Isaiah 42 is a rich chapter of the Bible. You notice from the start the words proclaimed by God from heaven at the baptism of Jesus. Later when Jesus is asked by John the Baptist “are you the one? Jesus’ answer includes fulfillment of Isaiah 42, “The blind see and the Deaf hear.” This is a chapter that tells of the great mercy of God, the rejection of God by Israel, and the judgment of being concurred and taken into exile. In verse 42:4 the continents of the earth are mentioned. Today I want to focus on sight and light. All around us are lights especially this time of year. Three lights, store lights, house lights. I have to wonder if all these artificial lights keep us from seeing the true light of Jesus in our world. Verse 6 and 7 hold great promise to our world and to us.
1. TO OPEN THE EYES OF THE BLIND
A. WE LIVE IN A WORLD OF BLINDNESS
B. FLASHLIGHTS, HEADLIGHTS, NEON LIGHTS
C. A BLINDNESS OF THE HEART
D. A BLINDNESS OF SPIRIT
E. A BLINDNESS OF THE MIND
F. 1 COR 2:14
G. JOHN 16:12-15
2. SET FREE THOSE IN A PRISON OF DARKNESS
A. WE LIVE IN A WORLD OF DARKNESS
a. ECONOMIC
b. POLITICAL
c. SOCIAL
d. EMOTIONAL
e. FLOOD AND FAMINE AND DISEASE
B. EPH 6:12 OUR FIGHT “DARK WORLD”
3. REFLECTING THE LIGHT
A. SPEAKING IN PARABLES MATTHEW 13:13-16
B. BLESSED WITH VISSION
C. REFLECTING THE LIGHT
CONCLUSION: What will we do with what we have seen? Is there a part of your life where you have been blind to God? Is there a place where you have not let the light of Jesus transform you? A relationship, a habit, your job, at school, friendships? Let Jesus transform them, you, today.
Have you been living surrounded by darkness? Friends, coworkers, people at school, or family that surround you with darkness and hold you like a prison? The dark dungeon of the past or the prison of abuse? No matter what prison holds you or dark dungeon you are in Jesus has the key to the locks and the door. Step into the light of forgiveness, reflect the light of God’s grace.
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