HANDOUT FOR SERMON. September 5th, 2021, “Can I Actually Be Blind and Not Know It?” Can New Testament Christians Be Blind?
INTRODUCTION:
When we chose to turn our lives over to God it requires humility and a willing mind to please God with our lives. Once we have been born again by the water and the Spirit (John 3:3-8, 1 Peter 1:23) and become disciples of Christ, Christians, followers of Christ, we are expected to grow and mature (Hebrews 5:12-13, 1 Peter 3:18). In fact, God has made things possible so that we will grow and develop, Ephesians 4:11-16.
One good tactic of Satan to keep us from growing and maturing as we should. Is to trick us or blind us. 1 Peter 5:8 “be sober, be vigilant, because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walks about seeking whom he may devour.”
2 Corinthians 2:11 “Lest Satan should get an advantage of us, for we are not ignorant of his devices.”
Mark 4:15 “Satan comes immediately and takes away the word that was sown in their hearts.”
Luke 22:31 Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has desires to have you, that he may sift you as wheat.”
John 8:44 “You are of your father the devil and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in truth, because there is not truth in him, when he speaks a lie, he speaks from His own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.”
2 Corinthians 11:13-15 “For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. Therefore, it is not great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works.”
DEFINE BLINDNESS.
Unable to see.
Because of injury, disease or congenital condition.
Sightless, visionless, unseeing.
Lack of perception, awareness or discernment.
1.GOD SPEAKS & WARNS ABOUT BLINDNESS. Blindness not only affects oneself it also can affect others.
Scripture: Matthew 23:15-33, Romans 11:25.
JESUS CAME TO EARTH TO BE THE LIGHT. The concept of light is to reveal, expose and enlighten us.
Scripture: Luke 1:79, John 1:9, John 8:12, Acts 26:18, 2 Corinthians 4:6, Ephesians 1:18,
OUR NEED TO COME TO THE LIGHT. We need to be enlightened.
Scripture: Ephesians 3:8-9, Ephesians 5:8 Luke 11:34-35, 1 Peter 2:9, Hebrews 10:32.
WHAT BLINDS US? What hinders us from seeing ourselves clearly.
Scripture: Matthew 7:5, Matthew 13:14-15.
Dare we look at ourselves honestly? What is MY beam? What is YOUR beam? What is it that dims my ability to see things clearly? What is the cause of MY spiritual blindness?
Knowledge can blind us. 1 Corinthians 8:1 & 11, 1 Corinthians 13:2.
The need to be open minded. Acts 17:10-11, 1 Corinthians 13:12, 2 Corinthians 8:12
Self-righteous attitude. Luke 18:11, Matthew 23:28-29, 1 John 2:16, Romans 3:10,
False humility. Colossians 2:18, Colossians 2:23, 1 Peter 5:5.
We need true humility & honesty:
Acts 20:19 Serving the Lord with all humility of mind!
Matthew 18:4 Whosever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
James 4:6 God resists the proud but gives grace unto the humble.
James 4:10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord and He shall lift you up.
1 Peter 5:6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God that he may exalt you in due time.
Luke 8:15 Good ground-an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it and bring forth fruit with patience.
Romans 12:17 Provide things honest in the sight of all men.
2 Corinthians 8:21 Providing for honest thing, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.