Lunatic, Liar, or Lord

Are you crazy?!

Last week I talked about having to diet b/c I gain a few pounds over the course of the year. My wife’s cooking and baking are amazing but occasionally calorie-laden.

One of the important tools of a diet is a scale. I hate getting on the scale the first time. B/C, it shows me how far I have to go this year to get back to my optimum playing weight. That, and how undisciplined and irresponsible I was over the past year.

Sir Isaac Newton deserves some blame for this. He didn’t invent gravity. He just discovered it and explained it.

So, when you step on the scale and the dial spins w/ such velocity that it blows your shorts up, a little anger can be directed at him.

Speaking of velocity and things in motion, God is responsible for creating gravity. When He set the earth in motion, rotating on its axis, the rotation creates gravity and holds us to the earth.

One of the amazing things about creation that points to intelligent design is physics like this. If the earth stopped rotating, we’d all float away. Maybe if He just slowed down a little. Longer days and lighter weights.

We try the longer day thing w/ daylight savings time. Well, except us in AZ.

The Wright brothers. Imagine being the first guy they told that they just flew.

You’re lying.

You’re crazy. Especially, if it’s true. Think about what could go wrong.

You pedal fast enough, the wind blowing hard enough, and the flaps adjusted just right and we can fly.

Whatever.

I grew up in Wichita, the Air Capital of the world. All the big American airplane manufacturers began there; Boeing, Beach, Cessna, Lear.

The wind blows so hard that it’s easier to take off. It’s also the wind surfing capital of the world. Lake Cheney Reservoir. You wouldn’t think to associate any surfing w/ Wichita, KS.

Your first thought must be either you’re lying or a lunatic to think you can fly or surf on anything in there.

Every spring Dorothy’s farmhouse flies by.

I looked up a few inventions that made me, will probably make you stop and think, you’re lying that doesn’t work. Or, how crazy was they guy who invented this? And how much crazier are the ppl who buy them?

This may not be so crazy. For our sand-fishing friends. Sandals that are also metal detectors.

A guy named Dominic Wilcox invented this. A nose stylus.

What could possibly go wrong w/ this. In 1954, the Doryu Camera Co. invented this camera that looks like a gun. Imagine walking around downtown PHX taking pics w/ this. Not a thing anymore, but one was recently bought at auction for $25K.

If you’re thinking of a Xmas gift for your grandkids, so they don’t forget what you look like. Selfie Toast. Every morning they can slather gramma w/ butter and jam and eat her up.

And, here’s something we may consider for this summer. We started a new thing after our Wed night BS, we’d all go the Mary Coyle for ice cream. No, this one did not close. They will be open in May. But, this saves you the trouble of rotating your cone to get an even lick around the scoop of ice cream.

If any of these things interest you, I’m sure you can google them and find them somewhere in Amazon.

You see these things, hear these stories, and some of the first thoughts we all have are, you’re lying, that doesn’t work. Or, that’s crazy. You’d be a lunatic to try it. Camera shaped like a gun.

These questions have been asked throughout history about many things and many ppl.

In C.S. Lewis’ book, Mere Christianity; he wrote this about Jesus. It’s one of his more famous quotes.

“I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him: “I’m ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher, but I don’t accept his claim to be God.” That is the one thing we must not say. A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic—on the level with the man who says he is a poached egg—or else he would be the Devil of Hell. You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is, the Son of God, or else a madman or something worse. You can shut him up for a fool, you can spit at him and kill him as a demon, or you can fall at his feet and call him Lord and God. But let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about his being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to.”

To hear Jesus speak of Himself, you’ve got to consider that there are only 3 possibilities.

He’s a demon-possessed or influenced lunatic.

He’s lying thru his teeth.

Or, He really is the Lord.

If you’re going to use one of these products I showed, you’ve got to decide if you believe it’s legit.

If you’re going to be a follower of Jesus, you’ve got to believe He’s legit.

PPL Throughout history have landed on all 3 of these possibilities.

