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8/25/2012 recording date audio/video is 16 minutes takes a few minutes to load so be patient please. Or just read ahead. Also the following week it is air on utube on turtle30cshell channel. Just type in website name when you got to utube. Time of Trouble Coming live from turtle30cshell I am your host Christina Farris. Today we will be talking on John 7 when Jesus begins to feel the pressure of the opposition. Opposition is normal part of life. If the pressure of opposition does not get you then the Lord will one day take you home to be with Him. Opposition or negative response is normal. If you never had to deal with people that disagreed with you, you never walked in the world. I often think of close societies where freedom of thought is not allowed to be expressed, but in a free society that negativity is normal way of life. Most of us would rather walk where there is total sunshine all the time, yet with out rain clouds there is never any storms and the world would be dry and unpleasant to live in. Yet with rain and storms of life on the outside looks better. As the flowers begin to bloom. So it is with faith, faith with no storms has only light, without darkness of the world we never see the value of the light. Jesus’ family and friends could not understand why Jesus did not immediately go to the feast. Jesus was not teaching publicly at the moment because of the crowd and opposition but was doing so in secret. No one could understand why anyone would oppose Jesus. I often wonder that myself. Yet it was because of who He was and who he claimed to be. Those that believe that God is not real feel a person going in ministry is wasting there time and that one more preacher that going to tell them there is a God. People who do not believe don’t want to hear there is a God. In truth many understand not that God is a God of love and not hate and desires us all to have a gumdrop lollipop life, but in truth life is not so sweet as long as opposition exist. Jesus opposition to him was to be expected. His opposition came because some did not believe especially his family and others did not believe he was a good teacher. Let us begin today’s reading after this short commentary on the passage we are about to read. John 7:1-13 KJV (1) After these things Jesus walked in Galilee: for he would not walk in Jewry, because the Jews sought to kill him. (2) Now the Jews' feast of tabernacles was at hand. (3) His brethren therefore said unto him, Depart hence, and go into Judaea, that thy disciples also may see the works that thou doest. (4) For there is no man that doeth any thing in secret, and he himself seeketh to be known openly. If thou do these things, shew thyself to the world. (5) For neither did his brethren believe in him. (6) Then Jesus said unto them, My time is not yet come: but your time is alway ready. (7) The world cannot hate you; but me it hateth, because I testify of it, that the works thereof are evil. (8) Go ye up unto this feast: I go not up yet unto this feast; for my time is not yet full come. (9) When he had said these words unto them, he abode still in Galilee. (10) But when his brethren were gone up, then went he also up unto the feast, not openly, but as it were in secret. (11) Then the Jews sought him at the feast, and said, Where is he? (12) And there was much murmuring among the people concerning him: for some said, He is a good man: others said, Nay; but he deceiveth the people. (13) Howbeit no man spake openly of him for fear of the Jews. Jesus response to his family was his time had not yet come. The opposition of the crowd would one day lead to his death, but he had much teaching to do first. Stayed in Galilee and Jews looked for Jesus. Some said he was a deceiver. What they meant is that they felt that this man Jesus was leading people astray with his teaching. Because of this people were afraid to speak openly about Jesus. Jesus then comes to feast right around the middle of it to be exact and began to teach in the temple. Let us continue with today’s chapter. John 7:14-32 KJV (14) Now about the midst of the feast Jesus went up into the temple, and taught. (15) And the Jews marvelled, saying, How knoweth this man letters, having never learned? (16) Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me. (17) If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself. (18) He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him. (19) Did not Moses give you the law, and yet none of you keepeth the law? Why go ye about to kill me? (20) The people answered and said, Thou hast a devil: who goeth about to kill thee? (21) Jesus answered and said unto them, I have done one work, and ye all marvel. (22) Moses therefore gave unto you circumcision; (not because it is of Moses, but of the fathers;) and ye on the sabbath day circumcise a man. (23) If a man on the sabbath day receive circumcision, that the law of Moses should not be broken; are ye angry at me, because I have made a man every whit whole on the sabbath day? (24) Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment. (25) Then said some of them of Jerusalem, Is not this he, whom they seek to kill? (26) But, lo, he speaketh boldly, and they say nothing unto him. Do the rulers know indeed that this is the very Christ? (27) Howbeit we know this man whence he is: but when Christ cometh, no man knoweth whence he is. (28) Then cried Jesus in the temple as he taught, saying, Ye both know me, and ye know whence I am: and I am not come of myself, but he that sent me is true, whom ye know not. (29) But I know him: for I am from him, and he hath sent me. (30) Then they sought to take him: but no man laid hands on him, because his hour was not yet come. (31) And many of the people believed on him, and said, When Christ cometh, will he do more miracles than these which this man hath done? (32) The Pharisees heard that the people murmured such things concerning him; and the Pharisees and the chief priests sent officers to take him. People marvel at the teaching of Jesus and wonder where he learn this doctrine. Doctrine of God never changes. One