Change YOUR World
I Can See Clearly Now
February 20, 2022
Pastor Mike Rippy
“Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely, I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20 (NIV)
He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.” Mark 16:15 (NIV)
“With my authority, take this message of repentance to all the nations, beginning in Jerusalem: There is forgiveness of sins for all who turn to me.” Luke 24:47 (NLT)
“As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” John 20:21 (NIV)
“You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8 (NIV)
Come and See
✓ We cannot reach what we cannot see.
Just then his disciples returned and were surprised to find him talking with a woman. But no one asked, “What do you want?” or “Why are you talking with her?” Then, leaving her water jar, the woman went back to the town and said to the people, “Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Christ?” They came out of the town and made their way toward him. Meanwhile his disciples urged him, “Rabbi, eat something.” But he said to them, “I have food to eat that you know nothing about.” Then his disciples said to each other, “Could someone have brought him food?” “My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work. Do you not say, ‘Four months more and then the harvest’? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest.” John 4:27-35 (NIV)
✓ If God answered all my prayers, would it change the world or just change me?
Open Your Eyes
1. Open our eyes to where they are.
The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD. Psalm 37:23
In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps. Proverbs 16:9
✓ To change our world… We need to connect before we correct.
2. Open our eyes to who they are.
When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Matthew 9:36 (NIV)
✓ To change our world… We don’t have to be like them, but we do have to like them.
3. Open our eyes to what they need.
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14 (NIV)
✓ To change our world… We need to show people the same kind of love God showed us: Unconditional love.
Seeing God Clearly
A locked gate. View: God can’t be reached.
A garbage can. View: God doesn’t want me.
An endless ladder. View: God requires a lot from me.A free gift. The right view of God.
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