WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:16.000 I asked John to choose songs about grace for today, and I didn't know he was going to choose 00:00:16.000 --> 00:00:21.000 ! that last one, but it's my wife's favorite song, one of her favorite songs. 00:00:21.000 --> 00:00:29.740 And I don't know if you picked it because of this reason, but that was one of the songs we did in my retirement service. 00:00:30.759 --> 00:00:31.560 Thank you, John. 00:00:32.939 --> 00:00:35.500 Would you turn your Bibles to John chapter 9? 00:00:40.939 --> 00:00:47.060 I mentioned on Wednesday that the last several days that I saw a pastor before he left, 00:00:47.060 --> 00:00:54.700 but he reminded me, and in fact, one of the times Peggy was there, and he reminded her as well, 00:00:55.280 --> 00:00:58.460 that he gave me two really good passages. 00:01:02.380 --> 00:01:08.680 One of them was Psalm 23, and the other one was John chapter 9, verses 1 to 12, 00:01:08.800 --> 00:01:10.359 which is what we're going to look at this morning. 00:01:11.480 --> 00:01:16.900 Before we begin there, though, I would like to just kind of ask you to think about this. 00:01:16.900 --> 00:01:21.780 How many of you are highlighters or underliners? 00:01:22.740 --> 00:01:23.160 You know what? 00:01:23.760 --> 00:01:25.600 Wow, most of you are highlighters. 00:01:25.840 --> 00:01:31.900 Highlighters or underliners, people who, when they read a book, they have to have something in their hand, 00:01:32.300 --> 00:01:39.960 some kind of marking device, so that they can underline or they can highlight or whatever it is. 00:01:39.959 --> 00:01:45.759 I'm a highlighter, but I highlight with particular rules. 00:01:47.119 --> 00:01:48.599 That's just the way I am. 00:01:48.699 --> 00:01:49.359 Some of you know that. 00:01:50.399 --> 00:01:55.280 That means that you can't have more than one highlight on a page, 00:01:55.280 --> 00:02:01.760 and only one, but there's no highlights in my Bible. 00:02:02.239 --> 00:02:03.599 This week I got a new phone. 00:02:03.700 --> 00:02:08.879 I had to sync it with my account for my Bible program, 00:02:08.879 --> 00:02:16.500 and I got all of the highlights, 500 and some highlights, 00:02:16.799 --> 00:02:21.699 that my wife puts into our shared Bible account. 00:02:25.300 --> 00:02:31.900 John was a highlighter, but John was a highlighter like I'm a highlighter. 00:02:31.900 --> 00:02:40.420 The apostle John told of only seven miracles in the whole book of John. 00:02:40.819 --> 00:02:41.700 Only seven. 00:02:42.640 --> 00:02:49.240 Even though at the end of the book he says that if I had written everything that Jesus had done, 00:02:50.000 --> 00:02:56.700 the world itself could not have contained all of the records. 00:02:56.699 --> 00:03:00.239 Let me just remind you of those. 00:03:01.099 --> 00:03:05.379 By the way, I should have mentioned this before I remind you of those. 00:03:05.879 --> 00:03:09.159 We have the vent fans, the circulation fans running, 00:03:09.439 --> 00:03:11.599 but the temperature outside is only 32, 00:03:11.939 --> 00:03:15.259 and you can't run air conditioning if the temperature outside is 32. 00:03:15.739 --> 00:03:16.819 So I apologize. 00:03:17.019 --> 00:03:18.060 I know it's a little warm. 00:03:18.879 --> 00:03:20.539 Some people are warmer than others. 00:03:22.339 --> 00:03:25.339 But we do have those circulating fans running. 00:03:25.340 --> 00:03:29.700 The miracles in John, first back in chapter 2, 00:03:30.080 --> 00:03:31.879 Jesus turning the water into wine. 00:03:32.840 --> 00:03:36.759 In John chapter 4, the nobleman's son that Jesus said, 00:03:36.960 --> 00:03:38.599 just go home, he's well now. 00:03:39.879 --> 00:03:45.400 In John chapter 5, the healing of the lame man by the pool of Bethsaida. 00:03:46.539 --> 00:03:49.900 In John chapter 6, the multiplying of the loaves and the fishes. 00:03:50.539 --> 00:03:52.860 Later in 6, him walking on the water. 00:03:52.860 --> 00:03:58.900 Today's passage in John chapter 9 of him curing the man born blind. 00:03:59.720 --> 00:04:03.700 And then the one yet to come, the raising of Lazarus. 00:04:04.780 --> 00:04:10.760 All of those put forth the concept, the idea of faith. 00:04:10.759 --> 00:04:18.120 Have you ever borrowed a book from someone who was a highlighter or an underliner? 00:04:19.060 --> 00:04:19.199 Okay? 00:04:19.759 --> 00:04:21.420 It can be really interesting. 00:04:21.779 --> 00:04:23.599 I've borrowed books from Pastor Knoyer. 00:04:23.680 --> 00:04:25.740 Pastor Knoyer is beyond underlining. 00:04:26.539 --> 00:04:28.039 He is a write-down. 00:04:28.300 --> 00:04:31.079 He's written a whole text, okay, in the margin. 00:04:31.360 --> 00:04:32.879 You borrow a book from him, 00:04:33.079 --> 00:04:37.860 and you get just as much enjoyment out of reading the columns 00:04:37.860 --> 00:04:40.040 as you do reading the actual book. 00:04:41.480 --> 00:04:43.800 Well, what we're going to try to do today 00:04:43.800 --> 00:04:50.960 is to figure out why did John put this particular miracle in his writing. 00:04:52.480 --> 00:04:54.900 We're going to see, I think, I hope, 00:04:55.000 --> 00:04:57.620 that it connects with John's overall purpose. 00:04:57.620 --> 00:05:02.680 That you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. 00:05:03.819 --> 00:05:05.959 So we're going to review this highlight 00:05:05.959 --> 00:05:10.759 and with the goal of seeing how does this help us to believe. 00:05:12.040 --> 00:05:15.220 Two points that I'm going to give you that I hope you take away. 00:05:15.560 --> 00:05:17.139 So I'm going to tell them to you right up front. 00:05:18.139 --> 00:05:22.000 The first one is a better understanding of the connection 00:05:22.000 --> 00:05:24.959 between sin and suffering. 00:05:26.579 --> 00:05:31.639 And the second, the encouragement and example of faith 00:05:31.639 --> 00:05:34.120 that we see in the individual. 00:05:35.100 --> 00:05:38.279 Well, John chapter 9, verses 1 to 3. 00:05:38.959 --> 00:05:41.480 And he passed by, as he passed by, 00:05:41.540 --> 00:05:43.240 he saw a man blind from birth. 00:05:43.800 --> 00:05:45.439 And his disciples asked him, 00:05:45.600 --> 00:05:47.000 Rabbi, who sinned? 00:05:47.560 --> 00:05:50.819 This man or his parents that he was born blind? 00:05:50.819 --> 00:05:52.699 Jesus answered, 00:05:52.920 --> 00:05:56.959 It is not this man that sinned or his parents, 00:05:57.339 --> 00:06:01.079 but that the works of God might be displayed in him. 00:06:01.819 --> 00:06:04.019 Now, first, let me set the context for you. 00:06:04.420 --> 00:06:07.339 What we do know is that this was a Sabbath. 00:06:07.560 --> 00:06:11.019 We'll see that later in the part that Pastor Knoyer will do 00:06:11.019 --> 00:06:12.819 next week or the week after. 00:06:13.279 --> 00:06:15.959 We don't know exactly where it takes place, 00:06:16.139 --> 00:06:19.459 but it would make sense if it took place right outside the temple. 00:06:19.459 --> 00:06:22.219 After all, it was a great place to beg. 00:06:23.219 --> 00:06:25.659 People went there thinking about God, 00:06:25.779 --> 00:06:28.439 thinking about doing good things so God would see. 00:06:28.620 --> 00:06:31.639 So handing someone, begging on the steps, 00:06:31.979 --> 00:06:34.299 money, maybe God would see that. 00:06:34.359 --> 00:06:35.439 He's right there in the temple. 00:06:35.979 --> 00:06:36.899 So it was a good place. 00:06:37.099 --> 00:06:39.620 There was also a lot of people going back and forth. 00:06:39.679 --> 00:06:41.219 So it was kind of like an off-ramp. 00:06:41.679 --> 00:06:41.799 Okay? 00:06:42.060 --> 00:06:44.919 You could depend upon seeing a lot of people 00:06:44.920 --> 00:06:47.540 so that it was a good place to beg. 00:06:51.540 --> 00:06:54.379 It's in this context, though, 00:06:54.900 --> 00:06:57.340 that we see Jesus and the disciples. 00:06:57.819 --> 00:07:01.220 They see this man that the text says he was born blind. 00:07:01.340 --> 00:07:02.879 We don't know how they knew that. 00:07:03.240 --> 00:07:03.480 Okay? 00:07:03.480 --> 00:07:06.740 But it's in this context that the disciples 00:07:06.740 --> 00:07:10.759 turn from the man to a theological question. 00:07:10.759 --> 00:07:14.740 We see a great difference 00:07:14.740 --> 00:07:16.980 between the response of the disciples 00:07:16.980 --> 00:07:19.159 and the response of Jesus. 00:07:20.180 --> 00:07:21.719 The interest of the disciples 00:07:21.719 --> 00:07:25.199 was prompted by theological curiosity 00:07:25.199 --> 00:07:27.599 rather than compassion. 00:07:29.439 --> 00:07:30.759 To the disciples, 00:07:31.099 --> 00:07:32.379 they look at this man 00:07:32.379 --> 00:07:33.500 and they think, 00:07:33.680 --> 00:07:35.279 ah, theological puzzle here. 00:07:35.279 --> 00:07:39.359 Now, it doesn't seem that their motives 00:07:39.359 --> 00:07:41.959 were entirely pure. 00:07:42.659 --> 00:07:45.019 They may have had the same idea 00:07:45.019 --> 00:07:46.839 that children have 00:07:46.839 --> 00:07:49.319 when one child is going to be punished 00:07:49.319 --> 00:07:51.399 and the other children, 00:07:52.079 --> 00:07:53.059 hey, what did he do? 00:07:53.879 --> 00:07:55.659 Is he really going to get it this time? 00:07:57.079 --> 00:07:59.439 They may have had that kind of curiosity. 