I AM...The Light of the World
Who Is Jesus? I AM! • Sermon • Submitted
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· 6 viewsJesus is the Light of the world, but in HIs absence we become the extension of that light.
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Transgression speaks to the ungodly within his heart; There is no fear of God before his eyes. For it flatters him in his own eyes Concerning the discovery of his iniquity and the hatred of it. The words of his mouth are wickedness and deceit; He has ceased to be wise and to do good. He plans wickedness upon his bed; He sets himself on a path that is not good; He does not despise evil. Your lovingkindness, O Lord, extends to the heavens, Your faithfulness reaches to the skies. Your righteousness is like the mountains of God; Your judgments are like a great deep. O Lord, You preserve man and beast. How precious is Your lovingkindness, O God! And the children of men take refuge in the shadow of Your wings. They drink their fill of the abundance of Your house; And You give them to drink of the river of Your delights. For with You is the fountain of life; In Your light we see light. O continue Your lovingkindness to those who know You, And Your righteousness to the upright in heart.
As He passed by, He saw a man blind from birth. And His disciples asked Him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he would be born blind?” 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. “We must work the works of Him who sent Me as long as it is day; night is coming when no one can work. “While I am in the world, I am the Light of the world.” When He had said this, He spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and applied the clay to his eyes, and said to him, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam” (which is translated, Sent). So he went away and washed, and came back seeing. Therefore the neighbors, and those who previously saw him as a beggar, were saying, “Is not this the one who used to sit and beg?” Others were saying, “This is he,” still others were saying, “No, but he is like him.” He kept saying, “I am the one.” So they were saying to him, “How then were your eyes opened?” He answered, “The man who is called Jesus made clay, and anointed my eyes, and said to me, ‘Go to Siloam and wash’; so I went away and washed, and I received sight.”
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.” So the Pharisees said to Him, “You are testifying about Yourself; Your testimony is not true.” Jesus answered and said to them, “Even if I testify about Myself, My testimony is true, for I know where I came from and where I am going; but you do not know where I come from or where I am going. “You judge according to the flesh; I am not judging anyone. “But even if I do judge, My judgment is true; for I am not alone in it, but I and the Father who sent Me. “Even in your law it has been written that the testimony of two men is true. “I am He who testifies about Myself, and the Father who sent Me testifies about Me.” So they were saying to Him, “Where is Your Father?” Jesus answered, “You know neither Me nor My Father; if you knew Me, you would know My Father also.” These words He spoke in the treasury, as He taught in the temple; and no one seized Him, because His hour had not yet come. Then He said again to them, “I go away, and you will seek Me, and will die in your sin; where I am going, you cannot come.” So the Jews were saying, “Surely He will not kill Himself, will He, since He says, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come’?” And He was saying to them, “You are from below, I am from above; you are of this world, I am not of this world. “Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for unless you believe that I am He, you will die in your sins.” So they were saying to Him, “Who are You?” Jesus said to them, “What have I been saying to you from the beginning? “I have many things to speak and to judge concerning you, but He who sent Me is true; and the things which I heard from Him, these I speak to the world.” They did not realize that He had been speaking to them about the Father. So Jesus said, “When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He, and I do nothing on My own initiative, but I speak these things as the Father taught Me. “And He who sent Me is with Me; He has not left Me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to Him.” As He spoke these things, many came to believe in Him. So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, “If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” They answered Him, “We are Abraham’s descendants and have never yet been enslaved to anyone; how is it that You say, ‘You will become free’?” Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is the slave of sin. “The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son does remain forever. “So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed. “I know that you are Abraham’s descendants; yet you seek to kill Me, because My word has no place in you. “I speak the things which I have seen with My Father; therefore you also do the things which you heard from your father.” They answered and said to Him, “Abraham is our father.” Jesus said to them, “If you are Abraham’s children, do the deeds of Abraham. “But as it is, you are seeking to kill Me, a man who has told you the truth, which I heard from God; this Abraham did not do. “You are doing the deeds of your father.” They said to Him, “We were not born of fornication; we have one Father: God.” Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I proceeded forth and have come from God, for I have not even come on My own initiative, but He sent Me. “Why do you not understand what I am saying? It is because you cannot hear My word. “You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies. “But because I speak the truth, you do not believe Me. “Which one of you convicts Me of sin? If I speak truth, why do you not believe Me? “He who is of God hears the words of God; for this reason you do not hear them, because you are not of God.” The Jews answered and said to Him, “Do we not say rightly that You are a Samaritan and have a demon?” Jesus answered, “I do not have a demon; but I honor My Father, and you dishonor Me. “But I do not seek My glory; there is One who seeks and judges. “Truly, truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps My word he will never see death.” The Jews said to Him, “Now we know that You have a demon. Abraham died, and the prophets also; and You say, ‘If anyone keeps My word, he will never taste of death.’ “Surely You are not greater than our father Abraham, who died? The prophets died too; whom do You make Yourself out to be?” Jesus answered, “If I glorify Myself, My glory is nothing; it is My Father who glorifies Me, of whom you say, ‘He is our God’; and you have not come to know Him, but I know Him; and if I say that I do not know Him, I will be a liar like you, but I do know Him and keep His word. “Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day, and he saw it and was glad.” So the Jews said to Him, “You are not yet fifty years old, and have You seen Abraham?” Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was born, I am.” Therefore they picked up stones to throw at Him, but Jesus hid Himself and went out of the temple.
As He passed by, He saw a man blind from birth. And His disciples asked Him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he would be born blind?” 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. “We must work the works of Him who sent Me as long as it is day; night is coming when no one can work. “While I am in the world, I am the Light of the world.” When He had said this, He spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and applied the clay to his eyes, and said to him, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam” (which is translated, Sent). So he went away and washed, and came back seeing. Therefore the neighbors, and those who previously saw him as a beggar, were saying, “Is not this the one who used to sit and beg?” Others were saying, “This is he,” still others were saying, “No, but he is like him.” He kept saying, “I am the one.” So they were saying to him, “How then were your eyes opened?” He answered, “The man who is called Jesus made clay, and anointed my eyes, and said to me, ‘Go to Siloam and wash’; so I went away and washed, and I received sight.”
As He passed by, He saw a man blind from birth. And His disciples asked Him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he would be born blind?” 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. “We must work the works of Him who sent Me as long as it is day; night is coming when no one can work. “While I am in the world, I am the Light of the world.” When He had said this, He spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and applied the clay to his eyes, and said to him, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam” (which is translated, Sent). So he went away and washed, and came back seeing. Therefore the neighbors, and those who previously saw him as a beggar, were saying, “Is not this the one who used to sit and beg?” Others were saying, “This is he,” still others were saying, “No, but he is like him.” He kept saying, “I am the one.” So they were saying to him, “How then were your eyes opened?” He answered, “The man who is called Jesus made clay, and anointed my eyes, and said to me, ‘Go to Siloam and wash’; so I went away and washed, and I received sight.”
John 9:1-12
Title: I AM...The Bread of Life
Text:
Introduction:
I think it was the summer of 2011 that I had an awesome opportunity to travel with a lady and her two sons on a huge trip. We traveled by car and went from Pennsylvania to North Dakota, to Colorado, to Kentucky and back home. We stopped at as many of the main attractions as we could visiting places like Yellowstone, Mount Rushmore, Grand Canyon and so forth. Many, Many places let me tell you. One of our final stops was the Mammoth Caves in Kentucky. In a tour they wound us down and down trails deep into the cave showing us the many incredible features found in caves. At one point, they told us to hold fast to our handrail as they were going to turn out the lights momentarily. If you have never been in a cave, you have no idea of what dark is. The dark of night is no comparison since even the quarter moon or an eclipse gives off some light. We hardly need nightlights anymore because if your house is like mine, you have multiple modern electrical devices shining forth blue, red or green displays.
