Reading: How Not to Make Up Your Mind (Slides)

How Not to Make Up Your Mind
by David Feddes

Jumping to conclusions: How not to make up your mind

•       Publicity

•       Hearsay

•       Institution

•       Assumptions

•       Prejudice

Publicity?

Jesus’ brothers said to him, “You ought to leave here and go to Judea, so that your disciples may see the miracles you do. No one who wants to become a public figure acts in secret. Since you are doing these things, show yourself to the world.” For even his own brothers did not believe in him. (John 7:3-5)

Hearsay?

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.” Yet for fear of the Jews no one spoke openly of him. (John 7:12-13)

Institution?

Jesus went up into the temple and began teaching. The Jews therefore marvelled, saying, “How is it that this man has learning, when he has never studied?” So Jesus answered them, “My teaching is not mine, but his who sent me. 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. (John 7:14-17)

Assumptions?

Jesus said to them, “I did one miracle, and you are all astonished… Now if a child can be circumcised on the Sabbath so that the law of Moses may not be broken, why are you angry with me for healing the whole man on the Sabbath? Stop judging by mere appearances, and make a right judgment.” (John 7:21-24)

Assumptions?

“But we know where this man is from; when the Christ comes, no one will know where he is from.” (John 7:27)

“How can the Christ come from Galilee? Does not the Scripture say that the Christ will come from David’s family and from Bethlehem, the town where David lived?” (John 7:41-42)

Nothing good from Galilee?

In the future [God] will honor Galilee... The people walking in darkness have seen a great light... For to us a child is born... And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.     (Isaiah 9:1-6)

Prejudice?

“Has any of the rulers or of the Pharisees believed in him? No! But this mob that knows nothing of the law—there is a curse on them.”

Nicodemus, who had gone to Jesus earlier and who was one of their own number, asked, “Does our law condemn anyone without first hearing him to find out what he is doing?”

They replied, “Are you from Galilee, too? Look into it, and you will find that a prophet does not come out of Galilee.” (John 7:48-52)

Jumping to conclusions: How not to make up your mind

•       Publicity

•       Hearsay

•       Academic credentials

•       Assumptions

•       Prejudice

Right judgment

“Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment.” (John 7:24)

1. Do not judge by appearances.

Avoid misleading ways of deciding what is true and right.

2. Judge with right judgment.

Embrace sound methods for deciding what is true and right.

Sensing God in Jesus

•    Jesus’ works: Yet many of the people believed in him. They said, “When the Christ appears, will he do more signs than this man has done?” (John 7:31)

•    Jesus’ words: The officers answered, “No one ever spoke like this man!” (John 7:46)

•    Jesus’ Spirit: “It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all.” (John 6:63)

Knowing God in Jesus

Jesus’ works: “I did one miracle, and you are all astonished… Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment.” (John 7:21,24)

Jesus’ words: “If anyone's will is to do God’s will, he will know whether the teaching is from God.” (John 7:16-17)

Jesus’ Spirit: “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’”  Now this he said about the Spirit. (John 7:37-39)