John Lesson 11 – John 7

 

Last time we learned unbelieving skeptics need to realize that Scripture is the only source for truth about Jesus, feeding on Jesus by faith is necessary for eternal life, and that Jesus Christ alone is the Holy One of God.

John 7:1-13 – Opposed by Family

Jesus stayed in and around Galilee instead of going to Judea , because He knew the Jews were trying to kill Him (Verse 1).  When the Feast of Tabernacles was near, the brothers wanted Him to go to Judea so more people could see His miracles.  They wanted Him to show Himself to the world so others would believe.  They wanted Him to prove Himself.  Jesus told them that the time was not yet right.  He had to avoid His death for now.  In verse 5 we learn even Jesus’ own brothers didn’t believe in Him.   His brothers would not believe Him until after the resurrection.

The time He was speaking of was His crucifixion and resurrection.  He had work to do before this could happen.  Jesus trusted God’s timing.  The disciples didn’t understand this.  They wanted Him to have a public ministry.  They had nothing to fear, because their lives were not in danger.   

What is keeping you from trusting God’s timing?

Jesus said the world hated Him.  They hated Him, because He had pointed out their sins.  He made them feel guilty.  They didn’t want to be responsible for their sins so they rejected Him as Savior and all He stood for.  He told the disciples the world didn’t hate them and to go to the feast, but He would not go yet.  It wasn’t because of a lack of courage, but awareness of the Father’s timing.  Later He left for the Feast in secret.  The Jews were watching for Him.  They were asking, “Where is that man?”  The crowds whispered and said that He is a good man while others said He deceives the people.  They were afraid of the Jews and knew they would be in terrible trouble if they spoke in favor of Jesus.

Principle:  God’s time table is not our time table.

Many people today react to Jesus the same way.  They say He was a good man and maybe a prophet, but not God.

If you were asked what you thought about Jesus, what would you say?

I would say:  He is God and my Savior.  He rescued me from sin.  He is my Redeemer.  He showed His love for me by dying for me.  No one else would do that.  He is loving, forgiving, and compassionate.  He is always there and will never forsake me.  He wants everyone to believe in Him.  He gave eternal life to me and gives eternal life to all who believe it Him.

John 7:14-24 – Opposed at the Temple

Jesus knew the leaders were plotting to kill Him, but He continued to teach.  Halfway through the Feast, Jesus went to the temple and began to teach boldly.  The Jews were amazed and wondered how He had such learning without having an education.  In verse 16 Jesus told them His teaching was from God.  He challenged them to find out if His teaching came from God in John 7:17-19.  He said “If anyone chooses to do God’s will, he will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own.  He who speaks on his own does so to gain honor for himself, but he who works for the honor of the one who sent me is a man of truth; there is nothing false about him.”

Remember they knew Jesus as a carpenter’s son without any education.  They were amazed when He taught.  He was not taught by man, but by God.  Jesus always stressed that He is in the Father’s will.  He always gave God the glory.  His Words are Truth.  He has no selfish interests. 

He asked them why they were trying to kill Him and called them demon-possessed.  He said He had done one miracle and they were astonished.  He was talking about the healing of the lame man at the pool (John 5).  He did this on the Sabbath which they said broke the 4^th commandment.  They themselves were going to break the 6^th commandment by killing Jesus.  He said they circumcised on the Sabbath.  So if they can do that then why were they angry with Him for healing the whole man on the Sabbath.  Jesus told them to stop judging by appearances. (John 7:22-24) 

Jesus had done a good deed on the Sabbath, but they thought that was a sin.  They were blinded to their own sin and were hypocrites.  They interpreted the Scriptures to suit their own needs.

What Scriptures to you interpret to suit your needs?

Are you blinded by your own sin?

Would others say you are a hypocrite?

How are you judging by mere appearances?

Principle:  Jesus is the true and righteous One, yet people reject Him because of their many sins.

John 7:25-36 – Opposition and Controversy

Jesus is true and righteous because He taught God’s truth, sought God’s glory, and did miraculous works.  He spoke with the authority of God.  He said you think you know me and where I am from, but you do not.  He said He was not here on His own authority.  He boldly declared His origin was from God Himself.  His listeners didn’t know God and were listening with their heads and not their hearts.  It’s the same today.  It’s a heart problem.  People don’t listen with their hearts. 