00:07:59.439 --> 00:08:02.739 Oh, there's some deep, dark sin 00:08:02.739 --> 00:08:04.899 in this man's life. 00:08:05.279 --> 00:08:06.919 Let's ask Jesus what it is. 00:08:08.099 --> 00:08:11.679 Or maybe there's this deep, dark sin 00:08:11.679 --> 00:08:14.139 in his parents' life. 00:08:14.599 --> 00:08:16.819 Well, let's ask Jesus what it was. 00:08:18.399 --> 00:08:19.479 Their question, 00:08:20.179 --> 00:08:22.079 Rabbi, who sinned? 00:08:22.599 --> 00:08:24.219 This man or his parents? 00:08:24.799 --> 00:08:26.179 That he would be born blind. 00:08:27.919 --> 00:08:29.639 Assumed or accepted 00:08:29.639 --> 00:08:31.819 the popular doctrine of that day 00:08:31.819 --> 00:08:33.460 and quite frankly, 00:08:33.460 --> 00:08:35.980 all too often of our day. 00:08:38.539 --> 00:08:39.580 And that is 00:08:39.580 --> 00:08:43.299 that physical suffering of a person 00:08:43.299 --> 00:08:46.639 is always the direct result 00:08:46.639 --> 00:08:48.220 of personal sin. 00:08:48.220 --> 00:08:52.860 to Jesus. 00:08:52.860 --> 00:08:56.379 To look in this man's direction 00:08:56.379 --> 00:08:58.160 presented an opportunity 00:08:58.160 --> 00:08:59.759 for grace. 00:09:01.240 --> 00:09:02.300 His focus 00:09:02.300 --> 00:09:03.860 was on putting 00:09:03.860 --> 00:09:05.160 God's power 00:09:05.160 --> 00:09:06.519 on display. 00:09:07.200 --> 00:09:08.160 First of all, 00:09:08.180 --> 00:09:09.360 for this man's benefit 00:09:09.360 --> 00:09:11.060 and then 00:09:11.060 --> 00:09:12.420 also for ours. 00:09:13.200 --> 00:09:14.360 They wanted to know, 00:09:14.360 --> 00:09:15.840 so how did he get that way? 00:09:17.580 --> 00:09:18.919 And Jesus answered, 00:09:19.580 --> 00:09:20.620 what can we do for him? 00:09:22.639 --> 00:09:23.899 That brings us to 00:09:23.899 --> 00:09:24.720 what I said was 00:09:24.720 --> 00:09:25.379 one of the things 00:09:25.379 --> 00:09:26.519 I wanted you to take away. 00:09:28.100 --> 00:09:28.919 And that is 00:09:28.919 --> 00:09:30.759 because this same question 00:09:30.759 --> 00:09:32.360 so infiltrates 00:09:33.159 --> 00:09:34.120 our day, 00:09:34.639 --> 00:09:35.860 I think it's important 00:09:35.860 --> 00:09:37.320 for us to understand 00:09:37.320 --> 00:09:39.360 what the biblical connection 00:09:39.360 --> 00:09:41.600 is between sin 00:09:41.600 --> 00:09:42.600 and suffering. 00:09:44.980 --> 00:09:45.300 So, 00:09:45.700 --> 00:09:46.919 I'm going to begin with that 00:09:46.919 --> 00:09:47.800 first of all, 00:09:47.860 --> 00:09:49.240 stating it very simply. 00:09:49.860 --> 00:09:51.039 Suffering in general 00:09:51.039 --> 00:09:52.340 is ultimately 00:09:52.340 --> 00:09:53.560 the result 00:09:53.560 --> 00:09:54.500 of sin 00:09:54.500 --> 00:09:55.519 in general. 00:09:57.720 --> 00:09:59.139 All the way back 00:09:59.139 --> 00:09:59.840 to the garden, 00:10:00.279 --> 00:10:01.700 Genesis chapter 2, 00:10:02.360 --> 00:10:04.039 what was God's instruction 00:10:04.039 --> 00:10:05.720 to Adam and Eve? 00:10:06.340 --> 00:10:07.860 In the day that you 00:10:07.860 --> 00:10:08.920 eat of it, 00:10:08.919 --> 00:10:09.959 that is 00:10:09.959 --> 00:10:11.159 in the day 00:10:11.159 --> 00:10:12.319 that you sin, 00:10:12.959 --> 00:10:13.740 you will die. 00:10:14.719 --> 00:10:15.659 The presence 00:10:15.659 --> 00:10:16.419 of suffering, 00:10:16.559 --> 00:10:17.099 the presence 00:10:17.099 --> 00:10:17.719 of pain, 00:10:17.839 --> 00:10:18.219 the presence 00:10:18.219 --> 00:10:18.959 of disease, 00:10:19.360 --> 00:10:19.879 the presence 00:10:19.879 --> 00:10:21.779 of all bad things 00:10:21.779 --> 00:10:24.419 is the direct result 00:10:24.419 --> 00:10:25.419 of mankind's 00:10:26.339 --> 00:10:26.419 sin. 00:10:29.860 --> 00:10:30.759 Not only 00:10:30.759 --> 00:10:31.899 the first man, 00:10:33.219 --> 00:10:34.179 but every 00:10:34.179 --> 00:10:35.679 subsequent man 00:10:35.679 --> 00:10:36.779 after that 00:10:36.779 --> 00:10:37.719 with, of course, 00:10:37.720 --> 00:10:38.180 the exception 00:10:38.180 --> 00:10:39.100 of Jesus Christ. 00:10:40.600 --> 00:10:41.100 So, 00:10:41.160 --> 00:10:42.120 it is true 00:10:42.120 --> 00:10:42.720 that there is 00:10:42.720 --> 00:10:43.420 a general 00:10:43.420 --> 00:10:44.160 connection 00:10:44.160 --> 00:10:45.259 between 00:10:45.259 --> 00:10:46.320 sin 00:10:46.320 --> 00:10:47.200 and 00:10:47.200 --> 00:10:47.860 suffering. 00:10:50.759 --> 00:10:51.560 It's also 00:10:51.560 --> 00:10:52.060 true 00:10:52.060 --> 00:10:53.240 that 00:10:53.240 --> 00:10:54.360 sometimes 00:10:54.360 --> 00:10:55.960 there is 00:10:55.960 --> 00:10:56.759 a specific 00:10:56.759 --> 00:10:57.540 connection 00:10:57.540 --> 00:10:58.800 between 00:10:58.800 --> 00:10:59.940 an illness 00:10:59.940 --> 00:11:01.080 and sin. 00:11:01.580 --> 00:11:02.420 I'm going to give you 00:11:02.420 --> 00:11:03.139 a few biblical 00:11:03.139 --> 00:11:03.879 examples. 00:11:03.879 --> 00:11:06.039 first one I'll give 00:11:06.039 --> 00:11:06.340 you is 00:11:06.340 --> 00:11:06.860 Miriam. 00:11:07.860 --> 00:11:09.179 Miriam is 00:11:09.179 --> 00:11:10.019 Moses' 00:11:10.519 --> 00:11:11.759 big sister. 00:11:13.759 --> 00:11:14.000 All right? 00:11:14.720 --> 00:11:16.360 And Miriam 00:11:16.360 --> 00:11:17.439 gets a little 00:11:17.439 --> 00:11:18.720 bit tired 00:11:18.720 --> 00:11:20.539 of her little 00:11:20.539 --> 00:11:21.139 brother 00:11:21.139 --> 00:11:22.419 being in charge, 00:11:23.240 --> 00:11:23.899 making all 00:11:23.899 --> 00:11:24.480 the rules. 00:11:25.000 --> 00:11:25.759 He thinks he's 00:11:25.759 --> 00:11:26.340 the only one 00:11:26.340 --> 00:11:26.740 that walks 00:11:26.740 --> 00:11:27.200 with God. 00:11:27.340 --> 00:11:28.000 Not that any 00:11:28.000 --> 00:11:28.659 children would 00:11:28.659 --> 00:11:29.159 ever think 00:11:29.159 --> 00:11:29.519 that. 00:11:32.339 --> 00:11:33.100 And so, 00:11:33.219 --> 00:11:33.959 she says, 00:11:34.399 --> 00:11:35.219 so what do 00:11:35.219 --> 00:11:35.679 you think? 00:11:35.719 --> 00:11:36.059 You're the 00:11:36.059 --> 00:11:36.519 only one 00:11:36.519 --> 00:11:36.879 that knows 00:11:36.879 --> 00:11:37.259 God? 00:11:39.039 --> 00:11:39.519 And 00:11:39.519 --> 00:11:40.519 instantly, 00:11:41.519 --> 00:11:42.480 she gets 00:11:42.480 --> 00:11:42.980 leprosy. 00:11:45.120 --> 00:11:45.600 Instantly. 00:11:48.179 --> 00:11:48.659 Earlier, 00:11:48.899 --> 00:11:49.279 in the book 00:11:49.279 --> 00:11:49.839 of John, 00:11:49.980 --> 00:11:50.399 one of the 00:11:50.399 --> 00:11:52.459 other miracles 00:11:52.459 --> 00:11:53.519 that's displayed 00:11:53.519 --> 00:11:54.779 is the man 00:11:54.779 --> 00:11:55.259 who was 00:11:55.259 --> 00:11:55.879 lame 00:11:55.879 --> 00:11:56.720 by the 00:11:56.720 --> 00:11:57.199 pool of 00:11:57.199 --> 00:11:57.720 Bethsaida. 00:11:58.759 --> 00:11:59.439 And remember, 00:11:59.600 --> 00:12:00.159 Jesus said, 00:12:00.240 --> 00:12:00.620 do you want 00:12:00.620 --> 00:12:01.179 to be healed? 00:12:01.240 --> 00:12:01.539 And he said, 00:12:01.600 --> 00:12:01.720 well, 00:12:01.759 --> 00:12:02.259 I'd like to, 00:12:02.319 --> 00:12:02.600 but there's 00:12:02.600 --> 00:12:03.100 nobody to 00:12:03.100 --> 00:12:03.480 get me in 00:12:03.480 --> 00:12:03.919 the water. 00:12:04.480 --> 00:12:05.259 We are not 00:12:05.259 --> 00:12:05.879 told that 00:12:05.879 --> 00:12:06.419 that man 00:12:06.419 --> 00:12:07.279 was born 00:12:07.279 --> 00:12:07.939 lame. 00:12:09.319 --> 00:12:10.340 I don't 00:12:10.340 --> 00:12:11.460 know if 00:12:11.460 --> 00:12:11.879 he did 00:12:11.879 --> 00:12:12.799 something that 00:12:12.799 --> 00:12:13.899 caused his 00:12:13.899 --> 00:12:14.679 lameness or 00:12:14.679 --> 00:12:15.019 not. 00:12:15.799 --> 00:12:16.759 I do know 00:12:16.759 --> 00:12:17.240 this, 00:12:17.840 --> 00:12:18.639 that after 00:12:18.639 --> 00:12:19.559 Jesus healed 00:12:19.559 --> 00:12:19.960 him, 00:12:20.500 --> 00:12:21.460 Jesus said, 00:12:22.059 --> 00:12:22.500 now, 00:12:22.500 --> 00:12:23.259 you've been 00:12:23.259 --> 00:12:23.620 healed. 00:12:24.559 --> 00:12:24.940 Go, 00:12:25.360 --> 00:12:26.039 don't sin 00:12:26.039 --> 00:12:26.620 anymore, 00:12:27.220 --> 00:12:28.399 because something 00:12:28.399 --> 00:12:28.899 worse might 00:12:28.899 --> 00:12:29.200 happen. 