How is Your Vision?
How is Your Vision? Hebrews 3:13 ( what is your project for 2019? Do you have goals)
The Conversion of Saul (Acts 9: 1-30)
When we study the book of the apostles' acts, innumerable horrible stories take our toll, one of them is undoubtedly the death of Stephen, but when we go into detail in this book we also see how the transforming power of God can change man, Saul was one of the persecutors of the church, he had blind eyes, he had his mind secured, maybe Paul was thinking he was doing a great work, killing so-called Christians, maybe Paul was right inside his thoughts at that time, and what he was doing the work of God, let us not forget that Paul was a Doctor of Theology, perhaps he had passed through Gamaliel. Well what this story shows us is how Jesus can transform a blind man, and how we deserve the grace of our God.
Paul had to become blind to see, Paul had to undress to unite.
The place where you are does not determine your future, the comments of your family heads and much more will not determine your future, your future is in the hands of the God of glory you were made by Him and for Him.
Saul goes to Damascus (9: 1-9)
- Saul asked letters from the high priest to the synagogues of Damascus authorizing persecution against the Christians there (9: 1-2)
- On the way from Jerusalem to Damascus, he met Jesus (9: 3-6)
- When Saul saw a bright light in the sky, he fell to the ground
A voice asked, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?"
Saul replied, "Who are you, Lord?"
The voice replied, "I am Jesus, whom you persecute, but get up and go into the city, where they will tell you what it is good for you to do"
- Saul's companions heard the voice but saw no one (9: 7)
- Saul was blind and was taken to Damascus where he stayed three days without eating or drinking (9: 8-9)
Saul is converted by the Word of God (9: 10-19)
- Jesus sent Ananias to Saul (9: 10-16)
- The Lord explained that Saul was in the house of Judas on the Straight Street, praying
- Ananias spoke of Saul's reputation as a great persecutor of Christians
- The Lord said that Saul would be his instrument to bring the gospel to the Gentiles, and that he would suffer greatly for the name of Jesus
- Ananias obeyed and sought Saul (9: 17-19)
- Ananias entered the house, healed Saul, and told him of Jesus
- Saul arose and was baptized (see Acts 22:16)
- Saul stayed a few days in Damascus, with the same disciples he had planned to pursue
Saul preaches and is persecuted in Damascus (9: 20-25)
- Saul began to preach that Jesus is the Son of God (9:20)
- The people were surprised at the change of Saul, who became a persecutor to a preacher (9: 21-22)
- Some Jews planned to kill Saul, but the disciples supported him and he fled from the city of Damascus (9: 23-25)
Sin and blindness.
Many of us use corrective lenses. I myself have been wearing glasses since adolescence. The first time my parents took me to the ophthalmologist, I had barely noticed difficulty in seeing. The view gradually worsens in a practically imperceptible way. But when the problem is diagnosed, the prescription issued and the glasses made, what a difference! Only when we were able to focus on reality did we realize how much we were losing.
With time, and again so gradually that passes imperceptibly, the views worsen. Another examination reveals the problem. Another recipe is given. Other lenses bring the same sensation of seeing as it had not done for a long time.
Consider the spiritual comparison. Without realizing it, we are gradually shortsighted. If you do not recognize the problem and receive treatment, this condition becomes fatal. The Bible uses this picture to warn us of the deceptive nature of sin.
The book of Proverbs speaks of the danger of adultery. The tendency of the man who falls into infidelity is to imagine a hidden pleasure that will bring no consequences. The truth is different. The adulterer is blind (Proverbs 5:20). Both the Bible and the experience of life remind us of the terrible consequences of infidelity.
Jesus described the spiritual guides of his day: "Leave them; they are blind, guides of the blind. Now if a blind man lead a blind man, they shall both fall into the ravine "(Matthew 15:14). Reality is scary: sin deceives (Hebrews 3:13).
