2017 True Blindness James Shepherd
Series: Summer Hits
Speaker: Steve Jeffrey
Date: 7th January 2017
Passage: John 9:1-41
00:00:00 --> 00:00:04 In 2015, a photo went up online that divided the whole globe.
00:00:05 --> 00:00:08 Every single person was divided around this photo.
00:00:08 --> 00:00:10 It was titled, The Dress.
00:00:11 --> 00:00:14 You may remember this photo circulating social media and news outlets.
00:00:14 --> 00:00:17 It got so much attention from everyone
00:00:17 --> 00:00:20 because no one was sure what color it was.
00:00:20 --> 00:00:23 Some said it was a blue dress with black lining,
00:00:23 --> 00:00:28 but there were others who were adamant that it was a white dress with gold lining.
00:00:29 --> 00:00:34 Now you may have been one of those people who put your argument out there
00:00:34 --> 00:00:37 and weighed in on the whole debate saying it's this or it's this.
00:00:38 --> 00:00:42 So many people were convinced it was a blue and black dress and argued fiercely for it.
00:00:42 --> 00:00:46 So many people thought it was a white and gold dress and argued fiercely for it.
00:00:46 --> 00:00:51 It lasted weeks and people were trying to work out why people thought one way or the other.
00:00:51 --> 00:00:57 Now just to confirm, it was confirmed later on that the dress was a blue and black dress,
00:00:57 --> 00:00:59 but so many people were convinced otherwise.
00:01:00 --> 00:01:04 So many people were adamant they were seeing a gold and white dress
00:01:04 --> 00:01:07 and their eyes were deceived.
00:01:09 --> 00:01:12 Having sight is a wonderful gift.
00:01:12 --> 00:01:15 Being able to observe the beautiful world around us,
00:01:16 --> 00:01:18 being able to see the faces of loved ones,
00:01:18 --> 00:01:21 being able to see danger and avoid it,
00:01:21 --> 00:01:24 it's truly a wonderful gift that we have.
00:01:24 --> 00:01:28 But it's obvious from this small example, from the dress,
00:01:28 --> 00:01:32 that whilst we all have sight, sometimes we don't see clearly.
00:01:33 --> 00:01:36 Our world today is so adamant that it sees clearly.
00:01:37 --> 00:01:40 We believe science has helped us progress and advance
00:01:40 --> 00:01:42 to the point where we can see with precision,
00:01:43 --> 00:01:45 meaning that we can determine exactly how the world functions
00:01:45 --> 00:01:47 and how we should live in it today.
00:01:47 --> 00:01:51 We therefore believe that we are more enlightened than our predecessors are.
00:01:51 --> 00:01:56 We see clearer now the way things are than any other generation before us.
00:01:57 --> 00:02:01 But whilst the world claims to see things clearer than ever before,
00:02:02 --> 00:02:06 it has become more and more blind to the truth about God,
00:02:07 --> 00:02:08 about their Creator.
00:02:09 --> 00:02:13 Our world has become blind to its created purpose
00:02:13 --> 00:02:16 in serving and worshipping the Creator.
00:02:16 --> 00:02:19 The world is adamant that it sees clearly.
00:02:19 --> 00:02:24 But it's been deceived to think that it can see clearly without God,
00:02:25 --> 00:02:26 that it can see clearly on its own,
00:02:27 --> 00:02:28 without the light of the world.
00:02:29 --> 00:02:32 Our sight has been corrupted because of sin.
00:02:32 --> 00:02:35 Rather than seeing things as they truly are,
00:02:35 --> 00:02:37 we see things as we want them to be seen.
00:02:38 --> 00:02:41 We believe ourselves to be objective and unbiased,
00:02:41 --> 00:02:45 but the reality is sin has put a veil over our eyes
00:02:45 --> 00:02:49 to make us think we don't need God in this world to exist.
00:02:50 --> 00:02:52 Or we come up with our own version of God
00:02:52 --> 00:02:55 that suits us, that suits the way we see things in the world.
00:02:57 --> 00:03:00 All unaware of how blind we actually have become,
00:03:01 --> 00:03:05 robbed of our true purpose in worshipping the one and true God.
00:03:05 --> 00:03:10 So what hope is there for our world today to see clearly?
00:03:11 --> 00:03:15 What hope is there for us that we might see clearly?
00:03:16 --> 00:03:18 The healing of the blind man here in John 9
00:03:18 --> 00:03:20 is the second sign in John's Gospel,
00:03:21 --> 00:03:24 showing who Jesus is and what he has come to do.
00:03:24 --> 00:03:27 So specifically here, he is the light of the world
00:03:27 --> 00:03:30 who has come to open the eyes of the blind,
00:03:30 --> 00:03:35 that all who see might, as this formerly blind man does,
00:03:35 --> 00:03:38 says in verse 38, believe in him.
00:03:39 --> 00:03:41 But this passage also serves as a warning,
00:03:42 --> 00:03:44 an indictment on those who would,
00:03:44 --> 00:03:46 when they are confronted with the light of the world,
00:03:47 --> 00:03:49 reject him and turn away from him.
00:03:49 --> 00:03:52 And the question we are left with is, which one are we?
00:03:53 --> 00:03:56 Are we more like the blind beggar who knows he is blind
00:03:56 --> 00:03:58 and needs his sight restored,
00:03:58 --> 00:04:00 or are we more like the Pharisees
00:04:00 --> 00:04:03 who in their arrogance believe they see things clearly,
00:04:04 --> 00:04:06 believe they see the world clearly,
00:04:06 --> 00:04:09 but in fact are actually completely blind to the reality?
00:04:11 --> 00:04:12 As we look at this passage,
00:04:12 --> 00:04:15 let that question just sink in the back of your mind
00:04:15 --> 00:04:17 as we reflect on the miracle
00:04:17 --> 00:04:20 as both a sign of what Jesus has come to do
00:04:20 --> 00:04:20 and who he is,
00:04:21 --> 00:04:24 and a warning to all who reject him
00:04:24 --> 00:04:25 as the light of the world.
00:04:25 --> 00:04:28 So firstly, this miracle is a sign.
00:04:28 --> 00:04:30 We're introduced to the blind man
00:04:30 --> 00:04:32 at the very beginning of this passage.
00:04:32 --> 00:04:34 And whilst it is clear that this man
00:04:34 --> 00:04:37 was not born blind because of his own sin
00:04:37 --> 00:04:38 or because of his parents' sin,
00:04:39 --> 00:04:42 it should be understood that he is blind still
00:04:42 --> 00:04:44 because of sin's impact on the world
00:04:44 --> 00:04:45 and on his life.
00:04:46 --> 00:04:49 He is still born under the power and the reign of sin
00:04:49 --> 00:04:52 as we all are born under the reign and power of sin.
00:04:52 --> 00:04:55 You see, God made human beings with eyes
00:04:55 --> 00:04:57 that should work.
00:04:57 --> 00:04:58 He didn't make us to be blind,
00:04:59 --> 00:05:00 but to be able to see.
00:05:01 --> 00:05:02 And so we should understand
00:05:02 --> 00:05:04 that God didn't make him to be blind,
00:05:04 --> 00:05:06 but Jesus says in response,
00:05:06 --> 00:05:08 this happens so the works of God
00:05:08 --> 00:05:09 might be displayed in him.
00:05:10 --> 00:05:11 It's in light of the fact that
00:05:11 --> 00:05:13 while sin still affects our world
00:05:13 --> 00:05:15 and still corrupts our world,
00:05:16 --> 00:05:18 sin is not outside of God's control.