00:12:32.200 --> 00:12:33.379 Number three, 00:12:34.519 --> 00:12:35.399 in the passage 00:12:35.399 --> 00:12:36.259 we use, 00:12:36.500 --> 00:12:37.440 every time we 00:12:37.440 --> 00:12:38.320 do communion, 00:12:39.919 --> 00:12:40.840 we see, 00:12:41.600 --> 00:12:42.539 in 1 Corinthians 00:12:42.539 --> 00:12:43.360 chapter 11, 00:12:43.659 --> 00:12:44.659 we see Paul 00:12:44.659 --> 00:12:45.539 writing to them 00:12:45.539 --> 00:12:46.399 and him saying, 00:12:46.799 --> 00:12:47.340 you guys have 00:12:47.340 --> 00:12:48.059 got it all 00:12:48.059 --> 00:12:48.519 wrong, 00:12:48.740 --> 00:12:49.179 you're doing 00:12:49.179 --> 00:12:50.059 this really 00:12:50.059 --> 00:12:50.899 incorrectly, 00:12:51.620 --> 00:12:52.240 and the 00:12:52.240 --> 00:12:53.200 result of 00:12:53.200 --> 00:12:53.919 your sin 00:12:53.919 --> 00:12:54.560 is that 00:12:54.560 --> 00:12:54.960 there's a 00:12:54.960 --> 00:12:55.360 lot of 00:12:55.360 --> 00:12:56.060 you sick 00:12:56.060 --> 00:12:56.799 and some 00:12:56.799 --> 00:12:57.060 of you 00:12:57.060 --> 00:12:57.379 have even 00:12:57.379 --> 00:12:57.680 died. 00:13:03.500 --> 00:13:04.019 Finally, 00:13:04.360 --> 00:13:04.600 biblical 00:13:04.600 --> 00:13:05.259 examples, 00:13:05.700 --> 00:13:06.360 Ananias and 00:13:06.360 --> 00:13:06.820 Sapphira. 00:13:08.580 --> 00:13:09.899 They simply 00:13:09.899 --> 00:13:11.100 told the 00:13:11.100 --> 00:13:12.259 wrong amount 00:13:12.259 --> 00:13:13.139 that they 00:13:13.139 --> 00:13:13.539 sold their 00:13:13.539 --> 00:13:14.180 property for. 00:13:16.259 --> 00:13:16.759 Now, 00:13:17.360 --> 00:13:17.960 it seems 00:13:17.960 --> 00:13:18.580 that they did 00:13:18.580 --> 00:13:19.639 that so that 00:13:19.639 --> 00:13:20.180 they could get 00:13:20.179 --> 00:13:20.959 the acclaim 00:13:20.959 --> 00:13:21.559 of men 00:13:21.559 --> 00:13:22.959 in the 00:13:22.959 --> 00:13:23.339 house of 00:13:23.339 --> 00:13:23.579 God. 00:13:24.539 --> 00:13:25.299 But the 00:13:25.299 --> 00:13:25.739 result, 00:13:26.919 --> 00:13:27.519 both of 00:13:27.519 --> 00:13:27.859 them died. 00:13:29.899 --> 00:13:30.679 Those are 00:13:30.679 --> 00:13:31.159 biggies. 00:13:32.019 --> 00:13:32.739 Let's take a 00:13:32.739 --> 00:13:33.299 smaller, 00:13:33.519 --> 00:13:34.179 easier to 00:13:34.179 --> 00:13:34.559 connect 00:13:34.559 --> 00:13:35.139 example. 00:13:35.719 --> 00:13:36.500 Let's say 00:13:36.500 --> 00:13:37.839 that I have 00:13:37.839 --> 00:13:38.599 a tremendous 00:13:38.599 --> 00:13:39.879 anger problem. 00:13:40.659 --> 00:13:41.519 I just get 00:13:41.519 --> 00:13:42.519 overwhelmingly 00:13:42.519 --> 00:13:43.399 mad. 00:13:44.500 --> 00:13:44.919 And so, 00:13:45.259 --> 00:13:46.019 I get, 00:13:46.559 --> 00:13:47.099 for some 00:13:47.099 --> 00:13:47.500 reason, 00:13:47.500 --> 00:13:47.919 something 00:13:47.919 --> 00:13:48.440 happens, 00:13:48.600 --> 00:13:48.799 and I 00:13:48.799 --> 00:13:49.379 just become 00:13:49.379 --> 00:13:50.500 overwhelmingly 00:13:50.500 --> 00:13:51.559 angry. 00:13:52.000 --> 00:13:52.360 And I 00:13:52.360 --> 00:13:53.059 run back 00:13:53.059 --> 00:13:53.399 there to 00:13:53.399 --> 00:13:53.919 that brick 00:13:53.919 --> 00:13:54.279 wall, 00:13:54.580 --> 00:13:54.919 and I 00:13:54.919 --> 00:13:55.399 just start 00:13:55.399 --> 00:13:56.059 pounding it 00:13:56.059 --> 00:13:56.419 with my 00:13:56.419 --> 00:13:56.820 fist. 00:13:58.600 --> 00:13:59.320 What will 00:13:59.320 --> 00:13:59.679 happen? 00:14:01.200 --> 00:14:01.919 I will 00:14:01.919 --> 00:14:02.320 get at 00:14:02.320 --> 00:14:02.759 least a 00:14:02.759 --> 00:14:03.039 bloody 00:14:03.039 --> 00:14:03.500 fist, 00:14:03.600 --> 00:14:04.019 maybe a 00:14:04.019 --> 00:14:04.299 broken 00:14:04.299 --> 00:14:04.740 fist. 00:14:06.259 --> 00:14:07.179 Is that 00:14:07.179 --> 00:14:07.960 the direct 00:14:07.960 --> 00:14:08.559 result, 00:14:08.840 --> 00:14:09.139 direct 00:14:09.139 --> 00:14:09.840 consequence 00:14:09.840 --> 00:14:10.480 of my 00:14:10.480 --> 00:14:10.840 sin? 00:14:11.840 --> 00:14:12.279 Yes, 00:14:12.980 --> 00:14:13.500 it is. 00:14:13.500 --> 00:14:17.059 So, 00:14:17.179 --> 00:14:18.000 there is, 00:14:18.200 --> 00:14:19.320 in general, 00:14:19.679 --> 00:14:20.299 a connection, 00:14:20.539 --> 00:14:21.440 sometimes even 00:14:21.440 --> 00:14:22.179 a specific 00:14:22.179 --> 00:14:23.120 connection. 00:14:25.039 --> 00:14:25.600 In 00:14:25.600 --> 00:14:26.080 addition, 00:14:26.559 --> 00:14:27.379 third thing, 00:14:27.799 --> 00:14:28.440 sometimes, 00:14:28.580 --> 00:14:29.019 there are 00:14:29.019 --> 00:14:30.059 several passages 00:14:30.059 --> 00:14:30.740 in the Old 00:14:30.740 --> 00:14:31.179 Testament, 00:14:31.519 --> 00:14:31.879 especially, 00:14:32.320 --> 00:14:32.840 some in the 00:14:32.840 --> 00:14:33.000 New, 00:14:33.100 --> 00:14:33.779 but mostly in 00:14:33.779 --> 00:14:34.080 the Old 00:14:34.080 --> 00:14:34.419 Testament, 00:14:34.419 --> 00:14:35.759 that suggest 00:14:35.759 --> 00:14:36.879 that an 00:14:36.879 --> 00:14:37.600 individual 00:14:37.600 --> 00:14:38.820 receives 00:14:38.820 --> 00:14:39.600 punishment 00:14:39.600 --> 00:14:40.700 for the 00:14:40.700 --> 00:14:41.220 sins of 00:14:41.220 --> 00:14:42.039 their parents. 00:14:42.039 --> 00:14:42.120 text. 00:14:43.019 --> 00:14:43.939 Perhaps you've 00:14:43.939 --> 00:14:44.259 seen, 00:14:44.480 --> 00:14:44.939 read one of 00:14:44.939 --> 00:14:45.459 those texts. 00:14:45.779 --> 00:14:46.399 Perhaps you've 00:14:46.399 --> 00:14:47.079 even struggled 00:14:47.079 --> 00:14:47.439 with it. 00:14:47.500 --> 00:14:48.000 How can 00:14:48.000 --> 00:14:48.659 this be? 00:14:49.039 --> 00:14:49.639 That's not 00:14:49.639 --> 00:14:50.059 the God 00:14:50.059 --> 00:14:50.639 that the 00:14:50.639 --> 00:14:51.019 rest of 00:14:51.019 --> 00:14:51.379 the Bible 00:14:51.379 --> 00:14:52.059 talks about. 00:14:54.419 --> 00:14:55.099 We want 00:14:55.099 --> 00:14:55.500 to look at 00:14:55.500 --> 00:14:55.759 one of 00:14:55.759 --> 00:14:56.059 those, 00:14:56.799 --> 00:14:57.360 and then 00:14:57.360 --> 00:14:58.019 just think 00:14:58.019 --> 00:14:59.059 about why 00:14:59.059 --> 00:14:59.699 is it that 00:14:59.699 --> 00:15:00.120 it says 00:15:00.120 --> 00:15:00.360 that? 00:15:00.539 --> 00:15:01.139 Turn with 00:15:01.139 --> 00:15:01.539 me back 00:15:01.539 --> 00:15:02.139 to Exodus 00:15:02.139 --> 00:15:03.079 chapter 20. 00:15:07.079 --> 00:15:07.599 Little 00:15:07.599 --> 00:15:08.319 hint, 00:15:08.699 --> 00:15:09.019 if I'm 00:15:09.019 --> 00:15:09.439 going to 00:15:09.439 --> 00:15:09.839 Exodus 00:15:09.839 --> 00:15:10.839 chapter 20, 00:15:10.919 --> 00:15:11.259 what am I 00:15:11.259 --> 00:15:11.480 going to 00:15:11.480 --> 00:15:11.879 look at? 00:15:12.919 --> 00:15:13.360 Ten 00:15:13.360 --> 00:15:13.899 commandments, 00:15:14.059 --> 00:15:14.679 very good. 00:15:15.199 --> 00:15:15.799 It's one 00:15:15.799 --> 00:15:16.099 of those 00:15:16.099 --> 00:15:16.659 passages 00:15:16.659 --> 00:15:16.959 that ought 00:15:16.959 --> 00:15:17.240 to just 00:15:17.240 --> 00:15:18.659 be right 00:15:18.659 --> 00:15:19.000 on the 00:15:19.000 --> 00:15:19.339 tip of 00:15:19.339 --> 00:15:20.379 your tongue. 00:15:20.459 --> 00:15:20.659 If I'm 00:15:20.659 --> 00:15:21.000 going to 00:15:21.000 --> 00:15:21.159 Exodus 00:15:21.159 --> 00:15:21.539 20, 00:15:21.719 --> 00:15:22.079 it's 00:15:22.079 --> 00:15:22.379 something 00:15:22.379 --> 00:15:22.799 to do 00:15:22.799 --> 00:15:23.159 with the 00:15:23.159 --> 00:15:23.339 Ten 00:15:23.339 --> 00:15:23.839 Commandments, 00:15:23.899 --> 00:15:24.179 with the 00:15:24.179 --> 00:15:24.519 law. 00:15:25.959 --> 00:15:26.399 Exodus 00:15:26.399 --> 00:15:27.519 chapter 20 00:15:27.519 --> 00:15:28.819 and verse 00:15:28.819 --> 00:15:29.399 5. 00:15:35.819 --> 00:15:36.259 You 00:15:36.259 --> 00:15:36.719 shall not 00:15:36.719 --> 00:15:37.319 bow down 00:15:37.319 --> 00:15:37.839 to them 00:15:37.839 --> 00:15:38.419 or serve 00:15:38.419 --> 00:15:38.799 them, 00:15:39.159 --> 00:15:39.719 for I, 00:15:39.819 --> 00:15:40.240 the Lord 00:15:40.240 --> 00:15:40.759 your God, 00:15:40.799 --> 00:15:41.059 am a 00:15:41.059 --> 00:15:41.360 jealous 00:15:41.360 --> 00:15:41.840 God, 00:15:42.480 --> 00:15:43.139 visiting the 00:15:43.139 --> 00:15:43.820 iniquity of 00:15:43.820 --> 00:15:44.379 the fathers 00:15:44.379 --> 00:15:44.759 on the 00:15:44.759 --> 00:15:45.379 children to 00:15:45.379 --> 00:15:45.879 the third 00:15:45.879 --> 00:15:46.379 and fourth 00:15:46.379 --> 00:15:47.740 generation of 00:15:47.740 --> 00:15:48.240 those who 00:15:48.240 --> 00:15:48.820 hate me. 00:15:50.379 --> 00:15:50.940 Wow, 00:15:51.039 --> 00:15:51.639 that sounds 00:15:51.639 --> 00:15:52.419 like God 00:15:52.419 --> 00:15:53.379 punishes 00:15:53.379 --> 00:15:54.680 people to 00:15:54.680 --> 00:15:55.279 the third 00:15:55.279 --> 00:15:55.860 and fourth 00:15:55.860 --> 00:15:56.639 generation 00:15:56.639 --> 00:15:57.919 for a 00:15:57.919 --> 00:15:58.440 person's 00:15:58.440 --> 00:15:58.700 sin. 00:16:00.360 --> 00:16:00.879 Let me 00:16:00.879 --> 00:16:01.440 make three 00:16:01.440 --> 00:16:02.139 points about 00:16:02.139 --> 00:16:02.580 that to 00:16:02.580 --> 00:16:02.820 help, 00:16:03.879 --> 00:16:04.700 about this 00:16:04.700 --> 00:16:05.399 and texts 00:16:05.399 --> 00:16:06.120 like it in 00:16:06.120 --> 00:16:06.420 the Old 00:16:06.420 --> 00:16:06.779 Testament. 