“Share Good News – by Testimony”
John 9:6-17,24-38 March 25, 2007 Play
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The Mystery of Darkness
○ blind hampered by limited visibility -
subject to pranks
○ light necessary to know the truth of the
situation
○ need to be letting our light shine before
the night comes (9:4; Mt 5:16)
Whaddaya Know
○ chapter full of wonder, questions: know /
don’t know
○ Jesus brings light to make known God’s work
(9:5; 8:12)
○ meaning linked to wonder; knowing Jesus
basis of testimony
○ former blind man’s testimony refined as gets
re-told (9:11, 15, 25)
The Barrage that Backfired
○ questioned by neighbours, who lead him to
Pharisees (9:8; Lev 14:3; Lk 17:14)
○ leaders question parents, then admonish
telling of truth by solemn oath (9:24)
○ degenerates into abuse / harassment, pulling
rank (9:28ff)
○ man’s defence draws on their own arguments,
Scripture, and logic, to show Jesus must be from God (Is 1:15; 59:2)
○ thrown out of synagogue, but miracle
corroborated
Jesus Cares for the Cast-offs
○ Christ defends man’s integrity, heals him
without asking, finds him when excommunicated (9:3,6,35)
○ receives man’s declaration of faith, and
worship: God’s work displayed (Mt 10:32; Jn 6:29, 9:3)
Tell It Testimonially
○ those with this style communicate clearly,
good listeners, connect with others’ experience
○ relate your story to friend’s life; don’t
downplay your ‘ordinariness’ - easier to relate to
○ what is ‘the Gospel according to you’?