The Eye-Opener

Radio focus is making Christ is providing come check us out at 34 five visit us online.org join us for this week's message by Pastor Albert on shop were in a series on the miracles of Jesus from all four Gospels of this morning we come to another miracle and the message is called the eye opener of the closest I've ever come to being totally blind was several years ago, when our family went on a West trip and went to the fantastic caverns in Springfield, Missouri. This is probably the only drive-through cavern in the entire United States is beautiful the scenery is just otherworldly. If I may say and we got to the center of the cavern. In this model are so in the guide told us will not hang on because were about to turn all the lights off and they did and it was pitch dark.

It was just the sense of take darkness in that room. You could almost cut that darkness with the knife and so when that happened.

I could feel my children, who were sitting next to me. They just clutched on my arm and Nicole's arm because they felt so vulnerable at the point but even I felt totally helpless. Even if I wanted to help them or do something that darkness made me feel totally helpless. It's a great illustration of how things are before we come to know Jesus Christ as our Savior. We are in utter darkness, we cannot do anything. We are helpless until God turns the light on of Jesus Christ in our lives. And that's the message today because Jesus is the light of the world.

He is the great eye-opener. If you have your Bibles with you turn to the gospel of John chapter 9 now as Jesus passed by, he saw a man who was blind from birth and his disciples asked him, saying Rabbi who send this man or his parents that he was born blind. Jesus answered, neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him. I must work the works of him who sent me while it is day, the night is coming when no one can work as long as I'm in the world I am the light of the world when he had said these things, he spat on the ground and made claimant saliva and he anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay and he said to him, go wash in the pool of Siloam which is translated, sent so he went and washed and came back seeing. Therefore the neighbors and those who had previously seen that he was blind said, is not this he who sat and begged some said this is the other said he is like him. He said I am he, therefore, they said to him, how were your eyes open. He answered and said a man called Jesus made clay and anointed my eyes and said to me go to the pool of Siloam and wash. So I went and washed, and I receive site than the said to him, where is he. He said I do not know now what does it mean to be spiritually blind. We know what it means to be physically blind. You can see what does it mean to be spiritually blind to be spiritually blind means others around you can see the work of God, but you can you are there you are in the midst of it, but you can see I can preach I can teach you can be in Bible study. You can hear Christian music but it doesn't make much sense. It simply bounces off question we need to ask ourselves this morning is do you have your spiritualize or are you spiritually blind now there are two ways to be spiritually blind. One is if you've never received Jesus as your Savior. The light of God has never shown in your heart you are blind you need Jesus to open your eyes you need him to shine in your heart. But there's another way to be spiritually blind you are saved, but you can let some sin some disobedience, some selfishness to block your eyesight. You can let something obstruct the light from shining in your heart all around you. God is working and you can miss it. In today's message is not just for the lost. It's also for the saved as something obstructed the light of Jesus in your life you need to repent.

In our series on the miracles of Jesus from all four Gospels Matthew Mark Luke and John.

We learned that when John talks about miracles. He calls them signs he uses the word signs for miracles, but there's a difference between signs and miracles signs are miracles, but they are much more there also proofs of who Jesus was and why he came this miracle in John chapter 9 is also a sign there is not. There's something deeper behind this miracle know what is this something deeper to know that we have to jump ahead to John chapter 9 and verse 14.

The same miracle but jump ahead to verse 14. Listen to what it says now it was a Sabbath. When Jesus made the clay and opened his eyes that if you skip over this verse you can miss the meaning of this miracle, you misunderstand what it really mean it was Sabbath that was the context of Jesus using clay to heal this blind man now. One is the Sabbath. Many of you grew up in church, you know what Sabbath is it was the seventh day of the Jewish week on which no work could be done.

It went all the way back to Genesis chapter 2 in verse three.

Listen to what is said when God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because in it he rested from all his work which God had created and made. Why did God rest was got tired of course not.

He rested like an artist rest after creating a painting or sculpture he was stepping back to admire his creation. Not only that, but God also instructed and commanded his people Israel to keep the Sabbath in the Decalogue in the 10 Commandments listen to what is says in Exodus 20 verse eight.

Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God in it you shall do no work you nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, or your female servant your cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates. This is the longest commandment in the 10 Commandments meeting this God said the Sabbath is very important for your daily lives. In fact, breaking the Sabbath in the Old Testament was punishable by death. It was a capital offense know why the war did God give the Sabbath for several reasons. The goal of the Sabbath was to give you one day to step away from work one day for you to focus on God one day for you to worship him one day for you to connect with your loved ones, one day for you to restore your priorities and by the way, God did not get into the details of what is working, what's not. He said you work it out but keep the Sabbath. So what did the people do well. Unfortunately by the time of Jesus. They came up with a long list of do's and don'ts as to what constituted the Sabbath questions like, did you light a fire that's work now. I guess you can cook. As you can light a fire in the can even turn on the stove cassettes work best lighting a fire she got cook the meals the day before. How far can you walk we can walk a little bit but not too far because that's work. Can you help someone in need depends on the really need well I think so we can help them but don't help them too much. Can you heal someone on the Sabbath. Can someone go to the doctor on the Sabbath.

Well, no, that's work your way to get a cold call for whatever you hold off with two Monday morning when you can get better. You see what was happening. They were so obsessed with this whole idea of Sabbath that they've missed the real reason behind it and what did Jesus do when he came he worked on the Sabbath, worked in the sense that he was walking around touching lives, restoring the blind, healing the sick, letting the lame walk again. He was working around the clock and so the Jewish leaders got angry with him. In fact, if you go to John chapter 5 Jesus healed a man who was paralyzed for 38 years the process a long time. Imagine if you could not walk for almost 4 decades. Jesus saw him at the pool of Bethesda and he asked him what he wanted so well you know if I could get in the pool.

When the angel stores the water.

I could be. Well, there's no one to help me use the get up and walk man's like stands out is that wow and he picks up his caught and he starts walking when the Pharisees were the Jewish leaders saw him. This is why wait a minute now. What are you doing I got healed not on the Sabbath. You don't you'll get healed on the Sabbath, folks. What would you do if you were lame in sitting there for 40 years. Would you be like. Will Jesus hold off for 24 hours. I want to break the Sabbath night like I need the healing now. What was the reaction to him. Listen to John chapter 5 verse 16. For this reason the Jews persecuted Jesus, and this sought to kill and why because he healed too early they can wait 24 hours. Come on Jesus, how could you be like that. Listen to what Jesus said to them, he said my father has been working until now and I have been working he was saying to them, listen do not work is not sitting back and watching people suffer true, work is to go and meet the needs round-the-clock you listen I will give your state and I'll come back to it, saving souls doesn't take a holiday. Reaching the lost doesn't have a Sabbath Jesus works round-the-clock. So should we not keep this in mind when we go to this miracle. Starting in chapter 9 and verse one now as Jesus passed by, where was Jesus coming from.

If I were to say to you I passed by your house the other day know you asked me what were you going why was coming from the grocery store I was going.

My home and I passed by your house where was Jesus coming from to have the answer to that question. You have to go one verse prior to John eight in verse 59 listen to this is on the screen. Then they took up stones to throw at him. But Jesus hid himself and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by you when you read John nine verse one as Jesus passed by what we have in our minds is Jesus taking a stroll early morning on the boardwalk. One evening he had a nice big meal of the disciples.

The guys on the go for a walk. If you read this passage carefully, Jesus is on the wrong he is running and he is hiding he is ducking for cover.

Trying to get away from this crowd, this miracle was done as Jesus was trying to flee a mob of people with stones and rocks in their hand.

Why did they have those stones and rocks well because of what Jesus was telling them read chapter 8 I want to give you a few verses John a verse 19 Jesus said you know neither me nor my father. If you had known me, you would have known my father also like well what you mean are you calling God your father. Of course you don't know me you don't know him, you don't know him, you don't know me aggravated them a little bit when he gets worse. He says in verse 24.

