Sermon nuggets Fri June 13, 2008
Theme- Spiritual Blindness
Verses John 9:35-41 Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, and when he found him, he said, "Do you believe in the Son of Man?"
36 "Who is he, sir?" the man asked. "Tell me so that I may believe in him."
37 Jesus said, "You have now seen him; in fact, he is the one speaking with you."
38 Then the man said, "Lord, I believe," and he worshiped him.
39 Jesus said, "For judgment I have come into this world, so that the blind will see and those who see will become blind."
40 Some Pharisees who were with him heard him say this and asked, "What? Are we blind too?"
41 Jesus said, "If you were blind, you would not be guilty of sin; but now that you claim you can see, your guilt remains. (NIV)
Blinded by Ignorance vs 35-41
I saw a play that deal with this subject called the Lamp at Midnight. It was a biographical play about the physicist Galileo in the 1600s. Galileo worked long hours studying what he observed in his telescopes. He plotted the stars, and carefully researched what was occurring. To his surprise he discovered the data revealed that the sun was the center of this galaxy, just as Copernicus suspected over 100 years before him, Galileo showed how the planets revolved around in ellipses, like lopsided circles. And there were periods when the moon was actually closer to the earth and periods that the earth was closer to the sun. All these astronomical theories we accept as fact today. But there was one problem in Galileo's day. The Catholic Church taught God was perfect in all things, and everyone knew that the perfect geometric figure was the circle, not an ellipse. Since man as the center of God's activity Earth therefore must by the center of the universe. In other words Galileo's discoveries did not fit in the church's theology. Bishops were called, the Pope was even asked to look into the telescope and see for himself.
Some officials thought Galileo had painted spots on the other end to confuse them. But theology superseded a man's notions, regardless what he saw in the telescopes. They made Galileo recant his discoveries and banned his books during the inquisition. They refused to see the wonders of the heavens and the further glories of God because of pride. They were not humble enough to admit they were wrong.
It wasn’t until this decade that Pope John Paul II apologized in 2000 for that sin.
That is no different in Jesus day or in our day. Some are not the least bit interested in the facts only in how they might win their argument. They cannot admit wrong, that is an admission of weakness.
Ignorance and the refusal to be open to truth kept them spiritually blind.
There are times when God doesn't fit into our preconceived ideas we must be humble and admit that God's ways are not always understood by mankind. We must never take pride of our understanding. It is hard to admit that our understanding is limited. It is hard to admit that we don't know it all. But there is knowable truth. Jesus is the light. Faith is found in Him and Him alone. There are the truths of the Bible that are stated clearly and plainly and repeatedly, believe them strongly.
Paul Stookey, of Peter, Paul and Mary fame sang in one of his songs, “Passing conversations where they mentioned your existence, and the fact that you had been replaced by your assistants. The discussion was theology and when they smiled and turned to me, all that I could say was, ‘I believe in you.’” All the blind man could say, was "once I was blind, but now I see."
If I were to pick one most common mistake people make in misinterpreting the Bible it is taking a verse or portion out of context. Many pick a verse here and there and fail to read and understand each verse in relationship to the previous verses and the following verses. Lots of cults will try to quote the Bible to you, but if you read those verses for yourself and study what goes before it and after it, you will save yourself lots of errors that are floating around.
How do we correct these blind spots in our eyes, our spiritual eyes?
I believe it is the desire to know and look to the light, the Son of God, Jesus Christ. Jesus turned to the man having revealed himself now to Him, Do you believe in the Son of Man? "Who is he sir that I am believe in him? Jesus said, “You have now seen him; in fact, he is the one speaking with you." Then the man said, "Lord, I believe," and he worshiped him. This miracle was greater than the first. Jesus healed him and now spiritually for the first time in his life he could see. There are some who are blind but who see Jesus. There are many that think they can see, but are blind to Jesus. That is also what Jesus told the Pharisees. They see only the law, they see only other men and women around them, they see only pride of their theology and that keeps them from seeing Jesus.
Pastor Dale
Friday, June 13, 2008
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Blinded by Pride John 9:24-34
Sermon Nuggets Thurs June 12
Theme Spiritual Blindness
Verses - John 9:24-34 A second time they summoned the man who had been blind. "Give glory to God," they said. "We know this man is a sinner."
