How to Witness to Skeptics (John 9:1-41)
Most of us do not witness because we are afraid of being hurt by skeptical people. Jesus gives us a great example of a blind man who overcame his fears and shared the truth of Christ’s love with the power of his personal testimony.
Illustration:I was speaking at an open-air crusade in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Billy Graham was to speak the next night and had arrived a day early. He came incognito and sat on the grass at the rear of the crowd. Because he was wearing a hat and dark glasses, no one recognized him.
Directly in front of him sat an elderly gentleman who seemed to be listening intently to my presentation. When I invited people to come forward as an open sign of commitment, Billy decided to do a little personal evangelism. He tapped the man on the shoulder and asked, "Would you like to accept Christ? I’ll be glad to walk down with you if you want to." The old man looked him up and down, thought it over for a moment, and then said, "Naw, I think I’ll just wait till the big gun comes tomorrow night." Billy and I have had several good chuckles over that incident. Unfortunately, it underlines how, in the minds of many people, evangelism is the task of the "Big Guns," not the "little shots."
Lieghton Ford, Good News is for Sharing, 1977, David C. Cook Publishing Co., p. 67.
In John chapter nine there are four responses to Jesus. Only one provides us with a guideline for overcoming skepticism. Let us trust the Lord to help open our emotional, spiritual and mental eyes to see what the Lord has to teach us in this passage today. (Pray)
1. Jesus taught that God had allowed the man to be born blind so that the works of God could be displayed in him. Too many times people falsely believe that they are suffering because of some sin in their life. The Lord Jesus said, "It was neither that this man sinned nor his parents, but he was born blind so that the power of God could be seen in him. All of us must quickly carry out the tasks assigned to us by the one who sent us because there is little time left." (John 9:3,4)
Application: Let us realize that the Lord allows hardship, handicaps or setbacks to come in to our lives so He can demonstrate His greater will through us. Do not resent what the Lord is doing in and through you. Rejoice that He has allowed you to experience this difficulty as He is still on the throne ruling all things well. It should then be well with our soul.
2. Jesus exposed the religious leaders for the skeptics they were through this encounter. The Pharisees immediately doubted and questioned the man saysing, "This man Jesus is not from God, for he is working on the Sabbath. Others said, "But how could an ordinary sinner do such miraculous signs? So there was a deep division of opinion among them. They were skeptical of one another. This describes the way most Americans treat any news today. Jesus says to us in our doubtful moods, "Be it done to you according to your faith." "Faith is the victory that overcomes the world." When we tend to doubt God’s mighty power, grace and love then we can expect to miss God’s blessings. Allow the Lord to do whatever He wants in order to work His greater works through regardless of what other critics, doubters or immature Christians might have to say about your situation.
3. Jesus showed us that even the blind man’s parents showed feared of being excommunicated so they deferred to their son. When we have an opportunity to speak up for the gospel and we fail to do so, we are living by fear rather than faith. Paul wrote, "We walk by faith not by sight... I care very little what others say about me, for judgment is from the Lord." Develop a thick enough skin so you are not apt to shy away from doing what God wants you to do for fear of misunderstanding, rejection or scorning.
4. Jesus showed how one man’s suffering provided a felt need that led to an open door for the gospel. Many Christians need to look for the felt needs of people in order to maximizie the effective of our communication. Most people have mental filters that block messages from penetrating to their heart felt allegiances. The Lord wants us to speak to the felt needs of people so that they will begin to open the door of their values, beliefs, and perceptions of what is truly worth relying on. Ask the Lord to give you wisdom, sensitivity and insight into the felt needs of the people you come in contact with.
Illustration:In a yet-to-be-released poll, George Gallup, Jr., reported seven needs of the average American:
1. The need for shelter and food,
2. The need to believe life is meaningful and has a purpose,
3. The need for a sense of community and deeper relationships,
4. The need to be appreciated and respected,
5. The need to be listened to and be heard,
6. The need to feel one is growing in faith,
7. The need for practical help in developing a mature faith.
National and International Religion Report, May 29, 1991.
5. Jesus showed that the blind man did not need to know all of the answers to skeptics questions in order to be used by God. The blind man said, "I don’t know whether he is a sinner. But I know this; I was blind and now I can see." You do not have to have a correct answer for every question before you witness for Jesus. It helps if you are trained in evangelism through a formal course, but just share your personal testimony of how the Lord gave you new life through faith in Christ. The blind man explained the changes that were wrought in his life through Jesus. That is the essential element of any effective testimony. Begin by explaining what your life was like before you met Christ, then describe how you met Christ as your Savior and Lord and then give a few examples of how Christ has changed your life for the better. This simple three point outline will be as effective as any gospel presentation for the majority of the people you encounter.
6. The blind man showed a growing faith and knowledge of God as He obeyed Jesus. "When Jesus heard what had happened he found the man and said, "Do you believe in the Son of Man? The man answered, Who is he, because I would like to. Jesus said, "You have seen him, and he is speaking to you. Yes, Lord I believe and He worshiped Jesus." Jesus said, "I have come to judge the world. I have come to give sight to the blind and to show those who think they see that they are blind." (John 9:35-39) Even though we may receive persecution for being a witness, obedience, faith and worship of God will help us grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior. (2 Pet. 3:18)
Application: The most fruitful and mature Christians are those who consistently share what God has given to them with those in need. Do not just keep the faith, give to the others the great blessings God has bestowed upon you.
7. The Pharisees remained spiritually blind because they chose not to see Jesus for who He was. This shocked them because they were hardened by their skepticism, cynicism and religious piety. Stubborness, stupidity and selfishiness tends to blind even the most sincere persons to the truth. Religious people try to excuse themselves from doing God’s will by using all kinds of tricks. Doing God’s will produces good spiritual fruit in quantity and quality. Those who are not spiritually fruitful are evidencing Pharisaicalism in their lives.
Application: Remain open, yielded and submitted to God’s will in all aspects of your life or there will be tendency to become hardened to what He wants you to see, do and become.
8. Jesus taught that those who remain pliable to listen to His voice will understand and be blessed in miraculous ways. However, those who are skeptical, complacent or unwilling to learn new things will suffer for their spiritual blindness. We need to warn people that God is not playing games. Failure to gain spiritual understanding and insight has terrible consequences. People are not rejecting us but they are rejecting God and His truth through their self-satisfied, skeptical and pride attitudes. Be strong and courageous and act. Do not fear or be dismayed for the Lord will go with you and will accomplish all that He send you forth to do. (Josh. 1:9)
Quote: Fear the Lord for those who fear Him there is not want. The young lions lack and suffer hunger, but those who seek the Lord will not one good thing.
Concluding Thought:It is easy to determine when something is aflame. It ignites other material. Any fire that does not spread will eventually go out. A church without evangelism is a contradiction in terms, just as a fire that does not burn is a contradiction.
Christian Theology in Plain Language, p. 162
If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart:
Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
If you prayed that prayer, God heard you and saved you. I personally want to welcome you to the family of God
