Back to Home Page | Back to Index |
John Chapter Seven
Even His Brothers Did Not Believe (7:1-9)
INTRODUCTION
1. In a gospel designed to create faith in Jesus, John tells of those who lacked faith... a. Those in His own nation - Jn 1:11 b. Those among His disciples - Jn 6:66 2. For a time, even His own brothers (named in Mt 13:55) did not believe... a. As recorded in Jn 7:5 b. As implied in Mk 3:21 c. As foretold in Psa 69:8 -- Though they eventually came to believe in Jesus - Ac 1:14 3. Why did Jesus' brothers not believe in Him from the very beginning...? a. Had they not seen the miracles? b. Did they not know Him as well as anyone? [Reasons why they did not believe at first, and the reason they came tobelieve at last, can provide some valuable lessons for us today...]
I. WHY THEY DID NOT BELIEVE
A. POSSIBLE REASONS FOR THEIR UNBELIEF... 1. Perhaps they were blinded by familiarity a. As is often said, "Familiarity breeds contempt" b. This hindered many who knew Jesus from childhood - Mt 13:54-58
c. A problem common among prophets - Mt 13:57; Jn 4:44 2. Perhaps they were blinded by envy a. Large crowds had been following Jesus everywhere b. Making it difficult for His family to speak to Him at times - Mt 12:46-47 c. Jealousy can be a powerful hindrance to seeing things clearly 3. Perhaps they were blinded by preconceptions a. Many Jews had wrong conceptions concerning the kingdom - cf. Jn 6:15 b. His brothers had their ideas as to what He should do - Jn 7:2-4
c. It is easy to reject someone if they do not live up to your expectations -- For one reason or another, Jesus' brothers did not believe inHim
B. A WARNING FOR US TODAY... 1. Do we let familiarity blind us to the truth? a. Do we reject what a close friend or relative may tell us? b. Especially since they have their own faults of which we are well aware? -- Truth can be communicated by imperfect messengers - cf. Ph1:15-18
2. Do we let envy get in the way of truth? a. Are we jealous that we might be wrong and others may be right? b. Do we think that by admitting others are right, it somehow makes them better? -- Truth (and salvation!) is too precious to let envy orjealousy keep us from it
3. Do we let preconceived notions obstruct a clear evaluation of the truth? a. Refusing to reexamine our cherished beliefs? b. Rejecting a view or teaching simply because we have never heard it before? -- Truth requires a willingness to hear, and has nothing tofear from investigation - Ac 17:11
[Don't discount the potential impact of familiarity, envy, orpreconceptions. Such blinded the brothers of Jesus so that even Hismiracles did not convince them! What finally prompted them to believeis worthy of note...] II. HOW THEY CAME TO BELIEVE
A. THE REASON FOR THEIR FAITH... 1. As noted previously, Jesus' brothers eventually became disciples a. They were with the apostles after the Ascension - Ac 1:12-14 b. James, the Lord's brother, became a key figure in the church at Jerusalem c. James and Judas wrote their respective epistles - Ja 1:1;Ju 1
d. According to secular history, James was martyred for his faith 2. What changed them? The resurrection of Jesus from the dead! a. Jesus appeared to James - 1 Co 15:7 b. The others may have seen Him on other occasions - cf. 1 Co15:6
3. The significance of Jesus' resurrection a. Miracles can be faked b. Rising from the dead cannot! -- The resurrection shattered any blinders of familiarity, envy,preconceptions
B. A BLESSING FOR US TODAY... 1. It is understandable that one might find the gospel story incredible a. A man born of a virgin? b. A man who was the Son of God? c. A man who supposedly... 1) Walked on water? 2) Calmed the seas? 3) Fed thousands with five loaves and two fish? 4) Healed the sick and lame, gave sight to the blind, raised the dead? 5) Was Himself raised from the dead? 2. Yet there is a good reason to believe the incredible story! a. That is, the conversion of those like Jesus' brothers 1) Who at first did not believe (for whatever reason) 2) Who were persuaded by overwhelming empirical evidence - cf. Ac 1:3; 10:39-41 3) Who never recanted their testimony, despite hardship and persecution b. What else can explain the transformation of Jesus' brothers? 1) It was the same thing that transformed the disciples of Jesus! 2) "If the disciples were totally disappointed and on the verge of desperate flight because of the very real reason of the crucifixion, it took another very real reason in order to transform them from a band of disheartened and dejected Jews into the most self-confident missionarysociety in world history." - Pinchas Lapide, former
Chairman of the Applied Linguistics Department at Israel 's Bar-Iland University 3) This Orthodox Jewish scholar concluded that a bodily resurrection could possibly have been that reason! -- The conversion of His brothers and others who first doubtedshould strengthen our faith in Jesus!
