Seeing with God's Eyes: Embracing a Kingdom Perspective
Summary
In the life of a believer, perspective is paramount. It is the lens through which we view our circumstances, shaping our attitudes, behaviors, and actions. Today, we delved into 2 Kings chapter 6, where the story of Elisha and the Syrian army unfolds, revealing the transformative power of a kingdom perspective. This narrative is a vivid illustration of how God's perspective enables us to see beyond our immediate challenges and aligns us with His divine purposes.
Elisha, a man of God, demonstrates an unwavering trust in the Lord, even when faced with seemingly insurmountable odds. As the Syrian army encircles the city, Elisha's servant is gripped by fear. However, Elisha remains calm, his faith unshaken, for he knows that "those who are with us are more than those who are with them." Through prayer, Elisha asks God to open his servant's eyes, and he is granted a glimpse of the heavenly host protecting them. This moment of revelation is a testament to the power of divine perspective.
The story takes an unexpected turn when Elisha leads the now-blind Syrian army into Samaria. Instead of exacting vengeance, Elisha instructs the king of Israel to provide a feast for their enemies. This act of radical hospitality exemplifies God's grace and mercy, transforming a potential massacre into a moment of reconciliation. The Syrians return to their land, and the raids on Israel cease. This outcome is a direct result of Elisha's kingdom perspective, which allowed him to envision and embody God's character.
Jesus, our ultimate example, perfectly embodied this kingdom perspective. He is our shelter, shield, strength, stronghold, and Savior. Through His life, death, and resurrection, Jesus demonstrated God's mercy and grace to the highest degree. He took upon Himself the sins of the world, dying for us while we were still His enemies, and rose again, offering us His righteousness and love.
As believers, we are called to adopt this kingdom perspective, to see others as God sees them, to view obstacles as opportunities for the gospel, and to live a life that blesses others, even when it seems counterintuitive. We are equipped with the Holy Spirit, the Scriptures, and the fellowship of the church to navigate the rivers of life. By keeping Jesus as King in every area of our lives, we can cross any river we face, not by our strength but by His guidance and provision.
Key Takeaways:
- A kingdom perspective is not merely about having spiritual insight; it is about allowing that insight to transform how we interact with the world around us. When we see with God's eyes, we respond with His heart, turning potential conflicts into opportunities for grace and reconciliation. [29:16]
- The story of Elisha and the Syrian army teaches us that God's provision is not limited to our personal needs but extends to how we treat our enemies. By showing hospitality to those who intend us harm, we reflect the heart of God, who desires all to be saved. [31:13]
- Our strength as believers does not come from our abilities or resources but from our reliance on God. When we face trials and tribulations, it is not our might that will carry us through but our faith in the One who commands the heavenly armies. [18:16]
- The power of prayer is magnified when we pray for others to receive God's perspective. As Elisha prayed for his servant's eyes to be opened, we too should intercede for those who are blinded by fear or circumstance, trusting that God will reveal His presence and power to them. [26:32]
- Jesus is the epitome of God's mercy and grace, surpassing all Old Testament figures in His demonstration of divine love. As His followers, we are called to embody this same love, extending it to friend and foe alike, confident that Jesus has already secured the ultimate victory. [34:26]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- 2 Kings 6:8-23 (Main Text)
- Exodus 34:6-7 (Referenced in the sermon)
- Romans 12:20 (Referenced in the sermon)
#### Observation Questions
1. What was Elisha's response when his servant was afraid of the Syrian army surrounding them? ([04:13])
2. How did God reveal His protection to Elisha's servant? ([04:51])
3. What did Elisha instruct the king of Israel to do with the captured Syrian army? ([05:23])
4. How does the story of Elisha and the Syrian army illustrate the concept of a kingdom perspective? ([03:00])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Elisha remained calm while his servant was fearful? What does this tell us about his faith and perspective? ([04:13])
2. How does the act of showing hospitality to the Syrian army reflect God's character and kingdom perspective? ([05:23])
3. In what ways does the story of Elisha and the Syrian army challenge our natural responses to conflict and enemies? ([30:31])
4. How does the story of Elisha and the Syrian army connect to the broader theme of God's mercy and grace as seen in Jesus' life and teachings? ([34:26])
#### Application Questions
1. Think of a time when you faced a seemingly insurmountable challenge. How did your perspective influence your response? How might adopting a kingdom perspective have changed your approach? ([01:10])
2. Elisha prayed for his servant's eyes to be opened to see God's protection. Is there someone in your life you need to pray for in a similar way? How can you support them in seeing God's presence in their situation? ([04:51])
3. Reflect on a situation where you were tempted to seek revenge or hold a grudge. How can you apply Elisha's example of radical hospitality and grace in that situation? ([05:23])
4. Jesus demonstrated the ultimate kingdom perspective by dying for us while we were still His enemies. How can you embody this same love and grace in your daily interactions, especially with those who may oppose or hurt you? ([34:26])
5. Elisha's unwavering trust in God allowed him to see beyond immediate challenges. What steps can you take to deepen your trust in God and align your perspective with His? ([04:13])
6. How can you use the tools God has given you—His Spirit, the Bible, and the fellowship of the church—to navigate a current challenge in your life? ([29:16])
7. Identify a specific area in your life where you need to keep Jesus as King. What practical steps can you take this week to ensure He is guiding and providing for you in that area? ([36:58])
Devotional
Day 1: Transforming Conflict into Grace
When faced with opposition or hostility, it's natural to react defensively or with a desire for retribution. However, adopting a kingdom perspective shifts the focus from personal vindication to divine reconciliation. This approach is not about ignoring wrongdoing but about seeking a higher purpose in the midst of conflict. It involves recognizing that every individual is a potential recipient of God's grace and that even the most challenging situations can be transformed into opportunities for demonstrating God's love. By responding with grace, believers can turn potential conflicts into powerful testimonies of forgiveness and mercy, reflecting the heart of God who reconciled us to Himself through Christ. [29:16]
"But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust." (Matthew 5:44-45 ESV)
Reflection: Consider a recent conflict or difficult interaction. How might viewing the situation from a kingdom perspective change your response?
