WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.259 We hope that you enjoy this teaching from Christchurch. 00:00:05.259 --> 00:00:11.580 This material is copyrighted and no unauthorized duplication, redistribution, or any other 00:00:11.580 --> 00:00:15.419 ! use of any part is permitted without prior consent from Christchurch. 00:00:15.419 --> 00:00:22.640 Please consider donating to this work in the San Francisco Bay Area online at Christchurcheastbay.org. 00:00:24.240 --> 00:00:25.480 Good morning. 00:00:25.480 --> 00:00:32.620 I'm Ray Peterson, and I'm in the Richmond El Cerrito Berkeley group, community group, 00:00:32.620 --> 00:00:35.359 and I'm a deacon at this church. 00:00:36.100 --> 00:00:52.719 Today's reading is from Gospel of John, chapter 8, verse 12, and chapter 9, verses 1 to 7 and 00:00:52.719 --> 00:00:57.460 13 and 24 to 41 as printed in your liturgy. 00:01:00.179 --> 00:01:02.280 A reading from the Gospel according to John. 00:01:02.719 --> 00:01:06.879 When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, I am the light of the world. 00:01:07.439 --> 00:01:12.920 Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life. 00:01:12.920 --> 00:01:16.159 As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. 00:01:16.859 --> 00:01:23.420 His disciples asked him, Rabbi, who sinned that this man or his parents that he was born 00:01:23.420 --> 00:01:23.820 blind? 00:01:24.439 --> 00:01:29.260 Neither this man nor his parents sinned, said Jesus, but this happened so that the works 00:01:29.260 --> 00:01:30.799 of God might be displayed in him. 00:01:31.520 --> 00:01:35.180 As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. 00:01:35.760 --> 00:01:37.480 Night is coming when no one can work. 00:01:38.200 --> 00:01:40.820 While I am in the world, I am the light of the world. 00:01:40.819 --> 00:01:48.139 After saying this, he spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the 00:01:48.139 --> 00:01:48.759 man's eyes. 00:01:49.319 --> 00:01:50.319 Go, he told him. 00:01:51.079 --> 00:01:52.899 Wash in the pool of Siloam. 00:01:53.459 --> 00:01:54.500 This word means sent. 00:01:55.159 --> 00:01:58.539 So the man went and washed and came home seeing. 00:01:59.719 --> 00:02:03.060 They brought the Pharisees, the man who had been blind. 00:02:03.839 --> 00:02:06.519 A second time, they summoned the man who had been blind. 00:02:07.039 --> 00:02:09.859 Give glory to God by telling the truth, they said. 00:02:09.860 --> 00:02:11.440 We know this man is a sinner. 00:02:11.820 --> 00:02:14.880 He replied, whether he is a sinner or not, I don't know. 00:02:15.340 --> 00:02:16.360 One thing I do know. 00:02:16.600 --> 00:02:18.460 I was blind, but now I see. 00:02:19.220 --> 00:02:21.420 Then they asked him, what did he do to you? 00:02:21.700 --> 00:02:23.280 How did he open your eyes? 00:02:23.480 --> 00:02:27.240 He answered, I have told you already, and you did not listen. 00:02:28.400 --> 00:02:30.180 Why do you want to hear it again? 00:02:31.000 --> 00:02:32.880 Do you want to become his disciples too? 00:02:32.879 --> 00:02:38.120 Then they hurled insults at him and said, you are this fellow's disciple. 00:02:38.699 --> 00:02:40.639 We are disciples of Moses. 00:02:41.000 --> 00:02:46.439 We know that God spoke to Moses, but as far as this fellow, we don't even know where he 00:02:46.439 --> 00:02:46.979 comes from. 00:02:47.960 --> 00:02:51.680 The man answered, now that is remarkable. 00:02:52.120 --> 00:02:55.159 You don't know where he comes from, yet he opened my eyes. 00:02:55.340 --> 00:02:57.479 We know that God does not listen to sinners. 00:02:58.060 --> 00:03:00.500 He listens to the godly person who does his will. 00:03:00.500 --> 00:03:04.659 Nobody has ever heard of opening the eyes of a man born blind. 00:03:05.180 --> 00:03:08.460 If this man were not from God, he would do nothing. 00:03:08.759 --> 00:03:09.719 He could do nothing. 00:03:10.500 --> 00:03:13.900 To this they replied, you were steeped in sin at birth. 00:03:13.979 --> 00:03:15.219 How dare you lecture us? 00:03:15.699 --> 00:03:16.759 But they threw him out. 00:03:17.060 --> 00:03:19.560 Jesus heard that they had thrown him out. 00:03:20.060 --> 00:03:23.879 And when he found him, he said, do you believe in the son of man? 00:03:24.539 --> 00:03:25.659 Who is he, sir? 00:03:25.800 --> 00:03:26.599 The man asked. 00:03:27.099 --> 00:03:29.400 Tell me so that I may believe in him. 00:03:29.400 --> 00:03:32.760 Jesus said, you have now seen him. 00:03:33.080 --> 00:03:35.039 In fact, he is the one speaking with you. 00:03:35.599 --> 00:03:37.540 Then the man said, Lord, I believe. 00:03:37.819 --> 00:03:38.800 And he worshipped him. 00:03:39.360 --> 00:03:44.960 Jesus said, for judgment, I have come into this world so that the blind will see and those 00:03:44.960 --> 00:03:46.680 who see will become blind. 00:03:48.240 --> 00:03:51.939 Some Pharisees who were with him heard him say this and asked, what? 00:03:52.360 --> 00:03:53.420 Are we blind too? 00:03:53.419 --> 00:03:58.679 Jesus said, if you were blind, you would not be guilty of sin. 00:03:59.280 --> 00:04:03.859 But now that you claim you can see, your guilt remains. 00:04:04.459 --> 00:04:06.019 This is the gospel of the Lord. 00:04:06.519 --> 00:04:07.919 Praise to you, O Christ. 00:04:08.459 --> 00:04:09.060 Good morning. 00:04:09.439 --> 00:04:10.459 It's good to see you all. 00:04:10.460 --> 00:04:16.199 And we had a wonderful gathering here yesterday for our marriage seminar. 00:04:16.819 --> 00:04:24.019 And I learned from our counselor and speaker that I apparently have lots of room for improvement 00:04:24.019 --> 00:04:26.199 in my own marriage. 00:04:26.199 --> 00:04:30.220 And my wife confirmed that at the marriage conference. 00:04:30.220 --> 00:04:36.120 But it was really encouraging just to see so many people fighting for their marriages, 00:04:36.260 --> 00:04:41.040 fighting to have a healthy marriage and relationship, a marriage that honors God. 00:04:41.120 --> 00:04:41.800 That's so encouraging. 00:04:42.380 --> 00:04:48.020 I'm also so encouraged by our alpha that began two weeks ago. 00:04:48.120 --> 00:04:53.040 We gathered again this Thursday night, had eight or nine tables of people just enjoying 00:04:53.040 --> 00:04:57.900 good food and rich content and honest conversations. 00:04:57.899 --> 00:05:01.379 This past week talking about the question, who is Jesus? 00:05:01.620 --> 00:05:07.500 And just an open space for people who are exploring this question, who is Jesus? 00:05:07.579 --> 00:05:13.819 And really, this gospel, all the gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, they were written 00:05:13.819 --> 00:05:16.560 to help us answer the question, who is Jesus? 00:05:17.099 --> 00:05:23.519 And we come today to perhaps one of the greatest stories in the gospels. 00:05:23.519 --> 00:05:27.859 And I just want to dive right in because there's so much here. 00:05:28.699 --> 00:05:32.180 And I want to explore four aspects of the story. 00:05:33.139 --> 00:05:40.599 First of all, I want to explore the claim, and then the sign, and then the problem, and 00:05:40.599 --> 00:05:41.759 finally, the encounter. 