CONCLUSION
1. The unbelief of Jesus' brothers serves as a warning... a. How easily one can be blinded by such things as familiarity, envy, and preconceptions b. How carefully we must give others a fair hearing 2. The unbelief of Jesus' brothers also serves as a blessing... a. Their eventual conversion implies overwhelming evidence of Jesus' resurrection b. Since we believe in Jesus through the words of such men, the foundation of our faith is stronger With the help of their own example, we can heed the exhortation given byone of Jesus' brothers: "But you, beloved, BUILDING YOURSELVES UP ON YOUR MOST HOLY FAITH, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life."(Jude 20-21)
The Proof Is In The Pudding (7:17)
INTRODUCTION
1. The evidence for Jesus as the Christ, the Son of God, is manifold... a. The testimony of John the Baptist - Jn 5:33; e.g., 1:29,34 b. The works (miracles) that Jesus did - Jn 5:36; e.g., 2:11; 20:30-31
c. The testimony of God Himself - Jn 5:37; e.g., Mt 3:16-17; 17:5 d. The testimony of the OT scriptures - Jn 5:39; e.g., Isa 9:6-7 e. His resurrection from the dead, attested to by eyewitnesses - Ro1:4; e.g., Jn 20:24-29
2. Jesus offered another proof that He is from God... a. It came at a time when many questioned who He was - Jn 7:12-15 b. If you are willing to do God's will, you will know His doctrine is from God - Jn 7:16-17 3. Jesus' claim is akin to well-known proverb... a. "The proof of the pudding is in the eating" b. As stated more often, "The proof is in the pudding" [This is a remarkable claim by Jesus, certainly worthy of closerexamination...] I. FACETS OF JESUS' CLAIM
A. ONE MUST BE WILLING TO DO THE FATHER'S WILL... 1. There must first be a willing heart a. A good and noble heart - cf. Lk 8:15 b. A heart willing to hear and examine carefully - cf. Ac 17:11 c. A humble heart, one that fears God - cf. Psa 25:9,12 2. There must then be obedience from the heart a. Such as found in the Christians at Rome b. The kind of obedience that must be in all aspects of our service - Ep 6:6; Co 3:23 -- "Those who would test the divinity of the doctrine of Christ can not do so by rendering a mere mechanical obedience to his teaching. A willing, heartfelt obedience is essential to a true knowledge of his doctrine. Such a disposition makes a good and honest heart in which the seeds of his kingdom must inevitablygrow." - J. W. McGarvey
B. ONE WILL KNOW HIS DOCTRINE IS OF GOD... 1. They will know that Jesus' teaching comes from above - cf. Jn12:49
2. They will know that His teaching is everlasting life - cf. Jn12:50
-- "He shall have evidence, in the very attempt to do the will ofGod, of the truth of the doctrine." - Barnes
[What kind of evidence does one receive? The answer may be put in thewords of Isaiah, "The work of righteousness will be peace, And theeffect of righteousness, quietness and assurance forever." (Isa 32:17)
Consider therefore the...] II. EVIDENCE OF JESUS' CLAIM
A. PEACE THAT SURPASSES UNDERSTANDING... 1. Jesus offered such peace to His disciples - Jn 14:27; 16:33 2. As we do the Father's will as taught by Jesus, we experience such peace: a. As the result of our justification in Christ - Ro 5:1 b. As the prayer for faithful Christians - Ro 15:13; 2 Th 3:16 c. As the fruit of the Spirit in the lives of Christians - Ga5:22
d. As the response to prayer - Ph 4:6-7 -- Such peace, when experienced, confirms Jesus' doctrine as beingfrom God
B. ASSURANCE THAT CALMS THE HEART... 1. Jesus offered assurance to His disciples - Jn 14:27b; 16:33 2. As we do the Father's will as taught by Jesus, we experience such assurance: a. As when we love the brethren in deed and truth - cf. 1 Jn 3:18-19
b. As expressed by Paul - cf. 2 Ti 1:12; also Ro 8:38-39 -- Such assurance, when experienced, confirms Jesus' doctrine asbeing from God
[B. W. Johnson expressed it this way: "He who in his heart says, "Thywill be done, give me light and I will walk in it," will find thatChrist is just the teacher demanded by his soul, and that the gospelmeets his soul's want. Jesus will so meet the wants of his soul that hewill be satisfied and will know the doctrine, that it comes from him whomade the soul." (People's New Testament) Yet, we should note...]
