SOMETHING TO SHOUT ABOUT (JOHN 9:1-41)

 

SOMETHING TO SHOUT ABOUT

BIBLE PASSAGE: JOHN 9:1 - 41

Picture taken from Google

Lesson Prepared by: Krisha of Solomon’s Wisdom FB page

 MAY 30, 2021

MEMORY VERSE

He answered and said, Whether he be a sinner or no, I know not: one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see.

JOHN 9:25

 

INTRODUCTION:

Let’s talk about a few about our previous lives before we accepted the Lord Jesus Christ in our hearts. We know that there a lot of changes, right? The bible says, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”

You know what, I don’t know if you believe me or not but one of reasons to be thankful for when I got saved is the sensitivity of ghost or anything pertains to this kind of spirits. I saw different images and one of those was a big cat going beside me on our bed and shadows talking. I don’t want to mention all but believe me I saw a lot. That’s the reason why, I don’t watch horror movies, and I don’t like too dark room. Teacher Carol, my sister, witnessed the ritual (words only or bulong) I did, and she got scared when her arms were touched by a very cold hand and that was not mine. The Bible says, Abstain from all appearance of evil (1 Thessalonians 5:22). The night after I accepted Jesus Christ as my Saviour, I woke up in the middle of the night and my senses were active perceiving if there was something I would be hearing or feeling but thank God, NOTHING. There was something in me that led me to pray and that was my first time praying at the middle of the night. Before I just covered myself with blanket, cover my ears so that I could not hear or ran to another room if I heard or saw something but, on that time, I felt the difference. That’s why I am really thankful.

 

How about our views before? What were our views about church before? What were our views about relationship? What were our views about financial matters? (wait for responses).  What were our views about right and wrong?

 

I remember the teenager named “Lloyd Agustin.” He is a social media influencer; I don’t know him. I just watched the clip of his interview with Jessica Soho. He started with a wholesome image and right now he is showing sensual videos to earn money (Subscribe with money). He said, “Everyone has their own definition of right and wrong.”  Wow, what a kind of view. Actually, all people don’t know what’s wrong and right. We need a manual for life – Bible.  2 Timothy 3:16 “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:”

What were our views about heaven and hell? Before, if you’re kind (mabait) your destination is heaven. Now we know that we are saved through faith. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast (Ephesians 2:8-9). That’s the reason why I don’t say, “REST in PEACE” if someone dies. Because we know that if a person doesn’t accept Christ into his heart- we know the destination. For safety, not to say that and also that is what most Catholics say.

Why I say all these things? Comparing to our previous lives, is there something to shout about?

LESSON OUTLINE:

1.  I WAS BLIND, NOW I SEE (JOHN 9:25, 39)

He answered and said, Whether he be a sinner or no, I know not: one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see.

And Jesus said, For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not might see; and that they which see might be made blind.

 

 We already knew the story, but I would like to give emphasis the blessing he had receive from the Lord Jesus. Remember this man was born blind and we know how hard to lose our sight. In Bible times, blind men are categorized as also beggars because there was no work available for blind people on those times and also mentioned in verse 8, “The neighbours therefore, and they which before had seen him that he was blind, said, Is not this he that sat and begged?” What Jesus did, He spat on the ground and made clay and place on his eyes. The blind man was instructed to go in the pool in Siloam and wash. This was he did and came back seeing. He was seen by neighbors and recognized him. Interviewed him what happened, and he mentioned he was healed by a man named “Jesus.” He was brought to Pharisees and asked why he received his sight. He told it in detail of what really happened. The Pharisees had argument if this was from God and also Jesus was done this during Sabbath, and they came up to conclusion this is not from God. The Pharisees asked the man what he thought about Jesus, and he said, “He is a prophet.” This made them furious. The Pharisees didn’t believe he was born blind therefore they called his parents to ask about it. The parents testified that he was really born blind, but they didn’t give further information regarding his sight because of the fear of the Jews. They would be put out of the synagogue.

“These words spake his parents, because they feared the Jews: for the Jews had agreed already, that if any man did confess that he was Christ, he should be put out of the synagogue.” John 9:22. The Pharisees called again the man and asked, “Then again called they the man that was blind, and said unto him, Give God the praise: we know that this man is a sinner (verse 24).

 

After talking to parents, the man was interrogated again by the Pharisees. In the next verses, we can read how the man defended Christ and tried to convince them with their unbelief.

³⁰ The man answered and said unto them, Why herein is a marvellous thing, that ye know not from whence he is, and yet he hath opened mine eyes.

³¹ Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth.

³² Since the world began was it not heard that any man opened the eyes of one that was born blind.