The chief priests and Pharisees tried to arrest Jesus, but failed.  God protected Him, because it was not in God’s timing.  Many in the crowd put their faith in Him.  When the Pharisees heard the crowd whispering about Him, they sent temple guards to arrest Him.  Jesus said, “I am with you for only a short time, and then I go to the one who sent me.  You will look for me, but you will not find me; and where I am, you cannot come.” – John 7:33-34

He was speaking about His resurrection.  He would be in heaven.  They would be looking for His physical body.  He would be gone; they would seek Him, but not find Him.  They would not be able to go to heaven, because they missed the day of salvation because of their rejection of Him.

Principle:  Your eternal destiny depends on believing the truth about who Jesus is.

John 7:37-52 – Anger and Division

Jesus said, “Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.” – John 7:38.  The “streams of living water” is the Holy Spirit believers receive when they first become believers.  Those in Jesus’ day would receive the Holy Spirit after His resurrection and glorification.  To come to Jesus and to drink is essentially to put your faith in Him: to trust in, rely on, and cling to Him.

Do you have living water flowing through you?

If so, how does it overflow to others?

The people were divided about Jesus.  Some wanted to kill Him, but some said that Jesus was a prophet.  Some said He was the Christ.  Some said the Christ was to come from David’s family and not from Galilee. 

The temple guards were sent to sent to arrest Jesus, but they were impressed by Jesus and didn’t want to arrest Him.  Then Nicodemus came to the defense of Jesus.  He told them to give Jesus a fair hearing before they condemned Him, but the Jewish leaders had already made up their minds.  The leaders ignored Nicodemus.  They had forgotten what Isaiah had spoken about the Messiah.

Who do you say Jesus is?

Have you ever defended Jesus?

What keeps you from standing up for Jesus when confronted with opposition?

In this chapter we see the Trinity - Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit.  God, the Father who is our Creator; Jesus, the Son who is our Redeemer; The Holy Spirit who is the Spirit in us and is our security.  Jesus does not act independently of God.

Where do you act independently of God?

The question for every person who is confronted with the truth of Jesus is:  Will you follow Him or will you turn away?

Principle:  Believers must be willing to courageously stand for the truth about Jesus.

Next week we will study John 8.  Have a blessed day and thanks for visiting my site.  – I encourage you to trust in Jesus.

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John Lesson 10 – John 6:41-71

 

We learned last week that we need to seek Jesus for the right reason – by faith, not works.  He is the Bread of Life and was sent by God from heaven to give life to the world.  There are no lists of rules and regulations we have to do to have eternal life.  All we have to do is believe and trust in Jesus. 

John 6:41-51 – The Skeptics

The Jews rejected Jesus because of His claim of divine origin.  Six times Jesus said that He ‘came down from heaven’.  They knew Joseph and Mary as His parent, but just couldn’t recognize His divinity.  Jesus’ words were too hard to understand and they began to grumble and complain.  They had sufficient proof of Jesus’ origin through the Scriptures.  They also had the Old Testament prophecies that pointed to Jesus as the Messiah.  They had seen all the miracles He had done.  They even saw God’s approval when He was baptized.  Still they asked, How could He have the authority to give eternal life?   

It is very important to believe in Jesus’ heavenly origin because He is the only way to God.  If you don’t believe in Him and who He says He is, you will not have eternal life.

The Scriptures have an important part in us coming to faith in Jesus.  They point to Jesus.  They tell us about Him and they convict us of sin.  Scripture is God’s living Word.

Jesus told them to stop grumbling.  “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him and I will raise him up on the last day.” – John 6:44.  This is called election or predestination.  This is hard to understand.  God chose us for salvation even before we were born.  “He chose us in Him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.  In love He predestined us to be adopted as sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will.” – Eph. 1:4-5  God draws individuals to Jesus and gives us to Him.  He chose us all, but God holds us responsible for our refusal to accept and believe in Jesus.  God is merciful.  He made salvation available to us all.

In John 6:46 and 14:6-12 we learn that only Jesus has seen the Father.  He is the only way to God.  To see Jesus is to see God.  He is God.  He has great love for us because He came to earth and died for us.

In John 6:47-48 Jesus said that He is the true bread from heaven and whoever believes in Him has everlasting life.  To believe means to trust in, rely on, and cling to Jesus.  No other person ever said ‘believe in me and find everlasting life’.

In John 6:49-50 Jesus’ mentioned 2 kinds of death – physical death and spiritual death.  The Bible tells us we all will die a physical death and our bodies are perishable, but God promises believers that we will have imperishable bodies and will live eternally with Him forever. (John 6:44, 50-51; 11:25; 1 Cor. 15:54-55)

Where will you go when you die?

