4. The Blind Man Saw: The unknown Blind Man observes: - Jesus is a prophet - Jesus worked the Messiah’s promises - Jesus could not be a sinner This is based on a simple truth: GOD DOES NOT HEAR SINNERS

5. God Does Not Hear Sinners? The Blind Man is pointing to a covenant truth: Behold, the LORD'S hand is not so short that it cannot save; nor is His ear so dull that it cannot hear. But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden His face from you so that He does not hear. Isaiah 59:1-2

6. God Does Not Hear Sinners? The Blind Man is pointing to a covenant truth: The LORD is far from the wicked, but He hears the prayer of the righteous. Proverbs 15:29

7. God Does Not Hear Sinners? The Blind Man is pointing to a covenant truth: Then they will cry to the LORD, but He will not hear them; He will even hide His face from them at that time, because they have been evil in their deeds. Micah 3:4

8. God Does Not Hear Sinners? The Blind Man is pointing to a covenant truth: Yes, they made their hearts like flint….Thus great wrath came from the LORD of hosts. Therefore it happened, that just as He proclaimed and they would not hear, so they called out and I would not listen," says the LORD of hosts. Zechariah 7:12-13

9. God Does Not Hear Sinners? The Blind Man is pointing to a covenant truth: For the eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their prayers; but the face of the LORD is against those who do evil." 1 Peter 3:12 new

10. God Does Not Hear Sinners? But what about: Cornelius Acts 10:31 “and (the angel) said, 'Cornelius, your prayer has been heard and your alms have been remembered before God’”.

11. God Does Not Hear Sinners? But what about: Cornelius The people of Nineveh Jonah 3:9 "Who knows, God may turn and relent and withdraw His burning anger so that we will not perish."

12. God Does Not Hear Sinners? Defining the terms - “Hear” - “Sinner” - “God-fearing / worshipper”

13. God Does Not Hear Sinners? Defining the terms - “Hear” It does NOT mean God literally cannot hear them - He is a God of knowledge – 1 Samuel 2:3 - He knows all things – 1 John 3:20 - He will judge every word – Matthew 12:36

14. God Does Not Hear Sinners? Defining the terms - “Hear” It does NOT mean God literally cannot hear them For God to “hear” means: - To honor or regard - To grant our petition or request

15. God Does Not Hear Sinners? Defining the terms - “Sinner” A Sinner is one in the condition (ownership) of sin - Necessarily devoid of righteousness - 2 Corinthians 6:14-16 - Colossians 1:13

16. God Does Not Hear Sinners? Defining the terms - “Sinner” A Sinner is one in the condition (ownership) of sin One CANNOT be a Sinner and Godly at once If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth 1 John 1:6

17. God Does Not Hear Sinners? Defining the terms - “God-fearing / worshipper” One who acts with reverence towards God - Deuteronomy 8:6

18. God Does Not Hear Sinners? Defining the terms - “God-fearing / worshipper” One who acts with reverence towards God To be heard by God requires obedient action first - Cornelius acted righteously first - The people of Nineveh repented first

19. God Does Hear Saints! Effective prayers require righteous conduct Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. James 5:16

20. God Does Hear Saints! Effective prayers require righteous conduct Effective prayers require Holy relationships - By being priests and the temple of God - 1 Peter 2:5 - 1 Corinthians 6:19

21. God Does Hear Saints! Effective prayers require righteous conduct Effective prayers require Holy relationships - By being priests and the temple of God - The work of the Holy Spirit in prayer - Romans 8:26 The Spirit cannot work with a desecrated temple!

22. God Does Hear Saints! Effective prayers require righteous conduct Effective prayers require Holy relationships - By being priests and the temple of God - The work of the Holy Spirit in prayer - Holy relationships begin with Gospel obedience - 1 Corinthians 6:11

23. Considering the Sinner’s Prayer God does not regard a Sinner’s prayer - The Sinner must obey the Gospel to pray - The Sinner must become a Saint - Even the Christian must repent (Acts 8:22) - Forgiveness in repentance and confession