The Man Born Blind
John 9:1-7

Introduction:
    A. The issue forced on these witnesses to this miracle: “Is Jesus Divine?”
        1. Could admit the miracle — accept His deity.
        2. Could admit the miracle — attribute it another source.
        3. Could dismiss the evidence as a hoax.
        4. Could take a neutral stand.
    B. The attitudes of the witnesses teach us much about attitudes toward truth.

Discussion:
I. The Attitude of the Neighbors.
    A. Ignored the obvious (vv. 8, 9).
        1. Like many today (cf. Mk 16:16; Eph 4:4; Rom. 6:4; Gal. 5:4; Heb.10:25; Matt. 19:9).
        2. Even divided over the obvious (v. 9, 16).
    B. Carried problem religious leaders (v. 13).
        1. Think need religious leaders to give answers to common man.
        2. Let select group do our studying and supply our answers.

II. The Attitude of the Religious Leaders.
    A. Clouded the issue — Sabbath breaking not issue! (vv. 14-16).
        1. Denominationalist cloud the issue: Water-power? Church salvation?
        2. Brethren cloud the issue: “Let orphan’s and non-Christians die before church support”.
    B. Jumped positions — anything but the truth.
        1. First it was no miracle, then Jesus didn’t do it (vv. 16-24).
        2. People often change grounds for objecting to truth.
    C. Religious prejudice (v. 22).
    D. Religious pride (vv. 28-29, 34).

III. The Attitude of the Parents.
    A. Their fear (vv. 21-23).
        1. Many will not take stand because of consequences — marked.
        2. Had rather have favor or men than God (cf. John 12:42,43).
    B. The fate (Matt. 10:32, 33; Rev. 21:8).

IV. The Attitude of the Man Himself.
    A. Did not know everything, stuck by what he did know (vv. 25-28).
    B. Would not be intimidated (vv. 28-34).
    C. Willing to accept the evidence (vv. 35-38).

Conclusion:
A. Let us be honest enough and courageous enough to accept truth based on evidence.
B. Why not be washed from sins (Acts 22:16) by same power that healed the blind man.