³³ If this man were not of God, he could do nothing.

³⁴ They answered and said unto him, Thou wast altogether born in sins, and dost thou teach us? And they cast him out.

Did you notice how the Pharisees were blinded by this world.  In verses 40-41, “And some of the Pharisees which were with him heard these words, and said unto him, Are we blind also? ⁴¹ Jesus said unto them, If ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say, We see; therefore your sin remaineth.”

They gave so many doubtful questions and we can see their unbelief. Spiritual blindness is like walking in darkness. You won’t be able to see the reality of life; you won’t see the system of the world brings. We may ask why the attitudes of Pharisees are like this but we were like them before right? All unbelievers don’t see the real spirituality.

 

Is the man having something to shout about? YES, AMEN. He can’t keep it into his heart; he needed to tell or even shout the amazing thing happened to his life.

 

How about us? Has there something to shout about? Could you say, Amen, I was blind but now I see.

2.  THE GOODNESS OF THE LORD (JOHN 9: 1- 7)

And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth. And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind? Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him (JOHN 9:1-3)

What you notice to the disciples’ behavior regarding the blind man? Do they see the need of the man? No, they didn’t see the need; they saw the sins. Sometimes, we are like the disciples; we don’t see the need of people by ignoring the Holy Spirit telling us to share. Instead, we see the reason why we don’t.

JESUS DOESN’T CARE WHAT PEOPLE THINK ABOUT YOU; HE STILL GIVES WHAT YOU NEED

Charles Spurgeon says, Jesus will soon show a different way. He won’t dwell on the theological puzzle, but on actually helping the man. “It is ours, not to speculate, but to perform acts of mercy and love, according to the tenor of the gospel. Let us then be less inquisitive and more practical, less for cracking doctrinal nuts, and more for bringing forth the bread of life to the starving multitudes.”

Jesus said that the man’s blindness – essentially a birth defect – was not caused by some specific sin on the part of the man or his parents. The works of God should manifest in him.

Jesus knows everything going on in our lives. He knows the ups and down; He knows the pains. He knows our every need.

In verse 4, “I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.” Instead of focusing on the man as a theology problem, Jesus saw him as an opportunity to work the works of God. Jesus sensed an urgency to do this while it was still day – the time of His earthly ministry.

“Whenever you see a man in sorrow and trouble, the way to look at it is, not to blame him and inquire how he came there, but to say, ‘Here is an opening for God’s almighty love. Here is an occasion for the display of the grace and goodness of the Lord.’” (Spurgeon)

The night is coming when no one can work: Jesus understood that opportunities for service and doing good don’t last forever. Jesus knew that healing this man on the Sabbath would bring greater opposition from the religious leaders who already wanted to silence and kill Him. Yet His compassion for the man drove Him to do it anyway.

Have you ever thought when your life ends? How many years left to our lives? We don’t have a forever opportunity. This lesson is a great reminder how we should see a soul. The Lord Jesus thinks in a different way, and we should see what’s the need. Don’t lose the opportunity.

As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world: Jesus is the light of the world and apart from Him, there’s darkness; He’s the main source of light. Just as His sons and daughters, the Bible says in Matthew 5:16, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Our light should not be hidden under a bushel. The question is where do we lead the people around us? Your words, your actions and your lifestyle. Do they see Jesus in you? Can we say, as long as I am in the world I will let my light so shine before men?

3.  YOU HAVE FOUND THE SON OF GOD (JOHN 9: 35-38)

Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when he had found him, he said unto him, Dost thou believe on the Son of God? He answered and said, Who is he, Lord, that I might believe on him? And Jesus said unto him, Thou hast both seen him, and it is he that talketh with thee.  And he said, Lord, I believe. And he worshipped him.

 

In verse 34, the man was casted out from the synagogue. Commentaries describe the “cast out.” “The casting out of this man meant his excommunication from his religious rights in Temple and synagogue.” (Morgan) The religious leaders treated this man terribly. They abused him (they reviled him). They insulted him (You were completely born in sins). They rejected him (they cast him out).

The man experienced rejection but later the rejection becomes a blessing. The excommunication of the blind man – difficult as it was – turned out to be a good thing, because he would shortly be far more connected to Jesus.

DO YOU BELIEVE IN THE SON OF GOD? Jesus called on the healed man to fully believe, and he did (Lord, I believe). When the healed man declared his loyalty to Jesus by not denying Him before the hostile religious leaders, he was rewarded when Jesus revealed more of Himself to him (You have both seen Him and it is He who is talking with you).