00:16:06.779 --> 00:16:08.639 first, 00:16:08.740 --> 00:16:09.039 it is 00:16:09.039 --> 00:16:09.559 true 00:16:09.559 --> 00:16:11.120 that when 00:16:11.120 --> 00:16:12.199 Israel went 00:16:12.199 --> 00:16:13.079 into captivity 00:16:13.079 --> 00:16:13.839 in Babylon, 00:16:14.399 --> 00:16:14.740 did the 00:16:14.740 --> 00:16:15.459 children have 00:16:15.459 --> 00:16:15.839 to go 00:16:15.839 --> 00:16:16.299 also? 00:16:17.299 --> 00:16:17.600 Yes, 00:16:18.559 --> 00:16:18.939 they did. 00:16:19.939 --> 00:16:20.740 So were 00:16:20.740 --> 00:16:21.720 they impacted? 00:16:22.339 --> 00:16:22.679 Yes, 00:16:22.779 --> 00:16:23.299 they were. 00:16:24.679 --> 00:16:25.399 And in the 00:16:25.399 --> 00:16:26.120 same way 00:16:26.120 --> 00:16:26.879 today, 00:16:27.559 --> 00:16:28.939 if dad 00:16:28.939 --> 00:16:29.959 or mom 00:16:29.959 --> 00:16:31.179 is the 00:16:31.179 --> 00:16:31.899 primary 00:16:31.899 --> 00:16:32.699 breadwinner 00:16:32.700 --> 00:16:34.360 and they 00:16:34.360 --> 00:16:35.660 are not 00:16:35.660 --> 00:16:36.840 working hard 00:16:36.840 --> 00:16:38.540 and they 00:16:38.540 --> 00:16:39.360 lose their 00:16:39.360 --> 00:16:40.000 job, 00:16:41.460 --> 00:16:42.040 will the 00:16:42.040 --> 00:16:42.340 children 00:16:42.340 --> 00:16:42.840 suffer? 00:16:43.840 --> 00:16:44.460 The answer 00:16:44.460 --> 00:16:45.220 is yes. 00:16:46.580 --> 00:16:47.160 Yes, 00:16:47.540 --> 00:16:48.060 they do. 00:16:50.060 --> 00:16:51.180 It's also 00:16:51.180 --> 00:16:51.720 true 00:16:51.720 --> 00:16:53.420 that when 00:16:53.420 --> 00:16:53.960 the people 00:16:53.960 --> 00:16:54.600 went into 00:16:54.600 --> 00:16:55.660 captivity in 00:16:55.660 --> 00:16:56.720 Babylon and 00:16:56.720 --> 00:16:57.500 the children 00:16:57.500 --> 00:16:58.780 turned back 00:16:58.780 --> 00:16:59.400 to God, 00:16:59.500 --> 00:16:59.780 what did 00:16:59.780 --> 00:17:00.200 he do? 00:17:00.680 --> 00:17:01.259 He had 00:17:01.259 --> 00:17:01.840 brought them 00:17:01.840 --> 00:17:02.620 right back 00:17:02.620 --> 00:17:03.000 out and 00:17:03.000 --> 00:17:03.340 put them 00:17:03.340 --> 00:17:04.000 right back 00:17:04.000 --> 00:17:04.420 into the 00:17:04.420 --> 00:17:05.319 land of 00:17:05.319 --> 00:17:06.000 plenty that 00:17:06.000 --> 00:17:06.240 he had 00:17:06.240 --> 00:17:06.700 given to 00:17:06.700 --> 00:17:06.880 their 00:17:06.880 --> 00:17:07.480 forefathers. 00:17:11.319 --> 00:17:11.960 Second 00:17:11.960 --> 00:17:12.480 thing I'd 00:17:12.480 --> 00:17:12.819 like you 00:17:12.819 --> 00:17:13.660 to think 00:17:13.660 --> 00:17:14.220 about there 00:17:14.220 --> 00:17:17.019 is that 00:17:17.019 --> 00:17:17.920 Old Testament 00:17:17.920 --> 00:17:19.059 passages must 00:17:19.059 --> 00:17:19.980 often be 00:17:19.980 --> 00:17:21.119 understood in 00:17:21.119 --> 00:17:22.440 a societal 00:17:22.440 --> 00:17:23.700 or national 00:17:23.700 --> 00:17:24.680 sense. 00:17:25.960 --> 00:17:26.500 In other 00:17:26.500 --> 00:17:26.720 words, 00:17:26.799 --> 00:17:27.440 it's what one 00:17:27.440 --> 00:17:28.779 generation teaches 00:17:28.779 --> 00:17:30.079 to the next. 00:17:30.599 --> 00:17:31.000 MacArthur 00:17:31.000 --> 00:17:31.740 says it this 00:17:31.740 --> 00:17:32.000 way, 00:17:32.000 --> 00:17:32.900 the point 00:17:32.900 --> 00:17:33.380 is that 00:17:33.380 --> 00:17:34.140 the corrupting 00:17:34.140 --> 00:17:35.039 effect of 00:17:35.039 --> 00:17:35.460 a wicked 00:17:35.460 --> 00:17:36.400 generation 00:17:36.400 --> 00:17:37.900 seeps into 00:17:37.900 --> 00:17:38.579 subsequent 00:17:38.579 --> 00:17:39.359 generations. 00:17:40.920 --> 00:17:41.779 I would 00:17:41.779 --> 00:17:42.160 say it a 00:17:42.160 --> 00:17:42.680 little differently 00:17:42.680 --> 00:17:43.160 than that. 00:17:44.099 --> 00:17:44.799 I would 00:17:44.799 --> 00:17:46.460 say every 00:17:46.460 --> 00:17:47.059 once in a 00:17:47.059 --> 00:17:47.339 while, 00:17:47.519 --> 00:17:47.940 not very 00:17:47.940 --> 00:17:48.299 often, 00:17:48.680 --> 00:17:49.079 but every 00:17:49.079 --> 00:17:49.559 once in a 00:17:49.559 --> 00:17:49.819 while, 00:17:50.380 --> 00:17:51.880 I see 00:17:51.880 --> 00:17:52.339 some of 00:17:52.339 --> 00:17:53.039 my old 00:17:53.039 --> 00:17:53.700 nature, 00:17:54.700 --> 00:17:55.920 not just 00:17:55.920 --> 00:17:56.400 in me, 00:17:56.400 --> 00:17:58.200 in my 00:17:58.200 --> 00:17:58.560 children, 00:17:58.560 --> 00:18:00.680 and now, 00:18:01.300 --> 00:18:02.700 only once 00:18:02.700 --> 00:18:02.920 in a 00:18:02.920 --> 00:18:03.240 while, 00:18:04.040 --> 00:18:04.420 in my 00:18:04.420 --> 00:18:04.860 grandchildren. 00:18:06.019 --> 00:18:07.000 The same 00:18:07.000 --> 00:18:07.980 things that I 00:18:07.980 --> 00:18:08.900 struggled with, 00:18:09.740 --> 00:18:10.220 the same 00:18:10.220 --> 00:18:10.560 sense, 00:18:10.700 --> 00:18:11.340 it must be 00:18:11.340 --> 00:18:11.759 genetic. 00:18:13.680 --> 00:18:14.640 Whatever it 00:18:14.640 --> 00:18:15.120 is, 00:18:16.259 --> 00:18:17.000 I think that's 00:18:17.000 --> 00:18:17.740 also the thing 00:18:17.740 --> 00:18:18.380 that is 00:18:18.380 --> 00:18:19.160 speaking of 00:18:19.160 --> 00:18:19.380 here. 00:18:19.380 --> 00:18:21.700 third, 00:18:22.100 --> 00:18:23.220 this idea 00:18:23.220 --> 00:18:23.880 must be 00:18:23.880 --> 00:18:24.760 balanced by 00:18:24.760 --> 00:18:26.120 many passages, 00:18:26.340 --> 00:18:26.780 I'm only 00:18:26.780 --> 00:18:27.240 going to name 00:18:27.240 --> 00:18:27.880 three of them 00:18:27.880 --> 00:18:28.300 for you, 00:18:28.640 --> 00:18:30.080 Deuteronomy 24 00:18:30.080 --> 00:18:31.040 verse 16, 00:18:31.640 --> 00:18:32.540 Jeremiah chapter 00:18:32.540 --> 00:18:34.040 31 verses 29 00:18:34.040 --> 00:18:34.640 and 30, 00:18:35.020 --> 00:18:35.680 and Ezekiel 00:18:35.680 --> 00:18:36.680 chapter 18 00:18:36.680 --> 00:18:37.380 verse 20, 00:18:37.580 --> 00:18:38.720 all of those, 00:18:38.840 --> 00:18:39.520 and many, 00:18:39.700 --> 00:18:40.300 many others, 00:18:41.960 --> 00:18:43.180 say clearly, 00:18:43.180 --> 00:18:44.320 a person 00:18:44.320 --> 00:18:45.960 suffers only 00:18:45.960 --> 00:18:46.620 for their 00:18:46.620 --> 00:18:47.320 own sins 00:18:47.320 --> 00:18:48.200 and not 00:18:48.200 --> 00:18:48.799 for the 00:18:48.799 --> 00:18:49.560 sins of 00:18:49.560 --> 00:18:50.160 their parents. 00:18:52.259 --> 00:18:52.980 So while 00:18:52.980 --> 00:18:53.580 we simply 00:18:53.580 --> 00:18:54.519 cannot say 00:18:54.519 --> 00:18:55.500 that the 00:18:55.500 --> 00:18:56.240 sin and 00:18:56.240 --> 00:18:56.779 affliction 00:18:56.779 --> 00:18:57.740 are never 00:18:57.740 --> 00:18:58.460 linked, 00:19:00.500 --> 00:19:01.299 once we 00:19:01.299 --> 00:19:02.060 move beyond 00:19:02.060 --> 00:19:02.900 that general 00:19:02.900 --> 00:19:04.080 statement to 00:19:04.080 --> 00:19:04.880 a connection 00:19:04.880 --> 00:19:06.660 between sin 00:19:06.660 --> 00:19:08.000 and individual 00:19:08.000 --> 00:19:08.799 suffering, 00:19:09.080 --> 00:19:09.700 we've gone 00:19:09.700 --> 00:19:10.160 beyond the 00:19:10.160 --> 00:19:10.400 biblical 00:19:10.400 --> 00:19:10.920 evidence. 00:19:12.400 --> 00:19:12.779 And in 00:19:12.779 --> 00:19:13.440 this case, 00:19:13.799 --> 00:19:14.480 the disciples, 00:19:14.680 --> 00:19:15.160 back in 00:19:15.160 --> 00:19:15.960 John chapter 00:19:15.960 --> 00:19:16.359 9, 00:19:17.680 --> 00:19:18.240 in this 00:19:18.240 --> 00:19:18.619 case, 00:19:19.000 --> 00:19:19.680 the disciples 00:19:19.680 --> 00:19:20.899 have claimed 00:19:20.899 --> 00:19:21.899 a very 00:19:21.899 --> 00:19:22.639 direct 00:19:22.639 --> 00:19:23.319 connection 00:19:23.319 --> 00:19:24.220 between 00:19:24.220 --> 00:19:25.119 suffering 00:19:25.119 --> 00:19:25.700 of blindness 00:19:25.700 --> 00:19:26.259 by this 00:19:26.259 --> 00:19:27.200 man and 00:19:27.200 --> 00:19:27.599 some 00:19:27.599 --> 00:19:28.599 specific 00:19:28.599 --> 00:19:29.519 individual 00:19:29.519 --> 00:19:30.079 sin. 00:19:30.420 --> 00:19:31.319 And since, 00:19:31.619 --> 00:19:32.000 in this 00:19:32.000 --> 00:19:32.399 case, 00:19:32.680 --> 00:19:32.980 the man 00:19:32.980 --> 00:19:33.480 was born 00:19:33.480 --> 00:19:34.119 blind, 00:19:34.399 --> 00:19:34.799 what does 00:19:34.799 --> 00:19:35.339 that tell 00:19:35.339 --> 00:19:35.579 you? 00:19:36.359 --> 00:19:37.039 It tells 00:19:37.039 --> 00:19:37.460 you that 00:19:37.460 --> 00:19:38.099 either it 00:19:38.099 --> 00:19:38.500 was his 00:19:38.500 --> 00:19:39.180 parents, 00:19:39.940 --> 00:19:40.599 or he 00:19:40.599 --> 00:19:41.319 must have 00:19:41.319 --> 00:19:42.019 somehow 00:19:42.019 --> 00:19:42.759 sinned 00:19:42.759 --> 00:19:43.259 in the 00:19:43.259 --> 00:19:43.559 womb. 00:19:43.980 --> 00:19:44.400 I don't 00:19:44.400 --> 00:19:44.579 know. 00:19:44.639 --> 00:19:45.000 Maybe he 00:19:45.000 --> 00:19:45.379 kicked his 00:19:45.379 --> 00:19:45.759 mom too 00:19:45.759 --> 00:19:46.119 hard or 00:19:46.119 --> 00:19:46.420 something. 