A Study of John - Sermon 42 The Pharisee Investigation John 9:13-34 July 15, 2018

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1 A Study of John - Sermon 42 The Pharisee Investigation John 9:13-34 July 15, Introduction A. Illustration - 2. Sermon A. Scripture 1. John 9:13-34 a. They brought to the Pharisees the man who had been blind. Now the day on which Jesus had made the mud and opened the man s eyes was a Sabbath. Therefore the Pharisees also asked him how he had received his sight. He put mud on my eyes, the man replied, and I washed, and now I see. Some of the Pharisees said, This man is not from God, for he does not keep the Sabbath. But others asked, How can a sinner perform such signs? So they were divided. Then they turned again to the blind man, What have you to say about him? It was your eyes he opened. The man replied, He is a prophet. They still did not believe that he had been blind and had received his sight until they sent for the man s parents. Is this your son? they asked. Is this the one you say was born blind? How is it that now he can see? We know he is our son, the parents answered, and we know he was born blind. But how he can see now, or who opened his eyes, we don t know. Ask him. He is of age; he will speak for himself. His parents said this because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders, who already had decided that anyone who acknowledged that Jesus was the Messiah would be put out of the synagogue. That was why his parents said, He is of age; ask him. A second time they summoned the man who had been blind. Give glory to God by telling the truth, they said. We know this man is a sinner. He replied, Whether he is a sinner or not, I don t know. One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see! Then they asked him, What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes? He answered, I have told you already and you did not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you want to become his disciples too? Then they hurled insults at him and said, You are this fellow s disciple! We are disciples of Moses! We know that God spoke to Moses, but as for this fellow, we don t even know where he comes from. The man answered, Now that is remarkable! You don t know where he comes from, yet he opened my eyes. We know that God does not listen to sinners. He listens to the godly person who does his will. Nobody has ever heard of opening the eyes of a man born blind. If this man were not from God, he could do nothing. To this they replied, You were steeped in sin at birth; how dare you lecture us! And they threw him out. John 9:13-34 B. Background 1. In verse 13 we see that They brought the man to the Pharisees. 2. So who was They? 3. The blind man s neighbors. 4. They were unnerved by the miracle in this man s life. 5. And they were especially unnerved that Jesus performed this miracle on the sabbath. 6. So They went to the Pharisees and turned it over to them.

2 7. Those in this crowd knew that the Pharisees opposed Jesus and that the Pharisees were out to prove how right they were and wrong Jesus was. 8. The Pharisees investigation was a perfect example of how not to do a righteous and just review of facts. 9. The pharisees simply wanted to prove their point by finding and even manipulating or intimidating witnesses to get the facts to say what they wanted. 10. That my friends is not how God operates. 11. That is not right and that is not just. 12. But as we explore what the Pharisees did, we learn a lot. 13. So let s explore the hypocritical and unjust process and compare those to what God expects His people to discover through truth. III. Message A. The Pharisees 1. Jesus had been a thorne in the side to the Pharisees 2. They didn t want to accept Jesus as the Messiah because Jesus came in a different way than they anticipated. 3. They didn t see Jesus as Messiah they saw Him instead as a threat to their religion. 4. They brought to the Pharisees the man who had been blind. John 9:13 5. Now the neighbors have taken this formerly blind man to the religious leaders. 6. The Pharisees started to investigate. 7. But the interesting thing about the Pharisee investigation, is they wanted their own conclusion so they started the investigation to prove their point. 8. A real investigation seeks evidence and allows the evidence to reveal the truth and conclusion. 9. The Pharisees investigation wasn t about finding truth. 10. The Pharisee investigation was about finding and or manipulating the evidence to prove what they wanted. 11. That s what the world does. 12. Look at our society today. 13. It is getting more difficult to find people who are interested in discovering real truth. 14. They want to find pieces of information to show that they are right and others are wrong, even if it takes attacks on character and manipulating statements to make them say what they want them to say. 15. That mind set does not come from God. 16. It comes from Satan. 17. God is about truth, man is about doing whatever it takes to prove they are right. 18. The Pharisees show vividly the wrong process to get to truth. 19. Therefore the Pharisees also asked him how he had received his sight. He put mud on my eyes, the man replied, and I washed, and now I see. Some of the Pharisees said, This man is not from God, for he does not keep the Sabbath.