00:05:42.599 --> 00:05:46.199 So we're going to talk about the claim, the sign, the problem, and the encounter. 00:05:46.199 --> 00:05:52.579 First of all, let's just discuss the claim that meets us right at the very beginning of our 00:05:52.579 --> 00:05:58.099 reading in John 8, 12, where Jesus says, I am the light of the world. 00:05:59.219 --> 00:06:03.539 Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life. 00:06:04.560 --> 00:06:11.219 You know, in the Old Testament, God revealed his name to Moses. 00:06:11.220 --> 00:06:19.280 Moses, and it's a critical point in the scriptures, where God says to Moses, I am who I am. 00:06:20.380 --> 00:06:26.860 Go and tell the Israelite people that I am has sent me to you. 00:06:26.920 --> 00:06:28.300 That's in Exodus chapter 3. 00:06:29.120 --> 00:06:32.460 And we learn there that I am is the name for Yahweh. 00:06:32.459 --> 00:06:40.500 And what's interesting is that in the Gospel of John, seven times Jesus makes these claims. 00:06:40.699 --> 00:06:44.359 He makes these statements that begin with the words, I am. 00:06:45.120 --> 00:06:45.439 Right? 00:06:45.579 --> 00:06:46.479 We heard it last week. 00:06:46.539 --> 00:06:48.379 I am the bread that gives life to the world. 00:06:48.719 --> 00:06:50.459 This week, I am the light of the world. 00:06:50.919 --> 00:06:55.560 Later on in John chapter 8, after Jesus makes that statement, he says this. 00:06:55.620 --> 00:06:58.639 He says, before Abraham was born, I am. 00:06:58.639 --> 00:07:05.339 And the people that heard him say that, they heard him claiming divine attributes. 00:07:05.539 --> 00:07:11.219 They heard him identifying himself as Yahweh, which is why if you look at the end of John chapter 8, 00:07:11.279 --> 00:07:13.979 they actually picked up stones to kill Jesus. 00:07:14.279 --> 00:07:17.599 Not the last time they would try to kill him there in Jerusalem. 00:07:17.860 --> 00:07:18.800 Jesus has to hide. 00:07:18.899 --> 00:07:22.899 He has to slip away from the harm that's intended for him. 00:07:22.899 --> 00:07:29.799 When we think about this claim, I am the light of the world, it's actually quite a self-centered claim. 00:07:30.779 --> 00:07:30.959 Right? 00:07:31.779 --> 00:07:39.639 That's probably one of the most striking features about the claims that Jesus makes because he's constantly talking about himself. 00:07:40.699 --> 00:07:44.859 And that's what sets them apart from the leaders of the world's religions. 00:07:45.379 --> 00:07:45.539 Right? 00:07:45.540 --> 00:07:53.020 They tend to be rather self-effacing and point away from themselves and to say things like, 00:07:53.740 --> 00:07:57.780 that is the light as far as I understand it. 00:07:58.379 --> 00:08:01.620 So follow that light over there. 00:08:02.680 --> 00:08:05.720 But Jesus is self-advancing. 00:08:06.000 --> 00:08:07.160 Jesus says, I am the light. 00:08:07.300 --> 00:08:07.759 Follow me. 00:08:07.840 --> 00:08:10.200 I'll be the one who leads you out of the darkness. 00:08:10.199 --> 00:08:19.139 And no other religious leader, no other religious founder who dared to say that kind of thing would be taken seriously. 00:08:19.479 --> 00:08:21.219 Or be allowed to live, I should say. 00:08:22.360 --> 00:08:26.599 So who is it that's making this self-centered claim? 00:08:27.759 --> 00:08:35.340 This is the same Jesus who, in the rest of the Gospels, insists on humility in other people. 00:08:36.120 --> 00:08:36.299 Right? 00:08:36.299 --> 00:08:44.679 It's the same Jesus who is constantly rebuking his disciples for their self-seeking attitudes. 00:08:45.639 --> 00:08:56.459 Same Jesus who is, you know, wearied by his disciples' desires to be great and to think of themselves more highly than they ought. 00:08:56.759 --> 00:09:01.120 So is Jesus practicing something other than what he preached? 00:09:01.120 --> 00:09:07.159 Does Jesus set for himself a different standard than he has for the rest of us? 00:09:08.340 --> 00:09:13.279 Well, C.S. Lewis was a professor at Oxford University and he said this in one of his writings. 00:09:13.399 --> 00:09:23.120 He says, the discrepancy between the depth and sanity of Jesus' moral teaching and the rampant megalomania, 00:09:23.779 --> 00:09:29.820 which must lie behind his teaching unless he is indeed God, has never been satisfactorily gotten over. 00:09:29.820 --> 00:09:37.480 And what Lewis is saying there is, you know, it really makes no sense to respect Jesus. 00:09:38.580 --> 00:09:51.879 Or to respect that Jesus is a great teacher if, in fact, he's completely mistaken and totally deluded about the one thing that he constantly is teaching about, 00:09:52.140 --> 00:09:53.280 namely himself. 00:09:54.280 --> 00:09:54.540 Right? 00:09:54.539 --> 00:09:57.039 His claims about himself. 00:09:57.159 --> 00:09:59.199 I am the light of the world. 00:09:59.360 --> 00:10:04.959 What, it's one of the most staggering and stupendous statements that's ever been made in the history of the world. 00:10:05.519 --> 00:10:08.419 What does this astonishing claim mean? 00:10:09.139 --> 00:10:10.179 What does it mean? 00:10:11.039 --> 00:10:19.279 Well, we should remember that the first words that the Creator God speaks in the Bible are fiat lux. 00:10:20.240 --> 00:10:20.679 Right? 00:10:20.679 --> 00:10:23.139 Let there be light. 00:10:24.039 --> 00:10:27.359 And that nothing exists apart from that light. 00:10:28.439 --> 00:10:38.299 And the idea that God would call someone to be the means of bringing light to his good yet fallen creation 00:10:38.299 --> 00:10:42.199 is actually rooted in Moses and in the prophets. 00:10:42.319 --> 00:10:48.740 For example, the prophet Isaiah, if you read his book, he says that Israel is to be the world's true light. 00:10:48.740 --> 00:10:53.220 And that this servant of the Lord is going to come up within Israel. 00:10:53.360 --> 00:10:59.080 The anointed Messiah is going to bring the light of God's truth and the light of God's justice. 00:11:00.039 --> 00:11:07.539 And at the climax of the prophet Isaiah, he says that this servant of the Lord is going to die a cruel and terrible death 00:11:07.539 --> 00:11:11.320 in order to shine the light of God into the world. 00:11:11.320 --> 00:11:17.800 And so this is the biblical backdrop for the claim that Jesus makes. 00:11:17.940 --> 00:11:19.740 I am the light of the world. 00:11:20.360 --> 00:11:23.060 And you'll notice that it's an exclusive claim. 00:11:23.180 --> 00:11:25.560 He doesn't say, I am a light of the world. 00:11:26.680 --> 00:11:32.700 He doesn't say, I am one among many equally valid and legitimate lights. 00:11:32.700 --> 00:11:35.259 He says, I am the light. 00:11:35.320 --> 00:11:37.520 There's a definite article in what Jesus says. 00:11:37.600 --> 00:11:47.360 I and I alone am the supreme light of the world beside which all other lights are like candlelight next to sunlight. 00:11:48.540 --> 00:11:49.740 That's what he means. 00:11:51.040 --> 00:11:54.520 I'm not merely a light from within this world. 00:11:54.660 --> 00:11:57.600 I am the light from outside of this world. 00:11:57.600 --> 00:12:01.240 I am not a light from below. 00:12:01.379 --> 00:12:04.000 I am the light from above, Jesus is saying. 