YOUR EYES, THE WINDOW TO YOUR SOUL

Luke 11:33-36

God is always at work around us—the effects of God working are evident everywhere—are we looking for it

How are you evaluating what you see going on around you? 

What if you are not evaluating correctly?

Responses to Jesus’s miracle 

• 14—some were amazed
• 15—some rejected the miracle and attributed to the miracle as Jesus doing this through demonic power
• 16—some needed more proof and asked for a sign

In verses 17-28, Jesus addresses those who contribute the miracle to the work of Satan.  Satan destroys and Jesus heals would make for a house divided that would not stand.

In verses 27-28, Jesus turns a response of who is blessed to those who hear the word of God and obeys it.

In verses 29-32, Jesus responds to those who are not convinced with what they have3 seen and still looking for more. 

• Jonah (chapter 3)—people respond by repenting at the teaching of Jonah
• Queen of the South (1 Kings 10:1-9)—tests Solomon with hard questions and his response results in her being overwhelmed with his wisdom. She had heard of his wisdom but until she came and saw with her own eyes she struggled to believe.
• Jesus responds by saying something greater than Jonah and Solomon is here.

How can people see or hear the same thing and respond differently? 

Illustrates His teaching as a lamp that is not concealed.  He is referring that His wise and powerful presence is not hidden or should it be missed.

• Jesus is referring that His wise and powerful presence is not hidden nor should it be missed.
  • John 8:12, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
  • John 1:4-5, “In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”
  • John 1:9-11, “The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him.  He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.”

The teachings of Jesus illuminate’s and shows the way for all of us. 

         He has made everything clear about sin

         He has made everything clear about repentance

         He has made everything clear about faith

         He has made everything clear about salvation

         He has made everything clear about grace

V.34, Jesus compares the eye to a lamp

• Healthy eye—sees Jesus teaching and identifies with His truth. Allows the light of Jesus to shine in and reach your soul and mind.  Able to see the effects of God’s work and is looking for it.  Centers life around their relationship with Jesus.
• Unhealthy eye—Will not allow the light of Jesus to shine in on them. Rejects Jesus teachings and views them as irrelevant or applicable.  Lacks the ability to discern God’s activity around them.  Focuses on things of this world.  Very self-centered.

Filtering System we use to filter out what we focus on:

• Filter of absolute truth—something that is true at all times and in all places. It is something that is always true no matter what the circumstances. It is a fact that cannot be changed.
• Filter of relative truth—can be true for one person and not for another. Christianity can be true for you but not for me. 

Take Away

1. We must be careful what resources and influences form our view of life
2. Our private decisions will become visible. Our Character and morals we model are often the product of our choices.

If you ignore your soul, you may live a life full of activity but become empty shells living hollow lives that are controlled more by darkness than light.