Faith Is NOT for the Faint of Heart

Introduction

As we continue verse by verse through the gospel of John, we will look at four verses: John 7:10-13. I'm taking these verses by themselves today because they are so insightful into our hearts, and they connect us very closely that way to those in the days of Jesus.

While to many of us here in 2021, life is far different than it was in A.D. 30; different in the USA than in Israel, we find in these four verses that we have the same thing happening - in our society and in our hearts.

These four verses address our identity. Some are in authority. Some of us are of the opinion that Christ is Good. Others believe He is deceitful, bad, or somehow not safe to trust. Finally, unless we are of the authority group, we fear the retribution of the leadership because of how they can make our life very difficult. Even today!

This message is not to condemn anyone, but to prepare us to see Jesus as He truly is - and to see that the Bible is very truthful, society hasn't changed in essence since then, and Jesus remains the same as well. We truly can trust Him.

As we examine these verses, we should also examine our own lives: attitudes, fears, and questions about who Jesus really is. If we can identify these things within us, and overlay them upon the evidence in the world and the Bible about who Jesus really is, we can begin to clarify our relationship with Him - and so make any needed changes.

1. God Can Act and Move in Secret (v. 10)

a. So We Learn to Trust Him

b. So We Do Not Try to Manipulate Him

c. So We Learn to See the Invisible by the Visible

2. Human Leadership Rarely Understands Jesus (v. 11)

a. Their Power is too Important

b. Their Perspective is too Arrogant

c. Their Purpose is too Corrupt

3. The Masses Are Usually Divided (v. 12)

a. Some Get It and Some Do Not

b. Division Separates

4. Temporary Troubles Manipulate the Masses (v. 13)

a. Marginalization

b. Starvation

c. Extermination

Conclusion

Which group are you in?

Are you among the masses? If so, are you among those who believe Jesus to be Good? or Deceptive?

Are you in a place of authority in our society? Do you strive to drive Jesus out of the Marketplace of ideas, practice and relevance in daily public life?

Do any of you have doubts as to the Deity of Christ? Are you willing to pay the price of following Him openly and faithfully in today's society?