III. CAUTION REGARDING JESUS' CLAIM
A. WHEN THERE IS NO PEACE OR ASSURANCE... 1. It is not evidence that Jesus' doctrine is not from God a. We may have not done the Father's will yet b. We may have not done the Father's will from the heart 2. It may not be evidence that we failed to truly do the Father's will at one time a. Our faith may yet be weak, needing to grow b. Our faith may have become hardened by the deceitfulness of sin - He 3:12-14 B. WHERE THERE IS PEACE AND ASSURANCE... 1. We should not trust in that evidence alone a. Many believed they are saved because of their feelings b. They might construe such as the ultimate proof of salvation 2. The heart can easily be deceived a. There are ways that seem right, but may lead to death - Pro16:25
b. It is not in man to direct his footsteps - Jer 10:23 3. We must always be open to the Word of God a. Let the Word of God produce the feelings (faith, thenfeelings)
b. Don't let one's feelings reject the Word of God (notfeelings, then faith)
CONCLUSION
1. The proof that is in the pudding is somewhat subjective, but it is proof... a. Proof that can further confirm a faith based upon more objective evidence b. Proof that if lacking should be a sign our faith needs work (i.e., diligence) 2. It is a diligent faith willing to do the will of God that produces a full assurance... "And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to thefull assurance of hope until the end," (He 6:11)
Are you willing to do the Father's will from the heart? The blessingsof peace, assurance, and confirmation that Jesus' doctrine is truly fromGod, awaits those who obey His will...!
The Promise Of The Spirit (7:37-39)
INTRODUCTION
1. During the Feast Of Tabernacles, there was a daily ceremony involving water... a. Each day, the priests and the people would joyfully make their way to the pool of Siloam b. Using a golden pitcher, water was drawn, taken back to the temple, and poured on the altar of burnt offering c. The words of Isa 12:3 were then sung: "Therefore with joy youwill draw water from the wells of salvation."
2. On such an occasion Jesus used the opportunity to extend a wonderful promise... a. Inviting those who thirst to come to Him and drink - Jn 7:37 b. Those who believe in Him will have "rivers of living water" flow from their hearts - Jn 7:38 3. The apostle John explains that this promise concerns the Holy Spirit... - Jn 7:39 a. Whom those who believe would receive b. Who had not yet been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified [What else might we glean from the Scriptures concerning this promise ofthe Spirit? Let's first take a closer look at...] I. THE NATURE OF THE PROMISE
A. FROM THE TEXT... 1. A promise foretold by the Scriptures - Jn 7:38; cf. Isa 44:3;58:11
a. "The reference is not to any single passage, but to the spirit of the Scripture, notably such passages as Isa 55:1; 58:11; Psa 36:8-9." - B. W. Johnson b. "...referring not to any particular passage, but to such as Isa 58:11; Joel 3:18; Zec 14:8; Ezek 47:1-12; in most of which the idea is that of waters issuing from beneath the temple, to which our Lord compares Himself and those who believe in Him." - Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown 2. A promise that makes one a blessing to others - Jn 7:38 a. "out of his heart will flow rivers of living water" b. "When a man turns himself to the Lord, he shall be as a fountain filled with living water, and his streams shall flow to all the nations and tribes of men" - Kuinoel c. "...those who are Christians shall diffuse large, and liberal, and constant blessings on their fellowmen" - Barnes 3. A promise offered to believers - Jn 7:39 a. Not to those who have yet to believe b. Which is why I do not believe it refers to the ministry of the Spirit through the Word alone, for such occurs even on those who do not believe - e.g., Jn 16:8 c. Note this observation by Robert Milligan: 1) "He manifestly refers in this passage to something which had hitherto been enjoyed by no one, and which could be enjoyed by none until after that he himself was glorified." - Robert Milligan, Scheme of Redemption,p.283
2) "This, it would seem, could not have reference to the mediate agency of the Spirit, through the written word and the ordinary workings of God's providence; for through these media the Spirit had always operated on the minds of both Jews and Patriarchs." - ibid. 3) "Christ is speaking here of what is peculiar to his own personal reign and administration." - ibid. 4. A promise extended to all believers - Jn 7:39 a. Not just to select disciples with special tasks, such as apostles and prophets b. Which is why I do not believe it refers to miraculous manifestations of the Spirit, such as the gifts of the Spirit, for not all Christians had such; note also: 1) This promise of the Spirit had not yet been given 2) Yet miraculous manifestations of the Spirit had been experienced prior to the glorification of Jesus - e.g., Lk 1:41,67 5. A promise given after Jesus was "glorified" - Jn 7:39 a. I.e., after His resurrection and ascension to heaven b. "The first and second chapters of the Book of Acts is the best comment upon this passage. When Jesus ascended to the right hand of the Father and was glorified, he sent forth the Spirit upon his apostles on the day of Pentecost, and the apostles in turn promised the gift of the Spirit to all who would believe, repent, and be baptized." - J. W.McGarvey (Fourfold Gospel)
