FBCWest 378 | Who Sinned?
Recorded On: 03/15/2020
Bulletin
FBCWest
March 15, 2020
“God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship Him in Spirit and truth.”
“His Name Is Wonderful”
Praise and Worship
SCRIPTURE READING – Psalm 122:1
“Build Your Kingdom Here”
“Way Maker”
“Like a Lion”
“Do it Again”
Giving of Selves and Our Offerings
OFFERTORY PRAYER
SPECIAL MUSIC – By Pru Hungate
Proclamation of the Word
Message by Pastor Joe
“The Life and Ministry of Jesus The Messiah”
“Who Sinned?”
PRAYER TIME / Time of Reflection
“My Savior, My God“
Acknowledgements and Announcements
Benediction “Won’t Stop Now”
Sermon Notes
John 9:1 & 2 Disciples ask who sinned that the man is blind
John 9:3 – 7 Jesus’ response and action
John 9:8 – 12 Questioning about the man and what happened
John 9:13 – 17 The man questioned
John 9:18 – 23 The man’s parents questioned
John 9:24 – 34 The man questioned a second time
John 9: 9:35 – 41 Jesus confirms to the man He is the Son of God
Scritpures
Transcript of Service
I have one sermon.
This is going to have an A&AB part. The part is kind of mine in connection with.
With the sermon.
It is.
The a part is I guess.
Based on the fact that.
I've been a pastor for awhile. The title of the sermon is Hussin.
And the sad thing is, is that.
There are times in people's lives.
When something bad happens to them, it can be as simple as a flat tire.
It can be as major as that you've been diagnosed with cancer.
And it seems for some reason are.
Many people's frequent responses.
Is God punishing me?
That I do something wrong.
Is he?
Kidding me.
There was a young lady not so young anymore, I guess.
He used to be a member of our church and so that's I'm not talking about anybody sitting in the pews.
Who was diagnosed with cancer?
In her response was.
Is God mad at me?
And I find that to be so depressing as a faster.
Because what you're going through with the cancer in the battle that will follow up.
Is difficult enough without having to place the guilt upon you that maybe God is out to get you.
Their SU versus I want you to remember.
That are not part of the message.
The first is.
It rains on the just and the unjust.
Good things happen to good people and good things happen to bad people. Bad things happen to bad people and bad things happen to good people. It just the nature of our lives.
Jesus also said.
I've come.
Not to condemn.
The world.
Because the world is condemned already.
He came.
To give us life and give it to us abundantly.
And so today sought title of the sermon is who send, and that seems to be a question we often ask ourselves.
An religious people seem to want to determine for others.
And so in John.
Chapter 9 starting with verse one it says this as we passed by he saw a blind man from birth.
Now I'm going to say that I believe that this was placed here.
With the facts known after the writing.
Because it's important.
But I find this bit of information unique based on the question, then ask and his disciples asked him rabbi who send this man or his parents that he would be born blind and I find this funny because if he send he would have had to have send in his mother's womb.
And in our culture today, you don't even have any rights along center knots in and, so it's interesting that there's a determination that maybe this man's in before he was ever born. Now he does have.
Original sin.
But then again, it rains on the just ninja, but that's the question. Usually it's the question is when something bad happens. Was it your fault or was it your parents fault?
And kids will always bring the parents. That's just what kids do.
And so they asked the question who who send?
Hammer's parents.
And Jesus answered something I think they weren't expecting.
It was neither that this man's in, nor his parents, but it was so that the works of God might be displayed in him.
Now.
For those of you who are all concerned about fairness.
Well, it's not fair.
Because God is going to display his works.
On an in him.
But he had to go through a time of blindness.
But then again, I think.
This man, having known what it was to be blind.
A full appreciate.
The miracle of Sight.
While the people we're going to be discussing may be able to physically see, but will never understand their spiritual blindness.
So perhaps he was blessed being blind as opposed to those who could see.
And sometimes I think what we should consider.
Is I heard a graduation speech several years ago from the Los Angeles sheriff's when the Sheriff giving the speech said that he had been diagnosed with cancer and so many people ask the question why me and his question was why not me?
What is it that God can do in this situation to walk with you or to change it, or to do whatever that you would see so much more of God than you would have had you not gone through it?
So Jesus said it's neither this man who send Norris parents, but was so that the works of God might be displayed in him. We must work the works of him who sent me as long as Day Night is coming when no one can work.
