Jesus and the Blind Man

TEXT:  John 9

INTRODUCTION:

A.      TWO THINGS GOING ON:

          1.       An Unbeliever becomes a Believer.

          2.       Believers of a sort become Unbelievers.

B.      IRONY - IN THE SAME CIRCUMSTANCE, WHAT MAKES BELIEVERS OF

          SOME MAKES UNBELIEVERS OF OTHERS.

I.      WHAT MADE UNBELIEVERS OF THE PHARISEES?

A.      LOVE FOR TRADITION( vs. 16 ).

          1.       Not the Pharisaic esteem for tradition( Matt. 15:3, 6 ).

          2.       Many observed prohibitions for the Sabbath were mere tradition.

          3.       Law did not prohibit acts of mercy( Mark 3:1-4;  2:24-29;  Luke 13:10-17 ).

B.      THEY REFUSED THE EVIDENCE( vs. 18 ).

          1.       God has provided sufficient evidence of his existence( Rom. 1:21 ).

          2.       Christ's approval( John 20:30-31;  Acts 2:22-24 ).

          3.       Nobility not in blind acceptance( Acts 17:11 ).

C.      FEAR OF REPRISAL( vs. 22 ).  LASHED OUT AT TRUTH AND FAITHFUL.

          1.       Fear used on the blind man's parents.

          2.       Used on the rulers( John 12:42-43 ).

          3.       Demas( 2 Tim. 4:10 ).

          4.       A common tactic( Matt. 23:13 ).

          5.       Examples to follow( Acts 4:19-20;  5:29 ).

          6.       Not to fear men( Matt. 10:28;  Heb. 13:5-6 ).

D.      PREJUDICE - ALREADY MADE UP THEIR MINDS( vs. 24 ).

          1.       "We already know" - Did they?  How did they answer Jesus( 8:46 ).

          2.       God's word is to teach, not confirm what we have already made up our minds

                   to believe( 2 Thess. 2:10-12 ).

E.      PRIDE( vs. 28 ).  "OF MOSES"( vs. 34, 40 ).

          1.       No conflict between Moses and Jesus( Deut. 18:18-19;  John 5:39-46 ).

          2.       Attitude of superiority and strength( vs. 34, 40;  1 Cor. 3:18;  10:12 ).

                                                   "You teach us?"

II.     WHAT MADE THE BLIND MAN A BELIEVER?

A.      HE SEES JESUS AS A MAN( vs. 11 ).  UNDERSTANDING PROGRESSES.

B.      THEN SAW HIM AS A PROPHET( vs. 17;  4:17-19 ).

C.      FROM GOD( vs. 30-33;  John 3:1-2;  Prov. 15:29;  Psa. 145:18-19 ).

D.      ACCEPTED JESUS AS LORD( vs. 38 ). UNDERSTOOD NATURE & PLACE.

E.      WORSHIPPED - GAVE REVERENCE DUE HIM( vs. 38 ).

CONCLUSION:

A.      WE MUST MAKE A DECISION.

B.      IRONY OF JEWS DISBELIEF - THEY WERE THE BLIND ONES.

C.      WE MAKE DECISIONS EVERYDAY.