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INTRODUCTION
Timing is everything. God’s timing is the final authority. We sure saw that this week - stunning, surprising, and shocking.
Past two weeks our church family has grieved, as we shared in the grief of two families. Reese was here just last Sunday as usual.
Let me repeat a few lines from last week: God has a divine timetable for the events of history. Nothing is by accident. The Bible
clearly shows us God’s timing is always perfect. Sometimes well in advance, sometimes at the last moment, sometimes after it
seems too late - death then resurrection. God’s Timing is Everything. We see that in the Bible, life of Jesus.
This year in Gospel of John. Theme of John: “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, the very Living Word of God, who brings us
light, love and life.”
We are in chapter 7 of John. A chapter that shows Jesus the Master of timing. However, Jesus the popular teacher is now becoming
controversial. Jesus has gone up to the Feast of the Booths, a Harvest Festival, large Camp meeting. People were choosing sides on
the subject of this Jesus.
At this point in John’s Gospel, Jesus is already 2 and half years into His ministry. It is autumn, in the following spring is
the cross.
There are basically three groups of people with three different views:
- 7:1,11 Jews (leaders) - sought out Jesus, to trap Him to kill him - their attitude dominated
the feast, this celebration was turned into fear by the people over the issue of Jesus.
- 7:12a Defenders - believed His character was above reproach
- 7:12b Critics - considered Him an imposter and deceiver.
Jesus purpose at the feast was to give some serious teaching and preaching. Today we will look at 3 brief but significant
statements that Jesus made and the responses of the people one of the 7 days of the feast. Vs. 14-15
Who is this Jesus? How come He knows so much? Jesus was to them only a carpenter, who grew up in the little nowhere town of
Nazareth up in the nowhere region of Galilee - northern Palestine. Passing Himself off as a Rabbi, and He was uneducated at that.
ILLUS: We understand that to be a Somebody you need a degree. H.S. Diploma, College Associates or Bachelors, Masters,
Doctor. Title in front of your name and the letters behind your name are very important - i.e.: religion and education
To the people of His day, Jesus had none of those letters, only title of Rabbi. Significant title, but where was education? So
Jesus had to validate His authority to the people. Jesus validates His authority in three areas. The Jews need to closely examine
these three areas. Believers in Jesus need to look at these three areas to see if Jesus is Who He said He is? If He is the Messiah?
If He is the Savior of the World, your Savior?
1. Authority of His Teaching. vs. 16-20
- Jesus’ teaching source was not His own initiative, but from God.
- When a teacher/speaker teaches from his own authority, there is arrogance and selfish glory. They want to make a name
for themselves, and their teaching is more about them the teacher than their teachings.
ILLUS: TV Infomercials. Is there one How to make money in falling Stocks, the crooks are making money off the book
sales not book content.
All teachers have mixed motives. Even us preachers and S.S. teachers. Sure we want to teach the teachings, but we
kind of like glory ourselves too. Develop our own following, keep our job, get compliments.
- Jesus did not have mixed motives, He was from God, speaking God’s Word. If a person sincerely wants to know the
truth about Jesus, God will reveal it to them as obey Jesus’ teachings. Jesus is Messenger of God.
- Obedience to teaching is key to understanding the source.
ILLUS: Jesus illustrates that with Moses and the Law. The Jews were proud that Moses gave them the law, but they
didn’t obey it. They wanted to glorify Moses the teacher, but not his teachings. There is no virtue in having
a good teacher with good teachings, if you don’t follow them.
- So Jesus presents His teaching credentials - not a degree, but a divine commission. He speaks on behalf of God,
possessed divine authority. Those divine words we need to obey.
- The response of many people was the opposite - He demon possessed.
- Yet, Jesus’ words were more truer than any other person every spoke.
- They are “transcending” and “inexhaustible,” each generation, every culture finds them new and
enlightening, fresh and dynamic, 2000 years.
QUOTE: Biblical apologist Bernard Ramm Evidence, p. 130
- Do you believe Jesus’ words are God’s words? Do you thus obey them?
2. Authority of His Miracles. vs. 21-24
- Jesus may refers back to a miracle recorded in chpter 5 healing the sick man of 38 years by the pool. He healed the man
on the Sabbath and got a lot of heat
- His point is if you follow the law of Moses and circumcise on the 8th day and it falls on the Sabbath you go ahead and
keep that law which breaking the Sabbath. How could they complain when Jesus healed an entire body on the Sabbath? They
were hypocrites. Picking and choosing laws.
- Judging based on appearance, not righteousness. If they did it “against the law of Moses” - it was OK, if
Jesus did it, it was terrible.
- In reality they were self-righteous legalists whose hearts were far away from God.
- Jesus presents His credentials of doing miracles and they rejected Him. He was from God, teaching God’s truth,
doing God’s work of miracles.
- There are 35 miracles of Jesus recorded in the Bible, John 21:25. Miracles of physical healing, changing nature,
raising the dead.
QUOTES: Biblical Historian Philip Schaff Evidence, 124, 126
- Do you believe Jesus miracles back then? Many scoff at them. Does He still do miracles now? If you are saved - you are
a miracle of God!
- I don’t believe we have the spiritual gift of performing miracles like Apostles did, but God is still in business
Himself doing miracles.
ILLUS: How does God heal? 4 ways: naturally, medical treatment, supernaturally, and taking us home to heaven. We
seen all 4 recent months.
3. Authority of His Presence. vs. 25-29
- People were confused by who Jesus was, today most still are. Prophet, teacher, demon possessed man, hick from the
sticks, etc.
- The third credential of who Jesus is, that He presents, is Himself. He knows He is from God, He knows God, He knows God
sent Him.
- The fact that He came to earth from God is evidence He is the Messiah, the Christ, the long awaited Redeemer, Savior.
- Jesus had an acute sense of difference from others. He spoke and acted differently, and people knew He was unique. To
many too strange.
- His teachings, miracles were all part of His unique, human/divine being.
- Wherever Jesus went, people had to decide about Him. One could not passively see or meet Christ then without being
forced to have a view.
QUOTE: Historian Griffith Thomas: “His life was holy; His word was true: His whole character was the
embodiment of truth. There never has been a more real or genuine man than Jesus of Nazareth…He represents a
definite, divine intervention on behalf of men, at a particular time in the world’s history, and on this
great miracle of the Person of Christ we take our stand.” Evidence, pps 126-127
Napoleon Bonaparte Evidence, p. 127
- Once you hear about Jesus, you really are forced to decide about Him. You cannot be passive. If Jesus is present in
your life, you will know it. His presence is powerful, your life is changed.
CONCLUSION
Jesus is the Christ, the Savior. Is He Your Savior? John’s gospel shows us clearly who Jesus is.
Theme of John: “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, the very Living Word of God, who brings us light, love and life.”
How do we know? Listen to what He says - divine words. Let Him work in your life - divine miracles. Have you believed?
“Dear Lord Jesus, I know that I am a sinner and need Your forgiveness. I believe You died on the cross for my sins, and rose
again from the dead to give me new life. I now invite You to come into my life. I trust You as my Savior and follow You as my Lord.
Thank you for saving me today. In Jesus name, AMEN.”
Now believers have changed lives, and they change the world in Jesus name. Decide then be dedicated. Believe and Become. Trust and
Obey.
ILLUS: Annual Meeting. We have it because we are a legal organization, and to communicate to you, elect officers, approve budget.
Nothing unique. Routine. Even then there better be a better purpose - to show that God is at work in our church because we trust
and obey the Lord Jesus Christ to the glory of God. How are we doing?
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