B. FROM OTHER TEXTS... 1. We conclude that it refers to the gift of the Holy Spirit a. Promised to all who repent and are baptized - cf. Ac 2:38-39 b. Given to all who obey - cf. Ac 5:32 c. Imbibed by all who are baptized - cf. 1 Co 12:13 d. Sent into our hearts because we are God's children - cf. Ga4:6
2. We conclude that it refers to the indwelling of the Holy Spirit a. Who indwells all that belong to Christ - cf. Ro 8:9-10 b. Making their bodies a temple of the Spirit - cf. 1 Co 6:19 [That this promise refers to the gift or indwelling of the Spirit givento all Christians becomes more apparent as we now focus our attentionon...] II. THE BLESSINGS OF THE PROMISE
A. THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT... 1. Remember what Jesus said of those who receive the Spirit - Jn7:38
a. "out of his heart will flow rivers of living water" b. I.e., they will become a blessing to others; note again: 1) "When a man turns himself to the Lord, he shall be as a fountain filled with living water, and his streams shall flow to all the nations and tribes of men" - Kuinoel 2) "...those who are Christians shall diffuse large, and liberal, and constant blessings on their fellowmen" - Barnes 2. Especially when they bear the fruit of the Spirit in their lives- Ga 5:22-23 a. Such as love, joy, peace b. Such as longsuffering, kindness, goodness c. Such as gentleness, faithfulness, self-control -- Bearing such fruit of the Spirit, they bless the lives ofothers!
B. THE AID OF THE SPIRIT... 1. The fruit of the Spirit becomes possible with the aid of the Spirit a. Who helps us to put to death the deeds of the body - Ro 8:12-13; cf. Co 3:5-8
b. Who enables us to be filled with joy and peace, abounding in hope - Ro 15:13 2. For the Spirit is God's instrumental agent to strengthen the Christian a. Strengthening with might through the Spirit in the inner man - Ep 3:16 b. With a power working in us - Ep 3:20 -- We are able to be a blessing to others, with the aid of the Spiritworking in us!
[Jesus therefore offers us the opportunity to be blessed by the Spirit'sindwelling, so we can be useful in blessing the lives of those aroundus. But to ensure that we receive this blessing of the Spirit, let's becareful to consider...] III. THE RECEPTION OF THE PROMISE
A. GIVEN TO THOSE WHO OBEY... 1. By believing in Jesus Christ a. The need to believe emphasized twice in our text - Jn 7:38-39
b. For faith is necessary to receive "life in His name" - cf. Jn 20:31 2. By repenting of our sins a. The gift of the Spirit promised to those who repent - Ac 2:38-39
b. Those who repent will experience "times of refreshing" (what could be more refreshing than "rivers of living water"?) - cf. Ac 3:19 3. By being baptized for the remission of our sins a. Those baptized are promised the gift of the Spirit - Ac 2:38-39
b. They are made to drink into one Spirit - cf. 1 Co 12:13 -- As Peter put it, God gives the Holy Spirit to those who obeyHim - Ac 5:32
B. EXPERIENCED BY THOSE WHO GROW... 1. By singing psalms, hymns, spiritual songs a. We are to be filled with the Spirit - Ep 5:18 b. Which we can do by singing - Ep 5:19 2. By studying the Word of God a. Which is the sword of the Spirit - Ep 6:17 b. The means by which the Spirit teaches and instructs the Christian, for it contains the revelation of God given by the Spirit to inspired men who wrote it for our benefit- cf. 1 Co 2:9-13; Ep 3:5-7 3. By praying, making requests regarding the Spirit a. That God would fill one with all joy and peace in believing, abounding in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit - Ro 15:13 b. That God would strengthen one with might through His Spirit in the inner man - Ep 3:16 4. By turning away from sin a. Lest they grieve the Spirit - cf. Ep 4:29-31 b. Lest they quench the Spirit - cf. 1 Th 5:19 CONCLUSION
1. What a wonderful promise Jesus offers in our text... a. The Holy Spirit to those who believe in Him b. A refreshing drink that can become rivers of living water 1) First refreshing our souls 2) Then refreshing the souls around us by His impact on our lives 2. How sad if we quench the Spirit Who is intended to quench our thirst... a. By failing to obey the Lord b. By failing to grow in the Lord May our attitude and heart's felt desire be similar to that of theSamaritan woman, when Jesus spoke to her at Jacob's well... "Jesus answered and said to her, 'Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.' The woman said to Him, 'Sir, give me thiswater, that I may not thirst, nor come here to draw.'" (Jn 4:13-15)
Are you willing to say to Jesus, "Sir, give me this water, that I maynot thirst" by coming to Him in faithful obedience...?
－－《Executable
Outlines》