All of us here have faced this decision, maybe more than once. I believe most of us have settled it already. Maybe a few of us are still on the fence about who Jesus is and what that means to you.

This morning will encourage most of us and challenge a few of us.

B/C, in considering who Jesus is, a lunatic, a liar, or legitimately the Lord, we get to a point in our lives when it is either time to put up, or shut up.

Put up your faith publicly, declaring you’re a follower of Jesus and are doing your best to live like it. Or, shut up about it. You’re giving the rest of us a bad name.

Christianity, today in our culture is facing unprecedented beliefs and opinions that we are irrelevant, hypocritical, old-fashioned, or just plain crazy for believing in a c.1 religion.

We’re in John 7 this morning. You’ll see all of this in this passage. It has only grown more oppositional to be a Xian today in our society. The opposition in c.1 was ramping up and getting more intense.

His brothers tried to force him at this point to put up, or shut up.

It didn’t work, but they tried.

Put Up, or Shut Up!

John 7:1–5 NIV

After this, Jesus went around in Galilee. He did not want to go about in Judea because the Jewish leaders there were looking for a way to kill him. But when the Jewish Festival of Tabernacles was near, Jesus’ brothers said to him, “Leave Galilee and go to Judea, so that your disciples there may see the works you do. No one who wants to become a public figure acts in secret. Since you are doing these things, show yourself to the world.” For even his own brothers did not believe in him.

Jesus was reluctant to make a public entrance into Jerusalem at this time. He’s going to go, you’ll see that in a minute, but He’ll do it privately, secretly.

The Jewish leadership referred to here is the Sanhedrin. They were the ruling authority over Judaism and the temple. But their jurisdiction did not extend to Galilee. They had no authority there.

They had already begun to scheme ways to kill Jesus. So, He was reluctant to be too foolish and too obvious to give too many opportunities just yet.

They were coming up on the Festival of Tabernacles. This is one of the 3 main festivals that Israel would recognize and celebrate. It happened in October. It coincided w/ the fall harvest and they celebrated God’s provision.

But the main point of this festivals was God’s provision during the time Israel wandered thru the wilderness after they left Egypt on their way to the PL. God led them as a pillar of smoke during the day and fire at night. He protected from attacking nations. They were not an army, they had been slaves. And he miraculously provided food and water, enough to feed a nation of 2 million ppl plus their livestock.

The way the celebrated the festival was like backyard camping. Every family put up and tent or shelter made of limbs and sticks on their flat roof or in their backyard. They cooked over an open fire. Just like Israel did as they wandered thru the wilderness.

It was a big, city-wide party. Celebration. Kids played. You could see up and down your residential block, everyone was doing it.

The 3 big festivals during the year were Passover, that occured in the spring. They celebrated leaving Egypt. By faith in God and the blood of the lamb, the Israelites painted lamb’s blood on their doorpost and the angel of death sent by God, passed over their house and no one died. They lived when those who did not believe and did not put lamb’s blood on their doorpost died.

Then, God redeemed them out of slavery and led them up to where He delivered them into their PL.

Next was Pentecost. OT Israel celebrated Pentecost. We tend to only associate it w/ the NT church.

Pentecost, the word, literally means 50. 50 days. 7 weeks. Okay, 49 or 50 days. So, 50 days after Passover they celebrated Pentecost. It was 50 days after they left Egypt that Moses received the law on Mt. Sinai.

Then, Tabernacles in the fall celebrating God’s protection and provision until He delivered them into their PL.

The parallel and connection to the NT church should be fairly obvious, too.

At Passover, the Lamb of God was sacrificed on the cross and that became our Easter. Faith in God and the blood of the Lamb gives life to those who believe.

At Pentecost, just like the law was given to Moses, by grace the HS was given the believers in the new org called the church.

The HS protects and provides for us until He delivers us into our PL, Heaven.

Back to John 7. It was October. In April Jesus will be crux’d. So, the opposition is intensifying and Jesus must manage the confrontations so that the timing works out perfectly.

