The Legalistic Spirit

Audio Recording

Sermon Outline

Speaker: Rev. Scott Strickman
Sermon Series: John 1-12: Come, See, Live!

John 7:1-24   (ESV)
1 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.

14 About the middle of the feast Jesus went up into the temple and began teaching.15 The Jews therefore marveled, saying, “How is it that this man has learning, when he has never studied?”16 So Jesus answered them, “My teaching is not mine, but his who sent me.17 If anyone's will is to do God's will, he will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own authority.18 The one who speaks on his own authority seeks his own glory; but the one who seeks the glory of him who sent him is true, and in him there is no falsehood.19 Has not Moses given you the law? Yet none of you keeps the law. Why do you seek to kill me?”20 The crowd answered, “You have a demon! Who is seeking to kill you?”21 Jesus answered them, “I did one work, and you all marvel at it.22 Moses gave you circumcision (not that it is from Moses, but from the fathers), and you circumcise a man on the Sabbath.23 If on the Sabbath a man receives circumcision, so that the law of Moses may not be broken, are you angry with me because on the Sabbath I made a man's whole body well?24 Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment.”

Sermon Outline
Jesus exposes deep human problems, including our legalistic spirits, so that he can heal them.

1. Misaligned Will

  • v19 “none of you keeps the law.”

  • vv17-18 “If anyone’s will is to do God’s will, he will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own authority.  The one who speaks on his own authority seeks his own glory...”

2. Hidden Motives

  • vv4-5   “’For no one works in secret if he seeks to be known openly… show yourself to the world’...not even his brothers believed in him.”

  • vv12-13   “…there was much muttering about him… some said… others said… no one spoke openly of him.”

  • v7 “The world… hates me because I testify about it that its works are evil.”

  • vv19-23 “…Who is seeking to kill you?... If on the Sabbath a man receives circumcision, so that the law of Moses may not be broken, are you angry with me because on the Sabbath I made a man’s whole body well?”

3. Right Judgment

  • v8 “for my time has not yet fully come”

  • v18 “the one who seeks the glory of him who sent him is true”

  • vv23-24  “are you angry with me because on the Sabbath I made a man’s whole body well? Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment”

Prayer of Confession
Our merciful God, forgive us for every way we create and maintain distance between you and ourselves.  Without deep faith, we have treated you with suspicion and unhealthy fear.  We have assumed you do not know what is best or care about what is best for us.  We have followed the way of the world.  We admit our arrogance and pride.  Forgive us our many sins.  Thank you that you have loved us even while we were your enemies.  Thank you that you generously invite us to be your children rather than your servants.  Thank you for the life of Jesus, and the life we have in him.  We pray in his name.  Amen.

Questions for Reflection

  1. What is a legalistic spirit?  Where do you see legalism at work in your life?  What effects does it have?

  2. In what ways is your will aligned with God’s will?  In what ways is it not?

  3. How does how we exercise authority or relate to authority reflect problems in us?  What is needed for healthy authority?

  4. What don’t you feel comfortable talking about openly?  What does that say about you?  About our world?

  5. How do you believe about God that you would rather not believe?  What imperfections do you fear God may have?

  6. If you firmly believe God is fully gracious, how would that change the way you relate to God?  How would it change how you view yourself?  How you face the world?

  7. What in the gospel message (that Jesus was sent into the world to give his life that in him we have life) conveys grace?  What are some specific ways that this proves God’s grace? 

  8. If your ultimate goal is to seek God’s glory, how does that realign your will?  What new desires will become your priorities?  What things do you want that will move down on your priority list?