Believing is seeing

Momma said, “Nothing good happens after midnight.”

Evil relies on the cover of darkness

71% of violent crime occurs at night.

You can’t see trouble coming at night.

Trial and error. I have a good sense of direction. Deer hunting scatter creek, stayed in the stand until dark.

John 8:12 NASB95

12 Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, “I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.”

John

The prophet Isaiah said the Messiah would be a light to the nations.

Isaiah 42:6 NASB95

6 “I am the Lord, I have called You in righteousness, I will also hold You by the hand and watch over You, And I will appoint You as a covenant to the people, As a light to the nations,

Isaiah 42:5 NASB95

5 Thus says God the Lord, Who created the heavens and stretched them out, Who spread out the earth and its offspring, Who gives breath to the people on it And spirit to those who walk in it,

Psalm 119:105 NASB95

105 Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.

Psalm 27:1 NASB95

1 The Lord is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The Lord is the defense of my life; Whom shall I dread?

We are called to be light.

John

Let Freedom Ring

Not sure what is so patriotic about celebrating our nation’s independence by shooting off fireworks made in China, but my neighbors believe in it.

Matthew 5:14 NASB95

14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden;

Matthew 5:14–16 NASB95

14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; 15 nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.

Matthew

Matthew 5:14-

A big title.

John 1:8 NASB95

8 He was not the Light, but he came to testify about the Light.

but the context is much different.

Jesus is the source of Light,

We are reflective light.

John 5:16 NASB95

16 For this reason the Jews were persecuting Jesus, because He was doing these things on the Sabbath.

Matthew 5:16 NASB95

16 “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.

flashlight vs. mirror.

There is a difference between artificial light and sun light. You ever walk out of the house with brown instead of black socks. One navy and one black.

Seeing is not always believing.

He and his disciples walk by a man born blind.

They asked who’s sin, this man or his parents caused his blindness.

People believe that it’s alway sin that causes bad things to happen to people.

When doing a self examination, that’s a good place to start.

Its a terrible way of thinking about other people, because you loose empathy for others.

This is common in Hindu countries. You are born in that station of life because you did bad things in a previous life. “Why should I interrupt you just punishment?”

Jesus set the record straight.

John 9:3–5 NASB95

3 Jesus answered, “It was neither that this man sinned, nor his parents; but it was so that the works of God might be displayed in him. 4 “We must work the works of Him who sent Me as long as it is day; night is coming when no one can work. 5 “While I am in the world, I am the Light of the world.”

John 9:3-

Jesus spat on the ground and made mud. put it on his eyes and told him to go to a certain pool and wash.

came back seeing.

People didn’t believe and brought him to the Pharisees

Did is on the Sabbath -

They questioned the blind man and he said, “He is a prophet.”

They didn’t believe he had been blind to they called his parents. Parents said this is our son, and he was born blind, not he sees.

They talk to the blind guy again.

John 9:27 NASB95

27 He answered them, “I told you already and you did not listen; why do you want to hear it again? You do not want to become His disciples too, do you?”

John 9:28 NASB95

28 They reviled him and said, “You are His disciple, but we are disciples of Moses.

John 9:

John 9:

We are disciples of Moses, but we don’t know where He is from.

John 9:30–34 NASB95

30 The man answered and said to them, “Well, here is an amazing thing, that you do not know where He is from, and yet He opened my eyes. 31 “We know that God does not hear sinners; but if anyone is God-fearing and does His will, He hears him. 32 “Since the beginning of time it has never been heard that anyone opened the eyes of a person born blind. 33 “If this man were not from God, He could do nothing.” 34 They answered him, “You were born entirely in sins, and are you teaching us?” So they put him out.

John 9:

A healed sinner is wiser than an unrepentant scholar.

There is a difference between wise and smart.

35 on the ACT, waiting tables.

Jesus revealed Himself to this man.

John 9:35–37 NASB95

35 Jesus heard that they had put him out, and finding him, He said, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?” 36 He answered, “Who is He, Lord, that I may believe in Him?” 37 Jesus said to him, “You have both seen Him, and He is the one who is talking with you.”

John 9:35

John 9:39 NASB95

39 And Jesus said, “For judgment I came into this world, so that those who do not see may see, and that those who see may become blind.”

John 9:38 NASB95

38 And he said, “Lord, I believe.” And he worshiped Him.

That is the acceptable response to Jesus. When you are weighted down with sin, and He forgives you, The only response, is to worship Him. Because I remember what it was like to be blind, I worship Him!

Do you remember?

If you remember what it was like to be blind, why do you keep closing your eyes?

Once your in the light, you can’t just duck back in the shadows when you want to.

You either love the light, or you love the darkness.

Jesus said this:

John 9:39 NASB95

39 And Jesus said, “For judgment I came into this world, so that those who do not see may see, and that those who see may become blind.”

Jesus isn’t contradicting Himself. He didn’t come the first time to judge the world, but because he came, what you say about Him carries with it, judgement.

John 9:

Accept Him or reject Him.

You are a sinner in need of a savior. You either were or are blind.

If you acknowledge him, your sins will be forgiven.

But if you’re like the Pharisees, and say, we see fine without Christ, your sin remains.

I’ll accept him later.

I got saved and baptised, I’m good.

I go to church, and I’m a good person.

I’m not that bad.

Because of Grace, I can’t live how I want.

If I don’t focus on Christ, I will focus on me. My desires, my problems, what I deserve, my will. Me, me, me.

Are you walking in the light?

Do you remember what it’s like to be blind?

Are you seeking His will or your own?