The Gospel of John - Saving Faith

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OPENING Prayer–

Father we come to you this morning alive in Jesus. Father we come to you this morning alive in Jesus. We desire to be your people who are passionate about knowing the person of Jesus to the point that Jesus is more real to us than any other person or thing in what we can see or experience. Father, through knowing Jesus we will know you and we ask that your miraculous power work in our lives through the power of your holy spirit, your saving power. Father Thank you for writing down your story of redeeming grace of reconciling a people back to your self so that we may know the Story; but more importantly through this story that we may know Jesus and have saving faith in Him as you are calling us to be your children, redeemed and reconciled by your Son and recipient of the miracle of faith.

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight today Father. I pray all of this In the mighty and holy and abundant Name of Jesus. - and all God’s children said?

If I have not had a chance to meet you;

My name is Scott and I am a follower of Jesus and have the privilege of serving Him as the Lead Pastor among the people of Stonewater Fellowship.

If you have a copy of the Bible in either electronic version or the actual book kind -

Open it to The Gospel of John Chapter 9 today as we continue in our series walking though one of the most important pieces of literature in all of human history.

NOW If you don’t have a bible or simply would like a new one!

under the 1st chair of every row should be a new Bible. Please take it as our gift to you the only desire that we would have for you is that you would read through it, gather in community around it and learn of Jesus in it.

SPEAK and WELCOME UNBELIEVERS – NON FOLLOWERS And THOSE who struggle in their faith –

You may have never been to a worship gathering or you haven’t been in a really long time either because you are really not sure whether you believe or maybe even what to believe about Jesus. You questions might be what is required to be saved how can I know. You have heard its a free gift and that causes more questions to you than provides answers. Man oh Man are we really glad you took the risk of coming to a worship gathering.

Engagement –

Exclusivity - I think that is a word that our culture has come to despise. We hear that word and what we get is that some people are in and some people are out and those that are in are in and those that are out are out and there is no way for the people who are out to get in and the people in don't want to get out and they really don't want the people out to get in for fear that the out will contaminates the in somehow.

We also hate the idea of exclusive in the area of opinion. Where one opinion is valid and the opposing opinion is not valid. In the area of debate this means there is a winner and a looser. A victor and a defeated one - Everyone hates the Agony of Defeat! Reality is when there is a victor it is final for that match. so the defeated are defeated and the victors are victors - it has been drawn in the area of religions as well. our culture assumes exclusivity seemingly leads to suffering for the defeated or the excluded. In the desire to eliminate human suffering our culture has attempted to eliminate the defeated and celebrate everyone. They have also done this in the area of opinion where all opinions must be validated as equal. we also see this in the area of wealth accumulation where the have nots are wanting to capture and redistribute the club membership dues of the haves which is their wealth in this growing waive of the popularity of socialism. We also see this in religion where all are claimed to be true and all lead to God and all are valid expressions of faith.

TENSION

Here is the problem that we face. The idea, opinion and economic structures of Socialism are exclusive to capitalism. The idea, opinion and practice of celebrating everyone and not having a winner or a looser in competitions and life is exclusive to having a winner and a looser. Thought is exclusive, Philosophy is exclusive, opinions are exclusive and Jesus has said “no one gets to the father but by me.” and most people reject that Idea because if it really is true in means suffering for a whole lot of people.

Christianity is exclusive, Islam is exclusive, Judaism is exclusive, Buddhism is exclusive, Hinduism is exclusive, Shintoism is exclusive and Zoroasterism is exclusive. These are the 7 major religions and they are exclusive of one another in their practice and their belief.

This morning as we travel through the Gospel of John and lightly see john building some themes through chapter 6,7,8 and spend our time in we will see Jesus building some exclusivity in answering the major question that must be answered by all people - What is Saving Grace?

Here is the Good news that in Jesus when Jesus makes the claim of exclusivity the in’s are commanded to go our and get the outs and invite them in because Jesus was sent to get the outs and bring them in and make the outs the ins, the have nots have, the defeated winners and the dead to come back to life. Lets take a look at as we get started unpacking the text.