-      “The question ‘Do you believe in the Son of Man?’ is a summons to commitment. The Greek pronoun su (‘you’) used with the verb makes the inquiry doubly emphatic. It demanded a personal decision in the face of opposition or rejection.” (Tenney)

-      Jesus dealt with this man differently than most. He met his physical need first, then allowed him to endure persecution, then called him to a specific belief. It’s good to remember that God may work differently in different lives.

-      Some manuscripts have Son of Man instead of Son of God. Both terms point to God’s Messiah, the One who should be believed and trusted.

 

AND HE WORSHIPPED HIM: The religious leaders said, “You can’t worship with us at the temple.” Jesus said, “I will receive your worship.”

ü  When the man worshipped Jesus, Jesus received the worship. This is something that no man or angel in the Bible does. The fact that Jesus accepted this worship is another proof that Jesus was and is God, and that He knew Himself to be God.

ü  The formerly blind man showed an increasing awareness of Jesus.

-      Jesus is a man (John 9:11).

-      Jesus is a prophet (John 9:17).

-      Jesus is my master, I am His disciple (John 9:27).

-      Jesus is from God (John 9:33).

-      Jesus is the Son of God (John 9:35-38).

-      Jesus is who I trust (John 9:38).

-      Jesus is who I worship (John 9:38).

CONLUSION:

Let me ask you, aren’t you blessed? Are there enough reasons to shot about the Saviour?

I know personally the struggle of sharing the Lord Jesus Christ and I believe you feel the same. The situation is like you’re trying to drag the people go to Jesus in faith. But what motivates us – it’s our purpose. We’ll just go, and God will do the rest. If you don’t like going, let’s remember Matthew 28:19-20. The encouragement words at the end “I AM WITH YOU ALWAYS, EVEN UNTO THE END OF THE WORLD. (Sing the song)

 

THE OPPORTUNITY (JOHN 9:4)

 

JOHN 9:4 / Colossians 4:2-6

Lesson prepared by: Krisha of Solomon Wisdom FB page

 

MEMORY VERSE:

JOHN 9:4

“I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.” (KJV)

 

INTRODUCTION:

When you travel in different country the first thing you’ll see, apart from the good views, is the culture. For example, in America where I’d been: you won’t see them “make mano” to elders, the elders usually go to facilities when they’re too old to take care of themselves but we cannot judge them because that’s the way they are raised. If you talk to them and see how the system goes, you will truly understand them. People there are too busy and you seldom see people walking on the streets especially in county and also most of them have cars to use. Why I say this? I say this because in different places around the world, there are different opportunities we can see. The opportunity we have in the Philippines is not the same in other country.

 

How about the opportunity in sharing the gospel? Can you do street evangelism in other places? In other countries, you cannot do that, you will be put in prison. Others you need to have permits, and in some places, you will not be heard because all people are in their cars. Can you do on knocking doors? No you can’t. How can you do that if mostly people are in their work and if there are some staying in their houses, they have legitimate reasons why they’re there – busy and if you tried they’ll say “I’m good, I don’t need that.” You cannot see people making “tambay” outside. If you see them outside, they do something: mowing grass, doing gardening and many things. How about in grocery stores? If you’ll say, “you need help.” They’ll mostly say, “No, thanks. I’m good.” They are raised independently so every time they block your way in the aisle in grocery store for example, they always say “I’m Sorry” because they see the time consume in buying- their free time. Can you give bible tracts? You can in other places but most of the time they put in wipers of cars in the parking lot. You cannot give inside the grocery stores because some will report you to the store manager. In other Muslim countries, they’ll put you in prison. So what will they do now? In USA, they still try do knocking doors, giving tracts and other things; find other ways even it’s very hard. Some countries, they do basement worship services.

 

 

 

LESSON OUTLINE:

1)     BE SENSITIVE WITH THE OPPORTUNITY

Because of the culture and the different opportunity, some Christians in other countries just go with the flow and just wait for the opportunity to come and this cause them to feel insensitive with the opportunity when it comes their way.

 

Nowadays, we can see that social media is a great avenue for sharing the gospel. Instead of posting unnecessary things on social media, let’s use this as an opportunity to share the gospel especially to those our friends, relatives and others in other countries. Talking about sensitivity, when see our FB friends posting things that are alarming and you think they need help, make a private message to that person and pray for him or her. In line with this, always remember that our Facebook account or any accounts on social media are also our way of showing our testimony. So be careful what are in there or anything posted.

 

In the church we should be sensitive, if we see a visitor, be friendly and don’t let that time passed without telling that person how God loves him/her – share the GOODNEWS.  In our bag, let’s put bible tracts or any invitation cards so that when meet someone or a friend in a place we go, it’s easy for us to invite; It’s the first step to share what you believe in – salvation.