However, in the depths of this cave it was so dark, you could not even remain standing without holding onto something. It was kind of like floating in space. There was absolutely no point of reference for what was up, down, left or right and it made it difficult to stay on your feet.
I recently watched a movie that was a true story of a man they had attempted to rescue in a cave in Utah. Unfortunately, they were unsuccessful and had to rescue the rescuer instead. This man had gotten himself pinned in a downward manner so his head was hanging downwards. It was a narrow shaft. He had a headlamp on his helmet, but the rescuer told him he should turn if off at times to conserve the battery. In those times when the light was off, he struggled to keep calm. You see, light provides hope. Without light, there seems to be no hope.
The way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know what they stumble over.
This world lives in darkness, but there is hope. For a Light has entered this world and continues to shine forth for those who wish to be delivered from the darkness, even today.
Stand with me as I read our text.
Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.” Then the Pharisees said to him, “You are testifying on your own behalf; your testimony is not valid.” Jesus answered, “Even if I testify on my own behalf, my testimony is valid because I know where I have come from and where I am going, but you do not know where I come from or where I am going. You judge by human standards; I judge no one. Yet even if I do judge, my judgment is valid; for it is not I alone who judge, but I and the Father who sent me. In your law it is written that the testimony of two witnesses is valid. I testify on my own behalf, and the Father who sent me testifies on my behalf.” Then they said to him, “Where is your Father?” Jesus answered, “You know neither me nor my Father. If you knew me, you would know my Father also.” He spoke these words while he was teaching in the treasury of the temple, but no one arrested him, because his hour had not yet come.
John
Pray
“You shall celebrate the Feast of Booths seven days after you have gathered in from your threshing floor and your wine vat; and you shall rejoice in your feast, you and your son and your daughter and your male and female servants and the Levite and the stranger and the orphan and the widow who are in your towns. “Seven days you shall celebrate a feast to the Lord your God in the place which the Lord chooses, because the Lord your God will bless you in all your produce and in all the work of your hands, so that you will be altogether joyful. “Three times in a year all your males shall appear before the Lord your God in the place which He chooses, at the Feast of Unleavened Bread and at the Feast of Weeks and at the Feast of Booths, and they shall not appear before the Lord empty-handed.
“Speak to the sons of Israel, saying, ‘On the fifteenth of this seventh month is the Feast of Booths for seven days to the Lord.
Deut
“You shall celebrate the Feast of Booths seven days after you have gathered in from your threshing floor and your wine vat; and you shall rejoice in your feast, you and your son and your daughter and your male and female servants and the Levite and the stranger and the orphan and the widow who are in your towns. “Seven days you shall celebrate a feast to the Lord your God in the place which the Lord chooses, because the Lord your God will bless you in all your produce and in all the work of your hands, so that you will be altogether joyful. “Three times in a year all your males shall appear before the Lord your God in the place which He chooses, at the Feast of Unleavened Bread and at the Feast of Weeks and at the Feast of Booths, and they shall not appear before the Lord empty-handed.
Deut 16:13-16
The Feast of Tabernacles is an important part of Jesus’ I Am declaration this week. I want you to watch a couple videos to get a little of the feel of today’s text environment.
https://youtu.be/afzMOzM0hek Feast of Tabernacles, Day of Discovery, 4.51
https://youtu.be/OqZ3vVhGTRc, The Light of the World, Day of Discovery, 1.52
I. The Feast of Tabernacles
I. The Feast of Tabernacles
A. The Man of the hour is Jesus
A. The Man of the hour is Jesus
1. Jesus is the topic of discussion at the feast
2. The Jewish leaders are watching for Jesus to arrive in order to kill Him
3. Jesus slips in unobtrusively well into the week and begins teaching (7:15-19,21-24)
4. The crowd's attention of Jesus intensifies, but they cannot believe Him because they feel they know His earthly family background. Jesus then cries out to the crowd in response,
Then Jesus cried out as he was teaching in the temple, “You know me, and you know where I am from. I have not come on my own. But the one who sent me is true, and you do not know him. I know him, because I am from him, and he sent me.”
5. The Pharisees attempt to seize Him but fail and many in the crowd begin to believe (believe, but not yet put faith into).
6. The positive responses from the crowd panic the Sanhedrin and on this final day of the feast, they send temple guards to arrest Him.
7. The guards arrive at about the time of the water libation ceremony.
So when Jesus stands and declares he is the "living water" was a huge event. He was stating he was the answer to their prayers. As the guards arrive, they hear Jesus for themselves and they witness the Water libation ceremony and witness Jesus stand and say, .
So when Jesus stands and declares he is the "living water" was a huge event. He was stating he was the answer to their prayers. As the guards arrive, they hear Jesus for themselves and they witness the Water libation ceremony and witness Jesus stand and say, .
In this ceremony, water was drawn from the pool of Siloam. The pool of Siloam was fresh water, always running, spring fed...living water. It was then poured on the altar and communicated a desire for God to send living water to them on that day. Every year at this time, the Jews expected the glory of God to be manifested in their Temple. It was the tradition to pour out this water with the expectation of God showing up. It is at this important and expectant moment that Jesus stands and declares... .
Now on the last day, the great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. “He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.’ ”
Essentially, He is saying, “I am the answer to your prayers. The one you are waiting for.” Well the guards witness this and they are not so sure the crowd isn’t right about Him. They are reluctant to arrest Jesus and return to the Sanhedrin without Him.
and they are about to miss it!
The water was drawn from the pool of Siloam. It was drawn from here as it was fresh water, always running, spring fed...living water. It was then poured on the altar and communicated a desire for God to send living water to them on that day. So when Jesus stands and declares he is the "living water" was a huge event. He was stating he was the answer to their prayers.
Therefore you will joyously draw water From the springs of salvation.
8. The Pharisees declare the guards "deceived" and Jesus slips through their hands once again. The Pharisees were big on worship of God and yet, God was among them and they denied Him and even sought to kill Him. They had no true comprehension or relationship with the God they worshipped. Their worship was not authentic.
B. Authentic worship of God is only possible through a relationship with God.
B. Authentic worship of God is only possible through a relationship with God.
Application:
The Feast of Tabernacles was mandated by God. However, the lighting of the huge menorahs/candelabras and the water libation were not instructions from God. They were traditions the Israelites began to remember and to facilitate their worship. Jesus in no way condemned these practices. I am sure He was pleased with the practice, however, He wanted them to see that it was not their worship by which they were saved. The light of God they were celebrating was Him and He had come to dwell with them once again.
The
Unfortunately, they did not recognize Him. They were unable to recognize Him because even though they gave lip service to God, they really did not know God. It was no big deal to keep the Feast times. They were parties and celebrations. Everyone likes the good feelings they get by gathering to party. However, there were many other Laws from God that they never obeyed. They never kept the Sabbath laws as they should. Sabbath became a drudgery because of all their man-made rules they attached to it. However, the land Sabbath’s to give the earth rest, were not followed. The year of Jubilee was not abided by. This year of Jubilee would have taken care of the poor and kept the land owning among the Jews, but there is no evidence that the Jews ever followed God’s mandated practices for these.
In our world today, we have many worship traditions. Music has become the center of our worship. It is a great “industry” today. On television they love to show large churches with most with arms in the air. Tears are streaming down people’s faces and everyone feels good. But just because someone gets excited or cries and puts their arms in the air does not mean that they have a connection to God. Now don’t get me wrong, as their are times we do these things and we are connected to God. We truly love God and that does lead us to being blessed in these ways. But I am concerned that more people are caught up in the emotional feel good and it never translates to a true relationship with God. How do I know? Because when they leave the church their lives are no different than anyone else’s. I have probably shared this story before, but I think it has been awhile. I was in a huge Christian conference in Georgia. It went on for 3-4 days. I had flown there and was staying at a hotel, so I took a taxi each day as I came and went from the event. The evening just before the final day, they had a large evening of just worship much like I have just described. The next day, the cab driver (who owned this particular cab company) asked me, “Is this a Christian conference?” I shared that it was and then he made this comment to me. “I am sad to hear that as I consider myself a Christian. However, aside from you, these people have been some of the rudest, most inconsiderate customers I have ever had.” He then proceeded to tell me some of what had occurred. He then thanked me and said they had enjoyed me as I was always so polite and gracious and that was why he shared with me what he did.
