The Trial After Transformation

Why does it seem like just as things are going well that something always happens?  Some people call it Murphy’s Law that if something bad can happen it will.  It just seems like that the storms and trials of life always happen at the pinnacle of a good and blessed situation.  I suppose it may have something to do with the envy of the enemy not wanting the people of God to be blessed, it may have something to do with our inability to sustain goodness because of our pride and sinful nature, and it may have something to do with chance.  Or, maybe the trial that comes your way, just when things seem to be going so well happen because God is allowing life to try us in order to determine whether or not the transformation or blessing in our life was real and permanent and not just theatrical and temporary.  This is almost expected for the child of God. Throughout the scriptures and history there is always a “trial after transformation.” 

-It was just after Adam and Eve was living it up did they introduce sin into the world.

-It was just after Joseph was blessed with the coat of many colors that he was sold into slavery  

-Then after Joseph was elevated to the head of Potiphar’s house was he falsely accuse of rape

-It was just after Moses had delivered the Hebrews from slavery that he found them to have begun worshiping a golden calf.

-It was just after David had saved King Saul’s life did Saul try and kill David.

-It was just after Solomon built the temple did his heart turn to serve other gods.

-It was just after Daniel and his friends were promoted in their leadership did they find themselves in the fiery furnace and in the lion’s den.

-It was just after Jesus’ Baptism that he was led into the desert to be tempted by the devil.

-It was just after being Lazarus was raised from the dead did the Pharisees plot to kill him.

-It was just after Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem when the people shouted “hosanna” did they turn around and a have humiliating exit while the people then shouted “crucify Him”.  (Give historical examples)

There seems to always be a trial after transformation.  James says “count it joy brethren when you find yourself in various trials knowing that the trying of your faith produces perseverance”. So, not only is this expected but it can also be beneficial, because after all, if God blessed you prior to the trial then God is not going allow the trial to undo what He has transformed.  Now, God will not allow you be tested beyond what you are able to stand.  So, if you find yourself in a test, if you do not fare well it’s not God’s fault.  (preach)

(Review the story up to this point)

1. Stay True (v.13-22)

        In face of tradition

They put this man on trial and immediately they begin to attack Jesus as a means of discrediting the healing.  They try to tear down Jesus so the man’s healing experience will be explained as something else besides a miracle done by Jesus.  (Exegete 13).  So, here is the question, here is the lesson.  When you are faced with a tough situation and/or trail will you still have good things to say about Jesus?  Or, will you cave in to the pressure of the nay sayers around you?  Will you still regard Jesus as your savior and healer or will you discredit him by denying him?  And these might seem like polar opposites and you might say, “I wouldn’t deny my Jesus, even in the worst circumstance” yeah, Peter said the same thing and later denied Jesus three times.  You say or thing you will have be faithful, I hope so, but it’s easier said than done.  Because it’s easy to speak highly of God when everything is everything. But, let somebody…. (Run here). 

        Even in you stand alone

So they call the man’s parents in.  They do this because they want proof that this is not a gimmick and that he was really once blind.  The begin to dig in the man’s past to see if there is any fault there so that they will have something to discredit his transformation.  But, I love what they do. The parents are too afraid to acknowledge the blessing because they don’t want to get kicked out of Church.  They let their fear frustrate their faith.  Instead of praising God for the miracle of their son’s sight they throw their son under the bus.  And sometimes it may be like that that when you are under trial you may have to face it alone.  But, don’t lose heart the God who blessed you in the first place is able to carry you through the trial.

2. Share your Testimony (v.23-25)

I like to hear stories of healing and to meet people who the Lord has healed.  Because if you have ever been healed by God you carry a certain type of testimony and experience that some may not have.  And when you talk to people who have been delivered of a sickness or an addiction or anything like that they all have something in common. They never want to return back to the pain of that sickness.  If you have been on your deathbed and God raised you up, I’m sure you are not in any hurry to get back to that place.  If God healed your body of cancer I’m sure you don’t want to invite that back into your body.  If you were set free from anything I’m sure that you don’t have a desire to be addicted again.  Why? Because you choose to walk in your blessing.  If I hit the power ball y’all, I may not go crazy and buy up everything.  But, you better believe I’m going to get something.   Because when you walk in your blessing or when you publicly display what God has done for you it brings glory to God.   Which is ironic because I v.24 they tell him to “Give glory to God” and that’s just what he did.  He said, “I may not know much about Jesus but I do know one thing.  I was bling and now I see” So go ahead and face that trial knowing that even though it rough right now you are still better off than the way you were before.  You may not understand the circumstances why, but you understand what. I don’t know much about how he worked, but I understand that he worked.  I was blind, but now I see.

-I was poor but now my needs are met (*...so now I’ll share what I have)

-I was sick but now I’m well (*…so now I’ll live everyday like it’s my last)

-I was depressed but now I have joy (*…so now I’m going to spread joy to others)

-I was hungry but now I’m fed (*…so now I’ll feed the hungry)

-I was lonely but now I have a church family (*…so now I’ll invite someone to church)

-I was foolish but God gave me wisdom (*…so now I won’t act a fool)

-I was unemployed but now I have a good paying job (*…so now I’ll work above and beyond)

-I was weak but God gave me strength (*…so now I’ll be there for someone else)

-I was blind but now I see. (*…I’m going to look at everything and tell the world about Jesus)

Amazing Grace how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost but now I’m found was blind but now I see.

(Go back and redo the run*)

 You may not have much but you better work with what you got.  And you better realize that what you got is more than you deserve.

If God blessed you publicly than you out to keep it public and not private.

That’s why I love Forest Gump! Y’all remember Forest don’t you?  He was born with a crooked spin and couldn’t walk right but one day, Forest took a rock to the head, and he heard the voice of Jenny say “run, Forest, run” and he started running and from that day forward he was able to run.

3. Speak the truth (v.26-34)

Reminder

The man who was healed by Jesus continues to speak the truth despite the current circumstance.  He runs the risk of being put out of his community and even facing death but he does not stop talking.  The moment you stop telling the truth is the moment the enemy has won.  Not only does this man keep his courage to speak the truth but he also turns the tides a little bit.  Up until now he has not defended himself or Jesus, but in order for this trial to end he is going to have to step out on faith and share not just his testimony but also plead his case.

People will try and discourage you from sharing your faith and your testimony but don’t let them.  People will call you crazy for praying to a God that you can’t see, but pray anyway.  People will talk about you because you worship a God you can never see.  Worship any way.  And when you find yourself in a trial telling the truth may just be what gets you out.  He tells the Pharisees that there has never in the history of the world be a person who can open the eyes of the blind.  So basically what Jesus has done has proven who Jesus is.  So when you tell of what God has done for you it will remind you of what Jesus did and who Jesus is.

Strengthen your faith

Once you start talking about God it will make you feel better about your trials.  When you speak the word of God your faith will increase “faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God”.  This man in our story begins shy but by the end of the chapter he can’t stop talking. And now he has completely reversed the situation onto them.  He is now teaching them.  All because he is speaking the truth about what God has done.  And all the things he says are supported by the word. Which leads to me believe that it don’t matter what is going on in my life I know that there is a word for that. (There is an app for that..run)

Bats use Echo-Location

He starts out in the story not knowing where Jesus was from or if He was a sinner, but because his faith is strengthened he know can say, “he is not a sinner because he does the will of God, and he knows where Jesus is from because He says he is from Heaven.”

Possible the story of little boy getting kid napped and sings gospel until released.