FROM FAITH TO CERTITUDE

JOHN 9:2

A. "WHETHER HE BE A SINNER OR NO, I KNOW NOT: ONE THING I KNOW, THAT, WHEREAS I WAS BLIND, NOW I SEE."
  1. The story of the healing of the blind man:
    1. Is most fascinating, because it reveals a very unusual character
    2. He stands out in the New Testament with a fluff honesty and directness of speech that makes him a hero of redemption
  2. His combat the Pharisees:
    1. Is a masterpiece of intellect and cunning
    2. A glowing tribute to the effective ministry of Jesus Christ - John 10:25
B. FROM FAITH TO CERTITUDE
  1. The theme of the text is the Argument from Christian Experience:
    1. One writer has well said: "The best argument for Christianity is a Christian."
    2. "Ye are the light of the world" - Matt. 5:14
    3. "Ye are the salt of the earth" - Mark 9:50
    4. "Ye are my witnesses" - Is. 43:10
  2. The restoration of the soul:
    1. Is the most effective proof of the argument of Christianity - "He restoreth my soul" - Ps. 23:3
    2. "Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see: The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached unto them." - Matt. 11:4-5
  3. The argument from Experience:
    1. This is the central evidence of the effectiveness of the gospel of Jesus Christ which the enemy cannot gain say
    2. "What shall we do to these men? For that indeed a notable miracle hath been done by them is manifest to all them that dwell in Jerusalem and we cannot deny it." - Acts 4:16
    3. "I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see" -- Personal experience is an irresistible argument for the truths we hold
    4. That which we have seen and felt cannot be controverted - and it is the proof for the claims of Jesus Christ
    5. Let us keep this fact in our minds as we seek to make converts for Christ
C. THE HIGH POINT OF OUR OPENING TEXT
  1. Evidences for the Gospel of Jesus Christ deduced from personal experience:
    1. "That which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of Life." - I John 1:1
    2. "That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son, Jesus Christ." - vs 3
  2. The verdict of History:
    1. The revolutionary changes in the lives of the Christian believer made and makes history in favor of Christianity - be that in heathen countries or nominal Christian lands
    2. Forty four years of active Evangelism have multiplied my personal convictions that Paul speaks the truth when he says: "I am not ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ, for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth" - Rom. 1:14-16
  3. What a mighty argument comes from personal experience
    1. "One thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see" - John 9:25
    2. "He that made me whole, the same said unto me, Take up thy bed, and walk." - John 5:11
  4. Think, dear friends, of the influence of the witness of the blind man who received his sight:
    1. How often that testimony has been used to induce men to accept Jesus Christ as their personal Saviour!
    2. Also, how often the same saving power was repeated in the lives of the untold millions!
    3. But, best of all, have we experienced this power in our own lives?
  5. Here is truly a real challenge to the claims of our preaching:
    1. Will the message we preach effectively transform the life of those who accept it?
    2. Will it create a living hope in the hearer?
    3. Will it make a person more Christ-like?
    4. Let us ponder the truth of our subject and apply its truth in our own experience


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