00:12:04.680 --> 00:12:18.440 It's an exclusive claim, but it's also an inclusive claim because he announces that his domain is no less extensive than the whole world. 00:12:18.519 --> 00:12:20.639 I am the light of the whole world. 00:12:20.840 --> 00:12:25.779 Every square inch of the entire cosmos, I've come to enlighten, Jesus says. 00:12:25.779 --> 00:12:32.299 And so he applies this exclusive yet inclusive claim, right? 00:12:32.399 --> 00:12:37.539 This claim that's deeply offensive on the one hand and yet incredibly universal on the other. 00:12:38.319 --> 00:12:42.600 And he applies it to the particular person's life and practice. 00:12:42.679 --> 00:12:45.919 And what he says in John chapter 8 verse 12, he says, 00:12:46.100 --> 00:12:53.039 The individual following me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of real life. 00:12:53.039 --> 00:12:56.480 And what Jesus means there is he's saying, 00:12:57.159 --> 00:13:02.879 Do you want to know the nature and the meaning and the purpose of human life and existence? 00:13:05.019 --> 00:13:10.319 Do you want to know how to live and how to die and how to be prepared for eternity? 00:13:11.759 --> 00:13:17.379 Do you long to live in the fullest and most authentic way you possibly can? 00:13:17.379 --> 00:13:47.360 Do you want to know how to live in the world? 00:13:47.800 --> 00:13:47.940 Do you want to know how to live in the world? 00:13:47.940 --> 00:13:47.940 00:13:47.940 --> 00:13:47.940 00:13:47.940 --> 00:13:47.940 00:13:47.940 --> 00:13:47.940 00:13:47.940 --> 00:13:47.940 00:13:47.940 --> 00:13:47.940 00:13:47.940 --> 00:13:47.940 00:13:47.940 --> 00:13:47.940 00:13:47.940 --> 00:13:47.940 00:13:47.940 --> 00:13:47.940 00:13:47.940 --> 00:13:47.940 00:13:47.940 --> 00:13:47.940 00:13:47.940 --> 00:13:47.940 00:13:47.940 --> 00:13:47.940 00:13:47.940 --> 00:13:47.940 00:13:47.940 --> 00:13:54.560 Jesus that, yes, you are the light of the world, you'll not only see him as he is, like the rising 00:13:54.560 --> 00:14:02.420 sun at dawn, you know, bringing light to the world, but what will begin to happen is that 00:14:02.420 --> 00:14:07.540 you'll begin to see everything else in light of him. You'll see God. You'll see yourself. You'll 00:14:07.540 --> 00:14:13.940 see your spouse and your marriage. You'll see your work and your co-workers. You'll see your money. 00:14:13.940 --> 00:14:20.260 You'll see sex. You'll see power. You'll see your kids, your family. You'll see art and science and 00:14:20.260 --> 00:14:27.800 society and politics in a brand new, totally new light, like when the sun comes up and all the 00:14:27.800 --> 00:14:35.140 colors and all the perspective and all the dimensions are dawning on you like a brand new day. 00:14:36.760 --> 00:14:43.780 That's what Jesus is saying. So what do you make of this audacious claim, this paradigm 00:14:43.779 --> 00:14:49.059 time-shattering, life-altering claim that I am the light of the world? That's the claim. 00:14:50.240 --> 00:14:54.279 But then I want to talk not just about the claim, but I want to talk about the sign. 00:14:56.319 --> 00:15:03.720 In the Gospel of John, as I said, Jesus gives these seven I am statements, right? But he accompanies 00:15:03.720 --> 00:15:12.759 those statements with seven signs. And these signs are indicators not only of his identity, but of his 00:15:12.759 --> 00:15:18.879 mission, why he came. And the first of those signs we looked at a few weeks ago was at a wedding, and 00:15:18.879 --> 00:15:25.639 Jesus turned water into wine. And we saw there in John chapter 2, it said what Jesus did was the first 00:15:25.639 --> 00:15:34.039 of his signs through which he revealed his glory. And all these signs that Jesus is giving, a sign is a 00:15:34.039 --> 00:15:42.939 symbol. A sign is, it's a signifier. It's pointing to something beyond itself. And so when we get to 00:15:42.939 --> 00:15:50.779 this sign in John chapter 9 of recreating this blind man's optic nerve that has never worked in his whole 00:15:50.779 --> 00:15:59.059 life, right, the sign of granting the gift of sight to someone for the first time in their life, 00:16:00.220 --> 00:16:10.120 this is not merely a display of Jesus' power, though it is that. But it's a signpost that's meant to point 00:16:10.120 --> 00:16:17.079 us to a deeper reality, not just good news for this one man, but good news for the whole world. That this 00:16:17.080 --> 00:16:26.240 is why Jesus came. So let's take a deeper look at this sign. Jesus, again, if you look at the end of 00:16:26.240 --> 00:16:31.400 John 8, he's leaving the temple in the heart of the holy city of Jerusalem because people have picked 00:16:31.400 --> 00:16:38.180 up stones in order that they might kill him right then and there. And Jesus is going out from the 00:16:38.180 --> 00:16:46.200 grounds of the temple mount, and he looks and he sees this beggar, right? He's a miserable man. He's a 00:16:46.200 --> 00:16:52.280 blind beggar, and he's been blind from birth. He's never seen the light of day. And Jesus thinks to 00:16:52.280 --> 00:17:01.200 himself, okay, I think it's time to give them another sign. To give another sign of who I am and 00:17:01.200 --> 00:17:08.720 why I've come. And so he says in verse, it says in verse 7, or verse 5 actually, he says, while I am in 00:17:08.720 --> 00:17:13.539 the world, I am the light of the world. And having said this, he spit on the ground, made some mud with 00:17:13.539 --> 00:17:22.579 the saliva, and put it on the man's eyes. And he said, go wash in the pool of Siloam. Jesus has curious 00:17:22.579 --> 00:17:29.640 methods, right? Because number one, Jesus, and he doesn't just do this here, he does this pretty much 00:17:29.640 --> 00:17:36.800 all the time. Jesus chooses especially hurting people. Jesus chooses especially miserable people 00:17:36.800 --> 00:17:42.780 who really have nothing to offer to the world. They have nothing to offer to him, right? And secondly, 00:17:43.120 --> 00:17:50.240 Jesus, he doesn't even ask this man, do you want to be healed? He doesn't say, do you believe in me? 00:17:50.900 --> 00:17:57.680 He just begins to work, just graciously, compassionately, powerfully working on this man. 00:17:57.680 --> 00:18:06.259 And then the third curious thing is that Jesus uses his saliva mixed together with the dust of the 00:18:06.259 --> 00:18:12.360 ground by which the creator God made the first human being, the original stuff that we were made of. 00:18:13.400 --> 00:18:24.880 And Jesus uses this material, visible, tangible stuff as the means by which to touch us, right? He uses 00:18:24.880 --> 00:18:31.200 this as the means by which to channel the power of his grace toward us. And it's not just with this man. 00:18:31.260 --> 00:18:39.520 He does this continually still today. He uses water. He uses bread. He uses wine. He uses air through vocal 00:18:39.520 --> 00:18:47.340 cords and reading and preaching and praying in order to put mud on our eyes. He uses the ordinary stuff of 00:18:47.339 --> 00:18:53.699 the world to put mud on our eyes. And you might be thinking to yourself, well, this is weird. 00:18:54.959 --> 00:19:00.039 Like, why does he work this way? Why doesn't he just heal this man on the spot? What is he doing? 