3 But others asked, How can a sinner perform such signs? So they were divided. John 9: When someone is conducting an investigation, those conducting such must take steps to refrain form bias and prejudice. 21. The Pharisees were split. 22. There was a group that took the stance and made a conclusion because the healing took place on the Sabbath that Jesus could not be from God. 23. Do you sense some bias? 24. But we also see others who were wanting to be objective and seek the truth that doing such a miracle could only come from God. 25. So those who were against Jesus asked the man questions again. 26. Then they turned again to the blind man, What have you to say about him? It was your eyes he opened. The man replied, He is a prophet. John 9: The pharisees were not getting anywhere to the resolution they wanted. 28. The man gave them an answer they didn t like. 29. So what did they do? 30. They interviewed the parents to prove whether this was in fact the man who was blind. 31. Maybe this was an imposter. Maybe this is a conspiracy 32. They still did not believe that he had been blind and had received his sight until they sent for the man s parents. John 9: They progressed then to talk to the man yet again. 34. They had dismissed Him but now they recalled him as a witness. 35. They interviewed him twice. 36. With each response they were seeking to discount him. 37. A Pharisee investigation is one riddled with bias, prejudice and pre-conceived conclusions. 38. But God seeks and responds in truth. B. The Parents 1. John 9:20-23 a. We know he is our son, the parents answered, and we know he was born blind. 21 But how he can see now, or who opened his eyes, we don t know. Ask him. He is of age; he will speak for himself. 22 His parents said this because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders, who already had decided that anyone who acknowledged that Jesus was the Messiah would be put out of the synagogue. 23 That was why his parents said, He is of age; ask him. John 9: The parents knew that with the wrong response they were going to be cast out of the synagogue. 3. Some might say they were a bit intimidated. 4. So instead of a truthful response, the Pharisees got a neutral or useless response from the parents. 5. The parents were concerned by what ramifications that they could face if they gave the wrong answer to the Pharisees so they chose to punt. 6. They chose not to get involved so they failed to answer.

4 7. They chose not to invest themselves to the point that they could risk losing something they valued. 8. They were afraid to stand up and proclaim what Jesus did in their son s life. 9. When God s people refuse to stand up for the Lord and truth, it hurts God heart. 10. Are you afraid to stand up for the Lord? 11. Are you afraid to stand up for God s truth? 12. A Pharisee investigation is one riddled with bias, prejudice and pre-conceived conclusions. 13. A witness of the Lord can not be afraid to stand up and testify as to What God has done. 14. The world will seek to do it s worldly and biased investigation on Jesus. 15. When God s children are called upon to witness we cannot be afraid. 16. We can not fail to share the truth of God. 17. God and His children seeks and responds in truth. C. The Man 1. Now in verse 17 the man had just told the Pharisees that he believed that Jesus was a prophet. 2. The Pharisees didn t like that answer. 3. So after they spoke with the parents, the Pharisees called for the man again. 4. A second time they summoned the man who had been blind. Give glory to God by telling the truth, they said. We know this man is a sinner. John 9: What they seemed to be saying is You didn t give us a good answer the first time so let s try this again. 6. But the man stood his ground. 7. He replied, Whether he is a sinner or not, I don t know. One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see! Then they asked him, What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes? He answered, I have told you already and you did not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you want to become his disciples too? John 9: He stood boldly and said what was on his heart. 9. His heart was one of truth. 10. The man couldn t explain how or why Jesus did what He did. 11. But he testified boldly as to the power of God in his life. 12. But friends as we read on, the man s commitment to truth about the true living God was costly to him. 13. Since he chose to tell truth and didn t tell the Pharisees what they wanted to hear, the man was condemned by the synagogue rulers and cast out. 14. But the things that we lose in this world when we live for the Lord, we must consider gain for the Lord. 15. This man maintained his truthful testimony and never compromised the power of God in His life. 16. The world will seek to do it s worldly and biased investigation on Jesus. 17. When God s children are called upon to witness, we cannot be afraid. 18. We cannot fail to share the truth of God.

