The episode of Jesus restoring sight to a blind man is a living picture of Jesus’s teaching about salvation in the first eight chapters of John. Forgiveness, eternal life, salvation itself is exclusively based upon how one question is answered: Do you truly believe in Jesus as Lord and Savior?

Outline:

• The God Who Saves

• The Necessary Confession

• Truth Divides

With undeniable proof of his divinity and mission in front of them, three parties faced a decision about Jesus. Like modern-day responses, there were those who refused to believe, those who rushed to compromise to keep all parties happy, and only one willing to bear the consequences of standing for truth.

Outline:

• Obstinate Unbelief

• Who Do You Fear?

• Faith Strengthened by Trial

The Apostle John chose to recount seven miracles of Jesus to convey important spiritual truths. In healing the man born blind, Jesus not only displayed the power of God but gave us reason to be humble servants of Christ, proclaiming the saving gospel to the nations.

Outline:

• A Humbling Truth

• Work to Be Done

• The Wondrous Works of God

• The Testimony of a Transformed Life

The problem of suffering is neither unique nor unknown to Christians. When we see suffering or experience suffering it is natural to want to understand why. The Bible provides the answers.

Outline:

• The Perplexing Problem of Suffering

• The Danger of Unbiblical Answers

• God’s Glory in Suffering

As followers of Jesus, we are not immune from suffering abuse for proclaiming Jesus Chris and him crucified for salvation to all who will believe. How might we respond? Jesus should be our model and guide, just as he is our Lord.

Outline:

• The Common Attack

• The Source of True Glory

• Affirming the Promise

• He is Our God

According to recent surveys, many people belief that faith will result in reconciliation to God and eternal life, BUT those surveys indicate that people do not make a biblical distinction about the object of faith. As Jesus continues teaching, he makes abundantly clear that it is faith in Jesus alone that saves! No other faith can lead to a right relationship with God now or in all eternity.

Outline:

• False Assurance Rejected

• Introducing Satan

• Word-Centered Faith

“Jesus will set you free!” While true, this statement has little impact on a world in which people believe they are already free. It is only the truth of God’s Word that reveals humanity’s true condition of slavery—a condition remedied only through faith in the perfect person and work of Jesus.

Outline:

• Profession or Possession

• Freedom in Christ

From the first century Pharisees to the modern person, the truth that salvation is by grace through faith in Jesus alone can be hard to accept. Pride fuels a self-righteous attitude that often produces unbelief, but the Cross is undeniable evidence that Jesus is the Christ and Son of God. “Unless you believe,” Jesus said, “you will die in your sins.”

Outline:

• Bad Questions

• Hard Truth

• Testimony of the Cross