Hello Family and Friends,

Here is my sermon notes from Sunday, August 23, 2015

Sermon Title: “Clearer Vision” – Part 3 of 4

Series title: “God May Use Our Suffering” Alternate Title: Once I was Blind, Now I can see. Incident: Here, the religious leaders question a formerly blind man and when they are not satisfied with his answers they excommunicate him. Theme is: The main theme in chapter 9 is Spiritual Blindness and coming to Salvation. Some Lessons: Jesus is Light for a Spiritually Blind World. God can demonstrate his power through our problems. Please note that the word “Jews” in verse 18 is in reference to the religious leaders not the people of Israel in general.

Was presented Sunday, August 23, 2015

Written by: Bill Ferguson

Scripture Reading …......................................... John 9: 13 – 34

Referring Scripture.......................................... Isaiah 42:6-7

Responsive Reading ………….... Psalm 1 ………………….. UMH #738

The Words of God for the people of God, thanks be to God!

 

     Right before our very own eyes we see faith in progress. In verse 13 – 34 the religious leaders questioned the formerly blind man. The religious leaders were unable to stop (throttle) the healed beggar's willingness to testify for Jesus. In fact the more the Pharisees questioned this man who had received his sight, the stronger and clearer the man became about who Jesus is. Their blind obstinacy helped his clarity.

Let’s investigate and see how his vision gradually cleared:

1. At first, in 9:11, the man recognized his healer as “the man called Jesus.” He recognized Yeshua by name.

2. Then in 9:17 he believed that Jesus was “a prophet.”

3. Then, in 9:32-33, he saw Jesus as the One who was “from God” and had performed a miracle never done before. The healed man’s faith was getting stronger. He was growing spiritually.

4. Then finally, in 9:35-38, when confronted by Jesus, he believed that Jesus is the “Son of Man” (the Messiah, worthy of worship). In the man born blind, we see a progression of faith in action.

     It shouldn't come as a surprise to us that the healing of the man born blind should cause a stir. For one thing, his healing on a Sabbath caused so much stir that the people brought it to the attention of the Pharisees.

     Because the people discovered both a miracle and a mystery surrounding the healing of the blind man, they took him to what they  considered to be the most dependable place for exploring such matters. The Pharisees quickly concluded that whatever else the healer might be, he wasn't from God, for otherwise he would not work on the Sabbath. The religious leaders had much to learn about

God's Sabbath. In their quest for “truth,” these Pharisees tried a number of explanations to invalidate the miracle: 1. perhaps the man had not been blind from birth or had not been totally blind; 2. Perhaps God did this miracle directly (the Pharisees would not recognize a human agent involved in the healing).

     When the formerly blind man pointed out the obvious answers that they had been so studiously avoiding, they responded by viciously berating him and expelling him from their presence. In essence, they excommunicated the man from the Temple. He was no longer welcomed to come and worship.

     The astonishing fact of the man's newly given vision eluded this group as if they were blind themselves. Indeed they were blind. But their blindness was not physical. Their blindness was spiritual. Later Jesus pointed this out as their problem, over their strenuous (strong) objections.  

      Isn’t it interesting that no one cheers and congratulates the man on his healing? Instead, they (the religious leaders) condemn the healed man and they condemned Jesus for doing good on the Sabbath. Jesus' message is saying: “It is right and good to care for others in need even if it involves working on a day of rest.” Friend, God requires compassion not ritual.

     Because the formerly blind man had been blind during the interview with Jesus, he couldn't tell the Pharisees who Jesus was. He could only exclaim, “I washed, and now I see.” Soon the formerly blind man would see even more clearly. Oh, that all human-kind would echo; “I was washed and now I see.”

