The Power of Truth

Jn 7:32,45-46

A couple of years ago, my brother-in-law was looking to buy a new computer monitor. We went into one of the national computer stores and began looking at their systems. We noticed most of them came with 15 inch monitors. Tony asked the salesman for a 17 monitor. The salesman replied that nobody wanted the 17 in. It was too big, everyone wanted a 15 in for home use. I had just got done reading several articles about the fact that most people wanted the 17 in monitors so knew the guy was completely off. What really was happening was he was giving the company sales pitch to move the systems with the smaller monitors so the price would seem cheaper. He had the teachings of the company down, but the power of the truth was in the reader’s surveys. Most people DO prefer a 17 in monitor over a 15in.

As you read chapter 7, you see the power of Jesus teaching because he was teaching the truth. This really got to the Pharisees because he wasn’t following the prescribed teachings they taught. they sent the temple guards to go arrest them, but when they heard his teaching they refused to arrest him because his message was so compelling. He taught with the power of the truth, and more importantly he taught with the power of God’s truth.

prayer

I. Learning Without Education

A. There were three verses in this chapter that really jumped out to me and 2 of them could be sermons all by themselves.

B. READ vs 15-16

1. In a culture that looks to education for the answers, it’s hard to think of a preacher being effective without being educated.

2. So often I look at the churches who are seeking ministers and read their ads to see what they are looking for.

a) Almost every single church requires a preacher to have a bachelors degree.

b) I am all for education, and believe that education can enhance our understanding of the Bible.

c) What can get us really off track though is worrying more about a man’s education than his theology.

C. Jesus preaching comes from God

1. Jesus didn’t go to the best rabbinical school,

2. He didn’t study under the greatest Jewish teacher

3. He was an uneducated carpenter.

4. How could he speak as he did without training?

5. He spoke what God spoke.

6. His speech was that of a righteous God’s speech lived out among man.

7. It gave him an authenticity and integrity that has nothing to do with education and everything to do with righteousness.

8. “No one ever spoke the way this man does.”

II. Make A Right Judgment

A. Jesus talks about how they have lost the understanding of the law and Sabbath

1. Sabbath and Circumcision are probably 2 of the most important parts of Jewish religion.

2. They became so wrapped up in “looking right” according to the law that it was okay to circumcise on the Sabbath because that was also bound by the law, but you could only heal the circumcised area and not treat any thing else wrong with the man if he had an infection or fever.

3. That would be breaking the Sabbath law.

B. The Whole man

1. Jesus broke their law because he healed the whole man on the Sabbath.

a) When he talked about whole, they were probably thinking the physical ailments of the lame man.

b) I think Jesus expanded that to include that he healed the man spiritually as well.

2. They were more concerned with the breaking of the Sabbath law that the totally missed the real miracle that had happened in their midst.

C. John 7:24 Stop judging by mere appearances, and make a right judgment." NIV

1. The right Judgment was that the man was healed by God, even if it happened on the Sabbath.

2. A few years back I was at one of our college lectureships. During one of the Q and A sessions, it was asked if it was okay to use women interpreters in foreign fields. The Man answering said no because then she would be speaking in the worship. He then preceded to say that it would be better for people not to hear the gospel than to hear it in such a perverted manner. When it was pointed out that the person interpreting for the deaf on the front row was a woman, he said that was okay because she wasn’t vocalizing the message.

3. Stop judging by mere appearances, and make a right judgment."

4. One of the things that has frustrated me in my ministry is when people say we shouldn’t do something because some other religious group does it. We can’t look like them.

5. Stop judging by mere appearances, and make a right judgment."

6. Others have said that a revival happening at a church that doesn’t bear the same name as ours is false because they are not part of our fellowship.

7. God works among his church not our church. If he is truly working in that church don’t discount it just because they are not of the same tradition that we are.

8. Stop judging by mere appearances, and make a right judgment."

9. We must work hard to look at truth through God’s eyes instead of our own.

III. No One Ever Spoke the Way This Man Does

A. Vs 46 declares the divine power of Christ’s speaking READ

1. At a large banquet, an aged minister was surprised to find himself seated next to a well-known actor. Why the famous man was there the preacher never discovered, but he seized the opportunity to become acquainted. Soon the conversation turned to the matter of faith in God and belief in the Bible. The minister had not yet determined whether the actor had any knowledge of the Lord when the toastmaster noticed the celebrity's presence. After a few flattering remarks, he asked him if he would honor them by giving a brief recitation. The distinguished guest hesitated because he did not feel qualified to deliver anything that would be acceptable to the religious gathering. Handing him his Bible, the preacher said in an undertone, "Here, use the familiar Twenty-Third Psalm." After going to the head table, the man recited those six thrilling verses with such a resonant voice and pleasing manner that at the close a subdued expression of approval rang through the audience. Unexpectedly, the actor then invited the elderly pastor to come and repeat the same selection. When the man of God finished, many eyes were filled with tears, for he had spoken with warmth, tenderness, and deep personal understanding. No one felt the difference more keenly than the entertainer. When he returned to his seat, he whispered, "You did much better than I, and I think I understand why. I know the Psalm, but you know the Shepherd!"

2. Jesus knew the Shepherd better than anyone.

3. He is the Shepherd.

4. No one has ever spoken the way this man does, and no one ever will.

B. We must do our best to imitate Jesus

1. The most important thing to me is my integrity as a Christian.

2. If I lose that, I have lost my ability to minister properly to you and our community.

3. How can we claim to teach the truth and not live the truth?

4. I can be the greatest preacher alive, but if my life doesn’t reflect Christ my words mean nothing.

5. You preach a sermon every day to those around you.

6. If you are not reflecting Christ in your life, your sermon is wasted.

C. The downfall of the Pharisees is in vs 47-49

1. They made the law more important than God’s will.

2. The appearance of right was more important that the actual right judgment.

3. Nothing should supercede God and his purpose.

4. Be very careful about forcing our “Sabbath laws” on people so that they have the right appearance.

5. The right judgment is much more critical.

D. God has spoken to you today.

1. Do you see the power of his words because they are truth?

2. Are you more worried with appearing right or being right?

3. Some are unwilling to come forward because they are afraid for their reputation. They are worried about appearances.

4. I appeal to you, don’t worry about appearing right, BE right!

5. Make the right judgment.