00:19:01.439 --> 00:19:08.639 Why would he make this man go with mud on his eyes and just blindly navigate down this really long road, 00:19:08.759 --> 00:19:15.000 hundreds of steps? You know, tons of people walking on this road. He's bobbing and weaving, 00:19:15.000 --> 00:19:20.740 people carrying jars of water down to and up from this pool. Why would he have him do this? Why would 00:19:20.740 --> 00:19:29.180 he make him go down to this pool and then lower himself down into the water to wash? And the answer 00:19:29.180 --> 00:19:40.920 is because Jesus requires faith. Jesus wants to see if we'll take a risk on him. Jesus wants to see 00:19:40.920 --> 00:19:49.880 whether or not we'll put the full weight of our trust on him and on his word. Jesus is waiting to 00:19:49.880 --> 00:19:57.080 see not just if we have faith, but if we'll put our faith into action. And to see whether or not we'll 00:19:57.080 --> 00:20:03.220 put our faith into action when it feels difficult and when it seems ridiculous in the eyes of other 00:20:03.220 --> 00:20:11.420 people. That's why Jesus does it this way. And notice that the man, without hesitation, by faith, 00:20:12.259 --> 00:20:19.819 obeys Jesus. And if he hadn't done that, we'd never have the story. But it says in verse 7, 00:20:19.819 --> 00:20:30.799 the man went and he washed and he came home seeing. Right? For the first time, he blinks and he can see 00:20:30.799 --> 00:20:38.599 sunlight. And he realizes that what has banished and what's destroyed the darkness in his life 00:20:38.599 --> 00:20:44.859 is the light of Jesus himself. That Jesus is what he said he is. He's the light of the world. 00:20:44.859 --> 00:20:50.879 And so I imagine this man running. It doesn't say this, but you can imagine he's shouting, right? 00:20:50.959 --> 00:20:56.740 For joy. He's never seen in his whole life. He's going and hugging complete strangers as he's making 00:20:56.740 --> 00:21:04.539 his way back up this road with a new life, with an abundant life that's come by faith in the power of 00:21:04.539 --> 00:21:14.279 Jesus. And remember though that Jesus doesn't intend this only as a way of displaying his power. 00:21:14.279 --> 00:21:19.359 Jesus intends it as a sign for us of his entire mission. 00:21:22.420 --> 00:21:32.059 This man with congenital blindness from birth represents the entire human situation. 00:21:32.980 --> 00:21:38.700 Right? That we are all by nature spiritually blind from birth and not receptive to the light of God. 00:21:38.700 --> 00:21:45.620 God. And that until our eyes are opened by the light of the world, all of us are living in darkness. 00:21:47.400 --> 00:21:54.680 But if the true light finds you, if the true light speaks to you, if the true light touches you, 00:21:54.740 --> 00:22:01.840 if the true light washes you, then he'll destroy the darkness in your life. 00:22:01.839 --> 00:22:06.859 And so this is not just a healing for this blind beggar. 00:22:07.659 --> 00:22:11.159 No, it's a signpost of what Jesus has come to do for everybody. 00:22:11.160 --> 00:22:21.960 And so the question is, do you see that you too are a blind beggar in need of the light of the world to open up your eyes? 00:22:23.460 --> 00:22:26.740 Do you see that he must come and find you? 00:22:27.240 --> 00:22:28.680 He must speak to you. 00:22:28.820 --> 00:22:29.800 He must touch you. 00:22:30.040 --> 00:22:31.560 He must wash you. 00:22:31.680 --> 00:22:35.440 He must give you the gift of spiritual sight. 00:22:35.440 --> 00:22:37.960 Has he done that for you? 00:22:38.059 --> 00:22:40.759 Has he enabled you to see? 00:22:41.480 --> 00:22:42.340 That's the sign. 00:22:42.960 --> 00:22:43.059 Right? 00:22:43.880 --> 00:22:45.860 So the claim, I'm the light of the world. 00:22:46.000 --> 00:22:46.559 The sign. 00:22:47.100 --> 00:22:48.420 The healing of a man born blind. 00:22:48.779 --> 00:22:50.500 But I want to talk also about the problem. 00:22:50.600 --> 00:22:53.920 There's a problem in this story that we're going to see in just a moment. 00:22:54.759 --> 00:22:57.400 Because this man, he can see. 00:22:57.920 --> 00:23:00.580 He barely knows anything about Jesus. 00:23:01.039 --> 00:23:02.400 But what he knows is enough. 00:23:02.480 --> 00:23:04.759 And he starts just sharing with his neighbors. 00:23:04.759 --> 00:23:05.240 Right? 00:23:05.319 --> 00:23:11.319 He immediately begins to testify the good work that Jesus has done in his life. 00:23:11.879 --> 00:23:15.099 And his testimony is just one of simple gratitude. 00:23:15.619 --> 00:23:16.299 Verse 25. 00:23:17.059 --> 00:23:17.960 You know, famous words. 00:23:18.059 --> 00:23:19.279 We sang it in Amazing Grace. 00:23:20.079 --> 00:23:22.319 I was blind, but now I see. 00:23:23.500 --> 00:23:24.440 Amazing testimony. 00:23:24.559 --> 00:23:27.400 I once was blind, but now I can see. 00:23:28.339 --> 00:23:31.279 And this reminds us that you don't have to be a Bible expert. 00:23:31.279 --> 00:23:35.799 You don't have to be a persuasive speaker to share the good news of Jesus. 00:23:36.019 --> 00:23:36.119 Right? 00:23:36.180 --> 00:23:38.299 This man barely knows Jesus. 00:23:39.440 --> 00:23:42.500 But he just goes out and he starts to say what he's heard. 00:23:42.740 --> 00:23:44.899 What he's experienced about Jesus. 00:23:45.119 --> 00:23:46.480 And what Jesus has done in his life. 00:23:46.559 --> 00:23:50.879 He just says, I was transformed because God is at work in and through Jesus. 00:23:50.880 --> 00:23:56.400 But this is what brings us to the big problem in our story. 00:23:57.440 --> 00:24:03.120 Because his witness about Jesus, his testimony about Jesus is not appreciated. 00:24:04.080 --> 00:24:05.220 It's not accepted. 00:24:06.620 --> 00:24:06.820 Right? 00:24:06.860 --> 00:24:11.880 He boldly and courageously tells the truth that he knows about Jesus. 00:24:12.420 --> 00:24:13.260 But what happens? 00:24:13.320 --> 00:24:15.200 It ends up costing him dearly. 00:24:15.440 --> 00:24:15.640 Right? 00:24:15.640 --> 00:24:17.700 He's scorned. 00:24:17.740 --> 00:24:18.200 He's rejected. 00:24:18.400 --> 00:24:19.080 He's excluded. 00:24:19.220 --> 00:24:20.220 Ultimately, he's thrown out. 00:24:21.520 --> 00:24:27.340 And Jesus' work in his life is powerful, but it leads to difficulty. 00:24:27.920 --> 00:24:29.120 As it often does. 00:24:30.240 --> 00:24:37.380 And what we see here is the people who are resistant to Jesus, the people who are opposed to Jesus, 00:24:38.000 --> 00:24:39.480 they launch an investigation. 00:24:40.520 --> 00:24:40.920 Right? 00:24:40.960 --> 00:24:42.280 And we didn't tell the whole story. 00:24:42.279 --> 00:24:46.139 Most of the chapters about this investigation, I encourage you to go and read it all. 00:24:46.920 --> 00:24:49.639 But they begin to ask questions of this man. 00:24:49.700 --> 00:24:53.539 They say, hey, are you sure you used to be blind? 00:24:55.160 --> 00:24:59.379 Are you absolutely positive that you experienced the healing today? 00:25:00.859 --> 00:25:02.200 And what about this Jesus? 00:25:02.319 --> 00:25:04.139 Is he a credible person? 00:25:04.240 --> 00:25:05.960 Is he somebody we can trust? 