MIRACULOUS CONFLICT Pastor Matthew Nicosia Series in the Book of John Valley Bible Church, Hercules, CA John 7:1–13 October 25, 2020
John 7:1–13
After this Jesus went about in Galilee. He would not go about in Judea, because the Jews were seeking to kill him. 2 Now the Jews’ Feast of Booths was at hand. 3 So his brothers said to him, “Leave here and go to Judea, that your disciples also may see the works you are doing. 4 For no one works in secret if he seeks to be known openly. If you do these things, show yourself to the world.” 5 For not even his brothers believed in him. 6 Jesus said to them, “My time has not yet come, but your time is always here. 7 The world cannot hate you, but it hates me because I testify about it that its works are evil. 8 You go up to the feast. I am not going up to this feast, for my time has not yet fully come.” 9 After saying this, he remained in Galilee. 10 But after his brothers had gone up to the feast, then he also went up, not publicly but in private. 11 The Jews were looking for him at the feast, and saying, “Where is he?” 12 And there was much muttering about him among the people. While some said, “He is a good man,” others said, “No, he is leading the people astray.” 13 Yet for fear of the Jews no one spoke openly of him.
Big Idea: God’s plan and the world’s agenda are like oil and water.
My Notes
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God’s plan and the world’s agenda are like oil and water. We should not be surprised when people respond to Jesus the way the world of his time did. Some will see his purity, justice, and authority as a threat to their desire to be their own boss. Others will get frustrated when Jesus doesn’t meet their political expectations. However, as we live according to God’s plan, we can have the balanced perspective of Jesus that includes an honest pessimism yet courageous optimism. We know the world will hate Jesus and his followers, but we will not fret or fear because we know that Jesus has overcome the world! 1 MIRACULOUS CONFLICT Pastor Matthew Nicosia Series in the Book of John Valley Bible Church, Hercules, CA John 7:1–13 October 25, 2020
Small Group Study Questions As you reflect on the sermon from this week, was there anything you heard for the first time? Was there something said that challenged you or confused you?
Getting to Know You 1. Sweet, Sour, and Service. (BTW, this is a great activity to do around dinner table!) a. What is one thing that felt “sweet” for you today? b. What was one thing that felt “sour” for you today? c. What is one way you served someone else today?
Digging Deeper Our “Big Idea” this week is God’s plan and the world’s agenda are like oil and water. The religious leaders wanted to kill Jesus, and his brothers wanted him to gain political control in order to grant the Jewish people national freedom. Jesus refused to submit himself to either group because he was living according to his Father’s plan and he was offering an eternal kingdom. 2. Read John 18:33–38 and answer the following questions. What do you think Jesus meant when he said his kingdom is “not of this world”? Where is his kingdom from?
From these verses, what differences do you see in God’s plan and the world’s agenda?
How would you describe the mission of Jesus from this passage?
3. Read 2 Thessalonians 1:5–12 and answer the following questions.
Based on these verses, how would you describe the world’s agenda? How would you describe God’s plan?
How does this passage help you see the balance between an honest pessimism (about the world’s agenda) and a courageous optimism (about God’s plan)?
Twice in this passage (v. 5 and v. 11) the Apostle Paul prays that the church in Thessalonica would be found “worthy” of God’s kingdom-calling despite the opposition they faced. From this
2 MIRACULOUS CONFLICT Pastor Matthew Nicosia Series in the Book of John Valley Bible Church, Hercules, CA John 7:1–13 October 25, 2020
Bible passage (and any others you can think of), what does living “worthy” of Jesus and his kingdom look like?
John 12:20–26 is one of our passages this week in our VBCdaily3 devotionals (valleybible.org/vbcdaily3). Take a few moments to answer the three questions that we ask: What does this passage say about God? What does it say about us? What do you believe we ought to do about it?
Live It Out The people who encountered Jesus had an agenda they wanted him to fulfill, but he refused them because he was living according to God’s plan. Even though he knew that God’s plan and the world’s agenda are like oil and water, he did not fear what people could do to him. Additionally, he told his followers “take heart; I have overcome the world” (Jn. 16:33). 4. What are the biggest issues you see in our culture today that tempt you to feel afraid or frustrated?
5. What difference does it make to know that Jesus has “overcome the world”?
6. How can followers of Jesus live in a way that is “worthy” of God’s kingdom regardless of the outcome on Election Day?
Prayer Requests One of the most significant ways we grow spiritually together is to pray for one another each week. Use this section to write down the requests of those in your group so you can remember to pray for them throughout the week. Remember: what is shared in your group should stay in your group. ______
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