TRUTH

John 9:1–41 NASB95

1 As He passed by, He saw a man blind from birth. 2 And His disciples asked Him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he would be born blind?” 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.” 6 When He had said this, He spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and applied the clay to his eyes, 7 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. 8 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?” 9 Others were saying, “This is he,” still others were saying, “No, but he is like him.” He kept saying, “I am the one.” 10 So they were saying to him, “How then were your eyes opened?” 11 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.” 12 They said to him, “Where is He?” He said, “I do not know.” 13 They brought to the Pharisees the man who was formerly blind. 14 Now it was a Sabbath on the day when Jesus made the clay and opened his eyes. 15 Then the Pharisees also were asking him again how he received his sight. And he said to them, “He applied clay to my eyes, and I washed, and I see.” 16 Therefore some of the Pharisees were saying, “This man is not from God, because He does not keep the Sabbath.” But others were saying, “How can a man who is a sinner perform such signs?” And there was a division among them. 17 So they said to the blind man again, “What do you say about Him, since He opened your eyes?” And he said, “He is a prophet.” 18 The Jews then did not believe it of him, that he had been blind and had received sight, until they called the parents of the very one who had received his sight, 19 and questioned them, saying, “Is this your son, who you say was born blind? Then how does he now see?” 20 His parents answered them and said, “We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind; 21 but how he now sees, we do not know; or who opened his eyes, we do not know. Ask him; he is of age, he will speak for himself.” 22 His parents said this because they were afraid of the Jews; for the Jews had already agreed that if anyone confessed Him to be Christ, he was to be put out of the synagogue. 23 For this reason his parents said, “He is of age; ask him.” 24 So a second time they called the man who had been blind, and said to him, “Give glory to God; we know that this man is a sinner.” 25 He then answered, “Whether He is a sinner, I do not know; one thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see.” 26 So they said to him, “What did He do to you? How did He open your eyes?” 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?” 28 They reviled him and said, “You are His disciple, but we are disciples of Moses. 29 “We know that God has spoken to Moses, but as for this man, we do not know where He is from.” 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. 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.” 38 And he said, “Lord, I believe.” And he worshiped Him. 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.” 40 Those of the Pharisees who were with Him heard these things and said to Him, “We are not blind too, are we?” 41 Jesus said to them, “If you were blind, you would have no sin; but since you say, ‘We see,’ your sin remains.

John 9:1–38 NASB95

1 As He passed by, He saw a man blind from birth. 2 And His disciples asked Him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he would be born blind?” 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.” 6 When He had said this, He spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and applied the clay to his eyes, 7 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. 8 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?” 9 Others were saying, “This is he,” still others were saying, “No, but he is like him.” He kept saying, “I am the one.” 10 So they were saying to him, “How then were your eyes opened?” 11 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.” 12 They said to him, “Where is He?” He said, “I do not know.” 13 They brought to the Pharisees the man who was formerly blind. 14 Now it was a Sabbath on the day when Jesus made the clay and opened his eyes. 15 Then the Pharisees also were asking him again how he received his sight. And he said to them, “He applied clay to my eyes, and I washed, and I see.” 16 Therefore some of the Pharisees were saying, “This man is not from God, because He does not keep the Sabbath.” But others were saying, “How can a man who is a sinner perform such signs?” And there was a division among them. 17 So they said to the blind man again, “What do you say about Him, since He opened your eyes?” And he said, “He is a prophet.” 18 The Jews then did not believe it of him, that he had been blind and had received sight, until they called the parents of the very one who had received his sight, 19 and questioned them, saying, “Is this your son, who you say was born blind? Then how does he now see?” 20 His parents answered them and said, “We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind; 21 but how he now sees, we do not know; or who opened his eyes, we do not know. Ask him; he is of age, he will speak for himself.” 22 His parents said this because they were afraid of the Jews; for the Jews had already agreed that if anyone confessed Him to be Christ, he was to be put out of the synagogue. 23 For this reason his parents said, “He is of age; ask him.” 24 So a second time they called the man who had been blind, and said to him, “Give glory to God; we know that this man is a sinner.” 25 He then answered, “Whether He is a sinner, I do not know; one thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see.” 26 So they said to him, “What did He do to you? How did He open your eyes?” 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?” 28 They reviled him and said, “You are His disciple, but we are disciples of Moses. 29 “We know that God has spoken to Moses, but as for this man, we do not know where He is from.” 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. 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.” 38 And he said, “Lord, I believe.” And he worshiped Him.

BACKGROUND

John 9:1-38

BACKGROUND

So as we take a quick survey of John Chapter 6,7,8 leading up to Chapter 9 we see the apostle John establishing for us a central theme that concludes in chapters 9 and 10 - That central thyme is to answer the question :What is saving Faith?

