How many have 20/20 vision? I don't, even with my vision corrected. There was a time when most of us who wear them, didn't need glasses. But as our vision became impaired, it was necessary to find a way to correct it. In our passage this morning we have the account of Jesus correcting a man's vision. This man went from no vision to blurred vision, and then to clear vision. There are so many things going on in the world, and in our lives, that sometimes we lose sight of our true mission in life. What is your vision for 2002? What about your spiritual vision for the coming year? As we begin the New Year, most of us need some correction in our spiritual vision.
(Mat 10:5-8) These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: {6} But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. {7} And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. {8} Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.
I. Clear Vision.
A. Here the mission is clearly presented to the disciples.
1. The Lord sends them to the lost sheep of Israel.
a. It wasn't that He didn't care about Gentiles or Samaritans.
b. Their time would come.
2. He was simply following God's plan.
a. You start at home.
b. Their vision of lost sheep began with their own people.
B. There is a vision for you and me today.
1. Note: Lk. 15: 1-7
2. Sheep are created with no sense of direction.
a. When a sheep gets lost, it can't find its way home.
b. Unless the shepherd goes out to find it, it will die!
c. To instill within us a vision for lost men, Jesus compares them to sheep.
d. Lost sheep must be sought, and so must lost men.
3. And we must begin at home.
(John 1:40-41) One of the two which heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. {41} He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ.
C. We begin at home, but we don't end there. . (Acts 1:8) But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
1. We are to be witnesses both at home and around the world at the same time.
2. We cannot substitute the work we support in Africa for not reaching Bloomington!
3. When we can see lost souls nearby, and at the same time see lost souls afar off, we have clear vision.
4. How is our vision today?
II. Blurred Vision
(Isa 28:5-7) In that day shall the LORD of hosts be for a crown of glory, and for a diadem of beauty, unto the residue of his people, {6} And for a spirit of judgment to him that sitteth in judgment, and for strength to them that turn the battle to the gate. {7} But they also have erred through wine, and through strong drink are out of the way; the priest and the prophet have erred through strong drink, they are swallowed up of wine, they are out of the way through strong drink; they err in vision, they stumble in judgment.
A. Here is a picture of vision blurred by intoxication.
1. A person's normally clear vision can become impaired.
2. For a drunk, the more alcohol in their system, the less they can focus their vision.
3. When drunk, there is often a lack of concern for others' lives.
4. Majority of motor vehicle deaths caused by driving while under the influence of intoxicating substances.
B. Today, many Christian's are intoxicated by things of the world.
1. That creates a lack of concern for people's souls.
(Ezek 33:8) When I say unto the wicked, O wicked man, thou shalt surely die; if thou dost not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand.
2. If people die and go to hell because we failed to warn them, are we any different that the drunk driver?
3. Are we suffering from blurred vision?
4. It may make the difference in someone's eternal destiny.
III. No Vision
Note: John 4: 1-8
A. The Disciples gone to town to get food.
1. Jesus was fulfilling His mission; seeking and saving the lost.
2. Then the disciples return to Jesus.
3. They had passed the woman going, and ignored her.
4. Now they are amazed that Jesus is talking to her.
5. Their interest: earthly provision. v8
6. They had no vision of mission.
B. Many Christian's go through life with no vision.
1. Their interest is consumed with earthly provision.
2. Blind to the fact that there is better food.
3. Note: v31-34
C. How can our vision be corrected?
1. Only with eyes that are lifted up.
(John 4:35) Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.
2. Only with hearts filled with the compassion of Christ.
(Mat 9:36) But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.
3. Only with an awareness of our limited time.
(John 9:4) I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.
When Jesus healed the blind man, He took him from no vision, to blurred vision, to clear vision. Now, that is what He begins to do with the disciples. The fields are just as white today as they were then.
Will you lift up your eyes and get a fresh and clear vision of our mission in this world. Let's make 2002 our greatest year ever in seeking lost sheep. Perhaps there are those here who are without Christ. Will you come? Christian do we need to have our vision corrected? Come now.