Adjusting Our Focus
John McKain
Matthew 6:21-24
They called him "Charlie Hustle." Rookie of the year in 1963. Most valuable player in 1973. In 1978 he had a 44 game hitting streak. He has played more games, had more at bats, and more hits than any other player in the history of baseball. He may some day be inducted into the hall of fame, but it is doubtful because, today, Pete Rose is a broken branded man. Scorned by the sport that made him famous; benched for life because he gambled on the game most precious to him. He gambled on baseball, even on his own team, the Cincinnati Reds. Apparently, his life became out of focus. Instead of focusing on the game that provided for his family's livelihood for 24 years, his eyes grew greedy through the perversion of gambling.
Bad things tend to happen when our life gets out of focus. When our eyes become blurred, when the light begins to dim, when the darkness starts to close in, then disastrous days, debilitating temptations, and envious enemies lurk in the shadows of life with the goal of destroying and maiming our otherwise moral lives.
Jesus spoke about maintaining a sharp focus on life. In Matt. 6:21-24, Jesus calls for a single eye outlook. He calls for his kingdom children to adjust their focus. Focus on spiritual things instead of worldly matters. Focus on heavenly treasures instead of eroding earthly treasures. Jesus said, (Read passage)
I. An unfocused eye blinds the righteous.(v.23)
The expression, "If the eye be evil," was a colloquialism that expressed the idea of having double vision. If a person had double vision, then their whole body was believed to be in darkness.
The ophthalmologist could tell us about an eye condition called diplopia - - double vision. It is the perception of two images of a single object. This type of condition is most commonly caused by temporary or permanent paralysis of the eye muscles. We can simulate the condition this evening. (finger-eye test).
If ...
John McKain
Matthew 6:21-24
They called him "Charlie Hustle." Rookie of the year in 1963. Most valuable player in 1973. In 1978 he had a 44 game hitting streak. He has played more games, had more at bats, and more hits than any other player in the history of baseball. He may some day be inducted into the hall of fame, but it is doubtful because, today, Pete Rose is a broken branded man. Scorned by the sport that made him famous; benched for life because he gambled on the game most precious to him. He gambled on baseball, even on his own team, the Cincinnati Reds. Apparently, his life became out of focus. Instead of focusing on the game that provided for his family's livelihood for 24 years, his eyes grew greedy through the perversion of gambling.
Bad things tend to happen when our life gets out of focus. When our eyes become blurred, when the light begins to dim, when the darkness starts to close in, then disastrous days, debilitating temptations, and envious enemies lurk in the shadows of life with the goal of destroying and maiming our otherwise moral lives.
Jesus spoke about maintaining a sharp focus on life. In Matt. 6:21-24, Jesus calls for a single eye outlook. He calls for his kingdom children to adjust their focus. Focus on spiritual things instead of worldly matters. Focus on heavenly treasures instead of eroding earthly treasures. Jesus said, (Read passage)
I. An unfocused eye blinds the righteous.(v.23)
The expression, "If the eye be evil," was a colloquialism that expressed the idea of having double vision. If a person had double vision, then their whole body was believed to be in darkness.
The ophthalmologist could tell us about an eye condition called diplopia - - double vision. It is the perception of two images of a single object. This type of condition is most commonly caused by temporary or permanent paralysis of the eye muscles. We can simulate the condition this evening. (finger-eye test).
If ...
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