Seeing the World Through Jesus' Eyes of Hope

On this Labor Day weekend, we pause to thank God for the gift and dignity of work, recognizing that even before sin entered the world, God gave us meaningful tasks to do. Work is meant to be a blessing, and so is the opportunity to rest and reflect. As we gather, we also celebrate the visible signs of God’s work among us—improvements to our property, the dedication of volunteers, and most importantly, lives being changed as people make decisions to follow Jesus.

But as we look at the world around us, it’s easy to see only what’s wrong. We live in a time when people are more outraged over trivial matters than over real suffering and injustice. The world can seem crazy, weird, or even hopeless. Yet, Jesus calls us to see the world differently—not in black and white, but in the vibrant colors of hope that He brings. Just as someone who is colorblind has to learn to see the world as others do, we too must let Jesus teach us to see beyond despair and brokenness.

Matthew 9 shows us that two people can look at the same situation and see something entirely different. The religious leaders of Jesus’ day, though experts in Scripture, often missed the heart of God standing right in front of them. They saw only sin and brokenness, while Jesus saw people harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. He responded not with judgment or pity, but with compassion—a compassion that brings us eye to eye with others, seeing their stories and pain, not just their faults.

Jesus invites us to be workers in His harvest, to see the world as ripe for hope and transformation. Where we see addiction, hurt, or injustice, He sees people ready for freedom, healing, and justice. Our calling is not to shout condemnation from a distance, but to draw near, to listen, to encourage, and to offer the hope of Christ in tangible ways. Sometimes, the most powerful thing we can do is simply to be present, to hold someone in their pain, and to remind them that it’s going to be okay because God is with them.

We are called to be the answer to Jesus’ prayer for workers in the harvest. Our best worship happens not just in this room, but as we go out and bring the colors of God’s hope into our community—through encouragement, invitation, and acts of love. Let us not give up on the world, for our Savior has not. Instead, let’s be people who help others see the colors of His hope breaking into even the darkest places.

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Key Takeaways

• 1. Seeing the World Through Jesus’ Eyes It is easy to fall into a pattern of black-and-white thinking, focusing only on what is wrong with the world. Jesus invites us to see with new eyes—eyes that recognize the potential for hope and transformation even in the most broken places. This shift in perspective is not natural; it requires us to let go of despair and allow Christ to teach us to see the world as He does, full of possibility and ripe for redemption. [19:40]
• 2. The Danger of Religious Colorblindness Even those deeply familiar with Scripture can become spiritually colorblind, missing the heart of God in their midst. The religious leaders of Jesus’ day memorized the law but failed to recognize God’s compassion and presence. We must guard against letting our knowledge or traditions blind us to the living work of God, remaining open to the surprising ways He brings hope and healing. [25:10]
• 3. Compassion Over Judgment or Pity True compassion is not about feeling superior—either by judging or by pitying others. Instead, it means coming alongside people, seeing them eye to eye, and seeking to understand their stories and struggles. Compassion allows us to see beyond outward behavior to the deeper wounds and lies that keep people bound, and it positions us to be agents of Christ’s healing and freedom. [44:00]
• 4. The Harvest is Ripe—If We Will See It Jesus sees the world not as a lost cause, but as a field ready for harvest. Where we see addiction, pain, or injustice, He sees people ready for freedom, healing, and justice. Our role is to pray for workers—and to realize that we ourselves are the answer to that prayer, called to step into the harvest with courage and hope. [53:10]
• 5. Small Acts of Encouragement Can Change Lives Sometimes, the most powerful thing we can do is offer a simple word of encouragement or an invitation. God uses these small acts to break through despair and begin a tidal wave of change. When we choose to be present, to listen, and to speak hope, we become part of God’s work of painting the world with the colors of His love and grace. [65:25]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [01:10] - Labor Day Reflections and Celebrations
• [03:45] - Community Appreciation and Recent Salvations
• [06:20] - Interactive: How Do You See the World?
• [10:00] - The Colorblindness Analogy
• [14:30] - Seeing the World Differently
• [19:40] - Matthew 9: Two Ways of Seeing
• [25:10] - The Religious Response vs. Jesus’ Response
• [31:00] - Black and White Thinking in the Church
• [36:20] - Compassion: The Heart of Jesus
• [44:00] - Judging, Pitying, and True Compassion
• [49:30] - The World is Ripe for Harvest
• [53:10] - Our Calling: Workers in the Harvest
• [59:00] - The Power of Presence and Encouragement
• [65:25] - Practical Next Steps and Closing Prayer

Bible Reading

Matthew 9:35-38 (ESV) — And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”

Observation Questions

1. According to Matthew 9:36, how did Jesus see the crowds, and what was his response to them?
2. In the sermon, what examples were given of people seeing the same situation but responding in very different ways? [19:40]
3. What did the religious leaders focus on when they saw Jesus healing and forgiving, and how did that differ from Jesus’ perspective? [25:10]
4. What does Jesus say about the harvest and the workers in Matthew 9:37-38?

Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think Jesus responded with compassion instead of judgment or pity when he saw the crowds? What does this reveal about his heart? [44:00]
2. The sermon talked about “spiritual colorblindness.” What does it mean to be spiritually colorblind, and how can even religious people fall into this trap? [25:10]
3. When Jesus says the harvest is plentiful but the workers are few, what does that say about the opportunities around us and our role in God’s work? [53:10]
4. How does seeing the world in “black and white” differ from seeing it in the “colors of hope” that Jesus brings? Why is this shift in perspective important for followers of Jesus? [19:40]

Application Questions

1. The sermon mentioned that it’s easy to focus on what’s wrong with the world and fall into despair. What is one area of your life or the world where you tend to see only the negative? How might Jesus invite you to see hope and possibility there instead? [19:40]
2. Have you ever caught yourself being spiritually “colorblind”—knowing the right answers or Bible verses, but missing God’s heart for people right in front of you? What would it look like to be more open to God’s surprising work this week? [25:10]
3. Think of a time when you were tempted to judge or pity someone instead of showing compassion. What would it look like to come alongside that person, listen to their story, and see them “eye to eye” as Jesus does? [44:00]
4. Jesus says the harvest is plentiful. Who in your life might be “ripe” for hope, healing, or freedom, even if their situation looks hopeless? How can you be present for them this week? [53:10]
5. The sermon challenged us to be the answer to Jesus’ prayer for workers in the harvest. What is one small act of encouragement or invitation you can offer to someone this week? [01:05:25]
6. Sometimes, the most powerful thing we can do is simply be present and remind someone that “it’s going to be okay because God is with them.” Who needs that reminder from you right now, and how can you offer it? [56:20]
7. The pastor shared about writing notes of encouragement for people struggling with addiction. Is there a practical way you can encourage someone in your community this week—maybe through a note, a text, or a conversation? [01:05:25]