Sermon Central
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From Deserted To Disciple Series
Contributed by Tim Spear on Sep 6, 2011 (message contributor)
Summary: The man born blind has experienced Jesus' physical power to heal but now He will discover His spiritual power to heal as well.
Jesus, the God Man: The Gospel of John
“From Deserted to Disciple”
Introduction: One of the hottest movies this summer is Transformers: Dark of the Moon. This sequel is based on the toys that transform themselves from one thing into another. Cars and trucks and other pieces of machinery are changed into giant robots that either protect or destroy depending on the one they follow.
This chapter has demonstrated the truth of this as well. People that think they are one way are revealed to be quite different from the way they appear. A man that is born blind is demonstrated to be one that can actually see, parents that are supposed to be supportive end up abandoning their son when he needed them, and religious leaders that are supposed to see the truth are actually blind.
But another greater transformation is in store as well. This blind man has experienced the physical healing power of Jesus, but in a moment he will realize the spiritual powers to heal of Jesus. Jesus will once again transform him in an instant as he goes “from deserted to disciple.”
1. Realize positive feelings are not the same as faith. (vv. 35-36)
Jesus hears that he has been kicked out of the synagogue and comes looking for him. Jesus knows and goes. This is such an encouragement. When everyone else walked out Jesus walked in!
Jesus is aware of your situation and your struggles as well. You may feel the whole world has turned its back on you but Jesus never has and never will. He will not leave you.
Jesus goes seeking the lost sheep. Jesus is looking for you too. He came to seek and save those that are lost like a shepherd. In fact in the next chapter, Jesus is going to call Himself the Good Shepherd.
Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? Luke 15:4 (NIV)
He leaves those that are safe to go to those that are lost!
When He finds the man He gets right to the heart of the matter. He doesn’t ask how he’s doing or how his eyes are. He confronts him with the gospel.
We too need to quit talking about the weather and how our favorite team is doing or other unimportant matters. Instead we need to make Jesus the focal point of our lives and conversations. I am not saying that you need to say Jesus in every sentence, but people must know that He is your life and why you exist.
Paul said in Acts 17:28 in him we live and move and have our being.
“Believe” means "to believe, to trust, be committed to, be persuaded of, to place confidence in."
It is not head belief, but heart belief. Has the truth of Jesus impacted your spirit? Have you been changed?
“Who is He?” He does not know who Jesus is. His progress to this point has led him to believe that Jesus is a Man from God.
“Lord” – Sign of respect like “sir”, but He is not his Lord yet.
Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Matthew 7:21 (NIV)
Just because you call Him Lord or show Him respect does not mean that He is your Lord.
In his heart he wants to believe but he needs someone to point him in the right direction. Jesus does!
How many do you know that are looking and simply needs someone to point them to Jesus? Will you?
2. Respond with belief and worship. (vv. 37-38)
“You are looking at Him and talking to Him!” I love this! You can see Me because I healed you and I want a relationship with you. Personal, intimate, caring.
Immediate response! “Lord” – Not respect now but reverence! He confesses Jesus as Lord.
The progression is now complete: Man called Jesus, prophet, Man from God, Lord.
“I believe” (trust, place confidence in) and “worships” (like a dog with his master).
When you see Jesus for who He is this will be your response too! This is the same response of all believers.
We may be from different nationalities, languages, backgrounds, circumstances, economic levels, etc. but belief and worship go hand-in-hand.
The reason some of you may have a problem with worship is that you have never believed! You should not have to be told to worship. It is the normal response of the spirit-filled person to his or her Lord!
Believers worship. It is that simple.
Missions is not the ultimate goal of the Church. Worship is. Missions exists because worship doesn’t. Worship is ultimate, not missions, because God is ultimate, not man. Worship…is the fuel and goal of missions. --John Piper, Let the Nations Be Glad! The Supremacy of God in Missions