Day 2: Hospitality as a Reflection of God's Heart
The kingdom perspective calls for a radical hospitality that extends beyond our comfort zones and into the realm of loving our enemies. It's a hospitality that mirrors the heart of God, who invites us to His table despite our past enmity with Him. This kind of hospitality is not a passive act but an active engagement with those who may not wish us well. It's a powerful expression of God's desire for all to come to repentance and experience His love. When we show hospitality to our adversaries, we participate in God's redemptive work, potentially leading to peace and transformation. [31:13]
"Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares." (Hebrews 13:2 ESV)
Reflection: Is there someone you consider an adversary to whom you could extend hospitality this week, reflecting God's love in a tangible way?
Day 3: Faith Over Might in Trials
Believers often find themselves in situations where their own strength and resources are insufficient. It is in these moments that faith becomes the anchor. Trusting in God's sovereignty and His command over all circumstances provides the courage to face trials. This reliance on God's power rather than personal might is what carries believers through the most daunting challenges. It is a reminder that the victory is not won by force but by the steadfastness of faith in the One who has already overcome the world. [18:16]
"Behold, God is my helper; the Lord is the upholder of my life." (Psalm 54:4 ESV)
Reflection: What trial are you currently facing where you need to rely more on God's strength than your own?
Day 4: Praying for Others to See God's Perspective
Prayer is a powerful tool in the believer's arsenal, particularly when it is used to intercede on behalf of others. Praying for others to receive God's perspective is an act of love and compassion. It acknowledges that everyone, at times, can be blinded by fear or circumstance and in need of divine revelation. When believers pray for others in this way, they are asking God to open eyes to His presence and power, to bring comfort, and to reveal the reality of His kingdom at work. [26:32]
"Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law." (Psalm 119:18 ESV)
Reflection: Who in your life may be blinded by fear or circumstance, and how can you commit to praying for them to see God's perspective?
Day 5: Jesus as the Ultimate Expression of Love
Jesus Christ is the supreme example of God's mercy and grace. His life, death, and resurrection are the ultimate demonstrations of divine love, surpassing all others. As followers of Christ, believers are called to embody this same love, extending it to both friends and foes. This love is not based on the worthiness of the recipient but on the character of God. Confident in Jesus' victory, believers can love boldly, knowing that they are participating in the unfolding of God's redemptive plan. [34:26]
"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another." (John 13:34 ESV)
Reflection: How can you embody the love of Jesus today, extending grace to someone who may not expect it from you?
Quotes
1) "Often we think that we need strength or tools, but what we honestly need is perspective in our situation." [02:21](Download | )
2) "A kingdom perspective causes Believers to Envision and embody God's character." [03:00](Download | )
3) "The more we personally know God, the more we know His word and how graceful and merciful He's been to us, the easier it is to extend that same grace and mercy to others." [14:26](Download | )
4) "God can turn obstacles into opportunities for our growth and for His glory, and that's exactly what happens in this passage." [19:58](Download | Download cropped video)
5) "When you start to Envision God's character and embodying it, don't be surprised that trouble starts to find you." [18:52](Download | Download cropped video)
6) "God is faithful and merciful and gracious even when we're not faithful to Him." [13:09](Download | )
7) "It's easy for us to hate and pick sides, but God wants all men to be saved. That's the point of this passage." [32:22](Download | )
8) "Jesus would ultimately surpass this whole story because He would die for all of us, the entire world, while we were all enemies of God." [34:26](Download | )
9) "When we put our faith in His deity, His death, His resurrection, Jesus gives us His Spirit, which then enables us to Envision and embody His character." [35:44](Download | Download cropped video)
10) "Mercy is not getting what you do deserve, and Grace is getting what you don't deserve." [36:23](Download | )
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