00:05:18 --> 00:05:22 that God is not powerless in the face of sin.
00:05:23 --> 00:05:25 Indeed, he will go on to show his power
00:05:25 --> 00:05:27 by reversing the effects of sin
00:05:27 --> 00:05:28 and in this specific case,
00:05:29 --> 00:05:30 by reversing this man's blindness
00:05:30 --> 00:05:31 and giving him sight.
00:05:32 --> 00:05:35 For as Jesus says of himself in verse 5,
00:05:35 --> 00:05:37 I am the light of the world.
00:05:38 --> 00:05:40 Jesus then makes mud,
00:05:40 --> 00:05:41 puts on the beggar's eyes
00:05:41 --> 00:05:42 and tells him to wash it off.
00:05:43 --> 00:05:44 When the beggar does this,
00:05:44 --> 00:05:45 he comes back seen.
00:05:45 --> 00:05:48 What takes place before us
00:05:48 --> 00:05:51 is truly an incredible miracle.
00:05:52 --> 00:05:55 Indeed, it's truly the work of God.
00:05:56 --> 00:05:57 It's not the work of a magician
00:05:57 --> 00:05:59 or a witch,
00:06:00 --> 00:06:01 nor is it a trick.
00:06:02 --> 00:06:05 Jesus here is doing the work of God,
00:06:05 --> 00:06:08 which is to overturn the power of sin and death
00:06:08 --> 00:06:12 and usher in the kingdom of life and life,
00:06:12 --> 00:06:13 the kingdom of God.
00:06:13 --> 00:06:15 This man has spent all his life
00:06:15 --> 00:06:17 living under the power of sin
00:06:17 --> 00:06:19 and he has felt it quite acutely.
00:06:20 --> 00:06:21 Now, as I said,
00:06:21 --> 00:06:22 we all lived under the power of sin,
00:06:22 --> 00:06:24 but this man was born blind.
00:06:24 --> 00:06:27 He has felt it very sharply all his life.
00:06:27 --> 00:06:31 He directly experienced the corrupt work of sin
00:06:31 --> 00:06:32 on his own body,
00:06:32 --> 00:06:35 but also that sin robbed him
00:06:35 --> 00:06:36 of the ability to worship.
00:06:37 --> 00:06:38 He was a blind beggar.
00:06:38 --> 00:06:40 All he had to do
00:06:40 --> 00:06:41 and look forward to in life
00:06:41 --> 00:06:42 was to wake up,
00:06:43 --> 00:06:44 sit on the side of the road
00:06:44 --> 00:06:45 and beg for his living.
00:06:46 --> 00:06:48 Beg that people would give him food
00:06:48 --> 00:06:49 and money
00:06:49 --> 00:06:51 so he could get what he needed to live.
00:06:52 --> 00:06:54 As we saw in verse 2 as well,
00:06:54 --> 00:06:55 most Jews thought
00:06:55 --> 00:06:57 that if you were born blind,
00:06:57 --> 00:06:58 you must have sinned
00:06:58 --> 00:07:00 or your parents must have sinned.
00:07:00 --> 00:07:01 Therefore, he wasn't welcome
00:07:01 --> 00:07:03 into the temple to worship God.
00:07:04 --> 00:07:06 This man's state of affairs
00:07:06 --> 00:07:07 in being born blind
00:07:07 --> 00:07:08 meant that he was robbed
00:07:08 --> 00:07:11 of the opportunity to worship,
00:07:11 --> 00:07:13 to be part of God's people.
00:07:14 --> 00:07:16 And so what Jesus does
00:07:16 --> 00:07:19 in restoring his sight
00:07:19 --> 00:07:23 is overturn the effects of sin in his life.
00:07:24 --> 00:07:26 Literally, open his eyes
00:07:26 --> 00:07:28 to see the God of heaven and earth
00:07:28 --> 00:07:30 who calls him to worship.
00:07:30 --> 00:07:32 Jesus frees him
00:07:32 --> 00:07:33 and gives him rest
00:07:33 --> 00:07:35 from his suffering.
00:07:36 --> 00:07:37 This miracle
00:07:37 --> 00:07:39 is a beautiful sign
00:07:39 --> 00:07:41 because it points towards
00:07:41 --> 00:07:43 a time when this work of God
00:07:43 --> 00:07:44 will be fulfilled
00:07:44 --> 00:07:46 on a much greater scale.
00:07:46 --> 00:07:48 On a small scale here,
00:07:48 --> 00:07:50 Jesus overturns the power of sin
00:07:50 --> 00:07:51 for this blind man
00:07:51 --> 00:07:52 by giving him his sight back.
00:07:53 --> 00:07:55 But this sign anticipates a time
00:07:55 --> 00:07:56 when Jesus will overturn
00:07:56 --> 00:07:58 the power of sin and death
00:07:58 --> 00:07:59 for all people
00:07:59 --> 00:08:01 through his own death
00:08:01 --> 00:08:02 and resurrection.
00:08:02 --> 00:08:03 We look forward
00:08:03 --> 00:08:04 not only to our eyes
00:08:04 --> 00:08:05 being redeemed,
00:08:05 --> 00:08:06 but our whole bodies
00:08:06 --> 00:08:08 being redeemed as well.
00:08:09 --> 00:08:11 When they'll be made new,
00:08:11 --> 00:08:12 no longer to suffer
00:08:12 --> 00:08:13 from pain that comes
00:08:13 --> 00:08:14 from sickness,
00:08:15 --> 00:08:16 from chronic illness,
00:08:16 --> 00:08:17 from disability,
00:08:17 --> 00:08:18 from mental illness.
00:08:18 --> 00:08:19 We'll be free
00:08:19 --> 00:08:20 from such pain
00:08:20 --> 00:08:22 because of what Jesus
00:08:22 --> 00:08:22 has done
00:08:22 --> 00:08:24 in redeeming our bodies.
00:08:25 --> 00:08:26 But this is not merely
00:08:26 --> 00:08:28 a physical healing
00:08:28 --> 00:08:29 that we look forward to
00:08:29 --> 00:08:30 as we see in this passage.
00:08:30 --> 00:08:31 For Jesus will heal
00:08:31 --> 00:08:32 this blind man
00:08:32 --> 00:08:33 a second time
00:08:33 --> 00:08:34 of his blindness
00:08:34 --> 00:08:36 to make a point
00:08:36 --> 00:08:36 that he has not only
00:08:36 --> 00:08:37 come to redeem
00:08:37 --> 00:08:38 our bodies
00:08:38 --> 00:08:39 from the power of sin,
00:08:39 --> 00:08:40 but also to redeem
00:08:40 --> 00:08:42 our spiritual sight
00:08:42 --> 00:08:43 from the tight grasp
00:08:43 --> 00:08:45 of sin as well.
00:08:46 --> 00:08:48 For the power of sin
00:08:48 --> 00:08:50 has robbed us,
00:08:50 --> 00:08:51 or robbed God,
00:08:51 --> 00:08:52 the worship
00:08:52 --> 00:08:53 that is due to him
00:08:53 --> 00:08:54 and robbed us
00:08:54 --> 00:08:55 the ability to do
00:08:55 --> 00:08:56 what we were created to do
00:08:56 --> 00:08:58 and to worship him.
00:08:59 --> 00:09:00 Blinding us to serve
00:09:00 --> 00:09:01 and worship
00:09:01 --> 00:09:02 created things instead
00:09:02 --> 00:09:04 rather than the creator himself.
00:09:05 --> 00:09:06 And so Jesus will not settle
00:09:06 --> 00:09:09 for simply opening
00:09:09 --> 00:09:10 our physical eyes.
