Bible Text: Matthew 21:1-17 | Preacher: Rev. Dr. Lou Saldiveri | Series: Sunday Morning Worship | “How is Our Spiritual Eyesight?” Matthew 21:1-17

Intro: Some of us have had to have our vision checked and corrected. If our vision gets worse gradually over time, sometimes we get use to seeing poorly, we don’t even think about it. Then when we finally go to the eye doctor, and he corrects our vision using the proper lenses, we say, wow! If we get incorrect lenses, our vision will still be distorted. I would like to suggest that if you and I are not careful, our spiritual vision can deteriorate over time to a point where we grow to accustomed to it. Therefore, we start viewing spiritual things through the wrong lenses and things can get distorted.

When Jesus rode into Jerusalem on the colt, He was doing several things just by His entrance and His presence. It was and continues to be a spiritual eye exam that can reveal state of the health of our spiritual sight.

1. Jesus Exposes Spiritual Blindness
1. Jesus announced Himself as the King of Peace
1. The Israelite people could not understand that the Messiah had to suffer and die to bring reconciliation between God and sinful man
2. They were looking for a political/militant Messiah
3. They didn’t fully understand prophesy
2. Jesus Exposes Spiritual Hypocrisy
1. The Temple was being used as a place of business
1. The merchants were less than honest
2. The “religious” leaders were permitting this outrageous practice
3. This all took place in the court of the gentiles, thereby forcing visitors to feel unwelcome
1. The temple lost its mission outreach
2. Jesus Affirms that He is God
1. “My house…”
2. The temple should be a house of prayer
1. God wants His people to pray corporately and individually
2. Sincere prayer from and humble and thankful heart is evidence of faith and dependence on God
3. Sincere prayer is always linked to God’s Word and worship
4. God’s power come through sincere prayer from humble and needy people
3. Jesus Offers Us a Corrective Lens to Restore Good Spiritual Eyesight
1. It is free
2. It is received by faith
3. It is kept clean and refreshed by the Word, the Holy Spirit, prayer, confession, and worship.

Closing: So, how is our spiritual eyesight today? This can be just another Palm Sunday, or we can permit God to correct our spiritual eyesight today. Second, how is our spiritual eyesight with regard to the House of God, His Church. Is it just a place of convenience or is it a place where the people of God and visitors can come together and experience the awesome presence power and presence of God through prayer, praise, and heartfelt worship and service?