John Chapter 9:19-34

We all are born with with staffing and backgrounds in the past and all is born in sin.

The question is are you going to dine yourself.

Because when you reject Jesus.

That's what you choose.

Welcome to cross the bridge with David McGee. David is the senior pastor of the bridge in Kernersville, North Carolina. Verse by verse through John chapter 9 today's teaching is Lord, I believe here's the a brown McGee's associate pastors here help us out a problem grateful to be here today. Am excited about this program excited about this teaching in John chapter 9, you know that Jesus is actually looking for the SEEKING. Those who don't know many not just looking for religious people involved, there's a lot of people there's a lot of people don't know God and they need him so let's jump right into David Mickey's teaching Lord, I believe John chapter 9 verse 19 and they asked him, saying, is this your son who you say was born blind. How then does he now see his parents answered them and said we know that this is our son and that he was born blind now this is interesting to me because now they're pulling the parents in and what they're trying to do is trying to get to the place where they discredit the miracle that's interesting. They're not arguing about the fact that this blind man was healed third-largest arguing about the details and and you know what Jesus said I am the light of the world to understand what he meant by that evening and say I am the light of all the Christians he said I am the light of the world. Do you understand the people around you are dying without knowing Jesus people around you are lost in morning the know what you may know this morning already and we think of darkness and the sky was blind.

He couldn't see. Can you imagine in the course they do. These things were in her smile put a blindfold and Nome for a day or an hour something. Imagine that. But can you imagine it being completely dark. This is the way most of the world lives. They can't see the reason you're stumbling around as they don't have the light, and they don't know any better. People don't want to be in the darkness they want to experience the light and guess what you are a carrier of the life you can share with them the light and the love of the Lord and bring them out of darkness into the light. What an awesome opportunity we have to do that.

Verse 21, but by what means he now sees we do not know or who opened his eyes, we do not know. He is of age, ask him, he will speak for himself not understand the religious leadership is pulling these parents up in front of them and and grandma and these religious leaders have the authority to say you know what you're excommunicated, you can't come to the temple anymore. There's a trap. There's a danger, but you know what the real danger is the real danger is not going to answer the question honestly.

The real dangers that they might miss an opportunity, Gartner Jesus, a surreal danger here.

Verse 22 explains more about this.

His parents said these things because they feared the Jews for the Jews it already agreed already that if anyone confessed that he was Christ. He would be put out of the synagogue.

Nowadays, if somebody gets disfellowshipped from one church I got dues go right on the road there's another church they can join that church and go to that church. That was not the case here was only one temple in Jerusalem when you got disfellowshipped you were done. They have two types disfellowshipped one was 30 days and one was your daughter and at that point all your social interaction was over because all the markets were near the temple and once people saw you was unclean. You did have an opportunity to gain that by and so not only did it affect your worship, but it affected your entire social life and probably your business like it is a pretty serious thing.

But again, the real danger here is that they're going to miss an opportunity to get to know Jesus.

What they're doing what the Pharisees are doing here is there engaging in Logix and engaging in an argument and and you know the college account teach you how to argue and and so there engaging in this logic by putting forth the major premise.

The minor premise and then the conclusion but the problem is there blind and they don't want to see this, but even then they're willing to admit something that number one the man was born blind. The man was born blind number to the man had been healed and number three, Jesus was involved. The man was born blind. The man was healed in Jesus, was involved and you know it's interesting they were willing to admit something that today's religious leaders won't admit to, because some people think Jesus Christ doesn't do miracles anymore and didn't do them back then all Jesus Christ still does miracles and even his opposition was an agreement that something happened that day ask you question if your life is been changed by Jesus Christ. Raise your hand. Look around the room you see on the miracles that are in this room is a changed life is a miracle thank you.

It is a miracle if you want to see miracles man this room is filled with them but they were afraid of men in Proverbs chapter 29 verse 25 says, fearing people is a dangerous trap but to trust the Lord means safety, fearing people is a dangerous trap but to trust the Lord means safety Ashley's parents were in danger of being put out of the synagogue. But again the bigger dangers that they wouldn't miss an opportunity to get to know Jesus and look at all the people in all the players in this chapter the blind man. His friends, the Pharisees, the parents they all had a decision to make about Jesus.

They had to make a decision about Jesus. That's our next life lesson. Everyone has a decision to make about Jesus.

