John Chapter 7:37-53

Where we think that Christianity is filled with just following.

I believe in fearing the Lord in a reverential figure.

I think somewhere along because I got off track. We forgot to get together worshiping God should be a celebration welcome to cross the bridge with David McGee. David is a senior pastor of the bridge in Kernersville, North Carolina were blessed to have VA Brown David associate pastors through the bridge path throughout the Bible we see the Jewish joy filled parties celebrating God and yet our country today often seen as stale and boring anything but that. Today, Pastor David McGee explains how the church should be the place where you go to celebrate our Lord.

So let's jump in. As David McGee continues his teaching are you thirsty so were at John chapter 7 verse 37 on the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, if anyone first, let him come to me and drink. He who believes in me is the Scripture is set out of his heart will flow rivers of living water that also come gushing rivers of living water, not a little drink cooler droplets, torrents, rivers of living water, that's what supposed to happen and you understand as Christians we should be more filled with joy and anybody else we should be more filled with joy than in about understand we go through trials and and no I'm not talking about happiness because happiness what a good thing for you to remember happiness depends on what happens. So things may happen, then you lose your happiness, but joy that joy inside knows you can trust in the Lord and everything to be all right shouldn't leave you should be filled with joy as a matter fact you know here were talking about in chapter 7 go back to verse to a song about the feast of the Tabernacles here, which was one of the most joyous joyous of all the Jewish feast. In verse 39 it says, but this he spoke concerning the spirit who knows believing in him would receive for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified the empowering of the Holy Spirit was not yet given.

I believe that the Lord provides an empowerment or infilling with his Holy Spirit for the believer, I would encourage you all to ask for God to fill you with his Holy Spirit overflowing but we are to become channels of blessing to a thirsty world when they see us and they see there are joy and then in the go. I don't have that joy. Where can I get that all that's when witnessing.

It's really easy, and the guys let me tell you where you can get verse 40. Therefore, many from the crowd when they heard the saying sit. Truly this is the prophet when he said the prophet. They weren't seeing a prophet. They said the prophet foretold messiahs are actually referring back to Deuteronomy 1818, which is a messianic Scripture describing the Messiah as I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brethren and will put my words in his mouth and he shall speak to them all that I commanded so they're saying this is the God this is the Messiah. This is the Savior of the world. Verse 41 other said this is the Christ, but some said will the Christ come out of Galilee. See they didn't realize where Jesus had been born using Bethlehem was in Judea right next to Jerusalem just a couple of miles away. Jesus had been born in Bethlehem that plagued him house of bread is what that means in nursing will really come out of Kelly see how they check out the facts and would not list if they do ask Jesus hey were you born. It is about all now. Then he moved to Galilee, but they heard that they were often run it mass question how much heartbreak and heartache. Could we avoid it. We simply ask people before we took off and running so many times I've done it myself.

I've heard something. And since I'm off and running before I've gone to that person and said hey you heard that's what's what's the deal there understand the Bible tells us as believers that were supposed to do that. There were called upon to go to one another and hey I heard this, what's the deal. Do we do that quite often we don't really were supposed to how much heartache we could avoid so many times, stuff like that happens and then you end up talking will personally call no no no that's not what happened. That's not what was said but meanwhile we been in connections for two weeks as we took off and run some of your smile, and no one smells chuckling, knowing Chuck was going to done that rest of you just have bad memories probably don't remember that you've done that, but you gonna verse 42 has not. The Scripture said that Christ comes from the seed of David from the town of Bethlehem were David once again that they check this out. They would've known verse 43 so there was a division among the people because of him another still division among people because Jesus there is still division because of Jesus. You can talk about God in a real generic sense, higher power, if you will, and generally people don't get offended but the moment you start talking about Jesus, the line in the sand is strong while because Jesus said some things that were like they didn't really leave any gray area. Jesus said I am the way, the truth of life. No one comes to the father except through me why you can have this vague sense of God and that there are so many ways to God that you can go once you think about what Jesus said saying there's only one way becomes a little divisive done. Still today, it is but Jesus knew that maybe some of your experience and division with family members, loved ones is because of this because you believe in Jesus and your following Jesus, don't. Don't be surprised by that guys in and what's really cool is you've been drafted in you've been accepted into a new family family of God. I'll be honest, I'm probably closer to parts of the family of God than I am tomorrow but family that's sad, but it's true, is probably true for some of you as well. But Jesus said I came to bring division Luke 1251 he said do you suppose that I came to give peace on earth. I tell you, not at all, but rather division came to bring division when the last time you read that on a Christmas card and in Jesus is still the dividing line on sin and own judgment on heaven and hell right, wrong, forgiveness, freedom, salvation home with you so worthy to be followed so worthy to be followed. The I want to be on the side. Jesus is I'm not talking about the Jesus that necessarily the church is proclaimed or portrayed, the Jesus of the Bible the real deal is worthy to be followed by the watered-down version who never did anything or spoke harshly or anything like that I take as a man I would have a hard time following somebody like that.

