“THAT HE MAY SEE”

(2 Kgs. 6:17)

INTRO.

1. Note textual background.
2. Servant of Elisha fearful!
3. Elisha’s calm confidence, turned to God!

1. A MATTER OF PERCEPTION--v. 15, 16.
   1. “How shall we do?”—v. 15.
   2. “Fear not…”—v. 16.
      1. Odds not against us—2 Chr. 32:6-8; Psa. 3:5-7.
2. How we respond rests on our viewpoint!
3. Some see what others cannot.
   1. Some have deeper perception.
   2. Some see immediate situation, others see beyond it—Makes difference in results!

1. THE PROBLEM OF OUR SIGHT.
   1. What is our visional focus?
      1. On God or the world?
      2. On possibilities or problems?
      3. On heights or on hindrances?
2. 2 Cor. 5:7—Faith sees eternity.
3. Must see beyond the walls of our church building.
4. 2 Cor. 12:9, 10—See beyond our own sense of weakness.
5. Depend on God for the better sight: “Lord, I pray thee, open…”
   1. God is the eye opener.
      1. Jesus healed blind.
      2. Eph. 1:18.
      3. Acts 26:18a.

1. YOUNG PEOPLE NEED EYES OPENED—“LORD OPENED THE EYES OF THE YOUNG MAN.”  YOUNG PEOPLE NEED TO SEE:
   1. That youth will not last.
   2. That they can live for God,
      1. Joseph—Gen. 39.
      2. Samuel—1 Sam. 2, 3.
      3. Daniel—Danl. 3.
2. That choices and actions today will follow them for the rest of their lives.
3. That their strength should be devoted to God’s service—Not to the flesh—Must channel your ambitions.
4. That early rising has advantage—v. 15.—Day gets by too quickly—Life goes with it—Jn. 9:4.
5. That they should respect the guidance of the older & better trained—The servant turned to Elisha!

CONC.

1. Need for spiritual sight and insight.
2. Beware of willful blindness.
3. See what can be!

(preached at Boaz)