00:09:10 --> 00:09:11 He will also open
00:09:11 --> 00:09:12 our spiritual eyes
00:09:12 --> 00:09:13 as he does here
00:09:13 --> 00:09:14 for this blind man.
00:09:15 --> 00:09:16 And so in verse 35
00:09:16 --> 00:09:17 he says to him,
00:09:18 --> 00:09:19 Do you believe
00:09:19 --> 00:09:20 in the Son of Man?
00:09:20 --> 00:09:21 Who is he, sir,
00:09:21 --> 00:09:23 that I might believe
00:09:23 --> 00:09:24 in him?
00:09:24 --> 00:09:25 And Jesus said,
00:09:25 --> 00:09:26 You have now seen him.
00:09:27 --> 00:09:27 In fact,
00:09:28 --> 00:09:29 he is the one
00:09:29 --> 00:09:29 speaking with you.
00:09:30 --> 00:09:31 Then the man said,
00:09:31 --> 00:09:31 Lord,
00:09:32 --> 00:09:33 I believe.
00:09:34 --> 00:09:35 And he worshipped him.
00:09:37 --> 00:09:38 The work of God
00:09:38 --> 00:09:39 would not be complete
00:09:39 --> 00:09:40 in this man's life
00:09:40 --> 00:09:42 if it did not result
00:09:42 --> 00:09:43 in believing
00:09:43 --> 00:09:45 and worshipping Jesus.
00:09:46 --> 00:09:46 The redemption
00:09:46 --> 00:09:48 of our physical bodies
00:09:48 --> 00:09:49 that we look forward to
00:09:49 --> 00:09:50 includes the full
00:09:50 --> 00:09:52 reorientation
00:09:52 --> 00:09:53 of our heart
00:09:53 --> 00:09:54 and our soul
00:09:54 --> 00:09:54 to love
00:09:54 --> 00:09:55 and to worship God
00:09:55 --> 00:09:56 for all eternity
00:09:56 --> 00:09:57 that we would clearly see
00:09:57 --> 00:09:59 untainted by the power
00:09:59 --> 00:10:00 of sin
00:10:00 --> 00:10:00 the world
00:10:00 --> 00:10:02 as God may it to be
00:10:02 --> 00:10:03 with the purpose
00:10:03 --> 00:10:04 of worshipping God
00:10:04 --> 00:10:05 as we live in it.
00:10:06 --> 00:10:07 For our bodies
00:10:07 --> 00:10:08 are not our own.
00:10:09 --> 00:10:10 We exist
00:10:10 --> 00:10:11 in a world today
00:10:11 --> 00:10:14 where people's gods
00:10:14 --> 00:10:15 are their stomachs.
00:10:16 --> 00:10:18 A world that wants
00:10:18 --> 00:10:18 to consume
00:10:18 --> 00:10:20 more and more
00:10:20 --> 00:10:20 and more
00:10:20 --> 00:10:21 whatever catches
00:10:21 --> 00:10:22 their eye.
00:10:23 --> 00:10:24 For so many
00:10:24 --> 00:10:24 their body
00:10:24 --> 00:10:26 is theirs
00:10:26 --> 00:10:27 to do whatever
00:10:27 --> 00:10:27 they wish with.
00:10:28 --> 00:10:29 It's politically
00:10:29 --> 00:10:30 incorrect to tell someone
00:10:30 --> 00:10:31 you can't do that
00:10:31 --> 00:10:32 with your body.
00:10:33 --> 00:10:33 People will say
00:10:33 --> 00:10:34 in response
00:10:34 --> 00:10:35 I can do whatever
00:10:35 --> 00:10:35 I want
00:10:35 --> 00:10:36 with my body.
00:10:37 --> 00:10:38 I can sleep
00:10:38 --> 00:10:38 with whoever I want.
00:10:39 --> 00:10:40 I can eat and drink
00:10:40 --> 00:10:40 whatever I want.
00:10:41 --> 00:10:41 I can do whatever
00:10:41 --> 00:10:42 I want
00:10:42 --> 00:10:43 with my body.
00:10:43 --> 00:10:43 It's my body.
00:10:43 --> 00:10:47 But as Romans 12
00:10:47 --> 00:10:48 1 says
00:10:48 --> 00:10:48 our bodies
00:10:48 --> 00:10:51 are living sacrifices
00:10:51 --> 00:10:53 holy and pleasing
00:10:53 --> 00:10:54 to God
00:10:54 --> 00:10:55 as our act
00:10:55 --> 00:10:55 of worship.
00:10:57 --> 00:10:58 They are redeemed
00:10:58 --> 00:10:59 by God
00:10:59 --> 00:10:59 to serve
00:10:59 --> 00:11:00 and to worship
00:11:00 --> 00:11:01 him.
00:11:02 --> 00:11:02 Jesus
00:11:02 --> 00:11:03 has come
00:11:03 --> 00:11:04 not merely
00:11:04 --> 00:11:05 to redeem
00:11:05 --> 00:11:06 our bodies
00:11:06 --> 00:11:08 and make everything
00:11:08 --> 00:11:09 pain free for us.
00:11:09 --> 00:11:09 Indeed the whole
00:11:09 --> 00:11:10 point of this miracle
00:11:10 --> 00:11:12 is so much more
00:11:12 --> 00:11:12 than that.
00:11:12 --> 00:11:13 he has come
00:11:13 --> 00:11:14 to restore
00:11:14 --> 00:11:15 the whole person
00:11:15 --> 00:11:17 both his physical body
00:11:17 --> 00:11:19 and his spiritual sight
00:11:19 --> 00:11:20 in order that we might
00:11:20 --> 00:11:21 use our bodies
00:11:21 --> 00:11:22 well
00:11:22 --> 00:11:23 to worship him.
00:11:26 --> 00:11:27 That is
00:11:27 --> 00:11:28 all about him
00:11:28 --> 00:11:29 worshipping
00:11:29 --> 00:11:31 him.
00:11:32 --> 00:11:32 This world
00:11:32 --> 00:11:33 this life
00:11:33 --> 00:11:34 exists for his glory
00:11:34 --> 00:11:36 and as we align
00:11:36 --> 00:11:37 with that purpose
00:11:37 --> 00:11:38 as we see clearly
00:11:38 --> 00:11:39 that purpose
00:11:39 --> 00:11:40 we can do that
00:11:40 --> 00:11:41 for our joy
00:11:41 --> 00:11:41 as well then
00:11:41 --> 00:11:42 as we live
00:11:42 --> 00:11:43 in this world
00:11:43 --> 00:11:43 that is his.
00:11:44 --> 00:11:45 This is what
00:11:45 --> 00:11:46 Jesus has come
00:11:46 --> 00:11:46 to do.
00:11:47 --> 00:11:48 This is the beauty
00:11:48 --> 00:11:49 of the sign
00:11:49 --> 00:11:49 that we see
00:11:49 --> 00:11:50 here in John 9.
00:11:53 --> 00:11:53 And so we
00:11:53 --> 00:11:54 who are aware
00:11:54 --> 00:11:55 that like the blind man
00:11:55 --> 00:11:56 we need our own
00:11:56 --> 00:11:57 sight restored
00:11:57 --> 00:11:57 we can
00:11:57 --> 00:11:59 have hope
00:11:59 --> 00:12:00 that we will
00:12:00 --> 00:12:01 see things clearly
00:12:01 --> 00:12:02 and worship.