But Jesus is not like that memorable little thing at the temple for this kind of a little of what it not really.

He sat there and this is amazing to me.

It says he sat there and as he was watching him. He is making the whip does not blow some of your bonds about your perceptions of Jesus. Jesus was upset what they were doing in the temple. He was getting ready to go off on the religiously prideful there's an interesting thing we look at Jesus and people who were religiously prideful were very uncomfortable around Jesus all the sinners were drawn doing this that describe the church today. I don't think it does. I want this place to be that place. Don't get me wrong I don't want a eight somebody who's live in a horrible life to sit here not feel challenged and not feel convicted and not feel the need for forgiveness, but I want them to know that it's okay to come here and hear a message of hope and hear a message of restoration from Jesus. The fact that Jesus loves him and wants to forgive him though simply come to. I want this to be that kind of place and let me go to the flipside, a place were religiously prideful people get a little uncomfortable as it's been said to comfort the afflicted and to afflict the comfortable, like that was get back into her story here. Verse 44. Now some of them wanted to take him, but no one laid hands on. Then the officers came to the chief priests and Pharisees who said to them, why have you not brought him in the officers answered no man ever spoke like this may what an awesome sentence. What an awesome statement. Keep in mind all that we just discovered about the pouring out of the water in the waving of the palm trees in their singing drink from the wells of your shoe and up stanzas got it says save your thirst to come to me that you begin to get the picture of what to say when they say we never heard anything like this may you know what 2000 years. We still have never heard anything like this man. He still unique all the brilliant minds and all those things that we produced in the last 2000, your list. Let's go further back 6000 years. There's never the earth has never produced anybody who spoke like Jesus spoke outline his words whole life and you read the public aware, this is this is radical.

This is amazing stuff. What Jesus was saying they were radical and revolutionary in that day and they still kind of our what an amazing amazing nobody ever spoke like nobody ever said I am the light of the world and then proceeded to heal a blind man ever did that he backed it up with action. Nobody ever said I am the resurrection and the life and then raise somebody from the dead. That's never happened. Nobody ever said you to love one another and love God and lay down your life and across showing us what that looks like what a true statement. Nobody's ever spoke like this is still true to this day, nobody's ever spoke like this will be right back with more from David McGee on cross the bridge right now. Here's a word from associate pastor DA Brown Bob want to take a minute to pray for our listeners and few cities in Florida, Panama City, St. Mark's, Tallahassee, West Palm Beach, and also in Georgia, Athens, Blue Ridge and Brunswick God, we thank you for those listening today we know that you have a special word just for them and God.

We pray that they would be encouraged and following you do today they would put their trust in you with no holding back an Lord that they would be an encouragement to others with what you're doing in them. Lord, we pray for the pastors in the cities that you give them wisdom and discernment that you will be honored in the midst of that in Jesus name, amen, amen.

Thank you brother and now get back to David McGee as he continues teaching verse by verse, verse 47 then the Pharisees answered them and said are you also deceived and there were some deception going on, but some people that had been thirsty before that day were found in the real water and here's what they uses the litmus test got interesting. Verse 48. Have any of the rulers are the Pharisees believed in these Jewish leaders were being saved and and here they're doing there either. Following one of the oldest debate tricks in the world. If you can't answer the argument attacked the speak.

If you can't work out the evidence that it doesn't make sense. Then you begin the attack. The speaker that's why a lot of people debate Christianity.

If you've ever been sharing your faith and then and then they go. What about you I saw you that you got mad at you said that we should move or letter that it up there attacking you because I can't answer your argument lately. They don't know what to do with the fact that Jesus loves him and has a plan for their life and desires and lookups of the can't deal with.

