Would you turn with me to John
chapter 9? While you're turning there, I
want to announce what I'll be speaking on this evening. I'm
asking this question from 1 Corinthians chapter 15. What is the gospel? What a question, and I'm not
asking what I believe the gospel is or what Our church believes
the gospel is, or what some denomination believes the gospel is, but what
does the Bible say the gospel is? Now, 1 Corinthians 15, Paul
introduces that chapter with moreover, brethren, I declare
unto you the gospel. What is the gospel? John chapter 9. Verse 35. Jesus heard that they had cast
him out, and when he had found him, he said unto him, Dost thou believe on the Son
of God? That's what I've entitled this
message. Dost thou believe on the Son
of God? Now, a man who was actually born
blind. He had never seen, was miraculously
given sight, and this is the first time in history this had
ever taken place. Look in verse 32. Since the world
began, was it not heard that any man had opened the eyes of
one that was born blind? This had never happened before.
Now Moses did a lot of miracles, but he never gave sight to one
that was blind. Elijah and Elisha were both miracle-working
prophets. but they never gave sight to
one that was blind. This is the first time this had
ever taken place. And what a wonderful, awe-inspiring
miracle. This blind beggar in John chapter
nine was given sight. Look in verse six of John chapter
nine, when he had thus spoken, he spat on the ground and made
clay of the spittle. And he anointed the eyes of the
blind man with the clay. and said unto him, go wash in
the pool of Siloam, which is by interpretation sent. He went
his way therefore and washed and came seeing. What a miracle. He came seeing. Verse eight, the neighbors therefore,
and they which before had seen him that was blind said, Is not
this he that said and begged? Now just this morning he was
blind. Just this morning he was set begging. Whoa, what's taken
place? He has come seeing. Verse nine,
some said this is he. Others said he's like him, but
he said, I am he. There's some folks that said
this couldn't be him. It just looks like him, but he
assured him, I'm the one who was given sight. I now see. Verse 10. Therefore said they
unto him, How were your eyes opened? How this happened? Verse
11. He answered and said, A man that
is called Jesus made clay and anointed mine eyes and said unto
me, Go to the pool of Siloam and wash. And I went and washed
and I came seeing. Now hear this man's testimony. Simple, unadorned, accurate and
powerful. He tells exactly what had taken
place. Verse 12, then said they unto
him, where is he? He said, I don't know. Now here's
a very unusual answer to a religious question. When somebody, where's
the Lord? Most folks will tell you right
where they think he is, but this man gave a very unusual answer.
He said, I don't know. Verse 13, they brought to the
Pharisees, him that aforetime was blind. This was indeed a
miracle and they brought him to the Pharisees, the religious
experts. Perhaps they could explain what took place. They brought
him to the Pharisees, him that aforetime was blind. And it was
the Sabbath day when Jesus made the clay and opened his eyes. You know, I think it's very interesting
that the Lord picked the Sabbath day to do almost all of his miracles. Now he had a purpose in doing
this, and you know he just drove the Pharisees crazy and irritated
them so much they'd become so angry. You see, as they thought,
he worked on the Sabbath day. Now, how did our Lord heal this
man? Now we know it was the power
of God that healed him, and we know there was no saving power
in that spittle that he made, the clay of the spittle, but
this was special spit. This was spit of the Lord Jesus
Christ that was anointed with the clay. It represents the incarnation
of Christ, the two becoming one. And it came into contact with
his eyes and he came seeing. We see the gospel just in this
miracle that he performed. Now, let's go on reading. Then
again, the Pharisees It was the Sabbath day when Jesus made the
clay and opened his eyes. Then again, the Pharisees also
asked him how he'd received his sight. And he said unto them,
he put clay upon mine eyes and I washed and I do see. Verse 16, therefore said some
of the Pharisees, and this shows the stupidity and the cruelty
and the meanness of man's religion. human religion. Now this is religion.
Have you ever been faced with the fact that religion is evil? It's evil. It's not a good thing. It's a bad thing. It's evil.
It's anti-God. It's against Christ. Look what
happens here. Then said some of the Pharisees,
this man's not of God because he keepeth not the Sabbath day.
Why? He made that claim. He did works on the Sabbath day.
He obviously didn't understand the Sabbath. Others said, well,
how can a man that's a sinner do such miracles? And there was
a division among them. And there always is a division
among people because of the Lord Jesus Christ. There was a conflict
at this time. Verse 17, they say unto the blind man again,
and this is the Pharisee speaking now, what sayest thou of him
that hath opened thine eyes? Well, he said he's a prophet.
