Have You Been Deceived? Believer in Jesus Unbelievers Disbeliever Questioner Have You Been Deceived? John 7

Statements: From Unbelief to Belief Unbelieving brothers – make yourself known (Jn. 7:3-5) Believers – Jesus is good man; Christ do more signs? (Jn. 7:12,31)

Statements: From Unbelief to Belief Unbelieving brothers – make yourself known (Jn. 7:3-5) Believers – Jesus is good man; Christ do more signs? (Jn. 7:12,31) Questioning Jews – (Jn. 7:15, 26, 35) “How knoweth this man letters, having never learned?” “Can it be that the rulers indeed know that this is the Christ? “Whither will this man go that we shall not find him?”

Statements: From Unbelief to Belief Division among the multitude (Jn.7:40-43) “This is of a truth the prophet” (v.40) Others, “This is the Christ” (v. 41) But, “Doth Christ come out of Galilee? Does not Scripture say, “Christ cometh of the seed of David and from Bethlehem, the village where David was?” (v.43)

Statements: From Unbelief to Belief Rhetorical questions and statements of the disbelievers (Jn. 7:45-52) “Hath any of the rulers believed on him, or the Pharisees? (v. 48) “But this multitude that knoweth not the law are accursed” (v.49) Response to Nicodemus: “Doth our law judge a man, except it first hear from himself and know what he doeth?” (Jn. 7:51) – “Art thou also of Galilee?” “Search and see that out of Galilee ariseth no prophet” (v. 52)

No Man So Spake… He spoke as one POSSESSING AUTHORITY (Matthew 7:28-29)

No Man So Spake… He spoke as one POSSESSING AUTHORITY (Matthew 7:28-29) He spoke STRANGELY (Jn. 7:36, 38)

No Man So Spake… He spoke as one POSSESSING AUTHORITY (Matthew 7:28-29) He spoke STRANGELY (Jn. 7:36, 38) He spoke DISTINCTLY (Jn. 6:35, 40; 54, 63; 68)

Jesus’ Claims… He is the MESSIAH (Jn. 4:26) MOSES WROTE OF HIM (Jn. 5:46) He SHARED THE GLORY OF GOD WITH HIM IN HEAVEN (Jn. 1:1-5, Jn. 17:5, 24, Jn. 8:58) He IS GOD (Jn. 10:30, 13:19) He would not only DIE, but RISE AGAIN and return to RAISE THE DEAD and JUDGE ALL at the END OF HISTORY (Jn. 10:17, 6:40, 12:48)

Who Is Deceived? It is easy to be deceived when you no longer investigate the words of Jesus – Scribes and Pharisees (Jn. 7: 48, 49, 52)

Who Is Deceived? There does not have to be division over Jesus by looking at different unifying identifying facts: (Jn. 7:40-43) Jesus is the prophet Moses wrote about (Deut. 18:18, Jn. 5:46, Acts 3:22) Jesus is the Christ – Messiah (Jn. 1:41-42, Jn. 20:30-31) Jesus was of the seed of David, born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2, Matt. 2:1, 2:6)

Who Is Deceived? Jesus did not have to learn letters – He is the pre-incarnate Word (Jn. 7:15, 1:1, 14).

Who Is Deceived? Jesus being the Son of God, being in control of His death, coming from Heaven and returning to Heaven solves strangeness surrounding Jesus.

Who Is Deceived? Jesus being the Son of God, being in control of His death, coming from Heaven and returning to Heaven solves strangeness surrounding Jesus. Answers why they do not take Him – His hour not yet – He as God is in control when He would deliver Himself to die (Jn. 7:8; 25-26, 30; 44)

Who Is Deceived? Jesus being the Son of God, being in control of His death, coming from Heaven and returning to Heaven solves strangeness surrounding Jesus. Answers why they do not take Him – His hour not yet – He as God is in control when He would deliver Himself to die (Jn. 7:8; 25-26, 30; 44) Answers strange saying: Jesus was going to Him (the Father) who sent Him from Heaven – where they cannot come (Jn. 7: 33, 36; Jn. 3:13; 6:38)

Who Is Deceived? Jesus being the Son of God, being in control of His death, coming from Heaven and returning to Heaven solves strangeness surrounding Jesus. Answers why they do not take Him – His hour not yet – He as God is in control when He would deliver Himself to die (Jn. 7:8; 25-26, 30; 44) Answers strange saying: Jesus was going to Him (the Father) who sent Him from Heaven – where they cannot come (Jn. 7: 33, 36; Jn. 3:13; 6:38) Answers strange invitation to drink of Him: He is giving spiritual eternal life that flows inside the believer (Jn. 7:38)

Implications of Jesus’ Claims Jesus’ own claims do not allow the hearer to praise Jesus, but disbelieve that Jesus is the Son of God.

Implications of Jesus’ Claims Jesus’ own claims do not allow the hearer to praise Jesus, but disbelieve that Jesus is the Son of God. C.S. Lewis: Mere Christianity… "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 a man who says he is a poached egg--or he would be the devil of hell. You must take your choice. Either this was, and is, the Son of God, or else a madman or something worse. You can shut him up for a fool 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”

Jesus’ Claims Bono of U’2 interview… Son of God Far Fetched? No, it’s not farfetched to me. Look, the secular response to the Christ story always goes like this: he was a great prophet, obviously a very interesting guy, had a lot to say along the lines of other great prophets, be they Elijah, Muhammad, Buddha, or Confucius. But actually Christ doesn’t allow you that. He doesn’t let you off that hook. Christ says: No. I’m not saying I’m a teacher, don’t call me teacher. I’m not saying I’m a prophet. I’m saying: “I’m the Messiah.” I’m saying: “I am God incarnate.” And people say: No, no, please, just be a prophet. A prophet, we can take. You’re a bit eccentric. We’ve had John the Baptist eating locusts and wild honey, we can handle that. But don’t mention the “M” word! Because, you know, we’re gonna have to crucify you…

Jesus’ Claims Bono of U’2 interview… Son of God Far Fetched? … The idea that the entire course of civilization for over half of the globe could have its fate changed and turned upside-down by a nutcase, for me, that’s farfetched.

Conclusion… Except we believe Jesus is God, we will die in our sins (Jn. 8:24) Will you believe on Jesus, and drink, and have eternal life flowing from within you? Will you believe on Jesus now and be prepared for the end of History – when Jesus will raise us from the dead; when He will judge the world in righteousness by His Word. Believe on Jesus’ name for salvation (Acts 4:12) – repent and be baptized into his Name for the remission of your sins (Acts 2:38).