When we seek professional help with our vision problems, we want two things: diagnosis and correction. In spiritual terms, we should look for the same two things. Jesus gave a diagnosis and offered healing to the church in Laodicea: "for you say, 'I am rich and well-off and do not need anything, and you do not know that you are miserable, poor, blind and naked. I counsel thee to buy of me gold refined by the fire, that thou mayest be enriched, white robes to be clothed, lest the shame of thy nakedness be made manifest, and eye salve that thou mayest see "(Revelation 3 : 17-18). It is especially important to observe who sells the necessary eye drops: Jesus Christ! Until we face the reality of sin and find the only solution in Jesus, we will continue with distorted vision. Let us open our eyes and allow Jesus to heal our blindness (Acts 28: 25-28).
Blind leaders
Jesus compared some masters to the blind: "Can a blind man lead a blind man? Shall not both fall into the ravine? "(Luke 6:39). God sent his Son to give life to sinners, but the builders rejected the main stone (1 Peter 2: 7-8). Jesus well identified the problem of leadership blindness.
In John 7 we find an example of shepherds with their eyes closed to the truth. They sent guards to arrest Jesus. The guards were amazed at the teaching of Christ that did not arrest him. When they returned to the chiefs, they lowered them: "Were ye also deceived?" (7:47). With all the arrogance of men who thought themselves wise in the word of God, they resorted to their supposed spiritual superiority: "Did any one believe in him among the authorities or any of the Pharisees?" (7:48). Their point is obvious: only people trained in theology would have the ability to judge the word of Christ. The same arrogant mistake has repressed the common people for centuries in Catholic history. Today, too, many Protestant pastors are exalted because of seminary degrees and theological courses.
Relying on their own wisdom, leaders despise the common people. The Jewish leaders looked at the crowd and said, "As for this people who know nothing of the law, they are cursed" (7:49). But, the context well shows that the leaders themselves were not examining the evidence. They refused to consider the miracles of Jesus (John 5:36). They did not interpret the Scriptures correctly (John 5: 39-40,45-47). They were religious leaders, but spiritually blind as bats.
Today, many people are afraid to run counter to their religious leaders. They trust both pastors and priests who do not study the word for themselves. Although other men can help us understand some things of God's word, we should never trust men above the word of God. Each one will be judged by Christ (2 Corinthians 5:10). Therefore, each one must be concerned with the word that will judge us (John 12:48).
The Conversion of Saul (Acts 9: 1-30)
When we study the book of the apostles' acts, innumerable horrible stories take our toll, one of them is undoubtedly the death of Stephen, but when we go into detail in this book we also see how the transforming power of God can change man, Saul was one of the persecutors of the church, he had blind eyes, he had his mind secured, maybe Paul was thinking he was doing a great work, killing so-called Christians, maybe Paul was right inside his thoughts at that time, and what he was doing the work of God, let us not forget that Paul was a Doctor of Theology, perhaps he had passed through Gamaliel. Well what this story shows us is how Jesus can transform a blind man, and how we deserve the grace of our God.
Paul had to become blind to see, Paul had to undress to unite.
The place where you are does not determine your future, the comments of your family heads and much more will not determine your future, your future is in the hands of the God of glory you were made by Him and for Him.
Saul goes to Damascus (9: 1-9)
- Saul asked letters from the high priest to the synagogues of Damascus authorizing persecution against the Christians there (9: 1-2)
- On the way from Jerusalem to Damascus, he met Jesus (9: 3-6)
- When Saul saw a bright light in the sky, he fell to the ground
A voice asked, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?"
Saul replied, "Who are you, Lord?"
The voice replied, "I am Jesus, whom you persecute, but get up and go into the city, where they will tell you what it is good for you to do"
- Saul's companions heard the voice but saw no one (9: 7)
- Saul was blind and was taken to Damascus where he stayed three days without eating or drinking (9: 8-9)
Saul is converted by the Word of God (9: 10-19)
- Jesus sent Ananias to Saul (9: 10-16)
- The Lord explained that Saul was in the house of Judas on the Straight Street, praying
- Ananias spoke of Saul's reputation as a great persecutor of Christians
- The Lord said that Saul would be his instrument to bring the gospel to the Gentiles, and that he would suffer greatly for the name of Jesus
- Ananias obeyed and sought Saul (9: 17-19)
- Ananias entered the house, healed Saul, and told him of Jesus
- Saul arose and was baptized (see Acts 22:16)
- Saul stayed a few days in Damascus, with the same disciples he had planned to pursue
Saul preaches and is persecuted in Damascus (9: 20-25)
- Saul began to preach that Jesus is the Son of God (9:20)
- The people were surprised at the change of Saul, who became a persecutor to a preacher (9: 21-22)
- Some Jews planned to kill Saul, but the disciples supported him and he fled from the city of Damascus (9: 23-25)
Sin and blindness.
