Matthew chapter six. And I want to read in verses
22 and 23, Matthew chapter six. The light of the body is the
eye. If therefore thine eye be single,
Thy whole body shall be full of light. But if thine eye be
evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore
the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness. We have here in the two verses
that I've read an eye. This passage is talking about
an eye. Either this eye is single or
this eye is evil. I find it odd that it calls it
an eye which is singular, not eyes. But in either case it is
still just an eye. But the difference according
to these two verses is it is either a single eye or an evil
eye. So the things we have mentioned
here, we have light, we have I, we have singleness, we have
evil, we have darkness. I'm not sure if you all were
familiar with this term or not, but at work, everyone throw around
the term, I'm multitasking. Usually what they really mean
is, I was not paying attention to you because I was doing something
else. I know this because I've been
guilty of this before. I've been caught doing this.
I've been emailing someone or texting someone, and then you
hear my name announced on the meeting or whatever. And of course,
I'm embarrassed and have to say, sorry, I was doing something
else. Can you repeat that? Sometimes they catch me even
before because they hear me clicking and clacking, and they say, go
on mute, Paul. A lot of us think we can multitask. We even think we can do this
spiritually. We think that we can serve God and serve ourselves. We often do things that manifest
this by glorying in or focusing on ourselves rather than Jesus
Christ the Lord and call it worshiping God. This passage talks about
singleness or oneness. This world has attempted and
does attempt to be one, but their attempts to be one spit in the
face of God, or works towards the idea of overthrowing God.
They will join together even with someone who may not agree
with them in the name of what they call peace. Just like they
did at the Tower of Babel in Genesis 11, one we read, and
the whole earth was of one language and of one speech. This just
reminds me of how they all say we need to come together. We
read this in Genesis 11 in verse 4. And they said, go to, let
us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven. And let us make us a name, lest
we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth. They
wanted to get to God, and they wanted to get to God their way.
They never even gave thought to God's way, but they were joined
in one together against God. Every time a man attempts to
get to God to try and come together, it will only result in them being
unrestrained to do what they imagined to do. This is not a
good thing. This is evil in the sight of
God. I want to know what this singleness is here because it
is my Lord saying this to us. So this singleness is important.
It is one eye in any case, that is whether it be single or it
be evil. It says here, if your eye be
single, the whole body is full of light. So I'm interested in
seeing what this singleness is today as it relates to our passage. But I do want to note this, this
is talking about us individually. It says the light of the body,
which is also singular. So this is talking to us individually
and the I we have. Reading this passage causes me
to ask myself this question, what kind of I do I have? I want to have this single I,
that I that shall cause my whole body to be full of light, don't
you? So let's look at the following
things this morning. The single eye, the light that
comes from the single eye. The evil eye, the darkness that
comes from this evil eye. And light being darkness and
the greatness of that darkness. The single eye. It says here
that if your eye be single, is this talking about you should
only have one eye and that we should in some way get rid of
one of our eyes? The eye is the light, and whatever
this eye is, if it is single, it must be light. So what is
it that will enlighten my whole body? We know that when it comes
to an eye, an eye is how we see. Immediately what comes to my
mind is, does the eye I have see it all? That eye which is
blind is not going to see anything but darkness. Christ Jesus himself
tells us in John three and verse three, Jesus answered and said
unto him, verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born
again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. So it would seem to me
that first in order to have an eye that can see, I must first
be born from above. What comes along with this? That
is this being born from above. The ability to see the kingdom
of God, but there is more. Not only do we have life, but
with this life comes what I will call the eye of faith. This is
Paul speaking to King Agrippa. He was telling him what the Lord
Jesus Christ had told him in Acts 26. So this is what Jesus
Christ told Saul, that is Paul the apostle. And if you would
turn with me to Acts 26 for a minute. Acts 26. Acts 26 and verses 14 through
18. And when we were all fallen to
the earth, I heard a voice speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew
tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? It is hard for thee
to kick against the pricks. And I said, who art thou, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus whom
thou persecutest. But rise and stand upon thy feet,
for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee
a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast
seen and of those things in which I will appear unto thee, delivering
thee from the people and from the Gentiles unto whom now I
send thee, to open their eyes and to turn them from darkness
to light. and from the power of Satan unto
God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and inheritance among
them which are sanctified by faith that is in me. Christ says sanctified by the
faith that is in me. That faith which is of Jesus
Christ our Lord, being given life, we are sanctified by Jesus
Christ's faith. This faith causing us to focus
in one place, that is it, causes us to have a single eye toward
one place. That is the face of Jesus Christ
our Lord. This eye of faith looks to everything
that is Jesus Christ the Lord. The word for single in this passage
is derived from two other words, and in this context, this word
means this. one that has been braided together
as one with the alpha. This eye is an eye given by God
and this eye is one that sees Jesus Christ the Lord. It is
by the faith of Jesus Christ that I am enabled to see him
who is light. Jesus Christ the Lord is that
light that comes into this single eye, and it is that light which
lights the whole body. Where do we get this light? From
Jesus Christ the Lord. He is that light. That light
only comes by the faith of Jesus Christ, which is given us in
life from God. This light is put on the gospel
candlestick for all to see who come into the house. When we
begin to see that light at first, it will blind us just as it did
with the Apostle Paul. Or at that time Saul, we will
fall to the ground. Have you ever been in a dark
room or maybe asleep and someone comes in the room and turns on
the lights just as you were aroused from sleep? You know, it's like,
you know, like this. This is how it is with those
of us who were blind but now see. It is too much for us to
take in at one time, so we start squinting our eyes. But God be
thanked, thanked. We will in time come to that
place where it is all we seek to see is that light given us
by the faith of Jesus Christ. If this light would be shown
to us as it was for Peter, James, and John on the Mount of Transfiguration,
we would, when shown the glory of God, we would literally fall
to the ground with our face to the ground and would be so afraid
if we seen all of this at one time. Although we may not literally
do this, this is a fall to the ground with our face in the dust.
