A Sermon Outline by John Kennedy
John 9:35-38. Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when He had found him, He said unto him, Dost thou believe on the Son of God? He answered and said, Who is He, Lord, that I might believe on Him? And Jesus said unto him, Thou hast both seen Him, and it is He that talketh with thee. And he said, Lord, I believe. And he worshipped Him.
We have here an important question addressed by Christ. The reply to the man’s question is a gracious manifestation of Himself to the outcast. We also have the man’s gracious reply to that manifestation.
Dost Thou Believe in the Son of God?
2See the article in the April issue.
1Preached in Dingwall on 15 October 1882, and now edited.
Salvation cannot be ours without faith.
Christ’s question here is enough to show how indispensable faith is.
The danger of regarding faith as a substitute for obedience.
To such people the gospel becomes another law, faith being its condition.
Faith is trust in a divinely-appointed Redeemer.
This faith is only exercised by those regenerated by the Spirit of God.
Otherwise there can be no true desire or ability to know the Son of God.
It is in the light of Christ’s glory that His love is secure.
We must be persuaded that only the Son of God can save sinners.
This brings one as a willing subject to His feet.
The Enquirer’s Anxiety.
It is not what faith is so that I may do it, but who is the object of faith.
I must know the object before I can believe.
Flesh and blood does not reveal this, but the Father in heaven.
Christ’s Response was Gracious.
“I that speak unto thee am He”; He revealed His glory as the Son of God.
He gave Himself thus, over to his embrace, as an object of trust.
How different from the rational light of human doing!
The Result.
He embraced the Son of God; he desired Him.
This faith brought him down to the attitude of a worshipper.
He chose his place at the feet of Jesus.
He is now on high.
Application.
Which faith have you? Do you believe on the Son of God?