That's what they do they attack you and listen guys, when they do that don't don't argue with the fact that you have sinned, nonbelievers. It did, I did not do that. I do that I used to send like you but I will send anyone praise God's people did. They changed the QT when they get by Scott when they really have got only what that that was you know what do you know what I did do that and I'm so thankful that I can have forgiveness for messing up like them so thankful that God gives me grace this great stuff is wonderful man. You got it. You gotta get some of this great all in the not to know what to do again probably figure out some other reason to attack you understand something when I didn't understand this, Rhonda.

I grew up in church fact, I checked out the church I went to church.

I did the little church thing and and and and was totally dissatisfied and you know what I saw on. Here's the danger I thought well okay I checked out God and I didn't find meaning and fund this love in this joyless peace in this forgiveness that this book talks about have checked out God, a five not working, left, when I checked out was the church guys let me let me assure you when you check out church you will see things wrong. I even hear you're going to see things wrong. You will love. What's up with that person or that man or that woman is wrong. This is not the perfect church. And if you're perfect, you probably shouldn't come here and even if it were perfect when you can come here because in the church were perfect in your perfect with you came.

It would be perfect. These religious leaders. They were deceived. They know Jesus understand something guys.

There's religious leaders out there today. They don't know Jesus there's people that say that there scholars know a lot about Jesus, but they don't know Jesus and perhaps you had the frustration of knowing some of these religious leaders that don't know Jesus. Maybe some of you been wounded by salt my goodness this is not what it's about. And you know what you were right. You were right. It's not about the church's about Jesus and nobody so my knowledge has ever had a relationship with Jesus were they really poured out her heart poured out their life and sit with this is not it. Paul was a religious leader was a cure for Paul being a religious leader when there's that little road to Damascus thing where he got knocked down. Better to be knocked down the knocked out.

I mean that maybe what has to happen. The some religious leaders to meet Jesus.

I got a get knocked out out you don't need to do personally okay don't go not religious leaders break got an interval called me to get your bail. Let God do that. Let God speak to God will will verse 49. But this crowd that does not know the law is accursed.

While that's good interesting to me the crown that does not know the law is requesting that you may not be aware of this was responsible for teaching these people. The law, the people who are saying they don't know the law in that amazing. I always meet my needs. Let me share some. It's amazing to me because I occasionally I'll go to a pastors meeting or something and sometimes a pastor will actually say why don't you know the people in the church. I just don't know the problems now. Sometimes I sit quietly okay twice. I think you know it's like okay, they don't know their Bibles are you teaching the Bible sure everybody teaches the Bible will tell me how you teach about Leno to cover verse or verse over your verse everything ceiling really teaching about what you teaching out of the Bible teaching the Bible you were given the Bible in book form. Is there another book that you coalesce read one paragraph over here all that's good. Over here right no paragraph or what I read the book can preach about the length and these guys were responsible for teaching them the law and then they were saying they didn't know the law tragic and twisted in you guys are coming your hearing the word of God. Some of your start to really know your Bible discussions and stuff.

It just fires me man when talking to you go you make connections with prophecies in the Hebrew Scriptures and then what this means and that means I'm like this. Know the Bible because that's a passion that's what I want to communicate to you this.

The Bible knowledge of God's word.

It's really really important and some of you coming to you know I've I've learned more in six months here that I've learned in 20 years of church we just read the book. Just explain what the book says that's what were hungry for verse 50 Nicodemus. He who came to Jesus by night, being one of them said to them, does our law judge a man before it hears him and knows what he's doing. They just asked the questions and in verse 48.

What is interesting.

Have any of the rulers of the Pharisees believed in him, and then Nicodemus in verse 51 systems are law judges man before it hears him and knows what extent this is Nicodemus a came to Jesus in John chapter 3 and Jesus says you gotta be born again.

It's kinda looking like one of the Pharisees had believed Jesus.

And when we get to the third appearance of Nicodemus after the death of Jesus Christ. I believe Nicodemus was a believer and there's reasons I believe that they will get into when we get there, but Nicodemus is saying we can't judge and we have to have them before court of law. Nick Amos was judge and Jesus buys words in his actions pretty convincing then and there. Pretty convincing. Verse 52, they answered and said to him, are you also from Galilee search and look for no profit has arisen out of Galilee.