     As time progressed the man had clearer vision and understanding. Listen, as we grow in faith, like this man who was once blind, we too will have a clearer vision and understanding.  Friend, our personal description of Jesus to others makes an impact. It did with this man. John, the disciple, encourages all of us whose eyes, hearts, and minds have been opened by Christ Jesus to speak out for the Lord. This lesson is for us because the formerly blind man's vision of Jesus got clearer and clearer as he reflected on what had happened and listened to the accusers frantically trying to discredit what he knew to be undeniably true. The message is saying: As we grow spiritually, we too will understand more clearly.  At first his description of Jesus wasn't accurate, but it was heartfelt. He said what he understood. Listen. New believers often bring this quality of freshness and earnestness to their statements about Jesus. How quickly we forget the wonder of being able to see spiritually for the first time! The scripture message asks: “Do you remember when you began to see more clearly?”

     Listen. Believers can testify that we were once blind to our own separation from God, blind to our need, blind to God's influence in our lives, and blinded by the world around us. Friend we may not be able to explain in detail how Jesus has done what he has done in our lives, but we can say with conviction: Once I was blind, now I can see!

     The religious leaders still did not believe that the man had been blind so they called for his parents to testify. They, apparently, were hoping the man's parents would refute their own son's testimony.

Now watch what the parents do. It’s tragic. They knew their son, and they knew his previous condition, but how he could see, they didn't know. Instead of giving praise for their son's healer, they responded, “Ask him; he is of age. He will speak for himself.” The parents didn't deny their son's story, but neither did they support the claim their son had. Perhaps their statement reflects their unbelief. We know from verse 22-23 that their son had been excommunicated. We can assume that they were intimidated by the Pharisees and were afraid they too would be excommunicated. I feel that this is a mirrored look at how some non-believing parents may react when a miracle happens to their child or when their child (even if their child is an adult) becomes a believer – Born Again. Non believing parents often struggle with the idea that their child has become a Born Again believer. Sometimes these non-believing parents not only reject the faith but their child as well. I've seen situations where non-believing parents try and lead their new Christian child in another direction – even to another religion. They confuse their own children.

     The Pharisees summoned the man a second time. They tried to make the man confess his wrong in proclaiming Jesus as a prophet and to make him agree with them that Jesus was a sinner.

     The religious leaders were looking for a loophole. In reviewing the case, the Pharisees had no intention of believing or following the One who had performed the healing miracle. They wanted to disqualify Jesus. They avoided the truth in their quest for a loophole. Listen. There are many in this generation who still search for a loophole to support their unbelief. In doing this they are choosing to walk in the darkness. In reality they are in rebellion against God and that, my friend, is very dangerous.

     Occasionally we will meet people who only want to argue and debate the merits and claims of Jesus without ever deciding to follow him. Like the Pharisee, they mask their rejection under a thin cover of inquiry. Perhaps, like the Pharisees, they have too much to lose. Or they think they do. Prestige, power, and personal independence are hard to give up. It is easier to keep the argument on intellectual grounds than to face our spiritual and moral shortcomings. Sometimes, people have worked hard to get to their comfortable place in life and are unwilling to consider change. Friend, we must help them see that Christ Jesus gives both the power and the desire to change. Oh, change might not happen overnight. Often change is gradual over a period of time.

     Notice what the man said (verse 25), “One thing I know: I was blind, now I see.” Many Christians, having been blind and then receiving spiritual sight, have testified the same!  Listen. Believers don't need to know all the answers before they share Christ Jesus with others. All they must know is how Jesus changed their lives and how he’s working in us now. Each of us is our own expert in that topic!  We should tell people what Jesus did for us, and trust God to help our words draw others to him. We’ll continue with the conclusion of our series next week.

     If you feel the Holy Spirit speaking to your heart to make a new commitment, or to rededicate your life, you are welcome to come forward during our closing hymn.

     Dear Heavenly Father, we praise Your Name. Forgive us of our sins. Thank You for Your gift of spiritual sight through Christ Jesus. Continue to lead us that we may see you more clearly, follow you more nearly, and love you more dearly.  In Jesus Name we pray, Amen.