Jesus said, “I am the living bread that came down from heaven.  If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever.  This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.” – John 6:51 

Principle:  Unbelieving skeptics need to realize that Scripture is the only source for truth about Jesus.

John 6:52-59 – Flesh and Blood

Jesus explained what He meant by bread.  Jesus said His flesh, His life is the bread.  He would give His life for the life of the world.  Eating and drinking of His body and flesh are symbolic and refers to the Passover Lamb ceremony.  It also points to the sacrifice of the Lamb of God on the cross.

Jesus taught about His flesh and blood.  The Jews began to argue even more.  Jesus said, “I tell you the truth unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you.  Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.  For my flesh is real food and my blood is real drink.” – John 6:53-55

Our bodies need food and drink to survive.  It gives us energy and fuels our bodies.  Jesus gives us energy and fuel.  He encourages us.  He nourishes our souls and sustains us forever.  So when we read, study, and obey Scripture, we are taking in His Words, His characteristics, His attributes, and even acting on them.  Then we live by His example.

In Exodus 12 we learn about the first Passover.  The Israelites were to put the blood of an unblemished lamb on their doorposts and as God would pass through the land of Egypt, He would destroy all the firstborns of the land both man and beast.  If the blood wasn’t on the doorpost every first born would be killed.  The blood of the Passover lamb would protect the people from God’s judgment.

Are you a believer in the Lord Jesus? 

Do you live and eat spiritually of Jesus?

Where are you being nourished by the world’s food?
How are you being nourished by Jesus?

Principle:  Feeding on Jesus by faith is necessary for eternal life.

John 6:60-66 – Hard Truths

Many of His followers could not accept what He was teaching and stopped following Him.  His words were too hard to understand and accept.  He didn’t preach to please people.  Jesus asked the disciples if His Words offended them.  He said that they would see Him ascend to heaven where He was before.  He said that Spirit gives life and flesh counts for nothing.  He said He spoke in spirit and His words are life.  He knew there would be those who would not believe.  Because He is God, He knows the hearts of all people.  He asked the 12 disciples if they wanted to leave Him, too.  Peter said, “Lord, to whom shall we go?  You have the words of eternal life.  We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God.” – John 6:68

In John 6:63 Jesus said, “The spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing.”   I think He meant that simply seeing or touching food is not enough.  It must be consumed.  In the same way, faith means receiving Jesus in the deepest parts of ourselves.  The Spirit alone gives eternal life.  Human effort accomplishes nothing and does not give salvation.

The flesh will rot away, but the Spirit last forever.  His Words are Spirit that gives life.  In other words the Word of God is life.  Hearing and receiving His Word will bring you to believe and have the results of eternal life.  God’s Word is truly living and life-giving.  It is the Holy Spirit who makes us alive to understand.  The Holy Spirit gives life, convicts us of sin, teaches us, guides us, helps us to know the truth, regenerates the spiritually dead, and empowers us to be obedient.

People don’t read their Bibles because it’s sometimes hard to understand and accept, but we should not reject its truth.  Instead we should ask God to help us to understand and to reveal its lessons to us personally.

Do you find God’s Words too hard to understand?

Will you continue to study His Word and trust Him for understanding?

Principle:  We must submit to hard truths and go against worldly beliefs.

John 6:67-71 – Commitment

Peter knew the Jesus’ Words were true and that He was the Messiah.  He was like the  psalmist in Psalm 73:23-28.  Where would he go?  Only Jesus can give him eternal life.   He knew Jesus was the Holy One of God.  Many religions claim they have the way to God, but Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but through me.” – John 14:6

Jesus knew one of His disciple would betray Him.  “Have I not chosen you, the Twelve?  Yet one of you is a devil!” – John 6:70.  He meant Judas who would later betray Him.  He chose the twelve and He chooses us even though we have to freedom to accept or reject Him as Judas did.

There are people today who see miracles and hear God’s Word, but still reject Him.  Judas saw Jesus’ miracles and heard His teaching, but rejected and betrayed Him. 

Why do people reject Jesus and the truth?  I think some reject the truth because they misunderstand it, some are opposed to it, and some are just plain blind to it.  Some want to experience what Jesus has to offer, but don’t want to surrender and commit.  Some go to church and even serve God for what they can get out of it.  Many churches are growing today because many have watered down the true doctrine. 

In what ways do you betray Jesus?

