CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW?                                               EAST BAY FELLOWSHIP

(Series, #3)                                                                                           November 27, 2005

 

HEARING THROUGH OUR FAVORITISMS

TEXT: John 9:1-41

INTRODUCTION

 

·        The original Thanksgiving was an exchange of ideas between learning Christians and learning non-Christians.

 

·        The principles of God’s life and love are embedded in every culture, though often covered or surrounded by idolatrous practices.

 

1)      GOD CAN SPEAK THROUGH ANYONE

 

·        The Bible is filled with examples of cross-cultural communications that changed people’s lives.

 

·        Some other examples are:

 

a. Balaam’s donkey

 

2)      JESUS BROKE THE CULTURAL MOLD

 

·        New Testament accounts of Jesus’ life are replete with stories of him refuting social misconceptions and crossing prejudicial barriers

 

·        Some of those stories include:

 

  1. The Woman at the Well

 

  1. The Leper

 

  1. Zacchaeus the corrupt accountant

 

  1. The Roman Centurion

 

  1. The Magi

 

 

3)      ALL OF US FIT INTO THIS STORY

 

·        There are essentially 5 characters in this story (of the blind man):

 

  1. The Pharisees

 

  1. The Parents

 

  1. The Crowd

 

  1. The Blind Man

 

  1. The Savior

 

·        Then Peter began to speak: "I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right.”   Acts 10:34-35 (NIV)

 

 

CONCLUSION

 

·        If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, "Love your neighbor as yourself," you are doing right.  But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers.   James 2:8-9 (NIV)