If you do not believe that I am he, you will die in your sins. The temperature began to rise. Now stop there. Listen to verse 29. The father has not left me alone, for I always do those things that leads him. Verse 44 now this is what he pushed him over the edge you are of your father the devil, how would you respond to that. Somebody said that to you. Your dad is a devil.

I mean I would pick up a rock to you are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do verse 47 he who is of God hears God's words, therefore you do not here because you are not of God. The reason you cannot believe me and hear my voice is because you belong to the father. The father and I were one like this I can tell you you don't belong to him as if you belong to him. You belong to me. If you accepted him. You accept me, you will accept me, you accept him just what your dying in your sins and your father is the devil man. They began to pick up rocks and started chasing Jesus, but he gets worse.

Listen to what he says here in verse 456 your father Abraham to visit our father is Abraham.

This is your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day and he saw it and was glad. And then verse 58, most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am not that pretty much sealed the deal for them this that this man is claiming to be God, and they picked up rocks to stone him.

By the way, what day is this the Sabbath is supposed to pick anything up in a supposed to throw anything you are supposed to kill anybody on the Sabbath. All rules are off today is that man's got die now as Jesus is running from these men. He notices a man who is born blind now see the irony here. You're paying attention see the Army here are people who are spiritually blind, chasing him in here since one who is born blind who is just sitting there totally helpless.

These people should be like him.

This mob who is trying to crucify him stone him to death should be helpless, hopeless, because every one of us is born blind when we come into this world were born blind in our sin. The question is are we willing to admit it or to be denied because if you deny it you are no different than this crowd who wanted to kill Jesus. How should you be you should be like that man who is sitting there helpless and hopeless because he was born blind. There is no chance for him to get better.

You know, if someone had sighed you could probably work with them and see less, you will be can do is you were able to see us. This man was born you and I are like that man born blind completely helpless and by the way, these people were chasing Jesus this man Jesus came to him just like it comes to each and every one of us right now you might be in spiritual darkness, and Jesus spiritually is coming to you this and what happens is disciples there. Interesting bunch. They had a deep theological question as Jesus is running for his life. He stops to look at this manual.

Sometimes people try to be spiritual yellow I'm talking about to get real spiritual sister than on the pastor they get what you think about all been on the come up with some some questions somewhere, and I know and they know that really is not about the question is about their heart there question the Jesus is my Jesus. I know this kind of duck a little bit this man right here.

Do you think he send or his parents that he is born blind. What a dumb question posed listen anytime something bad happen.

Somebody please don't go out there and say what they deserve that. Don't ever say that I've seen a lot of good people get hurt. I see a lot of good people get sick. I was a lot of good people go through tough time it's got nothing to do with it. How do Jesus answered and he said neither he nor his parents have sin. Listen to what he says here chapter 9 verse three, but that the works of God should be revealed him that now pay attention. Verse four. I must work. What day is this is a Sabbath. He said I must work Jesus in a supposed work on the Sabbath. I must work the works of him who sent me while it is day, the night is coming when no one can work as long as I'm in the work I am the light of the world. There's a sense of urgency which means this I cannot walk past this man. He has to see today. Not just physically but spiritually show me a church that doesn't have an urgency to save the loss. That's a church that's already dying. There's a sense of urgency because the night is coming, what is that night that night could be in about 45 minutes for some of you there is no guarantee that you will see Christmas there people in this room who may not see 2018 listen to how Jesus does the miracle. This is very important when he had said these things, he spat on the ground spitting on the ground okay.

The saliva hits the ground is like pouring water, which is Sabbath. What is it as work, you can pour water what is Jesus doing he is breaking the Sabbath he doesn't stop the listener. What else he does. He made clay with saliva. What is he doing he is like kneading the dough, you can do that Jesus is God, he could just say the word and healed the person why is he doing all this on purpose. He is breaking the Sabbath he pours water. He makes clay and he anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay which is also work because on the Sabbath. You can go to a doctor. Why did Jesus do all that was just trying to antagonize the people and if I was is one of the disciples of Jesus can we do this later on can be just like go you going to die. When I died to feel like getting hit by a rock today what you think he did that. How did God make Adam. He made him out of the dust of the earth, just like that Jesus is using the dust of the earth what it Jesus, God doing the book of Genesis.

