PPic: Oberon Golf Course - Links Pro Am 2006

PGA Chaplain Bible Studies

Study 25– August 27th to September 2nd 2007.
Reading – John Chapter Ch9:13-23 .

Some of the Pharisees said, concerning Jesus, “The man who did this healing cannot be from God, for he does not obey the Sabbath law.” Others however said, “How could a man who is a sinner perform such miracles as these”? And there was division among them.” John Chapter 9: verses 16  (NIV).

 When is enough, enough?

Being stubborn is a character strait we all possess more or less. I am a very stubborn person when it comes to new things. My eating habits stay the same; I wear out all my clothes and look daggy and keep to a similar pattern in most parts of my life. I still have the same set of golf clubs I bought back in 1990, though I have a new driver and putter. This frustrates my wife who would like me a venture out a little more.
There are many golfers whose stubbornness prevents them from ever improving their game.

The religious leaders of Jesus’ time found Jesus hard to handle. He stepped into their territory as religious leaders and claimed to be the Son of God. He demonstrated this with signs by doing miracles and teaching in a new way that was different from the established ways. Rather than looking at externals like eating habits, dress, customs and restrictive laws, Jesus spoke more about the internal matters of our heart that shows itself in our behavior towards others, and more about loving God with our heart, soul, mind and strength.

In the end the leaders were very stubborn and failed to see the good things that Jesus was doing and how he brought life to the people he met.
I saw an example of stubbornness at the poker machines at Coffs harbor RSL recently when I attended there to have dinner.
I saw an elderly man placing $50 notes in a Poker machine every couple of minutes. He got more angrier the more he put in and he was determined to have a win before he left for home. I was relieved to see him leave only to return after going to the ATM for more $50 notes.
His stubbornness had turned into an addiction. How sad it is to see how gambling traps people in a cycle of loss.

The religious leaders were so stubborn about their way, their status and position that they could not see the good things Jesus was doing.

Last study from John Chapter 9 we saw how Jesus healed a man who was blind sitting by the roadside. The disciples asked Jesus the cause of his blindness and Jesus concluded that it was not because of something he or his parents did wrong, but so his power and glory may be seen. We saw how Jesus healed this man by rubbing mud on his eyes and asking him to go and wash his face in a pool. He did this and was healed.
Since he had been blind from birth, his healing brought a lot of attention to how he was healed and who healed him?
Jesus had since left the scene and the man didn’t really know whom Jesus was. The man is then taken to the religious leaders who knew it was Jesus who healed him. They did not like what Jesus was doing or saying. They perceived Jesus as their enemy and sought to discredit him by showing that this healing done on the Sabbath when no work is permitted, is against their laws.

Never let being stubborn prevent you from seeing the good things God has done for you through Jesus Christ. Being stubborn can be life threatening when we ignore danger signs.

Gracious God, Give me a humble spirit that will recognize Jesus for who he is and find in him the light and bread I need for daily living. Amen.

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Wyong Trainee Pro-Am.

Venue: Wyong Golf Cub
Date: Monday 17th November.
Cost: $50
Tee Time: 7:30am and
12 noon shotgun start.
Contact: Graham on 02 9740 9069
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