Sermon Central
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Discipleship Will Cost You, Part 3 Series
Contributed by T.j. Conwell on Mar 1, 2026 (message contributor)
Summary: If Jesus lived a life to show us how to draw closer to God, what is it that is keeping us from doing so? Why do we struggle to exemplify God in our life today? Why do our "religious preferences" outweigh what God has called us to do?
John, Part 29
Series: Discipleship Will Cost You, Part 3 Passage: John 7:10-19
FOCUS: Series continues today on Discipleship and its personal cost
Discipleship is the process of becoming like Jesus; changing our wants to His
This means giving up what you desire to follow the One who is discipling you
As we continue this journey, I pray that you will seek God & His desire for YOU!
Read John 7:10-19 & Pray - “Holy Spirit, please teach me today.”
Point 1 – Jesus’s teaching produces Curiosity
Jesus does go to Judea - in secret - to this festival: v10
• To teach, to proclaim, and to affirm God’s word (the truth)
• But … He’s not going to make a spectacle by going (not His time)
• APP: This is not the triumphant entry (John 12)
We must understand the Jewish response (conflicted): vv11-13
• The wondered about Him: some publicly, some privately
• They wanted to be where He was, but why? Look at their heart …
• SEE: There is a fear to speak publicly (it’s not a new thing); “religious”
• CHALL: What is it that keeps you from supporting Jesus publicly?
MOTIVE: Religious have an evil intent (plot to kill Him)
• KNOW: They were not interested in Jesus as their Messiah
• Wanted to discredit His teaching; to prove He is untrustworthy
• Many sought Him out of curiosity – like rubbernecking on a highway
But! Don’t miss the push/pull of the people who were curious about Him
Some thought He was a good man (v12); even though some felt the exact opposite
• “Friend of Sinners” Matthew 9:11 teacher eat with tax…
• “Glutton and Drunkard” Matthew 11:19 Son of Man came eating…
• “Not of God; Demon” Matthew 12:24 only by Beelzebul…
CHALL: Where are YOU in how speak of, seek out, serve, or even love Jesus?
Point 2 – Jesus’s teaching brings clarity
IMP APP: Pay attention to how they respond to His teaching: v15
• “He has no credentials; He is uneducated; thus, He is not trustworthy”
• KEY: They are applying human metrics against God’s sovereignty
• TRUTH: Education does not equate to being close to the Lord! EXP
TODAY: How can we – with all the world’s noise – prove His words reliable?
Easiest way: Validate the doctrine against Scripture; but you must know it!
APP: Want to check on your favorite preacher? Look at words/life vs. scripture!
Jesus lived, exemplified, and credited God (His Father) for everything He did
Consider: His own words give them this clarity – do you see it? Re-read v16
• He claims to teach because of the One who sent Him (God)
• He asserts that His doctrine is not His; it’s not His message being taught
• KEY: He places Himself in the role of Ambassador, Messenger … Servant!
• Why? He’s being faithful to show US the Father – the One who sent Him!
REM Philippians 2:6-8: He is now fully man; He removed His holiness to do this!
DISCIPLESHIP: If Jesus lived a life to show us how to draw closer to God:
• What is it that is keeping us from drawing closer?
• Why do we struggle to exemplify God in this life today?
• Why are we so bent on keeping up “appearances” instead of just obeying?
• God never once called us to meet / live up to the standards of our friends!
Point 3 – Jesus Demonstrates Life to All
If you examine the text, something interesting begins to take shape
Yes, He is teaching … but behind that teaching is actually a huge challenge
LOOK: When God speaks, are we paying attention to what’s being said?
This is where we can find relief from the rat race of religious stuff!
Watch what Jesus does: He tells them to TEST what He is saying
• It is found in the original text:
• Greek: “ean tis theló to theléma autos …”
• Trans: “If anyone desires the will of Him …”
BIG: Jesus gives the people, and us, 3 opportunities to TEST Him - “IF” (ean)!
If we will do this – we can prove that He speaks the truth!
REM: 1 John 4:1 – the Bible tells us to test the spirits in this world!
APP: If you’re unsure about something – compare “it” to God’s Word!
1) Subjective Test: Is He “living” what He is teaching? Reread v17
• Are His words equivalent to His life? Is He demonstrating how to live?
• Or (big) - is He calling us to live a life He is not willing to demonstrate?
• Is He living under the concept of: “Rules for thee and none for me …”
2) Objective Test: Is He speaking for/of His own “glory”? Reread v18