5 19. Even when standing up for God s truth is costly because we don t compromise God and His truth 20. God and His children seeks and responds in truth. D. The Truth 1. The man answered, Now that is remarkable! You don t know where he comes from, yet he opened my eyes. 31 We know that God does not listen to sinners. He listens to the godly person who does his will. 32 Nobody has ever heard of opening the eyes of a man born blind. 33 If this man were not from God, he could do nothing. John 9: What remarkable truth we hear. 3. Even though the Pharisees were biased and seeking to prove their own point. 4. Truth pleases God. 5. Hypocrites react negatively to the truth, they attack the truth, they call truth false or lies, when the truth contradicts what they want it to be. 6. Look how the masses react today when they don t get their way. 7. When the world is more interested in proving themselves right rather than seeking the truth of God, we have a major problem. 8. Then they hurled insults at him and said, You are this fellow s disciple! We are disciples of Moses! 29 We know that God spoke to Moses, but as for this fellow, we don t even know where he comes from. John 9: They were upset that the truth confounded what they wanted. 10. Truth can be costly on this earth but it gains tremendously in heaven. 11. To this they replied, You were steeped in sin at birth; how dare you lecture us! And they threw him out. John 9: Remember, Jesus had already acknowledged that the sins of this man nor his family was the reason he was blind. 13. The truth of Jesus will always free us from the lies the world and hypocrites throw at us. 14. When someone lies against us: 15. When someone wants us to compromise truth to give them what they want. 16. We must always remember Jesus and His truth. 17. Jesus tells us in John 8:31-32, To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. 32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. John 8: Are you holding to the teachings of Jesus? 19. Do you struggle sometimes with living the truths of Jesus as opposed to joining the biases of the world? 20. The world will seek to do it s worldly and biased investigation on Jesus. 21. When God s children are called upon to witness we cannot be afraid. 22. We cannot fail to share the truth of God. 23. God and His children seeks and responds in truth God s beautiful and perfect truth.

6 E. Invitation 1. Stand with heads bowed. 2. God stands for truth. 3. This morning do you stand beside Him? 4. Do you know Him as your Lord? 5. Are you His disciple? 6. If you are His disciple you will follow His teaching. 7. You will Listen to Him and do His will. 8. The pharisees were about themselves. 9. They were out to prove how right they were at whatever cost. 10. They were even willing to compromise the truth of God to satisfy what they wanted. 11. Friends Jesus is truth. 12. As believers we can never compromise Jesus. 13. We can never compromise truth. 14. The parents were scared so they refused to stand up for Jesus. 15. Friends no matter how difficult the opposition we face, we as believers can never compromise the truth of God. 16. The blind man who received restored sight from Jesus stood up for the truth. 17. The truth was costly, but the gains are eternal. 18. Truth is more than a word or concept. 19. Truth is a person. 20. Jesus said, I am the way the truth and the life, no one comes t the father except by me. 21. When you know Jesus as Lord and savior, you know truth. 22. Truth is a Christian s way of life. 23. Friend will you come to truth today? 24. Prayer and Invitation Hymn.

7 A Study of John - Sermon 42 The Pharisee Investigation John 9:13-34 July 15, Read John 9: Can you summarize what is taking place in this passage? 2. In the message, it was discussed that the Pharisee investigation was riddled with bias, prejudice and pre-conceived conclusions. Do you believe that the scriptures support this thought? Why would such a pursuit be contrary to how God desires His people to seek His truth? 3. Read John 9:24. Why is this such a remarkable statement? How would you have taken this statement if you were the man? 4. Read John 9: Why did the parents respond He is of age; ask him.? 5. How important is it for Christians to stand up for truth? Why or why not? 6. Why can standing up for God s truth be so challenging? 7. On a scale of 1-10 how are Christians doing in setting personal biases aside and standing up for God s truth? How can we achieve a 10. What are some of the barriers and how do we overcome them? 8. Read John 9: What is your reaction to the boldness of the man s response to the Pharisees? What would happen if all Christians were so bold? How do we get there? 9. After responding to the Pharisees, they were very insulting to the man and they threw him out. Why such a reaction? Are you willing to stand up for God s truth even if you are faced with persecution or ridicule? Why or why not?

8 A Study of John - Sermon 42 - July 15, 2018 The Pharisee Investigation John 9:13-34 Scripture for the Bulletin: The man answered, Now that is remarkable! You don t know where he comes from, yet he opened my eyes. We know that God does not listen to sinners. He listens to the godly person who does his will. John 9:30-31 A. The P 1. John 9: John 9: John 9:17 4. John 9:18 B. The P 1. John 9:20-23 C. The M 1. John 9:24 2. John 9:25-27 D. The T 1. John 9: John 9: John 9:34 4. John 8:31-32 A. The Pharisees 1. John 9: John 9: John 9:17 4. John 9:18 B. The Parents 1. John 9:20-23 C. The Man 1. John 9:24 2. John 9:25-27 D. The Truth 1. John 9: John 9: John 9:34 4. John 8:31-32