Hidden in Plain Sight
#ThroughTheEyesOfALion Week 1
Pastor Kris Freeman
Revolution Church
This series, Through the Eyes of a Lion, is based upon a book by Levi Lusko of the same name. It is recommended you order the book online or by electronic device to follow the series through the month of October at Revolution Church. This series is used by permission.
2 Corinthians 4:18 (NLT)
18 So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.
As we begin this series, think of this continual theme:
“There is incredible power that comes from facing impossible pain.”
The truth about facing difficulties in life:
- Life is smooth sailing - don’t check out because it’s not applicable right now
- Pay extra close attention when you are sitting in the seat of the prey
- Suffering and grieving are powerful things - and God addresses them often
- Through suffering, you have to find what you can’t see.
See things through the eyes of the lion. What if you could see things through the eyes of the KING instead of the eyes of the hunted?
Remember which LION is looking out for you:
1 Peter 5:6-11 (NLT)
6 So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor. 7 Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.
8 Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. 9 Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your family of believers[b] all over the world is going through the same kind of suffering you are. 10 In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation. 11 All power to him forever! Amen.
The truth about understanding suffering and how to overcome it is:
- Looks can be DECEIVING
Because of the sin of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, our eyes were focused on things we should have never been able to see under the lens of hurt: sin, guilt, nakedness, death.
Consequently, we walk about mesmerized by the physical, when God sees our suffering through spiritual vision and eternal eyes.
- Eternity becomes visible by FAITH
For we walk by faith, not by sight. (2 Corinthians 5:7). Faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen. (Hebrews 11:1-2)
How many of you have seen the movie The Avengers, when in the discussion between Loki and Thor, it is said “you are burdened with glorious purpose.” Faith is God’s burdening of glorious purpose upon your life, but what happens when you lose sight of what you can’t see?
- Nearsightedness must be constantly CORRECTED
Lions are far-sighted (long-sighted). They see far away, super well. We constantly focus on the things right in front of us, but the lion relies upon vision and strategy.
Interestingly enough, for us though the battle of our EYES starts in our EARS.
So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God. (Romans 10:17)
If we don’t hear what he SAYS, we won’t see what he SEES.
- Seeing the invisible, you can do the IMPOSSIBLE
When you let God give you vision that is SUPER-NATURAL, you will be able to receive strength that is SUPER-HUMAN.
Take the first four letters of those points and make an acronym:
LENS - I have a closing story for you. It’s in the book, but I want you to listen and not just read the words.
When your eyes are opened, you will see everything differently that before.
#ThroughTheEyes
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