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Sermon Introduction

It was the Feast of Booths, also known as the Feast of Tabernacles or Sukkot. His brothers told Him to display His works at the feast, but they did not believe. Jesus went up to the place of the feast, but His intent was to teach at the temple, not to participate in the feast. People would marvel at His teaching because they knew He did not take formal studies under any rabbi. But the Lord glorified His Father in heaven by saying His teaching belongs to the Father and not His own. Yet He warned of people who speak on their own authority. Jesus would also address the faulty way of thinking of the Jews who were trying to kill Him.

Ed Pilapil Jr.
Senior Pastor

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”.

Notes

It was the Feast of Booths, also known as the Feast of Tabernacles or Sukkot. His brothers told Him to display His works at the feast, but they did not believe. Jesus went up to the place of the feast, but His intent was to teach at the temple, not to participate in the feast. People would marvel at His teaching because they knew He did not take formal studies under any rabbi. But the Lord glorified His Father in heaven by saying His teaching belongs to the Father and not His own. Yet He warned of people who speak on their own authority. Jesus would also address the faulty way of thinking of the Jews who were trying to kill Him.

1. Marvelous Teaching

   Jesus went up to the temple and taught. They marveled at the teaching. They marveled because they knew that He did not take formal studies. They probably researched His background or heard about Him.

   
   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?” (John 7:14-15).
   
   

2. Glory to the Father

   Instead of focusing on how marvelous His teaching was, Jesus focused on the Father. He explained that His teaching is from the Father, not His own. Furthermore, He explained if one truly seeks God’s will, they will know if the teaching is from the Father.
   
   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 (John 7:16-18).
   

3. Right Judgement

   He exposed the Jews who tried to kill Him but were not following the Law of Moses. The crowd responded by saying that He has a demon by thinking that someone is trying to kill Him. Then, He explained their wrong way of thinking.

   
   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” (John 7:19-24).

Application

1. Teach His Teaching

   A preacher, teacher, and follower of Christ should echo and explain God’s will as revealed in God’s word. We must carefully teach and share God’s word, not our own opinions, but lessons supported by the context.

2. Glorify the Father

   We should glorify God by teaching His will as revealed in His word. Moreover, if anyone marvels at the teaching, let us not seek the admiration. But instead, let us acknowledge to others that it is not our teaching but the Lord’s.

3. Use Right Judgment

   Let us be careful how we judge, not like the Jews. How should we judge? It should be based on God’s word and carefully studied within its context. We must double-check every seemingly contradictory statement. Prayerful and cautious study is the way.

Reflection & Discussion

1. Why did the people marvel at His teaching?

2. Explain the response of Jesus to those who marveled at the teaching.

3. How did Jesus expose the wrong judgment of the Jews? Explain.