00:12:04 --> 00:12:05 But as mentioned
00:12:05 --> 00:12:05 earlier
00:12:05 --> 00:12:06 this miracle
00:12:06 --> 00:12:07 also serves
00:12:07 --> 00:12:07 as a warning
00:12:07 --> 00:12:08 an indictment
00:12:08 --> 00:12:09 upon those
00:12:09 --> 00:12:09 who would
00:12:09 --> 00:12:10 choose to
00:12:10 --> 00:12:11 turn away
00:12:11 --> 00:12:12 from the light.
00:12:13 --> 00:12:14 And so secondly
00:12:14 --> 00:12:14 we are going to
00:12:14 --> 00:12:15 look at this miracle
00:12:15 --> 00:12:15 as a warning.
00:12:16 --> 00:12:17 So just after
00:12:17 --> 00:12:18 the blind man
00:12:18 --> 00:12:18 has received sight
00:12:18 --> 00:12:19 people start
00:12:19 --> 00:12:20 seeing him
00:12:20 --> 00:12:21 right
00:12:21 --> 00:12:22 walking the streets
00:12:22 --> 00:12:23 this man
00:12:23 --> 00:12:23 who was once
00:12:23 --> 00:12:24 blind
00:12:24 --> 00:12:24 who was once
00:12:24 --> 00:12:26 sitting by the road
00:12:26 --> 00:12:26 all the days
00:12:26 --> 00:12:27 of his life
00:12:27 --> 00:12:28 is now walking
00:12:28 --> 00:12:29 around looking
00:12:29 --> 00:12:29 at things
00:12:29 --> 00:12:31 amazed by what
00:12:31 --> 00:12:31 he sees
00:12:31 --> 00:12:32 and people are going
00:12:32 --> 00:12:33 is this the same
00:12:33 --> 00:12:33 person?
00:12:34 --> 00:12:35 What is going on here?
00:12:35 --> 00:12:35 They ask him
00:12:35 --> 00:12:36 what happened?
00:12:36 --> 00:12:37 He says this guy
00:12:37 --> 00:12:37 called Jesus
00:12:37 --> 00:12:39 he washed my eyes
00:12:39 --> 00:12:41 and now I can see.
00:12:42 --> 00:12:43 And they're still
00:12:43 --> 00:12:43 utterly confused
00:12:43 --> 00:12:44 by what's going on
00:12:44 --> 00:12:45 perplexed
00:12:45 --> 00:12:45 so they bring him
00:12:45 --> 00:12:46 to the Pharisees
00:12:46 --> 00:12:47 the people
00:12:47 --> 00:12:47 who know
00:12:47 --> 00:12:48 are in the know
00:12:48 --> 00:12:49 what's going on
00:12:49 --> 00:12:49 in these kinds
00:12:49 --> 00:12:50 of situations.
00:12:51 --> 00:12:52 Now
00:12:52 --> 00:12:53 have you ever been
00:12:53 --> 00:12:54 in a conversation
00:12:54 --> 00:12:54 with someone
00:12:54 --> 00:12:56 where the conversation
00:12:56 --> 00:12:57 just seems to be
00:12:57 --> 00:12:57 going nowhere?
00:12:58 --> 00:12:59 You're trying to
00:12:59 --> 00:12:59 get a point across
00:12:59 --> 00:13:00 you're trying to
00:13:00 --> 00:13:00 explain something
00:13:00 --> 00:13:01 to them
00:13:01 --> 00:13:02 you're trying to
00:13:02 --> 00:13:02 help understand
00:13:02 --> 00:13:03 something
00:13:03 --> 00:13:04 but it's just
00:13:04 --> 00:13:05 not getting through
00:13:05 --> 00:13:06 and you think
00:13:06 --> 00:13:07 this is just
00:13:07 --> 00:13:08 going absolutely
00:13:08 --> 00:13:08 nowhere.
00:13:09 --> 00:13:10 I used to work
00:13:10 --> 00:13:10 for an office
00:13:10 --> 00:13:11 store about
00:13:11 --> 00:13:11 a few years ago
00:13:11 --> 00:13:12 I used to manage
00:13:12 --> 00:13:13 a store in
00:13:13 --> 00:13:13 the Hills District
00:13:13 --> 00:13:15 and I remember
00:13:15 --> 00:13:15 a customer coming
00:13:15 --> 00:13:16 in one time
00:13:16 --> 00:13:17 and he came up
00:13:17 --> 00:13:18 to our little kiosk
00:13:18 --> 00:13:19 and I was there
00:13:19 --> 00:13:20 and he said to me
00:13:20 --> 00:13:20 now
00:13:20 --> 00:13:22 I'm looking for
00:13:22 --> 00:13:23 an iTablet
00:13:23 --> 00:13:24 and that moment
00:13:24 --> 00:13:25 I'm thinking
00:13:25 --> 00:13:26 I have no idea
00:13:26 --> 00:13:26 what an iTablet is
00:13:26 --> 00:13:27 but before I could
00:13:27 --> 00:13:28 ask him to clarify
00:13:28 --> 00:13:29 do you mean
00:13:29 --> 00:13:29 iPad?
00:13:29 --> 00:13:30 Do you mean
00:13:30 --> 00:13:31 a Samsung Galaxy
00:13:31 --> 00:13:32 tablet?
00:13:32 --> 00:13:32 Do you mean
00:13:32 --> 00:13:33 this or that?
00:13:33 --> 00:13:34 He says now
00:13:34 --> 00:13:34 don't tell me
00:13:34 --> 00:13:35 it doesn't exist
00:13:35 --> 00:13:37 I know it exists
00:13:37 --> 00:13:38 now Apple
00:13:38 --> 00:13:38 didn't make it
00:13:38 --> 00:13:39 and it's not an iPad
00:13:39 --> 00:13:41 I want an iTablet
00:13:41 --> 00:13:41 and you're going
00:13:41 --> 00:13:42 to give it to me
00:13:42 --> 00:13:44 and from there
00:13:44 --> 00:13:45 we had this conversation
00:13:45 --> 00:13:45 where I was trying
00:13:45 --> 00:13:46 to convince him
00:13:46 --> 00:13:47 perhaps he may
00:13:47 --> 00:13:48 have made a mistake
00:13:48 --> 00:13:49 perhaps there's no such thing
00:13:49 --> 00:13:50 as an iTablet
00:13:50 --> 00:13:50 and you actually
00:13:50 --> 00:13:51 are thinking
00:13:51 --> 00:13:51 of an iPad
00:13:51 --> 00:13:53 and back and forth
00:13:53 --> 00:13:53 we went
00:13:53 --> 00:13:54 he kept telling me
00:13:54 --> 00:13:55 no you're wrong
00:13:55 --> 00:13:56 I'm right
00:13:56 --> 00:13:57 I know there's such
00:13:57 --> 00:13:58 thing as an iTablet
00:13:58 --> 00:13:59 and I want it
00:13:59 --> 00:14:00 and I'm sitting there
00:14:00 --> 00:14:00 on my computer
00:14:00 --> 00:14:02 googling iTablet
00:14:02 --> 00:14:02 trying to show him
00:14:02 --> 00:14:04 look iTablet there
00:14:04 --> 00:14:05 and everything else
00:14:05 --> 00:14:07 that kept coming out
00:14:07 --> 00:14:07 was just
00:14:07 --> 00:14:08 iPad
00:14:08 --> 00:14:09 iPad
00:14:09 --> 00:14:10 iPad
00:14:10 --> 00:14:10 iPad
00:14:10 --> 00:14:11 so I'm thinking
00:14:11 --> 00:14:12 come on man
00:14:12 --> 00:14:13 surely you see