00:19:46.539 --> 00:19:46.819 I don't 00:19:46.819 --> 00:19:47.039 know. 00:19:47.440 --> 00:19:48.859 Something must 00:19:48.859 --> 00:19:49.440 have happened. 00:19:54.960 --> 00:19:55.900 Let me say it 00:19:55.900 --> 00:19:56.299 clearly. 00:19:57.299 --> 00:19:57.779 Here's the 00:19:57.779 --> 00:19:58.039 point. 00:19:59.000 --> 00:19:59.720 There is not 00:19:59.720 --> 00:20:00.660 always a 00:20:00.660 --> 00:20:02.099 direct link 00:20:02.099 --> 00:20:02.819 between 00:20:02.819 --> 00:20:04.379 suffering and 00:20:04.379 --> 00:20:05.139 personal sin. 00:20:05.140 --> 00:20:07.180 I could 00:20:07.180 --> 00:20:07.680 review the 00:20:07.680 --> 00:20:08.060 book of 00:20:08.060 --> 00:20:08.820 Job here, 00:20:09.060 --> 00:20:09.480 but I 00:20:09.480 --> 00:20:09.759 thought it 00:20:09.759 --> 00:20:09.960 would be 00:20:09.960 --> 00:20:10.460 better to 00:20:10.460 --> 00:20:10.880 look at a 00:20:10.880 --> 00:20:11.240 couple of 00:20:11.240 --> 00:20:12.080 other New 00:20:12.080 --> 00:20:12.480 Testament 00:20:12.480 --> 00:20:13.160 passages. 00:20:13.820 --> 00:20:14.060 I'm going 00:20:14.060 --> 00:20:14.640 to have you 00:20:14.640 --> 00:20:15.420 actually turn 00:20:15.420 --> 00:20:15.880 to one of them. 00:20:15.880 --> 00:20:16.160 I wasn't 00:20:16.160 --> 00:20:16.460 going to do 00:20:16.460 --> 00:20:16.840 this, but 00:20:16.840 --> 00:20:17.840 it's all 00:20:17.840 --> 00:20:17.980 right. 00:20:18.440 --> 00:20:19.000 Turn to 00:20:19.000 --> 00:20:19.740 Luke chapter 00:20:19.740 --> 00:20:20.480 13. 00:20:28.000 --> 00:20:28.820 Luke chapter 00:20:28.820 --> 00:20:29.600 13. 00:20:29.599 --> 00:20:34.879 I'm going 00:20:34.879 --> 00:20:35.339 to read to 00:20:35.339 --> 00:20:35.819 you verses 00:20:35.819 --> 00:20:36.500 1 through 00:20:36.500 --> 00:20:37.059 5. 00:20:42.240 --> 00:20:42.939 There were 00:20:42.939 --> 00:20:43.659 some present 00:20:43.659 --> 00:20:44.439 at that very 00:20:44.439 --> 00:20:45.399 time who 00:20:45.399 --> 00:20:46.000 told him 00:20:46.000 --> 00:20:46.459 about the 00:20:46.459 --> 00:20:47.219 Galileans 00:20:47.219 --> 00:20:47.919 whose blood 00:20:47.919 --> 00:20:48.619 Pilate had 00:20:48.619 --> 00:20:49.279 mingled with 00:20:49.279 --> 00:20:50.199 their sacrifices. 00:20:50.879 --> 00:20:51.079 And he 00:20:51.079 --> 00:20:51.799 answered them, 00:20:52.159 --> 00:20:52.740 do you think 00:20:52.740 --> 00:20:53.139 that these 00:20:53.139 --> 00:20:54.079 Galileans were 00:20:54.079 --> 00:20:54.659 worse sinners 00:20:54.659 --> 00:20:55.339 than all other 00:20:55.339 --> 00:20:56.779 Galileans because 00:20:56.779 --> 00:20:57.399 they suffered 00:20:57.399 --> 00:20:58.039 in this way? 00:20:58.039 --> 00:20:59.859 No, I tell 00:20:59.859 --> 00:21:00.599 you, but 00:21:00.599 --> 00:21:01.200 unless you 00:21:01.200 --> 00:21:02.399 repent, you 00:21:02.399 --> 00:21:03.079 will all 00:21:03.079 --> 00:21:04.319 likewise perish. 00:21:05.139 --> 00:21:05.720 Of those 00:21:05.720 --> 00:21:06.799 18 on whom 00:21:06.799 --> 00:21:07.599 the tower in 00:21:07.599 --> 00:21:08.379 Siloam fell 00:21:08.379 --> 00:21:08.859 and killed 00:21:08.859 --> 00:21:09.680 them, do you 00:21:09.680 --> 00:21:10.200 think that they 00:21:10.200 --> 00:21:10.759 were worse 00:21:10.759 --> 00:21:11.779 offenders than 00:21:11.779 --> 00:21:12.420 the others who 00:21:12.420 --> 00:21:12.799 lived in 00:21:12.799 --> 00:21:13.240 Jerusalem? 00:21:14.240 --> 00:21:14.799 No. 00:21:16.799 --> 00:21:18.319 What color 00:21:18.319 --> 00:21:18.839 are those 00:21:18.839 --> 00:21:19.399 words in 00:21:19.399 --> 00:21:19.899 your Bible? 00:21:20.799 --> 00:21:21.420 In mine, 00:21:21.539 --> 00:21:22.019 they're red. 00:21:23.480 --> 00:21:24.059 In other 00:21:24.059 --> 00:21:24.759 words, it's 00:21:24.759 --> 00:21:25.240 the direct 00:21:25.240 --> 00:21:26.039 teaching of 00:21:26.039 --> 00:21:26.460 Christ. 00:21:27.180 --> 00:21:27.720 And the 00:21:27.720 --> 00:21:28.079 direct 00:21:28.079 --> 00:21:28.759 teaching of 00:21:28.759 --> 00:21:30.000 Christ says 00:21:30.000 --> 00:21:30.779 there's not 00:21:30.779 --> 00:21:31.620 always a 00:21:31.620 --> 00:21:32.519 direct link 00:21:32.519 --> 00:21:32.940 between 00:21:32.940 --> 00:21:34.460 suffering and 00:21:34.460 --> 00:21:35.200 personal sin. 00:21:36.779 --> 00:21:37.400 I'll give you 00:21:37.400 --> 00:21:37.900 two other 00:21:37.900 --> 00:21:38.440 examples. 00:21:38.920 --> 00:21:39.220 In Acts 00:21:39.220 --> 00:21:40.299 chapter 28 00:21:40.299 --> 00:21:41.059 verse 4, 00:21:41.700 --> 00:21:42.480 we have at 00:21:42.480 --> 00:21:43.000 the end of 00:21:43.000 --> 00:21:43.500 the book of 00:21:43.500 --> 00:21:44.900 Acts, Paul 00:21:44.900 --> 00:21:45.360 is being 00:21:45.360 --> 00:21:46.460 transported for 00:21:46.460 --> 00:21:47.579 trial back to 00:21:47.579 --> 00:21:47.920 Rome. 00:21:48.900 --> 00:21:49.299 And he 00:21:49.299 --> 00:21:49.779 undergoes 00:21:49.779 --> 00:21:50.259 shipwreck. 00:21:51.480 --> 00:21:52.100 And so he's 00:21:52.100 --> 00:21:53.900 lost in this 00:21:53.900 --> 00:21:55.220 shipwreck, but 00:21:55.220 --> 00:21:56.400 he miraculously, 00:21:56.600 --> 00:21:57.339 by the work of 00:21:57.339 --> 00:21:58.439 God, him and 00:21:58.439 --> 00:21:59.539 everyone on that 00:21:59.539 --> 00:22:00.379 boat is saved. 00:22:02.059 --> 00:22:03.819 So now, he is 00:22:03.819 --> 00:22:04.779 on the island, he's 00:22:04.779 --> 00:22:06.000 collecting sticks to 00:22:06.000 --> 00:22:07.299 start a fire, and 00:22:07.299 --> 00:22:08.079 what happens? 00:22:08.319 --> 00:22:09.839 A snake jumps out, 00:22:10.199 --> 00:22:10.980 bites him on the 00:22:10.980 --> 00:22:11.500 hand, and the 00:22:11.500 --> 00:22:12.319 people standing 00:22:12.319 --> 00:22:14.000 around say, oh, 00:22:14.079 --> 00:22:15.000 boy, he must be a 00:22:15.000 --> 00:22:15.879 really bad sinner. 00:22:16.240 --> 00:22:16.819 I wish we knew 00:22:16.819 --> 00:22:17.439 what he did. 00:22:18.879 --> 00:22:19.879 Because he 00:22:19.879 --> 00:22:21.259 escaped the 00:22:21.259 --> 00:22:23.500 shipwreck, but he 00:22:23.500 --> 00:22:24.659 got bitten by the 00:22:24.660 --> 00:22:25.019 snake. 00:22:26.800 --> 00:22:27.840 And the result? 00:22:28.900 --> 00:22:29.200 Nothing. 00:22:30.360 --> 00:22:31.480 Not only is there 00:22:31.480 --> 00:22:32.380 nothing as a 00:22:32.380 --> 00:22:34.440 result, but every 00:22:34.440 --> 00:22:35.259 one of those 00:22:35.259 --> 00:22:36.000 people that are 00:22:36.000 --> 00:22:36.800 standing around 00:22:36.800 --> 00:22:37.480 begins to think, 00:22:37.759 --> 00:22:38.800 he must be the 00:22:38.800 --> 00:22:39.080 God. 00:22:39.880 --> 00:22:40.880 So they start 00:22:40.880 --> 00:22:41.680 trying to worship 00:22:41.680 --> 00:22:41.940 him. 00:22:42.040 --> 00:22:42.700 Eventually, they 00:22:42.700 --> 00:22:43.380 take him to 00:22:43.380 --> 00:22:45.000 other people in 00:22:45.000 --> 00:22:46.660 the village that 00:22:46.660 --> 00:22:47.660 are sick, so 00:22:47.660 --> 00:22:48.360 that they can just 00:22:48.360 --> 00:22:50.000 look at Paul, and 00:22:50.000 --> 00:22:50.779 maybe Paul will 00:22:50.779 --> 00:22:51.580 pray for them, and 00:22:51.580 --> 00:22:52.320 maybe they'll be 00:22:52.319 --> 00:22:52.960 may well. 00:22:55.539 --> 00:22:56.539 Third, of course, the 00:22:56.539 --> 00:22:57.659 best illustration is 00:22:57.659 --> 00:22:58.539 clearly Jesus. 00:22:59.779 --> 00:23:01.139 Jesus' suffering did 00:23:01.139 --> 00:23:02.139 occur because of 00:23:02.139 --> 00:23:02.559 sin. 00:23:03.119 --> 00:23:03.879 It did not occur 00:23:03.879 --> 00:23:04.799 because of his 00:23:04.799 --> 00:23:05.480 sin. 00:23:07.079 --> 00:23:08.980 There was no sin 00:23:08.980 --> 00:23:10.200 in the life of 00:23:10.200 --> 00:23:10.559 Christ. 00:23:12.740 --> 00:23:14.000 The Bible gives us 00:23:14.000 --> 00:23:15.000 lots of reasons, 00:23:15.139 --> 00:23:16.159 other than sin, 00:23:16.439 --> 00:23:17.279 that God allows 00:23:17.279 --> 00:23:18.200 suffering to come 00:23:18.200 --> 00:23:19.079 into our lives. 00:23:19.079 --> 00:23:21.720 So while Jesus 00:23:21.720 --> 00:23:22.919 did not deny the 00:23:22.919 --> 00:23:24.039 general connection, 00:23:25.000 --> 00:23:26.299 he refuted the 00:23:26.299 --> 00:23:27.539 idea that personal 00:23:27.539 --> 00:23:29.159 acts of sin were 00:23:29.159 --> 00:23:30.859 always the direct 00:23:30.859 --> 00:23:32.259 cause of suffering. 