Follow Jesus Series 18
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“Who” Opened The Eyes Of The Blind?
“Who” Opened The Eyes Of The Blind?
Text: John 9
Text: John 9
Introduction:
Introduction:
I am always amazed at the extent the God of Heaven desires for me and you to know of His existence. That is only the beginning! The Father ultimately desires for us to return to a perfect union with Him. Thats why He sent His son to pay your debt and only ask from you a confession of genuine repentance and faith alone in Christ as your person Savior.
We have arrived at another moment in Jesus’ ministry when He person and purpose is on full display for everyone to see! Within this story, we are going to learn some things:
First — God uses present discomfort to guide you and many others to an eternity of comfort with Him.
Second — The work of grace is but for a season.
Thirdly — The transforming work of God’s grace is on display for all to see.
Fourthly — There will be those who will discourage your faith.
Fifthly — You and your new faith will not always be accepted in this world.
Sixth — In light of the evidence, will you believe or not?
1) Grace On Display
1) Grace On Display
A. The narrow view of this man’s condition (v1-7)
A. The narrow view of this man’s condition (v1-7)
There is always a temptation for you to look at difficult circumstances through a lens of selfishness, logic, human reasoning.
The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Nine: The Blind Man Calls Their Bluff (John 9)
to blame a specific disability on a specific sin committed by specific persons is certainly beyond any man’s ability or authority. Only God knows why babies are born with handicaps, and only God can turn those handicaps into something that will bring good to the people and glory to His name.
Jesus never suggested that God has deliberately made this man blind just so He could later heal him.
Notice the question from Jesus’ disciples.
The disciples were approaching this man as a point of discussion instead of a point of showing compassion too.
It’s far easier to talk about serving, it is another to do it.
What you are getting ready to witness is Jesus placing a larger than life purpose on something that would be otherwise purposeless and hopeless.
B. Jesus will never allow a work to become unfinished or to be without effectiveness.
B. Jesus will never allow a work to become unfinished or to be without effectiveness.
Focus in on verses 3-5
Jesus said, “This man’s disease was not a result from sin, but a disease that passed through God’s power, purposeful and sovereign hands as a grand stage to display His life changing grace to be seen and ultimately experienced.
Jesus said, “I have a work to do and a timeframe to get it done in.”
We all are blessed to live in what it called the “age of grace.”
Like all other ages, this age will come to and END!!!
C. The work of mud in the Master’s hands.
C. The work of mud in the Master’s hands.
Something we consistently learn from Jesus’ ministry is it is never a disappointment to place the powerless into the all powerful hands of God.
God may be leading you to surrender something that would typically not enough or powerful enough on it own to Him.
The question that is left for you to answer is this, “Who do you believe Jesus to be?”
Jesus asked this probing question to Peter once. Jesus also asked them, “Will you also go away?”
2) An Undeniable Change (v8-34)
2) An Undeniable Change (v8-34)
A. Many people NOTICED the difference Jesus made on this man’s life.
A. Many people NOTICED the difference Jesus made on this man’s life.
“Neighbors” and those who knew him before.
We learn that this man had a PAST.
We learn this man was UNASHAMED of who he had become.
(Scripture, give men an answer) This supernatural work will raise questions from others.
Jesus provided the clay and presented a moment of faith for this man.
B. A bold and open faith gets the attention of the naysayers.
B. A bold and open faith gets the attention of the naysayers.
Notice how the religious leaders continued to ask the wrong question; HOW?
They should have been asking “WHO?”
Why do you get so caught up in the HOW?
God has provided freedom from understanding the HOW, by simply trusting in the WHO!
The religious leaders try to discredit Jesus with the confines of their religious system.
They failed to realize that Jesus was offering something far greater than the Sabbath.
Matthew 11:28–30 “28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
Jesus needed no validation from “religion.” He validated His own authority.
(V16) Man’s religion only brings division and confusion.
The Jewish leaders make a smarty move by calling his parents.
They were either confirming Jesus was not using a look a like or counting on them denying their son’s account of what happened.
The parents used what we call PASSING THE BUCK. This was done in fear of excommunication.
It is far better to be rejected by your friends than by the Father in Heaven!!!
Notice verses 22-23
They started making threats toward this man (v24)
All this man was able to offer was what HE DID KNOW! (V25)
(v.27-28) When man’s religion is confronted with the real Jesus, pride will rise to the surface.
C. The healed man reasons with the doubters (v30-33)
C. The healed man reasons with the doubters (v30-33)
He was awe struck at the level of their resistance.
Religion and sentimental feelings can quickly harden a heart.
Notice some solid points he makes:
First — I am living proof of what Jesus can do.
Second — Jesus was not a sinner.
Third — Jesus was sent from God.
Q — How many of you are ready to reason with others about your faith?
For some of you, it is no surprise that you would not be due to your lack of being present to be taught the scriptures.
Be patient as you learn God’s Word.
Set goals for yourself to learn particular truths over a certain period of time.
Ask God for guidance as you study His Word.
There was a two-fold result: Seeds of truth were sown and he was rejected.
The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Nine: The Blind Man Calls Their Bluff (John 9)
The Pharisees were cautious men who would consider themselves conservatives, when in reality they were “preservatives.” A true conservative takes the best of the past and uses it, but he is also aware of the new things that God is doing. The new grows out of the old (Matt. 13:52). A “preservative” simply embalms the past and preserves it. He is against change and resists the new things that God is doing. Had the Pharisees really understood Moses, they would have known who Jesus was and what He was doing.
3) A Soul Changing Faith (v. 35-41)
3) A Soul Changing Faith (v. 35-41)
A. Jesus seeks out the lost soul
A. Jesus seeks out the lost soul
Luke 19:10 “10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.”
Romans 3:23 “23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;”
B. Forgiveness and new life was given at the moment of faith
B. Forgiveness and new life was given at the moment of faith
We have now reach the climax of his knowledge and faith in Jesus.
The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Nine: The Blind Man Calls Their Bluff (John 9)
The religious leaders were blind and would not admit it; therefore, the light of truth only made them blinder. The beggar admitted his need, and he received both physical and spiritual sight. No one is so blind as he who will not see, the one who thinks he has “all truth” and there is nothing more for him to learn
The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Nine: The Blind Man Calls Their Bluff (John 9)
The beggar was physically blind and spiritually blind, yet both his eyes and his heart were opened. Why? Because he listened to the Word, believed it, obeyed, and experienced the grace of God.
The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Nine: The Blind Man Calls Their Bluff (John 9)
The Pharisees had good physical vision, but they were blind spiritually. Had they listened to the Word and sincerely considered the evidence, they too would have believed on Jesus Christ and been born again.
The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Nine: The Blind Man Calls Their Bluff (John 9)
If they had examined the evidence with honesty, they would have seen the truth clearly.
The use to be blind man’s faith was the key to receiving forgiveness and new life!
Matthew 9:22 “22 But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour.”
Luke 17:19 “19 And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.”
Luke 18:42 “42 And Jesus said unto him, Receive thy sight: thy faith hath saved thee.”
1 John 5:1 “1 Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.”
Conclusion
Conclusion
Much similar to the former blind man’s parents and unbelieving religious leaders, there are people today who must choose between their family and Christ, tradition and Christ or religion and Christ.
They cost was great, yet the former blind man made the best choice.
All earthly loss is worth it when it comes to gaining new life in Christ and a home in Heaven.
What will be your choice today?