Sunday, February 23, 2020 - ABIDE: I AM

Alright, well, good morning everybody. I'm Pastor Mark Pearson, this is Calvary Baptist Church. I'm so glad that you guys are here. Today. We are continuing on and our abide series. We're going to be in the Book of John chapter 9 today. So if you want to turn with your butt in your Bibles to there, if you don't have a Bible, there's one right there in front of you should be a black Bible and it's actually in the same translation that I use which is the csb. So if you have any trouble following along you should be able to use that Bible and look at the Gospel of John chapter 9 beginning of verse one. But before we go there, let's go ahead and go before the Lord in prayer. Bow your heads with me Father God we love you and thank you so much for this day. We look forward to hearing from your word and hearing from. What you have to say to us in and through these words. God guide us direct us now prepare our hearts even as we get ready to listen Lord that those that perhaps of come in with other things on their mind or you would clear their minds up and allow them to hear directly from you. Some of us have things that are deeply concerning and we understand those things can occupy our mind, but may we take a time now? To recognize you as the Lord and savior of the world and surrender this time to you to speak to us in whichever way. You see fit in Christ's name. We pray. Amen. So we are of course continuing on last week. We went through the rest of chapter 8 and we heard about Jesus Christ, of course, ultimately comparing himself not even compare himself declaring himself rather. I am as Abraham was I am we understand that it is not our profession that Jesus Christ is God, but it is his own profession and we are simply saying to him. We are in agreement with his profession a man as you come today. If you're a believer in Jesus Christ as your lord and savior that it's necessary that you understand that Jesus Christ is God and Jesus Christ is man that's beginning verse 1 chapter 9. Again, as he had said last week just a truly I tell you before Abraham was I am they said they picked up stones to throw at him verse 59 or chapter 8, but Jesus was hidden and went out of the temple as he was passing by he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him Rabbi who sinned this man or his parents that he was born blind. Let's stop there for just a second unless recognized first and foremost. The man had been blind from the point in which he was born. There is no question in the mind of the people that knew him best that this man was truly blind. Okay, and the reality is the testimony of the text tells us he was blind from birth. So what are the natural reactions of the disciples that are with Jesus recognize who's asking this question. His disciples asked him Rabbi or teacher as we know Rabbi means who sinned this man or his parents that he was born blind. So we get a little Glimpse in the picture of the mindset of the disciples at this moment in time that say they believe that when you see someone blind It means they've been punished by God anybody ever thought that in their life. I'll raise my hand. I certainly have in my time con to that process then why maybe the Lord has had a reason for allowing this person or these persons to go through a torment a time of an ailment a sickness and illness a loss of someone in their life. Something is happening God Is providing or producing a discipline in their life. That's what the disciples thought. But let's see what Jesus says in verse 3. neither this man nor his parents sinned. What is what do you know about enrollments for all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God? We understand that there is only one human being who's ever lived on the face of the Earth. That was without sin. His name was and is Jesus Christ? So is Jesus testifying in this text that these people were without sin the answer biblically is no, but we're about to get to the reason why he's specifying that they did not have sin. Neither this man or his parents and just answered this came about so that God's Works might be displayed in him. So here we now have in this short little Texas scripture. Hopefully something to help us understand why in the world would so and so such-and-such happen to people in our lives that we go man. Why would God let that happen? And that can literally be filled up with a number of things can't it? And I don't want to go down that road of those hard moments in our lives that we have lived and lost and seeing people perhaps suffer and ultimately died as a result of some sort of Affliction or issue or blindness or deafness or illness or something of that nature. We've all experienced those kinds of loss or we know someone who has And so the question should not be from us has how is that person sent to deserve that instead? We need to look at it from this perspective this perspective of Jesus Christ this came about so that what God's Works might be displayed in him. Here's what I know about the God that save me. The guy that save me in the guy that save you is about is going to do one thing above all other things. and it's not the primary mission of God's purpose in life is not for Mark Pearson. This life that I'm living is not about me. The life I'm living is because God has allowed me to live it. Now. I must seek. How can I return to God that which is his ultimately God is about his glory and if you think about it, no other person or deity has any right to Glory except for the one true. Cuz you would not give that to some false God. Would you if you found out that truly The Wizard of Oz was just a man behind a curtain. Would you give glory to The Wizard of Oz?

