Sermon Central
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Who Sinned? Series
Contributed by Doug Fannon on Jan 14, 2019 (message contributor)
Summary: We are acquainted with the saying, “There is none so blind as those who will not see.” We will see that there are many types of blindness. Even the disciples were not seeing too clearly.
John 11:4 (NKJV) When Jesus heard that, He said, “This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it.”
In James we are told:
James 1:2–4 (NKJV) My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.
Many things that God allows to come our way is merely preparing us for something bigger. We don’t always know why things happen, but we ought to be praising God for everything.
22 years ago I experienced an aircraft accident that ended my flying career. The accident broke my back and my last landing as a pilot was not one I walked away from. I had thought God had called me to a continued career of flying, even to go into flying for missions, especially with the expeince I gained from over 20 years of military aviation as a pilot. I was laying flat on my back at the West Florida Hospital in Pensacola. I remember being visited by Dr James Monroe (who went on to be with the Lord in 1999). I was having quite the pity party, angry at God for allowing this terrible thing to happen to me. And I remember Dr Monroe’s words to me. He said, “I know you are asking the question, why me? Well I’m here to tell you, why not you?”
God got my attention in that event. I remember the what Dr Monroe said to me. Why not me? God was doing a work, and I would not be here preaching before you today, unless God did something drastic like that. God allowed a disaster to happen in my life and turned it into His glory.
Job never knew why he was called to suffer. God never told him. We may not understand all the things God allows to happen in this life, but we must never lose faith that God has a reason for everything. Not everything that happens is because of a sin.
John 9:4 (NKJV) I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work.
In the Greek and in most other translations, the “I” is “We.” We must work the works of Him who sent Jesus. We must do it while it is day. Why? Because the night is coming. A time is coming when we may be no longer able to do the work. We are called to do the work while we can. We take the situation God has placed us in and do his work to bring Him glory. There is coming a time when we will no longer be able to work. But listen carefully, nowhere in the Bible does God call for us to go into retirement.
There will come a time when we can no longer work, but some of the great regrets in life that I often hear is somethings left undone that should have been done. Unfortunate circumstances is not an excuse. We are to work because of our circumstances, not in spite of them. Often that is what distinguishes Christians from the rest of the world.
John 9:5 (NKJV) As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”
Jesus is not here physically now, but His Holy Spirit lives in us. We are His light. Yes Jesus said He is the light of the world, yet he also tells us that:
