From Darkness Into the Light

Introduction

Being afraid of the dark as a kid...

When I was afraid of the dark, all I wanted to see was the salvation of the light.

Jesus called Himself the light of the world in John 8 at the lighting service during the Feast of Tabernacles.

Now, we will see an illustration of Jesus bringing someone out of the darkness and into the light.

Body: John 9:1-41

Verse 1

The man’s circumstances...

Verses 2-5

…that the works of God might be displayed in him...

This is my mission…to be the light of the world...

Verses 6-7

Spit, mud and washing in the water?

Verses 8-12

First testimony: The man called Jesus did this...

Verses 13-14

The issue of the Sabbath...

Verses 15-17

The division among the learned...

Second testimony: He is a prophet…i.e He must be from God.

Verses 18-19

Legal requirements for proof...

Verses 20-23

The parent’s fear that they might be treated as their son has been treated...

Verse 24

Swear to God...

Notice that they have already made their mind up, thus they aren’t looking to be convinced...

It’s like modern evolutionists who already have all the “proof” they need and are open to no other possibilities.

Verse 25

Third testimony: All I know is this, I was blind, but now I see...

Truly one of the greatest examples of a personal testimony in all the Bible!

Verses 26-27

He now needles them back...

Verses 28-29

You must be one of Jesus disciples…we are disciples of Moses!

Verses 30-33

Fourth testimony: Here’s what I know:

God doesn’t listen to sinners when it comes to miracles...

God does listen to people who worship Him...

This has never happened before...

Thus, if He wasn’t from God, He could not do this.

Verse 34

Unable to change his testimony, they make personal attacks and excommunicate him from the synagogue...

Sounds like an early version of cancel culture!

Why getting thrown out of the synagogue matters...

Verse 35-38

Jesus finds him:

Do you believe in the Son of Man?

I want to…show me who He is.

I am the Son of Man

Lord, I believe!

Verse 39-41

The “judgment” Jesus brings is between those who are spiritually blind and those who have spiritual sight…illustrated here by this man and the Pharisees.

So What?

Jesus mission is to bring people from darkness into the light.

Jesus takes the initiative with people.

This means that you are of value to Jesus.

This means your brothers and sisters in Christ are of value to Jesus, and therefore are of value to you.

Jesus gives people with nothing everything they need.

Jesus gives you, as a believer, everything you need to fulfill the purposes God has for you.

Jesus shows that all of life’s trials and tribulations should be seen as opportunities for God to work for His glory and our good.

There is little value in trying to determine whose at fault when we are facing trials and tribulations.

If we know we are at fault, confess and repent.

Many times we won’t know why we are facing trials and tribulations.

But, regardless, we should focus more attention on where God is at work.

The Gospel of Jesus will be received only by those who recognize their need for Him.

Those who respond to their need for Jesus with obedient faith will see the light.

Those who reject Jesus are spiritually blind.