You would say it's just a man and the same thing is true of any person or thing claiming to be God that ultimately wound up not being God. You would say, why waste our time and energy on worshiping that finite that non Eternal thing. But here we have God the one true God who is about the purpose and business of glorifying himself. He's the only one that deserves the glory. He is giving glory to himself and so his will is ultimately what we know will come true. So this should then tell me as a person of faith that I don't have any business praying for those that are sick. Anil's is that what we're reading here? Absolutely not. Please do not leave from this place thinking the Pastor Mark told you it's okay. You don't have to pray for those that are ill or sick or in need to the contrary. God gives us an obligation to lift up our request to hear a man. The brain are petitions to him and asked him to intervene and to it intersect on our behalf to be a part of what we're doing. But ultimately whatever happens if you were praying that someone would remain with you on this Earth For an extended. Of time perhaps it's a young child and God chooses to let that child go away from you. You can come to this verse and recognize. What's the purpose and all this? What is the purpose in all this? I don't like this. This is making me angry. I don't What is the purpose is that this came about so that God's Works might be displayed in him. God is going to use any and everything. He wants to to bring about his glory. Amen. verse for we must do the works of him who sent me while it's day night is coming when no one can work. As long as I am in the world. I am the light of the world remember that that's the second time. He said it now in this book. I just been recorded. Please set specifically we must do the works of him who sent me while it is day night is coming. I want you guys to see this in the context of Jesus Christ saying this what would he mean by he must do this while he's in the day and that the night is coming. Well, many of the people that get together and study these things and have a much stronger understanding of some of the Greek and Hebrew understand or believe that this has to do with Jesus's time that's left here on Earth. He's talking about the amount of time. He has to do the things he has to do on Earth his Earthly Ministry is short and that's the day and at the time when he died rises again and goes home to be with the Lord and glory and sits at the right hand of the father. That would be considered the night time for him. You say what it doesn't sound like much of a night time assembly. Meaning that that time is past the opportunity for him to do what it is that God has sent him to do is coming short and he's got to get busy accomplishing the mission.

And here is my point to you from this.

I think we all know cuz we've had people in our Lives who unfortunately left this Earth what we believe to be too early that your day. May not be as long as you think it is that you need to be busy doing what God has given you to do while you have daylight left in your life. Because here's the reality folks the moment your life is taken from you the moment that God ask of your life to bring you home to be with him and Glory your opportunity to tell people about Jesus Christ on Earth is over. Do you understand that? But last time I checked unless somebody's written a horror movie about it. Nobody's coming out of those Graves over there and telling people about Jesus. So once the time and opportunity for you to share your faith is gone. It's gone Jesus saying let's get busy. We talked about it this morning in our Sunday school class this concept of omission if I tell you right now that I have a soldier who is on Mission. What does what comes to mind probably in uniform? Probably all geared up with his rifle loaded walking around looking for the enemy. We got to give that Soldier Support what? He's on Mission. Okay. Now let's think about this statement. a missionary on Mission I don't know about you guys, but I don't think the same way I think about a soldier on Mission. I don't think about what he or she needs to do as critical to the ultimate end game. We're at the soldier of a soldier messes up man. That that line of defense is broken in in potential you can lose that battle, but we don't see missionaries in that context. We don't see men and women of the Lord without serving in their Community as the front lines of defense against the enemy. What I'm saying to you today, when I hope the text is saying to you primarily is this if you are actively sitting back or your possibly sitting back and saying you know what that's not my fight.

Well, let me say this. If you say I'm physically unable to do that I can get behind the idea that you say I'm physically unable to do that Pastor, but here's my question. If your muscles aren't sore. And your legs aren't sore from marching and doing what God told you to do carrying the the rucksack or doing the heavy reloading the gods construction to do then your knees better be sore because you should be praying for those that are actively serving.

And that's of course figurative right? You don't have to pray on your knees. But if you don't have the physical capability to get done the things that God is wanting you to get done if you say I just don't have it anymore than I would be asked you to be diligent in your prayer life for those that are actively serving. I let me tell you this. My wife and I and our children need and covet your prayers.

