Teaching From God

Introduction

Jesus at the Feast of Booths

Remembering God’s faithfulness to his people in the wilderness

Time of the grape and olive harvest…celebration

Booths, Tabernacles, temporary dwellings with long palm branches, for a 7 day festival in Jerusalem.

Out of the three major festivals (Passover, Pentecost, Booths) this was the most popular.

Last week: John 7:1-13,

Show yourself to the world, Jesus (his brothers)

Jesus’ assessment of the world—it’s evil

The world’s assessment of Jesus (good man, leading people astray, unbelief)

This week

Jesus has gone up to the Feast of Booths…in private not in public.

He begins to teach.

Jesus is obviously the perfect model of teaching that comes from God.

And what I want us to look at in this section of John 7 is 5 characteristics of Teaching from God.

Exemplified perfectly in Jesus.

And that I think we still see today when God’s word is rightly taught all around the world.

5 Characteristics of Teaching from God.

Outline: Teaching from God...

Point 1: Is powerful (v.14-16).

Point 2: Has God’s glory as the focal point (v.17-18).

Point 3: Will face opposition (v.19-20).

Point 4: Rightly understands the law (v.21-23).

Point 5: Gives accurate judgment of the world (v. 24).

Point 1: Is powerful (v.14-16).

John 7:14–16 ESV

14 About the middle of the feast Jesus went up into the temple and began teaching. 15 The Jews therefore marveled, saying, “How is it that this man has learning, when he has never studied?” 16 So Jesus answered them, “My teaching is not mine, but his who sent me.

Private to Public

Jesus begins in private

Jesus refused to show himself to the world in the way that his brothers tempted Jesus to.

He didn’t want a sort of premature triumphal entry.

So, he’s gone down to the feast in private.

Moves to public teaching

And towards the middle of the feast, Jesus has avoided whatever he wanted to avoid, and so he begins to teach in the temple complex

Temple

typical for rabbis to teach in the temple.

Multiple teachers in the temple complex at one time with groups sitting around them

Content of teaching (v.14)

Often take a passage from the Old Testament and explain its meaning…and the Rabbis would often cite the Jewish sources from which they drew their teaching.

Unlike today, there wasn’t an infatuation with the novel.

Most of the Jewish people there would respect teaching if there was some sort of historical precedent or lineage to the teaching.

Jesus teaching is different

You can tell that by the Jewish people’s response.

John 7:15 “15 The Jews therefore marveled, saying, “How is it that this man has learning, when he has never studied?””

James Montgomery Boice:

“Where did he get this teaching?” Hidden within their question was the deeper question as to whether or not anything so radical and new could be trusted. We see the importance of this question when we realize that many persons ask it today when they hear true Christian teaching for the first time.”Jesus hasn’t studied under any famous Rabbi.

His teaching is different and here’s why:

Look at what Jesus says in v.16

John 7:16 “16 So Jesus answered them, “My teaching is not mine, but his who sent me.”

His teaching comes from the one with ultimate authority…from the author of the Scriptures...

in fact…Jesus himself is the author of the Scriptures.

He teaches with power

And the authority of this teaching from God is powerful!

The people recognize that there is power to it!

Whether they accept it or reject it…they recognize it’s different!

Application:

Love to Have Been There!

Jesus’ understanding of the Scriptures was unparalleled. Can you imagine the author of the Scriptures standing there and explaining them to you.

Illustration: Walking through Greeley West High School

tour guide showing some of the details.

Different experience walking through it with the chief architect and engineers.

The ones who devised the plans and then implemented them.

With Jesus…you have the author and perfecter of our faith explaining the Scriptures!

Teaching Has Power Today!

Gospel message and the truth of Scripture is just as powerful today!

It’s different than any other message out there!

It explains our life experience better than any other philosophical system or worldview out there.

It explains what goes on in our minds and hearts.

It explains what’s going on in the world around us.

It shows us that salvation isn’t a matter of being a good person…but that we need to trust in the work of another…our good and loving Savior…who accomplished salvation for us!

It’s a message that gives us hope and purpose in this life!

Transition to Point 2: Teaching from God...

