Open Your Eyes

Mayor Gerardo Balmori

The Salvation Army

INTRODUCTION:

Syria was to the North of Israel and made many military thrusts into Israel. Much like modern

Israelis and Palestinians. Israel’s king was able to anticipate these military moves and avoid the

battle. Look at what the young man saw. He saw horses and chariots the first time, and he saw

spiritual forces that surrounded the man of God the second time. What do we see around us?

I. WE ARE BLIND TO OUR BLESSINGS.

The servant of Elisha was so worried about the horsemen and soldiers of Ben-hadad that he

forgot about the power of the God Elisha served. He was worried about his safety and that of

Elisha.

He had seen the many miracles Elisha performed, and just a little while earlier had witnessed the

miracle of the axe head. Now he was afraid.

It’s so easy for us to grovel in our ingratitude, gripe and grumble. It’s so easy to be negative about

people and life.

When it comes to ingratitude, we all must plead guilty. There is so much good, beauty and

kindness all around us, and we see only the unlovely. We see the mud and not the stars.

ILLUS: A RESCUER REJECTED Some years ago there was a Christian fisherman who lay in

his boat one night when he heard a loud

splash not far away. Knowing that the owner of another craft nearby was a heavy drinker, he

hurriedly jumped into the cold water and with a great effort succeeded in pulling the halfdrowned

man out of the bay. He carried him to his berth and applied first aid until the alcoholic

regained consciousness.

Having done everything to make him comfortable, he swam back to his own boat.

The next morning he returned to inquire how he felt. "That’s none of your business," said the

man defensively. The fisherman reminded him that he had risked his life to save him; but

instead of showing gratitude, the man only cursed him. As the Christian rowed away, tears filled

his eyes. Looking up to Heaven, he said, "When I think of how men have treated You, dear Lord,

I’m filled with sorrow. Now I can begin to understand how YOU must feel."

II. WE ARE BLIND TO THE HURT OF OTHERS AND THEIR NEEDS

The king of Israel wanted to smite the enemy, but Elisha said no. There is hunger all around us.

Think about the people in Kuwait and Jordan. Look in our town.

ILLUS: A pastor in Kentucky went to school at 8:00 A.M. one morning and found a teacher

letting her class eat breakfast. When he asked why they were eating breakfast at school and not

at home he was told that 90% of the children had no breakfast at home. An empty stomach

impairs learning.

There is a song entitled: Look at the lonely people. Some who have plenty of money and

possessions lack friends. There are elderly persons who need a note, a call; a visit from us. Youth

can be lonely with all their activities. They need a friend, a sympathetic listener. An elderly

person can help.

ILLUS: LIFE AT ITS BEST An extensive survey was conducted in the United States by a

leading polling agency. Questionnaires were distributed to people of various ages and

occupations. The key question was this: What are you looking for most in life? When the results

were compiled, the analysts were surprised. Most of them had expected answers that would

suggest materialistic goals, but the top three things that people wanted in life were love, joy, and

peace—the first three fruits of the Spirit!

III. WE ARE BLIND TO OUR SPIRITUAL RESOURCES.

When Elisha depended upon God, the Syrians left them never to return. We are like paupers

living in an oil-rich land. We live in spiritual poverty when we have the key (prayer) to the riches

of glory.

ILLUS: A couple took a cruse for their honeymoon. They packed peanut butter and crackers to

eat because they didn’t have any money. They didn’t know that the meals were included, and

they could eat at the Captain’s table.

We can sit at the Captain’s table. He has paid our sin debt. He cares for us, and has the power to

supply our need.