Disbelief, Deadlines, and Discussion

Invite a student to come up to read the text for us this morning.

What is something everyone seems to have an opinion on?

Everyone seems to have an opinion about Jesus and what he should be doing, look for that as we read the text this morning.

1. The Truth will always face opposition. vv. 1-5, 7

Jewish Festivals

Passover (early Spring, April, commemorates the exodus from Egypt, final of 10 plagues)

Shavout (Feast of Weeks, becomes Pentecost, Usually early June, Celebrate the giving of the Torah or Law)

Sukkot (Feat of Booths, in fall, marks final harvest of year, and commemorates the Israelites journey in the desert)

The festival was going on and the brothers of Jesus wanted him to go to Judea to “show off” how works.

a. Opposition from the world.

John 7:1 “After this Jesus went about in Galilee. He would not go about in Judea, because the Jews were seeking to kill him.”

“John 7:1 shows truth as a target: leaders plot murder not for politics, but because Jesus unmasks their rebellion against God.” -D.A. Carson

When was a time truth made you unpopular?

As followers of Jesus we will experience opposition from those outside the faith

Why won’t you cheat? Why won’t you speak badly about that person? Why won’t you sleep with those you want to?

Maybe you get picked on for not following the crowd. IF those who aren’t following Jesus don’t see how different you are, then you might not be different at all.

b. Opposition from our circle.

John 7:3–5 “So his brothers said to him, “Leave here and go to Judea, that your disciples also may see the works you are doing. For no one works in secret if he seeks to be known openly. If you do these things, show yourself to the world.” For not even his brothers believed in him.”

His own brothers didn’t believe he was the Son of God.

Later they do, James and Jude.

When was did truth, your faith in Jesus, make you unpopular?

2. God’s timing is HIS OWN. vv. 6-10

This is such a powerful statement Jesus makes here, but we miss it because the lack of the English language.

Roughly 1,000,000 English

Roughly 5,000,000 Greek

Greek has two words for TIME

Chronos: Sequential measurable time (watch, stopwatch, calendar)

Kairos: Significant, Opportune time.

John 7:8 “You go up to the feast. I am not going up to this feast, for my time has not yet fully come.””

Jesus isn’t saying “Sorry guys, my dinner appointment at the Booths is 5:30, and ya’ll’s is 4:30, so go on without me.”

He’s saying “It’s not yet here for me to go.”

Galatians 4:4 “But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law,”

God’s timing is always perfect. He’s never late, he’s never early, he’s always right on time.

Maybe you’ve been waiting on God for something, a sick or aging loved one, you just can’t wait to get your drivers license, you’re longing to be in a relationship with someone, or for you Seniors you’re on those college acceptance letters.

What’s something you’re waiting for that feels like God is taking too long?

When God’s timing is not aligning with your expectations, you will experience and increase in anxiety, worry, and I invite you to surrender that to Him.

John 7:9–10 “After saying this, he remained in Galilee. But after his brothers had gone up to the feast, then he also went up, not publicly but in private.”

3. How do WE respond to Jesus’ Presence? vv. 11-13

Notice here there is an anticipation and an expectation that the Leaders had on Jesus.

Culturally many Jew’s pilgrimaged and celebrated the Feast of Booths, but even so Jesus would because of the talk he had caused.

You’d expect the Homecoming King and Queen to be at the homecoming dance.

You’d expect Taylor Swift to be at the next Grammy’s.

John 7:12 “And there was much muttering about him among the people. While some said, “He is a good man,” others said, “No, he is leading the people astray.””

Notice not only did they have an expectation on him, but they had an opinion about who he was.

Notice here that Jesus doesn’t go blowing on to the scene screaming and shouting that he is the Son of God, demanding everyone to bow down.

There are times Jesus is more out in front of people, but he is not going to force anyone to believe.

How you share your faith with others should be as Jesus says “innocent as doves, but as wise as serpents”.

"John 7:12 forces the question: Whisperer or witness? Jesus' presence demands we choose—fear or bold faith?" -John MacArthur

Which one describes your faith right now?

Whisperer (quiet, cautious afraid)

Witness (bold, loving, truthful)