25 He replied, "Whether he is a sinner or not, I don't know. One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!"
26 Then they asked him, "What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?"
27 He answered, "I have told you already and you did not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you want to become his disciples, too?"
28 Then they hurled insults at him and said, "You are this fellow's disciple! We are disciples of Moses! 29 We know that God spoke to Moses, but as for this fellow, we don't even know where he comes from."
30 The man answered, "Now that is remarkable! You don't know where he comes from, yet he opened my eyes. 31 We know that God does not listen to sinners. He listens to the godly man who does his will. 32 Nobody has ever heard of opening the eyes of a man born blind. 33 If this man were not from God, he could do nothing."
34 To this they replied, "You were steeped in sin at birth; how dare you lecture us!" And they threw him out. (NIV)
Blinded by Pride.
The accusers of the blind man were not at all concerned about him or about the truth of what happened to him. They were proud of their theology, their education, their status, their power, and their religious training. Their pride kept them from seeing Jesus as the Son of God.
They asked the man a second time about the details of his healing. Perhaps they would find something else to criticize or condemn Jesus. But they couldn't escape the fact that the man was totally, physically blind and now he was healed by the supernatural powers of Jesus.
The man who was blind challenged them to open their own eyes. He asked how Jesus could receive just such power unless it was divine power. The man's eyes were opened, and so was his understanding of who Jesus must be. No one could open eyes blind from birth. Since God heard him then Jesus must be from God.
This infuriated the Jews and they rebuked him. "You were born in utter sin," And they kicked him out of the temple.
What was the power of this man's witness? He was changed and he knew it and wasn't afraid to tell people the truth. He didn't need to understand all doctrine, or comprehend all the answers to his doubts. He was living proof of a living and powerful God. He told his story. All he needed to do was to trust what he did understand. All the opinions in the world would not change this man's mind, because simply put, "I was blind, and now I see". He gave God the glory. It worked for Him.
Jesus is worth following. People can say anything they want. They can debate, argue read Greek, Hebrew, and hieroglyphics. They can have committee meetings and hold councils, and test-tube experiments, but it all came down to one final argument as far as the man was concerned, "I was blind, and now I see." People can believe him or not. They can think what they want to about Jesus, but he experienced God’s power and freedom of from that which kept him in darkness all my life. Nobody can deny that and what difference does it matter that others say and think. Jesus made him whole.
Have you experienced the reality of Jesus in your life? Your witness is what God has done for you. Tell others of your experience, and how God has affected your life and leave it at that. Nobody can deny it, and if they do, it really doesn't make a difference. Truth is not truth because people vote on it. Truth is truth based on what is revealed. That is why I found an article in the Minneapolis Star and Tribune a few years ago both funny and sad. A group of church people from the Disciples of Christ Church couldn't agree whether non-Christians could go to heaven, so they referred it back to committee. How prideful! They don't make up the rules God does. We can think what we like, but one who has experienced the reality of God in their life doesn't need an argument. "Once I was blind, and now I see."
Pastor Dale
Theme Spiritual Blindness
Verses - John 9:24-34 A second time they summoned the man who had been blind. "Give glory to God," they said. "We know this man is a sinner."
25 He replied, "Whether he is a sinner or not, I don't know. One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!"
26 Then they asked him, "What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?"
27 He answered, "I have told you already and you did not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you want to become his disciples, too?"
28 Then they hurled insults at him and said, "You are this fellow's disciple! We are disciples of Moses! 29 We know that God spoke to Moses, but as for this fellow, we don't even know where he comes from."
30 The man answered, "Now that is remarkable! You don't know where he comes from, yet he opened my eyes. 31 We know that God does not listen to sinners. He listens to the godly man who does his will. 32 Nobody has ever heard of opening the eyes of a man born blind. 33 If this man were not from God, he could do nothing."
34 To this they replied, "You were steeped in sin at birth; how dare you lecture us!" And they threw him out. (NIV)
Blinded by Pride.
The accusers of the blind man were not at all concerned about him or about the truth of what happened to him. They were proud of their theology, their education, their status, their power, and their religious training. Their pride kept them from seeing Jesus as the Son of God.
They asked the man a second time about the details of his healing. Perhaps they would find something else to criticize or condemn Jesus. But they couldn't escape the fact that the man was totally, physically blind and now he was healed by the supernatural powers of Jesus.