We do this in our heart when God first begins to shine in
our heart. A single eye is one which is focused on Jesus Christ
the Lord. It is an eye, that eye of faith,
given by Jesus Christ. And that faith, because it is
of Jesus Christ, it looks nowhere else but to Jesus Christ. If
anyone preaches anything other than Jesus Christ the Lord and
Him crucified, they are preaching darkness. And this eye will not
bring it in. Because this eye is a single
eye, and it is focused in on one thing. But there are some
who have an eye that is not single, but evil. The other kind of eye that is
mentioned here is still an eye, and not eyes. But this eye, instead
of being a single eye, is an evil eye. Having an evil eye
is a dark place to be. This is an eye that can see no
light. What kind of eye is this? It
is an eye that is blind. There are those who think they
see, but their eye is blind. They may think they are seeing
light, but it is such an eye that it sees nothing but darkness.
This eye is not focused in on Christ at all, or as all, but
one that sees God has done all he can do, and now it is up to
you. There's no singleness in that. Adding anything to salvation
other than Jesus Christ and him crucified is seeing darkness
and not light. It is an evil eye. You think
you have something to do to make what God did effectual? There
is no singleness in that. This kind of thought is one that
comes from a darkened mind, or in other words, an eye that is
evil. You think even though Christ
died for the sins of many, you have to still keep the law for
righteousness? There is no singleness in that.
That is, Christ did what was needed to satisfy the justice
of God, but yet you think you still must keep the holy law
of God, which the scripture says no one will be justified by the
deeds of the law. This evil eye in this passage
looks for recognition before men. This is the reward they
will have, and it is all the reward they will have. This evil
eye again is for recognition before men. This eye is covetous
in being praised of men for praying in the streets, saying long prayers,
or you might say a mantra or incantation. Men love this and
think of others who do this as being holy. It is an evil eye. You hear some say, believe Jesus
Christ was born of a virgin, died on the cross, was buried
and rose again. Now just pray this prayer and
you're fixed up. Even the devils know and believe
who Jesus Christ is and they even tremble. Christ was speaking
in the synagogue in Capernaum and a man was there with an unclean
spirit. And we read in Mark 1 and 24,
it says, saying, this is the unclean spirit saying this, saying,
let us alone. What have we to do with thee,
thou Jesus of Nazareth? Art thou come to destroy us?
I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God. Then in James
2 and 19, James tells us this. Thou believest that there is
one God, thou doest well. The devils also believe and tremble. So they, that is the devils,
not only believe, but they tremble. That's more than most people
do today. The evil eye is about anything other than God, although
those with this evil eye may boast in what they are doing
for God. For this is their treasure, so
this is where their affections go. All the while they are using
the name of Jesus for whatever gain they can get from it. So
this kind of eye has an effect on the body. It is such an eye
that it causes the whole body to be full of darkness. This
darkness is such a darkness that men and women do not even know
it is darkness. They think they are seeing light,
but because it is a blind eye, all it is is darkness. Everyone
that doeth evil hateth the light, the scripture says. If you would,
turn with me to John 3. John 3. John 3 and verses 18 through
21. He that believeth on him is not
condemned. But he that believeth not is
condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name
of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation,
that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather
than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that
doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light,
lest his deeds should be reproved. but he that doeth truth cometh
to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they
are wrought in God. Jesus Christ is the light. Scripture is clear on this. The
light is not your decision. It is not what you do. It is
all about who Christ is and what he has done. Jesus Christ is
the light. If you have an evil eye, it is
one that will not bow down to Jesus Christ as Lord. If you
do not believe who Jesus Christ is and what Jesus Christ has
done, bowing down to him as Lord, then you are loving darkness
rather than light. No matter how many good things
you think you do, and I will even say it like this, no matter
how many good things you do, Scripture tells us that even
our righteousnesses are as filthy rags in God's sight. He says
the plowing of the wicked is sin. That which a man does to
feed his family is wicked before God. God Almighty in His word
tells us who we are by nature, and that is dead in trespasses
and in sin. If you think differently than
what God says on that subject, then you do not believe God.
