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...
Acts 9:7 And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man.
[8] And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by
the hand, and brought him into Damascus.
[9] And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink.
[10] And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision,
Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord.
[11] And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the
house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth,
[12] And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he
might receive his sight.
A. WHILE SAUL WAS BLIND HE LEARNED SEVERAL THINKS...
B. Saul had to learn to depend on others.
C. SAUL HAD TO LEARN TO PRAY...
D. SAUL WILL NOW BE PAUL, AND PAUL SIGHT WILL BE MUCH GREATER THAN SAUL'S.
IV. THERE IS MORE TO SIGHT THAN JUST FOCUSING EYE BALLS... YOUR EYES CAN FOCUS
ON EVIL...
ELYMAS HAD A LESSON IN A SEASON OF BLINDNESS...
A. ELYMAS COULD SEE WITH HIS EYES...
Acts 13:8 But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation) withstood them, seeking
to turn away the deputy from the faith.
[9] Then Saul, (who also is called Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him,
[10] And said, O full of all subtilty and all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness,
wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord?
[11] And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon thee, and thou shalt be blind, not seeing the sun for a
season. And immediately there fell on him a mist and a darkness; and he went about seeking some to
lead him by the hand.
B. PAUL COULD REALLY SEE ELYMAS HEART...
ELYMAS WAS AN ENEMY OF ALL RIGHTEOUSNESS....
V. IF WE EVER NEEDED DISCERNMENT AND VISION, WE NEED IT TODAY...
CAN WE SEE THE AFFECT OF POOR VISION IN THE FAMILY AND OUT NATION... ???
Isaiah 56:10 His watchmen are blind: they are all ignorant, they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark;
sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber.
A. THERE WAS A SPECIAL LADY NAMED FANNY CROSBY, SHE WROTE MORE THAN 8,000
SONGS AND HYMNS.
Fanny was blind by the age of 6 weeks.
B. One day a PREACHER said to Fanny: I HAVE GREAT PITY FOR YOU, you have many special
gifts, why did the Master not give you sight?
FANNY ANSWERED THE PREACHER: IF AT BIRTH I COULD HAVE HAD ONE REQUEST IT
WOULD HAVE BEEN A PETITION THAT I SHOULD BE BORN BLIND.
C. The Preacher said: WHY?
Fanny said: WHEN I GET TO HEAVEN THE FIRST FACE THAT I SHALL SEE WILL BE THAT
OF JESUS CHRIST MY SAVIOR.
VI. IT IS SO EASY TO HAVE DISTORTED VISIONS AND A TWISTED VALUE SYSTEM...
2 Peter 1:9 But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten
that he was purged from his old sins.
Last century there was a famous AGNOSTIC that travel the USA speaking and TEARING DOWN
THE BIBLE, his name was ROBERT INGERSOLL.
Robert wrote several books, one was named "SOME MISTAKES OF MOSES"
Ingersoll claimed in 25 years THE BIBLE WILL BE A FORGOTTEN BOOK.
100 YEARS LATER YOU CAN NOT FIND INGERSOLL'S BOOK: "THE MISTAKES OF MOSES."
But the Bible is still a BEST-SELLER.
I am told that there was a teacher and lecturer that was AGNOSTIC.
He announced he was giving a lecture on HELL.
COL. ROBERT G. INGERSOLL addressing the crowd said:
TODAY I SHALL PROVE HELL IS A WILD DREAM OF SCHEMING THEOLOGIANS
WHO INVITED THE THOUGHT OF HELL TO TERRIFY IGNORNANT PEOPLE.
As Robert started his speech a HALF DRUNK MAN AROSE and said to the LECTURER:
MAKE IT STRONG BOB, THERE ARE A LOT OF US POOR FELLOWS DEPENDING ON YOU.
IF YOU ARE WRONG, WE ARE ALL LOST AND IN TROUBLE. MAKE SURE YOU ARE PLAIN AND
CLEAR AS YOU RPOVE THERE IS NO HELL.
HAVE YOU HEARD OF CLARENCE DARROW, he was a lawyer and vowed ATHEIST...
When Darrow was dying he called for PREACHERS... 3 PREACHERS...
He called a Presbyterian, a CATHOLIC priest, and a JEWISH RABBI.
DARROW SAID: GENTLEMEN, I HAVE WRITTEN AND SPOKEN MANY THINGS ABOUT GOD AND
CHURCHES IN MY LIFETIME.
NOW, I WISH I HAD NOT SAID THESE THINGS, AS I MIGHT BE WRONG.
LET ME ASK A FINAL FAVOR OF YOU: THAT THE THREE OF YOU INTERCEDE FOR ME WITH
THE ALMIGHTY GOD.
VII. EVERYTHING WRONG STARTS WITH A WRONG WILL... SEE THE WILL?
WE NEED TWO ISSUES SETTLED WITH OUR VISION... FEAR CAN NOT DRIVE OUR VISION...
WE NEED GOD TO CLOSE SOME EYES AND TO OPEN OTHER EYES...
THE ENEMY COMES IN AT NIGHT, DARKNESS...
A. WHEN YOU WAKE UP, CAN YOU SEE THE ENEMY CAMPED AROUND YOU?
B. WHAT WILL WE DO WHEN WE SEE THE ENEMY ALL AROUND?
2 Kings 6:14 Therefore sent he thither horses, and chariots, and a great host: and they came by night,
and compassed the city about.
[15] And when the servant of the man of God was risen early, and gone forth, behold, an host compassed
the city both with horses and chariots. And his servant said unto him, Alas, my master! how shall we do?
C. DO NOT LET FEAR PUSH YOU...
FAITH SEES BEYOND...
2 Kings 6:16 And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them.
D. PRAY FOR OPEN EYES...
LORD OPEN THE EYES OF OUR HEART...
2 Kings 6:17 And Elisha prayed, and said, Lord, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the Lord
opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots
of fire round about Elisha.
F. OPEN OUR EYES, BLIND THE ENEMY...
Kings 6:18 And when they came down to him, Elisha prayed unto the Lord, and said, Smite this people,
I pray thee, with blindness. And he smote them with blindness according to the word of Elisha.
VIII. TO DEFEAT THE ENEMY, MAKE HIM YOUR FRIEND...
2 Kings 6:19 And Elisha said unto them, This is not the way, neither is this the city: follow me, and I will
bring you to the man whom ye seek. But he led them to Samaria.
[20] And it came to pass, when they were come into Samaria, that Elisha said, Lord, open the eyes of these
men, that they may see. And the Lord opened their eyes, and they saw; and, behold, they were in the midst
of Samaria.
[21] And the king of Israel said unto Elisha, when he saw them, My father, shall I smite them? shall I smite them?
[22] And he answered, Thou shalt not smite them: wouldest thou smite those whom thou hast taken captive with
thy sword and with thy bow? set bread and water before them, that they may eat and drink, and go to their master.
[23] And he prepared great provision for them: and when they had eaten and drunk, he sent them away, and they
went to their master. So the bands of Syria came no more into the land of Israel.
A.GOD CAN CLOSE EYES!
B. GOD CAN OPEN EYES! TRUST HIM...
C. REAL VISION FEEDS OTHERS...
1 Cor. 2:9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the
heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
His servant, Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com
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