Everyone has a decision to make about Jesus. It's interesting, often in a worship service, we get to the end of the service and will do it this morning if you're here this morning and and don't know Jesus out.

I want to introduce you to Jesus I want you to pray a prayer with me to receive the forgiveness of your sins. But what happens in so many services as we turn that decision only to those who don't yet, believe in Jesus, to be honest I think that's a mistake because you know what we all have decisions to make about Jesus on the tarmac and born again again again again again yet when I'm tarmac is every day you wake up you decide who's in charge of your life.

You can't say well 30 years ago. I decide to follow Jesus and since I really had made a major decision about some strong, some drunk every day I wake up somehow during the evening. You know, it happens that the okay this is going to be weird for just a second ago with Leslie. This is a throne was big goldplated.

Anyway, sorry.

But let's say this is a throne, you know what happens every night every day I get up and guess who's back on the throne. I am, I place myself at the center of my life deciding for me what I want and what I want to do and it's me me me me me and every day after say no that's not your place. Go that's God's place in my heart and my life. God sits on the throne of my heart and in my life.

In the course of the you know the flesh, the self-centered nature to want to start getting room chair movement. Now the flask is kicking and screaming sometimes done it is thought that was just you is not just you.

That's all of us.

We need to make a decision for the Lord every day. A daily decision to follow Jesus. Verse 23 therefore his parents said he is of age, ask him. That's pretty good out I guess so they again called the man who was blind and set them to give God the glory.

We know that this man is a center now, interesting way to have a trial in it. I mean, that is what's going on here trying Jesus in their starting the procedures with these guys going.

We know that this man's a center that was here the case is the beginning of the railroad that will not cease until Jesus is hanging on the cross. And while because they were so blinded that they didn't want to see verse 25 he answered and said, whether he is a center or not. I do not know one thing I know that though I was blind, now I see man whatever in that it you know in this guy wasn't going to be Raleigh wasn't going to be wrongful. It wasn't going to get in the weird theology just you want that I was blind, I can see and if we can keep our testimony simple like this is kind of hard to argue with it and it and then Jesus know how to pick him and he picked this blind man you have these boy he's good to go. As I go back down when he's standing from the Sanhedrin and that man in one sentence gave us something that has inspired people for 2000 years and inspired one of the greatest hymns are written. Amazing grace from one sentence testimony's amazing thing in the and keep in mind this to that he was giving the glory to God. If you will. He didn't sit here and go well will you know what happened is this guy you wiped really potent mode on, you know, a dozen please be the mud.

You know he didn't do that and were glad because then we have like the first Church of mud right down the street or something they would spit on people like mud on them every time they came in that we've always done it like that God uses all kinds of people all kinds of things that you people understand that we had people heal just sitting here on Sunday morning service. Note no big flamboyant hoop law guy just touched God is done and also work in my life and again my unit apartment testament. I was born a deaf mute. I was born 95% death, and my tongue was attached to my gums. I went through nine different operations and I still couldn't speak. I could hear at that point and then had to go to four years of speech therapy. Before I could hear and before I could speak without went to get ready go to elementary schools that still couldn't speak. They thought maybe I was mentally retarded or something and it ended up because I hadn't been able to hear that I have developed my speed told people that before Nina and NF had people actually go will do. God heal you word did someone else to claiming that God heal with God heal you that you have surgeries God uses all kinds of things that heal all kinds of people use surgeries. He used a speech therapist to heal me that that's to me that's no less miraculous than in an instant. Supernatural healing. God uses people.

He uses medication. He uses doctors and he still heals people supernaturally as well. So don't put God in a box with all those things again be ready with that one sentence testimony first Peter chapter 3 verse 15 says. Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life and you if you are asked about your Christian hope always be ready to explain it always be ready to explain.

If you're not if you haven't prepared yourself was Scripture get a few key scriptures to have ready and and maybe memorize him. Don't wait to you got the whole book memorize because again, you'll never share, but maybe a few key scriptures and always be ready. The King James says in 315 and be ready always to give an answer to every man that ask is that you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear so you don't need all the answers to share with people you you have the answer of the answers Jesus all the other answers flow out from him to be ready to share how I change your life and in their want to know. Verse 26. How then they said to him again.