Obviously, only a prophet could do something like this. This
man's been sent of God. No mere man could do this. God
gave him the grace to open my eyes. He is a prophet, a man
sent from God. But, verse 18, the Jews did not
believe concerning him that he had been blind. Now, why didn't
they believe? I can answer that question. Because
they didn't want to. They didn't want to. That's the
only reason why they didn't believe. They said, we need further evidence.
We need other proof. This is not enough. We don't
believe. Verse 18, the Jews did not believe
concerning him that he'd been blind and received a sight, until
they called the parents of him that had received a sight. Verse
19. And they asked them, his parents.
Now, remember, these are the parents of this one who was born
blind. And one would think that they would have been thrilled
beyond measure. I mean, their kid had been plumb
blind all his life, and now he's given sight. He sees. You would
think that they would be just overcome. But look at their response,
and this shows the power that religion has over men's minds.
Look at the way the parents respond to this. Verse 19. And they asked
him, saying, Is this your son, whom you say was born blind?
How then doth he now see? Verse 20. His parents answered
him and said, We know that this is our son and that he was born
blind. There's no question about that. But by what means he now
seeth? We don't know. You believe that?
They knew exactly how he was given sight. You can be sure
that he had already told them, but they're scared to death.
They said, we don't know. Or who had opened his eyes? We
know not. He's of age. Ask him. He'll speak
for himself. These words spake his parents
because they feared the Jews. For the Jews had agreed already
that if any man did confess him that he was the Christ, he should
be put out of the synagogue. Now they knew how their son was
given sight, but this gives us some idea of a false kind of
faith. They had to write facts, so they
thought, but they wouldn't confess because they were afraid of the
Jews. They wouldn't confess. You see, what you really believe,
you'll confess. And if you won't confess it,
publicly confess it, you don't really believe it. Let me show
you this in John chapter 12. Turn a few pages over, John chapter
12. Verse 42. Nevertheless, among
the chief rulers also many believed on him, but because of the Pharisees,
they did not confess him. Now, what do you do when you
confess? You plead guilty. I'm guilty of believing that.
I'm guilty, I confess, I'm guilty of believing that. Because of the Pharisees, they
did not confess Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue.
For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God."
Now, these people were afraid of getting kicked out. They were
afraid of being excommunicated. The Jews had already agreed,
anybody that confesses Jesus Christ, he's going to be put
out of the synagogue. And they were scared to death
about that taking place with them. So, we're back to John
chapter 9, verse 23. Therefore said his parents, he's
of age, ask him, isn't that sad? Isn't that sad the way his parents
responded to this? Verse 24. Then again called they
the man that was blind and said unto him, give God the praise.
We know that this man. is a sinner. You give God the
praise for giving you sight. Now, they didn't realize that
when he gave Jesus Christ the praise, he gave God the praise.
Now, they didn't understand that, so they're acting real pious.
Give God the praise. We know that this man is a sinner. You see, he didn't keep the Sabbath
the way we think he ought to have kept the Sabbath, so we
know he's a sinner. What a blasphemous statement regarding the Lord
Jesus Christ, the only holy man to ever live. the only man to
ever honor God's law. And yet they're accusing him.
He made that paste on the Sabbath day to heal that man. He's a
sinner. We know that about him. Verse
25, he answered and said, well, whether he'd be a sinner or no,
I know not. One thing I know that whereas I was blind, now
I see. Now we know from this, that this
man did not yet have saving faith or he would have known Christ
was not a sinner. He said, now, whether he's a sinner, I'm not
sure. I know he's a prophet. I know he's a great man. I know
God sent him. I know God used him in a miraculous
way, but as to whether or not he's a sinner or not, I don't
know, but I know what I've experienced. I was blind and now I see. Verse 26, then said they unto
him again, what did he to thee? How open he thine eyes! They
asked him the same question. He'd already told them once,
but here they are asking him again, and I love his answer.
He answered them, I've told you already, and you didn't hear. Wherefore would you hear it again?
Will you also be his disciple? They heard audibly, but they
didn't hear. And this is a jab. This is a jab at him. I love
this fella. He's sticking it in. Will you
also be his disciple? Is that what you want? He knew
him. And look at their answer. Verse
28. Then they reviled him and they
said, Thou art his disciple, but we are Moses' disciple. We know that God spake unto Moses,
but as for this, Fellow, notice the word fellow in the King James
is in italics. It was supplied there by the
translators. What they're saying is, is for
this, we don't even have a word for him. He's a nothing. He's
a nobody. He has no significance. He has no power. He has no education.
