Lift Up Your Eyes

Lift Up Your Eyes

Intro: Life Is not always perfect. There are always bumps in the road. For one it might be the sickness of a child; another, death of a parent; the losing of a job; or, a wasting disease. For youth, the problems become even more devastating in their lives. The ability to fit in and not stand out; the wearing of the “right” label; the date with the “right” boy or girl; or, parents who just don’t understand. Life for some is tough. Filipinos have an expression that is fitting. The proverbial holes in their roads they call “air-pockets.” They are so many, you can’t see them, but you know when you hit one.

The same thing can be said about churches. Many are not healthy today. Some have once been strong in their work and are now weak. Some have turned their heart to another gospel and God has left them. Others have tried to become large by adopting the ways of worldly churches and have met resistance and have split. Some have allowed Diotrephes (3 John 9-11a) to destroy their fellowship by usurping the pastors place. For what ever the cause of blame, churches can become downcast and feel defeated.

But, life as well as churches do not have to remain so. There is a phrase used in the Bible by God, commanding us in love to lift up your eyes. That is the message this morning. I challenge individuals as well as the church which find themselves in despondent and or defeated life to lift up your eyes to the Lord. This morning, I want you to allow me to help us to lift up our eyes to God’s Word, and let Him speak to our need.

I. We Need to Look Up to the Hills – The Psalmist said in Psalm 121:1-2, I will lift up my eyes to the hills–From whence comes my help? My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth.

A. God places us where He wants us. – Have you looked lately at the multitude of homes in this area. There are people all over these hills.

B. We are never alone. – My help comes from the Lord.

II. We Need to Look Up For Instruction. – That great prophetic chapter of Isaiah, Handel used in his Messiah, Chapter 40 states with broad and loud words; God is the creator, the every present one, the one who gives strength, comfort, and blessings. But, He is also the one who judges. Look at Chapter 41:1; Keep silence before Me, O coastlands, and let the people renew their strength! Let them come near, then let them speak; Let us come near together for judgment.

A. Judgment is not always punishment. We need to leave the punishment to the Lord. He said through Paul in Romans 9:14-15;: What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? Certainly not! For He says to Moses, I will have mercy on whomever I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whomever I will have compassion.

B. Judgment Sometimes Is Instruction. We all need to be reminded of Isaiah 40:31; But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint. We are not to take things into our own hands by our own wisdom, but lean upon the Lord and cast our eyes upon Him.

III. We Need to Look Up For All the Prospects. Remember what Jesus said to His Disciples while going through Samaria. In John 4:35-36; Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest! And he who reaps receives wages, and gathers fruit for eternal life, that both he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together.

A. We are not people without prospects. They are our neighbors, children, grandchildren, relatives, friends, co-workers. Every where we go we can find those who are looking to find Jesus. We simply need to point them in the right direction.

B. You are not a church without a purpose. The Great Commission is still your commission. Acts 1:8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.

IV. We Need to Look Up to the One Who Cares For You. Peter said in 1 Peter 5:5-11; (Read this Passage).

A. God’s Responsibility – To exalt His children and to care for us.

B. Christian’s Responsibility – To be submissive, humble, sober, vigilant, resist Satin, don’t leave the faith.

Concl: Life is not about having it our way, regardless what the “Chairman of the Board” says. Life with Christ is about having it His way. When our eyes are upon Him, He can guide us and we will not stumble. Take our eyes off Him, and we will move into danger. Remember those “air-pockets” I mentioned at the beginning? Even though they are always there, everyone drives through them. Life doesn’t end in an “air-pocket.”

I close with reading Psalm 121. – The Psalmist knew from where his strength and help came. We know it instinctively as children of God. Let us today be reminded to always Lift Up Our Eyes upon the Lord.

8-24-08 a.m. Goodrum Baptist Church, Vicksburg