The Great Contrast Lessons to Be Learned A Different Light John 9:1-5

The Great Contrast  Chapters 5-8 => Those who rejected Him  One who invited sinners only to be harsh  One who set aside the Law of Moses  John 8:12  The board that is flipped over  Exposing the deeds of darkness – bugs run  Light made creatures of darkness run A Different Light John 9:1-5

The Great Contrast  Chapters 9-12 => Those who received Him  Same board that was flipped over  John 9:1-5  Same sunlight now makes the seeds grow  Light now calls forth life and growth  Sovereign and electing grace of God A Different Light John 9:1-5

John 8 “the light” Exposes the darkness Despised and rejected Stooping for stones Christ hides from Jews No response to the Word Inside Temple called Demoniac Light testing human responsibility John 9 “the light” Communicates sight Received and worshipped Stooping for anointing clay Christ reveals to the blind Quick response to the Word Outside Temple called Lord God acting in sovereign grace after human responsibility had failed A Different Light John 9:1-5

Lessons to Be Learned  Man cannot frustrate God  Man’s hatred cannot frustrate God  Man’s sin cannot frustrate God  God accomplishes His purposes sovereignly, saving by grace those whom He chooses to call to Himself  God is about building His Church A Different Light John 9:1-5

Lessons to Be Learned  The state of the lost cannot frustrate God  Blind man symbolizes the state of the lost apart from the creative and transforming power of Christ  1 Corinthians 2:14  Blind man was unable to seek Jesus – Rom. 3:11  If unable to seek Jesus, then he could not find him either – the point of all healings A Different Light John 9:1-5

Lessons to Be Learned  As we witness, we can be encouraged by knowing that God will never be frustrated by human sin.  If you have not yet believed in Christ as your Savior, take heart in what He did in the blind man. That can be you, too. A Different Light John 9:1-5

Application How do you view people? Do you see people as sinners, like the disciples did? Do you see people as beggars, like the crowd did? Do you see people as tools, like the Pharisees did? Or, do you see them as Jesus did, people who need help? The saving help that only comes from Christ! A Different Light John 9:1-5