Doth God Hear Sinners? Series

INTRODUCTION

Outline.

1. Doth God Hear Sinners?

Remarks.

1. In this lesson today, we will be discussing the theme: “Doth God Hear Sinners?” This is the first lesson, in the sermon-series entitled: “Re-digging in Old Wells.” There will be many others bearing this title. We are re-digging in old wells, to receive what Isaiah promised: "With joy, you will draw water from the wells of salvation," Isaiah 12:3. There are times we must re-dig in old wells, to obtain the joy found in the: “waters of salvation.” This sermon type is called, “expository preaching.” In these lessons, our goal will be: "to dig a little deeper," in the text of emphasis. We will allow the writer, the characters in the verses, and the words of the Master, to shed new meaning, to His words of eternal life, John 6:63; John 6:67-69.

2. We will answer the question in this sermon-series: "Doth God Hear Sinners?” By this, we mean: can a sinner pray for salvation under the "new covenant?" Is there such a thing as, "A Sinner's Prayer?" We will re-dig in old wells to find a biblical answer. Ulysses Shields, called this kind of teaching: “digging a little deeper,” in the word of truth. He was my grandfather in Christ. We will use as a foundational text, for this sermon-series: “And Isaac re-dug the wells of water, which they had dug in the days of Abraham...for the Philistines had stopped them (closed them up) after Abraham’s death, etc.,” Genesis 26:18. The Philistines: “Stopped them, and filled them with earth,” because they envied Isaac’s possessions, Genesis 26:14-15.

3. Our scripture of emphasis reads thusly: “Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man is a worshipper of God, and doeth His will, him He heareth,” John 9:31. This verse has troubled many over the years. Many have inferred that God does not hear a sinner's prayer. And, therefore, such prayers cannot save the petitioner. It’s essential to consider every text within its context of the scriptures. With God’s help, we will do just that, to draw: “New water from old wells.” With this introduction, let’s consider this topic carefully, with both our bibles and hearts opened unto God.

BODY OF LESSON

I DOTH GOD HEAR SINNERS?

A. Background of the lesson. The lesson's background is this: Jesus has just healed a blind man who was blind from his birth. The Pharisees are questioning him regarding how he had received his sight and by whom! Not belabor the point of this lesson; we will briefly introduce the man born blind from birth. Our reading begins at John 9:1. Consider, as we review the lesson’s background, scriptural context, and finally, the text of emphasis. Observe--

1. Jesus saw the man. John wrote: And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth. And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind? Jesus answered: Neither hath this man sinned nor his parents: but that God's works should be made manifest in him. I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh when no man can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world,” John 9:1-5; John 8:12; Isaiah 42:6-7.

2. Jesus heals the man. John continued: “When he had thus spoken, he spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and he anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay, And said unto him, Go, wash in the pool of Siloam, (which is by interpretation, Sent.) He went his way, therefore, and washed, and came seeing. Therefore, the neighbors and they who before had seen him that he was blind said: Is not this he that sat and begged? Some said: This is he: others said, He is like him: but he said: I am he. Therefore said they unto him: How were your eyes opened? He answered and said: A man that is called Jesus made clay, and anointed my eyes, and said unto me: Go to the pool of Siloam and wash: and I went and washed, and I received sight. Then said they unto him, Where is he? He said, I know not,” John 9:6-12.

3. The Pharisee’s interrogation. John further inscribes: “They brought to the Pharisees him that aforetime was blind. And it was the Sabbath day when Jesus made the clay and opened his eyes.” Observe--

a. Then again, the Pharisees: “Also asked him how he had received his sight.”

b. He said unto them, “He put clay upon mine eyes, and I washed, and do see.”

c. Therefore said some of the Pharisees, “This man is not of God, because he keepeth not the Sabbath day,” Matthew 12:8; Mark 2:28; Luke 6:5.