 

 

 

 

2)    LOOK FOR WAYS

Have you experienced of not doing something in sharing the good news? We become stagnant and at peace of just being a Christian. Whether we accept it or not, our ultimate goal given to us by God is the Great Commission which is written in Matthew 28:19-20.

 

In the Philippines, we can still see people staying outside their houses and play, talking with neighbors, or just stay and drink coffee. The people are still reachable, you can still do the house to house sharing. So as part of looking for ways, being friendly to your neighbor is also one way of sharing the gospel. Another thing, when your birthday comes it’s the best time to invite people so it’s also the best time to share good news as part of the birthday program. Reunions, All Saints Day, Christmas, New Year and other special events are the best ways to share.

 

Though there are many ways, Christians come to the point of their Christian lives that that they become stagnant. They stopped looking for ways in sharing the gospel, and become deaf in the voice of the Holy Spirit or they’re not sensitive anymore to the opportunity.

 

3)    BE EQUIPPED WITH THE SHARING OF THE GOSPEL

If you’re a teacher, you are equipped to teach. If you’re a licensed dentist, you are equipped to treat dental problems. If you’re a doctor, you are allowed to treat patients with their health problem and many more. Therefore, if you’re a Christian, you should be equipped to share the Gospel because this is what happened to you – someone shared to you the gospel and furthermore, this is what God has commanded.

In 2 Timothy 2:8-13 we can see how Paul reminded Timothy about the Gospel. First and foremost, the content of the gospel of what Paul shared is JESUS CHRIST. It says, “Remember Jesus Christ, of the seed of David who was raised from the dead…” Timothy needed to keep the fact that Jesus is the Messiah. The gospel should be the good news that pertains to Jesus Christ who died on the cross. In sharing the gospel, Paul suffered the consequences (He was chained). He understood that they could chain him but they could not never chain the word of God. It will spread no matter what. Why he endures all these things? For the elect’s sake (God’s people), that they obtain salvation. So we see how motivated Paul was in sharing the gospel. Like Him, we should be motivated by what Jesus did on the cross for others to know. We should not have the thought that “BE SAVED ALONE IN THE FAMILY.”

 

According to Colossians 4:5

“Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.”

 

This speaks ‘to them that are without’ to unbelievers according to commentary. Part of being sensitive to the opportunity, we are commanded to walk with wisdom toward those who are outside, unbelievers. Walk in wisdom speaks on how to deal with them in order for us to have the opportunity to share the gospel. Paul believed that Christians would answer others from biblical truth. Also, it is mentioned that we must let our speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.

Being equipped, read and study your bible and have your personal devotions in order for you to keep on motivated and talked by the Lord through His word. There are many ways to share the Gospel and it depends on the people you talk to or the allowed minutes you are given. If you are given only few minutes, JOHN 3:16 is enough in sharing the gospel. Study and master because this is the greatest command God told us to do while we are here on earth.

 

 

CONCLUSION:

 

My sister and I had once a week regular bible study to a woman in other barangay. That time we were late because of unavoidable circumstances. We knocked on the door and someone responded but not the woman we used to have the bible study, it was an another woman. So as usual we asked where the woman was and she said, she went somewhere for an important event. As she spoke, some thoughts at the back of my mind, “Best opportunity to share.” I look at my sister and our eyes were like talking. That time it was almost lunch so there was a battle on my thoughts. “You can’t share she might be cooking or she would think it was already lunch and she cannot offer you something to eat.” Because of the battle in my mind, I decided to just give her a nice bible tract in order for her to read and might know and believe Jesus as her Savior then we bid goodbye. As we were walking, I told my sister the battle in my mind and she said she experienced that too. When I heard her words, I asked her “Could we come back? Let’s try what do you think?” She said “I don’t know. It’s already lunch.” We went back a few steps but I stopped to go home and promised to share the next week.

 

Coming of the next week, my sister and I went to our bible study with our goal of sharing the gospel to the woman we met last week. When we knocked, Donna, our Bible Study attendee opened the door. As we entered and we allowed to sit, I asked who was the woman we met last week and where she was. As she was speaking, my toes shook and my heart beat faster. She said she was already died; she was just buried a day before we came. Her death is unexpectedly because she was okay. She got measles but only few came out on her skin. The family thought she was fine and they also went to a carnival but after that they brought her to the hospital and that was it. I can’t put into details but it reminded that life really is too short; she was in late 30s I think that time when she died. After the bible study and while we were walking, there were tears in our eyes. I can’t talk that time. I prayed to the Lord and asked for forgiveness. I would never, never forget this experience in sharing the gospel. From that time on, I always sensitive to the opportunity of sharing the gospel.