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Sermon Notes

As Jesus Passed By

Sunday 10 June 2018 Pastor Craig Ledbetter John 9
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I. Introduction (John 9:1)

A. Casual events, passing events in our lives are never accidents

B. They are ordained by an infinitely wise and loving God

  1. Just as much as earthquakes and storms and major disasters
  2. The very fact that Jesus goes out of His way for single, solitary individuals like the man we are about to read about this morning, is awesome!

C. It is the week of Passover

  1. Jerusalem is packed with visiting Jews from all over the world
  2. This means it is Jesus’ final few days before His crucifixion
  3. And what do we find Him doing?

D. Jesus and His twelve disciples are walking through the city of Jerusalem

They approach a blind beggar man who is evidently well known to have been blind from birth. The blind man is just sitting there, begging for a few coins to get him through the day.

E. The disciples were intrigued by this man who was born blind

They were full of theological questions - a good thing to ask more than “where are we going to eat next?”

F. They did not realise just how many questions would be asked this day, nor how great the answers would be!

II. Message

A. A Man Born Blind (9:1,2)

  1. This man is not an old man, but a young man - somewhere between 20-30 years old
  2. This man was born into an awful life - born completely blind
    • Had never seen with his eyes
    • Had never been able to do any work and pay his bills
    • Had been dependant since birth upon other people all his life
    • His parents knew that he would probably end up begging on some street corner some day
    • Which is where we find him here in John chapter 9
  3. The disciples were curious… Why? Why was this man born this way?
    • Did he deserve it? Was he some wicked sinner somehow, from the womb?
    • Or did his parents do some awful sin and pass the consequences onto their son?
    • Certainly there is no other alternative, right?
  4. Do YOU ever ask the ‘Why’ Question about YOUR circumstances?

B. It is For the Glory of God (9:3)

  1. What a way for Jesus to talk!
  2. Jesus confidently declares that such disasters, and hardships could actually be FOR GOOD, and to bring glory to God
  3. Shock of all shocks!
    • That’s such an offensive thing to say Jesus!
    • Does Jesus even care how offensive those words would be to this blind man?
    • Most people today see every burden and every heartache as a punishment only
  4. But, Oh that every person in this room had faith to believe this Promise!!!
    • Absolutely no matter WHAT you are going through, it can be for good, folks!
    • If you would let Jesus pass by your way and not ignore Him!

C. Jesus Gets to Work (9:4-6)

  1. He starts doing what only He could do
    • As God - Jesus was NOT doing His own work, but the work of almighty God (deity)
    • As the LIGHT of the world! Notice how Jesus calls Himself NOT the great Physician, or the great Healer, but the “LIGHT of the world”
  2. Spits onto the ground - this is in the middle east remember… no water fountain nearby
  3. Works the dust into a simple clay with His gentle hands
  4. Reaches up and places clay from both His hands onto the very eyes of the blind man
  5. John records this touch by Jesus as an anointing - not cruel, and probably not uncomfortable - just gently placed the clay on the two blind eyes
  6. “I” wouldn’t do such a thing - neither would YOU - but then again, we are not the Son of God! Who does GREAT things in humble ways!

D. Go Wash (9:7)

  1. Jesus tells the blind man to go wash in the pool of Siloam
  2. The man had to act on what Jesus told him to do
  3. This required faith and obedience
  4. And when he did, he came seeing!

E. The Result - Confusion and Controversy (9:8-34)

  1. The neighbours couldn’t believe it was the same man
  2. The Pharisees were angry because it happened on the Sabbath
  3. They interrogated the man and his parents
  4. The healed man gave a simple testimony: “One thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see”
  5. They cast him out of the synagogue

F. Jesus Finds Him Again (9:35-38)

  1. Jesus sought out the man after he was cast out
  2. He revealed Himself as the Son of God
  3. The man believed and worshipped Him

III. Application

A. What Happens When Jesus Passes By?

  1. He sees our condition - nothing is hidden from Him
  2. He has a purpose for our struggles
  3. He offers to work on us if we will let Him
  4. He requires faith and obedience from us

B. The Question for You

  1. Will you let Jesus pass by without stopping Him?
  2. Will you let Him work on your blindness?
  3. Will you obey what He tells you to do?
  4. Will you stand firm when others oppose you for following Him?

C. The Glory of God

Your hardship, your struggle, your “blindness” - it can be for the glory of God! Not a punishment, but an opportunity for God to show His power and love through your life.

As Jesus passes by YOUR way today, will you let Him work on you?

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