I think we see some of that purpose laid out in our next two verses. So let’s move to our the second characteristic of teaching from God.

Point 1: Is powerful (v.14-15).

Point 2: Has God’s glory as the focal point (v.17-18).

Point 2: Has God’s glory as the focal point (v.17-18).

John 7:17–18 ESV

17 If anyone’s will is to do God’s will, he will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own authority. 18 The one who speaks on his own authority seeks his own glory; but the one who seeks the glory of him who sent him is true, and in him there is no falsehood.

Understanding Truth

Born Again—new will

If you want to understand truth…v. 17 says that you need to be born again.

You need to be given a new will.

By nature, we are living according to our own will.

When we’re born again…we’re given new hearts that love God and want to seek after him.

Desire to do God’s will

Matthew 7:21-23 “21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ 23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’” Jesus teaches with the authority of God (v.16-18)

God’s People Know The Truth

V.17—God’s people can tell his teaching...

Sniff test.

My sheep know my voice.

1 John 2:20 “20 But you have been anointed by the Holy One, and you all have knowledge.”

1 John 2:27 “27 But the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie—just as it has taught you, abide in him.”

Illustration: Bella & Ethan

Bella…she can be in the other room laying on the couch…and I say her name… “Bella”…and I can hear her tail start thumping on the couch....why? Because she knows my voice.

Ethan when he was little…we were at Meijer…don’t have those around here…like a Wal-Mart…and he got separated. And…I said his name a few times…and I hear this little voice…daddy…where are you…he knew my voice.

God’s people know his voice.

Now…this doesn’t mean we understand everything in Scripture perfectly...

It doesn’t mean that there aren’t theological disagreements…even about important matters.

But in the essential truths of Scripture and of the gospel…and I mean essential…God’s people agree.

Heart of the Matter

Verse 18 helps us get to the heart of the matter.

Here is the fundamental difference between false teaching and truth.

Ask yourself this question: Which teaching brings God more glory?

Whose Glory?

John 7:18 “18 The one who speaks on his own authority seeks his own glory; but the one who seeks the glory of him who sent him is true, and in him there is no falsehood.”

Explain Glory (doxa)

praise, honor, glory

Glorify: To cause the greatness of someone or something to be known and manifest.

To bring praise and honor to someone for their greatness.

Glory seekers by nature

we will seek someone’s glory…glory void that will be filled.

Option 1: Seeks own glory

If someone is seeking their own glory…you know they are not from God!

Characteristic of false teachers.

Paul’s indictment of false teachers in some of his letters.

They are in it for their own personal gain.

False teachers in it for their own gain:

Big three: Gain Power, Gain Money, Sexual Gain

Option 2: Seeks God’s Glory

Jesus!

Lord’s Prayer! Your kingdom come. Your will be done.

Jesus in Gethsemane. Yet not my will but yours be done.

Luke 22:42 “42 saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.””

John 12:28 “28 Father, glorify your name.” Then a voice came from heaven: “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.””

Jesus lived for the glory of God and the good of others

At great expense to himself.

Philippians 2:5-11 “5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

Application: Our Purpose

True teaching from God has God’s glory as his focal point.

Our purpose as a church is to glorify God!

Psalm 115:1-3 “1 Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name give glory, for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness! 2 Why should the nations say, “Where is their God?” 3 Our God is in the heavens; he does all that he pleases.”

Condensed Purpose: Glorifying God by displaying & proclaiming Jesus

Our Purpose: St. Paul’s Congregational Church exists to glorify God by displaying & proclaiming Jesus within our church, to Greeley, & to the world. We aim to make joyful, passionate disciples of Jesus who love God & love their neighbor.

Core Commitment 1: Glorify: We will keep God’s glory as the focal point of everything we do.

Transition to Point 3: Teaching From God...

Bible Study

The Supremacy of God in all things!

Big view of God…we are not supreme.

Our goal is to get our will in line with God’s will.

True teaching helps us to do that and helps us to focus on God’s glory.

Let’s look at a third characteristic of teaching from God.

Point 1: Is powerful (v.14-16).

Point 2: Has God’s glory as the focal point (v.17-18).

