Shielded From Jesus – May we begin to look fully into Jesus.

Shielded From Jesus
September 30, 2025
2 Corinthians 4:1-5 Therefore, since through God’s mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart. 2 Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God. 3 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. 4 The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 5 For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. 6 For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.

In doing some research in something I heard in a sermon, I read an article written by a person who thought they had grown up in a very God centered home. It seemed, that they were taught the ways of God, being good and upright. Only to come to realize that they had been mislead by the father figure – because of the choices that were made concerning what they read and were taught to believe.
The only Bible they read was the Jefferson Bible. History records that Thomas Jefferson created what’s often called the Jefferson Bible, officially titled: The Life and Morals of Jesus of Nazareth. Jefferson used a razor and glue to cut passages from the New Testament and paste them into a blank book.

Jefferson created a version of the Bible without references to Jesus’ divinity, miracles, and resurrection, keeping only His ethical and moral teachings.

The writer of the article shared that when they entered college and was invited into a campus Christian group that there was reference to miracles, the virgin birth, death and resurrection but most importantly that God had come to earth as fully God and fully human for the sole purpose of offering salvation and forgiveness of sins to all who would accept Jesus as Savior. Then to move into living a life of following the real Jesus and a life of discipleship.

I have been mulling over this the last couple of weeks realizing that there are places in my life and I witness it in many other lives that we are or have been shielded from seeing, knowing, and experiencing God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in many different ways.

I have said this before, maybe in a different way but I fully believe that the enemy’s greatest strategy is not always outright destruction—it is distraction. If Satan and the world can keep our eyes shielded from Jesus, then we miss the only One who reveals the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit in truth and power.

The world offers countless substitutes: success, pleasure, possessions, philosophies, and even distorted versions of faith. These become —shields—that keep people from seeing the true God. Evil works tirelessly to blind hearts and minds, convincing us that we can live without Jesus.

But Jesus is not just another good teacher or a moral voice among many—He is the Son of God, the visible image of the invisible Father, the one who baptizes us in the Spirit and truth. To know Him is to know God fully. To be shielded from Him is to remain in darkness.

The good news is this: nothing can break through the shield of lies like the light of Christ. Nothing can teach us like God’s word. Nothing when we become real with Jesus can change us and shine light in the midst of darkness. When we call on Him, and listen, and lean in the shield of doubt and hopelessness is lifted or at least it should be. The Spirit removes the blindness, and we see clearly that Jesus is our Savior, our Lord, and our life.

This is why in our preaching and teaching we are returning to the starting point – returning to the teachings of scripture, not just what we want to hear or read but what we need to know. This is why orthodoxy and holiness become so very important as we move into a life of full surrender to the will of God.

Today, I want to encourage you to go deeper. Deeper into the word of God, deeper into relationship with God, gathering with unity and devotion in the “apostles teaching, the breaking of bread, fellowship, and prayer” (Acts 2:42)

Please also know this morning if you are feeling a distance – you need to return to God – with all your heart, mind, and soul. You are the one who has moved ! For what ever reason, you are the one who has moved, God has remained steadfast. You are the one who has moved!

As always, I am available to help you in that journey in any way possible –

Prayers for you for a day full of encountering God in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

Pastor Calvin Cook