Long-Sighted
The sermon emphasizes the importance of having a long-sighted perspective, focusing on eternal things rather than temporal ones, and seeking the Spirit's power to guide us.
D.L. Moody emphasizes the importance of being long-sighted in faith, contrasting Abraham's vision of the eternal city with Lot's shortsightedness focused on immediate pleasures. He illustrates how many in the Church are caught between worldly desires and spiritual aspirations, leading to confusion and blurred vision. Moody highlights biblical figures like Moses, Stephen, and Paul, who exemplified long-sightedness by prioritizing God's promises over earthly temptations. He calls for the Church to seek the Holy Spirit's power to cleanse and refocus believers on eternal truths, urging a release from worldly attachments. The sermon serves as a reminder of the need for spiritual clarity and commitment to God's Kingdom.
Text
"But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off"
(2 Peter 1:9).
I heard a man, some time ago, speaking about Abraham. He said "Abraham was not tempted by the well-watered plains of Sodom, for Abraham was what you might call a long-sighted man; he had his eyes set on the city which had foundation--'whose Builder and Maker is God."' But Lot was a shortsighted man; and there are many people in the Church who are very short-sighted; they only see things right around them they think good. Abraham was long-sighted; he had glimpses of the celestial city Moses was long-sighted, and he left the palaces of Egypt and identified himself with God's people--poor people, who were slaves; but he had something in view yonder; he could see something God had in store. Again there are some people who are sort of long-sighted and short-sighted, too. I have a friend who has one eye that is long-sighted and the other is short-sighted; and I think the Church is full of this kind of people. They want one eye for the world and the other for the Kingdom of God. Therefore, everything is blurred, one eye is long and the other is short, all is confusion, and they "see men as trees walking." The Church is filled with that sort of people. But Stephen was long-sighted; he looked clear into heaven; they couldn't convince him even when he was dying, that Christ had not ascended to heaven. "Look yonder," he says, I see Him over there; He is on the throne, standing at the right hand of God"; and he looked clear into heaven; the world had no temptation for him; he had put the world under his feet. Paul was another of those long-sighted men; he had been caught up and seen things unlawful for him to utter; things grand and glorious. I tell you when the Spirit of God is on us the world looks very empty; the world has a very small hold upon us, and we begin to let go our hold of it. When the Spirit of God is on us we will just let go the things of time and lay hold of things eternal. This is the Church's need today; we want the Spirit to come in mighty power, and consume all the vile dross there is in us. Oh! that the Spirit of fire may come down and burn everything in us that is contrary to God's blessed Word and Will.
Sermon Outline
- I. The Importance of Being Long-Sighted
- A. Definition of Long-Sightedness
- B. Characteristics of Long-Sighted Individuals
- C. Contrast with Shortsightedness
- II. Examples of Long-Sighted Men in the Bible
- A. Abraham's Vision for the Celestial City
- B. Moses' Decision to Leave Egypt
- C. Stephen's Vision of Heaven
- III. The Need for the Spirit's Power
- A. The Church's Current State
- B. The Role of the Spirit in Conquering Vile Dross
- C. The Importance of Letting Go of Worldly Things
Key Quotes
“Abraham was not tempted by the well-watered plains of Sodom, for Abraham was what you might call a long-sighted man; he had his eyes set on the city which had foundation--'whose Builder and Maker is God.'” — D.L. Moody
“When the Spirit of God is on us the world looks very empty; the world has a very small hold upon us, and we begin to let go our hold of it.” — D.L. Moody
“Oh! that the Spirit of fire may come down and burn everything in us that is contrary to God's blessed Word and Will.” — D.L. Moody
Application Points
- We should prioritize eternal things over worldly concerns.
- Seeking the Spirit's power and guidance is essential for developing a long-sighted perspective.
- Letting go of worldly distractions and focusing on spiritual things can help us see the world in a new light.