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? Now, 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
9 was given sight. Look in verse 6 of John chapter
9. 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 8. The neighbors therefore,
and they which before had seen him that was blind, said, Is
not this he that saith? 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 9, some said this is he. Others said he's like him, but
he said, I am he. There's some folks who 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 did this happen?
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 you,
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, it just drove the Pharisees crazy. It 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 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, look
what happens here. First, 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 didn't work 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 why,
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 his 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 with this. 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 hath 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, but 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 go
back to John, chapter nine, verse twenty three. 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 twenty four. 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 days. Heal that man. He's a sinner. We know that about him. Verse
25, he answered and said, whether he 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 be? How open he thine eyes. They
asked him the same question. He already told them once, but
here they are asking him again. And I love his answer. He answered
them. I 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. Now 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's faker than
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 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 5. 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
am 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 can you believe my words? And 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, there's 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 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 gliding as a bat. And now he sees. He sees. Oh,
he sees the power of this. He says, here it is a marvelous
thing. 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 worshipper
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 dost thou teach
us? And they cast him out. They excommunicated
him. They got rid of him. You were
all, where did 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 altogether
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 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 His 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 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. Does 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. Does 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 He's the
Son of God. Well, do you believe what the Bible means by that?
It'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. 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 unto a certain water, and the eunuch said, See, here's
water. What doth hinder me to be baptized? Now, obviously,
he heard of baptism 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.
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 1 John chapter 5. 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 asked the 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 Who shall lay anything to the charge of God's elect
if God would justify it? You see, when Christ died and
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? 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 hast both seen him, and it is he that talketh
with thee. And he said, Lord, I believe, and he worshipped
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 in... 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 were 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,
have I come into this world. And 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 which see not might see, and they which see
might be made blind. Now what's this all about? 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 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, you can see why God would save them. I can
see why God would save me. I mean, after all, I've 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 he died for believed 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 will remain
on you on judgment day. It will 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 had
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.