The man who was blind challenged them to open their own eyes. He asked how Jesus could receive just such power unless it was divine power. The man's eyes were opened, and so was his understanding of who Jesus must be. No one could open eyes blind from birth. Since God heard him then Jesus must be from God.
This infuriated the Jews and they rebuked him. "You were born in utter sin," And they kicked him out of the temple.
What was the power of this man's witness? He was changed and he knew it and wasn't afraid to tell people the truth. He didn't need to understand all doctrine, or comprehend all the answers to his doubts. He was living proof of a living and powerful God. He told his story. All he needed to do was to trust what he did understand. All the opinions in the world would not change this man's mind, because simply put, "I was blind, and now I see". He gave God the glory. It worked for Him.
Jesus is worth following. People can say anything they want. They can debate, argue read Greek, Hebrew, and hieroglyphics. They can have committee meetings and hold councils, and test-tube experiments, but it all came down to one final argument as far as the man was concerned, "I was blind, and now I see." People can believe him or not. They can think what they want to about Jesus, but he experienced God’s power and freedom of from that which kept him in darkness all my life. Nobody can deny that and what difference does it matter that others say and think. Jesus made him whole.
Have you experienced the reality of Jesus in your life? Your witness is what God has done for you. Tell others of your experience, and how God has affected your life and leave it at that. Nobody can deny it, and if they do, it really doesn't make a difference. Truth is not truth because people vote on it. Truth is truth based on what is revealed. That is why I found an article in the Minneapolis Star and Tribune a few years ago both funny and sad. A group of church people from the Disciples of Christ Church couldn't agree whether non-Christians could go to heaven, so they referred it back to committee. How prideful! They don't make up the rules God does. We can think what we like, but one who has experienced the reality of God in their life doesn't need an argument. "Once I was blind, and now I see."
Pastor Dale
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Blinded by Fear John 9:18-23
Sermon nuggets Weds June 11, 2008
Theme Spiritual Blindness
Verses John 9:18-23 The Jews still did not believe that he had been blind and had received his sight until they sent for the man's parents.
19 "Is this your son?" they asked. "Is this the one you say was born blind? How is it that now he can see?"
20 "We know he is our son," the parents answered, "and we know he was born blind.
21 But how he can see now, or who opened his eyes, we don't know. Ask him. He is of age; he will speak for himself."
22 His parents said this because they were afraid of the Jews, for already the Jews had decided that anyone who acknowledged that Jesus was the Christ would be put out of the synagogue. That was why his parents said, "He is of age; ask him."
Blinded by Fear
There are many who are blind to spiritual truths because of fear of others. What would others say if they knew you were a Christian? What would others do if you didn't want to go along with the crowd? Are am afraid you would lose popularity, or friendship with some people if you don't act like them or go along with their activities that makes you feel accepted. Young people fight with this temptation often.
Many youth want to fit in with the crowd, but so do adults. People want to dress like others when they go some place so they won't be overdressed, or underdressed. Some of this is cultural style. What is okay to wear at certain events?
But beyond dress many Christians will say, "My faith is something private. I don't talk about it. Why? May I advise you and all young people not to let fear of others blind you spiritually. Don't do what you know is wrong because fear of what others might say. Your life and decisions are far more important than letting someone else run your life. Truth will always win in the end. Have patience.
Here the man's parents were asked to identify their son and give witness that he was indeed blind from birth. With much fear they did so, but they would not commit themselves to Jesus because they did not want to be kicked out of the group. The Jews had already agreed that if anyone should confess him to be the Christ, he was to be put of the synagogue.
Often people's relationship to God is dependant on their commitment to other people, not to God. The Apostle Paul said, "I become all things to all people that I might win some." Does that contradict what I said? No. For the cause of Christ Paul will do what it takes so other people will understand the truth of the Gospel. If dressing like a china man means that the china man will be more open to listen to Jesus then missionary Hudson Taylor will dress like a china man. If plowing a field helps to gain friendship with a farmer so that he might open up his life to Christ, then be willing to plow a field. If going to a football game helps some athletes discover Spiritual truth, then one should be willing to do that. What is the bridge to help others open up dialogue on Spiritual things, but ask what are the barriers that encourage your silence?
