Clear As Mud

I. Hopelessness and Hope collide

A. Peers were unable to resolve problems of his life

B. God’s meal on wheels — JESUS

C. His gross condition triggered question by apostles

D. We are taught not to ask God any questions

E. That is not biblical, we learn by asking questions of the Teacher

F. They asked the Answer a question “who has sinned that he is in the dilemma he is in?” — neither

G. Some questions I reserve for God

H. I give up asking humans questions and hearing the facade of wisdom, excuses and trivia

I. Go to the Answer and ask a question

J. Why is it like it is?

K. If you don’t fix it, would you please explain it, tell me why

L. We always want to cast the blame in another direction

M. None of this is to blame in this instance, God is going to get the glory out of this lifelong mess

N. The Lord’s answer was better than their question — it addressed not why it is the way it is but His answer said He’s not going to stay like that

O. God always gives you more than you ask for

P. Only the conductor of the orchestra, with the tap of his baton, can bring music out of chaos

Q. Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

R. God knows how to get glory out of the most embarrassing situation in your life

S. The enemy meant it to take you out, but God is going to use it to take you through

T. He was in a mess but Jesus said I’m going to get him out of it

II. I AM the light of the world

A. In the face of the darkness of this man’s personal dilemma, Jesus says I am the light of the world — not I shall be

B. Even though things have blacked out for your circumstance, God’s character does not change — I AM THE LIGHT

C. You don’t have to wait until you get out to know I AM

D. I AM when it does not look like I will be — All hell is breaking loose but you know I AM

E. James 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

F. God has not ceased to be who He is

G. You can’t see but I AM

III. Spit on the ground

A. When He told the man who He was, he did something unorthodox, a breach of pulpit etiquette, unprofessional

B. In the middle of a profound theological exegesis of an expositional text, He spat on the ground

C. Some times we are too tight and orderly — we got to break some rules

D. God does not always follow the program

E. He’ll do something that does not make sense, it is crazy, radical move of God — spitting on the ground

F. He spat on the thing we (flesh) came from

G. If you want victory you will do whatever it takes

H. If you are really in trouble, you’ll let Him no matter what it costs

1. Lay prostrate on the floor

2. Dance like a monkey

3. Leap like a kangaroo

4. Stand on your head

I. He made a mud pie and put it on his eyes

III. Between spitting and washing

A. At the end of his degradation, he still could not see — you must be ready for this stage of your walk with the Lord

B. He met the Lord, received the ministry of the Lord, was anointed but still could not see

C. Time period when He anoints you but it looks like it is not working

D. You must be willing to be anointed and:

1. Still wait

2. Be in the shadows

3. Be in the background

4. Be overlooked sometimes

5. Still can’t make it across the street

6. Ain’t got it all together

7. Know when your time will come

E. If God put it on you it will show up after while

F. It did not just start today — God has been working on a mud pie for a while

G. Don’t let the mud discourage you

H. If you’re willing to look muddy for a while, if you hold out He’ll bless you

I. What God did yesterday will work today, what He does today will work tomorrow — don’t be discouraged by the mud

J. It takes a long time for it to take effect, but what is in you will work its way out of you after while