Principle:  Jesus Christ alone is the Holy One of God and worthy of commitment.

Next week we will study John 7.  Have a blessed day and thanks for visiting my site.  – I encourage you to trust in Jesus.

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John Lesson 9 – John 6:22-40

 

Last time we saw 2 more miracles of Jesus when He feed the 5,000 with only 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish and when He walked on water.  We learned that nothing is too hard for Jesus for all authority and power belong to Him.  He uses challenges, temptations and storms to reveal more of Himself to His children.

Last time we saw 2 more miracles of Jesus when He feed the 5,000 with only 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish and when He walked on water.  We learned that nothing is too hard for Jesus for all authority and power belong to Him.  He uses challenges, temptations and storms to reveal more of Himself to His children.

John 6:22-29 – Food That Lasts

After feeding the 5,000 the people saw the disciples without Jesus leave in a boat.  They didn’t see another boat so they asked Jesus how He got to the other side of the water.  They really wanted more bread and for Him to do another miracle.  They only wanted food to fill their stomachs.  They went to a lot of trouble to follow and find Jesus, but their work was for food that perishes.  Jesus told them to not work for food that spoils but for food that endures.  Then they wanted to know what work they must do to do the works God required.  Jesus wanted them to work for spiritual food, food that lasts and endures forever.  To work for God begins with trusting and believing in Him who God had sent. (John 6:22-29)

People today try to earn God’s favor by their own efforts.  They volunteer for all kinds of programs and committees in the church.  They give their money and their time to the needy.  They try by being a good person and being law-abiding.  They think if they always do the right thing, they will have God’s favor.  Yes, we should do good works, but not as a means of getting or keeping salvation.  Doing good works is a way of showing gratitude for all the blessings God has given us.  Ephesians 2:8 tells us we were created to do good works through Jesus Christ and that way we are witnesses to the world.  We can’t earn God’s favor.  It’s a gift of God’s grace to all who believe.

Instead of looking for a formula to please God like doing works, a person should simply believe in Jesus.  “For by grace you have been saved through faith.  And this is not your own doing; it is a gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” – Ephesians 2:8-9

Principle:  To please God, simply believe in Jesus.

John 6:30-33 – Sign Seekers

The crowd wanted Him to give them a supernatural sign so they would believe.  They seemed to want free food like the manna that was given to their forefathers in the dessert.  Jesus told them it was God who gives them the true bread from heaven and gives life to the world. (John 6:30-33)

They were seeking Him for the wrong reasons.  Instead of seeing the miracle of the bread, they saw only the bread.  They had no sense of their sin, but sought Jesus for what He could do for them materially.  Jesus showed them where to put their focus – not on physical things, but on eternal things.  Remember Jesus knows your motives.  He saw right through the reason the crowd sought Him.  He gives spiritual food to those who seek Him properly.  We are to hunger for Him alone to satisfy our soul.

Principle:  Seek Jesus for the right reason – by faith, not works.

John 6:34-40 – Jesus Gives Eternal Life

Then the people said to give them this bread.  Jesus said, “ I am the bread of life.  He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.” – John 6:35. 

Jesus said He was the bread of life and came from heaven several times in this chapter – John 6:33, 35, 38, 47,  50, 51, 58. 

The Holy Spirit draws us and convicts us of sin and the need for a Savior.  He draws us to come to Him.  All those who come to Jesus will receive eternal life and will be resurrected at the last day.

Jesus said to have true security you must come to Him and He will never let you go hungry or thirsty..  “For my father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.” – John 6:40

Once you truly believe in Jesus, you are His and no one can ever take you away from Him.  No matter what sin you may commit during your life – and you will sin because you are human, but He forgives.  You will never go hungry for He satisfies your soul .

Principle:  Jesus offers Himself as the living bread that gives eternal life to all who believe in Him.

Next week we will study the rest of John 6.  Have a blessed day and thanks for visiting my site. – I encourage you to trust in Jesus.

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John Lesson 8 – John 6:1-21

 

Last time we saw Jesus heal the invalid man at the pool and learned that what is impossible with men is possible with God.  We also learned of Jesus’ divine authority:  that He is equal with God in nature, works, love, knowledge, sovereign power, judgment and worship. 

