Obtuse

John 6: 35, 41 – 51 / Obtuse

Intro: A conscientious wife tried hard to please her critical husband, but failed regularly. Jack was especially disagreeable at breakfast. If Jill prepared scrambled eggs, he wanted poached; if she poached eggs, he wanted scrambled. One morning Jill poached one egg and scrambled the other and placed the plate before Jack. Anxiously she awaited what surely this time would be his unqualified approval. Jack peered down at the plate and snorted, “Can’t you do anything right? You’ve scrambled the wrong one!” --- How many of you ladies present would like to do something with that plate of eggs besides let Jack eat them?

I. Do you know someone like Jack? Someone who is always grumbling and complaining?

A. VSS. 41 – 42 – the murmuring and grumbling of the crowd is evident. The people were criticizing Jesus’ background and credentials. They thought they knew who Jesus was and what He was like.

B. Grumbling, griping, guttersniping. --- Murmur = to murmur, mutter, grumble, to say anything against in a low tone. / the cooing of doves / conferring secretly together / discontentedly complaining.

C. Conversation about Harry Potter with an acquaintance who said she would not let her children read that “satanic trash.” --- I asked her if she had read any of the books to which she answered, “no.” --- How can you criticize what you don’t know?

II. The Jews had trouble accepting Jesus because of their preconceived notions of who he was. They were not receptive.

A. Vs. 42 – They judged by human values and externals and failed to receive God’s message.

B. Do we neglect messages from God because of the messenger? Disraeli once said, “It is much easier to be critical than to be correct.”

C. It is vitally important to see God and hear God message as it really is and not as we want it to be. Do we listen and not hear like the Jews listened to Jesus? Do we look and not see?

III. No one hurt Jesus more than the obtuse, those who just didn’t get it; not because they couldn’t but because they wouldn’t because they didn’t have to.

A. In a recent conversation I was asked how some churches are able to build new buildings and new additions. The answer is plain and simple. There are those who realize the hearing God call is going to cost them something and they are willing to pay the price.

B. Vs. 45 – “ It is written in the Prophets: ‘They will all be taught by God.’ Everyone who listens to the Father and learns from him comes to me.” LISTEN, LEARN and COME TO CHRIST JESUS.

C. Matthew Henry said, “There are none so blind as those who will not see.” Those who will not see are the obtuse.

Conclu: The problem of Christian growth and church growth is that it does cost something. Growing as a child of God may cost us time and effort to read God’s word and spend time in prayer. Growing as a church may cost us our time, our abilities and most importantly, money. We must decide if we are willing to pay the price and bear the cost of becoming a disciple-making church.