Variations of Light and Darkness
by Rev. Kirby Williams
Analyzing the different responses to the Light of Jesus.
Text: John 9:13-23
Date: 12/10/2017, the Traditional service.
Series: "John: Encountering Love" Part 73
Occasion: Advent
Description:
As our study of the story of the man born blind continues, we will see him brought before the Pharisees of the Jews to be interrogated concerning what happened to him. We will witness the Light that has permeated the man's soul confronted by the darkness of presupposition and unbelief. But in the process, some of those involved in this epic drama will wrestle with the Light of the man's testimony. Some will illogically reject what they know to be true while others will logically process the validity of the man's claims. Using the metaphors of the dawn, twilight, nighttime, and the full light of day to help our understanding, we will ultimately see variations of Light and darkness in the way people respond to the Gospel. The emphasis, of course, will be on letting go of the darkness and clinging to the brilliance of the Light of Christ.
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I. Introduction, James 1:17.
II. Exposition of the text, John 9:13-23.
A. Context
B. The first interrogation of the man formerly blind, vs. 13-17.
1. Overview
2. Going to the Pharisees, vs. 13.
a. The response of unbelief.
b. An "officially unofficial" gathering.
c. No longer blind.
3. The heart of the problem, vs. 14.
a. Religiosity and the Sabbath.
b. Remembering how the Sabbath was breached.
4. The interrogation begins, vs. 15.
a. A question with intent.
b. The importance of a consistent testimony.
i. Consistency in words.
ii. Consistency in action, Rom. 14:13, 1John 2:10.
5. Darkness and the hint of the dawn, vs. 16.
a. The darkness of presupposition.
i. The commandments of men, Matt. 15:9.
ii. An illogical position.
iii. The danger of presupposition.
b. The first rays of the dayspring.
i. Identifying the dissenters, John 3:2.
ii. The argument of the dissenters.
iii. Bringing Light into the darkness.
iv. A better logic.
c. A division.
6. Increasing saturation, vs. 17.
a. A deeper darkness.
b. A brighter Light, John 4:19, 6:14, 9:11.
c. A deeper irony.
C. The interrogation of the parents, vs. 18-23.
1. The presupposition of unbelief, vs. 18a.
a. Another faulty premise, John 8:41.
b. Theological Liberalism.
2. Going to the source, vs. 18b-19.
3. The parents' answer, vs. 20-21.
a. The simple truthful answer, vs. 20.
b. Dodging the truth, vs. 21.
c. The reason for the dodge, vs. 22-23.
i. Fear of the Jews, John 3:1-2, 7:13.
ii. Fear of excommunication.
d. A scant harvest, John 4:35, Matt. 23:13.
III. Application
A. The irrational denial of the truth.
B. A rational consideration of the truth.
IV. Conclusion
