Can You See It?
TEXT: II Kings 6:13-17
13 And he said, Go and spy where he is, that I may send and fetch him. And it was told him, saying, Behold, he is in Dothan.
14 Therefore sent he thither horses, and chariots, and a great host: and they came by night, and compassed the city about.
15 And when the servant of the man of God was risen early, and gone forth, behold, an host compassed the city both with horses and chariots. And his servant said unto him, Alas, my master! how shall we do?
16 And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them.
17 And Elisha prayed, and said, LORD, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.
{TELL THE STORY}
Open Our Eyes, Lord!
Ezra 4:23-5:3
23 Now when the copy of king Artaxerxes’ letter was read before Rehum, and Shimshai the scribe, and their companions, they went up in haste to Jerusalem unto the Jews, and made them to cease by force and power.
24 Then ceased the work of the house of God which is at Jerusalem. So it ceased unto the second year of the reign of Darius king of Persia.
1 Then the prophets, Haggai the prophet, and Zechariah the son of Iddo, prophesied unto the Jews that were in Judah and Jerusalem in the name of the God of Israel, even unto them.
2 Then rose up Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and began to build the house of God which is at Jerusalem: and with them were the prophets of God helping them.
3 At the same time came to them Tatnai, governor on this side the river, and Shetharboznai, and their companions, and said thus unto them, Who hath commanded you to build this house, and to make up this wall?
{Fill in the Story between the verses}
Open Our Eyes, Lord! Can You See It?
Ezra 5:17-6:3
16 Then came the same Sheshbazzar, and laid the foundation of the house of God which is in Jerusalem: and since that time even until now hath it been in building, and yet it is not finished.
17 Now therefore, if it seem good to the king, let there be search made in the king’s treasure house, which is there at Babylon, whether it be so, that a decree was made of Cyrus the king to build this house of God at Jerusalem, and let the king send his pleasure to us concerning this matter.
1 Then Darius the king made a decree, and search was made in the house of the rolls, where the treasures were laid up in Babylon.
2 And there was found at Achmetha, in the palace that is in the province of the Medes, a roll, and therein was a record thus written:
3 In the first year of Cyrus the king the same Cyrus the king made a decree concerning the house of God at Jerusalem, Let the house be builded, the place where they offered sacrifices, and let the foundations thereof be strongly laid
Let the House be Built! Can You See It?
I. Build the Foundation—I Corinthians 3:10-11 The Foundation of Christ, the Word
10 According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.
11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
II. Build the Walls—The Walls of Preaching Romans 10:17
A. Preaching the Word for Instruction
B. Preaching the Word for Conviction
C. Preaching the Word for Correction
D. Preaching the Word for Clarity
E. Preaching the Word for a Coming King
III. Build the Roof—With Shingles of Faith Romans 10:17
17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
A. Faith to go through ADVERSITY
--1. A Shingle of faith when your best friend gets cancer
--2. A Shingle of faith when your son/daughter breaks your heart
--3. A Shingle of faith when your father passes away
--4. A Shingle of faith when the doctor’s diagnosis for Mom is Alzheimer’s and you don’t know what to do
--5. A Shingle of faith when doctor shakes his head and your heart sinks
--6. A Shingle of faith when life just seems so fragile
B. Faith to trust God for PROVISION
--1. A Shingle of faith to trust God when there just isn’t any money
--2. A Shingle of faith to trust God to provide when you do His will
--3. A Shingle of faith when you have done all can do and you MUST trust God to provide for your loved ones’ EMOTIONAL needs
C. Faith to trust God for WISDOM
--1. A Shingle of faith to raise your children
--2. A Shingle of faith in dealing with others
--3. A Shingle of faith to lead your family
D. Faith to trust God for PROTECTION
--1. A Shingle of faith when the Devil fights
--2. A Shingle of faith to combat the onslaught of the World
--3. A Shingle of faith when the Flesh is weak
IV. Build the Door—the Door of Salvation John 10:9; II Corinth 2:12
9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved
12 Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ’s gospel, and a door was opened unto me of the Lord,
V. Build the Windows—the Windows of Fellowship and Witness
A. God made a window in the ARK for NOAH
B. Abimelech looked out a window and saved his country
C. Sisera’s mother looked out a window and waited for her son
D. Michal looked out a window and saw her husband, David
E. Windows were an integral part of the TEMPLE
F. Daniel Prayed out an open window as a TESTIMONY before a lost world
POINT—God is going to do something in this place—Can you See It? Open My Eyes, Lord…Let ME See It!!
