VISION PROBLEMS
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www.pacolethillsbaptist.org
May 15, 2022
Luke 11:29-36
1. Recently we looked at the issue of unbelief and saw that unbelief manifests itself in different
ways.
a. Determined unbelief.
b. Disinterested unbelief.
c. Reformation.
d. Emotionalism.
2. The things Jesus had to say were in response to the determined unbelief manifested by some
who were observing and listening to Him.
3. Here Jesus dealt with the unbelief of those who demanded a sign from Heaven.
4. Notice that Jesus' response was based on His knowledge of their thoughts. Luke 11:17
NOTE: He knew exactly where they were coming from and what their motives were.
5. Jesus performed many signs that were designed to authenticate His messiahship.
John 20:30-31
Therefore many other signs Jesus also performed in the presence of the disciples, which are
not written in this book; 31 but these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is
the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name.
6. However, He refused to respond to those who were not sincerely seeking the truth.
7. Jesus had some harsh things to say about most of the people who were listening to Him.
He referred to them as:
a. A wicked generation.
b. An evil and adulterous generation. Matthew 12:39
c. An adulterous and sinful generation. Mark 8:38
d. An unbelieving and perverted generation. Luke 9:41
8. Both Peter and Paul used similar terms in referring to those who populate this earth.
a. Acts 2:40-41
And with many other words he solemnly testified and kept on exhorting them, saying, "Be
saved from this perverse generation!"
b. Philippians 2:14-17
Do all things without grumbling or disputing; 15 so that you will prove yourselves to be
blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and
perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world, 16 holding fast the
word of life, so that in the day of Christ I will have reason to glory because I did not run in
vain nor toil in vain.
9. Jesus pointed out that the only sign they would receive was what He referred to as the sign
of Jonah. Matthew 12:38-40
Then some of the scribes and Pharisees said to Him, "Teacher, we want to see a sign from
You." 39 But He answered and said to them, "An evil and adulterous generation craves for a
sign; and yet no sign will be given to it but the sign of Jonah the prophet; 40 for just as
JONAH WAS THREE DAYS AND THREE NIGHTS IN THE BELLY OF THE SEA MONSTER, so will
the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth."
10. Jesus was, and is, the only sign we should really need.
11. The Lord pointed out that both the Ninevites and the Queen of Sheba recognized and
responded to the signs they received, and would therefore stand in judgment of those who
rejected Him since He was greater than either Solomon or Jonah.
12. Privilege carries with it responsibility.
13. The problem these people had was that they were spiritually blind but did not know it.
I. The purpose of light is to illuminate.
A. Jesus referred to Himself as the Light of the World. John 8:12
"I am the light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in darkness, but will have
the Light of life."
B. He told His followers, "You are the light of the world…Let your light shine before men in
such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in Heaven."
NOTE: The purpose of light is to illuminate, and you and I are in the world to illuminate the
darkness.
C. We are to be like a city that is set on a hill and therefore cannot be hidden, and like a lamp
that has been set on a lampstand to give light to those around us.
II. Light is of no value to those who do not have the capacity to use it.
A. Jesus used a physical illustration to make a spiritual point.
B. He referred to our eyes as the lamp of the body.
1. Those who can see are benefitted by the light.
2. Those who cannot see derive no benefit from the light.
C. Paul wrote the following in 2 Corinthians 4:3-4.
And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, 4 in whose case
the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they might not see
the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
III. Spiritually people can be blind and not know it.
A. Jesus warned, "Then watch out that the light in you is not darkness."
B. Most people, including those to whom Jesus was speaking, believe that they can see.
C. What they do not understand is that what they see as light (truth) is actually darkness
(error).
D. In Matthew 6:22-23 Jesus declared, "The eye is the lamp of the body; so then if your eye
is clear, you whole body will be full of light. But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be
full of darkness. If then the light that is in you is darkness, how great is that darkness!"
E. Because most people are spiritually blind they are easily led into error.
F. Paul warned, "But evil men and impostors will proceed from bad to worse, deceiving and
being deceived." 2 Timothy 3:13
APPLICATION
1. The good news is we can know the Light and be filled with the Light. 36
2. The Apostle Paul wrote the following to the church at Ephesus.
"Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God will
come upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not be partakers with them; for you were
formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light (for the fruit
of the Light consists of all goodness and righteousness and truth), trying to learn what is
pleasing to the Lord." Ephesians 5:6-10
3. Those who walk as children of Light will not always have an easy time of it. John 3:19-21
"This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness
rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil. 20 "For everyone who does evil hates the
Light, and does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. 21 "But he
who practices the truth comes to the Light, so that his deeds may be manifested as having
been wrought in God."