While I'm in the world I am the light of the world.
And when he said this.
He did something I want you to see. The God Jesus is saying.
The works of God.
Is the reason this man can't see and I'm going to do the works of God, which means I'm God and I'm going to do this while I'm in the light so that you can see because time is coming when you're no longer be able to work.
Most of us
Kind of assume that we have all kinds of time.
And we delay doing the works of him because there's always next hour.
Or the following hour.
Jesus saying.
Daylight's running out.
Now is the time to do the works.
So when he said this, he spat on the ground and made clay of the Spittle.
And apply the clay to his eyes.
And he said, go.
Washing the pool of Salaam which is translated sent.
So it went away an washed.
And came back scene now Jesus.
Is an interesting.
Person God.
He seems to do different things in different ways at different times.
Now Jesus could have just simply spoke and healed the man.
But I think what he was doing is he wanted to show the man the works of God.
And wanted to show those who are blind or really blind.
Because they are going to object to simply spitting on the ground and making some mud and put it on somebody's eyes.
And the guy went.
He participated.
He could have said I Jesus came up to me. I'd even ask him for anything. Any spin on the ground, but one of my eyes and told me to go away and Wash.
Now there was one who had leprosy.
Several centuries before.
And was told to dip himself Seven times in this old muddy water.
And this person thought he was too good to do that.
Until this servant said, You know.
You got leprosy, maybe? How to do what the guy says.
It does, is it healed? And so this man.
Follows the instructions and goes and washes.
And sees.
And notice he came back scene.
It wasn't good enough to simply say, Oh, I can see, let me go see the things I haven't seen before. Rather he went back to see the one who caused him to see.
Which is unlike many people who went there in difficulties. We call the foxhole confessions and there having problems and there sure that there's no way out and they prayed God, if you're just getting me out of this, I'll do whatever you want.
And God get some out.
And the vast majority of people go their way.
But not this man.
He comes back seeing to see the one.
Who gave him site?
Therefore, the neighbors and those who previously saw him as a beggar were saying is not this the one who used to sit in bag.
Wait a minute there some different.
This guy used to be a bigger and he was blind and now he's wandering around and he's seen.
Is this guy?
No, they were saying This is he? So others were saying No, but he's like him. He's kind of his doppelganger. He kind of looks like him.
But it can't be him because that guy was a beggar and blind.
He kept saying under one.
And the one on the one.
So they were saying to him, how then where your eyes open?
He answered the man who is called Jesus, make clay and and under my eyes, and said to me go to Suloman Wash and I went away and washed. and I received site.
You see, he was a witness.
The ask him what went on. He told them the truth in the whole truth and nothing but the truth. He did add anything. He didn't subtract anything. He told them what Jesus did for him.
So in Jesus does something for you.
Maybe you should just tell the truth The whole truth and nothing but the truth. Don't add, don't subtract, don't say well I remember somebody's test it out pretty good I'll add that no no he saw and this is how it happened.
And they said to him, where is he?
And he said, I do not know.
That's why I came back. I'm looking for him.
But I don't know where he is.
First 13 they brought the to the brought to the Pharisees, the man who was formerly blind.
My question is why?
'cause the Pharisees are always problem makers.
Kinda like the religious establishment. They're always problem makers.
The Pharisees were there to heal the man. The Pharisees weren't there.
There's no indication that even the Pharisees gave this man money when he begged.
They just, but they brought him to the Pharisees.
Now was the Sabbath on the day when Jesus made the clay an open his eyes.
See, that's why I think Jesus made the clay.
To open the man's eyes and to show the Pharisees how blind they are.
Because they are going to focus their attention on the wrong thing.
Can you think of a worse thing?
And to heal the man on Saturday.
Can you think of a worse thing to do than to heal a man on the Sabbath?
Then the Pharisees also went.
Asking him again how he received his sight.
And he said that I am here Pike later. My eyes and I washed and I see he shortened version.
And I think the reason he shortened version is 'cause they weren't interested in what happened.
So I gave them just enough of the truth.
To tell them what happened, but they're not interested.
Which sometimes.
When we witnessed who are friends and relatives and we can tell that they're not interested.
You can give the shorter version.
There for some of the Pharisees were saying, this man is not from God, because if he does not keep the Sabbath.
Jesus.
Teaches and is teaching.
That the Sabbath was made for man and man for this, and it was n't about God isn't resting every Saturday.
'cause if he did, there would be no point to worship on Saturday the Sabbath.
