John 7:25–31 November 8, 2020

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MIRACULOUS CONFLICT Pastor Paul Crandell Series in the Book of John Valley Bible Church, Hercules, CA John 7:25–31 November 8, 2020

John 7:25–31

25 Some of the people of Jerusalem therefore said, “Is not this the man whom they seek to kill? 26 And here he is, speaking openly, and they say nothing to him! Can it be that the authorities really know that this is the Christ? 27 But we know where this man comes from, and when the Christ appears, no one will know where he comes from.” 28 So Jesus proclaimed, as he taught in the temple, “You know me, and you know where I come from. But I have not come of my own accord. He who sent me is true, and him you do not know. 29 I know him, for I come from him, and he sent me.” 30 So they were seeking to arrest him, but no one laid a hand on him, because his hour had not yet come. 31 Yet many of the people believed in him. They said, “When the Christ appears, will he do more signs than this man has done?”

Big Idea: Religion can ruin faith. My Notes

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Jesus encountered a group of people who were unable to trust in him because of their religion. It wasn’t because they didn’t have belief; rather, they had belief in the wrong things. Their commitment to human religion ruined their chances of placing faith in Jesus. How ironic! They thought they were pursuing God with zeal, but their efforts only led them further away from God. Religion can ruin faith. Our systems of beliefs and practices can weaken—even ruin—our faith in Christ. Unbelief is indeed a great enemy to belief, but Jesus shows us that false belief can be just as harmful as no belief at all.

1 MIRACULOUS CONFLICT Pastor Paul Crandell Series in the Book of John Valley Bible Church, Hercules, CA John 7:25–31 November 8, 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. What is a hobby you enjoy? Would consider yourself to be passionate about that hobby? Why?

Digging Deeper Our “Big Idea” this week is religion can ruin faith. In John 7:25–31, Jesus interacted with people who had strong religious beliefs about the Messiah. However, they were missing the truth that Messiah was right in front of them, speaking to them. The Apostle Paul also initially missed the truth about Jesus because of his religious commitment, and it nearly ruined his faith too. Read the following passages and answer the questions about Paul’s journey from human religion to faith in Jesus.

2. Acts 26:4–11 Paul said that one time he lived “according to the strictest party” of the Jewish religion. What do you think motivated Paul to live that way?

What was Paul’s response to Jesus and his followers in verse 9–11? Do you believe he was living consistently or inconsistently with his religious beliefs? Why?

Religious sincerity is good, but why is it not enough when it comes true faith?

3. Philippians 3:4–11

How does Paul’s zeal in verse 6 show you that religion can ruin faith? How is it possible to be so zealous for religion and yet so far from God?

What do you think Paul meant when he wrote that he was no longer counting on “having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law” but “the righteousness from God that depends on faith”?

2 MIRACULOUS CONFLICT Pastor Paul Crandell Series in the Book of John Valley Bible Church, Hercules, CA John 7:25–31 November 8, 2020

Who or what became the object of Paul’s faith? What would you say is the biggest difference between living according to human religion and living according to genuine saving faith?

One of our passages this week in our VBCdaily3 devotionals (valleybible.org/vbcdaily3) is 1 John 2:21–27. 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 4. What kinds of religious beliefs might exist even in our churches that can threaten to ruin genuine faith in Jesus? How does the good news about Jesus address those bad beliefs?

5. How can followers of Christ use their everyday conversations and interactions with others to show them the gospel is about believing in Jesus rather than a commitment to religion?

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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