He has no money. He has no merit. This nothing,
we don't even know where he's from. We know God spoke to Moses,
but not this fellow. Now they proved that they didn't
even know what it was to be a disciple of Moses, didn't they? They said,
you're his disciple, but we're Moses disciple. Well, what did
Moses believe? Turn back to John chapter five. Verse 39. You search the scriptures. The
Lord says to the Pharisees at this time, You do indeed search
the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life.
You think, if I can just figure out how to obey these rules that
are found in this book, I'll have eternal life. And you've
missed the whole point. They are they which testify of
me. And you will not come to me,
that you might have life. I receive not honor from men,
but I know you, that you have not the love of God in you. I'm
come in my Father's name, and you receive me not. If another
shall come in his own name, him you'll receive. How can you believe,
which receive honor one of another, and seek not that honor that
cometh from God only? Do not think that I'll accuse
you to the Father. There's one that accuses you. Even Moses,
in whom you trust. For had you believed Moses, you
would have believed me. For he wrote of me." Everything
in the Old Testament, he wrote of me. But if you believe not
his writings, how should you believe my words? Now you all
talk about being Moses' disciple, but you're not Moses' disciple.
Now they reply, we know God spake to Moses, and that's true, but
they didn't understand anything Moses said because of their attitude
toward the Lord Jesus Christ. They say, as for this fella,
we don't know where he's from. I mean, where's his credentials?
You know what? I know where he's from. I do. I love that passage of scripture
in Micah chapter five, verse two, where it says, this is he
who's going forth, goings forth have been from old. even from
everlasting the Lord Jesus Christ. Now back to John chapter 9. Verse 29, we know that God spake
unto Moses, as for this nobody, we know not from whence he is.
The man answered, verse 30, and said unto him, why, herein is
a marvelous thing. And I guarantee you, he believed
it to be marvelous. He'd been given sight. Can you imagine
how he must have felt when he was looking at these fellows?
Just that morning, he was blind as a bat. And now he sees, he
sees, oh, he sees the power of this. He says, herein is a marvelous
thing, that you know not from whence he is, and yet he hath
opened my eyes. He gave me sight, and you're
quibbling over the fact that you don't know where he's from.
Verse 39, this guy shows some light here. Verse 31, now we
know that God heareth not sinners. You all say he's a sinner. Well, I know this, God doesn't
hear sinners. God heard this man because he
gave me sight. But if any man be a worshiper
of God and doeth his will, him he heareth. Verse 32, since the
world began, was it not heard that any man opened the eyes
of one that was born blind? This is unprecedented. This has
never happened. If this man were not of God,
verse 33, he could do nothing. And this man showed some wisdom
now, didn't he? Verse 34, they answered and said
unto him, thou wast altogether born in sins. And does thou teach
us? And they cast him out. They excommunicated
him. They got rid of him. You were
all, where'd you go to seminary? Where'd you get your learning?
You're teaching us? Who do you think you are? We're
the learning people. We're the religious experts and
you're teaching us? And they kicked him out. They
excommunicated him. They said, you were all together
born in sins. You know what they said was true, but they didn't
know what they meant by it, did they? He was born in sins, but
they didn't understand what they were saying when they said that.
But they were excommunicated. They excommunicated him. He was
kicked out of human religion. And you know, that's a, that's
a badge of honor. It surely is. Let's go on reading verse 35.
Jesus heard. that they'd cast him out. They
excommunicated him. And when he found him, he said
unto him, dost thou believe on the son of God? Now the Lord
went looking for him after he heard this. And you know, in
reality, I was thinking about this. May God give us grace to
see what I'm getting ready to say. It's only when you see that
religion is no good that you can hear his voice. it wasn't
until they he was cast out now our lord appears to him and he
says dost thou believe on the son of god they couldn't hear
this until they were kicked out dost thou believe on the son
of god now he found him, and he asked him this simple, direct,
all-important question, Do you believe on the Son of God? Now,
up to this point, he really hadn't. Because he said, as we go on
reading, Who is he, Lord, that I might believe? He didn't know
who he was yet. But our Lord asked this simple
question, Dost thou believe on the Son of God? The Son of God is God the Son. The uncreated Eternal Son of
God, the Creator, the absolute sovereign of the universe. Now, when you're talking about
the Son of God, most folks would say, well, I believe it's the
Son of God. Well, do you believe what the Bible means by that?
