Fixing Our Eyes - Faith In The Real Jesus

1. Faith Is Fundamental

Hebrews 1:1-2  Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. 2 For by it, the elders obtained a good testimony.

Hebrews 11:1-2 (MSG) The fundamental fact of existence is that this trust in God,  this faith, is the firm foundation under everything that makes life worth living. It’s our handle on what we can’t see. The act of faith is what distinguished our ancestors, set them above the crowd.

1 Corinthians 2:14-15  But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

2. Faith Comes Standard

The faith you need, you already have as a believer.

Romans 12:3  For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has distributed to each of you.

You have all the faith you need AND you have the same amount of faith as everyone else.

2 Peter 1:1 Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ:

Galatians 2:20 I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me.

 

3. Faith Is In God

Romans 10:17 faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.

Every word in the Bible brings a revelation of who God is: His nature, His power, and His desires. And it drives out fear.

1 John 4:18 There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear...

1 John 4:8 ...God is love

Luke 4:16-18

1. Salvation

18  “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor;

2. Inner healing

Verse 18 He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,

3. Freedom

Verse 18 To proclaim liberty to the captives

Ephesians 4:8 “When He ascended on high, He led captivity captive, and gave gifts to men."

4. Healing

Verse 18 And recovery of sight to the blind,

1 Peter 2:24 who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed.

Matthew 8:16-17 When evening had come, they brought to Him many who were demon-possessed. And He cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all who were sick, 17 that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying: “He Himself took our infirmities and bore our sicknesses.”

5. Holy Spirit Anointing

Verse 18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me,

Acts 10:38 God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. Then Jesus went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.

John 1:33 ...when God sent me to baptize with water, He told me, 'The one on whom you see the Spirit descend and rest is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.'

Pastor Josh continues our 'Fixing Our Eyes' series about what it means to have faith in the real Jesus.

Fixing Our Eyes 01 - Seeing The Real Jesus

Hebrews 11:3 By faith we understand that the entire universe was formed at God's command, that what we now see what we see in the physical did not come from anything that can be seen.

Mark 8:11-13 ...They demanded that He show them a miraculous sign from heaven to prove His authority. 12 When He heard this, He sighed deeply in His spirit and said, “Why do these people keep demanding a miraculous sign? I tell you the truth, I will not give this generation any such sign.” 13 So He got back into the boat and left them, and He crossed to the other side of the lake.

Mark 8:14-16 But the disciples had forgotten to bring any food. They had only one loaf of bread with them in the boat. 15 As they were crossing the lake, Jesus warned them, “Watch out! Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and of Herod.” 16 At this they began to argue with each other because they hadn’t brought any bread.

Matthew 4:4 “...Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.”

Mark 8:17-21 Jesus knew what they were saying, so He said, “Why are you arguing about having no bread? Don’t you know or understand even yet? Are your hearts too hard to take it in? 18 ‘You have eyes—can’t you see? You have ears—can’t you hear?’ Don’t you remember anything at all? 19 When I fed the 5,000 with five loaves of bread, how many baskets of leftovers did you pick up afterward?”

“Twelve,” they said.

20 “And when I fed the 4,000 with seven loaves, Just a few moments ago how many large baskets of leftovers did you pick up?”

“Seven,” they said.

21 “Don’t you understand yet?” He asked them.

Mark 8:22-25 When they arrived at Bethsaida, some people brought a blind man to Jesus, and they begged Him to touch the man and heal him. 23 Jesus took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the village. Then, spitting on the man’s eyes, He laid his hands on him and asked, “Can you see anything now?” 24 The man looked around. “Yes,” he said, “I see people, but I can’t see them very clearly. They look like trees walking around.” 25 Then Jesus placed His hands on the man’s eyes again, and his eyes were opened. His sight was completely restored, and he could see everything clearly.

01. Flip

Flip on the Light

Ephesians 1:16-18 I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. 17 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know Him better. 18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you,

enlightened = phōtizō - to give light, to shine, to light up, illuminate

Psalm 119:105 Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

John 8:12 “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

02. Ask

Ask God for Spiritual Vision

Ephesians 1:17 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know Him better.

wisdom = sophias - Insight or wisdom not naturally attained, not human wisdom - special insight

Revelation = apokalupsis - Something that has been veiled or hidden for a long time and then suddenly, almost instantaneously becomes clear or visible to the mind or eye.

17 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation

Keep asking God to fill you with the Holy Spirit

03. Lean

Choose to lean on God in faith and not on your own understanding

Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding;

We walk by spiritual sight not natu

Pastor Josh kicks off our 'Fixing Our Eyes' series about how God wants to change the way we see the things in our life.

Special guest, Pastor Ethan Fisher, shares a message about how God has called and uniquely qualified each of us to impact the world around us.

Special guest, Pastor Ethan Fisher, shares a message about how God has called and uniquely qualified each of us to impact the world around us.

Pastor Josh shares a message about what happens when we invite God into our marriages.

Pastor Josh shares a message about what happens when we invite God into our marriages.

PeaceMakers

2 Timothy 3:1 ...in the last days perilous times shall come.

perilous - chalepos - hard to do, hard to bear, troublesome, dangerous

harsh, fierce, savage

Luke 21:25-28 "There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. 26 People will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, 27 At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”

Romans 14:17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit,

Romans 15:13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

John 14:27-28 “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid. 28 Remember what I told you: I am going away, but I will come back to you again.

Jesus’ peace is easy to get and hard to lose.

The world’s peace is hard to get and easy to lose.

#1 Peace Is Our Guide

Colossians 3:15 Let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace.

rule - brabeuō - to be an umpire.

#2 Peace Is Our Protector

Philippians 4:6-7 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

guard - phroureō - a military guard that protects against enemy invasion

Your worry list is your prayer list.

#3 Peace Is Our Platform

Ephesians 6:15 ...having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

If you're not at peace, you're not attractive to the world around you.

#4 Peace Is Our Purpose

Matthew 5:9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.

Luke 10:3-6 Go your way; behold, I send you out as lambs among wolves. 4 Carry neither money bag, knapsack, nor sandals; and greet no one along the road. 5 But whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace to this house.’ 6 And if a son of peace is there, your peace will rest on it; if not, it will return to you.

Jesus brought peace because Jesus was full of peace!

Here's how you get peace… first of all you:

1. Submit to the Lordship of Jesus Christ

2. Pray Diligent Word Filled Prayers

Philippians 4:6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;

1 John 5:14-15 This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us--whatever we ask--we know that we have what we asked of Him.

3. Get A Godward Mindset

Isaiah 26:3 You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!

Luke 21:28 When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”

4. Have A Daily Dependence On The Holy Spirit

Galatians 5:22-23 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control.

Pastor Josh shares a message on Peace and how God wants to use it to lead us through life.