Notice what happened when Peter began to discriminate against the Gentiles when others of his own race walked in the door. Now we are talking about conviction of principle. We are talking about salvation and the place of the non-Jew in God's eyes. Paul stood and publicly criticized the Apostle Peter's actions because it was wrong, and it was going to affect others.
I read of Harry Ironsides, one of the great preachers of the last century tells a story of one of His mother's lessons to him. Mother told Harry as a youngster to trust in the Lord with all his heart. He said, "Well Momma, I would like to do it, but he boys will laugh at me." His Momma looked at him and said, "Harry remember, they may laugh you into hell, but they can never laugh you out of it." Harry thought about that and followed the Lord ever since.
Perfect love casts out fear, the Bible tells us. Knowing the truth of God gives us courage. Having the Spirit of God helps us stand up against our fears. Notice the lack of fear of the blind man.
Pastor Dale
Theme Spiritual Blindness
Verses John 9:18-23 The Jews still did not believe that he had been blind and had received his sight until they sent for the man's parents.
19 "Is this your son?" they asked. "Is this the one you say was born blind? How is it that now he can see?"
20 "We know he is our son," the parents answered, "and we know he was born blind.
21 But how he can see now, or who opened his eyes, we don't know. Ask him. He is of age; he will speak for himself."
22 His parents said this because they were afraid of the Jews, for already the Jews had decided that anyone who acknowledged that Jesus was the Christ would be put out of the synagogue. That was why his parents said, "He is of age; ask him."
Blinded by Fear
There are many who are blind to spiritual truths because of fear of others. What would others say if they knew you were a Christian? What would others do if you didn't want to go along with the crowd? Are am afraid you would lose popularity, or friendship with some people if you don't act like them or go along with their activities that makes you feel accepted. Young people fight with this temptation often.
Many youth want to fit in with the crowd, but so do adults. People want to dress like others when they go some place so they won't be overdressed, or underdressed. Some of this is cultural style. What is okay to wear at certain events?
But beyond dress many Christians will say, "My faith is something private. I don't talk about it. Why? May I advise you and all young people not to let fear of others blind you spiritually. Don't do what you know is wrong because fear of what others might say. Your life and decisions are far more important than letting someone else run your life. Truth will always win in the end. Have patience.
Here the man's parents were asked to identify their son and give witness that he was indeed blind from birth. With much fear they did so, but they would not commit themselves to Jesus because they did not want to be kicked out of the group. The Jews had already agreed that if anyone should confess him to be the Christ, he was to be put of the synagogue.
Often people's relationship to God is dependant on their commitment to other people, not to God. The Apostle Paul said, "I become all things to all people that I might win some." Does that contradict what I said? No. For the cause of Christ Paul will do what it takes so other people will understand the truth of the Gospel. If dressing like a china man means that the china man will be more open to listen to Jesus then missionary Hudson Taylor will dress like a china man. If plowing a field helps to gain friendship with a farmer so that he might open up his life to Christ, then be willing to plow a field. If going to a football game helps some athletes discover Spiritual truth, then one should be willing to do that. What is the bridge to help others open up dialogue on Spiritual things, but ask what are the barriers that encourage your silence?
Notice what happened when Peter began to discriminate against the Gentiles when others of his own race walked in the door. Now we are talking about conviction of principle. We are talking about salvation and the place of the non-Jew in God's eyes. Paul stood and publicly criticized the Apostle Peter's actions because it was wrong, and it was going to affect others.
I read of Harry Ironsides, one of the great preachers of the last century tells a story of one of His mother's lessons to him. Mother told Harry as a youngster to trust in the Lord with all his heart. He said, "Well Momma, I would like to do it, but he boys will laugh at me." His Momma looked at him and said, "Harry remember, they may laugh you into hell, but they can never laugh you out of it." Harry thought about that and followed the Lord ever since.
Perfect love casts out fear, the Bible tells us. Knowing the truth of God gives us courage. Having the Spirit of God helps us stand up against our fears. Notice the lack of fear of the blind man.
Pastor Dale
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Legalism Blinds John 9:13-17
Sermon nuggets Tues, June 10, 2008
Theme – Legalism Blinds
Verses- John 9:13-17 They brought to the Pharisees the man who had been blind. Now the day on which Jesus had made the mud and opened the man's eyes was a Sabbath. Therefore the Pharisees also asked him how he had received his sight. "He put mud on my eyes," the man replied, "and I washed, and now I see."