John 6:1-15 – Jesus Feeds 5,000

A great crowd of people followed Jesus because of the miracles He had performed.  Jesus went up on a mountain with His disciples.  When He saw a great crowd coming to Him, He asked Philip where they would buy food for all these people.  He was asking this as a test because He already knew what He was going to do. (John 6:1-7)  Mark 6:30-34 tells us Jesus and His disciples needed a break.  They needed a time for eating and resting.  Jesus needed a place of quiet rest so He could pray and be rejuvenated in order to continue His work.

People were traveling to Jerusalem for the Passover.  They saw Jesus and began following Him.  They became tired and hungry.  Even though Jesus needed rest, He had compassion on them and wanted to feed them.  Jesus values people’s needs instead of His own.  The people were not following Him because of His message of forgiveness of sin, but because of the miracles He was performing.  They were walking by sight not by faith.

Are you distracted and stressed and need time to take a break from your busy schedule?

Will you spend time reading your Bible and in prayer with God?
What is keeping you from walking by faith instead of by sight?

Jesus asked Philip the question because He was training him.  He was giving Philip a test wanting to strengthen his faith.  God sometimes puts us in situations that are difficult.  These tests are for our growth and endurance.  “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.” – James 1:2.  It teaches us that Jesus can handle it and we must have faith that He will.

Philip tried to think of a solution to the problem and said even eight months of wages would not feed all these people.  Andrew offered a solution and said there was a boy who had 5 small loaves of bread and 2 small fish.  The boy willing gave all he had and shared his bread and fish. 

Jesus said to have all the people sit down.  After taking the bread and fish, Jesus’ first response was to give thanks.  He then distributed it to the people.  When they had finished they gathered all the pieces that were left.  Jesus said to let nothing be wasted.  There were 12 baskets filled with leftovers. (John 6:7-13)

Scripture says there were 5,000 men, but there were really many more if you include all their families – maybe as many as 20,000.  Jesus had no problem turning water into wine so He had no problem feeding that many people with 5 loaves and 2 fish.  They ate until they were satisfied and could eat no more.

Principle:  Nothing is too hard for Jesus, for all authority and power belong to Him.

How has He provided for you?

Are you thankful for what God has given you?
What is keeping you from giving all you have to Jesus?

After the people saw what Jesus had done, they misunderstood His actions and said “Surely this is the Prophet who is to come into the world.” – John 6:14.  Jesus knew they wanted to make Him an earthly king so He withdrew again to a mountain by Himself.  (John 6:15)

The Prophet mentioned is referring to the prophesy in Deut. 18:15 when Moses said God would raise a prophet like him and that they should listen to him.  They wanted to make Jesus their earthly king, a political ruler and leader to fight against the Romans.  They wanted Him for their plans and purposes not God’s.

Why should you follow Jesus? 

You should follow Jesus because of who He is, because He loves you.
He willing died for you.
He is the only source of eternal salvation.
He gives comfort and hope.
He forgives sin and makes us right with God.

John 6:16-21 – Jesus Walks on Water

Now Jesus was on the mountain praying and it became night.  The disciples got into a boat and set off across the lake.  Mark 6:45 tells us that Jesus made them get into the boat and go ahead of Him.  A strong wind blew and the waters grew rough.  They had rowed about 3½ miles when they saw Jesus walking on the water coming toward the boat.  They didn’t recognize Him at first and were terrified.  Jesus told them to not be afraid.  Then they took Him into their boat and immediately the boat reached the shore.  (John 6:16-21)

The disciples had seen Jesus do miracles, but never walking on water.  They thought He was a ghost (Matt. 14:26).  His walking on water was a miracle, but there was another miracle.  The boat immediately reached the shore and they were safe.  Sometimes we go through storms in life and have no control.  We are not alone.  Jesus is there and protects us so we are safe with Him.  Jesus came to them at exactly the right time.   He will come to you exactly at the right time, when you need Him most. 

Do you ever feel God has left you on your own?  Does everything seem dark and you are terrified?  Have you not seen God lately?  The Lord put them in that situation.  He puts us in helpless situations, too.  He does that so we will turn to Him and then see that he is our deliverer.  He’s telling you “do not be afraid”.  Invite Him into your boat.

What strong wind is blowing against you today?

Are you willing to invite Jesus into your boat?

Principle:  The Lord uses challenges, temptations and storms to reveal more of Himself to His children.

Next week we will continue the study of John 6.  Have a blessed day and thanks for visiting my site.  – I encourage you to trust in Jesus.

__________________________________________

If you have enjoyed my post and have found if helpful, please leave a comment or share this post with the buttons below.

Resources:

The Holy Bible NIV
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Bibleref.org
Enduringword.com