00:23:34.659 --> 00:23:36.139 So on one hand, 00:23:36.919 --> 00:23:37.379 there's the 00:23:37.379 --> 00:23:37.980 overarching 00:23:37.980 --> 00:23:39.460 relationship between 00:23:39.460 --> 00:23:41.240 sin, between the 00:23:41.240 --> 00:23:42.679 reality of sin in 00:23:42.679 --> 00:23:43.519 this world and the 00:23:43.519 --> 00:23:44.539 reality of pain. 00:23:45.720 --> 00:23:46.599 On the other 00:23:46.599 --> 00:23:48.099 hand, we err when 00:23:48.099 --> 00:23:50.000 we reduce that to 00:23:50.000 --> 00:23:51.219 a one-to-one 00:23:51.219 --> 00:23:53.419 relationship in 00:23:53.419 --> 00:23:54.679 individuals' lives. 00:23:55.879 --> 00:23:56.679 So how do we tell 00:23:56.679 --> 00:23:57.059 the difference? 00:23:58.519 --> 00:23:59.759 How do we know 00:23:59.759 --> 00:24:01.279 when it's one and 00:24:01.279 --> 00:24:01.759 when it's the 00:24:01.759 --> 00:24:01.980 other? 00:24:03.659 --> 00:24:04.459 Let me give you 00:24:04.459 --> 00:24:04.939 some guiding 00:24:04.939 --> 00:24:05.439 principles. 00:24:06.919 --> 00:24:08.439 First of all, in 00:24:08.439 --> 00:24:09.399 your own life, 00:24:10.519 --> 00:24:11.740 in your own life, 00:24:12.139 --> 00:24:13.279 remember that what 00:24:13.279 --> 00:24:15.159 God is doing is 00:24:15.159 --> 00:24:16.599 for your good and 00:24:16.599 --> 00:24:17.339 for his glory. 00:24:19.139 --> 00:24:20.259 If what God is 00:24:20.259 --> 00:24:21.000 doing is for your 00:24:21.000 --> 00:24:22.279 good and for his 00:24:22.279 --> 00:24:23.679 glory, then when 00:24:23.679 --> 00:24:25.119 you find yourself in 00:24:25.119 --> 00:24:26.059 the midst of some 00:24:26.059 --> 00:24:27.139 kind of suffering, 00:24:27.699 --> 00:24:28.919 there's two questions 00:24:28.919 --> 00:24:29.619 you can ask 00:24:29.619 --> 00:24:30.079 yourself. 00:24:31.119 --> 00:24:33.099 The first one is, 00:24:33.759 --> 00:24:34.980 has God been 00:24:34.980 --> 00:24:36.480 speaking to me over 00:24:36.480 --> 00:24:37.799 a long period of 00:24:37.799 --> 00:24:39.500 time of a personal 00:24:39.500 --> 00:24:40.740 sin that I've 00:24:40.740 --> 00:24:41.980 refused to deal 00:24:41.980 --> 00:24:42.299 with? 00:24:42.299 --> 00:24:44.299 God used to 00:24:44.299 --> 00:24:46.839 speak to me. 00:24:47.339 --> 00:24:48.440 He's used other 00:24:48.440 --> 00:24:50.159 people to challenge 00:24:50.159 --> 00:24:51.379 me and to help me 00:24:51.379 --> 00:24:52.159 and I haven't 00:24:52.159 --> 00:24:52.940 listened to them. 00:24:53.599 --> 00:24:54.519 He's used the 00:24:54.519 --> 00:24:55.279 teaching of his 00:24:55.279 --> 00:24:56.500 word, whether that's 00:24:56.500 --> 00:24:57.680 through a sermon, 00:24:57.879 --> 00:24:58.460 whether that's through 00:24:58.460 --> 00:24:59.319 our own personal 00:24:59.319 --> 00:25:00.480 devotions, whether 00:25:00.480 --> 00:25:02.220 that's through a 00:25:02.220 --> 00:25:03.379 song that we hear, 00:25:03.539 --> 00:25:04.440 something, a message 00:25:04.440 --> 00:25:05.299 that we hear on the 00:25:05.299 --> 00:25:05.680 radio. 00:25:06.099 --> 00:25:07.079 Has God used some 00:25:07.079 --> 00:25:08.759 direct teaching to 00:25:08.759 --> 00:25:09.700 try to teach me 00:25:09.700 --> 00:25:10.000 that? 00:25:10.000 --> 00:25:14.059 Finally, have I 00:25:14.059 --> 00:25:16.400 already endured some 00:25:16.400 --> 00:25:18.160 smaller consequences, 00:25:19.279 --> 00:25:21.099 some smaller pain and 00:25:21.099 --> 00:25:22.920 suffering that has 00:25:22.920 --> 00:25:24.180 now seemed to just 00:25:24.180 --> 00:25:24.759 continue? 00:25:24.900 --> 00:25:25.640 I've ignored it. 00:25:25.700 --> 00:25:26.500 I knew God was 00:25:26.500 --> 00:25:27.240 talking to me. 00:25:27.319 --> 00:25:28.180 I knew God wanted me 00:25:28.180 --> 00:25:29.539 to change this, but I 00:25:29.539 --> 00:25:31.180 refuse to do it and I'm 00:25:31.180 --> 00:25:32.019 simply not going to 00:25:32.019 --> 00:25:32.279 change. 00:25:37.859 --> 00:25:39.299 Secondly, second 00:25:39.299 --> 00:25:39.819 question. 00:25:40.000 --> 00:25:42.339 Is there a direct 00:25:42.339 --> 00:25:44.000 teachable connection? 00:25:45.099 --> 00:25:46.680 Remember that God 00:25:46.680 --> 00:25:48.940 wants our good and 00:25:48.940 --> 00:25:49.700 his glory. 00:25:50.819 --> 00:25:52.440 So what he wants is 00:25:52.440 --> 00:25:53.720 not our punishment, 00:25:54.099 --> 00:25:55.460 but for us to learn 00:25:55.460 --> 00:25:56.039 the lesson. 00:25:56.359 --> 00:25:57.339 Let's go back to the 00:25:57.339 --> 00:25:58.859 example that I gave 00:25:58.859 --> 00:26:00.319 earlier about personal 00:26:00.319 --> 00:26:01.920 sin and its direct 00:26:01.920 --> 00:26:03.660 outcome of pain and 00:26:03.660 --> 00:26:04.039 suffering. 00:26:04.339 --> 00:26:06.339 If I have a huge 00:26:06.339 --> 00:26:07.960 anger problem and I 00:26:07.960 --> 00:26:09.259 run to the back of the 00:26:09.259 --> 00:26:10.160 church and I start 00:26:10.160 --> 00:26:11.119 beating it with my 00:26:11.119 --> 00:26:12.779 fist, that brick wall, 00:26:13.279 --> 00:26:16.900 I will first notice 00:26:16.900 --> 00:26:18.660 that my hand starts to 00:26:18.660 --> 00:26:20.839 bleed, perhaps starts to 00:26:20.839 --> 00:26:21.240 hurt. 00:26:21.740 --> 00:26:22.539 Little things. 00:26:22.539 --> 00:26:24.640 You might try to stop me. 00:26:24.779 --> 00:26:25.680 What are you doing, you 00:26:25.680 --> 00:26:25.879 idiot? 00:26:26.640 --> 00:26:28.640 You might try to hold me 00:26:28.640 --> 00:26:29.119 back. 00:26:29.119 --> 00:26:29.519 Okay? 00:26:29.519 --> 00:26:31.559 So I've got other people I'm 00:26:31.559 --> 00:26:32.000 ignoring. 00:26:32.459 --> 00:26:34.319 I've got the small issue, 00:26:34.639 --> 00:26:36.500 the small consequence of my 00:26:36.500 --> 00:26:37.179 blood. 00:26:37.659 --> 00:26:41.039 If I continue to do it, I can 00:26:41.039 --> 00:26:43.539 expect my hand to be more 00:26:43.539 --> 00:26:44.099 mangled. 00:26:45.379 --> 00:26:45.419 Right? 00:26:46.579 --> 00:26:48.399 There's the little steps that 00:26:48.399 --> 00:26:49.799 God takes in our life. 00:26:49.799 --> 00:26:52.740 First, he does not, if I run 00:26:52.740 --> 00:26:54.180 back there, hit the wall with 00:26:54.180 --> 00:26:55.599 my fist, he does not give me 00:26:55.599 --> 00:26:56.180 brain cancer. 00:26:57.940 --> 00:26:59.139 So I'm sitting there thinking, 00:26:59.299 --> 00:27:00.379 hmm, I wonder why I have 00:27:00.379 --> 00:27:01.019 brain cancer. 00:27:01.460 --> 00:27:02.680 Maybe it's because of my 00:27:02.680 --> 00:27:03.419 anger problem. 00:27:05.419 --> 00:27:08.019 God wants to teach us and so 00:27:08.019 --> 00:27:10.299 he uses things that we can 00:27:10.299 --> 00:27:12.680 make the direct connection on. 00:27:12.680 --> 00:27:16.460 If the answer to those two 00:27:16.460 --> 00:27:20.660 questions is yes, then I need 00:27:20.660 --> 00:27:21.140 to pray. 00:27:22.940 --> 00:27:24.279 And I need to do. 00:27:25.299 --> 00:27:27.519 I need to work to walk closer 00:27:27.519 --> 00:27:29.519 to Christ to say, I give, I'm 00:27:29.519 --> 00:27:31.039 not going to continue in this. 00:27:32.380 --> 00:27:36.299 If the answer is no, then don't 00:27:36.299 --> 00:27:37.880 obsess over the lesson. 00:27:38.000 --> 00:27:39.700 I hear people all the time, well, 00:27:39.759 --> 00:27:40.920 I'm going through this terrible 00:27:40.920 --> 00:27:42.500 trial and I just hope God teaches 00:27:42.500 --> 00:27:43.779 me the lesson quickly. 00:27:46.180 --> 00:27:47.579 Maybe God just wants you to 00:27:47.579 --> 00:27:50.059 glorify him even in the midst 00:27:50.059 --> 00:27:50.619 of suffering. 00:27:52.819 --> 00:27:54.099 And he's not going to take it 00:27:54.099 --> 00:27:54.339 away. 00:27:57.700 --> 00:27:59.500 Jesus said here that the works 00:27:59.500 --> 00:28:02.619 of God might be displayed in 00:28:02.619 --> 00:28:02.920 him. 00:28:04.140 --> 00:28:05.259 That's in my own life. 00:28:07.140 --> 00:28:08.539 What about in the lives of 00:28:08.539 --> 00:28:08.920 others? 00:28:10.480 --> 00:28:12.059 I see someone going through 00:28:12.059 --> 00:28:13.519 tremendous pain and suffering. 00:28:13.879 --> 00:28:15.000 What do I say to them? 00:28:19.379 --> 00:28:23.299 I do not know if their 00:28:23.299 --> 00:28:26.159 suffering is a consequence of a 00:28:26.159 --> 00:28:27.379 sin or not. 00:28:30.259 --> 00:28:31.359 I don't know that. 00:28:32.740 --> 00:28:34.000 So I don't ask them. 00:28:34.000 --> 00:28:36.579 I don't suggest it. 00:28:38.819 --> 00:28:40.660 Rather, I work to have the mercy 00:28:40.660 --> 00:28:43.680 of Christ rather than the 00:28:43.680 --> 00:28:45.539 judgmental curiosity of the 00:28:45.539 --> 00:28:45.980 disciples. 00:28:49.119 --> 00:28:51.039 It may give me opportunity for 00:28:51.039 --> 00:28:52.299 testimony to the person. 00:28:53.279 --> 00:28:54.920 It may be the opportunity to just 00:28:54.920 --> 00:28:57.619 point them to the goodness and 00:28:57.619 --> 00:28:59.279 grace and mercy of Christ. 