00:14:13 --> 00:14:14 that you're wrong here
00:14:14 --> 00:14:15 but he was adamant
00:14:15 --> 00:14:16 he was adamant
00:14:16 --> 00:14:17 that it existed
00:14:17 --> 00:14:18 he went away
00:14:18 --> 00:14:19 upset at me
00:14:19 --> 00:14:20 and I went away
00:14:20 --> 00:14:20 just confused
00:14:20 --> 00:14:22 it just went nowhere
00:14:22 --> 00:14:23 and I feel like
00:14:23 --> 00:14:24 that's what's going on here
00:14:24 --> 00:14:25 with the Pharisees
00:14:25 --> 00:14:26 this conversation
00:14:26 --> 00:14:26 this dialogue
00:14:26 --> 00:14:27 they have
00:14:27 --> 00:14:28 with the blind man
00:14:28 --> 00:14:29 the formerly blind man
00:14:29 --> 00:14:30 just goes nowhere
00:14:30 --> 00:14:31 doesn't seem to be
00:14:31 --> 00:14:32 going anywhere
00:14:32 --> 00:14:33 and it leaves us
00:14:33 --> 00:14:34 perplexed
00:14:34 --> 00:14:35 as well as the
00:14:35 --> 00:14:36 formerly blind man
00:14:36 --> 00:14:37 and confused
00:14:37 --> 00:14:38 and we kind of laugh
00:14:38 --> 00:14:39 and think it's a bit silly
00:14:39 --> 00:14:40 but it's also
00:14:40 --> 00:14:41 quite telling
00:14:41 --> 00:14:42 as to
00:14:42 --> 00:14:44 the power of sin
00:14:44 --> 00:14:46 how it's so
00:14:46 --> 00:14:47 tight
00:14:47 --> 00:14:49 around our sight
00:14:49 --> 00:14:51 in verse 15
00:14:51 --> 00:14:51 it says
00:14:51 --> 00:14:52 the Pharisees
00:14:52 --> 00:14:52 asked again
00:14:52 --> 00:14:53 me and they've
00:14:53 --> 00:14:54 already heard once
00:14:54 --> 00:14:54 what has happened
00:14:54 --> 00:14:55 they don't want to
00:14:55 --> 00:14:56 hear it again
00:14:56 --> 00:14:57 from the blind man
00:14:57 --> 00:14:58 he answers them
00:14:58 --> 00:14:58 by saying
00:14:58 --> 00:14:59 he put mud
00:14:59 --> 00:15:00 on my eyes
00:15:00 --> 00:15:01 the man replied
00:15:01 --> 00:15:02 and I washed
00:15:02 --> 00:15:03 and now I see
00:15:03 --> 00:15:05 explanations
00:15:05 --> 00:15:06 don't get much
00:15:06 --> 00:15:06 clearer than that
00:15:06 --> 00:15:08 simpler than that
00:15:08 --> 00:15:10 and so anyone
00:15:10 --> 00:15:10 there would be like
00:15:10 --> 00:15:11 yep that's
00:15:11 --> 00:15:11 what happened
00:15:11 --> 00:15:12 yep you were once
00:15:12 --> 00:15:13 blind I know that
00:15:13 --> 00:15:13 I saw you begging
00:15:13 --> 00:15:14 and now you can see
00:15:14 --> 00:15:15 that's quite obvious
00:15:15 --> 00:15:16 you're looking at us
00:15:16 --> 00:15:17 you're walking around
00:15:17 --> 00:15:18 you know what's going on
00:15:18 --> 00:15:20 but instead of being
00:15:20 --> 00:15:21 amazed at what took place
00:15:21 --> 00:15:23 they began to judge
00:15:23 --> 00:15:24 what Jesus did
00:15:24 --> 00:15:25 and how he did it
00:15:25 --> 00:15:26 and why he did it
00:15:26 --> 00:15:28 and they questioned him
00:15:28 --> 00:15:28 in a number of ways
00:15:28 --> 00:15:29 the validity
00:15:29 --> 00:15:30 of what happened
00:15:30 --> 00:15:31 they were firstly
00:15:31 --> 00:15:32 concerned by the fact
00:15:32 --> 00:15:33 that he performed
00:15:33 --> 00:15:34 a miracle
00:15:34 --> 00:15:35 on the Sabbath day
00:15:35 --> 00:15:36 a day in which
00:15:36 --> 00:15:36 you should not
00:15:36 --> 00:15:37 perform any work
00:15:37 --> 00:15:39 and so they said
00:15:39 --> 00:15:40 well this man
00:15:40 --> 00:15:41 can't be from God
00:15:41 --> 00:15:41 he does not keep
00:15:41 --> 00:15:42 the Sabbath
00:15:42 --> 00:15:43 then they began
00:15:43 --> 00:15:44 to doubt the credibility
00:15:44 --> 00:15:45 of the man's story
00:15:45 --> 00:15:46 of being born blind
00:15:46 --> 00:15:47 so they brought
00:15:47 --> 00:15:48 in his parents
00:15:48 --> 00:15:50 and they asked them
00:15:50 --> 00:15:51 was this your son
00:15:51 --> 00:15:52 was he born blind
00:15:52 --> 00:15:53 and they said
00:15:53 --> 00:15:54 yes of course he is
00:15:54 --> 00:15:54 don't ask us
00:15:54 --> 00:15:55 ask him
00:15:55 --> 00:15:56 then they even
00:15:56 --> 00:15:58 tried to manipulate him
00:15:58 --> 00:16:00 put words in his mouth
00:16:00 --> 00:16:00 by saying
00:16:00 --> 00:16:02 give glory to God
00:16:02 --> 00:16:04 we know this man's a sinner
00:16:04 --> 00:16:05 it's almost as if
00:16:05 --> 00:16:07 they're trying to coerce him
00:16:07 --> 00:16:07 to say
00:16:07 --> 00:16:09 what they want him to say
00:16:09 --> 00:16:11 and we sit here
00:16:11 --> 00:16:12 and go
00:16:12 --> 00:16:13 don't you get it
00:16:13 --> 00:16:15 can't you see
00:16:15 --> 00:16:17 how amazing this is
00:16:17 --> 00:16:19 he was blind
00:16:19 --> 00:16:21 born blind
00:16:21 --> 00:16:23 and now he sees
00:16:23 --> 00:16:24 how do you not see
00:16:24 --> 00:16:27 they fail to perceive
00:16:27 --> 00:16:28 what has happened here
00:16:28 --> 00:16:29 because they refuse
00:16:29 --> 00:16:31 to look closely
00:16:31 --> 00:16:32 they refuse to look
00:16:32 --> 00:16:33 because they believe
00:16:33 --> 00:16:34 they already see
00:16:34 --> 00:16:35 things clearly
00:16:35 --> 00:16:37 for them
00:16:37 --> 00:16:38 Jesus is just
00:16:38 --> 00:16:38 an anomaly
00:16:38 --> 00:16:39 something that doesn't
00:16:39 --> 00:16:41 fit into their
00:16:41 --> 00:16:41 perception
00:16:41 --> 00:16:42 and view of things
00:16:42 --> 00:16:44 it's far too
00:16:44 --> 00:16:45 confronting for them
00:16:45 --> 00:16:45 to even consider
00:16:45 --> 00:16:47 what it all might mean
00:16:47 --> 00:16:48 it's far easier
00:16:48 --> 00:16:50 for them to pick up
00:16:50 --> 00:16:50 and judge