'cause he would have it on his answering machine and get back on Sunday or Monday.
You would pray God I need help and you would get voicemail.
God is not in his office. He'll be returning Sunday at 9:00 AM. Leave a message, be.
But he's God.
He does the works of God.
Every day.
Yeah, God rested one day.
The day he created creation was done.
He rested.
But others were saying, how can a man who is a Sinner perform such signs?
They're going to wait a minute.
This is beyond human Endeavour.
So therefore God must be involved.
So maybe it's OK with God, because if he does these things on the Sabbath, maybe it's OK. Maybe he's not a Sinner, may be violated. the Sabbath didn't get this file 8 Seven violated today.
And there was a division among them.
That's what.
Church people love to do.
Let's have an argument.
You take your position. You take your position and will argue and never hear each other.
We'll just argue.
And so there is not only an argument, there was a division. How dare you hold that position? How dare you think that Jesus?
Is not a Sinner.
So they said the blind man again. What you say about him since he opened your eyes?
Hey, here's the religious establishment.
They can't decide.
So to say, OK, we're going to have a tiebreaker.
What do you say?
Now this is where you never.
Gain anything.
'cause he's going to say So what do you say about the man? Open your eyes and he said he is a Prophet. He kind of takes the middle. He doesn't say he's a Messiah. He doesn't say he's the son of God, but he says he's a profit. Which means he's a Messenger of God. So he's got some kind of God connection.
So it can be a center.
The Jews then did not believe.
It of him.
That he had been blind and had received site.
Until they called his parents.
Of the very one who had received a site, you see, they ask the guy, what do you say? They don't like the answer so they get.
More information.
I have two similar responses when I was.
A member of the executive committee of Southern Baptist.
In California.
I read a book which was interesting 'cause I would then soon help years later experience it. The book was called March of folly.
And it had three different.
Discussions and the first discussion was about the war in Vietnam, and it was about the March of folly and what they said was that the war wasn't going that great, so they commissioned a study.
The study said X.
And the powers that be didn't like the answer, so the Commission another study.
And the study came back with some answers and they didn't like the answers, so they commissioned another study.
Now at the same time when I was a part of the executive committee, I was placed as the chairman.
Of a committee to study.
The effectiveness of the cooperative program because the cooperative program had been declining in its so I went places like San Diego and Oakland in Ontario in different places with my committee, and we'd interview pastors and other people an.
Leaders and they would tell us things.
An we wrote a report an like most committees. That report was kind of watered down, especially considering my view 'cause I thought we should have been a little more bold in our discussion, but they watered it down.
An we presented the report.
To the head honchos.
And just before it was to be presented to the full board.
They came to me and said we changed it.
You what?
We changed it.
So basically, no longer our report it your report.
Pretty much.
So.
I tell you what I did when the meeting was over.
Got in my car.
And I draw.
Of.
On the 99.
An the California Southern Baptist is located in Fresno.
When I got out of the Fresno city lines.
I pulled over.
Got out of my car and did this.
Now in case you don't know what I'm doing, I'm stamping the dust off of my feet. That's exactly what I considered, OK.
So.
I'm used to people not doing reports and not liking it so they we don't like what were heard. It doesn't conform with what we want you to say. Therefore, let's continue studying. So bring his parents.
So they call the parents.
In question them saying is this your son and you say he was born blind.
Then how does he now see?
And his parents answered them and said, We do not know, we know that this is our son.
And that he was born blind.
But how he now comes to see, we do not know, or who opened his eyes. We do not know.
Ask him he is of age. He will speak for himself.
So he's gone. Yeah, we know it's our son. We know he was born blind.
After that we take the 5th.
We're not telling you nothing 'cause we don't know nothing.
And they have a reason for this.
His parents said this because they were afraid of the Jews, for the Jews had already agreed that if anyone confessed him to be the Christ, he was to be put out of the synagogue.
For this reason, his parents said he is of age. Ask him, you see they were threatened to be excommunicated.
Now when you live in a Society of multiple.
Religious faith
It's a Catholics kick you out. the Baptist will take you and the Baptist don't like you. The method is will take you or the Presbyterians.
Or even the you know whoever.
You can go somewhere and somebody will let you sit there.
But when you're in Jerusalem.
The capital of the Jews.
With only basically one religion and they said you're excommunicated, it doesn't just mean you don't get to go to temple. It doesn't just mean you don't get to go to synagogue. It means you're going to have really difficult time buying selling anything.