In our world today, we have many worship traditions. But these traditions mean nothing if they do not connect us with the God we worship. Worship traditions are meant to point us to God and connect us to Him. When they serve that purpose, we are filled with living water and can leave the worship rejoicing, but all too many leave unaffected. It makes them feel good, but no real change takes place in their lives.
Worship traditions mean nothing if they do not connect us with the God we worship. Worship traditions are meant to point us to God and connect us to Him. When they serve that purpose, we are filled with living water and can leave the worship rejoicing, but all too many leave unaffected. It makes them feel good, but no real change takes place in their lives.
To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.
Samuel said, “Has the Lord as much delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices As in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, And to heed than the fat of rams.
I Samuel :
and to love Him with all the heart and with all the understanding and with all the strength, and to love one’s neighbor as himself, is much more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.”
II. The Day After the Feast of Tabernacles
II. The Day After the Feast of Tabernacles
II. The Day After
II. The Day After
A. Jesus makes the second great I AM statement.
A. Jesus makes the second great I AM statement.
1. It is clean up day for the Temple. The lamps are extinguished and the people are beginning to disband and return to normal routines.
2. A woman caught in adultery is brought before Jesus in hopes of discrediting Him. The Pharisees cry out to Jesus to demand her punishment by stoning as prescribed in the law of Moses. They know that if Jesus does, the common people will no longer follow Him, but if He doesn’t they show He has violated the law. As they make their demands, Jesus draws in the sand. As Jesus continues drawing in the sand he says, “He who is without sin, throw the first stone” and they suddenly turn and leave. What did Jesus write? Keep in mind that the day before He had just declared Himself the "living water" and consider this verse, as it is believed by some that Jesus wrote in the dirt this prophecy found in Jeremiah.
Lord, you are the hope of Israel; all who forsake you will be put to shame. Those who turn away from you will be written in the dust because they have forsaken the Lord, the spring of living water.
It is shortly after this incident that we hear Jesus declare His next I Am statement.
3. Perhaps amid comments of the dimness after all the light, Jesus makes His next I AM statement.
3. Perhaps amid comments of the dimness after all the light, Jesus makes His next I AM statement.
3. The Feast has ended. Cleanup is commencing. The Priests in charge of the giant Menorahs are probably doing the work of extinguishing the flames. Perhaps the people in the courtyard are commenting on the dimness after all the light and Jesus says,
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.”
4. The Pharisees challenge Him that His witness concerning Himself is not valid.
5. Jesus responds:
Jesus answered and said to them, “Even if I testify about Myself, My testimony is true, for I know where I came from and where I am going; but you do not know where I come from or where I am going. “You judge according to the flesh; I am not judging anyone.
John
a. vv 14-15 a Jesus has a spiritual perspective that sees and knows all while they can only make assumptions based on their limited physical understanding and perspective.
a. vv 14-15 a Jesus has a spiritual perspective that sees and knows all while they can only make assumptions based on their limited physical understanding and perspective.
a. vv 14-15 a Jesus has a spiritual perspective that sees and knows all while they can only make assumptions based on their limited physical understanding and perspective.
“You judge according to the flesh; I am not judging anyone. “But even if I do judge, My judgment is true; for I am not alone in it, but I and the Father who sent Me.
John 8:
b. vv 15b-16 Jesus judges no one based on assumption, because He knows the full truth from God the Father who knows all hearts of all people.