His brothers, who did not believe in Him as the Messiah, were probably growing tired of His act.

It wasn’t an act, but they didn’t believe in the Truth.

Anyone have an older sibling w/ a messiah complex? Are you that older sibling? Anyone get a little tired of it?

They’re like, we all know the Messiah doesn’t come from Galilee. Go to Jerusalem. Show them what you can do.

If you’re legit, then the temple leadership will have to shut up about what they are saying about you.

If you’re not, then you need to shut up about what you say about yourself.

They were trying to force the issue. 2.5 years into his public ministry was long enough for them.

This is a major shift in Jesus’ ministry. He is transitioning from preparing the discs to continue the work once He’s gone, to preparing everyone, all sides for His crux. The set up is critical. And timing is key.

There will be many confrontations yet to come. But for the big one, it’s not time, yet.

Not Time Yet

John 7:6–9 NIV

Therefore Jesus told them, “My time is not yet here; for you any time will do. The world cannot hate you, but it hates me because I testify that its works are evil. You go to the festival. I am not going up to this festival, because my time has not yet fully come.” After he had said this, he stayed in Galilee.

One of things we all have to be aware of is God’s timing. Timing is so important. We can be doing the right thing but at the wrong time and make matters worse.

Convos need to happen. Action needs t/b taken. But the timing is critical to resolve the issues and help move ppl closer to Jesus.

Jesus was going to do what His brothers pushed Him to do, but He was going to do it His way and on His sked.

Hate is a strong word. It’s a strong emotion. It’s a strong reaction to an offensive action.

If someone believes something strongly, deeply. They believe they are doing right by God and everyone else. And, everyone else should be doing what they are doing.

They are demonstrating it, teaching it, putting their reputation on the line. Committed to making this their life’s highest priority.

Then, someone comes along and tells them they’re doing it wrong. At that point, so what. Who are you anyway?

Then that person brings some power and proof to what He says. How dare you.

It would be like me showing up all decked out in my Diamondbacks gear. Declaring them to be the champions. I’ve spent a lot of money, time, and energy celebrating the D-backs.

But, then you show up in your TX Rangers’ gear pointing out the D-backs are losers. I wasted all that on a team of losers. My entire life now seems meaningless. Okay, it’s baseball.

But if this is your eternal hope and you have spent your life living for the law, sacrificing and giving a lot of your time, money, and energy to the cause; Then someone comes along who says you’re doing it wrong and demonstrates some proof and power that confirms He’s right and you’re wrong.

Hate is real.

There had to be hate to get Him to the cross. Mildly put out would not lead to an execution. A strong emotion of hate had to drive the kangaroo court that led Jesus to His cross. It’s only going to grow deeper and stronger as time goes on.

At this point Jesus did not mean he was not going to Jerusalem for the festival. He just meant He wasn’t going w/ His brothers in a public way. He’s going. And the confrontations are growing.

He’s Lying

John 7:10–13 NIV

However, after his brothers had left for the festival, he went also, not publicly, but in secret. Now at the festival the Jewish leaders were watching for Jesus and asking, “Where is he?” Among the crowds there was widespread whispering about him. Some said, “He is a good man.” Others replied, “No, he deceives the people.” But no one would say anything publicly about him for fear of the leaders.

Everybody was watching for Him. That’s why He had to come secretly. Everyone was watching for different reasons.

His reputation preceded Him, too. Certainly, some had seen Him do a miracle and others had heard Him preach a message.

Everyone had an opinion.

Some believed He was a good, moral man. Remember what C.S. Lewis wrote.

Others believe He was a liar.

But they all had to be careful. Guilt by association was growing. If you were attached to Jesus in any way there consequences. Your family and friends were ridiculed and ostracized. Your temple activity was severely limited.

Maybe that last didn’t matter so much if you were a believer. But, if you were still on the fence, trying to decide what you bel’d about Jesus and wanted to stay active in the temple and your synagogue, then it mattered a lot. And no one in this position wanted to be on this list.