We did get a chance to go to Fraser yesterday, and we enjoyed ourselves immensely. But here's the thing. I had at least three families who told me. Figures of leadership in the family paternal figures of leadership in families. Look at me and say Pastor Mark we will be there tomorrow. That are members of that community. And each person chose to not be there.

And I'll tell you the truth. I was frustrated in that moment.

But then I stopped at step back in in God kind of just said Mark. Is this the work that I'm doing or is this the work that you're doing? And I said Lord you write. I'm sorry. You may have some purpose in having us here without these families that we were hoping to reach and it may be something that we're going to get to do later down the road. But here's what I'm trying to get at. Today is that day? You may be tired. And I know I wore some people out last Sunday and and Monday and I am sorry that some people still have some soreness from that but I'm asking you to get busy and helping us do what we need to do in this community in the community down the road for ultimately God's purpose and God's glory. verse 6 after he said these things he spit on the ground made some mud from saliva and spread the mud on his eyes to itch. Most everybody in the room goes gross. Go he told them wash in the pool of Salome, which means sit so I left washed and came back see. Very nonchalant in the text, but don't miss what's happened. Jesus Christ has set before this man who was blind from? birth And chosen to spit on the ground. Make mud put that mud on the eyes of this individual and tell that individual go to the pool of Salome and wash and Salome mean said that he came back in what he was healed now. I was really one common comments are on this and I tend to really enjoy this analogy and thought process so I'm going to share it with you as well. I want you to think about this for just a second. When Jesus knelt down.

Spit on the ground and made mud.

I know that's gross, right. I don't want you to think about what that mud. might be symbolic of

symbolic of the mud that he formed Adam out of

And here is Jesus once again, because he was Creator in the beginning in Genesis. And here he is Creator again in this text and no he's not beginning a brand new life and breathing new Earthly life into it. What is he doing? He's beginning to breed eternal life into this individual. And so what we have to understand is that Jesus Christ is not just the author of our physical lives. He's also the author of our spiritual lives. That's why I think this analogy and thought process about why would Jesus do this? I don't understand it. I wouldn't have chosen to do that. Now. There was some Concepts in that day in the Roman culture in the in the in the people of that day in that area K where they believed that there was some healing properties in mud and even to this day, you know, some people that might go for a mud bath right facial mud facial still don't know why you do it. But hey if it's what you do do your thing. I don't think anybody's using their spit to make that mud. That's kind of gross. But my point is this. Get Beyond how it was made and recognize what it was. It was the element in which original creation to place the dust of the ground. And being breathed life into that new life. Let's continue to read.

Verse 8 his neighbors and those who had seen him before as a beggar said isn't this the one who used to sit begging? Some said he's the one others were saying. No, but he looks like him. He kept saying I'm the one so they asked him then how will your eyes open? He answered the Man Called. Jesus made mud spread it on my eyes and told me go to Salome and wash so when I went and washed, I receive my sight. Where is he they asked I don't know he said. First 13 they brought the man who used to be blind to the Pharisees the day that Jesus made the mud and open his eyes was a Sabbath. Then the Pharisees ask him again how he received his sight. So again, the Pharisees are trying to figure out who did this who made this magic gave you sites.

They asked varices again again who receipt who how he received his side. So you put metal my eyes. He told them I washed and I can see some of the Pharisee said this man is not from God because he doesn't keep the Sabbath but others were saying how can a sinful man perform such signs and there was a division among them. So if you're taking notes, I want you to write something down for number one. Number one. God is in charge and he will bring about his glory in any circumstance he wants. Second thing I want you to write down. Is that ultimately Christ is in charge of our healing? He's in charge of our physical healing and he's in charge of our spiritual healing.

Route 17m. What do you say about it? Since he opened your eyes. He's a prophet. He said the Jews did not believe this about him that he was blind receive sight until they summon the parents of the one who had received his side. So let's just put this in perspective. They pull the man who's been healed into their midst. They asked him. Have you been healed? Yes, I have by whom he'll do they he told him who it was they don't believe him. So what do they do go get the parents. Any of your parents want to go and testify for your kids today? I doubt that you do.

