the gospel. [00:56:08] (37 seconds)
So immediately. Because of this vision and this insight, because it was a deeper understanding beyond our comprehension. It wasn't just like. Oh, I've heard of Jesus from people. I understand. There was this deeper. More. morally and intellectual vision from ananias that confirmed for paul when he came he's like hey my name is ananias like i've been waiting for you i've been waiting for you to lay hands on my eyes so these scales can fall off and i can be healed but he was healed physically and spiritually as well so he was physically blind but he now he understood that jesus was the truth and he was persecuting his church so now his spiritual eyes came to life as well and immediately immediately from that moment he arose and was baptized he said i'm not waiting i can see let's move our butts let's get into that water and i'm gonna get baptized and that's what he did immediately [00:57:42] (61 seconds)
I want to make sure that you're hearing from god that you're not fighting against them even as a believer and that you're actually listening and seeing what god wants you to do see that when i when we were here for the the the youth night those last 15 minutes i was speaking to the lord i was like lord there has to be more he said son move in the spirit so they can see you see me so we did see the kids understand they go to church they hear the word they get excited because they get to play games and there's free pizza and like but there's more to you god than just this those things are great it's fun but there's more to you than just pizza and games and then we flowed in the spirit their eyes open and they were excited to see the power of god move see their spiritual eyes opened at that moment and they realized this is amazing i want more they left with wanting more and wanting to come back they're texting my son saying this is amazing i want to come back i want to do it again let's go [00:59:00] (74 seconds)
I want you guys to open if you feel in your heart that you're spiritually blind or you're like man i want to have visions i want to see things of god i want to have supernatural dreams i want to see things for coming i want to know the things of the spirit so that's what we're going over today is the things of the supernatural eye to be seen and not on your own agenda but the agenda that god has for you and his will to be done in your life just because you say god doesn't mean that it's from god that's not true you got to make sure that you're on the right direction with god in the right path in the right way at the right time [01:02:15] (42 seconds)
I want to make sure that you're hearing from god that you're not fighting against them even as a believer and that you're actually listening and seeing what god wants you to do see that when i when we were here for the the the youth night those last 15 minutes i was speaking to the lord i was like lord there has to be more he said son move in the spirit so they can see you see me so we did see the kids understand they go to church they hear the word they get excited because they get to play games and there's free pizza and like but there's more to you god than just this those things are great it's fun but there's more to you than just pizza and games and then we flowed in the spirit their eyes open and they were excited to see the power of god move see their spiritual eyes opened at that moment and they realized this is amazing i want more they left with wanting more and wanting to come back they're texting my son saying this is amazing i want to come back i want to do it again let's go [00:59:00] (74 seconds)
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