00:16:50 --> 00:16:51 anything that is
00:16:51 --> 00:16:52 inconsistent
00:16:52 --> 00:16:53 to the way
00:16:53 --> 00:16:53 they see
00:16:53 --> 00:16:54 things are
00:16:54 --> 00:16:55 they believe
00:16:55 --> 00:16:56 they see clearly
00:16:56 --> 00:16:57 but in reality
00:16:57 --> 00:16:59 they are the ones
00:16:59 --> 00:17:00 who just want to see
00:17:00 --> 00:17:01 what
00:17:01 --> 00:17:02 they want to see
00:17:02 --> 00:17:04 and they refuse
00:17:04 --> 00:17:04 to look
00:17:04 --> 00:17:06 at what's truly
00:17:06 --> 00:17:06 obviously
00:17:06 --> 00:17:07 in front of them
00:17:07 --> 00:17:10 the formerly blind man
00:17:10 --> 00:17:10 is perplexed as well
00:17:10 --> 00:17:11 he can't believe
00:17:11 --> 00:17:13 they don't understand
00:17:13 --> 00:17:13 and when the Pharisees
00:17:13 --> 00:17:14 tell him
00:17:14 --> 00:17:14 it's because
00:17:14 --> 00:17:15 that we don't know
00:17:15 --> 00:17:16 who this man is
00:17:16 --> 00:17:17 and where he comes from
00:17:17 --> 00:17:18 he replies
00:17:18 --> 00:17:20 with this amazing response
00:17:20 --> 00:17:20 he says
00:17:20 --> 00:17:21 now that
00:17:21 --> 00:17:22 is remarkable
00:17:22 --> 00:17:23 you don't know
00:17:23 --> 00:17:24 where he comes from
00:17:24 --> 00:17:25 yet he opened my eyes
00:17:25 --> 00:17:27 we know that God
00:17:27 --> 00:17:28 does not listen to sinners
00:17:28 --> 00:17:29 he listens
00:17:29 --> 00:17:31 to the godly person
00:17:31 --> 00:17:32 who does his will
00:17:32 --> 00:17:35 nobody has ever heard
00:17:35 --> 00:17:36 or opened the eyes
00:17:36 --> 00:17:37 of a man born blind
00:17:37 --> 00:17:38 if this man
00:17:38 --> 00:17:38 were not from God
00:17:38 --> 00:17:39 he could do nothing
00:17:39 --> 00:17:41 these are things
00:17:41 --> 00:17:42 the Pharisees
00:17:42 --> 00:17:43 should have known
00:17:43 --> 00:17:45 obvious
00:17:45 --> 00:17:46 to a man born blind
00:17:46 --> 00:17:47 who has never read
00:17:47 --> 00:17:48 any scripture
00:17:48 --> 00:17:49 in his life
00:17:49 --> 00:17:49 who has never been
00:17:49 --> 00:17:50 in the temple
00:17:50 --> 00:17:51 and yet it's obvious
00:17:51 --> 00:17:52 to him
00:17:52 --> 00:17:52 what has happened
00:17:52 --> 00:17:53 to you
00:17:53 --> 00:17:53 and who this man
00:17:53 --> 00:17:55 might possibly be
00:17:55 --> 00:17:59 the man who was born blind
00:17:59 --> 00:18:00 shows that he's got
00:18:00 --> 00:18:00 a clearer
00:18:00 --> 00:18:01 and sharper vision
00:18:01 --> 00:18:03 than the Pharisees
00:18:03 --> 00:18:04 who should be able
00:18:04 --> 00:18:04 to see clearly
00:18:04 --> 00:18:07 the Pharisees
00:18:07 --> 00:18:08 response to this statement
00:18:08 --> 00:18:10 characterizes the depth
00:18:10 --> 00:18:12 of how tight
00:18:12 --> 00:18:13 sin's grip
00:18:13 --> 00:18:14 can be
00:18:14 --> 00:18:15 on our sight
00:18:15 --> 00:18:16 as they say
00:18:16 --> 00:18:17 to him
00:18:17 --> 00:18:18 you were steeped
00:18:18 --> 00:18:19 in sin at birth
00:18:19 --> 00:18:20 how dare you
00:18:20 --> 00:18:20 lecture us
00:18:20 --> 00:18:22 and they threw him out
00:18:22 --> 00:18:25 at the heart
00:18:25 --> 00:18:26 of the issue
00:18:26 --> 00:18:28 is their pride
00:18:28 --> 00:18:30 their unwilliness
00:18:30 --> 00:18:31 to let go
00:18:31 --> 00:18:33 and to simply admit
00:18:33 --> 00:18:34 no we don't see properly
00:18:34 --> 00:18:36 we don't understand
00:18:36 --> 00:18:36 what's going on
00:18:36 --> 00:18:37 maybe we should look
00:18:37 --> 00:18:38 into this
00:18:38 --> 00:18:40 when it's plainly
00:18:40 --> 00:18:41 explained to them
00:18:41 --> 00:18:42 not only what happened
00:18:42 --> 00:18:44 but what it all might mean
00:18:44 --> 00:18:45 they refuse
00:18:45 --> 00:18:46 to look closely
00:18:46 --> 00:18:50 sin is so
00:18:50 --> 00:18:51 planted itself deep
00:18:51 --> 00:18:52 in the heart
00:18:52 --> 00:18:53 of the Pharisees
00:18:53 --> 00:18:54 that they are convinced
00:18:54 --> 00:18:56 they see things clearly
00:18:56 --> 00:18:57 they are convinced
00:18:57 --> 00:18:59 they know what's going on
00:18:59 --> 00:18:59 when in fact
00:18:59 --> 00:19:00 they don't
00:19:00 --> 00:19:02 you can have all the knowledge
00:19:02 --> 00:19:03 in the world
00:19:03 --> 00:19:05 you can be known
00:19:05 --> 00:19:05 as the wisest
00:19:05 --> 00:19:07 the smartest person
00:19:07 --> 00:19:08 you can be seen
00:19:08 --> 00:19:08 as someone
00:19:08 --> 00:19:10 who sees things clearly
00:19:10 --> 00:19:11 who's self-aware
00:19:11 --> 00:19:12 and yet you still
00:19:12 --> 00:19:13 could be blind
00:19:13 --> 00:19:15 as there are many
00:19:15 --> 00:19:16 many people today
00:19:16 --> 00:19:18 who are smart
00:19:18 --> 00:19:20 who are self-aware
00:19:20 --> 00:19:22 who we give awards to
00:19:22 --> 00:19:23 for being smart
00:19:23 --> 00:19:24 and yet they are
00:19:24 --> 00:19:26 blind spiritually
00:19:26 --> 00:19:27 blind to what is
00:19:27 --> 00:19:28 the real purpose
00:19:28 --> 00:19:29 of this world
00:19:29 --> 00:19:30 blind to their God
00:19:30 --> 00:19:31 and their creator
00:19:31 --> 00:19:35 the Pharisees
00:19:35 --> 00:19:35 were the people
00:19:35 --> 00:19:36 who were supposed
00:19:36 --> 00:19:37 to see clearly
00:19:37 --> 00:19:38 but they didn't
00:19:38 --> 00:19:39 they were blind
00:19:39 --> 00:19:40 the irony as well
00:19:40 --> 00:19:41 is that they would
00:19:41 --> 00:19:42 have this formerly
00:19:42 --> 00:19:43 blind man
00:19:43 --> 00:19:44 give glory
