Gospel Meeting 25/02/2018

John’s Gospel ch9 vs1 – 12.

SUFFERING… Why do we suffer?

Sin is the root cause of all suffering.

Death and suffering came to all people through Adam and Eve disobeying God in the Garden of Eden. They ate of the fruit of the tree which God had told them if they touched it or ate of it they would die.

“Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned…” – Romans ch5 vs12.

People sometimes refer to this world as “the land of the living”, but no, it is the land of the dying. The land of the living is up in Heaven!

There are many types and causes of suffering spoken of through the Word of God, and here in tonight’s passage of scripture the blind man’s suffering was for the glory of God, and to manifest His great power and works.

The sufferings endured by Jesus Christ at Calvary’s Cross are incomparable with any other human being. Yet He was completely innocent!

“… I find no fault in him”.

–   Pilate,  John’s Gospel ch19 vs4.

–         

“… Have thou nothing to do with that just man…”.

–   Pilate’s wife, Matthew’s Gospel ch27 vs19.

“…this man hath done nothing amiss”.

-    the repentant thief, Luke’s Gospel ch23 vs41.

“Certainly this was a righteous man”.

- Roman Centurion, Luke’s Gospel ch23 vs47.

“Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth”.

-   1^st Peter ch2 vs22.

“For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him”.

- 2^nd Corinthians ch5 vs21.

“Just as there were many who were appalled at him – his appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any human being and his form marred beyond human likeness”.

–   Isaiah ch52 vs14.

Why? Why would The Holy Son of God allow Himself to be taken by wicked men, beaten horrendously, then crucified, suffering such a totally unjustified sentence?

The answer is, we sinners needed our debt paying that we could never pay…

Not a single one of us can ever work it off with good deeds.  God will not write our sin debt off because He is holy, loving and just. But sin is so serious that it must be punished, and the sinless, pure and holy Lord Jesus Christ in His great love towards us paid it off – in full! There was none other good enough to do this work for us.

Dear reader, how can you ignore or reject such a wonderful love as this!

“For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous”.

- Romans ch5 vs19.

All our sins were placed on Jesus Christ, and His perfectness is placed upon all we who believe –  we have received His righteousness!

“For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive”.

-    1^st Corinthians ch15 vs21 – 22.

Friend, if you have never yet done so, come to this wonderful Saviour tonight in sincere repentance of your sins, and in faith accept this full and free Salvation. With welcoming arms He bids you come – he did it all for YOU!

“… and whoever comes to me I will never drive away”.

- Jesus Christ, John’s Gospel ch6 vs37.