Many of us use corrective lenses. I myself have been wearing glasses since adolescence. The first time my parents took me to the ophthalmologist, I had barely noticed difficulty in seeing. The view gradually worsens in a practically imperceptible way. But when the problem is diagnosed, the prescription issued and the glasses made, what a difference! Only when we were able to focus on reality did we realize how much we were losing.
With time, and again so gradually that passes imperceptibly, the views worsen. Another examination reveals the problem. Another recipe is given. Other lenses bring the same sensation of seeing as it had not done for a long time.
Consider the spiritual comparison. Without realizing it, we are gradually shortsighted. If you do not recognize the problem and receive treatment, this condition becomes fatal. The Bible uses this picture to warn us of the deceptive nature of sin.
The book of Proverbs speaks of the danger of adultery. The tendency of the man who falls into infidelity is to imagine a hidden pleasure that will bring no consequences. The truth is different. The adulterer is blind (Proverbs 5:20). Both the Bible and the experience of life remind us of the terrible consequences of infidelity.
Jesus described the spiritual guides of his day: "Leave them; they are blind, guides of the blind. Now if a blind man lead a blind man, they shall both fall into the ravine "(Matthew 15:14). Reality is scary: sin deceives (Hebrews 3:13).
When we seek professional help with our vision problems, we want two things: diagnosis and correction. In spiritual terms, we should look for the same two things. Jesus gave a diagnosis and offered healing to the church in Laodicea: "for you say, 'I am rich and well-off and do not need anything, and you do not know that you are miserable, poor, blind and naked. I counsel thee to buy of me gold refined by the fire, that thou mayest be enriched, white robes to be clothed, lest the shame of thy nakedness be made manifest, and eye salve that thou mayest see "(Revelation 3 : 17-18). It is especially important to observe who sells the necessary eye drops: Jesus Christ! Until we face the reality of sin and find the only solution in Jesus, we will continue with distorted vision. Let us open our eyes and allow Jesus to heal our blindness (Acts 28: 25-28).
Blind leaders
Jesus compared some masters to the blind: "Can a blind man lead a blind man? Shall not both fall into the ravine? "(Luke 6:39). God sent his Son to give life to sinners, but the builders rejected the main stone (1 Peter 2: 7-8). Jesus well identified the problem of leadership blindness.
In John 7 we find an example of shepherds with their eyes closed to the truth. They sent guards to arrest Jesus. The guards were amazed at the teaching of Christ that did not arrest him. When they returned to the chiefs, they lowered them: "Were ye also deceived?" (7:47). With all the arrogance of men who thought themselves wise in the word of God, they resorted to their supposed spiritual superiority: "Did any one believe in him among the authorities or any of the Pharisees?" (7:48). Their point is obvious: only people trained in theology would have the ability to judge the word of Christ. The same arrogant mistake has repressed the common people for centuries in Catholic history. Today, too, many Protestant pastors are exalted because of seminary degrees and theological courses.
Relying on their own wisdom, leaders despise the common people. The Jewish leaders looked at the crowd and said, "As for this people who know nothing of the law, they are cursed" (7:49). But, the context well shows that the leaders themselves were not examining the evidence. They refused to consider the miracles of Jesus (John 5:36). They did not interpret the Scriptures correctly (John 5: 39-40,45-47). They were religious leaders, but spiritually blind as bats.
Today, many people are afraid to run counter to their religious leaders. They trust both pastors and priests who do not study the word for themselves. Although other men can help us understand some things of God's word, we should never trust men above the word of God. Each one will be judged by Christ (2 Corinthians 5:10). Therefore, each one must be concerned with the word that will judge us (John 12:48).
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