From Darkness to Light: A Journey of Faith

 

Summary

In John chapter nine, we encounter the profound story of a man born blind, whose life is transformed by Jesus. This narrative invites us to step into the shoes of this man, to feel the weight of his lifelong darkness and the miraculous light that Jesus brings into his life. Imagine sitting on a street corner, blind from birth, dependent on the kindness of strangers. One day, a rabbi named Jesus stops by, and instead of debating the cause of your blindness, He declares that your condition is an opportunity for God's works to be displayed. With a simple act of obedience—washing in the Pool of Siloam—your sight is restored, and your world is forever changed.

This transformation, however, is not without its challenges. The man faces skepticism and questions from his neighbors and community. His story becomes a point of contention, illustrating that when Jesus changes a life, it often disrupts the status quo. Yet, this man becomes a model of faith, speaking boldly about Jesus and the change He has wrought. His journey is a testament to the power of hearing and believing in Jesus' words, even without seeing Him. This mirrors our own faith journey, where hearing leads to believing, and one day, believing will lead to seeing.

As believers, we are called to trust in a Savior we have not seen, to speak of His works in our lives, and to live as a mystery to those around us. Our transformation in Christ should provoke questions and curiosity, providing opportunities to share the hope we have. Ultimately, this story points us to the future promise that our faith will one day be turned to sight, and we will behold the glory of Jesus face to face.

Key Takeaways:

- God's Purpose in Affliction: The man's blindness was not a result of sin but an opportunity for God's works to be displayed. This challenges us to view our own struggles as potential platforms for God's glory, trusting that He can bring beauty from our brokenness. [03:59]

- Transformation and Tension: When Jesus changes a life, it often brings tension and questions from those around us. Our transformation in Christ should be evident, prompting curiosity and sometimes skepticism, as people grapple with the mystery of our new identity. [12:00]

- The Power of Testimony: The man born blind becomes a model witness, simply and boldly sharing what Jesus did for him. Our testimony doesn't need to be elaborate; it needs to be honest and centered on Jesus, pointing others to His transformative power. [17:06]

- Faith Without Sight: Like the man who trusted Jesus without seeing Him, we are called to trust in the Savior we have not seen. Our faith is built on hearing His word, and it sustains us until the day we see Him face to face. [25:18]

- The Promise of Sight: Our journey mirrors the blind man's—hearing leads to believing, and one day, believing will lead to seeing. This hope sustains us, knowing that one day our faith will be turned to sight, and we will behold the glory of Jesus. [30:16]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:12] - Introduction to the Story
- [00:28] - Experiencing Blindness
- [01:44] - Encounter with Jesus
- [03:59] - Purpose in Affliction
- [05:54] - Jesus, the Light of the World
- [07:02] - Act of Faith: Washing in Siloam
- [09:05] - Miracle of Sight
- [11:30] - Community's Reaction
- [12:12] - Facing Questions
- [16:20] - Speaking About Jesus
- [22:22] - Trusting the Unseen Savior
- [25:18] - Faith Without Sight
- [30:16] - Promise of Future Sight
- [32:58] - Closing Prayer

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- John 9:1-41

Observation Questions:
1. What was the initial reaction of the disciples when they saw the man born blind, and how did Jesus respond to their question? ([02:13])
2. Describe the process and the result of the blind man's encounter with Jesus. What specific actions did Jesus take, and what was the man's response? ([07:02])
3. How did the neighbors and community react to the man's healing, and what questions did they ask him? ([12:26])
4. What was the blind man's testimony about Jesus when questioned by others? ([16:35])

Interpretation Questions:
1. How does Jesus' response to the disciples' question about sin and blindness challenge common assumptions about suffering and affliction? ([03:59])
2. In what ways does the story of the blind man illustrate the tension and disruption that can occur when Jesus transforms a life? ([11:46])
3. How does the blind man's simple testimony serve as a model for sharing one's faith? What elements of his story are essential for effective witnessing? ([17:06])
4. What does the blind man's journey of faith without sight teach us about trusting in Jesus, whom we have not seen? ([25:18])

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a personal struggle or affliction. How might you view it as an opportunity for God's works to be displayed in your life? What steps can you take to trust God in this situation? ([03:59])
2. Have you experienced tension or skepticism from others due to your faith in Jesus? How did you handle it, and what might you do differently in the future? ([11:46])
3. Consider your own testimony. How can you share it simply and honestly, focusing on what Jesus has done for you? Identify one person you can share this with in the coming week. ([17:06])
4. In what ways can you strengthen your faith in Jesus, whom you have not seen? What practices or habits can help you hear and believe His words more deeply? ([25:18])
5. The sermon suggests that our transformation in Christ should provoke curiosity and questions. How can you live in a way that invites others to ask about the hope you have? ([12:12])
6. Reflect on the promise that one day our faith will be turned to sight. How does this future hope impact your daily life and decisions? ([30:16])
7. Identify a specific area in your life where you need to trust Jesus more fully. What practical steps can you take this week to rely on Him in that area? ([22:22])

Devotional

Day 1: God's Glory in Our Struggles
In John chapter nine, the story of the man born blind reveals a profound truth about the purpose of affliction. His blindness was not a punishment for sin but an opportunity for God's works to be displayed. This challenges us to view our own struggles as potential platforms for God's glory. Instead of seeing our difficulties as mere obstacles, we are invited to trust that God can bring beauty from our brokenness. Our afflictions can become testimonies of His power and grace, transforming our lives and those around us. [03:59]

John 11:4 (ESV): "But when Jesus heard it he said, 'This illness does not lead to death. It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.'"

