Introduction:  

   The necessity for us to continually keep our eyes on our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ is vividly revealed when His disciples were in a boat on the Sea of Galilee and Jesus came walking unto them on water.  The Scripture states: 

“And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away.  And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray:  and when the evening was come, he was there alone.  But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves:  for the wind was contrary.  And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea.  And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear.  But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.  And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.  And he said, Come.  And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.  But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.  And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?  And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased.  Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God” (Matthew 14:22-33). 

From this incident, we see the importance of keeping our eyes on Jesus.  Peter did not begin to sink in the water until after he took his eyes off of Jesus.  We, spiritually speaking, must keep our eyes upon our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ.

Discussion:

        I.                WHAT IS REQUIRED FOR YOU AND ME TO KEEP OUR EYES ON JESUS?

A.     Negatively, to just recognize Him as the Son of God is not enough for our spiritual salvation.

1.      Why even the demons acknowledged Jesus as being the Son of God (Matthew 8:28-34).

James 2:19, “Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well:  the devils also believe, and tremble.” 

2.      It is not enough just to profess Jesus Christ.  We must do the will of the Heavenly Father. 

Matthew 7:21-23, “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.  Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name?  And in thy name have cast out devils?  And in thy name done many wonderful works?  And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you:  depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” 

B.     Positively, how are we to spiritually keep our eyes on Jesus?

1.      We are to follow in His steps. 

1 Peter 2:21, “For even hereunto were ye called:  because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:”  

2.      We are to think as Christ thought! 

Philippians 2:5, “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:” 

Philippians 4:8, “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” 

3.      We are to teach what He taught. 

Matthew 28:18-20, “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.  Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:  Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you:  and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.  Amen.” 

4.      Whatever we do we are to do in His name (by His authority and to honor the Heavenly Father in His name). 

Colossians 3:17, “And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.” 

Eph. 3:21, “Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end.  Amen.”                          

II.                WHAT MIGHT CAUSE US TO TAKE OUR EYES OFF OF JESUS?

A.     Temptation may cause us to take our eyes off of Jesus, but He will enable us to overcome temptations. 

1 Corinthians 10:12-13, “Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.  There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man:  but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” 

B.     By setting our priorities in the pleasures of this life will cause us to take our eyes off of Jesus. 

2 Timothy 3:4, “…lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God.” 

1 John 2:15-17, “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world.  If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.  For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.  And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof:  but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.” 

C.     By placing allegiance unto our relatives and friends over our submission unto the will of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. 

Matthew 10:37, “He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me:  and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.” 

Luke 14:26, “If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.”   (Hate in this passage means to love less.) 

III.             WHAT WILL ENABLE US TO KEEP OUR EYES ON JESUS?

A.     Our goal in life is to keep our eyes on Jesus by making that our priority in life. 

Philippians 2:13-14, “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended:  but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” 

Ecclesiastes 12:13-14, “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter:  Fear God and keep his commandments:  for this is the whole duty of man.  For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.” 

Matthew 6:33, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” 

B.     We can keep our eyes on Jesus by resisting the enticements of Satan. 

James 4:7-8, “Submit yourselves therefore to God.  Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.  Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you.  Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double-minded.” 

C.     We can keep our eyes on Jesus by being actively involved in the Lord’s kingdom. 

1 Corinthians 15:8, “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” 

Galatians 6:9, “And let us not be weary in well doing:  for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” 

D.     We can keep our eyes on Jesus by continually meditating upon His inspired Word and making application of it to our lives. 

1 Timothy 4:16, “Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them:  for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.” 

James 1:22, “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.” 

Conclusion: 

   It is important that we spiritually keep our eyes upon Jesus the Christ. 

--Dub Mowery