00:19:44 --> 00:19:45 to God
00:19:45 --> 00:19:47 by declaring Jesus
00:19:47 --> 00:19:48 who is God
00:19:48 --> 00:19:49 a sinner
00:19:49 --> 00:19:51 that just shows
00:19:51 --> 00:19:52 the depth
00:19:52 --> 00:19:53 of their blindness
00:19:53 --> 00:19:56 and how tight
00:19:56 --> 00:19:57 sin's grip is
00:19:57 --> 00:19:57 over them
00:19:57 --> 00:19:59 all because
00:19:59 --> 00:20:00 of their pride
00:20:00 --> 00:20:00 all because
00:20:00 --> 00:20:01 they refuse
00:20:01 --> 00:20:02 to look closely
00:20:02 --> 00:20:03 at what has happened
00:20:03 --> 00:20:03 here
00:20:03 --> 00:20:04 believing that the way
00:20:04 --> 00:20:06 they see things
00:20:06 --> 00:20:06 is enough
00:20:06 --> 00:20:09 there are those
00:20:09 --> 00:20:10 who ridicule Christianity
00:20:10 --> 00:20:11 and the Bible
00:20:11 --> 00:20:11 believing
00:20:11 --> 00:20:13 they see things
00:20:13 --> 00:20:13 clearer
00:20:13 --> 00:20:14 than those
00:20:14 --> 00:20:14 who would devote
00:20:14 --> 00:20:15 themselves
00:20:15 --> 00:20:16 to the teachings
00:20:16 --> 00:20:18 that are so archaic
00:20:18 --> 00:20:19 and so backwards
00:20:19 --> 00:20:20 all the while
00:20:20 --> 00:20:21 not realising
00:20:21 --> 00:20:22 the power
00:20:22 --> 00:20:23 of sin
00:20:23 --> 00:20:25 has over them
00:20:25 --> 00:20:26 and how it's corrupted
00:20:26 --> 00:20:27 and distorted
00:20:27 --> 00:20:28 their vision
00:20:28 --> 00:20:29 if only people
00:20:29 --> 00:20:30 would just look
00:20:30 --> 00:20:31 closer
00:20:31 --> 00:20:33 and not be so
00:20:33 --> 00:20:33 narrow
00:20:33 --> 00:20:34 at the one
00:20:34 --> 00:20:35 who is the light
00:20:35 --> 00:20:35 of the world
00:20:35 --> 00:20:36 maybe they would
00:20:36 --> 00:20:37 understand
00:20:37 --> 00:20:39 to realise
00:20:39 --> 00:20:40 that as human beings
00:20:40 --> 00:20:42 deeply affected
00:20:42 --> 00:20:42 by sin
00:20:42 --> 00:20:43 there is no hope
00:20:43 --> 00:20:44 in ourselves
00:20:44 --> 00:20:44 to overturn
00:20:44 --> 00:20:45 those effects
00:20:45 --> 00:20:46 there's no hope
00:20:46 --> 00:20:46 in ourselves
00:20:46 --> 00:20:47 to overturn
00:20:47 --> 00:20:47 the power
00:20:47 --> 00:20:48 of sin
00:20:48 --> 00:20:49 only in Jesus
00:20:49 --> 00:20:50 who is the light
00:20:50 --> 00:20:51 of the world
00:20:51 --> 00:20:52 who can bring
00:20:52 --> 00:20:52 sight to the blind
00:20:52 --> 00:20:53 is there hope
00:20:53 --> 00:20:54 for us
00:20:54 --> 00:20:55 to see clearly
00:20:55 --> 00:20:57 for those
00:20:57 --> 00:20:58 who remain blind
00:20:58 --> 00:20:59 who in their
00:20:59 --> 00:21:00 stubborn arrogance
00:21:00 --> 00:21:02 choose to not
00:21:02 --> 00:21:03 look closely
00:21:03 --> 00:21:04 this miracle
00:21:04 --> 00:21:05 this wonderful miracle
00:21:05 --> 00:21:06 we have before us
00:21:06 --> 00:21:08 that would encourage us
00:21:08 --> 00:21:09 that gives us hope
00:21:09 --> 00:21:10 for us who see
00:21:10 --> 00:21:11 ends up being
00:21:11 --> 00:21:12 a warning
00:21:12 --> 00:21:13 an indictment
00:21:13 --> 00:21:14 and a judgement
00:21:14 --> 00:21:14 upon those
00:21:14 --> 00:21:15 who refuse
00:21:15 --> 00:21:16 to see
00:21:16 --> 00:21:17 as Jesus says
00:21:17 --> 00:21:18 in verse 39
00:21:18 --> 00:21:19 for judgement
00:21:19 --> 00:21:20 I have come
00:21:20 --> 00:21:21 into this world
00:21:21 --> 00:21:21 so the blind
00:21:21 --> 00:21:22 will see
00:21:22 --> 00:21:23 and those who see
00:21:23 --> 00:21:24 will become blind
00:21:24 --> 00:21:26 it's a scary thought
00:21:26 --> 00:21:29 we must constantly
00:21:29 --> 00:21:30 check ourselves
00:21:30 --> 00:21:32 as to who
00:21:32 --> 00:21:32 we are more like
00:21:32 --> 00:21:34 the blind beggar
00:21:34 --> 00:21:35 who knows
00:21:35 --> 00:21:36 and acknowledges
00:21:36 --> 00:21:37 that he does not
00:21:37 --> 00:21:37 see clearly
00:21:37 --> 00:21:38 he needs Jesus
00:21:38 --> 00:21:39 to see clearly
00:21:39 --> 00:21:41 or like the Pharisees
00:21:41 --> 00:21:42 who believe
00:21:42 --> 00:21:42 in their arrogance
00:21:42 --> 00:21:43 in their pride
00:21:43 --> 00:21:44 that they see
00:21:44 --> 00:21:45 clearly
00:21:45 --> 00:21:46 that their own sight
00:21:46 --> 00:21:47 is sufficient
00:21:47 --> 00:21:49 the Pharisees
00:21:49 --> 00:21:49 are those
00:21:49 --> 00:21:50 who have cemented
00:21:50 --> 00:21:51 themselves
00:21:51 --> 00:21:52 in judgement
00:21:52 --> 00:21:53 they have been
00:21:53 --> 00:21:54 handed over
00:21:54 --> 00:21:55 as Romans 1
00:21:55 --> 00:21:55 might put it
00:21:55 --> 00:21:56 to their own vision
00:21:56 --> 00:21:57 and to their own sights
00:21:57 --> 00:21:59 which ironically
00:21:59 --> 00:22:00 blinds them
00:22:00 --> 00:22:00 to the truth
00:22:00 --> 00:22:01 the truth
00:22:01 --> 00:22:02 that Jesus
00:22:02 --> 00:22:03 is the one
00:22:03 --> 00:22:03 who has come
00:22:03 --> 00:22:04 to restore our sights
00:22:04 --> 00:22:06 who has come
00:22:06 --> 00:22:07 to reorient
00:22:07 --> 00:22:07 our hearts
00:22:07 --> 00:22:08 and our minds
00:22:08 --> 00:22:09 to worship
00:22:09 --> 00:22:09 and to love him
00:22:09 --> 00:22:12 each and every day
00:22:12 --> 00:22:13 we must humbly
00:22:13 --> 00:22:15 confess before God
00:22:15 --> 00:22:15 and ask him
00:22:15 --> 00:22:16 to continue
00:22:16 --> 00:22:17 to restore
00:22:17 --> 00:22:18 our sight
00:22:18 --> 00:22:18 that we might
00:22:18 --> 00:22:19 continue to
00:22:19 --> 00:22:20 worship him
