Joey Sampaga Sermon: The Tragedy of Spiritual Blindness, Luke 11:29–36

On Sunday, March 8, Pastor Joey Sampaga delivered a message from Luke 11:29–36, building on the previous week's warning about the danger of an outwardly cleaned but spiritually empty heart. Jesus calls the generation “evil” for demanding signs despite witnessing His miracles. He declares the only sign they will receive is the sign of Jonah—His own death and resurrection—comparing Himself to greater figures than Solomon and Jonah, yet rejected by His own people. He contrasts the Queen of Sheba’s eager journey for wisdom and Nineveh’s repentance at Jonah’s preaching with Israel’s refusal to accept the Son of God in their midst. Using the metaphor of a lamp, Jesus explains that the problem is not lack of light—He Himself is the blazing light—but spiritual blindness. A “bad eye” filled with pride, self-righteousness, and love of sin turns perceived light into darkness. False religions and moralism masquerade as truth but lead people astray. The pastor urged members to reject sign-seeking, strip away self-righteous trust in morality or tradition, admit spiritual blindness, repent, and plead for God to open their eyes to Christ. He warns that persistent rejection hardens hearts permanently and closes with a call to embrace the gospel’s light today, before it is too late.