Do You Have Eyes to See? - July 19, 2020

“Do You Have Eyes to See?”

Pastor Chuck Ryan

Text: Mark 8: 14-21

Thesis: God desires for His disciples to be keenly aware of the realities of life on this side of heaven in preparation of Christ’s return!

 

1. “The disciples had forgotten…” (vs14)
2. The disciple’s minds were focused on temporal things, their next meal.
3. Jesus was concerned about His disciple’s minds being perverted by the false doctrine being taught by the Pharisees.

• “Jesus warned, ‘Be careful, watch out for the yeast of the Pharisees and that of Herod.” (vs vs15)
• The Apostle Paul warns young Timothy, “Watch your life and doctrine closely.” (1 Timothy 4:16)
• For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.” (2 Timothy 4:3)

1. The disciples were confused and failed to remember that Jesus had just demonstrated he had the power to feed the multitudes.
2. “Do not Fear”!
4. Jesus was alarmed at the disciple’s dull mindedness. (Read vs. 17-18)

Jesus asked, “Do you have eyes but fail to see?”

1. “Do you have eyes to see” that “Jesus is God the Son” the creator and sustainer of all life.
2. This is our Father’s World.

“For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities--his eternal power and divine nature--have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.”
(Romans 1:20)

2. “The fool says, in his heart there is no God.” (Psalms 14:1)
3. “Do you have eyes to see” that this world is not heaven.
4. Jesus makes is it clear that you will have enemies. (See vs 15)
5. However, because of knowing Jesus we can have peace. "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." (John 16:33)
6. “Do you have eyes to see” that your family is a gift from God to be cherished and prepared for the second coming of Christ.

      “Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” (1 Timothy 5:8)

1. Caring for and loving your families is a Spiritual priority
2. Place a greater value in your family than your profession and hobbies.
3. The love you share with your family in Christ Jesus becomes eternal.

 

III. Jesus is still asking his disciples today the same question he asked his first disciples, “Do you still not understand?” (vs21)

1. Jesus is calling Christians today, prior to his returning, to wake up to the Spiritual realities we face. And to no longer be so “dull minded” that all we can see is temporal needs.

“As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.” (Matthew 24:37-39)