Jesus and the Blind Man

John 9:1-12

Introduction

1.      When the church began, almost 2000 years ago, it began with the disciples telling stories about Jesus

2.      The first story, was the story of how he died and was raised again from the dead

3.      Other stories followed and these stories are collected for us in the four gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John

4.      In these stories we learn who Jesus is and we learn what it means to follow him  

Discussion

1.      Meeting Jesus caused the blind man to change his beliefs

a.       Most people are “locked” into beliefs that a hand grenade could not budge  

b.      The Pharisees that Jesus dealt with were such people  

c.       People are that way in matters of science, matters of medicine, matters of politics and matters of religion – open-minded people are scarce  

d.      How were the blind man’s beliefs changed?  Simple. By the evidence, he was blind, now he sees, therefore Jesus must have been sent by God  

e.       God has given us the Bible to change what we believe – it changed me – it can change you  

2.      Meeting Jesus caused the blind man to change his relationships

a.       People whom he had never seen before, now hated him  

b.      These people put pressure on him to deny what he knew had happened – his eyes had been opened  

c.       Jesus talks about the decisions that a disciple must make – Luke 14:25-27  

d.      Paul speaks of the differences between a disciple and an unbeliever – 2 Cor 6:14-16  

e.       1 Cor 15:33 “Bad company corrupts good character”  

f.       Becoming a disciple brings one into a relationship with other disciples, the church  

3.      Meeting Jesus caused the blind man to change his responsibilities

a.       It is not just beliefs and relationships that get changed when one becomes a follower of Jesus, but one’s entire “lifestyle”  

b.      The blind man could no longer be a beggar!  

c.       Notice what Paul says about being a disciple – 2 Cor 5:17  

d.      From someone who was cared for by others, the beggar became someone who must become a care-giver  

Conclusion

1.       We begin in the same way that Jesus began, by being baptized  (Mark 1:9)

2.      The first followers who heard the story of Jesus death and resurrection were “baptized for the forgiveness of their sins” (Acts 2:38)

3.      When Paul, who was persecuting Christians, became a believer, he was told to “arise and be baptized and wash away your sins” (Acts 22:16)

4.      You can become a follower of Jesus in the same way as these