00:25:05.960 --> 00:25:11.779 And you can see that their line of questioning reveals that they've already reached a verdict. 00:25:12.740 --> 00:25:13.019 Right? 00:25:13.100 --> 00:25:14.779 Without due process. 00:25:15.759 --> 00:25:19.960 They've already reached a verdict before the proceedings have even begun. 00:25:21.019 --> 00:25:28.420 They've already decided with closed minds that they're not going to believe either in the supernatural sign of Jesus 00:25:28.420 --> 00:25:31.600 or in the credible testimony of this man. 00:25:31.599 --> 00:25:40.159 And the key mantra that the people who oppose Jesus continue to repeat in verse 24 and verse 29 is they say, 00:25:40.599 --> 00:25:41.079 we know. 00:25:42.179 --> 00:25:42.399 Right? 00:25:42.500 --> 00:25:43.939 We know. 00:25:44.779 --> 00:25:45.839 We already know. 00:25:45.939 --> 00:25:48.619 We can see everything we need to see about Jesus. 00:25:49.079 --> 00:25:53.099 And what we know is that Jesus does not come from God. 00:25:53.099 --> 00:25:57.399 And they're sitting in judgment on Jesus. 00:25:58.859 --> 00:26:01.939 And what does Jesus say to his judges, though? 00:26:02.799 --> 00:26:04.659 Jesus says in verse 39, he says, 00:26:04.779 --> 00:26:10.359 For judgment I have come into this world so that the blind will see and those who see will become blind. 00:26:10.439 --> 00:26:13.339 And some of the Pharisees who were with him heard him say this and they asked, 00:26:13.619 --> 00:26:14.819 What, are we blind too? 00:26:14.819 --> 00:26:16.619 And Jesus said, 00:26:16.740 --> 00:26:19.099 If you were blind, you would not be guilty of sin. 00:26:19.159 --> 00:26:24.240 But now that you claim you can see, your guilt remains. 00:26:25.740 --> 00:26:27.480 See, now we've come to the point. 00:26:28.799 --> 00:26:32.559 Because Jesus healed this physical blindness. 00:26:33.259 --> 00:26:34.720 Not just to heal physical blindness. 00:26:35.700 --> 00:26:40.939 He healed this physical blindness in order that he might confront and judge spiritual blindness. 00:26:40.940 --> 00:26:43.779 Jesus is saying, 00:26:43.900 --> 00:26:47.279 Look, if you pridefully and self-righteously claim, 00:26:47.740 --> 00:26:48.400 We know. 00:26:49.779 --> 00:26:54.880 And we can see everything we need to know about God and about Jesus already. 00:26:56.039 --> 00:26:56.640 Jesus says, 00:26:56.740 --> 00:26:59.420 You are actually spiritually blind. 00:27:01.340 --> 00:27:01.680 You are, 00:27:01.799 --> 00:27:02.259 Jesus says, 00:27:02.320 --> 00:27:06.480 You're guilty of the sin of not being open-minded toward me. 00:27:06.480 --> 00:27:12.759 You're guilty of the sin of thinking that you don't need what I've come to offer you. 00:27:14.579 --> 00:27:15.259 And Jesus says, 00:27:15.420 --> 00:27:15.740 This is, 00:27:16.180 --> 00:27:17.400 This kind of blindness, 00:27:17.559 --> 00:27:19.940 This kind of spiritual blindness and darkness, 00:27:20.079 --> 00:27:24.880 Is actually way harder to cure than congenital physical blindness. 00:27:26.180 --> 00:27:28.400 Imagine you go to the eye doctor, right? 00:27:28.500 --> 00:27:28.860 And you, 00:27:29.019 --> 00:27:30.880 You go to them and you say, 00:27:31.079 --> 00:27:32.740 My vision is perfect. 00:27:33.660 --> 00:27:33.920 Right? 00:27:33.920 --> 00:27:36.539 I don't need any intervention. 00:27:36.980 --> 00:27:38.060 I don't need glasses. 00:27:38.340 --> 00:27:39.240 I don't need surgery. 00:27:39.640 --> 00:27:40.560 I can see fine. 00:27:41.019 --> 00:27:43.200 Just the way that I am right now. 00:27:45.019 --> 00:27:47.180 You're going to be a tough patient to cure. 00:27:48.140 --> 00:27:48.700 By the way, 00:27:48.740 --> 00:27:50.039 I can't see any of you right now. 00:27:54.940 --> 00:27:58.160 The deepest blindness is blindness to your own blindness. 00:27:58.160 --> 00:28:03.140 If you cannot admit that you have a problem with your sight, 00:28:03.279 --> 00:28:04.279 You're never going to see. 00:28:06.500 --> 00:28:09.440 If you shut yourself into a closed circle of thinking, 00:28:09.600 --> 00:28:10.820 A closed circle of living, 00:28:10.940 --> 00:28:17.800 Which systematically excludes the way that God is shining his light in and through Jesus, 00:28:18.880 --> 00:28:21.180 Then what he's telling you is that you've locked yourself, 00:28:21.320 --> 00:28:25.259 You've bolted yourself into a spiritual darkness of your own devising. 00:28:25.259 --> 00:28:34.420 That if you suppress the truth of the one who created and the one who is enabling and sustaining your optic nerve, 00:28:34.579 --> 00:28:41.619 Even this very second is sending 100 billion signals to your brain every single second. 00:28:43.099 --> 00:28:47.559 And yet you claim that you see reality clearly. 00:28:47.559 --> 00:28:51.720 Something is seriously disconnected in your life. 00:28:54.519 --> 00:28:57.500 You're a creature who's been created, 00:28:58.379 --> 00:29:00.319 Who's denying your creator. 00:29:02.279 --> 00:29:06.359 And Jesus is saying that the only way to heal that kind of spiritual blindness, 00:29:06.619 --> 00:29:11.559 The only way that you can spiritually see Jesus as the light of the world, 00:29:11.759 --> 00:29:14.379 Is for the Holy Spirit to come down. 00:29:14.380 --> 00:29:17.040 The Holy Spirit to come inside of you, 00:29:17.700 --> 00:29:18.920 And enable you to see, 00:29:19.780 --> 00:29:20.520 On the one hand, 00:29:20.580 --> 00:29:22.240 Enable you to see your own darkness. 00:29:22.620 --> 00:29:24.320 To help you see your own pride. 00:29:24.900 --> 00:29:26.340 And your own self-sufficiency. 00:29:27.920 --> 00:29:28.860 But on the other hand, 00:29:28.900 --> 00:29:32.600 To help you see the beauty and the brilliance and the grace of Jesus himself. 00:29:33.980 --> 00:29:35.380 That's the only way you'll be healed, 00:29:35.520 --> 00:29:38.300 Is if the Holy Spirit opens your eyes to these things. 00:29:38.299 --> 00:29:43.819 And one of the key things that the Holy Spirit does when he comes in, 00:29:43.879 --> 00:29:47.000 Is he enables you to particularly see, 00:29:48.019 --> 00:29:49.859 That when Jesus is on his cross, 00:29:50.980 --> 00:29:52.019 Darkness comes down. 00:29:53.460 --> 00:29:53.899 Right? 00:29:53.960 --> 00:29:55.500 And it's not just a physical darkness. 00:29:56.019 --> 00:29:57.639 Jesus is crying out from his cross, 00:29:57.740 --> 00:29:58.639 My God, my God, 00:29:58.720 --> 00:30:00.259 Why have you forsaken me? 00:30:00.299 --> 00:30:03.059 He's plunged into a kind of spiritual darkness. 00:30:03.059 --> 00:30:05.259 This man, Jesus, 00:30:05.379 --> 00:30:07.519 Who saw everything perfectly. 00:30:07.639 --> 00:30:09.639 He could see into the heart of a human being. 00:30:09.700 --> 00:30:11.319 He could see God clearly. 00:30:11.740 --> 00:30:14.019 Jesus can no longer see. 00:30:14.200 --> 00:30:14.339 Right? 00:30:14.399 --> 00:30:15.779 He's losing his sight. 00:30:15.879 --> 00:30:17.720 He's losing the light of God's face. 00:30:17.819 --> 00:30:18.759 The light of God's love. 00:30:18.839 --> 00:30:21.779 He's being spiritually cut off in the darkness. 00:30:24.419 --> 00:30:26.339 And the reason Jesus did that, 00:30:27.179 --> 00:30:29.559 Is so that the Holy Spirit could come, 00:30:30.299 --> 00:30:32.059 And open the eyes of your heart spiritually, 00:30:32.059 --> 00:30:35.899 So that you could see the light of the world. 