00:28:59.279 --> 00:29:00.279 God's sake. 00:29:00.279 --> 00:29:06.559 What about the man in this story? 00:29:08.099 --> 00:29:10.099 Did God cause his blindness of 00:29:10.099 --> 00:29:12.779 this man for his whole life just 00:29:12.779 --> 00:29:14.680 so God could demonstrate his own 00:29:14.680 --> 00:29:15.079 glory? 00:29:16.440 --> 00:29:18.399 Paul would have said, may it 00:29:18.399 --> 00:29:20.779 never be. 00:29:20.779 --> 00:29:28.019 God sovereignly chose to use this 00:29:28.019 --> 00:29:30.399 man's affliction that he already 00:29:30.399 --> 00:29:34.019 had for his own glory. 00:29:35.139 --> 00:29:36.980 The reward to the man. 00:29:38.559 --> 00:29:44.240 He saw the face of his healer and 00:29:44.240 --> 00:29:44.740 his savior. 00:29:44.740 --> 00:29:49.500 The reward to others. 00:29:51.039 --> 00:29:52.859 People through the ages and 00:29:52.859 --> 00:29:54.279 perhaps even here today. 00:29:55.859 --> 00:29:58.740 Read this and believe that Jesus 00:29:58.740 --> 00:30:03.200 is the Christ as was John's goal 00:30:03.200 --> 00:30:04.960 and purpose for writing this in the 00:30:04.960 --> 00:30:05.599 first place. 00:30:07.740 --> 00:30:09.460 And receive eternal life. 00:30:09.460 --> 00:30:15.519 Verses 4 through 12. 00:30:15.519 --> 00:30:18.960 We must work the works of him who 00:30:18.960 --> 00:30:20.920 sent me while it is day. 00:30:21.639 --> 00:30:23.160 Night is coming when no one can 00:30:23.160 --> 00:30:23.519 work. 00:30:24.119 --> 00:30:26.160 As long as I am in the world, I am 00:30:26.160 --> 00:30:27.059 the light of the world. 00:30:27.900 --> 00:30:29.740 Having said these things, he spit on 00:30:29.740 --> 00:30:31.619 the ground and made mud with the 00:30:31.619 --> 00:30:32.059 saliva. 00:30:32.859 --> 00:30:34.839 Then he anointed the man's eyes with 00:30:34.839 --> 00:30:37.559 the mud and said to him, go wash in 00:30:37.559 --> 00:30:39.700 the pool of Siloam, which means 00:30:39.700 --> 00:30:40.099 scent. 00:30:40.799 --> 00:30:43.000 So he went and washed and came back 00:30:43.000 --> 00:30:45.460 seeing the neighbors and 00:30:45.460 --> 00:30:47.640 those who had seen him before as a 00:30:47.640 --> 00:30:49.640 beggar were saying, is this not the 00:30:49.640 --> 00:30:51.700 man who used to sit and beg? 00:30:52.579 --> 00:30:54.640 Some said, it is he. 00:30:55.480 --> 00:30:58.019 Others said, no, but it is like him. 00:30:59.019 --> 00:31:01.420 He kept saying, I am the one. 00:31:02.740 --> 00:31:04.400 So they said to them, then how are 00:31:04.400 --> 00:31:05.160 your eyes opened? 00:31:05.840 --> 00:31:08.160 He answered, the man called Jesus 00:31:08.160 --> 00:31:10.279 made mud, anointed my eyes and said 00:31:10.279 --> 00:31:11.740 to me, go to Siloam and wash. 00:31:11.740 --> 00:31:13.860 So I went and washed and received my 00:31:13.860 --> 00:31:14.319 sight. 00:31:14.319 --> 00:31:16.939 And they said to him, where is he? 00:31:17.919 --> 00:31:19.000 He said, I don't know. 00:31:21.779 --> 00:31:23.919 Remember God, John's purpose. 00:31:25.220 --> 00:31:27.259 John's purpose was that we believe. 00:31:28.220 --> 00:31:30.559 We believe not just in the miracles, 00:31:31.039 --> 00:31:32.220 but we believe in Christ. 00:31:32.799 --> 00:31:35.179 Not just the works, but the person. 00:31:35.180 --> 00:31:38.680 So the first thing we notice here is 00:31:38.680 --> 00:31:41.460 Jesus declaring that he is the light of 00:31:41.460 --> 00:31:42.060 the world. 00:31:43.640 --> 00:31:46.080 And then proceeding to illustrate that 00:31:46.080 --> 00:31:49.580 by giving a light to this man who had been 00:31:49.580 --> 00:31:50.120 born blind. 00:31:51.820 --> 00:31:53.740 The act is the fulfillment of the Old 00:31:53.740 --> 00:31:56.279 Testament promises of what the Messiah 00:31:56.279 --> 00:31:56.820 would do. 00:31:56.819 --> 00:32:00.439 In Isaiah chapter 42, verse 6 and 7, 00:32:00.439 --> 00:32:01.339 I am the Lord. 00:32:01.460 --> 00:32:02.759 I have called you in righteousness. 00:32:03.200 --> 00:32:05.700 Speaking of Christ, I take you by the hand 00:32:05.700 --> 00:32:06.399 and keep you. 00:32:06.720 --> 00:32:08.939 I will give you as a covenant for the people, 00:32:09.460 --> 00:32:14.500 a light for the nations to open the eyes that 00:32:14.500 --> 00:32:14.960 are blind. 00:32:18.359 --> 00:32:19.619 Several other reasons. 00:32:19.619 --> 00:32:21.679 There are several other cases in the New 00:32:21.679 --> 00:32:24.759 Testament where Jesus heals blind people. 00:32:26.199 --> 00:32:30.079 But this miracle is unique because it's the 00:32:30.079 --> 00:32:34.000 only one where the man is said to have been 00:32:34.000 --> 00:32:35.459 born blind. 00:32:35.619 --> 00:32:38.559 In other words, congenital blindness. 00:32:39.539 --> 00:32:41.199 This man has never seen. 00:32:42.379 --> 00:32:45.219 And so it raises the bar of what this miracle 00:32:45.219 --> 00:32:46.119 really says. 00:32:46.119 --> 00:32:51.479 This connection in this context to light 00:32:51.479 --> 00:32:54.399 points back to the deity of Christ. 00:32:56.279 --> 00:32:59.779 The picture of Jesus being the light appears 00:32:59.779 --> 00:33:01.319 over and over in the book of John. 00:33:02.779 --> 00:33:05.319 Beginning, right at the beginning, John chapter 1. 00:33:05.519 --> 00:33:07.199 I'm going to read just a couple of the verses 00:33:07.199 --> 00:33:10.779 out of the passage that's overall 1 through 14. 00:33:11.539 --> 00:33:12.139 Verse 4, 00:33:12.199 --> 00:33:14.859 And him was life, and the life was the light of 00:33:14.859 --> 00:33:15.159 men. 00:33:15.599 --> 00:33:17.599 The light shines in the darkness, and the 00:33:17.599 --> 00:33:19.119 darkness has not overcome it. 00:33:19.939 --> 00:33:20.639 Verse 9, 00:33:20.879 --> 00:33:23.559 The true light, which gives light to everyone, 00:33:23.759 --> 00:33:24.939 was coming into the world. 00:33:25.479 --> 00:33:26.339 He was in the world. 00:33:26.459 --> 00:33:28.839 The world was made through him, yet the world 00:33:28.839 --> 00:33:29.879 did not know him. 00:33:30.419 --> 00:33:33.659 He came to his own, and his own people did not 00:33:33.659 --> 00:33:34.419 receive him. 00:33:34.779 --> 00:33:38.159 But all who did receive him, who believed in 00:33:38.159 --> 00:33:41.919 his name, he gave the right to become the 00:33:41.919 --> 00:33:42.839 children of God. 00:33:42.839 --> 00:33:48.159 The idea of his being the light comes up again 00:33:48.159 --> 00:33:51.279 in John chapter 8, the previous chapter. 00:33:51.399 --> 00:33:52.759 We said, I am the light of the world. 00:33:53.139 --> 00:33:55.779 And here, he says exactly the same thing. 00:33:56.939 --> 00:33:58.720 But this time he does it with an illustration. 00:34:00.359 --> 00:34:03.959 The healing of the blind man shows that Christ 00:34:03.959 --> 00:34:08.599 not only took the theory, not only took the theology, 00:34:08.599 --> 00:34:11.299 not only took the teaching, but he applied it 00:34:11.299 --> 00:34:14.079 individually in people's lives. 00:34:15.980 --> 00:34:19.380 I don't have time to talk about the means. 00:34:19.799 --> 00:34:22.699 Let me just tell you, I looked in six different 00:34:22.699 --> 00:34:23.440 commentaries. 00:34:23.980 --> 00:34:26.239 Six different people had different ideas. 00:34:27.039 --> 00:34:27.259 Okay? 00:34:27.460 --> 00:34:29.719 If you go to six different doctors, they all tell you 00:34:29.719 --> 00:34:31.319 something different that's wrong with you. 00:34:31.320 --> 00:34:32.600 They don't know. 00:34:33.539 --> 00:34:33.740 All right? 00:34:34.860 --> 00:34:38.840 So no one knows why Jesus chose, in this case, 00:34:39.140 --> 00:34:40.360 to do it as he did. 00:34:41.840 --> 00:34:44.200 But I want you to think with me about this man, 00:34:45.039 --> 00:34:46.059 this poor blind man. 00:34:46.480 --> 00:34:49.420 He's still blind when Jesus sends him. 00:34:50.360 --> 00:34:53.700 It isn't until he washes that he becomes seeing. 00:34:53.699 --> 00:34:58.199 So this pool is on the other end. 00:34:58.259 --> 00:34:59.779 If this took place at the temple, 00:35:00.159 --> 00:35:03.199 this pool is on the other end of Jerusalem 00:35:03.199 --> 00:35:04.799 from where he is. 00:35:05.779 --> 00:35:06.799 He's still blind. 00:35:08.659 --> 00:35:11.439 The trip that this man must have made 00:35:11.439 --> 00:35:14.980 simply because Jesus told him to. 00:35:15.739 --> 00:35:15.879 Okay? 00:35:17.980 --> 00:35:21.960 He is an example of faith because he had no promises. 00:35:21.960 --> 00:35:23.300 Jesus didn't say, 00:35:23.780 --> 00:35:25.220 go wash and you're going to be able to see. 00:35:26.480 --> 00:35:28.519 Jesus put mud on his eyes and said, 00:35:28.960 --> 00:35:29.320 go wash. 00:35:31.539 --> 00:35:34.320 There were no commitments that God made to him. 00:35:35.440 --> 00:35:37.079 But the man obeyed. 00:35:37.920 --> 00:35:39.400 And he came back seeing. 