There's a big difference. It's one thing to say, well,
I believe Jesus Christ is the Son of God. Probably a whole lot of
people in Lexington, Kentucky would say they believe He's the
Son of God. But what does that mean? Do you mean what the Bible means
by that? Because if you believe He's the Son of God, that means
you believe He's God. That means you believe He's One
with the Father. That means you believe He's the
Second Person of the Blessed Trinity. That means you believe
that He's Sovereign. That means you believe that everybody's
in His hands. And He can do with everybody
whatever He's pleased to do. That means you believe you're
in His hands. And He can do with you whatever He's pleased to
do. And whatever He does is right. You believe He's God. He's all-powerful. He's everywhere
at once. He's all that God is. He is. That's what you believe when
you believe he's the son of God. Turn over to Acts chapter 8. Acts chapter 8. Verse 35. Then Philip opened his mouth
and began at that same scripture and preached unto him Jesus. And as they went on their way,
they came under a certain water and the eunuch said, see, here's
water. What does hinder me to be baptized? Now, obviously he
heard of baptism while Philip preached unto him, Jesus. And
he said, here's water. Now I want to know if there's
a reason why I shouldn't be baptized and shouldn't confess Christ.
Evidently he was shaky on this. He didn't know whether or not
he should. He said, you give me a reason why I shouldn't be
baptized or what hinders me from being baptized. And look how
Philip answers. Verse 37. And Philip said, if
thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered
and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. And my dear friend, I believe
that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. Do you believe that?
I believe. that Jesus Christ is the son
of God. You see, if you believe he's
the son of God, you have saving faith. And let me show you that
from the scripture. I want to make good on that.
If you believe that he is the son of God, God, the son, you
have saving faith. Turn to first John chapter five. Verse 4, For whatsoever is born of God
overcometh the world, and this is the victory that overcometh
the world, even our faith. Who is he that overcometh the
world? But he that believeth. that Jesus is the Son of God. If you believe that Jesus Christ
is the Son of God, you have saving faith. Now, what's that mean? Because I would
just about bet that everybody in this room would say, I believe
that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. I'd say about everybody
in this room would say that. What's it mean? That doesn't
mean everybody here has saving faith. Stay with me. Stay with
me. If you believe He's the Son of
God, there's something else you're going to believe. Turn with me
to Romans chapter 8. Romans chapter 8. If you really
believe He's God the Son, let me show you what else you're
going to believe. Verse 32. He that spared not His own Son. Christ being the Son of God and
God the Father didn't spare Him when He was found with the sins
of His people. They became His and God spared
Him not. God didn't let Him go free. He
that spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all.
He asks a question. How shall He not with Him also
freely give us all things? Now you listen to me real carefully.
Is Jesus Christ the Son of God? Now, if He is, And he is. The sins of God's elect were
placed upon him. And God didn't spare him. If Jesus Christ died for you,
what can possibly prevent your complete salvation? He that spared not his own son,
but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not freely give
us all things? Who shall lay anything to the
charge of God's elect? It's God that justifies. You
see, when Christ died, was buried, and raised again, all of the
elect were justified by what He did. Who is He that can condemn? It's Christ that died. That's
the only answer I need. It's Christ that died. If Christ
died for me, my salvation isn't a possibility. It's an accomplished
fact. when he said it is finished because
of who said it. You know what? It was finished. I need no other argument. I need
no other plea. It is enough that Jesus died
and that he died for me. I don't need anything else. You see, if you believe that
He's the Son of God, you believe that what He did must be successful. You see this foolishness of believing,
well, He made salvation possible for everybody, but now it's up
to what you do? That's foolishness. There's no gospel in that message.
The gospel is that Christ actually accomplished my salvation. I don't need anything else. Now,
if you believe He's the Son of God, You also believe that if
he died for you, you must be saved. He himself is salvation. You believe that, don't you?
You surely do. Now back to John chapter 9. Verse 35, And Jesus heard that
they cast him out. He was kicked out of man's religion.
And when he found him, He said unto him, Dost thou believe on
the Son of God? Verse 36. He answered and said, Who is he, Lord, that I might
believe on him? I love the honesty of his answer.
Who is he that I might believe on him? You know, you can't believe
on somebody you don't know. It's impossible. Who is he, Lord,
that I might believe? I'd love to just stay right there
for a while. Who is he? He's the Son of God. He's the
creator. He's the sovereign of the universe.
