The Exceptional Jesus!

SERMON OUTLINE:

His character (vs 10-13)

His doctrine (vs 14-18)

His works (vs 19-24)

His origin (vs 25-31)

SERMON BODY

• ill: It is said that Socrates taught for 40 years,

• Plato for 50, Aristotle for 40, and Jesus for only 3.

• Yet the influence of Christ’s 3-year ministry;

• Far exceeds the impact left by the combined 130 years of teaching;

• From these men who were among the greatest philosophers of all history.

• ill: Jesus painted no pictures;

• Yet, some of the finest paintings of Raphael, Michelangelo,

• And Leonardo da Vinci received their inspiration from Him.

• ill: Jesus wrote no poetry; but Dante, Milton,

• And scores of the world’s greatest poets were inspired by Him.

• ill: Jesus composed no music; still Haydn, Handel, Beethoven, Bach,

• And Mendelssohn reached their highest perfection in praise to Him.

• Every sphere of human greatness has been enriched by Jesus Christ.

• Jesus is exceptional , matchless, unique among all people who ever lived.

• TRANSITION: As we look at John chapter 7;

• We will see again just why Jesus is exceptional among all who have ever lived.

As we break into this chapter,

• The Jewish leaders have seen signs and miracles,

• They have listened to his claims and heard his sermons.

• Yet, instead of belief there is unbelief and opposition.

• Quote: The saying is true;

• “The same sun that melts the ice, hardens the clay and the same Gospel;

• Which melts some persons to repentance hardens others in their sins"

(1). His Character (vs 10-13)

“However, after his brothers had left for the festival, he went also, not publicly, but in secret. 11 Now at the festival the Jewish leaders were watching for Jesus and asking, ‘Where is he?’

12 Among the crowds there was widespread whispering about him. Some said, ‘He is a good man.’

Others replied, ‘No, he deceives the people.’ 13 But no one would say anything publicly about him for fear of the leaders.”

• When the Feast of Tabernacles (or Booths) began,

• All eyes were looking for Jesus.

• The crowd were fascinated by this miracle working preacher,

• And they had never seen anyone stand up to the religious leaders like Jesus did!

• There is no doubt that Jesus had aroused the interest of crowd,

• He was the talk of the town.

• And not just the public crowds, the Jewish leaders were also looking for Him.

• In fact, the text tells us that it was continuous – “they kept searching for Him”.

• These Jewish leaders were now fully against Him

• Because Jesus had healed people on the Sabbath (e.g. John chapter 5),

• So there is a division in Jerusalem about Jesus.

• Some are calling Him good;

• But others believe Him to be a cunning deceiver.

Notice:

• The opposition to Jesus in Jerusalem has gotten so strong;

• That even His friends did not possess the confidence to speak of Him openly.

• Anyone that was for Jesus was reduced to hushed tones.

• It is in this atmosphere that Jesus appears.

• They may question his reputation,

• But they could not question his character!

Quote: William Hersey Davis.

• (Former professor of New Testament interpretation at,

• The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary)

• Character is the one thing we make in this world and take with us into the next.

• The circumstances amid which you live determine your reputation;

• The truth you believe determines your character.

• Reputation is what you are supposed to be;

• Character is what you are.

• Reputation is the photograph;

• Character is the face.

• Reputation comes over one from without;

• Character grows up from within.

• Reputation is what you have when you come to a new community;

• Character is what you have when you go away.

• Reputation is made in a moment;

• Character is built in a lifetime.

• Your reputation is learned in an hour;

• Your character doesn’t come to light for a year.

• Reputation grows like a mushroom;

• Character grows like the oak.

• A single newspaper report gives you your reputation;

• A life of toil gives you your character.

• Reputation makes you rich or makes you poor;

• Character makes you happy or makes you miserable.

• Reputation is what men say about you on your tombstone;

• Character is what angels say about you before the throne of God.

• TRANSITION: Jesus did not care about his reputation (opinion of men),

• Because he knew his character was good (pleasing to God)

• APPLICATION: Let’s strive to get our priorities right;

• We need to work on our character more than our reputation.