1. Speak For Yourself John 9:21 …but by what means he now sees we do not know, or who opened his eyes we do not know. He is of age; ask him. He will speak for himself.

2. We Must Speak 2 Corinthians 5 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. Romans 14 11 For it is written: “As I live, says the LORD, Every knee shall bow to Me, And every tongue shall confess to God.” 12 So then each of us shall give account of himself to God.

3. We Must Speak Before Others Matthew 10 32 Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. Mark 8 38 For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels. Romans 10 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

4. Jesus Gave of Himself for Others Romans 15 3 For even Christ did not please Himself; but as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached You fell on Me.” Galatians 1 4 who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father Galatians 2 20 “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.”

5. Jesus Gave of Himself for Others Ephesians 5 2 And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma. Ephesians 5 25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her Philippians 2 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.

6. Problem: Blindness John 9 1 Now as Jesus passed by, He saw a man who was blind from birth. Blind Man COMPARE Us Our Problem: Sin Romans 3 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God Isaiah 59 1 Behold, the LORD'S hand is not shortened, That it cannot save; Nor His ear heavy, That it cannot hear. 2 But your iniquities have separated you from your God; And your sins have hidden His face from you, So that He will not hear.

7. Only Christ Could Help Him John 9 32 Since the world began it has been unheard of that anyone opened the eyes of one who was born blind. Blind Man COMPARE Us Only Christ Can Help Us Hebrews 9 22 And according to the law almost all things are purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission. 14 how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

8. Given Specific Commands John 9 7 And He said to him, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam”… Blind Man COMPARE Us We Are Given Specific Commands Luke 13 3 “… unless you repent you will all likewise perish.” Matthew 10 32 “Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven.” Mark 16 16 “He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.”

9. Cure: Grace and Faith Expressed by Obedience John 9 7 …So he went and washed, and came back seeing. Blind Man COMPARE Us Our Cure: Grace and Faith Expressed by Obedience Ephesians 2 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, Hebrews 5 9 And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him Acts 22 16 And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.

10. No One Could Obey for Him John 9 7 …So he went and washed, and came back seeing. Blind Man COMPARE Us No One Can Obey for Us Acts 22 16 And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord. Acts 10 47 Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have? 48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord…

11. Was Persecuted for His Faith John 9 34 They answered and said to him, “You were completely born in sins, and are you teaching us?” And they cast him out. Blind Man COMPARE Us Will Be Persecuted for Our Faith Acts 14 22 strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, “We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.” 2 Timothy 3 12 Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.

12. Spoke for Himself John 9 21 but by what means he now sees we do not know, or who opened his eyes we do not know. He is of age; ask him. He will speak for himself. 25 He answered and said, “Whether He is a sinner or not I do not know. One thing I know: that though I was blind, now I see.” Blind Man COMPARE Us We Must Speak for Ourselves 1 Peter 3 15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear.

13. COMPARE Us We Must Speak for Ourselves 2 Corinthians 4 13 And since we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, “I believed and therefore I spoke,” we also believe and therefore speak…” Philippians 1 14 and most of the brethren in the Lord, having become confident by my chains, are much more bold to speak the word without fear. Titus 2 1 But as for you, speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine 1 Peter 4 11 If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God….

14. Blind Man Problem: Blind (Jn. 9:1) Only Christ Could Help (v.32) Given Specific Commands (v.7) Cure: Grace through Faith expressed in Obedience (v.7) No One Could Obey For Him Was Persecuted (v. 34) Spoke For Himself (v.21) Problem: Sin (Rom. 3:23) Only Christ Can Help (Heb. 9:14, 22) Given Specific Commands (Lk. 13:3; Matt. 10:32, Mk. 16:16) Cure: Grace through Faith expressed in Obedience (Eph. 2:8; Heb. 5:9, Acts 22:16) No One Could Obey For Us (2 Cor. 5:10) Will Suffer (2 Tim. 3:12) We Must Speak (1 Pet. 3:15) Us

15. We Must Speak Ephesians 4 15 but, speaking the truth in love… Titus 2 1 But as for you, speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine 8 sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you. 2 Timothy 1 13 Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.

16. Too Polite To Speak Up??? Ask About Religion – Point Out Errors! Fallacy of Sincerity Alone (Acts 10:1-2) Danger of Feelings (Acts 23:1; 1 Tim. 1:15) No Obedience = Death (1 Thess. 1:7-9) Error of “Faith Only” (Jas. 2:4) Acting W/O Authority = Lawless (Mt. 7:21-23) Silence DOES NOT Authorize (Heb.7:14)

17. Confident – We Have the Truth! John 20 30 And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; 31 but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name. 1 John 5 13 These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God. Romans 10 17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

18. Be Sure of Your Teaching! Blind man offered no opinions, just facts! 1 Peter 4:11 If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God…. 2 Timothy 2 15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.