16 Some of the Pharisees said, "This man is not from God, for he does not keep the Sabbath." But others asked, "How can a sinner do such miraculous signs?" So they were divided.
17 Finally they turned again to the blind man, "What have you to say about him? It was your eyes he opened." The man replied, "He is a prophet."(NIV)
Blinded by Legalism
This account demonstrates certain attitudes that keep people spiritually blind from truths that God has for us. Top on the list for religious people can be spiritual blindness by legalism. The Pharisees could not delight in seeing a man healed since birth, nor see Jesus as the Son of God because of their Sabbath laws. It made no difference that this was a miracle. It made no difference that this healing was cause for rejoicing and celebrating that a man could be freed from infirmity. But this day of the week was so holy to the Pharisees that anyone who did any work was really dishonoring God.
Some of their Rabbinical teaching helped explain work. “ A man may not fill a dish with oil and put it beside a lamp or put the end of wick in it. If a man extinguishes a lamp on the Sabbath to spare the lamp or the oil or the wick he is culpable of breaking the Sabbath. A man may not go out on the Sabbath with sandals shod with nails. The weight of the nails would have constituted a burden and to carry a burden on the Sabbath was to break the religious law. A man might not cut his fingernails or pull out a hair form his head or his beard.”
Today Orthodox Jews forbid sewing on the Sabbath, including gluing or pasting. The question was asked of one rabbi about the use of gummed adhesive strips on disposable diapers. His answer related as to whether or not removing the gummed strip is destructive labor or constructive. He cautioned that even if it is permissible, the practice should not be done around the untutored weaker brother.
Jesus was guilty for breaking the Sabbath. First, he got his hands dirty by making mud. That was work. Then by applying it as he did on the man's eyes was carrying out medical practices. Mud was actually thought by some in that society to have medicinal purposes, as a soothing balm.The rules said that if you help a person if his life was in danger that was alright. You could only do enough work to keep man alive, you were not suppose to do anything that would cause someone to get better. Jesus could have waited a day and eliminated all the fuss of the Pharisees. Jesus didn't play by the rules. The man was made to see, and indeed got better.
One of the greatest problems with legalism if that when you define how you should and should not act, then you can easily identify whether you or others are religious. You then can start measuring each others religious commitment. This isn't limited to the orthodox Jews. If reading a chapter in the Bible is good, then reading two chapters a day makes you twice as good. If one has a 2 minutes prayer, a four minute prayer would make someone appear twice as holy and righteous. If you carry out your spiritual activity by being a Sunday School teacher, then you are better than someone who doesn't teach, but not as holy as a pastor who teaches and preaches full time. You understand legalism is more than the rules you set forth, it is the attitude that judges people on the outward actions and has no basis of knowing a man's heart devotion to God.
Jesus never advocated sin, nor did he think anyone could live anyway they pleased. Indeed, we are called to live differently than the world around us, but let us take on the characteristics of Jesus. That we cannot do unless we have the Spirit of Christ within us. The Spirit will let us see Jesus instead of focusing on the legalism that keeps us blind to love, praise, and freedom.
Pastor Dale
Theme – Legalism Blinds
Verses- John 9:13-17 They brought to the Pharisees the man who had been blind. Now the day on which Jesus had made the mud and opened the man's eyes was a Sabbath. Therefore the Pharisees also asked him how he had received his sight. "He put mud on my eyes," the man replied, "and I washed, and now I see."
16 Some of the Pharisees said, "This man is not from God, for he does not keep the Sabbath." But others asked, "How can a sinner do such miraculous signs?" So they were divided.
17 Finally they turned again to the blind man, "What have you to say about him? It was your eyes he opened." The man replied, "He is a prophet."(NIV)
Blinded by Legalism
This account demonstrates certain attitudes that keep people spiritually blind from truths that God has for us. Top on the list for religious people can be spiritual blindness by legalism. The Pharisees could not delight in seeing a man healed since birth, nor see Jesus as the Son of God because of their Sabbath laws. It made no difference that this was a miracle. It made no difference that this healing was cause for rejoicing and celebrating that a man could be freed from infirmity. But this day of the week was so holy to the Pharisees that anyone who did any work was really dishonoring God.
