Everyone has an opinion about Jesus—but how are you responding to Him? In John 7:25–34, we see three different responses to Jesus: some are confused about who He is, some are opposed to Him, and many believe in Him. Jesus reveals that He is the eternal Son of God, truly God and truly man, sent from the Father to be our Redeemer.
The passage also reminds us that God is sovereign over the opposition His people face and that even weak faith can be genuine faith when its object is Jesus Christ. Most importantly, Jesus warns us not to delay our response to Him. There is such a thing as seeking Christ too late. Today is the day of salvation.
Sermon Outline
1. Some Are Confused About Jesus
John 7:25–29
The crowd misunderstands where the Messiah would come from.
They are confused about Jesus’ earthly origin.
More importantly, they do not understand His divine origin.
Jesus reveals that He has come from the Father as the eternal Son of God.
We must receive Jesus as He has revealed Himself, rather than creating our own idea of who He is.
2. Some Are Opposed to Jesus
John 7:30–32
The religious leaders hear Jesus’ claims and oppose Him.
They seek to arrest Him and silence Him.
Yet they cannot touch Him because “his hour had not yet come.”
God is sovereign over the opposition His Church faces.
The Church continues because God sovereignly preserves His people and advances His gospel.
3. Many Believe in Jesus
John 7:31
Many people believe in Jesus because of His teaching and mighty works.
Their faith is still weak and somewhat uncertain.
Yet weak faith can be genuine faith.
We are not saved by the strength of our faith but by the object of our faith—Jesus Christ.
We gather for preaching and the Lord’s Supper because our faith continually needs to be strengthened.
4. Believe in Jesus While There Is Still Time
John 7:33–34
Jesus warns that He will not remain with them forever.
There is such a thing as seeking the truth too late.
We must not delay responding to Christ.
Today is the day of salvation: repent of your sins and put your trust in Jesus.
Study Questions
What are the three responses to Jesus described in this passage?
Why were the people confused about Jesus? What did they misunderstand about the Old Testament and Jesus’ earthly origin?
What does Jesus reveal about His true origin in verses 28–29?
Why is it important that Jesus is both truly God and truly man?
What are some ways people today misunderstand who Jesus is?
How were the religious leaders different from the confused crowd? Why were they opposed to Jesus?
What does verse 30 teach us about God’s sovereignty? How does this encourage us when the Church faces opposition?
What does it mean that many people “believed in him” in verse 31?
How can weak faith still be genuine faith? What makes faith effective—the strength of our faith or the object of our faith?
Why do Christians need preaching and the Lord’s Supper to strengthen their faith?
What warning does Jesus give in verses 33–34? What does it mean to seek Christ “too late”?
How should this passage affect the way you respond to Jesus today?
Are you confused about Jesus, opposed to Jesus, or trusting in Jesus? What would it look like to respond to Him rightly?
What is one truth from this passage that you want to remember and put into practice this week?
Key Takeaway
Don’t remain confused about Jesus or opposed to Him. Believe in Him while there is still time. Today is the day of salvation.