My sermon notes for Sunday, Nov. 19th as we continue our study through The Gospel of John. Remember, these are my study notes and not a manuscript of the sermon. To see the sermon each week or subscribe to the weekly sermon podcast please visit http://www.fbcap.net
John 9: 1-7 – I can see the LIGHT
John 9:1–7 – [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. (ESV)
Introduction:
John 9 could be viewed as a coming together of everything Jesus has been teaching in John 7-8
- Living water, Light of the world
- Recognition, Rejection, Reception
- Blindness and Sight
It is the 6th of the 7 miracles of Jesus in John’s Gospel
- 1. Turns water into wine (John 2:1-11)
- 2. Heals the nobleman’s son (John 4:46-53)
- 3. Heals the lame on the Sabbath (John 5:1-29)
- 4. Feeds the Multitude (John 6:1-14)
- 5. Walks on Water (John 6:16-24)
- 6. Heals the Blind (John 9:1-12)
- 7. Raises Lazarus from the Dead (John 11:1-44)
A look at the text:
A man and his sin – vv. 1-2
verse 1 – Blind from birth
A permanent condition. Since birth
- Physically, but also spiritually.
verse 2 – Who sinned?
There were 3 schools of thought
- Our past life is reflected upon our new life. (Babylonians, Greeks)
- Parents sinned. (Jews)
- Child sinned in the womb (Jews)
Romans 3:23 – For all have sinned!
A Savior and His ministry – vv. 3-5
verse 3 – But that the Works of God might be displayed
- Manifested, Revealed, Made Known
- In all things…God is to be glorified. IN ALL THINGS
Romans 11:36 – [36] For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen. (ESV)
Examples of God’s glory on display
- Through Suffering and Affliction
- Through God’s Calling of His people
- Through the life of His people
Through suffering and affliction:
John 11:3-4 – Lazarus
[3] So the sisters sent to him, saying, “Lord, he whom you love is ill.” [4] But when Jesus heard it he said, “This illness does not lead to death. It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.” (ESV)
John 21:19 – Death of Peter
[19] (This he said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.) And after saying this he said to him, “Follow me.” (ESV)
John 12:27–28 – Jesus suffering
[27] “Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But for this purpose I have come to this hour. [28] Father, glorify your name.” Then a voice came from heaven: “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.” (ESV)
2 Cor. 12:9-10 – Affliction of Paul
[9] But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. [10] For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (ESV)
Through the calling of His people:
Old Covenant:
Isaiah 49:3
[3] And he said to me, “You are my servant, Israel, in whom I will be glorified.” (ESV)
Jeremiah 13:11
[11]so I made the whole house of Israel and the whole house of Judah cling to me, declares the LORD, that they might be for me a people, a name, a praise, and a glory, but they would not listen. (ESV)
New Covenant:
Ephesians 1:3–10 – [3] Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, [4] even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love [5] he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, [6] to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. [7] In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, [8] which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight [9] making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ [10] as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. (ESV)
Through the life of His people
Matthew 5: 16 – Our good works/How we live our life
[16] In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. (ESV)
1 Peter 2:9–12
[9] But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. [10] Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
[11] Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. [12] Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation. (ESV)
Even though we may not specifically see what God is doing through a specific event. We should realize that as a follower of Jesus Christ that everything within the realm of our life should bring glory to God.
Think about how those that loved the Lord glorified Him in their suffering and even death. We all have many examples of how through suffering God was glorified through FAITHFULNESS
verse 4 – Do the work while it is today
Ephesians 5:15–17
[15] Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, [16] making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. [17] Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. (ESV)
- Jesus knew He was on mission…a mission of redemption. Every aspect of His earthly ministry had Calvary as the backdrop.
- The time is now. They rejected in Chap 8, but that does not mean that the mission has failed. Jesus knew THE TIME TABLE.
- 2 Cor. 6:2 – Today is the day of salvation
The man and his obedience – v. 6-7
verse 6 – Why the mud… so that HE COULD GO AND WASH
- The religious Pharisees, with everything… would not RESPOND
- Yet a blind, beggar, sinner, with nothing… RESPONDED
- They were blind and thought they could see
- The beggar knew He was blind.
- What a picture. Dead Faith compared to Alive Faith.
LIVING WATER….LIGHT OF THE WORLD (Chaps 7 & 8)
- Jesus is living water – Go and Wash
- I am the light of the world – the Man could see. FOR THE FIRST TIME IN HIS LIFE.
verse 7 – Go…He went
BY GRACE THROUGH FAITH.
The religious leaders have everything, but remained blind.
The beggar had nothing, yet gained his sight.
He believed, He obeyed, He was healed!!!