Message Notes

SUNDAY SCHOOL SPECIAL 19 September 2021

Text: John 7:10-18

Subject: Evangelism

Focus: “He shall know concerning the doctrine”

INTRODUCTION

1. The brothers of the Lord Jesus 

They went to the Feast of Tabernacles on their own (John 7:10a)

2. The Lord Jesus 

He also went to Jerusalem on His own (John 7:10b)

a) The Disciples were not mentioned

b) They may have gone in separate groups

c) They could have gone with the Lord quietly

MUCH ADO IN JERUSALEM

1. The Jews

a) They were on the alert

b) They were asking

“Where is He?” John 7:11

2. Much complaining among the people (John 7:12a)

3. Divided opinions

a) Some said, “He is good” (John 7:12b)

b) Others said, “No, on the contrary, He deceives the people” (John 7:12c)

4. No one spoke openly

a) They gave opinions

b) But did not dare to side the Lord Jesus openly

c) Many feared “The Jews” (Sanhedrin) (John 7:13)

5. The Jews

a) They did not find the Lord Jesus

b) Not through His Family, nor through His Disciples

TEACHING AT THE TEMPLE

1. To the surprise of everyone

2. The Lord Jesus was at the Temple teaching the people (John 7:14)

a) He was not with the crowds

b) He was not sight-seeing

c) He was not catching up with family (relatives)

TO THE SURPRISE OF THE JEWS

1. They marveled (John 7:15a)

2. They were saying in puzzlement

“How does this Man know letters, having never studied?” John 7:15b

3. Meaning of this statement

a) They knew that the Lord Jesus was not formally trained

b) He did not sit at the feet of any famous Rabbi

c) Yet, He obviously know what He was talking about

d) He was “teaching”

i) The Scriptures

ii) He was explaining the Scriptures to the people at the Temple

A CANDID EXPLANATION FROM THE LORD JESUS

1. His Doctrine

a) He did not make up His own doctrine

b) His doctrine was also not drawn from the standard Jewish sources

2. The Source of His Doctrine

a) His Doctrine came from God who sent Him (John 7:16)

b) In an earlier teaching the Lord spoke about how the Father shows Him all things (John 5:20)

c) The Father testifies of the Lord Jesus (John 5:37)

UNDERSTANDING THE TEACHINGS OF THE LORD JESUS

1. The will of God

a) “If anyone wills to do His (God) will” John 7:17a

b) “He shall know concerning the doctrine” John 17:17b

c) “Whether it is from God” John 17:17c

d) “Or whether I speak on My own authority” John 17:17d

2. Means of Understanding the Lord Jesus 

a) Not Doing God’s will

i) The Jews were not doing God’s will

ii) They were filled with hatred

iii) They were out to kill the Lord

b) Doing God’s Will

i) To believe in the Lord Jesus (John 6:19-30)

ii) God’s Seal was upon the Lord (John 6:27)

iii) The Lord Jesus does God’s will (John 4:34)

AN IMPORTANT DECLARATION

1. Seeking personal glory

“He who speaks from himself seeks his own glory” John 7:18a

a) The Lord never sought His own glory

b) He never speaks out of Himself

2. Seeking the Glory of God

“But He who seeks the glory of the One who sent Him is true, and no unrighteousness is in Him” John 17:18b

a) Seeking God’s glory 

b) No unrighteousness in the Lord Jesus

c) He is true

PRESENTING THE GOSPEL AMIDST MUCH CONFUSION

1. Present the teachings of the Lord Jesus

a) The Kingdom of God

b) Born again

c) Eternal life

d) Love of God

e) No Judgment

f) The Bread of life

2. Present the Person of the Lord

a) His humility

b) His righteousness

c) His graciousness

d) His consistency