Grace Bible Church
Basic Training in Doctrine
Pastor Joseph P. Sugrue
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Jesus has just been heckled by the religious crowd but inside of this blind man He sees something that was non-existent in the religious crowd – positive volition at the age of accountability; he understands his need for a savior.
All humanity is as helpless and hopeless as this blind man. We have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.
Luke 1:78-79
Because of the tender mercy of our God,
With which the Sunrise from on high shall visit us,
To shine upon those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, To guide our feet into the way of peace.”
If anyone goes on positive signals and is ready for the gospel then the gospel will come to them no matter where they are.
The city is once again going to bear witness to the power of Jesus Christ and the quality of His person and character, that’s the ultimate thing in the plan of God.
Outside of the lies, deception, antagonism, and overall wet blanket evil of religion, Christ’s truth breaks free and releases many from bondage, and no one can stop it.
They did not ask Him, this is not the word for asking. The word here is epotao epotao which means to interrogate.
They have no sensitivity to his sensitivity. They are not aware of the fact that a blind beggar could have a soul and be as sensitive as anyone else.
Lack of spiritual growth breeds self-absorption, arrogance, and lack of sensitivity to others.
ROM 15:1
Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of those without strength and not just please ourselves.
“saying” – they kept on saying. They didn’t say it once; they said it enough times that this person could have fallen apart from self-pity.
Some held to the “this man” theory – he sinned so he was born blind (not logical), some to the “parent” theory – his parents sinned so he was born blind (a distortion of doctrine).
Both are wrong
The culpability theory is a distortion of scripture, a misinterpretation of Exodus 20:5. This view was held by Judaism. It says his parents did something terrible and he is paying for it.
Several points concerning the doctrine of culpability.
1. The principle of culpability is given in Exodus 20:4-6; Deuteronomy 5:8-10. The true law of culpability merely says that when the parents have weaknesses they often teach their children to be weak in the same way.
2. The law of culpability only runs for four generations and then there is a change. Exodus 34:6,7; Numbers 14:18.
4. The true law of culpability is given in Deuteronomy 24:16 – God will bless your family down to the thousandth generation where Bible doctrine is perpetuated in the home.
Deut 24:16
“Fathers shall not be put to death for their sons, nor shall sons be put to death for their fathers; everyone shall be put to death for his own sin.
5. When there is a family curse (poor rearing) cursing can be turned into blessing always – and doctrine breaks the curse. Jeremiah 31:29-34; Deuteronomy 6:6-12; 7:9; Psalm 100:5.
It is wrong to assume that good health the sign of salvation or spirituality. Loss of health or illness does not give the right to judge others.
If you go around blaming your parents for any of the bad things in your life you are a weak, arrogant believer.
1 Cor 10:13
No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, that you may be able to endure it.
Know this, nothing can stop the truth; so get it in your souls and become unstoppable.
“passed by” is parago – as a present active participle it means that Christ was in the process of walking past this man but He stopped because He recognized this man was responsive.
Christ is never going to bypass someone who is responsive to the gospel.