00:30:36.240 --> 00:30:36.980 So that you could, 00:30:37.079 --> 00:30:39.759 You could see the one crucified yet risen, 00:30:39.940 --> 00:30:43.019 Who's inviting you into the light of Easter, 00:30:43.720 --> 00:30:45.500 And the resurrection life, 00:30:46.059 --> 00:30:47.799 That he's come to give you. 00:30:47.859 --> 00:30:48.500 So the question, 00:30:49.379 --> 00:30:50.500 The question is, 00:30:50.579 --> 00:30:51.740 Will you resist the light? 00:30:53.179 --> 00:30:54.319 Will you choose to remain, 00:30:54.839 --> 00:30:57.039 In the darkness of your own devising? 00:30:57.179 --> 00:30:58.200 Will you choose to, 00:30:58.200 --> 00:31:00.079 Continue to boldly declare, 00:31:00.079 --> 00:31:02.099 That you see everything, 00:31:02.259 --> 00:31:03.699 Just as you ought, 00:31:04.179 --> 00:31:05.199 Without any help, 00:31:05.419 --> 00:31:06.439 From anybody else? 00:31:08.359 --> 00:31:08.779 Or, 00:31:09.000 --> 00:31:09.960 Will you come into the light, 00:31:10.639 --> 00:31:12.159 And allow it like this man, 00:31:12.220 --> 00:31:12.859 To heal you, 00:31:12.960 --> 00:31:13.699 To change you, 00:31:14.079 --> 00:31:15.460 To give you new life? 00:31:15.460 --> 00:31:20.120 So that's the claim, 00:31:20.200 --> 00:31:20.900 I'm the light of the world, 00:31:20.960 --> 00:31:21.460 The sign, 00:31:22.140 --> 00:31:23.700 The healing of a man born blind, 00:31:23.759 --> 00:31:24.400 The problem, 00:31:24.819 --> 00:31:25.539 Is that we claim, 00:31:25.620 --> 00:31:26.400 That we can see, 00:31:26.400 --> 00:31:27.720 Spiritual reality clearly, 00:31:28.120 --> 00:31:29.700 Without God, 00:31:30.000 --> 00:31:31.500 Without his son Jesus, 00:31:31.640 --> 00:31:31.980 And the, 00:31:31.980 --> 00:31:33.700 The fourth thing I want to talk about, 00:31:33.840 --> 00:31:34.680 To close, 00:31:34.740 --> 00:31:35.460 Is the encounter, 00:31:36.299 --> 00:31:37.059 Right, 00:31:37.100 --> 00:31:38.360 You have to have an encounter, 00:31:38.359 --> 00:31:40.479 And this is what it is, 00:31:40.519 --> 00:31:41.139 In verse 35, 00:31:41.279 --> 00:31:41.559 It says, 00:31:41.779 --> 00:31:42.779 Jesus heard that, 00:31:43.179 --> 00:31:44.199 They had thrown him out, 00:31:44.279 --> 00:31:45.419 And when he found him, 00:31:45.459 --> 00:31:45.819 He said, 00:31:46.119 --> 00:31:46.719 Do you believe, 00:31:46.799 --> 00:31:47.559 In the son of man? 00:31:47.759 --> 00:31:48.500 And this is amazing, 00:31:48.579 --> 00:31:50.439 Because this blind man, 00:31:50.839 --> 00:31:52.000 This man who used to be blind, 00:31:52.099 --> 00:31:53.359 He was created by Jesus, 00:31:54.179 --> 00:31:55.419 He's been powerfully healed, 00:31:55.419 --> 00:31:56.000 By Jesus, 00:31:56.659 --> 00:31:57.959 He's actually been telling, 00:31:57.959 --> 00:31:59.199 Other people about Jesus, 00:31:59.679 --> 00:32:00.559 But he's never actually, 00:32:00.639 --> 00:32:01.539 Beheld Jesus, 00:32:01.979 --> 00:32:02.119 Right, 00:32:02.119 --> 00:32:03.159 He's never yet, 00:32:03.279 --> 00:32:04.119 Seen Jesus, 00:32:04.219 --> 00:32:04.839 He doesn't know, 00:32:05.000 --> 00:32:06.859 Who Jesus truly is, 00:32:06.859 --> 00:32:07.279 He doesn't, 00:32:07.500 --> 00:32:09.339 He's not yet in a personal relationship, 00:32:09.779 --> 00:32:10.319 With Jesus, 00:32:11.099 --> 00:32:12.019 And maybe you're like that, 00:32:12.079 --> 00:32:13.539 Maybe you know about Jesus, 00:32:13.639 --> 00:32:14.259 But do you really, 00:32:14.559 --> 00:32:15.500 Know Jesus? 00:32:17.339 --> 00:32:18.240 And the good news is, 00:32:18.359 --> 00:32:19.059 That Jesus comes, 00:32:19.119 --> 00:32:20.419 And he seeks this man out, 00:32:21.099 --> 00:32:22.079 And that's the only way, 00:32:22.399 --> 00:32:23.019 Anyone ever, 00:32:23.159 --> 00:32:24.179 Ever becomes a Christian, 00:32:24.299 --> 00:32:25.139 Is Jesus comes, 00:32:25.219 --> 00:32:26.019 And he finds you, 00:32:26.219 --> 00:32:27.599 Jesus begins to talk to you, 00:32:27.719 --> 00:32:28.599 Jesus begins to, 00:32:28.919 --> 00:32:29.659 Question you, 00:32:29.740 --> 00:32:30.299 And he says, 00:32:30.419 --> 00:32:31.179 To the man, 00:32:31.259 --> 00:32:32.319 In verse 35, 00:32:32.619 --> 00:32:33.479 Do you believe, 00:32:33.719 --> 00:32:35.019 In the son of man? 00:32:35.139 --> 00:32:36.119 And he says, 00:32:36.119 --> 00:32:36.919 Who is he sir? 00:32:37.199 --> 00:32:37.719 Tell me, 00:32:38.039 --> 00:32:38.579 That I might, 00:32:39.039 --> 00:32:39.719 Believe in him, 00:32:39.719 --> 00:32:43.139 So far, 00:32:43.219 --> 00:32:43.639 In the story, 00:32:43.739 --> 00:32:44.459 This man has been, 00:32:44.559 --> 00:32:45.679 Kind of feeling his way, 00:32:45.739 --> 00:32:46.319 Out of the dark, 00:32:46.399 --> 00:32:47.059 Just gradually, 00:32:47.679 --> 00:32:48.339 Incrementally, 00:32:48.839 --> 00:32:49.659 Inching his way, 00:32:50.259 --> 00:32:51.039 Toward the light, 00:32:51.839 --> 00:32:52.899 That he didn't have, 00:32:52.939 --> 00:32:53.779 When he started the day, 00:32:54.419 --> 00:32:54.699 Right, 00:32:55.299 --> 00:32:57.319 This strange man, 00:32:57.959 --> 00:32:58.559 Says, 00:32:58.659 --> 00:32:59.199 Go wash, 00:32:59.639 --> 00:33:00.119 He washes, 00:33:00.519 --> 00:33:01.079 He can see, 00:33:02.139 --> 00:33:02.779 In verse 11, 00:33:02.859 --> 00:33:03.839 He starts talking about, 00:33:04.039 --> 00:33:05.500 This man they call Jesus, 00:33:05.500 --> 00:33:07.720 And then in verse 17, 00:33:07.799 --> 00:33:08.579 He starts talking about, 00:33:08.819 --> 00:33:09.559 This man who, 00:33:09.839 --> 00:33:10.799 I think might be a prophet, 00:33:11.980 --> 00:33:13.339 And then in verses 31, 00:33:13.420 --> 00:33:13.920 To 33, 00:33:14.039 --> 00:33:14.740 He starts talking about, 00:33:14.880 --> 00:33:15.799 This man from God, 00:33:16.059 --> 00:33:16.980 This man who, 00:33:17.160 --> 00:33:18.200 Does the will of God, 00:33:18.900 --> 00:33:19.759 And, 00:33:19.920 --> 00:33:20.940 It's kind of like that game, 00:33:21.039 --> 00:33:22.400 When they send you out of the room, 00:33:22.480 --> 00:33:23.299 And they hide something, 00:33:23.400 --> 00:33:24.059 And you come back in, 00:33:24.119 --> 00:33:24.460 They're like, 00:33:24.900 --> 00:33:25.660 You're cold, 00:33:26.680 --> 00:33:27.680 You're getting warmer, 00:33:28.519 --> 00:33:29.380 You're getting warmer, 00:33:29.480 --> 00:33:29.920 You're hot, 00:33:30.059 --> 00:33:30.599 You're red, 00:33:30.779 --> 00:33:31.619 You're red hot, 00:33:32.180 --> 00:33:32.460 Right, 00:33:32.460 --> 00:33:34.500 Same thing, 00:33:34.579 --> 00:33:35.299 The Samaritan woman, 00:33:35.360 --> 00:33:36.259 We saw in John 4, 00:33:36.380 --> 00:33:36.600 She, 00:33:36.960 --> 00:33:37.460 She said, 00:33:37.519 --> 00:33:37.920 Oh this man, 00:33:38.160 --> 00:33:38.880 He's a man, 00:33:38.980 --> 00:33:39.600 No he's a Jew, 00:33:39.759 --> 00:33:40.299 He's a prophet, 00:33:40.480 --> 00:33:41.539 He's the Messiah, 00:33:41.640 --> 00:33:42.819 He's the savior of the world, 00:33:44.819 --> 00:33:46.840 Started ice cold, 00:33:47.640 --> 