1/18/26, Melrose Community Church, Sunday Service

This sermon examines John chapter 7 as a critical turning point in Jesus' ministry, where opposition intensifies dramatically. The passage reveals Jesus attending the Feast of Tabernacles in Jerusalem despite growing threats to His life. Through this narrative, we see Jesus consistently choosing God's timing, teaching, and plan over human wisdom and worldly strategies. The sermon emphasizes four key contrasts between Jesus' divine approach and humanity's natural tendencies, culminating in Jesus' powerful invitation for the spiritually thirsty to come to Him for living water. The message challenges believers to boldly confess Christ despite fear of opposition, recognizing that Jesus willingly followed God's plan to the cross for our salvation, demonstrating both victory and voluntary sacrifice rather than mere victimhood.

Discussion Questions:

• From John seven, how is it that the choices of the world were so different from the choices of Christ?

• What does it mean to know and choose the will of God?

• After reading Romans 10:9-10 and Matthew 10:32-33, how would you describe the significance of verbally confessing Jesus Christ?

• In John 7:39 Jesus said the Spirit would come after His death and resurrection. List some of the work the Holy Spirit does (cf. John 14:26; 16:8; Ephesians 1:13; 5:18; 1 Corinthians 12:4; Titus 3:5).