They asked them. Is this your son the one you say was born blind how then does he now see we know this is our son and that he was born blind his parents answered but we don't know how he now sees and we don't know who opened his eyes ask him. He is of age. He will speak for himself. His parents said these things because they were afraid the juice since the Jews had already agreed that if anyone confessed him as the Messiah, he would be banned from the synagogue. This is why his parents said he's of age ask him. So the parents say we don't know ask him. He's old enough to testify for himself. Why don't you get his testimony? And so what do they do?

So a second time they summon the man who have been blind and told him give glory to God we know this man is a sinner. So I want you to hear what's being said in verse 24. The Pharisees are staying to this man to testify about Jesus. He is a sinner Give glory to God and we know that because we know this man is a sinner verse 25 the man who was healed answers whether or not he's a sinner. I don't know one thing. I do know I was blind and now I can see

that's the man's testimony. I don't really understand it. I don't really know how it happened. I just know the reality of my life is I have been healed a man. Then they asked him what did he do to you? How did he open your eyes verse 27. I already told you. He said and you didn't listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you want to become his disciples? Do you do you want to become his disciples to?

And I love that cuz the man is pushing back. Here are the Pharisees cut almost badgering him wanting to know questioning him. Why how when when did this happen? Give us some evidence declare. This man is Messiah. We want to hold you accountable the parents. We was trying to pin the parents down hold this man accountable present him as Messiah so we can then prevent you from coming in the synagogue and hear this man says, I don't know much, but I know this I once was blind now I see.

I was thinking about it this morning actually. Cuz I went back. To the house for a little bit try to get finish getting ready for church. How many times have I heard and how many times have I made the excuse? But I just don't know how to talk to somebody about Jesus. I just don't know if I'm going to say the right things.

Folks you don't have to have a good story. You don't even have to know all the facts. The one thing that you should know if it's true about you is that you were once blind and now you can see amen. And if nothing else is true about your testimony that alone is the truth that God will use to reach someone with the reality that they cannot be saved short of Salvation in Jesus Christ.

Think right now for just a moment take inventory of your life right now and ask yourself who is in my life. That is not a child of God. Maybe a loved one that you care deeply for maybe a co-worker maybe a distant relative who knows who that person is. There might be someone at the checkout counter at the grocery store. Whoever that person or persons is coming up in your mind. Here's what I want you to hear me say they don't need to hear all the details.

What they need to hear you say is I've been healed. And that testimony of being healed when it is genuine when it is true. We're not going to be able to shut you up about it because you're going to want to tell anybody and everybody that will hear you. I have been healed. I was once blind and now I see will give me some details fine. You can fill in with the details. But ultimately your testimony is as simple as I was once a sinner and now I'm saved by the grace of Jesus Christ.

I know that we complicated the matter fact we went I went so far down that path with Seminary classes. I began to go. What are we talkin about salvation? All of a sudden it got so many. I don't see it that way so much so that they pulled it all back and they said it's so simple and it truly is the simplest thing you could ever tell someone. They're lost if they don't have Jesus. And the only way to have eternal life with God is through Jesus Christ. What does Jesus say in John 14:6? I am the way the truth and the life no one comes to the father, but by me.

Where's 28 they ridiculed him? You're that man's disciple, but we're Moses disciple. We know that God has spoken to Moses. But this man we don't know where he's from. First 30 this is an amazing thing the man told them you don't know where he's from and Yeti open my eyes. You know that God doesn't listen to sinners. But if anyone is God-fearing and does his will he listens to him throughout history? No one ever heard of someone opening the eyes of a person born blind. This man were not from God. He wouldn't be able to do anything and then they say to him you were born in tirely and thin they were fine. And are you trying to teach us then they threw him out?

There's one place. I wouldn't mind be getting thrown out of.

If I'm in there sharing my testimony of your anywhere sharing your testimony and people want to kick you out take pride in the Lord cuz he's using you. Why such disdain for the man's testimony? Because he was representing the truth. Let me tell you when you begin to really share your faith. Genuinely with people around you. It's going to rub people the wrong way. But here's the beautiful party ready for this. The people that are most vocally against you are the ones that I believe the holy spirit is working with the absolute most.