Reflection: What current struggle in your life can you begin to view as an opportunity for God's glory to be displayed? How can you invite Him into this situation today?


Day 2: Transformation Brings Tension
When Jesus changes a life, it often disrupts the status quo, as seen in the story of the man born blind. His transformation brought skepticism and questions from his community, illustrating that our new identity in Christ can provoke curiosity and sometimes tension. This tension is not something to fear but an opportunity to witness to the transformative power of Jesus. As believers, our lives should be a mystery to those around us, prompting them to ask questions and seek the source of our hope. [12:00]

1 Peter 4:4 (ESV): "With respect to this they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of debauchery, and they malign you."

Reflection: How has your transformation in Christ caused tension or curiosity among those around you? How can you use these moments to share your faith?


Day 3: The Simplicity of Testimony
The man born blind becomes a model witness by simply and boldly sharing what Jesus did for him. Our testimony doesn't need to be elaborate; it needs to be honest and centered on Jesus. By sharing our personal experiences of His transformative power, we point others to Him. This simplicity in testimony is powerful because it is authentic and relatable, allowing others to see the reality of Jesus' work in our lives. [17:06]

Psalm 66:16 (ESV): "Come and hear, all you who fear God, and I will tell what he has done for my soul."

Reflection: What is one simple, honest way you can share what Jesus has done in your life with someone this week?


Day 4: Trusting the Unseen Savior
Like the man who trusted Jesus without seeing Him, we are called to trust in a Savior we have not seen. Our faith is built on hearing His word, and it sustains us until the day we see Him face to face. This journey of faith without sight is a testament to the power of believing in Jesus' words and promises. It challenges us to rely on His truth and presence, even when we cannot physically see Him. [25:18]

2 Corinthians 5:7 (ESV): "For we walk by faith, not by sight."

Reflection: In what area of your life are you struggling to trust Jesus without seeing immediate results? How can you lean on His promises today?


Day 5: The Hope of Future Sight
Our journey mirrors the blind man's—hearing leads to believing, and one day, believing will lead to seeing. This hope sustains us, knowing that one day our faith will be turned to sight, and we will behold the glory of Jesus. This future promise encourages us to persevere in our faith, trusting that our current struggles and questions will one day be answered in His presence. It is a reminder that our faith journey is leading us to a glorious destination. [30:16]

1 John 3:2 (ESV): "Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is."

Reflection: How does the promise of seeing Jesus face to face impact your daily walk with Him? What steps can you take to keep this hope alive in your heart?

Quotes


It was not that this man sinned or that his parents sinned but that the works of God might be displayed in him. You wonder if he's mocking you. How could the works of God be displayed in your life? I mean isn't your life kind of showing that God sometimes makes mistakes? [00:03:54]

The man standing next to you speaks about God as if he knows him. He speaks about the works of God as if he knows exactly what God is going to do, and he says that the purpose of the great affliction of your life is that the works of God will be displayed in you. [00:04:30]

When Jesus changed this man's life, it brought tension to his family. It brought arguments between the neighbors, and ultimately it brought rejection from the entire community. Now what will happen when Jesus changes your life? That's really the question that is before us today. [00:11:41]

When you come to faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, he causes you to be born again. You become a new creation in Jesus Christ. You're still the same person, and yet you are new, and you are different, and people don't know what to make of you. [00:14:23]

Speak about Jesus. Speak about Jesus so they said to him, verse 10, then how were your eyes opened? And he answered, the man called Jesus made mud and anointed my eyes and said to me, go to Siloam and wash. So I went and washed and received my sight. [00:16:33]

Tell them what Jesus has said. The man called Jesus said to me, and he quotes the words of Jesus, go to Siloam and wash. He quotes the words of Jesus and you know if you can tell people some of the words of the Lord Jesus Christ they will be greatly helped. [00:19:35]

Trust the Savior that you cannot see. If you are new to faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and indeed if you've been following the Lord Jesus for many years, here's something that we must do as long as we are in this world: trust the Savior you cannot see. [00:22:25]

This man had never seen the face of Jesus. He trusted and obeyed a Savior that he had never seen. Think about it, when Jesus arrived on the street corner where he was, he was blind. He heard the words of Jesus; he never saw the Savior's face. [00:24:00]

Hearing leads to believing, and it is believing that in the end will lead to seeing. He sees Jesus at the end but only at the end of the story. Hearing is what leads to believing. This man's faith was just like ours; it rested entirely on the words of Jesus. [00:26:43]

Faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. You see, faith is formed by the word of God, faith is nourished by the word of God, faith is strengthened by the word of God. That's why opening our Bibles together week by week is so important. [00:28:17]

Hearing leads to believing, and one day believing will lead to seeing. See, it is only at the end of the story, and we will come to this God willing in two weeks, it's only at the end of the story that this man finally sees the Lord Jesus Christ for the very first time. [00:29:39]

One day you're going to see the glory of heaven, one day you're going to see the whole church made perfect, one day you're going to see Jesus, you're going to see him as he is. The scripture says we're going to see his face. What a moment that will be. [00:30:58]

Chatbot

  • I'm an AI bot trained specifically on the sermon from Oct 04, 2021. Do you have any questions about it?

Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?