00:33:49.460 Getting much warmer, 00:33:50.799 --> 00:33:51.579 This man says, 00:33:51.680 --> 00:33:52.400 Jesus is a man, 00:33:52.480 --> 00:33:52.940 He's a prophet, 00:33:53.019 --> 00:33:53.920 He does the will of God, 00:33:53.980 --> 00:33:54.840 He's got an increasingly, 00:33:54.840 --> 00:33:55.980 Higher view of Jesus, 00:33:56.100 --> 00:33:57.380 Which is really great, 00:33:57.480 --> 00:33:58.460 But it's not high enough, 00:33:58.460 --> 00:34:01.299 And that's why Jesus seeks him out, 00:34:01.319 --> 00:34:01.559 And says, 00:34:01.680 --> 00:34:03.120 Do you know the son of man? 00:34:04.920 --> 00:34:06.680 And he invites this man to, 00:34:07.360 --> 00:34:09.539 Declare who he is, 00:34:09.699 --> 00:34:12.019 In relation to the son of man, 00:34:12.960 --> 00:34:14.720 And every first century Jew, 00:34:14.880 --> 00:34:15.240 Would know, 00:34:15.960 --> 00:34:17.039 That the son of man, 00:34:17.119 --> 00:34:18.340 Is from Daniel chapter 7, 00:34:18.400 --> 00:34:20.360 The prophet Daniel chapter 7, 00:34:20.400 --> 00:34:21.139 And here's what it says, 00:34:21.179 --> 00:34:21.720 In Daniel 7, 00:34:21.780 --> 00:34:22.820 The ancient of days, 00:34:23.500 --> 00:34:24.199 Took his seat, 00:34:24.300 --> 00:34:26.019 His throne was flaming with fire, 00:34:26.480 --> 00:34:28.360 10,000 times 10,000, 00:34:28.460 --> 00:34:29.420 Attended him, 00:34:29.619 --> 00:34:31.199 And one like a son of man, 00:34:31.559 --> 00:34:32.980 Approached the ancient of days, 00:34:33.220 --> 00:34:34.699 And was led into his presence, 00:34:34.980 --> 00:34:36.840 And he was given authority, 00:34:37.280 --> 00:34:37.940 And glory, 00:34:38.340 --> 00:34:39.420 And sovereign power, 00:34:39.720 --> 00:34:40.619 And all the nations, 00:34:40.880 --> 00:34:42.159 And peoples of every language, 00:34:42.539 --> 00:34:43.220 Worshipped him, 00:34:43.460 --> 00:34:44.199 And his dominion, 00:34:44.300 --> 00:34:45.539 Is an everlasting dominion, 00:34:45.599 --> 00:34:46.679 That will not pass away, 00:34:46.960 --> 00:34:48.059 And his kingdom is one, 00:34:48.059 --> 00:34:50.139 That will never be destroyed, 00:34:50.760 --> 00:34:53.260 And Jesus says, 00:34:54.079 --> 00:34:55.159 Who are you, 00:34:56.019 --> 00:34:57.000 In relation to, 00:34:57.500 --> 00:34:58.420 The son of man, 00:34:58.460 --> 00:35:01.199 And the man says, 00:35:01.619 --> 00:35:03.119 Well who is he, 00:35:03.159 --> 00:35:03.880 Because if I know, 00:35:03.980 --> 00:35:04.780 I'll believe in him, 00:35:05.340 --> 00:35:07.480 And Jesus says in verse 37, 00:35:07.659 --> 00:35:08.579 You've now seen him, 00:35:08.679 --> 00:35:08.940 In fact, 00:35:09.079 --> 00:35:09.900 He is the one, 00:35:10.420 --> 00:35:11.780 Speaking to you, 00:35:11.780 --> 00:35:15.080 You see, 00:35:15.080 --> 00:35:15.760 He's confronted, 00:35:15.760 --> 00:35:15.780 He's confronted, 00:35:15.780 --> 00:35:15.780 00:35:15.780 --> 00:35:15.780 00:35:15.780 --> 00:35:15.780 00:35:15.780 --> 00:35:15.780 00:35:15.780 --> 00:35:16.820 He's confronted, 00:35:16.820 --> 00:35:17.400 By Jesus, 00:35:18.160 --> 00:35:19.060 Confronted by, 00:35:19.260 --> 00:35:20.560 The self-revelation, 00:35:20.780 --> 00:35:21.960 Of the light of the world, 00:35:21.960 --> 00:35:24.840 And in this revelation, 00:35:25.060 --> 00:35:25.760 He receives, 00:35:25.760 --> 00:35:27.400 Not merely, 00:35:27.400 --> 00:35:28.000 The lesser gift, 00:35:28.000 --> 00:35:28.560 The lesser gift, 00:35:28.560 --> 00:35:30.340 Of physical sight, 00:35:30.720 --> 00:35:31.840 But now, 00:35:31.920 --> 00:35:32.420 He receives, 00:35:32.500 --> 00:35:33.600 The much greater gift, 00:35:34.120 --> 00:35:35.680 Of spiritual sight, 00:35:36.140 --> 00:35:38.240 And he's been given, 00:35:38.440 --> 00:35:39.440 An open mind, 00:35:40.000 --> 00:35:40.580 He's been given, 00:35:40.640 --> 00:35:41.320 A willing heart, 00:35:41.400 --> 00:35:41.880 He's been given, 00:35:42.100 --> 00:35:43.140 A humble attitude, 00:35:44.140 --> 00:35:45.720 And he's been enabled, 00:35:45.720 --> 00:35:46.240 To say, 00:35:46.780 --> 00:35:46.940 You know, 00:35:46.940 --> 00:35:48.119 I want to know, 00:35:48.599 --> 00:35:50.059 If it's possible to know, 00:35:50.139 --> 00:35:50.960 I want to believe, 00:35:51.059 --> 00:35:52.300 If it's possible to believe, 00:35:52.639 --> 00:35:53.619 In the son of man, 00:35:54.119 --> 00:35:54.619 Whose kingdom, 00:35:54.740 --> 00:35:55.559 Will never be destroyed, 00:35:55.820 --> 00:35:56.400 And boom, 00:35:58.220 --> 00:35:58.700 Suddenly, 00:35:59.099 --> 00:35:59.920 The picture begins, 00:35:59.960 --> 00:36:00.900 To come into complete, 00:36:01.300 --> 00:36:02.200 Focus for him, 00:36:03.599 --> 00:36:04.559 And he can start, 00:36:04.639 --> 00:36:05.200 To see Jesus, 00:36:05.320 --> 00:36:06.740 For who Jesus really is, 00:36:07.460 --> 00:36:07.599 Right, 00:36:07.599 --> 00:36:08.240 He can start to see, 00:36:08.320 --> 00:36:08.800 The wonder, 00:36:09.760 --> 00:36:10.780 Of Jesus' true, 00:36:11.400 --> 00:36:11.940 Identity, 00:36:12.000 --> 00:36:12.960 And when he does, 00:36:14.599 --> 00:36:15.700 He acts out, 00:36:15.860 --> 00:36:16.920 The most logical thing, 00:36:16.940 --> 00:36:18.280 You could possibly do, 00:36:18.340 --> 00:36:19.119 In this situation, 00:36:20.300 --> 00:36:21.139 And in verse 38, 00:36:21.240 --> 00:36:21.679 It says, 00:36:22.659 --> 00:36:23.440 He says, 00:36:23.539 --> 00:36:23.760 Lord, 00:36:23.840 --> 00:36:24.420 I believe, 00:36:25.800 --> 00:36:27.000 And he worshiped, 00:36:27.000 --> 00:36:27.280 Jesus, 00:36:28.420 --> 00:36:30.340 Jesus is not, 00:36:30.420 --> 00:36:31.139 Merely respected, 00:36:31.360 --> 00:36:31.960 Or confessed, 00:36:33.519 --> 00:36:34.720 Jesus is believed, 00:36:34.720 --> 00:36:35.679 And worshipped, 00:36:36.480 --> 00:36:37.860 As the son of man, 00:36:38.980 --> 00:36:40.639 To whom the ancient of days, 00:36:40.780 --> 00:36:42.059 Has given authority, 00:36:42.400 --> 00:36:42.860 And glory, 00:36:43.300 --> 00:36:44.200 And sovereign power, 00:36:45.260 --> 00:36:46.480 And who will have, 00:36:46.480 --> 00:36:48.119 Everlasting, 00:36:49.119 --> 00:36:49.699 Dominion, 00:36:49.699 --> 00:36:52.199 And so the question, 00:36:52.300 --> 00:36:52.900 As we close, 00:36:53.079 --> 00:36:54.219 And come to this table is, 00:36:55.260 --> 00:36:56.539 Have you had this encounter, 00:36:56.679 --> 00:36:57.079 With Jesus? 00:36:59.400 --> 00:37:00.800 Have you bowed your knee, 00:37:00.840 --> 00:37:01.719 To Jesus in faith, 00:37:01.820 --> 00:37:02.019 Saying, 00:37:02.119 --> 00:37:02.360 Lord, 00:37:02.619 --> 00:37:03.599 I believe, 00:37:04.159 --> 00:37:06.420 Have you worshipped, 00:37:06.820 --> 00:37:07.539 Jesus, 00:37:08.119 --> 00:37:10.199 Not only as your personal Lord, 00:37:10.280 --> 00:37:11.159 But have you worshipped him, 00:37:11.219 --> 00:37:12.099 As the Lord of the whole, 00:37:12.480 --> 00:37:12.960 World, 00:37:13.300 --> 00:37:13.800 Whose kingdom, 00:37:13.940 --> 00:37:14.880 Is never going to be destroyed, 00:37:14.880 --> 00:37:17.960 If you have, 00:37:18.019 --> 00:37:19.180 If Jesus is your Lord, 00:37:20.360 --> 00:37:21.420 The question then is, 00:37:22.200 --> 00:37:23.660 Are you following the pattern, 00:37:23.760 --> 00:37:24.800 That he set for us? 00:37:25.720 --> 00:37:26.680 The question is, 00:37:27.140 --> 00:37:28.059 Is his mission, 00:37:28.640 --> 00:37:29.340 Your mission? 