Because why bother why deal with you if they really don't have any thoughts that what you're saying might be true, but when you start or should I say rather the Holy Spirit against it's in scratch a nerve of theirs. They're going to respond oftentimes with negativity towards you. To which we must understand in that moment to not take it personally, even though it's one of the hardest things you'll ever do to not take rejection of your testimony and your face statement as a personal rejection of you. I promise you I've done there been there done that I've lived that before but we must be ready to share our faith with those that are around us. Where's 35? Jesus heard that they had thrown the man out and when he found him he asked do you believe in the son of man? So think about this for a second Jesus now knows that they kicked him out. Of course, he's God. So he's all knowing. He already knew this right but Jesus comes to find out or realize that this man is now being kicked out of the presence of these men. And so what does he do? He speaks them out 6 him out and begins to ask him. Do you believe in the son of man? Who is he sir that I may believe in him? He asked and Jesus answered. You have seen him. In fact, he's the one speaking with you. And what is the response?

I believe Lord Mesa. Any worship?

Jesus said I came into this world for judgment in order that those who do not see will see in those who do see will become blind.

One of the hardest things that I've had to realize since coming to Faith. Is it there are some people who have chosen to reject God and will forever. their entire lives choose to reject. So if that's the case, right if if we genuinely know some people have chosen to reject God and there's no hope for them. Then we can make the personal choice to no longer share our face with them, right? Hopefully everyone will scream out. Absolutely not. Because here's the thing you don't get to know that information. You still have to be faithful to do what God told you to do, which is what to go. Therefore and Make Disciples of all Nations. You see we still have the responsibility. The Great Commission is still present on us to go and tell the world. We're not privy to the knowledge of someone is ever going to come to face because I do know people who have spent their entire lives apart from Jesus Christ apart from the church apart from faith and on their deathbed someone came to visit them a pastor a lay person is saying to them while they're in their presence of dying. Do you know Jesus and I say no, but I want to know

And God is clear. To anyone who will confess and believe in him they will be saved.

Why does God allow that? I can't speak to that. I don't have that knowledge. But what I do know is ultimately what everything works for God's glory. He will use every circumstances. So here's my point to you. As long as the person you're thinking about that is not saved has breath in their lungs and blood going through their veins go tell them.

Because as far as physical life is concerned it's not too late and we don't get to know the spiritual side of things.

Verse 40 some of the Pharisees who were with him heard these things and ask him. We aren't blind to our we were sporty one. If you were blind. Jesus told them you wouldn't have sinned but now that you say we see your sin remains

One of the beautiful aspects about being a follower of Christ is that our sin has been taken from us. Amen.

But here's my Challenger. Here's my question. Do you live your life as though you are without sin? Meaning not meaning to you live your life sinless because I would most likely guarantee every one of us have probably committed to send this morning before we came to church perhaps while we've been in the building.

But here's the crazy part. The Bible tells us that there for is now no condemnation for those that are in Christ Jesus. God looks that each one of us, Indo there might be some things that would normally have separate us completely from God. He has washed over those with his shed blood and we do not have kind of Nation on us any longer and we should learn to live in a response back to him to say they have thank you for the saving knowledge of your salvation.

And one of the ways that we do that one of the ways we live in accordance to his command if we follow the ordinances that he's given us and it is the first Sunday of the month. And so we're going to go ahead and now I'll transition into our time of worshiping through Lord's Supper. So I would ask you all to begin now thinking about in beginning to analyze in your own heart. So is there anything? Anything right now that maybe something you need to confess to the Lord and I talked about it this morning the confession to Jesus Christ and God above is not because they don't know it already. So can we get that out the door we get that out of our system. It's not cuz God doesn't know the sin you committed. The reason you need to confess your sins to the Lord is for you for your sake because you need to put that out there and say God, I'm sorry.

And we've talked about it before but I'm going to repeat this again that the Lord's Supper is a symbolic Act of obedience whereby members of the church Big C Church. Through partaking of the bread of the fruit of the vine memorialize the death of the Redeemer and anticipate his second coming. So we're about to sit down. We're going to have the ordinance of the Lord's Supper the cup and the bread come to you in just a moment. I'm going to ask Randy to come and do that with me and I'll ask James to come up and do that with him.

so when we partake of the Lord