What did he do to you. How did he open is interesting there there asking how you know what they should be asking who same letters, how, and who nature know in a W, but different order. They should be asking who you know what that's what we should address who Jesus the how we can discuss that all day long to get a bunch arguments but who Jesus Jesus and it's sad that they're missing this. There are missing this and as you know, what if you're going through something in your life right now focus on Jesus because here's what happens to believers and Christians. They had a tough spot. A tough patch and then one of the date they turn their eyes from Jesus and they start to focus on their problem that has never worked in my life and it's rare that I've ever seen it work in anybody else's.

I've seen people focus on being set free from drugs or alcohol, and never achieve that freedom. They really wanted and have seen people focus on Jesus, who are set free like that seen people who go to all sorts of seminars all sorts of counseling about their marriage never seems to improve it. The focus about Jesus, their marriage is better if you need healing in your life. Healing in your marriage if you need to be set free is something focus on Jesus.

Jesus said seek you first the kingdom of God and all these things will be added to you.

That's not an oversimplification that is how it works focus on Jesus and watch what happens in your life you're listening to Pastor David McGee on cross the bridge will be right back with more just a moment, but I want to remind you of the free resources available to you on cross the bridge.com there's a team of hundreds of people that will pray for somebody to be saved. You have a loved one that needs to know Jesus as Savior. You need people to pray for you need someone to present God's word to them every day representing God's word to them here on cross the bridge with Pastor David McGee. We can pray for them as well.

Just by simply going to cross the bridge.com and click on the pray for the lost button. All you need to do is put in the first names of the people you love, that need to know Jesus as Savior. Click on submit and immediately hundreds of people begin praying for your lost loved ones. What an awesome way to bring your love ones to Jesus. Here's a word from associate pastor DA Brown hey Bob want to take a minute to pray for listeners in the cities in Georgia, Warner Robins and Woodstock and also the cities in Hawaii, Hilo, Honolulu, Kahlúa and Colegio low. We thank you for the cities and we thank you for the people living in the cities that we get the pray for right now. We pray that you encourage them in your word that you would encourage them to get plugged into a Bible teaching Bible believing church Florida summer sick.

We pray that you please heal them God.

We pray that you would give them wisdom how they can be a blessing to their neighbor for you lower pray for the pastors in those areas that you give them wisdom and discernment and help them to not grow weary in doing good in Jesus name, amen, amen. Thank you brother and now get back to David McGee as he continues teaching verse by verse, verse 27 he answered them and said I told you already knew did not listen while you all to hear it again. Do you also want to become his disciples again. Jesus knows out a peck on the best because boys nothing that is not smoking.

He's he's tickled he can see he was blind he's he's psyched about being taken.

See praise God, and you know it's sad he's healed this because never seen before in his life is given a site with some of the first stuffy sin.

These angry Pharisees, these angry people beat him over the head with religion in Saigon. While that's awesome that's awesome that you can see now this guy had seen anything ever in his life he could be wander around looking trees looking at sky looking at you and praising God that what's happening is he's getting grilled by these feet. Your awesome would sums we do that with new believers we get in their face and were angry instead of going well, praise God. You can see now.

Praise God. Verse 28 then they reviled him and said you are his disciple, but we are Moses disciple while talk about missing what you're saying is your following Jesus before following Moses to understand the offer that was on the table. At this point is for them to follow Jesus and the be forgiven of their sins and but what are they doing all were following Moses were obeying the law work in earnest thing before you throw stones at them understand something, and this is what's going on in the world today.

I have seen exit polls were they filmed people come in our church and it's a hate you know are you hoping to go to heaven. All you will why do you hope that you're going out what you know because I'm basically good person, not just about church or I'm good. I've got most of the 10 Commandments today and somehow we got the twisted notion that we are in this thing.

Nothing could be further from the truth. Some people think that the 10 Commandments is steps to earn your way to salvation now actually it's a schoolmaster to show you, you can earn it, so paraphrase words of Paul, you can earn your salvation and we don't do that thing will be in a mean have you ever in your life lot about anything you probably if anybody said no they just did. So don't so have you ever stolen anything, or you may did you ever bar a piece of paper you can get back probably probably have tools maybe in your house right now. The blog ever use God's name inappropriately are taking joy in those who did their hit yourself with a hammer and in use God's name inappropriately is blasphemy has God always been number one in your life. Probably not. That's idolatry. So let's get the picture you're lying, thieving, blasphemous, idolater, and you can earn your way to heaven. Sorry. Letting go to work as I can work I want to be a disciple of Moses will be disciple of Jesus. Follow Jesus who says you know what you're so heavy laden company give you rest you can earn it, and as soon as you give up trying to earn it. I'll give it to.