Point 3: Will face opposition (v.19-20).

Point 3: Will face opposition (v.19-20).

John 7:19–20 ESV

19 Has not Moses given you the law? Yet none of you keeps the law. Why do you seek to kill me?” 20 The crowd answered, “You have a demon! Who is seeking to kill you?”

Jesus is under attack

There are people trying to kill him.

And when Jesus says this…people ridicule him.

He’s either the butt end their joke.

Or the object of a serious accusation

Either way these people are speaking falsely about him.

Truth Claims Bring Opposition

As Christians we make absolute truth claims.

We have to say along with Jesus.

The world is evil…all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

Memory verse for Growing Strong:

1 John 5:11-12 “11 And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.”

Illustration: Steph

Just found out recently that someone I love dearly…who’s been following Jesus for 15 years…whose life seemed to be transformed...

recently rejected the faith…she couldn’t take the idea of Jesus being the only way to salvation…she started seeing it as a hateful message.

At least she understood Jesus rightly...

He is the way the truth and the life…no one comes to the Father except through Him.

He doesn’t leave the option open for other ways...

For other Saviors…for other answers to the world’s problems.

He is the only answer.

Application:

Don’t Face Opposition Alone

Be part of a church that stands on the truth even when it’s uncomfortable.

Open up to others

Let others know when you’re under attack...

might be at work…might be from a family member.

we’re all under spiritual attack in some way.

When you’re facing doubts

When you’re facing sin struggles

Don’t face that opposition alone.

Counter Attacks With Truth

Follow the example of Jesus in the wilderness...

He went to the Scriptures.

Follow the examples of Jesus even here in the temple...

he continued to declare truth.

Counter any attacks on your identity and character

With a knowledge of who you are in Christ.

You’re called, loved, and kept by God (Jude reference)

You’re an elect exile (1 Peter reference)

You’ve been given the right to be called a child of God (John reference)

Transition to Point 4: Teaching from God...

We’re at our fourth characteristic now.

Point 1: Is powerful (v.14-16).

Point 2: Has God’s glory as the focal point (v.17-18).

Point 3: Will face opposition (v.19-20).

Point 4: Rightly understands the law (v.21-23).

Point 4: Rightly understands the law (v.21-23).

John 7:21–23 ESV

21 Jesus answered them, “I did one work, and you all marvel at it. 22 Moses gave you circumcision (not that it is from Moses, but from the fathers), and you circumcise a man on the Sabbath. 23 If on the Sabbath a man receives circumcision, so that the law of Moses may not be broken, are you angry with me because on the Sabbath I made a man’s whole body well?

Accused of having a demon

also accused of:

breaking the Sabbath

Blasphemy

Deceiving the people

Being a Samaritan

madness

And criminal activity

Breaking the Sabbath

To the point of breaking the Sabbath that we return now.

That’s what Jesus is talking about in v.21.

John 7:21 “21 Jesus answered them, “I did one work, and you all marvel at it.”

V.23—Jesus references the man he healed…paralyzed for 38 years.

Months before …but in Jerusalem…so, presumably, people are bringing it up again.

John 5-1-16

Hypocrisy of the Religious Leaders

They accuse Jesus

All the while they hate Jesus in their hearts

And they are plotting to murder an innocent man.

Can you think of any commandment talking about not murdering?

But sadly, as is too often the case when we’re stuck in sin and hypocrisy they’re blind to their own hearts.

And so Jesus comes at this subject from a different angle.

Jesus’ Argument

In order to show a correct understanding of the law

And to show that he (Jesus) wasn’t breaking it

Jesus highlights the Jewish religious leaders practice

And as he does this...

He not only reveals their hypocrisy.

But he helps us to understand the heart of the OT law.

Practice of the Jews

Law of Circumcision

Given by Moses…predates Moses back to Abraham.

Law says that to both Moses and Abraham…

That Jewish males will be circumcised on the 8th day...

They obeyed this law, even if it fell on the Sabbath.

Leviticus 12:1-3 “1 The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 2 “Speak to the people of Israel, saying, If a woman conceives and bears a male child, then she shall be unclean seven days. As at the time of her menstruation, she shall be unclean. 3 And on the eighth day the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised.”

