John 9 An Encounter with God – How can we not share our encounter with God?

One of the most significant encounters you ever had. (other than God)

Famous person. Place. Animal. Event. Could be scary / Exciting / Surprising /

Don’t go into deal just tell us who/what was the event.

Have you ever shared this encounter to anyone before?

Reprint in am

Have you ever encountered God? Have you ever shared this with someone?

In John 9 a man encounters God and is transformed. How could he not tell others what happened?

John 9

An Encounter with God –

How can we not share our encounter with God?

I. How can we not share our encounter with God? BiblicalExample

A. The encounter John 9:1-7

(ESV) John 9 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.

1. In a state of blindness

2. Unable to change it

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.”

3. Opportunity for God to display His glory

4. Reveal who Christ is

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 wentand washed and came back seeing.

5. Jesus touched him

6. He Responded

7. Transformed

B. The opportunity to share John 9:8-10

(ESV) John 9 8 The neighbors and those who had seen him before as a beggarwere saying, “Is this not the man who used to sit and beg?” 9 Some said, “It is he.” Others said, “No, but he is like him.” He kept saying, “I am the man.” 10 So they said to him, “Then how were your eyes opened?”

1. Life change is recognized

2. Seek answers for change

C. The personal testimony John 9:11, 15, 24-25

(ESV) John 9 11 He answered, “The man called Jesus made mud and anointed my eyes and said to me, ‘Go to Siloam and wash.’ So I went and washed and received my sight.”

1. Multiple times

2. Exact details

3. Key elements

(ESV) John 9 15 So the Pharisees again asked him how he had received his sight. And he said to them, “He put mud on my eyes, and I washed, and I see.”

4. Essential point

(ESV) John 9 24 So for the 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 answered, “Whether he is a sinner I do not know. One thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see.”

5. Conclusion

a) Personal

b) Refined with the telling

c) Useful in every situation

II. How can we not share our encounter with God? Powerful impact

A. Potent in all situations John 9:8, 13, 16, 24-25, 28-29

1. Around acquaintances

(ESV) John 9 8 The neighbors and those who had seen him before as a beggar were saying, “Is this not the man who used to sit and beg?”

2. Fearful circumstances (beggar before the ruling council)

(ESV) John 9 13 They brought to the Phariseesthe man who had formerly been blind.

3. Those lacking understanding

(ESV) John 9 16 Some of the Pharisees said, “This man is not from God, for he does not keep the Sabbath.” But others said, “How can a man who is a sinner do such signs?” And there was a division among them.

4. Facing direct intimidation

(ESV) John 9 24 So for the 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 answered, “Whether he is a sinner I do not know. One thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see.”

5. Those in total rejection

(ESV) John 9 28 And they reviled him, saying, “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 comes from.”

B. Points to Jesus John 9:11, 17, 30-33, 35-38

1. A man

(ESV) John 9 11 He answered, “The man called Jesus made mud and anointed my eyes and said to me, ‘Go to Siloam and wash.’ So I went and washed and received my sight.”

2. A prophet

(ESV) John 9 17 So they said again to the blind man, “What do you say about him, since he has opened your eyes?” He said, “He is a prophet.”

3. A man from God

(ESV) John 9 30 The man answered, “Why, this is an amazing thing! You do not know where he comes from, and yet he opened my eyes. 31 We know that God does not listen to sinners, but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does his will, God listens to him.

32 Never since the world began has it been heard that anyone opened the eyes of a man born blind. 33 If this man were not from God, he could do nothing.”

4. Ultimately Messiah

(ESV) John 9 35 Jesus heard that they had cast him out, and having found him he said, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?” 36 He answered, “And who is he, sir, that I may believe in him?” 37 Jesus said to him, “You have seen him, and it is he who is speaking to you.” 38 He said, “Lord, I believe,” and he worshiped him.

a) The ultimate goal – invite people to believe in Jesus

III. How can we not share our encounter with God? Your own testimony

A. Personal – Your story

Let’s Think broadly about testimonies

1. Your story – key to its power

a) Can share from the first day

b) Story is powerful in every culture

c) can’t argue with your experience (even post-modern)

d) Not church / religion

2. Your words – you were there

a) non threatening

b) can relate

3. Your relationship – the one you know

a) Proven change

b) talking about your friend

B. Intentional – Told with a purpose

Told to a person

1. Selective in content

a) Select for the overall purpose - Focus - Even gospels

b) Don’t lose forest for the trees

2. Tailored to the audience

Complex and multifaceted

a) Considers this person’s current understanding

b) Where are common points that reflect this person’s need

3. Builds connections

a) Intended to build bridges / help to relate

b) Useful even in opposing atmosphere

C. Focused on Christ – Enable people to come to Christ

1. About Christ not you ---reason every testimony is significant

(1) Not Sensational or Overly graphic

(2) Not own actions or efforts

(3) It is about the significance of sin (big or little) (mature sinner or kid sinner)

(4) It is about the price that was paid (same for big or small)

2. Illustration of salvation

a) Building a picture of salvation – maybe only one he has ever heard

b) Shows how someone receives Christ

3. Communicates necessary truth

a) Incorporate information necessary to salvation

b) Intent is to help others find Christ (not just to give your history)

4. Invites others

a) Draws others to follow too

b) Natural point of invitation – want good for them that you have found

c) Include an invitation

D. Planned – A sample structure

1. Before Christ

a) Condition / Need

2. Encounter with Christ

a) Triggering events

b) Learning about Christ

c) Choice made

3. After Christ

a) Change

Final Comments

4. Every Christian has a testimony to share

5. Each testimony is proof of a living God

6. God has given different experiences to reach different people

7. The only insignificant testimony is the one not spoken