knows by his teaching if it was of God or not. For the doctrine came from the one that sent Him. Circumcision actually came at the time of Abraham. It was the circumcision of faith. Yet the circumcision that Israel received from Moses was of man not of God. They believed in Moses and the prophets, but they did not believe in the one that sent them. Many believe in Jesus but not God. They believe the Bible stories but not in God. Yet faith comes with hearing the word of God. When one experience the word of God being effective in their lives then they believe in God and not necessarily before. Some might call it a defining of faith from a surface faith, of saying I believe and a heart circumcision of faith. Many can believe a minister, teacher or prophet if they see things not normal man be accomplished through prayer, yet what one fails to see is God. The people were use to saying we have Moses and the prophets. What can they do for you but lead you to God, beyond that point they can not save you. God’ s word must save you. God sent the Word forth and it is believed because it comes from God. Jesus is the Word of God in the flesh or the Spirit of prophesy. Jesus said if one comes speaking of himself then he is a devil. Yet Jesus spoke of himself and the Father. Now what the difference. It simple really what did Jesus seek, the will of God and not the will of man. He did not seek to be lifted up. Though many want to lift him up on the cross, yet his time was not yet. Many want to lift the word of God up only to twist it turn it and change it to suit themselves. They had heard Christ teach and what he taught was of faith. There is nothing wrong with admiration of good minister including Moses. Moses was a man of faith yet not always obedient to God, no minister is perfect, but Christ was. He lived without sin. Why because He was the Word of God in the flesh. Though Jesus came in corruptible body, Jesus was still perfect. That why when one attends church or other fellowship it wise to read scripture to know it for yourself, so you know what you are hearing is of God or not. There are many good minister but all make mistakes. However your faith should never be based on what minister says but what God says. Circumcision was a testimony of faith. A Jewish baby boy received circumcision eight days after birth no matter whether it was on Sabbath. This was consider work. Yet it was performed even on the Sabbath. Yet Jesus had healed on the Sabbath and it was consider sin. Circumcision of the flesh worth more then circumcision of the soul. Circumcision of the soul about faith, repentance and forgiveness. At eight days old a baby only has the knowledge God gives him. It is outward sign that a parent will raise the child in faith of God. This angered the Jews because they would have to admit what Jesus said was true. They sought the more to kill Jesus. Yet Jesus tells them He was leaving and they could not follow. Why they could not follow because they believe not in Him or the one that sent Him. Let us finish the chapter in: John 7:33-53 KJV (33) Then said Jesus unto them, Yet a little while am I with you, and then I go unto him that sent me. (34) Ye shall seek me, and shall not find me: and where I am, thither ye cannot come. (35) Then said the Jews among themselves, Whither will he go, that we shall not find him? will he go unto the dispersed among the Gentiles, and teach the Gentiles? (36) What manner of saying is this that he said, Ye shall seek me, and shall not find me: and where I am, thither ye cannot come? (37) In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. (38) He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (39) (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.) (40) Many of the people therefore, when they heard this saying, said, Of a truth this is the Prophet. (41) Others said, This is the Christ. But some said, Shall Christ come out of Galilee? (42) Hath not the scripture said, That Christ cometh of the seed of David, and out of the town of Bethlehem, where David was? (43) So there was a division among the people because of him. (44) And some of them would have taken him; but no man laid hands on him. (45) Then came the officers to the chief priests and Pharisees; and they said unto them, Why have ye not brought him? (46) The officers answered, Never man spake like this man. (47) Then answered them the Pharisees, Are ye also deceived? (48) Have any of the rulers or of the Pharisees believed on him? (49) But this people who knoweth not the law are cursed. (50) Nicodemus saith unto them, (he that came to Jesus by night, being one of them,) (51) Doth our law judge any man, before it hear him, and know what he doeth? (52) They answered and said unto him, Art thou also of Galilee? Search, and look: for out of Galilee ariseth no prophet. (53) And every man went unto his own house. Nicodemus a man that came to Jesus by night in Chapter 3 of John was searching out scripture. He asked does the law judge without hearing the man first. No prophet arises out of Galilee. Nicodemus knew not the Jesus was born in Bethlehem. Nicodemus heard and accused but did not ask where Jesus was born or when his birthday was. If he had he would of known there was a census that year. How often things are said in ignorance. Nicodemus would one day become a follower of Jesus in secret but today was not the day. Yet he was searching. He was weighing Jesus words with scripture. So must we weigh God’s word with scripture to know if it is Him or not. Though as a born again believer we have the Holy Spirit seal and the Spirit speaks to our hearts, we still must weigh what we hear. Before one is saved it wise to search out the truth so you will know the truth. I am sure children that receive Christ have much to learn about scripture but it must be taught. Holy Spirit will teach all things, but ministers and teachers have a call to teach as well. Dear Heavenly Father help the world to seek you and to look to you and not man. To seek you in all things. Thank you for giving us both Your Spirit and the scripture to show the truth of who you are. In Jesus precious name, Amen. |