“Even in your law it has been written that the testimony of two men is true. “I am He who testifies about Myself, and the Father who sent Me testifies about Me.”
c. vv 17 - 18 Jesus uses their own law of the testimony of two (still valid today), to prove His claim. He is the first witness and God the Father is the second witness as evidenced through the fulfilled prophecies of the O.T. (Jesus incarnation facts, His character, His teachings and signs, even His rejection by these leaders), John the Baptist sent by the Father to bear testimony, the events of Jesus baptism.
6. In an obtuse manner, the Pharisees inquire where Jesus father is, referring to His earthly father. However, Jesus responds affirming His Heavenly Father. .
So they were saying to Him, “Where is Your Father?” Jesus answered, “You know neither Me nor My Father; if you knew Me, you would know My Father also.”
7. The debate rages on. The Pharisees refuse to accept what Jesus is saying. It is a losing battle because there is no way they can fight against the truth that Jesus states. They claim God's approval of them based on their descendant Abraham. If that was all it took, even Ishmael would have been a son born of the promise, but he was not. Jesus tells them that a true heir of Abraham would respond as Abraham did. Abraham's righteousness was from God because of his obedience to God. However, these current Jews no such relationship with God. They have judged Jesus a sinner for healing on the Sabbath and yet they circumcise their children on the Sabbath.
Abraham was obedient to God, yet the Jews since have continued to act in disobedience. They may have kept their man-made laws, but many of the laws of God were never adhered to (true Sabbath laws, Sabbath laws of the land, year of Jubilee, etc...)
8. Then comes the end of this discussion with Jesus final response.
Jesus answered, “If I glorify Myself, My glory is nothing; it is My Father who glorifies Me, of whom you say, ‘He is our God’; and you have not come to know Him, but I know Him; and if I say that I do not know Him, I will be a liar like you, but I do know Him and keep His word. “Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day, and he saw it and was glad.” So the Jews said to Him, “You are not yet fifty years old, and have You seen Abraham?” Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was born, I am.”
Ego eimi…I exist!
Ego eimi…I exist!
...ego eimi.
...ego eimi.
9. They are so outraged by His declaration, they pick up stones to kill Him, but He silently slips right through them. He eludes their grasp for a third time in as many days.
10. The Pharisees were proud to be called God’s chosen people as it made them special. However, they had no interest in sharing God with others.
B. Worship should encourage us to share God with others.
B. Worship should encourage us to share God with others.
Application:
The Jews loved their celebrations. They were proud to be called God's chosen people. They boasted in ,
“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,
but ignored .
To open blind eyes, To bring out prisoners from the dungeon And those who dwell in darkness from the prison.
What about us? We come and rejoice (or say we rejoice) and give praise to God for all He does for us when we are in the church, but do we leave here and proclaim the same to the world outside? (; ).
“Now no one after lighting a lamp covers it over with a container, or puts it under a bed; but he puts it on a lampstand, so that those who come in may see the light.
“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; 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. “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.
Or are we like the men at the conference in Georgia. We give wonderful lip service to God in the church, but when we leave the church we live no differently than anyone else. There is no evidence by our language, by what we drink, by how we act, that our life is any different than anyone else’s. Because if we really know God, our lives do change. The unholy practices of the world are no longer a part of our life.
III. Jesus Final Proof
III. Jesus Final Proof
A. Healing of a man born blind (John 9:1-11)
A. Healing of a man born blind (John 9:1-11)
1. As Jesus leaves the Temple with His disciples, they come across a man born blind. The disciples think this man is blind due to sin, but Jesus asserts that this man is blind so that God can do a special work in his life revealing evidence of God. ()
2. Jesus then stoops and spits on the ground. He makes mud and places it on the man's eyes. Then Jesus sends him to bath his eyes in the pool of Siloam. This is no ordinary pool of water. This is the very pool of water that the water libation was drawn from. Jesus is very purposeful in this. Jesus could have healed the man outright, but He does not. He is sending a clear message to the Pharisees.
3. The man washes his eyes and his sight is restored. The Pharisees would hear of this and they knew the water could not heal, but Jesus just did. He had performed a miracle that was considered a Messianic miracle. Blindness from birth was considered a curse from God and it was believed that only God could heal a man blind from birth. Jesus has just shown His disciples and the Sanhedrin that He is who He claims.
