Distorted Vision: Men As Trees

DISTORTED VISIONS... I SEE MEN AS TREES?

THERE ARE NONE SO BLIND, AS THOSE THAT REFUSE TO SEE

By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com

INTRODUCTION;

DISTORTION, I SEE MEN AS TREES?

Mark 8:23 And he took the blind man by the hand, and led him out of the town; and when he

had spit on his eyes, and put his hands upon him, he asked him if he saw ought.

[24] And he looked up, and said, I see men as trees, walking.

[25] After that he put his hands again upon his eyes, and made him look up: and he was

restored, and saw every man clearly.

BLIND:

Lacking power of sight, no discernment, unwilling to appreciate,

Not governed by purpose or reason, robbed of judgment,

NEARSIGHTED, Myopic

FARSIGHTED, Hyperoptic

TUNNEL VISION

I. WE REALLY NEED TO SEE JESUS...

WE NEED MORE THAN TO LAY OUR EYES ON HIM, WE MUST SEE JESUS...

SOME PEOPLE COME TO PHILIP AND ASK:

John 12:21 The same came therefore to Philip, which was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and desired him,

saying, Sir, we would see Jesus.

PHILIP TAKES THE PEOPLE TO HIS BROTHER ANDREW...

A. LET US LOOK AT TWO OF THE MOST MISQUOATED VERSES OF THE BIBLE,

LET US SEE WHAT THEY REALLY SAY:

1 John 4:18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment.

He that feareth is not made perfect in love.

B. Many people say the verse like this:

BUT PERFECT LOVE CAST OUT ALL FEAR... The verse does not say that...

C. The Bible says:

Psalm 111:10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they

that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.

D. We need TO SEE: BALANCE AND MODERATION AND RIGHTLY DIVIDING GOD'S WORD...

E. THE OTHER VERSE THAT IS OFTEN MISUSED IS FAMILIAR TO US...

If God's people are WILLFULLY WALKING AROUND WITH THEIR EYES CLOSED, TROUBLE

IS ALWAYS AHEAD.

Proverbs 29:18 Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.

NIV

Proverbs 29:18 Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint; but blessed is he who

keeps the law.

LIVING

Proverbs 29:18 Where there is ignorance of God, crime runs wild; but what a wonderful thing it is

for a nation to know and keep his laws.

F. LORD OPEN THE EYES OF MY HEART... WE NEED TO SEE JESUS...

Luke 24:45 Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,

G. OUR GOAL MUST BE TO ENTER GOD'S PRESENCE WITH OUR EYES OPENED...

Acts 26:18 To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan

unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified

by faith that is in me.

II. LET US DISCUSS HOW VISIONS CAN BE RIGHT, AND HOW WRONG THEY CAN BE AT THE SAME TIME...

A. REMEMBER THE HINDU STORY OF 6 BLIND PEOPLE BROUGHT TO "SEE AN ELEPHANT?"

EVERYONE IS RIGHT? BUT THEY CAN NOT SEE THE BIGGER PICTURE...

1. Said this feels like a wall...

2. The second man said: IT IS LIKE A SPEAR, touching the tusk.

3. The 3rd man said: THIS IS LIKE A SNAKE, as he touched the trunk.

4. 4th man said: NEVER, THIS IS LIKE A TREE, hugging the leg.

5. The 5th man said: IT IS EASY TO TELL, THIS IS A FAN, as he ran his hand over the ear.

6. The 6th man said: I KNOW IT IS A ROPE, as he held the tail.

All six men had a PORTION OF THE PICTURE...

Each man projected properly what was before them...

B. At the present time we can not see God's plan totally clear.

We we are changed THEN WE WILL KNOW... AS WE ARE KNOWN...

KJV

1 Cor. 13:12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part;

but then shall I know even as also I am known.

NIV

1 Cor. 13:12 Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face.

Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

MESSAGE

1 Cor. 13:12 We don't yet see things clearly. We're squinting in a fog, peering through a mist.

But it won't be long before the weather clears and the sun shines bright! We'll see it all then,

see it all as clearly as God sees us, knowing him directly just as he knows us!

C. HOW EASY IS IT TO PREACH RELIGION AND THEN NOT PRACTICE IT...

WE CALL THIS BLINDNESS.

III. SAUL LEARNED TO SEE MORE BLIND THAN HE COULD SEE WITH VISION...