Sermon Tone Analysis

Next week, we will celebrate our nation’s independence - the date in which representatives of the 13 original colonies signed a Declaration of Independence.

One of the most famous lines from that declaration is this:

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

There are words in that sentence that could be pondered and meditated upon profoundly, but the basic sentiment is clear - we are...

created

equal - by the Creator!

and have certain unalienable Rights - including

life - the expectation and right to live

Liberty - the ability to make several choices and express some form of free will

Pursuit of Happiness - the pursuit of some sort of enjoyment in this life.

There is so much in that statement that we could reflect upon in light of the recent Supreme Court decision regarding abortion.

now the unborn have (at least on the Federal level) a right to life

many will feel that the Liberties of women have been infringed upon - but the liberties of the unborn have been upheld.

Some will feel that this decision inhibits their ability to pursue happiness.

My intention here is not to politicize our church or to ostracize anyone.

But I do want to reference the Declaration of Independence for a moment - to contemplate on this idea of pursuing happiness.

What does that mean?

What does it mean for you or for me?

Now, I recognize this is not our constitution.

This is also not our Scripture.

It’s simply a document that made bold statements against what some felt to be an oppressive, overreaching, and distant regime.

But, think about the world view of those who penned those words.

There was an understanding that all humans were created!

Which means there is a Creator.

But beyond that, all humans were created “equal.”

What does that mean?

Equal in value?

- I think yes - though we could say that wasn’t always equitably applied.

As Christians, I think we would even include that all people - men, women, girls, boys, people of every ethnicity or race - are created in the image of God.

Equal in ability?

- Experience tells us we have to respond “no” - all of us have been given differing abilities, desires, strengths, weaknesses.

Equal in experience? - certainly not

If we’re all equal in value, how do we deal with the inequities or unfairness of the fact that some people are born with differing abilities?

How do we wrestle with the fact that many people are born with varying disabilities?

How does an equal pursuit of happiness play into the fact that some people will be disadvantaged by experiences such as abuse, divorce, disease, sickness, infertility, and more?

I bring that up, because, I think it relates well to the text before us today.

If you have your bibles, go ahead and open them to John 9. Now, we will not have any slides today - so referring to your Bible’s will be very helpful.

I believe all of those “disadvantages” or “inequities” could fall under a broad category of suffering.

Suffering can take a variety of forms.

In fact, the dictionary on my computer defines suffering as:

the state of undergoing pain, distress, or hardship

Equally valued in creation, but not equally experienced because of suffering.

So, let’s begin our investigation into the Word of God by considering:

The Question of Suffering (9:1-2)

The disciples clearly had a perspective that suffering happened because of sin.

Common among first century jews - and others - that suffering is directly related to sin or bad actions.

They are not alone.

There are many parts of the world that would agree.

Something bad, something evil that someone did caused this man to be born blind.

But think about the natural outworking of their question - how could this man have sinned before he was born?

Was he overly rambunctious in-utero?

Was he willfully rebellious before he was born?

Clearly this man’s blindness was a hardship - a form of suffering.

It must have a logical source!

Let’s consider various:

Sources of Suffering

Consequences of our own actions -

when I talked back to my mom or hit my brother - the spanking I received was clearly a consequence of my own actions.

Or when I got C in the College Calculus class or the English correspondence course I took, there were clear markers that I did not do something right.

I did not measure up and suffered a lower grade as a result.

Consequences of the actions of others

When Danielle was rear-ended by a student driving a Jeep several months ago - she clearly suffered as a consequence of the actions of others - her car was totaled, her shoulder was injured - resulting in several months of therapy with Pat at the Physical therapy place here in town.

But, in addition to that, as Christians, we could also see that there are...

Consequences of living in a fallen world

The original sin of Adam and Eve has borne outcomes in this world that were not initially intended by God (though, I believe He did expect them - which is why there has been a plan of salvation from the beginning of the world).

I don’t think that we’ll fully understand the extent of our fallen world’s consequences this side of eternity - but if God created Adam and Eve to live practically for eternity - the 80-120 years that we’ve been given pales in comparison - and that is sin’s dreadful consequence.

But there is another source of suffering that we have to consider -

Direct ordination of God.

In one sense, if God is sovereign, and I believe he is- then all suffering is ordained by God.

But, there are sufferings that we must endure, that we must consider that can only be explained by God’s sovereign will.

Mark/Paul Butman?

Jacquelynette’s early death?

The invasive cancer that our friend Tanya Ehler is going through

The loss of a certain job or being overlooked on this promotion or that opportunity.

Why is it that some people who desperately want children can’t have them, and those who are promiscuous and can’t control themselves seem to have an abundance?

God has a hand in our suffering - but I don’t think he is tortuous in that.

He’s not playing with us - he’s forming us through that.

In response to His disciple’s question, Jesus seems to answer that question by helping them and and us understand that...

Suffering allows the works of God to be on display in unique and beautiful ways (9:3-7)

The man was healed - a “sign” which brought fulfillment to the prophecy of Isaiah 29:18; 35:5 - that messiah would bring sight to the blind.

Think about this, there was a time when God foretold through his prophets that the blind would receive sight:

But there were many in Palestine at that time who did not receive their sight.

There were many in Palestine at that time who did not receive healing or relief from their suffering

There are many today who are not healed - many good and godly people who suffer with blindness, deafness, differing abilities, loss, and so much more.

In this chapter, we see that Jesus clearly heals this man.

We may think - yeah - good for him, but what about me?

Did you know the Apostle Paul asked a very similar question?

He says in:

In another place, Paul tells the people of Colossae that:

Or, what if we were to consider the life of Job?

We sang a song inspired by the life of Job earlier.

The entire book reflects on the suffering of a godly man who lost his health, his family, and his wealth.

Or we could even consider things today.

Frankly, I don’t feel equipped to talk sufficiently through this subject.

Sure, I have my own inabilities - or sufferings

poor eyesight

a metabolism that loves sweet things and carbs -but clearly can’t handle them

a good student, but a mediocre athlete

etc.

Sure, I’ve suffered some loss - my parents’ divorce, the disappointment in a job - but if we were to compare my suffering to some of yours, you would clearly win.