Some of their Rabbinical teaching helped explain work. “ A man may not fill a dish with oil and put it beside a lamp or put the end of wick in it. If a man extinguishes a lamp on the Sabbath to spare the lamp or the oil or the wick he is culpable of breaking the Sabbath. A man may not go out on the Sabbath with sandals shod with nails. The weight of the nails would have constituted a burden and to carry a burden on the Sabbath was to break the religious law. A man might not cut his fingernails or pull out a hair form his head or his beard.”
Today Orthodox Jews forbid sewing on the Sabbath, including gluing or pasting. The question was asked of one rabbi about the use of gummed adhesive strips on disposable diapers. His answer related as to whether or not removing the gummed strip is destructive labor or constructive. He cautioned that even if it is permissible, the practice should not be done around the untutored weaker brother.
Jesus was guilty for breaking the Sabbath. First, he got his hands dirty by making mud. That was work. Then by applying it as he did on the man's eyes was carrying out medical practices. Mud was actually thought by some in that society to have medicinal purposes, as a soothing balm.The rules said that if you help a person if his life was in danger that was alright. You could only do enough work to keep man alive, you were not suppose to do anything that would cause someone to get better. Jesus could have waited a day and eliminated all the fuss of the Pharisees. Jesus didn't play by the rules. The man was made to see, and indeed got better.
One of the greatest problems with legalism if that when you define how you should and should not act, then you can easily identify whether you or others are religious. You then can start measuring each others religious commitment. This isn't limited to the orthodox Jews. If reading a chapter in the Bible is good, then reading two chapters a day makes you twice as good. If one has a 2 minutes prayer, a four minute prayer would make someone appear twice as holy and righteous. If you carry out your spiritual activity by being a Sunday School teacher, then you are better than someone who doesn't teach, but not as holy as a pastor who teaches and preaches full time. You understand legalism is more than the rules you set forth, it is the attitude that judges people on the outward actions and has no basis of knowing a man's heart devotion to God.
Jesus never advocated sin, nor did he think anyone could live anyway they pleased. Indeed, we are called to live differently than the world around us, but let us take on the characteristics of Jesus. That we cannot do unless we have the Spirit of Christ within us. The Spirit will let us see Jesus instead of focusing on the legalism that keeps us blind to love, praise, and freedom.
Pastor Dale
Monday, June 9, 2008
Spiritual Blindness John 9:1-12
Sermon nuggets Monday June 9
Theme- Spiritual Blindness
Verses John 9:1-12 As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?"
3 "Neither this man nor his parents sinned," said Jesus, "but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life. As long as it is day, we must do the work of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. While I am in the world, I am the light of the world."
6 Having said this, he spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man's eyes. "Go," he told him, "wash in the Pool of Siloam" (this word means Sent). So the man went and washed, and came home seeing. His neighbors and those who had formerly seen him begging asked, "Isn't this the same man who used to sit and beg?"
9 Some claimed that he was. Others said, "No, he only looks like him." But he himself insisted, "I am the man."
10 "How then were your eyes opened?" they demanded.
11 He replied, "The man they call Jesus made some mud and put it on my eyes. He told me to go to Siloam and wash. So I went and washed, and then I could see."
12 "Where is this man?" they asked him. "I don't know," he said. (NIV)
Spiritual Blindness
When I was a child I would play the game Blindman’s Bluff. The way we played it was much like blind tag. The person blindfolded would try to catch others around him, as they made noises to lead him on.
The account in the Scriptures today is of a real blindman. But the game isn't played by the one blinded, but by those who claim they see. Jesus and the disciples were coming out of the temple and the disciples saw this blind man and asked Jesus a question about sin. Jesus eliminates the thought that sickness is related to anyone's particular sin in this instance. It is not uncommon for people to still ask that questions. "How come I'm sick, or have a disease? What sin is God punishing me for?"
Jesus instead shows He can bring healing one's life because He is the light of the world. Here Jesus spat on the ground; made clay; placed it on the eyes of the man, and sent him to the pool of Siloam to wash. When he did so the man came back seeing for the first time in his life.
As is often the case the true story points to a greater story. The true story of the healing of a blind man points also to the spiritual healing that Jesus provides for us all who are spiritually blind.
In original sin we are blind since birth. We can ask whose fault is it since we love to point to Adam and Eve and their sin thinking somehow we are not responsible. But indeed all have sinned and come short of God’s glory. We all have turn our own way.
I heard a fictional dialogue that went something like this – God created man and woman and put them in the garden. They had all they needed or ever wanted. There was one thing- God said don’t.
“Don’t what?” They asked.
“Don’t eat of this fruit?”
“What fruit?”
“The fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.”
“Where is it?”
Of course, they took what God forbidden them to eat. “What did you do?”
“Nothing”.
“You took the fruit”.
“Did not”
"Did too."
"Did not."
"Why did you take it”.
“I donno"
" She made me do it”
“Did not” "Did too” “Did not” "Did too”.
So God punished them by making sure they had children of their own.
The Discples were asking about specific sin of the man that caused his blindness. Jesus points to the fact that this points to His glory and in taking the mud he applies it to the eyes of the blind and tells him to wash. In obedience, he does what Jesus says and sees.
Yes we all have a sin problem. We are all spiritually blind to God and His ways, holiness, and purposes. Faith is trusting Jesus and obeying. Without seeing at first we believe, and in believing we are made to see by a power beyond us. It is Jesus power over all our sin and blindness of Spirit and we come to see.
Pastor Dale.
Theme- Spiritual Blindness
Verses John 9:1-12 As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?"
3 "Neither this man nor his parents sinned," said Jesus, "but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life. As long as it is day, we must do the work of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. While I am in the world, I am the light of the world."
6 Having said this, he spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man's eyes. "Go," he told him, "wash in the Pool of Siloam" (this word means Sent). So the man went and washed, and came home seeing. His neighbors and those who had formerly seen him begging asked, "Isn't this the same man who used to sit and beg?"
9 Some claimed that he was. Others said, "No, he only looks like him." But he himself insisted, "I am the man."
10 "How then were your eyes opened?" they demanded.
11 He replied, "The man they call Jesus made some mud and put it on my eyes. He told me to go to Siloam and wash. So I went and washed, and then I could see."
12 "Where is this man?" they asked him. "I don't know," he said. (NIV)
Spiritual Blindness
When I was a child I would play the game Blindman’s Bluff. The way we played it was much like blind tag. The person blindfolded would try to catch others around him, as they made noises to lead him on.
The account in the Scriptures today is of a real blindman. But the game isn't played by the one blinded, but by those who claim they see. Jesus and the disciples were coming out of the temple and the disciples saw this blind man and asked Jesus a question about sin. Jesus eliminates the thought that sickness is related to anyone's particular sin in this instance. It is not uncommon for people to still ask that questions. "How come I'm sick, or have a disease? What sin is God punishing me for?"
Jesus instead shows He can bring healing one's life because He is the light of the world. Here Jesus spat on the ground; made clay; placed it on the eyes of the man, and sent him to the pool of Siloam to wash. When he did so the man came back seeing for the first time in his life.
As is often the case the true story points to a greater story. The true story of the healing of a blind man points also to the spiritual healing that Jesus provides for us all who are spiritually blind.
In original sin we are blind since birth. We can ask whose fault is it since we love to point to Adam and Eve and their sin thinking somehow we are not responsible. But indeed all have sinned and come short of God’s glory. We all have turn our own way.
I heard a fictional dialogue that went something like this – God created man and woman and put them in the garden. They had all they needed or ever wanted. There was one thing- God said don’t.
“Don’t what?” They asked.
“Don’t eat of this fruit?”
“What fruit?”
“The fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.”
“Where is it?”
Of course, they took what God forbidden them to eat. “What did you do?”
“Nothing”.
“You took the fruit”.
“Did not”
"Did too."
"Did not."
"Why did you take it”.
“I donno"
" She made me do it”
“Did not” "Did too” “Did not” "Did too”.
So God punished them by making sure they had children of their own.
The Discples were asking about specific sin of the man that caused his blindness. Jesus points to the fact that this points to His glory and in taking the mud he applies it to the eyes of the blind and tells him to wash. In obedience, he does what Jesus says and sees.
Yes we all have a sin problem. We are all spiritually blind to God and His ways, holiness, and purposes. Faith is trusting Jesus and obeying. Without seeing at first we believe, and in believing we are made to see by a power beyond us. It is Jesus power over all our sin and blindness of Spirit and we come to see.
Pastor Dale.
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