00:22:20 --> 00:22:21 Steve mentioned
00:22:21 --> 00:22:21 before
00:22:21 --> 00:22:23 about New Year's
00:22:23 --> 00:22:24 Resolution goals
00:22:24 --> 00:22:25 about growing
00:22:25 --> 00:22:25 in our
00:22:25 --> 00:22:27 treasuring Jesus
00:22:27 --> 00:22:28 diverting ourselves
00:22:28 --> 00:22:29 to time
00:22:29 --> 00:22:29 in the word
00:22:29 --> 00:22:30 in the Psalms
00:22:30 --> 00:22:33 surely that is
00:22:33 --> 00:22:33 the goal
00:22:33 --> 00:22:34 of our life
00:22:34 --> 00:22:35 to worship
00:22:35 --> 00:22:37 it's a good goal
00:22:37 --> 00:22:37 to make
00:22:37 --> 00:22:38 for your New Year's
00:22:38 --> 00:22:38 Resolution
00:22:38 --> 00:22:39 year after year
00:22:39 --> 00:22:40 after year
00:22:40 --> 00:22:43 indeed
00:22:43 --> 00:22:43 worship
00:22:43 --> 00:22:44 is the goal
00:22:44 --> 00:22:45 worship is the goal
00:22:45 --> 00:22:46 as we see
00:22:46 --> 00:22:47 here in John 9
00:22:47 --> 00:22:48 in verse 5
00:22:48 --> 00:22:49 Jesus says again
00:22:49 --> 00:22:50 he says
00:22:50 --> 00:22:52 I've come
00:22:52 --> 00:22:53 this man was born blind
00:22:53 --> 00:22:54 in order that God's work
00:22:54 --> 00:22:55 might be fulfilled
00:22:55 --> 00:22:55 in him
00:22:55 --> 00:22:57 and it's not until
00:22:57 --> 00:22:58 we get to verse 38
00:22:58 --> 00:22:59 that we see
00:22:59 --> 00:23:00 the work fulfilled
00:23:00 --> 00:23:01 where he responds
00:23:01 --> 00:23:02 in belief
00:23:02 --> 00:23:03 and in worship
00:23:03 --> 00:23:05 the way in which
00:23:05 --> 00:23:06 we can know
00:23:06 --> 00:23:06 who we are
00:23:06 --> 00:23:07 is to look at
00:23:07 --> 00:23:09 who we worship
00:23:09 --> 00:23:10 and what we worship
00:23:10 --> 00:23:13 things
00:23:13 --> 00:23:14 are not black and white
00:23:14 --> 00:23:15 in this world
00:23:15 --> 00:23:16 things in Christianity
00:23:16 --> 00:23:17 are not black and white
00:23:17 --> 00:23:17 in this world
00:23:17 --> 00:23:18 but something that
00:23:18 --> 00:23:19 all believers
00:23:19 --> 00:23:20 all we can all know
00:23:20 --> 00:23:21 is that
00:23:21 --> 00:23:22 we are designed
00:23:22 --> 00:23:23 and our purpose in life
00:23:23 --> 00:23:25 when we see clearly
00:23:25 --> 00:23:26 is to worship
00:23:26 --> 00:23:27 God
00:23:27 --> 00:23:27 and to worship
00:23:27 --> 00:23:28 him
00:23:28 --> 00:23:29 alone
00:23:29 --> 00:23:33 so
00:23:33 --> 00:23:34 will you continue
00:23:34 --> 00:23:36 to come humbly
00:23:36 --> 00:23:37 acknowledging
00:23:37 --> 00:23:38 that we only
00:23:38 --> 00:23:39 see clearly
00:23:39 --> 00:23:39 when we allow
00:23:39 --> 00:23:41 Jesus to restore
00:23:41 --> 00:23:41 our eyes
00:23:41 --> 00:23:43 that we can only
00:23:43 --> 00:23:44 worship
00:23:44 --> 00:23:45 our wonderful
00:23:45 --> 00:23:46 and powerful God
00:23:46 --> 00:23:47 when he gives
00:23:47 --> 00:23:48 our sight
00:23:48 --> 00:23:48 to see him
00:23:48 --> 00:23:49 clearly
00:23:49 --> 00:23:50 will you continue
00:23:50 --> 00:23:51 to come to him
00:23:51 --> 00:23:52 to worship
00:23:52 --> 00:23:54 come to him
00:23:54 --> 00:23:55 to have your eyes
00:23:55 --> 00:23:55 restored
00:23:55 --> 00:23:57 day in day out
00:23:57 --> 00:23:57 that we might not
00:23:57 --> 00:23:58 become tainted
00:23:58 --> 00:23:59 by sin
00:23:59 --> 00:24:00 and let sins
00:24:00 --> 00:24:01 affect us
00:24:01 --> 00:24:02 to see things
00:24:02 --> 00:24:04 in a distorted way
00:24:04 --> 00:24:06 let's pray
00:24:06 --> 00:24:10 heavenly father
00:24:10 --> 00:24:11 we thank you so much
00:24:11 --> 00:24:11 that you're a God
00:24:11 --> 00:24:12 who is gracious
00:24:12 --> 00:24:14 and who is merciful
00:24:14 --> 00:24:16 that although we were
00:24:16 --> 00:24:17 blind because of sin
00:24:17 --> 00:24:19 we lived a way
00:24:19 --> 00:24:20 that did not honour
00:24:20 --> 00:24:21 and glorify you
00:24:21 --> 00:24:22 did not live a way
00:24:22 --> 00:24:23 that was in line
00:24:23 --> 00:24:23 of our purpose
00:24:23 --> 00:24:25 we used our bodies
00:24:25 --> 00:24:26 for sin
00:24:26 --> 00:24:27 we thank you father
00:24:27 --> 00:24:28 that through your son
00:24:28 --> 00:24:29 and through your mercy
00:24:29 --> 00:24:30 you gave us
00:24:30 --> 00:24:32 eyes that could see
00:24:32 --> 00:24:33 by your spirit
00:24:33 --> 00:24:35 see the problem
00:24:35 --> 00:24:36 of this world
00:24:36 --> 00:24:36 see the problem
00:24:36 --> 00:24:37 of sin
00:24:37 --> 00:24:38 and the hope
00:24:38 --> 00:24:39 that comes from
00:24:39 --> 00:24:40 knowing you
00:24:40 --> 00:24:41 and what you've
00:24:41 --> 00:24:41 done for us
00:24:41 --> 00:24:42 we pray Lord
00:24:42 --> 00:24:42 that throughout
00:24:42 --> 00:24:43 our week
00:24:43 --> 00:24:43 and throughout
00:24:43 --> 00:24:44 our lives
00:24:44 --> 00:24:45 we'll continue
00:24:45 --> 00:24:46 to always see you
00:24:46 --> 00:24:46 clearly
00:24:46 --> 00:24:48 because of your spirit
00:24:48 --> 00:24:49 and because of your word
00:24:49 --> 00:24:50 we pray Lord
00:24:50 --> 00:24:51 we would be immersing
00:24:51 --> 00:24:51 ourselves in it
00:24:51 --> 00:24:52 day by day
00:24:52 --> 00:24:53 trusting
00:24:53 --> 00:24:54 in its sufficiency
00:24:54 --> 00:24:56 to guide us
00:24:56 --> 00:24:57 through our life
00:24:57 --> 00:24:58 that we might
00:24:58 --> 00:24:59 continue to worship
00:24:59 --> 00:25:00 you all our days
00:25:00 --> 00:25:02 we pray this
00:25:02 --> 00:25:03 in your son's name
00:25:03 --> 00:25:04 Amen