4. Due to the Messianic implications of this healing, the man is quickly taken before the Pharisees. They interrogate the man regarding how he came to be healed. He tells them, but they refuse to believe him.
5. The Pharisees then send for his parents. They interrogate them asking if he was really born blind. The Pharisees ask them how it is that he now can see. They say they can see that it is him and he is able to see, but they have no knowledge of what has occurred. These poor people are totally in the dark (pardon the pun) about what has occurred and they are terrified of the Pharisees and what actions they may take against them, so they refer them back to their son stating he is old enough to speak for himself, so ask him.
6. The Pharisees interrogate the man a second time. They still refuse to believe and then they are stopped in their tracks when this man of no education makes an incredible statement that puts them to shame. .
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. “We know that God does not hear sinners; but if anyone is God-fearing and does His will, He hears him. “Since the beginning of time it has never been heard that anyone opened the eyes of a person born blind. “If this man were not from God, He could do nothing.”
7. The Pharisees are so enraged by his statement that they excommunicate the man on the spot.
8. We then see the compassion of Jesus as he looks for the man. The man has suffered at the hands of the Pharisees on Jesus behalf. He offers the man the gift of life and the man declares his belief in Jesus and accepts.
B. The house of God is not a country club for those who have it all together, but a convalescent home for those who need healing
B. The house of God is not a country club for those who have it all together, but a convalescent home for those who need healing
Application:
There are many people walking around blind. They may see the physical road they are walking on, but they are completely blind to the spiritual path they are on. When was the last time you shared Jesus with another person? Perhaps you have blessed them with a gift or helping hand, but did you share with them why you did it? Do you know why you did it? Is it because you love God and seek to do His will or are you just seeking the glory for yourself? It feels good when people think you are generous. There are a lot of people out there that do good deeds, however, good deeds do not change a persons life. A good deed cannot get people out of the “deep, miry clay of their lives.” However, the good news of who Jesus Christ, who He is and how He gave His life for us, does change lives. It can move people from the despair of broken lives to lives of healing and promise.
Conclusion:
James Hudson Taylor was weary and ill and had gone to visit friends in Brighton, England, where he hoped to find rest and spiritual enrichment. It was Sunday, June 25, 1865, and he had accompanied his friends to the morning worship service; but Taylor was “unable to bear the sight of rejoicing multitudes in the house of God.”
He left the meeting and walked down to the seashore, his heart greatly burdened. How could so many believers be so joyful and yet do so very little to share that joy with the lost, especially the lost in China? On that Sunday morning, Hudson Taylor resolved that, with the Lord’s help, he would begin a mission to reach the lost of inland China. Two days later, he went to the London and County Bank and with a ten-pound note opened an account in the name of the China Inland Mission.
It means nothing to come giving praise and worship, if no action is ever taken outside these doors. However, worship is essential in our being able to share with the world outside. I would challenge you to spend 5-10 minutes each day in nothing but pure worship. Meditate on scriptures that talk about God’s characteristics. Psalms is a great place for these, especially the Psalms of King David. That man knew how to worship! Make a list of all the things God has done for you that you can remember and thank Him for it. Sing a song of praise and worship. Be careful that you find songs that talk about God and His attributes not those that just talk about us and His response to us.
Then think about the times you have given aid to someone. Did you use it as an opportunity to tell them about God? If not, think about that time and how you may have done it differently to provide that opportunity so you can have an idea how to do so next time. Ask God to show you ways that you can be involved in sharing His light to more people around you.
Think through your many acquaintances. Is there anyone you know who is hurting that you can share with and perhaps help them realize that God can bring light into their situation?
for you are all sons of light and sons of day. We are not of night nor of darkness; so then let us not sleep as others do, but let us be alert and sober. For those who sleep do their sleeping at night, and those who get drunk get drunk at night. But since we are of the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet, the hope of salvation.
I Thes
Pray and dismiss