[audio:http://crosschurch.net/media/audio/10august01.mp3]
Download The Sermon Audio
Sermon Outline:
1. His Teaching (v.14-16) 2. His Authority (v.17-19) 3. His Faithfulness (v.20-23) 4. His Justice (v.24)
Sermon Text:
John 7:14-24
14 About the middle of the feast Jesus went up into the temple and began teaching. 15 The Jews therefore marveled, saying, “How is it that this man has learning, when he has never studied?” 16 So Jesus answered them, “My teaching is not mine, but his who sent me. 17 If anyone’s will is to do God’s will, he will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own authority. 18 The one who speaks on his own authority seeks his own glory; but the one who seeks the glory of him who sent him is true, and in him there is no falsehood. 19 Has not Moses given you the law? Yet none of you keeps the law. Why do you seek to kill me?” 20 The crowd answered, “You have a demon! Who is seeking to kill you?” 21 Jesus answered them, “I did one work, and you all marvel at it. 22 Moses gave you circumcision (not that it is from Moses, but from the fathers), and you circumcise a man on the Sabbath. 23 If on the Sabbath a man receives circumcision, so that the law of Moses may not be broken, are you angry with me because on the Sabbath I made a man’s whole body well? 24 Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment.”
Sermon Notes:
Live Out Loud… The Gospel!
We have a charge beloved to proclaim the gospel by the whole council of God. We are to fear no man; pay homage to no man, be swayed by no man; but to have our conscience and heart be governed by the Lord Jesus Christ alone. Let not your testimony of His gospel be muzzled by another; but live out loud His life-giving truths. The Word of God is like a fire to purify and burn away the chaff in our lives. And also, as Jeremiah says, the Word of God is also a hammer used to pound our transgressed lives upon the anvil of His holiness conforming us to the image of His Son.
The gospel of God and of our Lord Jesus Christ’s primary purpose is not how do get sinful people to a holy God; but the issue of the gospel is how does a holy God come to sinful people without violating His holiness and His justice? And the answer is the cross! Here mercy and justice kiss; here saving grace triumphs over wrath; here His electing love conquers our enmity; here holy God is satisfied and depraved people are justified.
Do not be swayed by sentiment, scenery, and style in the presentation of His gospel. May we all be humbled at the love of God come through the propitiatory work of the Son. Be awed at the regenerating ministry of the Holy Spirit. Be rejoicing because we serve a risen, reigning, glorious Lord Jesus whose name is above every name. And be confident in the power of the Word of God to pierce and convict men’s hearts, to bring them to their knees in repentance, which God alone can grant.
Implore sinners to be reconciled to God, to bow their knee before the dread Sovereign of Glory; to tremble at His Word; to repent of their sin crying out for forgiveness that God may grant them saving faith and take away their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh. Warn them of the wrath to come. Plead with them to not harden their hearts while today is still called today. God is not asking for decisions or looking for converts; God is seeking for true worshippers—disciples—that will deny themselves, take up their cross and follow Him. He is seeking to save that which is lost. The Hound of Heaven is on the move beloved. It is His gospel alone that transforms lives–we are but its stewards. May we be found faithful!
“Let goods and kindred go This mortal life also The body they may kill His truth abideth still His kingdom is forever.”