After he made Adam what you do. He breathes into him the breath of life, and Adam became a living being.

He could finally move his hands, his feet, his eyes this man is already living. He doesn't need the breath of life. But guess what Jesus does his spirits, which is still life. Why, because this is simply a patch. The creation is broken. Jesus is putting a patch on and the need of something else. He tells them to go wash in the pool of Stallone. The man now has to walk and has to get in the pool and has to splash the water.

What is he doing not only did Jesus break the Sabbath. The man is also breaking the sound and John tells us that the spool was called, sent Jesus as a sent one from God. He is God sent you know what Jesus is doing here. Not only is he telling them I am the God who made the heavens and the earth and created man in my image.

I am also the one who made the Sabbath and guess what.

Now I'm claiming air everything around here that you'll now belongs to me go to my pool and be washed in clean was a result well.

His neighbors can recognize and beg you got into a big discussion is either one is the does the maybe is that I am the one the Pharisees, the Jewish leaders began to investigate and interrogate him. How dare you, who is the man, what is he doing lies on the Sabbath, what his parents do they distance themselves from him. I find it very interesting that we don't know he is old enough, ask him if sometimes we try to follow God. People in your own family, but turn against you but Jesus came looking for him to listen to what Jesus says this man is still not saved. John 935 do you believe in the son of God, he answered and said, who is the Lord that I may believe in him.

Jesus said to him you have both seen him and it is he who is talking with you in his response.

Lord, I believe, and he worshiped him. He got say this, and he was not saved when he got his miracle. Now he got saved. Some of you have received miracles from God. God protected you. God provided for you. God guided you with the ultimate purpose that somewhere, you will come to know Jesus Christ as your Savior. Just because your prayers have been answered does not mean that you are say yes because you got the job just because you have the house just because you finish education. Just because you found the love of your life does not mean that you are say there has to be a point where you say Jesus I need you to save me. I believe that you are the Savior of the world. Now your saved. I can go on and on.

Let me draw some applications. All of us are born spiritually blind in our blindness is due to sin.

You can do anything about your born dead in trespasses and sins. Only Jesus is the light of the world and he is restoring side round-the-clock round-the-clock last week I was a chaplain of the hospital in about close 9 o'clock. I got a call family was needing the services of a chaplain chaplain duty to call me. I went over there, was there till 1010 30 it was a tough time for the family.

Listen, I came home by 1030.

Jesus is working round-the-clock and one thing he is doing around the clock, which is saving souls you want to know what the purposes of this church is to save souls. It doesn't matter who you are where you come from what you've done you know Jesus as your Savior something else. Persecution may follow after receiving side just because you get saved doesn't mean advising a love you to start hating, you may lose some friends. You may have people just like this man who will kick you out of the synagogue, they will kick you out of your friend circle. Let me shift a little bit spiritual blindness is not just for the lost, it can also be for the saved what the spiritual blindness do for the say it will make you major on the minors and mind are on the major Jesus is God who made the heavens and the earth who instituted the Sabbath and yet he said you missed the point. The Sabbath was made for the man not the man for the Sabbath. Go out there.

The fields are white and to harvest, but the laborers are few work reach the lost. Reach those who are hurting. Sometimes I think people get caught up in tradition. Even reading this church is not free from tradition we get caught up in tradition. Well, this is how we used to do. This is how my home church, did we have a list of tradition listen post ultimately is not about traditions, it's about reaching the lost.

When Jesus opens our sinful lives.

He also opens her eyes to the lostness around us.

You begin to see people the way God sees people you can get angry with the fellow who cuts you confer you in line you can get angry with the man of the gas station or the attendant at the fast food place you can get angry with people or you can see them through the eyes of Jesus, that person needs Jesus Christ. I'm not saying excuse them for their behavior. I'm not saying look over their failure.

What I am saying is God's. Thank you so much for joining us for this message. Jesus is the I only he can restore sight physically and spiritually place your trust in him will open your eyes to what God is doing around your life more nation. Visit us online@clearviewbc.org for this service. Note, check out past shop