But why you think you can earn it, you never realize how desperate you are to have Romans 10 three says, for they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God see why your claim in your own righteousness you can't receive the righteousness of Jesus concealing think you need it. How sad. John chapter 5 verse 45 Jesus said to them, do not think that I shall accuse you to the father.

There is one who accuses you Moses and whom you trust the 10 Commandments accuse us and we stand guilty, and we realize that we need Jesus means you really want to be judged according to your own righteousness. I don't. I do not want to be judged by my own righteousness suggestively explain this to some I doesn't know Jesus.

Okay, here's the choices you stand before a holy and righteous God dependent upon your own good works. Your perfection, your righteousness or you can stand in front of them in the righteousness of his son. That's the decision, and when you reject and you deny Jesus, you're choosing this there's no gray area choose Jesus choose his righteousness, and not mine because my righteousnesses not good. And there on the phone.

Moses, verse 29. We know that God spoke to Moses. As for this fellow we do not know where he is from the man answered and said to them why this is a marvelous thing that you do not know where he is from, yet he is open my eyes senior what you guys are said to be the spiritual leaders you know who this guy is healed a blind person you need to check them out and discover who is he continues, yet he is open my eyes verse 31.

Now we know that God does not hear sinners, but if anyone is a worshiper of God does his will he hears them. Since the world began, and there's not been unheard.

It has been unheard of, sort of, that anyone open the eyes of one who was born blind in this man were not from God.

He could not think and the answer and send them you were completely born in sin and are you teaching us in the cast amount your attention please. They accuse this man of being born in his sin, they were right. This man was born in his sin, and you know what else they were born and so you and I are born in sin, but you one thing that you could say for this man, the blind man he will not dine his sins, but those who are rejecting those who are denying Jesus will dine their sins. And that's the difference that's the difference were all born in sin we all are born with with staffing and backgrounds and passed an analyst on born in sin. But the question is are you going to die in your sin, because when you reject Jesus. That's what you choose. That's what you choose. Today, right now you can choose not to die in your sins. If you're here this morning is because God wants to communicate to you that he loves you and he wants to have a relationship with you. That's why you're here. And the question is will you reject them and turn away. Will you accept some of you may have been wandering some of you have lost your way, some to come back home and there's people in here this morning who have never heard what I shared, they they've never heard lately thought it was their goodness that earn their way in the heaven is all I got to be so good for so long and then God might my good outweighs my bad. Then I can get the heaven is not the gospel, the good news right now you can know the forgiveness of your sin by asking Jesus for the forgiveness of your son friend you know for sure that your sins have been forgiven. You can know right now own Legion. A short simple prayer simply telling God you're sorry and asking him to help you to live for him. Please pray this prayer with me out loud right now. Dear Jesus, I believe you died for me that I could be forgiven and I believe you were raised from the dead that I can have a new life not done wrong things I have sent and I'm sorry. Please forgive me of all those things. Please give me the power to live for you. All of my days in Jesus name, amen friend of you prayed that prayer according to the Bible you've been forgiven you've been born again. Jesus said he would not turn anybody away who comes to him and he came for those people who knew they needed forgiveness. Those who were sick, not the righteous to congratulations thing you just made the greatest session that you will ever make.

God bless you, if you pray that prayer with David for the first time we'd love to hear from you.

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Tomorrow is a very special day. But your calendar probably doesn't say audit giving Tuesday, but that's what it is giving Tuesday is a special day that's been created to help stir your hearts to give to things that are special to you. We hope the cross the bridge is special to you. We hope it's been a blessing your life and continues to help build up your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and your confidence in the word of God, please go to cross the bridge.com. Click on the giving Tuesday button and give as a lordly, thank you so much ODA before we go. What are some ways of lesser listeners days you can wake up with encouragement from Pastor David with his email devotional life lessons to consider a daily reading plan and the thought to meditate on throughout your day.

From the heart.

David McGee thanks again for listening and join us next time.

As David McGee continues teaching verse by verse in the gospel of God