Willing to Do His Will

Text: John 7:14-24

 

I.         Two students enter a classroom.

            A.        One is excited about the prospect of learning this subject. Though he hasn’t started yet, he has plans on how he is going to put this knowledge to use in his life. He knows it will be beneficial and he can’t wait to get started.

            B.        The other drags himself to a desk. He doesn’t want to be there; it’s a stupid subject anyway. He’s only there because its required. He can’t wait for the class to end.

            C.        Two student in the same classroom with the same teacher hearing the same material. But will they have the same result?

            D.        The only difference is attitude but one will learn far more than the other.

II.        The Jews heard Jesus teaching, but they weren’t excited about the lessons - John 7:15

            A.        It wasn’t what Jesus said, or the accuracy of his teaching that irritated them.

                        1.         They were stuck on “How did this guy get so smart?”

                        2.         They weren’t willing to learn from someone who wasn’t trained by their best teachers.

            B.        Jesus pointed out that it isn’t about the teacher but the material being taught - John 7:16

            C.        And then the telling point: if a person wants to obey God, then he’ll recognize whether Jesus is teaching God’s will or his own.

                        1.         In other words, their attitude impacts their ability to distinguish truth from error.

III.       Why is it that loving God is the greatest command? - Matthew 22:37-38

            A.        Loving God naturally leads to doing His will - Deuteronomy 10:12-13

                        1.         The love of God is the keeping of His commands - I John 5:2-3

                        2.         Jesus said the same thing - John 14:15

            B.        The problem with the Jews was a lack of love for God - John 5:39-44

                        1.         People often think of the Pharisees as being legalistic, but Jesus’ point is that they weren’t obedient and they were willing to learn because they lack a love for God.

                        2.         Oh, they had some of the finer points of the law down, but they missed the major points - Matthew 23:23-24

            C.        A sincere love for God drives a person to learn all he can - Psalms 119:97-104

            D.        Without a love for God, there is no real understanding

                        1.         Why some learn without coming to an understanding - II Timothy 3:6-7

            E.        Without love for truth there is no drive to remain accurate - II Thessalonians 2:9-12

IV.      But along with this is the drive to put what is learned into practice

            A.        It is the ones who have their senses exercised who can distinguish good and evil - Hebrew 5:14

            B.        Can’t just be hearers, but must also be doers - James 1:21-25

                        1.         God’s word is to be received with meekness – it is more important than self – and then put into practice.

                        2.         As James later says - James 4:7-10

            C.        There is no real faith without works - James 2:14-17

                        1.         That is why Israel was called both unbelieving and disobedient - Hebrews 3:18-19

            D.        There is no foundation without works - Luke 6:47-49

V.        The Word of God reveals the thoughts and intents of the heart - Hebrews 4:12

            A.        Are you eager to do as God asked of you?

            B.        Are you willing to do His Will?