Of your reading along with us in your sermon guides you will notice that in John Chapter 6 aster Jesus feeds the 5000 in a miraculous work and walks on water. You will see the Disciples of Jesus those very closest to Him chase Him across the sea of Galilee to Capernaum and they come to Jesus and Jesus says some exclusive things - Jesus says you are seeking me for free lunch - this is why you chased me - Jesus then begins to Say that “Saving FAITH IS REQUIRED!

Jesus says “DO not work for food which perishes, but for the food which which endures to eternal life which the Son of man will give to you.

The disciples then ask Him What are the Works of God? I want you to notice that these guys have asked in the Plural “WORKS” What shall we do that we may work the works of GOD?

Jesus answers in the Singular - This is the exclusive statement that Jesus Makes and opens to EVERYONE- The ONE work, The ONE THING that IS REQUIRED is that you BELIEVE IN the one who God has sent.

These guys then ask Jesus for a Sign and jesus respons with declaring that God has sent bread form heaven and this read gives life to the world -THEN his boys then say GIVE it TO us. and Jesus begin to make the “I am” statements found only in the Gospel of John.

Jesus then sets exclusivity on a whole new plane after discussing with the Jewish leaders about this bread from heaven when He then says: He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood will live - No caviaots - No mentions of Figures of Speach - No hyperbably - No poetic license. Jesus set the demand for canabilism -

Now we know that it is a figure of speech because there is NO evidence that the apostles did this after the ascension and the Holy Spirit comes and no early church history records such action.

But Jesus makes this demand - and WHAT Jesus is demanding? Jesus is TOTAL TRUST - You See the Faith that saves - This saving faith that Jesus Demands is a faith of Total Trust.

Faith that gives us the impulse to lean Rather IN to Jesus, than what our natural impulse is to draw back away from Jesus. Jesus is looking for faith that causes us to trust Him even when following Him is difficult.

In chapter 7 we will see that Saving faith is not simply KNOWING Jesus as His brothers knew him and did not believe. Everyone has an opinion about Jesus. The Jews were gathering for the Feast of Booths the Test says “there was lots of grumbling - some of you're texts will says Murrmering about Jesus. Everyone with an opinion about this man that had a reputation already. Knowledge of Jesus is not saving faith - Jesus says another Exclusive statement that truly believing IN him will cause living water to spring forth from ones heart.

CHAPTER 8 Jesus sets the world ablaze and establish that Saving faith is not belief -

Let me stop right hear a minute and give a little clarity - Knowing about Jesus is not saving faith in and of it self - You may know a lot about Him but that doesn't mean you have Saving Faith. Jesus himself cuts this argument down when He said “not everyone who says to me Lord Lord will get into heaven” They will argue :Lord we did miracles in your name, We cast our demons in your name, Jesus says Depart form me you evil doers I never knew you” -Jesus said Knowing me and what I can do and using my name that you know has power is not saving faith.

I also want you to understand that will set the paradigm that Belief in Him is not Saving Faith by it self. Yes you have to have knowledge of Jesus, and Yes you have to believe in him but these things alone are not Saving faith -

The woman caught in the act of adultery finds Grace and Truth in Jesus. This is why Jesu came for the lowest of the low in the dirt and filth of Sin and he came to reach them, give them a new life and hope -

This must be us this must be the church as we reach into the darkness and take the light of the world there. - We can never separate truth from grace for when we do we become hateful and unloving.

We can also never separate grace from truth for when we do we become useless and the Gospel looses all of its power!

Vs 12-59 you will read about Jesus talking to the same people he was feeding earlier who were chasing Jesus across the sea and Jesus was teaching them - He has Already made the Statement I am the bread of Life - He now makes 2 completely radical statements to those people who believed Him.

1st one was “I AM the Light of the WORLD! this one was on the Edge of the tipping point - Jesus was declaring His deity once again - The Old Testament declares that God is the Giver of Light - - “The Lord is my Light and my Salvation”

YHAWY shall be the everlasting Light - Was the promise of Isiah 60 as “light is the name of messiah.