Who is this guy? Who does He think He is? Who do It think He is?

Jesus was pretty clear w/ what He thought and bel’d about Himself. He bel’d He is the Lord.

He’s the Lord

John 7:14–19 NIV

Not until halfway through the festival did Jesus go up to the temple courts and begin to teach. The Jews there were amazed and asked, “How did this man get such learning without having been taught?” Jesus answered, “My teaching is not my own. It comes from the one who sent me. Anyone who chooses to do the will of God will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own. Whoever speaks on their own does so to gain personal glory, but he who seeks the glory of the one who sent him is a man of truth; there is nothing false about him. Has not Moses given you the law? Yet not one of you keeps the law. Why are you trying to kill me?”

Being amazed is not believing. You can be amazed by a magician’s performance and believe he’s no magician, but an illusionist who is distracting you while he amazes you.

They wondered where Jesus got His education. He didn’t go to any of their grad schools in theology. Ironically, theology means the study of God.

So, where did Jesus study God? W/ God. Straight to the source.

One of the reasons I chose to go to Dallas Seminary is b/c all the other seminaries I was interested in used textbooks written by Dallas Seminary professors. Why go study under someone who uses the text book when I can go study under the guy who wrote the text book?!

Jesus is clearly claiming here to be the Lord, the Son of God, the Messiah sent by God who will take away the sins of the world.

Where did He learn all His theology? From God Himself.

He offers 2 proofs that He came from God.

First, those who accept His teaching are attracted to God, not Jesus. Jesus’ word will lead you to God.

Second, He did not promote nor honor Himself. He humbly promoted, honored, glorified God.

Neither of these could be used to describe the prominent and popular teachers from among the Pharisees. They attracted more ppl to themselves. It was status to have more better students.

And the promoted themselves. They were arrogant and glorified themselves.

This was a big difference between Jesus and the other teachers. If anyone demonstrated some justification for blowing his own horn, Jesus did. The miracles. The depth and life-changing nature of His teaching. His accuracy of history. His grasp of the culture and relevance of his words.

But He didn’t do any of that. And, they hated Him for it. He called them out for what they strongly bel’d they were doing right. But, they were doing it wrong.

When confronted w/ the accusation that you’re doing something wrong, you have a couple of options.

First, you could repent. Apologize. Admit you are wrong. Change your ways and your beliefs.

Or, second, you could try to discredit or even kill the one calling you out.

You know which option they chose.

He’s a Lunatic

John 7:20–24 NIV

“You are demon-possessed,” the crowd answered. “Who is trying to kill you?” Jesus said to them, “I did one miracle, and you are all amazed. Yet, because Moses gave you circumcision (though actually it did not come from Moses, but from the patriarchs), you circumcise a boy on the Sabbath. Now if a boy can be circumcised on the Sabbath so that the law of Moses may not be broken, why are you angry with me for healing a man’s whole body on the Sabbath? Stop judging by mere appearances, but instead judge correctly.”

Here they were celebrating the festival of tabernacles and Moses. They elevated Moses and honored him and law he brought to Israel from God.

A little irony. They had already begun to scheme how they could kill Jesus and get away w/ it.

From among the laws that Mo gave them. In fact from among the Big 10.

#6 is don’t murder. Even don’t hate someone so strongly you wish He was dead.

#9 is don’t lie about someone. Don’t bear false witness. Don’t lie about them and don’t lie about your intentions w/ them.

You think you’re so important, who’s trying to kill you? We’re not! Right. Whatever.

When something thinks they are more important than they are, they think too highly of themselves; then they can think that ppl are out to get them.

I’m so important, my enemies want me dead. When, maybe, in reality, your enemies don’t even know who you are. Maybe you’re not having the impact you think you are.

Sometimes Xians going thru tough will blame Satan for attacking them. But if that person is not doing anything for the Kingdom of God. They are only using what Jesus gave them for their own benefit, does Satan even know who you are? Why would He attack someone who is not causing Him any problems?