Here life is pretty much going to be really hard and maybe over.
So they said.
Uh, we don't know.
Ask him.
He's old enough to testify.
So a second time they called the man who had been born blind and said to him, give glory to God.
For we know that this man is a Sinner.
He then answered whether he is a Sinner. I do not know.
One thing I do know.
And so I was blind. Now I see.
Amazing Grace.
How great the sound.
Save the Wretch like me.
I once was lost and now I'm found was blind.
But now I see.
He tells them what he knows. I was blind, but now I see.
So they said to him, what did he do to you?
How did he open your eyes?
He answered them. I told you already and you did not listen whi. Do you want to hear it again?
You do not want to become his disciple to do you, so they're gone now, eat.
Fasten back
I told you.
Told you once already.
Told you all the truth then I I.
Simplified a little bit, I'm not telling you again.
Maybe it's because you want to hear the story.
As you want to be his disciples and they obviously don't.
And they reviles him and said, You are his disciple, and we are the disciples of Moses. Now notice they said they reviled him.
I would consider that appraise.
For someone to say your disciple of Jesus.
Praise God I thank you that you acknowledged it.
'cause that's what I want to be.
And if you're a disciple of Moses, Moses taught of him.
You're too short sighted.
We know that God has spoken to Moses, but As for this man, we do not know where he is from.
And maybe you ought to find out.
The man answered and said to them well.
Here is an amazing thing. Now I love this. This guy was blind in a Baker.
And he's going toe to toe with the Pharisees.
That you do not know where he is from and yet he opened my eyes.
You don't have a clue worries from you. You're having this argument, but you still haven't dealt with the fact that he opened my eyes.
We know that God does not hear sinners, but if anyone is God fearing he does his will, he hears him.
Since the beginning of time, it has never been heard that anyone opened the eyes of a person born blind.
Now here's the thing. The first time in history.
A person born blind received their site.
God the father testified.
That Jesus is his son.
Jesus testified he's the son of God.
His works testified that he's the son of God. The Scriptures testified that he is the son of God. the Holy Spirit testifies that he is the son of God, and this particular miracle, the works of God, testified that he is the son of God and the.
Piece of resistance.
He rose from the dead according to the scriptures, which proves he is the son of God.
If this man were not from God, not only from God is God, he could do nothing.
The answered him, you were born entirely in sins.
And you are teaching us.
And the answer is yes and Amen.
Because you see I was blind, but now I see you continue to be buying. The difference was when Jesus put the clay on my eyes and he told me to go wash. I did so.
You're blind, maybe you should run to him and see what he needs to do to make you be able to see. But instead they turned their Bach back on our willfully ignorantly blind.
So yes.
So whatever circumstances you are in.
I doubt you were born blind in a bigger.
But you may not think that you are the greatest theologian this world has ever seen.
But this blanke bigger.
Taught the religious establishment things that they could never see.
It does not matter.
Your position.
It does not matter your place in society, it does not matter your wealth or your Informa tease.
Or now special abilities as opposed to disabilities.
Having met Jesus.
This man, you more than those who had not met Jesus.
But notice what happens to him.
There is not.
And they all lived happily ever after.
So they put him out.
I put him out meant they excommunicated him.
It is easy for me to say in the safety and security of.
Of my home.
And my weight.
And all of those things.
But it is better.
To be a person who sees.
With Jesus.
In a person who doesn't, it has it all.
This man, the world may not consider blessed.
What is?
Jesus will tell his disciples.
They persecuted me.
This master, the slaves, are not above the master.
They will continue to persecute.
And Challenge Jesus.
And so they will his disciples.
So we need.
Need to decide.
As Jesus will teach.
Consider the cost.
Of being his disciple.
The cost may be high.
Maybe even higher than you're willing to pay.
But one thing that I promise you, but that his word promises you.
There is nothing in comparison of the blessings.
Of eternal life.
And whatever it might cost, they pale in comparison.
Paul says.
That in this life there are times that we seem to look through a mirror darkly. We don't quite see what's going on.
It's our vision getting clearer and clearer.
This man went from blindness to site.
Sometimes it takes us from blindness to shadows.
To needing glasses?
The site.
But the process.
Is still fine.
And I think our prayer should be Lord.
As a one person said, Lord, I believe, help my unbelief.
Lord, I see.
Help me to see better.
And all God's people said.