Seeing the Unseen
God describes Himself as being invisible Colossians 1:15-16 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him.
Hebrews 11 gives us great insight into the life, which we live – the life of faith.
One verse caught my attention recently, which is v 27 about Moses. By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the king's anger; he persevered because he saw him who is invisible.
We need to persevere if we are to accomplish anything significant for God!
Moses had left the Royal family where he had been raised because he caught a glimpse of God, and realised he had a calling in life. You and I can persevere if we too can see Him who is invisible.
Having an awareness of the unseen realm is vital if we are to mature as believers.
2 Kings 6 Elisha and his servant Gehazi surrounded by the chariots and horses of the Arameans. Elisha said (v16-17) Don’t be afraid …those who are with us are more than those who are with them… The Lord opened the servant’s eyes and he saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.
There are many things in life we know exist even though we can’t see them: wind, electricity, radio waves on the microphone I am using. So too with God – he is unseen but we know He is with us.
Psalm 146:3 Do not put your trust in princes, in mortal men, who cannot save.
…Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord his God, the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them—the Lord, who remains faithful forever.
This evening we will look at this fundamental aspect of this life of faith, seeing the unseen.
I am not speaking about living on some spiritual cloud that is so out of it that people cannot relate to you. Jesus was not like that. He was very much involved in the practical work of ministry each day, but He was connected to the spiritual world.
Very early in the morning He prayed,
He spoke to spirits, and told them what to do.
He saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven (Luke 10:18) not physically but in the spirit.
He said that He only did that which He saw the Father doing (John 5:19).
Ephesians 6:12 our struggle is not against flesh and blood but against spiritual forces.
So, just like Jesus, we are living in a natural body but connected to an unseen world which actually is superior.
This is at times challenging because all our lives we grow up in physical world and are used to relying on our five senses. But like most things in life, responding to a challenge yields rewards.
- Praying
- Fasting
- Worshipping Him
- Matthew 6:18 Jesus said that our Father sees what is done in secret and rewards us.
- Spend time – be still and know that He is God
- Spend time in his Word which is supernatural
Matthew 24:35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.
Paul prayed for the Ephesians 1:18:19 "...I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe."
John 20:29 Jesus talking to Thomas “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
We are blessed to be able to walk by faith. To live this life which we live now.
If Jesus manifested in person – great – but our Father is pleased by faith.
Hebrews 11
1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen
Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see (NIV)
2 This is what the ancients were commended for.
There is a reward for walking by faith – for seeing the unseen.
3 By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.
This clearly shows us that the physical world is under the control of the spiritual world. That everything we see around us has been created from the seed of God’s word.
So if we want to see circumstances change and have victory in our world, where is it going to come from? The unseen realm of the spirit;
6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
7 By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.
Noah had a vision of the future and obeyed God when all around him said he was stupid. His Ark saved mankind. Interesting that the Ark had no windows on the side, so they could only look upwards. The ark represents the church, the body of Christ to whom the world comes for salvation
WHAT VISION TO YOU HAVE? Maybe seeing your colleagues saved, neighbour, working with young people – whatever it is, let God build the vision as you spend time with him.
1 Peter 1:8-9 "Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls."
Hebrews 11 shows that all the giants of faith saw eternity, they recognized that the earth was not their home (v10-13) did not receive what had been promised. Sure we have short-term goals but faith also looks longer term to future generations
Practically, how do we see more of God? Through His Word. Jesus said in John 6:63 that his words …are spirit and they are life. The word of God is spiritual and impacts our spirit (UNSEEN REALM), which in turn brings life to us (MANIFESTING IN NATURAL REALM). Jesus is the exact representation of the Father. He said if you have seen me you have seen the Father.
2 Corinthians 4:16-18 "Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."
What I see physically can change as I see into the eternal realm
FEEL WEAK – THEN SEE YOURSELF STRONG:
Micah 3:8 "But as for me, I am filled with power, with the Spirit of the Lord."
2 Corinthians 12:9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
AFRAID:
Joshua 1:9 “Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
NEED STRENGTH:
Ephesians 6:10 “Be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.”
FINANCIAL PROVISION:
Deuteronomy 8:18 “But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your forefathers, as it is today.”
Deuteronomy 28:12 “The Lord will open the heavens, the storehouse of his bounty, to send rain on your land in season and to bless all the work of your hands. You will lend to many nations but will borrow from none.”
NEED RESCUING:
Psalm 40:2 “He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.”
NEED DIRECTION:
Isaiah 58:11 “The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.”
YOU LACK PURPOSE:
John 15:16 “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last.”
UNDER ATTACK:
Psalm 118:6 “The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?”
Deuteronomy 28:7 “The Lord will grant that the enemies who rise up against you will be defeated before you. They will come at you from one direction but flee from you in seven.”
NEED PEACE:
John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
EACH DAY:
Reach into that unseen realm and say this is the day the Lord has made – I will rejoice and be glad in it.
Father thank you for creating me and giving me life. I choose life today and to live a life which pleases you. Thank you that I am blessed and I will be a blessing today.
In conclusion Hebrews 12:1-3 fix our eyes on Jesus. |