Maybe it’s God who is stirring things, leading them into a tough time, to get them going and involved in Kingdom work.

For Jesus, it was obvious. He is important. And He continues to cause problems for the Enemy. He wants Him out of the picture. And most likely bel’d that once Jesus heart stopped on the cross He had won. Think again, Satan.

For his enemies, rather than repent, change their beliefs and behavior, they tried to discredit Him.

Are you crazy? You’re a lunatic. You are demon possessed, evil influence on the ppl. And, they schemed to kill Him and lied about it.

More irony. Technically, it was a violation to perform and circumcision on the Sabbath. But, it that was the 8th day of the boy’s life, it was okay to perform. So, they could break the law to keep the law.

Jesus ref’d back to John 5 when He healed the paralytic at the Bethesda pool on the Sabbath. The law allowed a person to do a good work that helped someone, improved their life, saved their life on the Sabbath. But the oral tradition of the Jewish leadership did not. To do so was punishable by death.

They would circumcise a child, but would not heal a paralytic on the Sabbath. Really!

They judged by appearances, not by meaning. They were caught up in the style, not the substance. They wouldn’t help someone who needed help b/c it didn’t look good.

Jesus was like, if you’re helping someone, it looks good regardless of the day of the week.

The law came from God thru Moses. The oral traditions came from the human leadership.

Jesus kept the law as it was originally intended by God. He did not keep their oral tradition unless he didn’t want the fight at the time. He’s a lot closer to taking the fight to them.

This was the first, the beginning of the confrontation that led to His crux. At this time, He is 6 months from dying.

They tried everything to discredit Him. They called Him a liar. They called Him a lunatic. But they couldn’t prove any of it.

He called Himself Lord.

What do you call Him?

Applications

Timing

Doing the right thing but at the wrong time is wrong.

Convo need to happen. Things need to happen. But, make sure it’s on God timing. Do not try to force God’s hand. It didn’t go well for Jesus’ brothers. It didn’t go well for Judas. It won’t go well for you.

What do you need to now? Is there something you’re pressing to do that needs to wait?

Faith

The primary issue Jesus’ opposition had to understanding His teaching was they had no faith. Faith unlocks what Jesus means when He speaks.

The words of God can only be accurately interpreted thru faith. His enemies misinterpreted and misapplied God’s word from the OT and Jesus’ word as He spoke it.

Don’t get frustrated w/ someone who does not get all this if they do not have the faith to be saved, yet. And if you’re struggling to get this, ask yourself, do you believe in the right things about the right person who will save you, and help you understand what’s going on here.

Lord?

What do you believe about Jesus. Was He lying? Is He a lunatic? Or is He the Lord?

Moses led Israel out of horrible, thru hard, and into their PL. The horrible was slavery in Egypt. The hard was the journey thru the wilderness. The reward was the promise that awaited in the land God gave them.

Jesus leads us out of horrible, thru hard and into Heaven. Horrible is being lost and a slave to the bad habits that hurt us. Hard is this living this life in a fallen world where things break. But heaven is our reward.

Is Jesus your Lord? If He is, then He will lead you into your PL after you leave this hard place. Stay strong, optimistic, hopeful. If it’s bad now. It’s going to get better. Jesus will lead you to better.

If you’re going to use one of these products I showed you earlier, you’ve got to decide if you believe it’s legit.

If you’re going to be a follower of Jesus, you’ve got to believe He’s legit.

PPL Throughout history have landed on all 3 of these possibilities.

All of us here have faced this decision, maybe more than once. I believe most of us have settled it already. Maybe a few of us are still on the fence about who Jesus is and what that means to you.

B/C, in considering who Jesus is, a lunatic, a liar, or legitimately the Lord, we get to a point in our lives when it is either time to put up, or shut up.

Put up your faith publicly, declaring you’re a follower of Jesus and are doing your best to live like it. Or, shut up about it. You’re giving the rest of us a bad name.