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II.
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SCRIPTURAL STUDY.
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B.
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THE CONTROVERSY OVER CHRIST. 7:12-13
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vs.12a
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1.
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Their Disturbing Demeanor.
"Much Murmuring"
a.
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Much like their unbelieving ancient kin at Horeb who also murmured when God was present with them
(in a pillar of fire and cloud of smoke), these could not see beyond their own pitiful plight either.
So it is even in our day.
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TRUTH:
WHEN CHRIST IS NOT CENTRAL IN LIFE, PEOPLE WILL ALWAYS MURMUR WHEN THEIR PERSONAL PLIGHT APPEARS PITIFUL.
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b.
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What do you suppose these were saying beneath a whispered breath? Let human nature speak. One can only imagine.
But our verse continues and gives some insight.
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vs.12b,c
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2.
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Their Divided Declaration. (2 Groups Identified)
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vs.12b
Lk.18:18-19
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a.
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"A GOOD MAN"
(1)
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"good" = agathos, meaning, "with good intentions." Today's phrase:
"He means well." It is the same word used in Luke where the young ruler calls Jesus "Good Master." His reply then was:
"Why call me good, there is none good, save one, God."
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(2)
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This group is not as cynical as the next. These hearts have been receptive to His works and do not see in them an ulterior motive,
as do their counterparts. It is quite likely these are the ones we see in
vs.31,
and represent the ones of
3:21
whose hearts and deeds are good and come to the Light.
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vs.12c
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b.
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"A DECEIVER OF THE PEOPLE."
(1)
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"deceiveth" = planao, "to lead astray," or "being deceitful with
evil intentions."
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(2)
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These were cynical to the core, revealing the condition of their dark hearts. This group likely represent the ones of
3:20
whose deeds are evil and resist the Light.
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(3)
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They are also seen in
vs.25,
vs.41b, &
vs.42.
They are probably Jews of the Jewry (Judean Jews), while those of the above group are called Galilean Jews who had
been more open and receptive to His work.
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(4)
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See Jesus' teaching on the abundance of the heart and what proceeds from it as it is illustrated in these two groups.
Mt.12:34-35
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vs.13
9:22
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3.
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Their Degree Of Fear. "NO MAN SPOKE OPENLY"
a.
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To do so risked expulsion from the synagogue, or excommunication entirely. In some cases it meant being
"cut off" -- when used in the Old Testament means:
Death! This they knew and was the ultimate threat to the Jew of Israel.
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b.
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Examine Jesus' words in Matthew: "Fear not the one that
can kill (cut off) only the body but the one that
can destroy (cut off) both body and soul in hell."
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TRUTH:
PEOPLE NATURALLY COWER WHEN FAITH IS WEAK OR NON-EXISTENT.
Mt.10:27-28
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TRUTH:
THE KEY TO SPEAKING OPENLY AND BOLDLY IN CHRIST IS BEING FILLED PRIVATELY AND PERSONALLY WITH HIS HOLY SPIRIT.
(Always remember the example of the Samaritan woman who was filled with the Life giving Water.)
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c.
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The above truth is also illustrated:
(1)
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With Peter and the People,
Acts 4:8,31
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(2)
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With Stephen's Witness in his death,
Acts 7:55-56
and
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(3)
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With George Whitfield's
preaching. (A 19th century preacher from England who sometimes would preach for
hours with a bleeding throat.)
Once he was accosted by a man pointing a gun at him and demanded, "If you don't shut up, I'm going to blow
your head off." Undaunted, Whitfield continued, with the man circling him for several minutes while putting
the gun to his ear, stomach, nose, and eyes, repeating, "You #@&*%* $%!#!,
I'm going to blow your head off!" Finally, he stopped a few feet behind him and pulled the trigger, upon
which the gun exploded, blowing off the madman's hand and leaving Whitfield unharmed -- minus a shirt.
Later, he came to America, and along with John Wesley, over 2 million who came to Christ were attributed
directly to their preaching and witnessing. The story is told that upon his arrival at the Boston Common,
a professor from Boston University greeted him with: "I'm sorry to see you here, Brother Whitfield."
To which Whitfield replied, "So's the devil!" and began preaching right then and
there upon the green.
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B.
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THE CONFRONTATION WITH CHRIST. 7:14-24
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1.
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True to God's Word, the darkest secrets of men will be revealed in the Light of His Truth. Although it
can be seen in every Book He had recorded, this is no where more evidenced in His Word than in this
meeting with Christ, who is Ligh personified, and the dark intent of these deceitful ones.
(Study Haman's experience in Esther in connection to this text.)
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2.
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As it is with many powerful ones whose dirty secret is well known, everyone acts as if nothing is amiss
for their own personal reasons. But when one comes along with no fear, who cannot be intimidated by the
power one holds over others obtained through their fear, the obvious will be seen and openly addressed.
What remains then will be a contest of pride in defense and truth seeking supporters. This scene was no
different, except the stakes were supreme. This was not a debate of modern times where analysts critique
on points for the audience to declare a winner before they can vote their favorite personality.
No, the powers of darkness were in a tug of war for men's souls. The forces of Heaven and Hell were
in collision here. The line between sides had clearly been drawn, and there was no gray area for
uncomfortable moderates to run for safety to remain aloof from the fray.
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3.
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As with this time, all men in any age will be forced to vote their own conscience, and a vote to abstain
is counted in this case as a no vote, thus indicating his or her own persuasions anyway.
Moreover, when called before His Court on that final day, no one will be permitted to take the Fifth,
because it does not exist in matters of spiritual conviction (besides, that democratic document will no longer exist).
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Continued on next page
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