ONE OF THE GREATEST CHAPTERS OF GOD'S WORD, THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD SHINING INTO ONE SINGLE HEART!

1. We look for great earthmoving events- but God builds mountains- one grain; seas- one drop;
2. We look for mountain peaks where God is working great miracles- & miss the single soul -light
3. The Pharisees were more interested in their codes of conduct than mercy for a poor man-

They broke their sabbath to condemn Jesus- but could not tolerate Jesus healing-

I.- THE LIGHT TO BLIND EYES! ! John 9:1-7

There are many little people in the World being touched by God- Pay attention around you!

A.- OFTEN THOSE CLOSE TO JESUS ARE BLIND, AND STAGGERING OVER SIMPLE PROBLEMS v.2 Why Suffering?

1. The Rabbi's taught sins of father, or evil thoughts of mother could cause such injury
2. The Bible says sin is visited to the children of 3rd,4th generation- & genetic code plays tricks
3. But Job, Habakkuk, and others wrestle over the question of why do the Godly suffer

B.- BUT JESUS OPENED THEIR EYES TO A HIGHER GLORY - "THAT THE WORKS OF GOD MIGHT BE SHOWN" V.3

1. There is much suffering in this world- many crippled, handicapped, hurt, scarred, emotionally, physically, mentally
2. Book- "Prison to Praise" says Praise God for your troubles - "In all things give thanks"
3. Perhaps a false thought though- immediate deliverance!  Maybe no!- but praise God anyway!

C.- JESUS MADE CLAY OF SPITTLE, ANOINTED THE MAN'S EYES, AND SAID GO WASH, AND HE DID v.6,7

1. This is unusual to say the least- many of you would not like to see this!- Unsanitary!
2. Unusual in another way- He did not promise the man a miracle- & Siloam was 7 blocks away!
3. But the man did- and came back seeing! Greater miracle- the man obeying a stranger!

The light of the world came into blind eyes- and the man knew not who had done it!

II.- THE LIGHT TO CLOSED EYES ! John 9:8-24

It is one thing to be blind from birth, it is another to be blind by choice! - How much do you see?

A.- THE PHARISEES WOULD RATHER ARGUE OVER MATTERS OF THE LAW THAN REJOICE IN MERCY! v.14

1. The friends were amazed- could not understand- and brought him to the Pharisees-
2. After the matter was rehearsed again they fell into arguing v,16 over law-not mercy
3. The Blind man at this time thought of Jesus as a Prophet- v. 17

B.- THE JEWS WERE SO CONCERNED ABOUT THE VIOLATION OF THE LAW, THEY THEY HELD A TRIAL ON SABBATH

1. They could not reconcile a miracle being performed by one who violated their traditions.-
2. They were deeply disturbed about the hard work- making clay on Sabbath- they probed the probe
3. Contrary to their own law- they went through a trial on the Sabbath!- Shades of Watergate

C.- THEY COMPOUNDED THEIR ERROR BY THREATENING EXCOMMUNICATION AGAINST WITNESSES - 18b-

1. They frightened the parents of the man- To intimidate a witness is no way of justice-truth
2. The excommunication they threatened with many levels- and 24 different grounds- Temple ban
3. Which is the more serious sin- to make clay on Sabbath, or to ban a man from God's presence

The parents even became so fearful that they withdrew their protection from their son.-

III.- ONE MAN REALLY KNEW THE LIGHT !- John 9:25-41

They refused to believe the man the 1st time, now they were back around again to Him-

A.- MANY THINGS THIS MAN DID NOT KNOW, BUT ONE THING HE DID KNOW - V.25 He now can see!

1. The Word he used- "Oida"- meaning fullness of knowledge- experience faith- Complete
2. Other words-"Ginosko" by progressive experience; Epiginosko- to recognize; Pro-gingsko ahead of time
3. What he had to say was not theory, philosophy, but an absolute fact by experience-

B.- IN THE ARGUEMENT WITH THE RABBIS HE COULD NOT BE SHAKEN FROM WHAT HE KNEW! HE COULD SEE

1. Over and over again they repeated their questions- picking for a weak point- v.26
2. He accused them of becoming Jesus' Disciples - they countered - We know Moses- but not Him-
3. The final argument of the man born blind- 30-33- and they blew up & threw him out- 34

C.- NOW THE BLIND MAN WHO COULD SEE WAS SOUGHT BY JESUS, WHAT A WONDERFUL THING- SWEET v.35-

1. Jesus now turned his eyes from physical sight- to spiritual-"doest thou believe" & v.36-7
2. The man confessed Christ as Lord- and Worshipped him!- Word only used for God-23 in Rev.-
3. If blind by birth, accident, or ignorance- read this! -v.39 but some deliberately v.40,41

None are so blind as those who will not see Jesus - and none so lonely as those refusing Him

SOME ARE BLIND BY CALAMITY, THOSE GOD CAN HEAL: BUT SOME ARE BLIND BY CHOICE AND GOD CANNOT HELP!

1. What is it with you? Measure carefully what you know- and come to Know Jesus
2. Come to know Jesus by experience- walking with Him- studying His word!- Wonderful miracles
3. If you will see and let Him guide you; you will see great things.