He's the only savior of sinners. He's the well-beloved of the
father. Oh, we could go on. Who is he, Lord, that I might
believe? Now look how our Lord answers. Jesus said unto him,
verse 37, thou has both seen him and it is he that talketh
with thee. And he said, Lord, I believe and he worshiped Him. And this is what everybody who
believes does. They worship Him. You only worship
God. Anybody in here going to worship
me? No. I'm a sinful, fallible, frail
man. You're not going to worship me.
You only worship God. And you worship one and the only
time you worship God is when you really believe that you don't
have any control, that you're in his hands and he can do with
you whatever he's pleased to do. Now, that's worship. You
only worship a sovereign. Now, he says he sees who Christ
is right then. He says, Lord, I believe. And
he worshiped him. That's what all who believe do.
They worship him. Verse 39. Now, here's what our
Lord says about all this. And Jesus said, as he saw this
blind man worshiping before him. And he saw everybody else thinking
he was nothing but a fellow, you know, a nothing, a nobody.
And he sees this one person worshiping. And Jesus said, for judgment,
I am come into this world. Judgment, the passing of a sentence. The verdict of justice for judgment,
I'm coming to this world. Did you know the judgment's already
taken place? Now the handing out of the sentences
hasn't yet. That'll happen on what we call judgment day, but
judgment's already taken place. When Christ Jesus died, everybody
he died for was justified in God's sight, was saved by the
grace of God. They were saved in eternity.
They're saved when Christ died. They're saved when they believe.
But our Lord said, for judgment, I'm coming to this world. And
that's exactly what took place. Judgment. All of God's people
were saved. Before I go on, is this good
news to you? Salvation by what Christ did? And you know what
else? Every unbeliever was condemned,
found guilty. For judgment, our Lord said,
if I come into this world. Look what he says next. for judgment i'm coming to this
world that they which see not might see and they which see
might be made blind now the lord says this is why i came that
they would see not might see and they would see might be made
blind now what's this all about what's this mean Well, here's
somebody who's blind. They cannot see. They cannot
see why God would look in favor toward them. They really can't.
They don't have a hard time with God sending them to hell because
they know that's what they deserve. They don't argue with the gospel.
They can't find one reason in themselves. They can't see why
God would save them. They really can't see. They see
that there are They deserve to be banished from His presence.
They can't see. Do you know everybody like that
God saves? Every single one of them without
exception. If you're somebody that can't
see why God would look in mercy toward you, you're somebody He has mercy
on. And everybody who sees is going to be made blind. Now,
who's that person? Well, he can see why God would save him. I can
see why God would save me. I mean, after all, I believed. I've repented.
I've been baptized, I've witnessed, I've prayed, I've done my best. I can see why God would save
me. And if I'm not saved right now, I can see how I can be saved
one of these days. I can start believing whenever I get ready
to. Whenever I want to, I can believe and I can repent. Just
whenever the time comes, I can see why God would save me. Now,
what does our Lord say about that person who can see why God
would save him? He says, I've come that they might be made
blind. And that's his judgment against that person. Verse 40,
And some of the Pharisees which were with him heard these words,
and they said unto him, Are we blind also? They knew he was
talking about them. Jesus said unto them, If you
were blind, you should have no sin. You see, everybody who's
blind Christ died for them. And you know what God says regarding
that person? They have no sin. If Jesus Christ died for you,
you have no sin. Well, what's the evidence that
he died for me? All who he died for believe the
gospel. That's the evidence. Now, if
you were blind, You'd have no sin. You'd be just in my sight.
You'd be somebody who believes. But now you say, we see. Therefore,
there's no more solemn words than this. Therefore, your sin
remains. It remains on you. It'll remain
on you on judgment day and it'll remain on you throughout all
eternity. Now that's something I don't
want to have anything to do with. I don't want my sin to remain
on me. Let's go back to verse 35. Let's
close with this. And Jesus heard that they cast
him out. And when he found him, he said unto him, dost thou believe
on the Son of God? Now you listen to me. You can
answer that right now with a yes or a no. Do you believe on the Son of
God? Yes, I do. Yes, I do. Everybody who believes on the
Son of God has no sin. Christ put it away. It is no
more. That's what he accomplished on
the cross. And He is our salvation. Do you believe on the Son of
God? Yes, I do. Hope you do too. Let's pray together.