John 9:1-7 / Now I see (pt 1)
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
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 was born blind?”
3 Jesus answered, “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him.
4 We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work.
5 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”
6 Having said these things, he spit on the ground and made mud with the saliva. Then he anointed the man’s eyes with the mud
7 and said to him, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam” (which means Sent). So he went and washed and came back seeing.
As missionaries we are called to share the gospel of Jesus Christ.
These verses make some vital point about how we do that.
We Share with Dependency
We Share with Dependency
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 was born blind?”
3 Jesus answered, “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him.
“…Who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”
The believed suffering was direct result of sin.
(in other words) They deserve it!
The disciples had curiosity not compassion.
See people differently
Disciples saw a man born in sin.
Contrast the way Jesus saw the man.
To how the disciples saw him.
See people how God sees them.
Recognize your own bias’
The disciples where just acting on what they knew.
We have opinions about people also.
Things that would prevent us from seeing people as Jesus sees them.
People don’t “QUALIFY” to hear the gospel.
How would you like to be Ananias whom Jesus sent to witness to Saul?
Look for where God is working.
Look past all the mess.
Literally asking God, “Is this the one?”
Look at this from a different point of view.
The view of a non-believer. (worldly)
“It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him.”
Does this mean God put this man through this in order to use him as a prop?
“Why does a sovereign God allow bad things to happen to people?”
God did not desire the world to be full of sin
Everybody is guilty of sin.
Jesus - “Who sinned is not the issue.”
The issue here is God’s grace for the suffering.
We are all spiritually blind.
Jesus ALONE is the light.
We Share with Urgency
We Share with Urgency
4 We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work.
5 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”
Jesus knew his earthly ministry was limited.
He also knew the Holy Spirit was coming
So what did he mean?
"We must work the works of Him who sent me...”
You got a job to do.
You need a Kingdom Agenda!
“While it is day”
This really speaks to our priorities!
What are going to do with your life?
Why are you here?
“night is coming when no one can work.”
One day it will all be over.
Then no one will work
This should bring a sense of urgency!
We Share without Ceremony
We Share without Ceremony
6 Having said these things, he spit on the ground and made mud with the saliva. Then he anointed the man’s eyes with the mud
7 and said to him, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam” (which means Sent). So he went and washed and came back seeing.
(Except of course for the miracle....)
It’s kind of a melodramatic scene.
Disciples are (seemingly) standing over the guy talking about him like you would a piece of furniture.
Then the man heard (someone) spit on the ground.
Then he feel the mud on his eyes.
Then a voice says go wash.
Salvation does not require a ceremony.
It does however require a response (action) in the part of those being saved.
“Go and wash.”
There is a response there.
So he went and came back seeing.
Not every time … maybe not most of the time
But sometimes...
We get a change to witness life transformation.
We get a chance to witness someone who is completely blind … receive their sight.
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