Sunday Evening 11.13.11
jmichaelwalls
John 9:4-5
Introduction: How many needy people do you think you see on any given
day? There are many needy people are all around us. All we have to do is
just look for them. They are in desperate need encouragement, comfort,
forgiveness, and care. I was think of some of the young people that work
with Wanda and I. They do not have any direction. What they think is good
is harmful and seals their souls for eternity for hell.
Many times we tend to think we are too busy for people. Our schedules are
so demanding that we don�t have time to get involved in other people�s
problems. This attitude is so common and it is to our shame. Jesus does
not just view us as people with problems. Jesus really cares and He is
drawn to our heartaches so that He may strengthen us. In John 9, we find
the Saviour caringly and compassionately meeting the need of a blind man.
1st Peter 5:7
"Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you."
We see that the disciples are immediately assuming that this man�s
condition is due to some sinful failure in his life or his parents. The
disciples were quick to point a finger and suppose why this man had this
ailment. When we act and jump to these conclusions like the disciples
did, it is a good indicator that we lack compassion and love for those
who are hurting. Sometimes the only exercise some people get is jumping
to conclusions.
Jesus quickly denounced their assumptions and clearly stated, "Neither
hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should
be made manifest in him."
In verses 4�5, Jesus announces that this man�s blindness was to
demonstrate the power of God. Also, it was a work ordained by the
Heavenly Father that Jesus would perform. Jesus healed this man�s
blindness. These verses show five truths about doing the work of the
Lord.
I. PERSONAL
Jesus said, "I must work the works of him that sent me�" He knew the work
was personal. It was something He needed to do. We need to look at
serving and helping people as our personal responsibility. This is
something that the Lord wants for us to do.
You and I should take a very personal desire for this work. It is people
that need us.
II. PASSION
Look at what Jesus is saying here. "I must work." He had the attitude
that this must be done. There are no excuses for Jesus. Yet people use
all kinds of excuses. I find this list of excuses that many people use.
They can be easily seen in the church too. They are considered the ten
most used excuses
1. I forgot.
2. No one told me to go ahead.
3. I didn�t think it was that important.
4. Wait until the boss comes back and ask him.
5. I didn�t know you were in a hurry for it.
6. That�s the way we�ve always done it.
7. That�s not in my department.
8. How was I to know this was different?
9. I�m waiting for an O.K.
10. That�s his job�not mine.
The Lord�s work demands passion. I see your passion on the soccer field.
I see passion in the job. I see passion in regards to politics. I see
passion at the grocery store or the gas station. But many times we don�t
have the passion we should for this eternal work of winning souls to
Christ and getting discipled for Him.
III. PLAN
Jesus understood that His Father had a particular plan for His life. "I
must work the works of him that sent me." Jesus was consumed with
fulfilling the Father�s will in His life.
Believers need to come to the point of understanding that God has a plan
for their lives. What is the Lord�s plan for your life? It is not God�s
plan for everyone to be a pastor or a missionary. It is God�s will for us
to be faithful. We should not live our lives seeking our own
satisfaction, but pleasing the Lord.
PRIORITY
"The night cometh, when no man can work."
Jesus knew He could not put off what needed to be done today.
James 4:14
"Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life?
It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth
away."
To whom do you need to witness? Who has the Lord laid on your heart that
you have put off talking in regards to Christ? May each of us realize
that God�s work deserves a sense of urgency! Let�s do it now.
V. PURPOSE Vs. 5
"As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world."
As believers, we are commanded to shine as stars in this world. We should
be shining in the dark places. Isaiah 9:2
"The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that
dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light
shined."
What condition our world, our country, our states, our cities, our
communities, even our homes would be in if all Christians would reflect
the light of Jesus Christ through their lives?
Conclusion: May I challenge you today to let your light shine before
others? Needy people are all around us and they need us.
Pastor Mike Walls
Freedom Baptist Church Smithfield, NC
http://freedombaptistchurchnc.wordpress.com/
http://iglesiabautistalibertad.wordpress.com/
____________________________________________________________
Penny Stock Jumping 3000%
Sign up to the #1 voted penny stock newsletter for free today!
http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL3141/4ebfacdcdcec81415224st06vuc