00:37:30.460 --> 00:37:31.740 Have you committed yourself, 00:37:31.740 --> 00:37:32.500 To do the things, 00:37:32.660 --> 00:37:33.960 That Jesus does? 00:37:34.039 --> 00:37:34.960 Well what does Jesus do? 00:37:35.079 --> 00:37:35.820 Jesus went, 00:37:35.940 --> 00:37:37.780 In search of this miserable man, 00:37:38.380 --> 00:37:38.539 Right? 00:37:38.559 --> 00:37:38.920 He went, 00:37:39.079 --> 00:37:40.140 He went and he found, 00:37:40.260 --> 00:37:41.059 This blind beggar, 00:37:41.079 --> 00:37:42.140 To bring blessing to him, 00:37:42.180 --> 00:37:43.480 To bring healing to him, 00:37:43.480 --> 00:37:45.960 Jesus again, 00:37:46.039 --> 00:37:46.659 Went and he found, 00:37:46.860 --> 00:37:47.659 This cast out, 00:37:47.780 --> 00:37:48.599 And rejected man, 00:37:48.719 --> 00:37:49.539 In order that he might, 00:37:49.619 --> 00:37:50.300 Bring him in, 00:37:51.760 --> 00:37:53.099 Jesus went, 00:37:53.179 --> 00:37:53.639 To this man, 00:37:53.699 --> 00:37:55.400 Who had some ideas, 00:37:56.400 --> 00:37:57.559 But who needed, 00:37:57.619 --> 00:37:59.139 A more complete gospel, 00:37:59.280 --> 00:38:00.099 In order that he might, 00:38:00.099 --> 00:38:01.199 Have the eyes of his heart, 00:38:01.400 --> 00:38:02.920 Open to spiritual reality, 00:38:03.800 --> 00:38:06.079 Jesus went, 00:38:06.219 --> 00:38:06.900 And he took him, 00:38:07.059 --> 00:38:08.539 Into a deeper discipleship, 00:38:09.659 --> 00:38:10.519 Inviting him into, 00:38:10.740 --> 00:38:12.360 Not half-hearted belief, 00:38:12.360 --> 00:38:13.720 But whole-hearted belief, 00:38:13.840 --> 00:38:14.840 Whole-hearted worship, 00:38:16.519 --> 00:38:17.240 Jesus went, 00:38:17.300 --> 00:38:18.140 And he welcomed him, 00:38:18.320 --> 00:38:19.340 Into a spiritual family, 00:38:19.340 --> 00:38:21.840 Where he would belong, 00:38:22.360 --> 00:38:23.599 Not just for the rest of his life, 00:38:23.640 --> 00:38:24.160 But forever, 00:38:25.519 --> 00:38:27.200 And so if Jesus is, 00:38:27.200 --> 00:38:28.280 Our Lord, 00:38:28.480 --> 00:38:29.519 If Jesus is the one, 00:38:29.579 --> 00:38:30.340 In whom we believe, 00:38:30.440 --> 00:38:31.360 If Jesus is the one, 00:38:31.519 --> 00:38:32.320 Whom we worship, 00:38:32.400 --> 00:38:32.980 The question is, 00:38:33.220 --> 00:38:34.780 Are we following in his mission? 00:38:37.340 --> 00:38:38.820 Who is the one person, 00:38:38.960 --> 00:38:40.000 At least one person, 00:38:40.000 --> 00:38:41.559 That, 00:38:41.559 --> 00:38:41.579 That, 00:38:41.579 --> 00:38:44.280 He's put into your life, 00:38:44.820 --> 00:38:47.059 And he's just waiting for you, 00:38:47.639 --> 00:38:49.199 He's waiting for you, 00:38:49.239 --> 00:38:50.000 To do what he did, 00:38:50.079 --> 00:38:50.800 Waiting for you to go, 00:38:50.880 --> 00:38:51.960 And seek that person out, 00:38:52.039 --> 00:38:52.760 Waiting for you to go, 00:38:52.860 --> 00:38:53.440 And bless them, 00:38:53.500 --> 00:38:54.280 Waiting for you to go, 00:38:54.539 --> 00:38:55.460 And bring them in, 00:38:56.940 --> 00:38:58.280 Who's that one person, 00:38:58.400 --> 00:38:59.420 Who needs to hear, 00:38:59.699 --> 00:39:00.719 The complete gospel, 00:39:01.880 --> 00:39:03.380 Who is that person, 00:39:03.519 --> 00:39:05.099 Who needs to be invited, 00:39:06.059 --> 00:39:07.800 To stop worshiping things, 00:39:07.800 --> 00:39:08.940 That aren't worthy, 00:39:08.940 --> 00:39:09.620 Of our worship, 00:39:10.660 --> 00:39:12.220 And to begin to worship, 00:39:12.220 --> 00:39:13.220 Jesus wholeheartedly, 00:39:13.300 --> 00:39:14.180 Who is that person, 00:39:14.800 --> 00:39:15.560 In your life, 00:39:15.600 --> 00:39:16.840 Who needs to be welcomed, 00:39:16.980 --> 00:39:18.120 And who needs to be accepted, 00:39:18.280 --> 00:39:19.220 Into the belonging, 00:39:19.860 --> 00:39:21.980 Of Jesus spiritual family, 00:39:22.480 --> 00:39:24.980 I think that we're invited, 00:39:25.200 --> 00:39:26.580 To imagine our friends, 00:39:27.000 --> 00:39:28.880 Imagine our neighbors, 00:39:29.120 --> 00:39:30.100 Imagine our co-workers, 00:39:30.220 --> 00:39:31.019 And our family members, 00:39:31.120 --> 00:39:32.760 That God has put into our life, 00:39:33.060 --> 00:39:33.900 Not at random, 00:39:34.680 --> 00:39:35.560 But with a purpose, 00:39:35.559 --> 00:39:38.000 And to imagine them, 00:39:38.239 --> 00:39:39.119 Looking at Jesus, 00:39:39.239 --> 00:39:40.719 With healed spiritual sight, 00:39:40.840 --> 00:39:41.679 Looking at Jesus, 00:39:42.239 --> 00:39:44.639 With eyes that can see him, 00:39:44.699 --> 00:39:45.420 For the first time, 00:39:45.480 --> 00:39:46.759 For who he truly is, 00:39:47.820 --> 00:39:49.320 And hearing them say to us, 00:39:49.519 --> 00:39:50.380 This is the one, 00:39:52.239 --> 00:39:54.179 I've been wanting to trust, 00:39:54.179 --> 00:39:55.000 Someone like this, 00:39:55.179 --> 00:39:56.139 My entire life, 00:39:56.679 --> 00:39:58.940 I've been wanting to adore, 00:39:58.940 --> 00:39:59.940 Someone like this, 00:40:00.460 --> 00:40:02.019 And I didn't even know it, 00:40:02.779 --> 00:40:04.460 But I finally found it, 00:40:04.460 --> 00:40:08.720 I pray for those kind of encounters, 00:40:08.920 --> 00:40:10.320 More and more of these kind of encounters, 00:40:11.019 --> 00:40:11.880 To be happening, 00:40:12.400 --> 00:40:13.300 Among us here, 00:40:13.480 --> 00:40:14.260 At Christchurch, 00:40:14.760 --> 00:40:15.760 And in our lives, 00:40:16.460 --> 00:40:17.280 In the name of the Father, 00:40:17.400 --> 00:40:18.159 Son, and Holy Spirit, 00:40:18.940 --> 00:40:19.179 Amen. 00:40:19.619 --> 00:40:19.619 00:40:19.619 --> 00:40:19.619 00:40:19.619 --> 00:40:19.619 00:40:19.619 --> 00:40:19.619 00:40:19.619 --> 00:40:19.619 00:40:19.619 --> 00:40:19.619 00:40:19.619 --> 00:40:19.619 00:40:19.619 --> 00:40:19.619 00:40:19.619 --> 00:40:19.619 00:40:19.619 --> 00:40:19.619 00:40:19.619 --> 00:40:19.619 00:40:19.619 --> 00:40:19.619 00:40:19.619 --> 00:40:19.619 00:40:19.619 --> 00:40:19.619 00:40:19.619 --> 00:40:19.619 00:40:19.619 --> 00:40:19.619 00:40:19.619 --> 00:40:19.619 00:40:19.619 --> 00:40:19.619 00:40:19.619 --> 00:40:19.619 00:40:19.619 --> 00:40:19.619 00:40:19.619 --> 00:40:19.619 00:40:19.619 --> 00:40:19.619 00:40:19.619 --> 00:40:19.619 00:40:19.619 --> 00:40:19.619 00:40:19.619 --> 00:40:19.619 00:40:19.619 --> 00:40:19.619 00:40:19.619 --> 00:40:19.619 00:40:19.619 --> 00:40:19.619 00:40:19.619 --> 00:40:19.619 00:40:19.619 --> 00:40:19.619 00:40:19.619 --> 00:40:19.619 00:40:19.619 --> 00:40:19.619 00:40:19.619 --> 00:40:19.619 00:40:19.619 --> 00:40:19.619 00:40:19.619 --> 00:40:19.619 00:40:19.619 --> 00:40:19.619 00:40:19.619 --> 00:40:19.619 00:40:19.619 --> 00:40:19.619 00:40:19.619 --> 00:40:19.619 00:40:19.619 --> 00:40:19.619 00:40:19.619 --> 00:40:19.619 00:40:19.619 --> 00:40:19.619 00:40:19.619 --> 00:40:19.619 00:40:19.619 --> 00:40:19.619 00:40:19.619 --> 00:40:19.619 00:40:19.619 --> 00:40:49.599 Thank you.