What Are You Waiting On?
2-17-02 AM
John 7:1-6
How many have ever dealt with peer pressure, or goading to go do something your not quite ready to do?
Charlie Brown valentine show.
- There’s a little red haired girl He likes.
- Linus keeps telling him to just go talk to her
- Chuck is nervous, a wimp.
- He loses his opportunity, and blows his date at the dance with Peppermint Patty and Marcie.
I. What if I’m not ready?
a. Feast of the tabernacles
i. his feast was celebrated on the fifteenth day of the month Tisri, answering to the last half of our month September and the first half of October,
ii. It was so called from the tents or tabernacles which on that occasion were erected in and about Jerusalem, and was designed to commemorate their dwelling in tents in the wilderness,
iii. During the continuance of this feast they dwelt in booths or tents, as their fathers did in the wilderness,
iv. The feast was continued eight days, and the eighth or last day was the most distinguished, and was called the great day of the feast,
v. The Jews on this occasion not only dwelt in booths, but they carried about the branches of palms, willows, and other trees which bore a thick foliage, and also branches of the olive-tree, myrtle, &c., #Ne 8:15. Many sacrifices were offered on this occasion (#Nu 29:12-39 De 16:14-16), and it was a time of general joy.
vi. was one of the three feasts which every male among the Jews was obliged to attend.
b. Jesus’ reason for not going
i. 1 After these things Jesus walked in Galilee: for he would not walk in Jewry, because the Jews sought to kill him.
ii. He knew it wasn’t His time.
iii. He knew He had authority and power to stop any uprising
iv. But He didn’t want to tempt God either by stepping into danger.
1. 6 And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.
2. 7 Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.
v. But He did go eventually vv. 10
c. This was God’s plan for this to happen.
d. It is also God’s plan to put us in position to do things or witness, but we are often scared.
II. When we are pushed
a. 3 His brethren therefore said unto him, Depart hence, and go into Judaea, that thy disciples also may see the works that thou doest. 4 For there is no man that doeth any thing in secret, and he himself seeketh to be known openly. If thou do these things, shew thyself to the world.
b. His brothers didn’t believe.
c. For there is no man that doeth any thing in secret, and he himself seeketh to be known openly.
i. When we find our true love, we want to shout it from the rooftop. (valentine’s day)
ii. When we find Jesus, we want to hide it, or do we?
III. What to do when the time is right.
a. Jesus could very well have taken the brethren’s comments as the sarcastic goads that they were, but He chose instead to endure, and prove himself.
b. Many times we find ourselves in a situation that calls for bold actions.
i. Dealing with problems in purchases, commercial arena.
ii. Dealing with domestic disputes.
iii. Being corrective or even corrected.
iv. The most challenging is witnessing and demonstrating our faith.
1. Speaking the blunt truth even when we know it will offend.
2. Living an uncompromising life.
3. witnessing to loved ones,
4. Jonah syndrome-working with seemingly lost causes.
v. Why so challenging? – fear.
1. fear of separation from loved ones.
2. fear of rejection
3. fear looking foolish.
4. fear of conflict.
5. FEAR
c. We really want to be known as a disciple of Christ, but fear keeps us worldly.
d. That is what the Brethren though Jesus was doing
i. He acted so bold
ii. But in this case seemed so chicken.
iii. Vv. 4 For there is no man that doeth any thing in secret, and he himself seeketh to be known openly.
e. So they challenged- Vv4b If thou do these things, shew thyself to the world.
IV. Show thyself to the world.
a. Who are you?
b. Who do you serve?
c. Gangs-
i. Guard their territory
ii. Are willing to die for their territory
iii. Where colors to show boldly where they stand
iv. Work together.
d. Christians
i. Guard our hearts
ii. Shy away from conflict
iii. Try to blend in
iv. Work individually.
e. Christ revealed Himself
i. 14 Now about the midst of the feast Jesus went up into the temple, and taught. 15 And the Jews marvelled, saying, How knoweth this man letters, having never learned? 16 Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me. 17 If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself. 18 He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him.
ii. Not to give in to temptation, but to do as He was called, following the Father’s guidelines, He went.
f. How about you?
g. Will you go just because you got pushed from someone goading you on?
V. God is pushing.
a. What are you waiting for, Christmas?
i. We use holidays as an excuse to minister.
ii. We should use every moment we have.
iii. Vv. 6 but your time is alway ready. dual meaning
1. We could die at any time
2. We should always let He that is within us shine brightly, always being a witness.
b. Overcoming fear- 1 John 4:4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
c. Any other excuses?
d. Then go.
VI. Altar call
a. Salvation
b. Call to go.