Condescending, very, looking down on the people warranting still happens in church today. I don't look down on anybody in here.

I love you want to communicate the truth for to you because one the ground at the cross is a level salt level. It's amazing they're sitting here accusing them of ignorance, but no profit, out of Galilee well do you consider that Jonah was from Galilee, who was a prophet, and there accusing other people not knowing the law got interesting.

Verse 53 says and everyone went to his own house.

Are you thirsty this morning you been looking around grasping at straws trying to find something to quench the thirst. Have you been shocked that things that you thought would quench your thirst have things like successor material goods or fame or popularity or something. If you chase those things and then when you got them. Were you shocked and surprised that in quench your thirst holding Mina for just a few moments, hopefully not been satisfied with those things. May the Lord help you if you have been satisfied with those things because you are meant for something far, far better than just stuff the people of this day at this setting. They were blinded that they couldn't see it.

Jesus was offering him the greatest gift they'd ever been offered himself and there were blinded and they refused it.

Don't be bonded this morning, don't refuse the most awesome gift that you've ever been offered as Jesus himself. Don't be blinded to the truth like these religious leaders were some of you may have strayed in gone to other wells. Maybe you know the Lord is your Savior but you been visiting other wells trying to figure out what will maybe this'll do it. Or maybe this'll do it has time to come home and if your thirsty program. The local Lord wants to quench that thirst this morning. You don't have to be thirsty anymore.

You can come and drink.

You can ask him to forgive you either for the first time or once again asking to be your Savior. Every starting your Savior and you haven't been falling like a true disciple and with the passion that he deserves. Ask him to forgive you and asking to become your Lord will put your Bibles away just for second because I want you to see something see the divisions in this chapter and verse divisions. They came later. For the most part there in good places this morning were reading from a place that it's not in a good place. You see, verse 53 really goes with John eight in verse one, verse 53 says and everyone went to his own house.

But Jesus went to the Mount of olives see that night everybody went to her own home. But Jesus did have anywhere ago he'd been left out side in the cold is this feast happens when it's cold in Israel. We leave them outside this morning.

I know that he's knocking on the door of hearts in this room right now will you answer that Jesus says in Revelation, I stand at the door and knock. It didn't barge in. He stands there and invite since as you know, you thirsty on a quench the thirst going to give you the forgiveness that you so desperately need. And many in this room right now is knocking on the door of your heart and my prayer is that you open that door and you don't leave him out in the cold. Maybe you've been thirsty because you been drinking from all wells during the water sauce clear.

It's refreshing the offer still stands for you this morning to check on friend. You know for sure that your sins have been forgiven. You can know right now only Legion a short simple prayer simply telling God you're sorry and asking him to help you to live for him.

God wants you to pray this prayer so much that he died to give you the opportunity and the ability to ask him to forgive you. Please pray this prayer with me out loud right now. Dear Jesus, I believe you died for me that I could be forgiven and I believe you were raised from the dead that I could have a new life now done wrong things I have sent and I'm sorry.

Please forgive me of all those things.

Please give me the power to live for you.

All of my days in Jesus name, amen it friend of you prayed that prayer according to the Bible you've been forgiven you've been born again. Jesus said he would not turn anybody away who comes during a came for those people who knew they needed forgiveness. Those who were sick, not the righteous to congratulations bring you just made the greatest decision that you will ever make. God bless you, if you pray that prayer with David for the first time we'd love to hear from you. You can visit cross the bridge.com to receive our first steps package with helpful resources to help you begin your walk with Christ. Or you can write to cross the bridge at PO Box 12, 515 Winston-Salem, NC 27117 and share how God is working in your life will DA before we go. What are some ways that we can bless our listeners each day. You can wake up with encouragement from Pastor David to the word of God with his email devotional life lessons to consider a daily reading plan and a thought to meditate on throughout your day. From the heart of David McGee. That sounds good Pastor day and again.

It's been great to have you with us on the program today but tell us what else can a listers find on cross the bridge.com. If you're not able to make it to your home church this Sunday. Why not join us for our lifestream. 10 AM Eastern time or on Thursday night at seven. This visit, cross the bridge.com and click on a lifestream link there is a live service from David's home church. The bridge North Carolina again. That website is cross the bridge.com. Thanks again for listening and join us next time.

As David McGee continues teaching verse by verse in the gospel of God