00:35:41.059 --> 00:35:44.260 This man didn't have all of his theology laid out. 00:35:44.820 --> 00:35:47.139 This man didn't understand all the details. 00:35:47.139 --> 00:35:50.599 This individual had said, 00:35:51.079 --> 00:35:52.139 go and wash. 00:35:52.539 --> 00:35:54.519 And he went and he washed. 00:35:55.500 --> 00:35:56.219 And he sees. 00:35:58.239 --> 00:36:01.460 Jesus opened the physical eyes of this blind man. 00:36:02.460 --> 00:36:03.920 But more importantly, 00:36:04.559 --> 00:36:07.719 he opened the spiritual eyes of this man. 00:36:07.719 --> 00:36:12.439 He was physically seeing things 00:36:12.439 --> 00:36:14.459 for the first time in his life. 00:36:14.719 --> 00:36:16.099 This man was born blind. 00:36:16.359 --> 00:36:17.819 He had always been blind. 00:36:17.899 --> 00:36:19.419 He had never seen a sunset. 00:36:19.799 --> 00:36:22.139 He had never seen the face of his mother 00:36:22.139 --> 00:36:25.339 or any of his other family members. 00:36:25.699 --> 00:36:27.519 He had never seen anything. 00:36:27.519 --> 00:36:32.199 But when he saw, 00:36:33.639 --> 00:36:35.739 there was one that he wanted to see 00:36:35.739 --> 00:36:36.759 above all others. 00:36:38.880 --> 00:36:39.519 Jesus. 00:36:43.239 --> 00:36:47.019 The account of the healing of the blind man by Jesus 00:36:47.019 --> 00:36:48.860 beautifully illustrates 00:36:48.860 --> 00:36:51.519 the salvation process. 00:36:51.519 --> 00:36:55.900 Not physically, 00:36:56.739 --> 00:36:58.000 but spiritually, 00:36:58.539 --> 00:37:01.300 all we were sinners. 00:37:02.059 --> 00:37:04.259 All we were blind. 00:37:09.679 --> 00:37:11.320 Jesus sought us out. 00:37:13.079 --> 00:37:15.360 He revealed himself to us. 00:37:16.639 --> 00:37:17.739 He showed us mercy. 00:37:17.739 --> 00:37:17.780 He showed us mercy. 00:37:21.519 --> 00:37:23.539 Just like that in salvation. 00:37:25.239 --> 00:37:27.059 And in the life of this blind man. 00:37:28.199 --> 00:37:30.599 Just as the blind man was healed, 00:37:31.139 --> 00:37:34.019 only when he obeyed Jesus' command 00:37:34.019 --> 00:37:35.619 and washed in the pool. 00:37:38.360 --> 00:37:40.019 So we are only saved 00:37:40.019 --> 00:37:43.619 when we humbly and obediently 00:37:43.619 --> 00:37:46.420 embrace the truth of the gospel. 00:37:47.820 --> 00:37:49.539 And what is the truth of the gospel? 00:37:49.539 --> 00:37:52.079 That all men are sinners. 00:37:53.719 --> 00:37:55.279 Each and every one of us 00:37:55.279 --> 00:37:56.400 was lost in our sin. 00:37:56.619 --> 00:37:57.679 Each and every one of us 00:37:57.679 --> 00:37:59.599 was blind just as much 00:37:59.599 --> 00:38:00.679 as that man. 00:38:03.639 --> 00:38:05.119 But God sent his son 00:38:05.119 --> 00:38:07.599 who had the power 00:38:07.599 --> 00:38:09.480 over creation 00:38:09.480 --> 00:38:11.539 that could even make 00:38:11.539 --> 00:38:13.279 a man born blind 00:38:13.279 --> 00:38:14.380 to see. 00:38:15.759 --> 00:38:16.920 And he touched us. 00:38:16.920 --> 00:38:20.880 And because of that, 00:38:21.500 --> 00:38:23.619 we have salvation. 00:38:28.800 --> 00:38:30.240 The man born blind 00:38:30.240 --> 00:38:31.480 is a picture 00:38:31.480 --> 00:38:32.579 that helps us 00:38:32.579 --> 00:38:33.639 to understand 00:38:33.639 --> 00:38:34.780 the connection 00:38:34.780 --> 00:38:37.500 between suffering 00:38:37.500 --> 00:38:40.039 and sin. 00:38:41.320 --> 00:38:42.740 But more importantly, 00:38:42.880 --> 00:38:43.900 it gives us a pointer 00:38:43.900 --> 00:38:45.340 to the one 00:38:45.340 --> 00:38:46.240 who was the answer 00:38:46.240 --> 00:38:47.920 for that sin. 00:38:48.800 --> 00:38:49.720 Jesus Christ. 00:38:50.360 --> 00:38:50.760 Let's pray. 00:38:53.760 --> 00:38:55.119 Great God and Father, 00:38:55.440 --> 00:38:56.680 creator of the universe, 00:38:57.680 --> 00:39:03.380 who have not only provided 00:39:03.380 --> 00:39:06.720 healing, 00:39:07.720 --> 00:39:10.000 solution to our sufferings, 00:39:10.000 --> 00:39:11.980 but more importantly, 00:39:12.159 --> 00:39:13.639 you have provided us 00:39:13.639 --> 00:39:14.760 with your son, 00:39:14.880 --> 00:39:15.679 Jesus Christ, 00:39:16.340 --> 00:39:17.039 in the answer 00:39:17.039 --> 00:39:17.820 to our sin. 00:39:24.260 --> 00:39:25.300 Lord, I don't know 00:39:25.300 --> 00:39:26.480 where people are today. 00:39:27.219 --> 00:39:27.860 I don't know 00:39:27.860 --> 00:39:28.920 if there's anyone here 00:39:28.920 --> 00:39:29.699 that has not come 00:39:29.699 --> 00:39:30.420 to the place 00:39:30.420 --> 00:39:32.300 of having a personal 00:39:32.300 --> 00:39:33.719 relationship with you, 00:39:34.159 --> 00:39:34.840 a relationship 00:39:34.840 --> 00:39:36.079 that provides the answer 00:39:36.079 --> 00:39:36.739 for their sin. 00:39:36.739 --> 00:39:38.519 but you do. 00:39:40.519 --> 00:39:41.399 Father, I trust 00:39:41.399 --> 00:39:42.039 that you will work 00:39:42.039 --> 00:39:43.119 in that person's life 00:39:43.119 --> 00:39:44.039 to bring them 00:39:44.039 --> 00:39:44.899 to the place 00:39:44.899 --> 00:39:48.179 of accepting you. 00:39:50.359 --> 00:39:50.759 Father, 00:39:50.859 --> 00:39:51.359 there may be some 00:39:51.359 --> 00:39:52.239 here today 00:39:52.239 --> 00:39:53.159 that are suffering. 00:39:55.119 --> 00:39:55.919 Maybe some 00:39:55.919 --> 00:39:56.459 that we know, 00:39:57.899 --> 00:39:58.519 perhaps some 00:39:58.519 --> 00:39:59.179 that we don't know. 00:40:01.119 --> 00:40:01.679 And Lord, 00:40:01.759 --> 00:40:02.479 the encouragement 00:40:02.479 --> 00:40:03.299 that suffering 00:40:03.299 --> 00:40:04.299 is not always 00:40:04.299 --> 00:40:05.500 the direct connection 00:40:05.500 --> 00:40:06.179 to sin. 00:40:06.739 --> 00:40:08.859 but that you are 00:40:08.859 --> 00:40:09.719 always the answer 00:40:09.719 --> 00:40:10.599 for that suffering. 00:40:11.500 --> 00:40:12.500 It gives us hope. 00:40:13.559 --> 00:40:14.319 It gives us comfort. 00:40:14.859 --> 00:40:15.679 So I pray, Lord, 00:40:15.779 --> 00:40:16.739 that those individuals 00:40:16.739 --> 00:40:18.279 that are suffering 00:40:18.279 --> 00:40:19.799 would be encouraged, 00:40:20.579 --> 00:40:22.979 but also would be 00:40:22.979 --> 00:40:24.479 dependent upon you. 00:40:26.819 --> 00:40:27.259 Father, 00:40:27.399 --> 00:40:28.159 I thank you 00:40:28.159 --> 00:40:28.919 for your word 00:40:28.919 --> 00:40:30.159 and the truth 00:40:30.159 --> 00:40:31.039 that it provides. 00:40:31.639 --> 00:40:32.559 In Christ's name. 00:40:32.959 --> 00:40:33.179 Amen. 00:40:33.879 --> 00:40:34.659 Would you stand, please? 00:40:34.659 --> 00:40:34.719 Amen. 00:40:34.719 --> 00:40:34.719 00:40:34.719 --> 00:40:34.719 00:40:34.719 --> 00:40:34.719 00:40:34.719 --> 00:40:34.719 00:40:34.719 --> 00:40:34.719 00:40:34.719 --> 00:40:34.719 00:40:34.719 --> 00:40:34.719 00:40:34.719 --> 00:40:34.719 00:40:34.719 --> 00:40:34.719 00:40:34.719 --> 00:40:34.719 00:40:34.719 --> 00:40:34.719 00:40:34.719 --> 00:40:34.719 00:40:34.719 --> 00:40:34.719 00:40:34.719 --> 00:40:34.719 00:40:34.719 --> 00:40:34.719 00:40:34.719 --> 00:40:34.719 00:40:34.719 --> 00:40:34.719 00:40:34.719 --> 00:40:34.719 00:40:34.719 --> 00:40:34.719 00:40:34.719 --> 00:40:34.719 00:40:34.719 --> 00:40:34.719 00:40:34.719 --> 00:40:34.719 00:40:34.719 --> 00:40:35.339 keep it. 00:40:35.339 --> 00:40:35.399 Amen. 00:40:35.399 --> 00:40:35.500 Amen. 00:40:35.500 --> 00:40:35.539 Amen. 00:40:35.539 --> 00:40:35.599 Amen. 00:40:35.599 --> 00:40:35.659 Amen. 00:40:35.659 --> 00:40:35.699 Amen. 00:40:35.699 --> 00:40:35.719 Amen. 00:40:35.719 --> 00:40:35.739 Amen. 00:40:35.739 --> 00:40:35.759 Amen. 00:40:35.759 --> 00:40:35.759 00:40:35.759 --> 00:40:35.759 00:40:35.759 --> 00:40:35.779 Amen. 00:40:35.779 --> 00:40:35.779 00:40:35.779 --> 00:40:35.779 00:40:35.779 --> 00:40:35.799 Amen. 00:40:35.799 --> 00:40:35.799 00:40:35.799 --> 00:40:35.819 Amen. 00:40:35.819 --> 00:40:35.819 00:40:35.819 --> 00:40:35.819 00:40:35.819 --> 00:40:35.839 Amen. 00:40:35.839 --> 00:40:35.859 Amen. 00:40:35.859 --> 00:40:35.859 00:40:35.859 --> 00:40:35.859 00:40:35.859 --> 00:40:35.859 00:40:35.859 --> 00:40:35.859 00:40:35.859 --> 00:40:35.859 00:40:35.859 --> 00:40:35.859 00:40:35.859 --> 00:40:35.859 00:40:35.859 --> 00:40:35.859 00:40:35.859 --> 00:40:35.859 00:40:35.859 --> 00:40:35.859 00:40:35.859 --> 00:40:35.859 00:40:35.859 --> 00:40:35.859 00:40:35.859 --> 00:40:35.859 00:40:35.859 --> 00:40:35.859 00:40:35.859 --> 00:40:35.859 00:40:35.859 --> 00:40:35.859 00:40:35.859 --> 00:40:35.859 00:40:35.859 --> 00:40:35.859 00:40:35.859 --> 00:40:35.859 00:40:35.859 --> 00:40:35.959 DR. 00:40:35.919 --> 00:40:37.000 UNA 00:40:36.839 --> 00:40:37.179 lip. 00:40:37.179 --> 00:40:37.559 lip. 00:40:37.579 --> 00:40:37.679 lip. 00:40:37.739 --> 00:40:37.779 lip. 00:40:37.779 --> 00:40:37.819 lip. 00:40:37.819 --> 00:40:37.859 lip. 00:40:37.859 --> 00:40:37.899 lip. 00:40:37.899 --> 00:40:37.980 lip. 00:40:37.980 --> 00:40:38.099 lip. 00:40:38.099 --> 00:40:38.759 ...