John’s Account of Jesus
Review After Jesus loses the crowd and most of his disciples, his brothers mock him and challenge him to face death
Review Principles: Our goals determine our use of time Our faith challenges our culture or our culture compromises our faith
Jesus Who? However, after his brothers had left for the Feast, he went also, not publicly, but in secret. Now at the Feast the Jews were watching for him and asking, "Where is that man?…”
Jesus Who? …Among the crowds there was widespread whispering about him. Some said, "He is a good man.” Others replied, "No, he deceives the people…”
Jesus Who? …But no one would say anything publicly about him for fear of the Jews - John 7:10-13
Jesus Who? I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile…
Jesus Who? …For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last…
Jesus Who? …just as it is written: "The righteous will live by faith”- Romans 1:16-17
Reasons to be Ashamed: Makes no sense Means I am weak and must rely on God to save me
Reasons to be Ashamed: Means I am ill-deserving It’s counter-cultural Other so-called believers
Why Paul is Unashamed: It’s God’s power expressed in human life through faith
Why Paul is Unashamed: It’s God’s righteousness Takes away accusation, condemnation, shame
Why Paul is Unashamed: It’s complete No reason to be ashamed because I’m not “measuring up”
Why Paul is Unashamed: It gives life via spiritual birth
Jesus Who? …For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last…- Romans 1:17
Righteousness: A state that conforms to an authoritative (moral) standard God's character is the definition and source of all righteousness Therefore, man's righteousness is defined in terms of God's- Nelson’s Bible Dictionary
Response of our Culture: Apathy
Response of our Culture: Self-righteousness
Response of our Culture: Self-righteousness Beer-goggles
Response of our Culture: Religious-righteousness Moral= type of performance righteousness Theological Hereditary
Response of our Culture: Religious-righteousness Produces “in your face” faith or silent superiority complex
Response of our Culture: Cause-righteousness Comparative-righteousness
Problem: All of these allow me to set the standard by which everyone else is measured I become God in my judgments and condemnation
Results In: Hypocrisy Convenient memory and focus (beer goggles) Inner feeling of dissatisfaction
Results In: Pride and Arrogance Demonization of people who are different or fall short of the mark
Jesus Who? …For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last…- Romans 1:17
Jesus Who? God is a judge “Everyone should go to heaven!”??
Jesus Who? Judge: “Sin has consequences” Jesus: “I’ll take the punishment” The Great Exchange
Christ-Righteousness Humble Forgiving
Christ-Righteousness Confessing Shame vs. Unashamed
Christ-Righteousness Independent of prevailing opinions or cultural guidelines It doesn’t hide in a corner, afraid to speak of Jesus or truth
Takeaways: What type of righteousness do I have? Do I put myself in the place of God as I judge people guilty or innocent?
Takeaways: Is my life characterized by Humility Forgiveness Confession Independence from cultural standards
Takeaways: Have I participated in The Great Exchange? If not, am I willing?