Jesus declares I AM the light of the world -

Then is vers 56 Jesus, talking to the jew people who were following Him, Said “Your father Abraham rejoyced to see my day, and He saw it and was glad -

This indicates two realities - Abraham was saved by being credited richesousness becaise of His Saving faith. and Jesus was there to witness Abrahams Joy -

THe Jeish people aroung Him did not undersastand as they asked how is this possible becasue you are not yet 50 and jesus said the Un thinkable -

Before Abrraham was born I AM - This is the name that God gave to moses the present tens of the verb to be. This was the proper name of God, YHWY, Moses asked God what His proper name was as he was to lead the children out of isreral and God answered I AM - Jesus just said that is Me - and they picked up stones to kill him.

Here is the reality that Saving Faith is not belief - If all you have is belief - Belief will only get you to the point of being offended by Jesus where you too will want to Stone Him

UNPACKING

Lets unpack Chapter 9

In verse 1-12 we have the followers of Jesus, These disciples who are continuing to follow ask about a blind man - They say is it this mans family or him who sinned who caused the man to be blind - Prosperity Gospel influence all the way back then - WAS IT SOMETHING WRONG WITH THIS mAN THAT Casues his blindness?

Jesus says it is for God’s glory and Jesus Heals Him - Jesus spits, makes mud, rubs the mud on the guys eyes and tells Him to go wash in the pool. I hope the pool was close by is all I have to say -

The mans eyes were restored and His neighbors began to Gossip - Anyone have gossipy neighbors? These guys get so curious they start drilling the man whose sight was restored - HOW DID YOU GET TO SEE?

I want you to notice the simplicity of His response - This guy named Jesus, made clay and anointed or rubbed my eyes and said GO wash> So I went and washed and I recieved my sight -

These neighbors wanted to know where He was - because Jesus was in error in healing on the Sabbath -

So the nosy neighbors take this Guy to the Pharacees - The Jewish religious, cultural and legal leaders of the time.

Take notice as to what happens - These guys Drill this man - How did you get your sight? who was He? they did not believe him so they call in His parents - They drill this guys parents so hard that His parents cut this man loose in front of these guys.

He is an adult Ask Him?

They call Him in a second time and they drill- This guys understands the problem - The problem is that is He confesses Jesus as the Christ then they will be put out of the Synagog -

This guy shows Miraculous trust through his faith - These guys ask:HOW IS IT YOU GOT YOUR SIGHT AND WHAT DID HE DO TO YOU?

This formerly blind beggar responds - I already told you the only and simplest explanation and you did not listen to be. WHY do you want to hear it again? You do not want to become His follower as well do you?

What this man just said is I am a follower of Jesus - In the midst of knowing what the cost was - He confesses without hesitation “I am a follower of Jesus”

He leans into Jesus when others would have pushed away -

These guys begin to give reason why this healing is illegitimate and The man formerly blind begins to speak

VS 30 - Here is the amazing thing, you guys, the religious of our community the leaders and governing body do not know where he is from, but he opened my eyes - He concludes “If this man were not from God he could do nothing -

They Put Him out of the Synagogue - Here is what that means in terms you and I can understand the severity - They cut Him off from society - They Shunned Him - They completely and totally broke fellowship with Him -

Following Jesus cost him Everything -

VS 35 I want you to notice that Jesus chases this man down “the text says” finds him” Jesus knows that he has lost everything the world has to offer and that folloing jesus just got real - and Jesus find Him -

Jesus asks the question: “do you believe IN the son of man?”

This is not do you believe in certain facts about the Son of man? this is not do you agree with the prophicies of the bible? These are not “do you agrtee with a set of religious principles about the son of man?

This question reveal to us what saving faith is all about: DO you believe IN ME. Do you believe that you life is found IN Me? do you place your total and complete trust IN ME because before moses was born I AM?

This man who was blind and now can see who might have never see the image of jesus with His own Eyes - Said SHOW me so I may Believe IN HIM!!

Jesus responded with IT IS ME!

APPLICATION

Jesus has just laid down the gauntlet for everyone in the room and everyone who will read this text and everyone who will listen to this message - Saving faith is miraculous trust IN Jesus.

Following Jesus and Believing IN him is costly! in fact it cost this man EVERYTHING and He WORSHIPED Jesus in the midst of it. This mans trust was Miraculous in that He surrender this life for the life Jesus had for Him.

Here is what Jesus is calling in this passage of text - Get in the wheelbarrow - My friend Jeremiah Morris from 7 mile uses this illustration when he talks about this chapter - Jesus calls us to get in the wheel barrow -

Some of you are like “what are you talking about?

the story goes lke this -

IMAGINE and INSPIRATION

The GOSPEL