Predates Moses

Abraham: Genesis 17:9-14 “9 And God said to Abraham, “As for you, you shall keep my covenant, you and your offspring after you throughout their generations. 10 This is my covenant, which you shall keep, between me and you and your offspring after you: Every male among you shall be circumcised. 11 You shall be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskins, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and you. 12 He who is eight days old among you shall be circumcised. Every male throughout your generations, whether born in your house or bought with your money from any foreigner who is not of your offspring, 13 both he who is born in your house and he who is bought with your money, shall surely be circumcised. So shall my covenant be in your flesh an everlasting covenant. 14 Any uncircumcised male who is not circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin shall be cut off from his people; he has broken my covenant.””

Argument from the Lesser to Greater

If it’s ok for you to make one part of the body right on the Sabbath through circumcision

Then clearly it’s ok for me to heal the entire body of a person on the Sabbath.

What Jesus is not saying:

He doesn’t say, you’re breaking the law when you circumcise

And I’m breaking the law when I heal on the Sabbath, so we’re both in the same boat.

What Jesus is saying:

He’s saying, you’re not breaking the law when you circumcise

And I’m not breaking the law when I heal on the Sabbath.

Heart of the Law

Jesus is saying that through their own actions show that to some degree they understand the heart of the Sabbath

R.C. Sproul: The law is given in the context of worship.

The 10 commandments are given as a way to worship God.

First Four: Love God

Last Six: Love Neighbor.

That’s the heart of the law.

Application

Obeying God’s Commands

Examine your own life to see if you’re obeying God in such a way that keeps you from

Loving God

Loving your neighbor

If so, you don’t have a correct understanding of God’s laws and commandments.

Purpose statement:

We aim to make joyful passionate disciples of Jesus who love God and love their neighbor.

Beware of Hypocrisy in your life

As you’re looking at others…beware of hypocrisy in your own life.

Transition to Point 5: Teaching from God...

Point 1: Is powerful (v.14-16).

Point 2: Has God’s glory as the focal point (v.17-18).

Point 3: Will face opposition (v.19-20).

Point 4: Rightly understands the law (v.21-23).

Point 5: Gives accurate judgment of the world (v. 24).

Point 5: Gives accurate judgment of the world (v.24).

John 7:24 ESV

24 Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment.”

Doesn’t say: Don’t judge

There is a judgment that Christians are called to exercise.

Not judgmentalism

Everybody makes judgments and assessments

We’re doing it all the time

So the question isn’t whether or not we should judge…but how should we judge?

True Teaching from God Helps us to accurately judge the world

Right judgment of ourselves

Right judgment (v.24)

God looks at the heart

1 Samuel 16:7 “7 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.””

Acts 1:24 “24 And they prayed and said, “You, Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which one of these two you have chosen”

John 2:24-25 “24 But Jesus on his part did not entrust himself to them, because he knew all people 25 and needed no one to bear witness about man, for he himself knew what was in man.”

Application:

3 Bewares

Beware of hypocrisy

Like the Jewish religious leaders.

Judgmentalism

Not remembering the gospel for ourselves

Beware of condemning what God calls good.

Beware of accepting as good that which God condemns.

Conclusion

Ultimate Judgment that Jesus makes and that we get to declare to the world.

Illustration: Man look at man from man’s perspective. If we were walking down the streets of Chicago, we would see some people that were our same height. Some people would look taller than us. Some would be shorter. God looks at man from his perspective. It’s like he’s in the Sears Tower (Now Will Tower). When he looks at everyone, from his perspective way up there, we are all the same height. And all of us are too short…All of us have fallen short of his glory.To all who receive him…to those who believe in his name…he gives the right to become children of God.

So believe and you will have eternal life.

Teaching From God:

Point 1: Is powerful (v.14-16).

Point 2: Has God’s glory as the focal point (v.17-18).

Point 3: Will face opposition (v.19-20).

Point 4: Rightly understands the law (v.21-23).

Point 5: Gives accurate judgment of the world (v. 24).