God has said He elected Jesus Christ the Lord to come, Him
being our salvation. It says He is the righteousness
of God. It says He is God. He came and
took sin away for His people. If you do not believe this, then
you love darkness and are yet in darkness. Our passage tells
us that if that light be in you is darkness, How great is that
darkness. This evil eye because it is an
eye that comes from an evil heart is deceiving you. You are focused
in on your deeds and not God's deeds. Yet your old wicked heart
is deceiving you into thinking it has something to do with you.
Most people are very satisfied to stay where they are. believe
and do those things which have been passed down to them from
their family and friends or their preacher, that which is man-centered
has no singleness about it at all. That darkness being a false
hope, which they will perish forever in that dark hope. When it comes to the word of
God, it is all about singleness. One Lord, One faith, one baptism,
one God, Ephesians 4, 5 and 6. One sacrifice, Hebrews 10 and
verse 12. I could go on, but there is only
one to whom God the Father is pleased, and one only. Only if
we are in him is God Almighty satisfied with us. I want to
be found in him. Jesus Christ came into the world
to save sinners. Sin is that which condemns us
in God's sight. Jesus Christ came to take sinners
place. This is how he saves sinners.
Galatians 3 and verse 13 says, Christ hath redeemed us from
the curse of the law, being made a curse for us, for it is written,
cursed is everyone that hangeth on a tree. He is that one pearl,
that one man, that one that is good, that one with authority,
that just one. He is that one whom most do not
know, and none of us know by nature. John 1 26 we read, John
answered them saying, I baptize with water, but there standeth
one among you whom ye know not. By his grace and his word, we
know that God is one. God the Father, God the Son,
and God the Holy Spirit. Deuteronomy 6, 4, we read, Hear,
O Israel, the Lord our God is one Lord. God is one, and God
does as one. He needs no one else or nothing
else. Isaiah 4, 25 says, To whom then
will you liken me, or shall I be equal, saith the Holy One? This
one tells us there is one thing we lack, In Mark 10 and 21 where
he's talking to the rich young ruler, it says, then Jesus beholding
him loved him and said unto him, one thing thou lackest, go thy
way, sell whatsoever thou hast and give to the poor and thou
shalt have treasure in heaven. And come, take up the cross and
follow me. You cannot serve God, both God
and mammon. Mammon being riches, that's self
or anything else other than Jesus Christ the Lord. Jesus Christ
is at the right hand of the Father on high. That is where his people's
treasure is. We are to look to things above,
not on things of the earth. Our hope is that we are enabled
to see this one, this just one with the eye of faith. just as
it was with the apostle Paul. And Ananias said to him, that
is Paul the apostle in Acts 22, 14, and he said, the God of our
fathers hath chosen thee that thou shouldest know his will
and see that just one and shouldest hear the voice of his mouth.
This eye of faith which is given by God and has its singleness
in Jesus Christ the Lord causes us to behave in singleness if
he has chosen us to this end. Acts 2 46 says, and they continuing
daily with one accord in the temple and breaking bread from
house to house did eat their meat with gladness and singleness
of heart. Ephesians 6, 5 says, servants
be obedient to them that are your masters according to the
flesh with fear and trembling in singleness of your heart as
unto Christ. I don't want to just have a head
knowledge of God, a knowledge where I just know words or doctrine,
but do not know the God of those words and doctrine. Knowing them
in this way, I am still left to love those things below instead
of those things that are above. God give me a heart, a heart
with which I am enabled to know and love you that is Jesus Christ
who is my knowledge, my doctrine, my righteousness, my life, my
way. Cause me to bow down to you in
love and admiration for who you are and what you have done. Give
me a single eye. There is but one that is good.
Matthew 19, 17 reads this way. And he said unto them, why callest
thou me good? There is none good but one, that
is God. But if thou wilt enter into life,
keep the commandments. Jesus Christ is God. Just as we read in John three,
if you have an evil eye, then you hate the light. And you will
not come to the light because you do not want to be told you
are wrong. But those with a single eye will
come to Christ. Why? Because my deeds, my works,
are wrought in God. That is, God has done the work
needed on my behalf. He controls everything I do by
his mighty power. Grant it to us that we all here
are of one mind, as it reads in Romans 15, verses five and
six. Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to
be like-minded one toward another according to Jesus Christ. That
ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father
of our Lord Jesus Christ. Now I just want to notice one
more thing in our passage in Matthew 6. And it says, the light of the
body is the eye, if therefore thine eye be. You cannot make your eye single. It has to be single. This only
comes from God Almighty. Scripture says that the seeing
eye and the hearing ear, even the Lord hath made even both
of them. And it also says that every good gift and every perfect
gift comes down from the Father of lights. Oh, dear Lord God,
give me a single eye so I can see Jesus Christ all the time. Amen. Thank you, dear Lord, for
allowing us to be here. Dear Lord, we hope that everyone
who was able to listen online, dear Lord, that you would open
their heart, mind, and ears, their eyes, that they can see
you and have that singleness and that like precious faith
that Joe spoke about. May it be that by your power,
you give it to others and give the increase to us, dear Lord,
that we may continually look to you for all things. All these
things we ask in your name, amen.