“Study of John 7:25-53”

Wednesday, April 15, 2026 Presented by: Richard Marin How to test “new light” God brings light into the world (John 1:4-5). Satan brings darkness. Light dispels darkness. To every generation God brings new light. To every generation Satan brings new darkness disguised at light, for he comes as an angel of light (2 Cor. 11:14). How can we tell the difference? In a doctrinal confrontation in John 7, Jesus teaches us how to judge. Even in our own denomination there are numerous independent ministries. Some teaching one thing. Others teaching just the opposite. Paul tells us to “Prove all things, hold fast that which is good” (1 Thes. 5:21). Some of our own local elders and church attendees conduct independent ministries. These include Franklin, Rod, Gil, and myself. We need to test any ministry before supporting or condemning it.   THE STORY PEOPLE ARE CONFUSED AUTHORITIES ARE OPPOSED WE ARE TO JUDGE THE STORY (1-53) A. Death threat (1-2, 10-24) 1. Galilee vs Judea (1) 2. Tabernacles (2) 3. The Jews & the people (11-12) 4. Jesus taught in the temple = 37 Acres (14) 5. If you obey you will know (17) 6. Some preach themselves (2 Cor. 4:5) (18) 7. Moses gave 2 Laws (19-24) B. Is this the Christ (25-31) 1. Jews let him talk publicly? believe? – do nothing (25-26) 2. He is NOT – false idea origins Isa. 53:8 & Mal. 3:1 (27) 3. You don’t know God nor my hour (28-30) 4. Miracles are good, but not a test (31) C. Arrest warrant (32-36) 1. Pharisees heard by informants (32) 2. Pharisees & chief priests (32) 3. Jesus said: “I’m out of here” (33-34) 4. He is confused, we can’t understand him (35-36) D. Living water (37-53) 1. The Claim – I am the Rock from whom water flows (37-39) 2. Prophet or Christ, Christ vs Galilee (40-44) 3. Officers return – Why no hand cuffs? (45) 4. He is different – doesn’t quote the fathers (Matt. 7:29) (46) 5. Have any rulers or Pharisees believed (47-48) 6. Lower class can’t understand these things – Gnosis (49) 7. Nicodemus – the Solution – hear him first (51) 8. No Galilean prophet = bluff (52)   I. PEOPLE ARE CONFUSED (43) 1. Good or Deceiver – (12) 2. Not allowed open discussion – disfellowship (13) 3. Who seeks to kill you? (20) This is the one (25) 4. This is the Prophet, the Christ, the Deceiver (40-44) 5. We know where he is from, won’t know 27, Betlehem 42-43   II. AUTHORITIES ARE OPPOSED 1. Clandestine approach to murder (Charlie Kirk) (1) 2. Quelled open discussion – disfellowship (13) 3. Limited truth to denominational seminaries – (15) 4. Were skilled hypocrites – hard to detect (20) 5. Despised public confrontation (26) 6. They had informant spies (32) 7. No homework on birthplace, Hosea, Jonah, Nahum (42, 52) 8. Ruled as higher class vs unlearned Galileans (47-49)   III. WE ARE TO JUDGE Prove all things (1 Thes. 5:21) A. False standards 1. Does his family accept him? (5) 2. If there is opposition it must be wrong (7) 3. Open discussion should not be allowed (13) 4. Was he educated in our schools? (15) 5. Is he prosperous? Ron Hubbard Scientology = money (16) 6. It is fine to make up your own theology (18) 7. Do the rulers believe? (26) 8. Only us in the know (Gnostics) understand – secret meet (28) 9. Superstition is a good basis for judging – unknown origin (28) 10. Do the majority believe him (17, 28) B. True standards (hearing before judging [51]): 1. Expect opposition (1, 7) Can’t speak openly (13) 2. Not self-made, invented, original doctrine – God revealed (16) 3. Believers accept – unbelievers can’t discern (17) 4. What is the source of his doctrine? Scholars or Word (17) 5. Is he a personal glory seeker (18) 6. Don’t judge by appearance but by Law (22-24) 7. Open, not secret meetings? “cried out” “hear first (28, 51) 8. Not based on superstition “You know me & where I’m…” (28) 9. Signs & spiritual behavior result (Heb. 2:4) (31) 10. Door of acceptance may close, grace has time limits (33-36)     Satan hopes to involve the remnant people of God in the general ruin that is coming upon the earth. As the coming of Christ draws nigh, he will be more determined and decisive in his efforts to overthrow them. Men and women will arise professing to have some new light or some new revelation whose tendency is to unsettle faith in the old landmarks. Their doctrines will not bear the test of God’s word, yet souls will be deceived. { CCh 344.4; CPI.626.1 } False reports will be circulated, and some will be taken in this snare. They will believe these rumors and in their turn will repeat them, and thus a link will be formed connecting them with the archdeceiver. This spirit will not always be manifested in an open defiance of the messages that God sends, but a settled unbelief is expressed in many ways. Every false statement that is made feeds and strengthens this unbelief, and through this means many souls will be balanced in the wrong direction. { CCh 344.5; CPI.626.1 } We cannot be too watchful against every form of error, for Satan is constantly seeking to draw men from the truth.613 { CCh 344.6; CPI.627.1 } Our brethren should be willing to investigate in a candid way every point of controversy. If a brother is teaching error, those who are in responsible positions ought to know it; and if he is teaching truth, they ought to take their stand at his side. We should all know what is being taught among us; for if it is truth, we need it. We are all under obligation to God to know what He sends us. He has given directions by which we may test every doctrine,—“To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.” If the light presented meets this test, we are not to refuse to accept it because it does not agree with our ideas.—Gospel Workers, 300, 301. { CW 43.3; OP.43.3 } We can see the importance, then, of having true faith, for it is the motive power of the Christian’s life and action; but feeling is not faith; emotion is not faith. We must bring our very work and thought and emotions to the test of the word, and true faith will be profoundly impressed by the voice of God, and will act accordingly. If people would only search the Scriptures more diligently, false doctrines and heresies would be fewer. When anyone comes to you with a new doctrine, you should challenge him to prove it by the word of God. The test is written: “To the law and to the testimony; if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.” { ST November 24, 1887, par. 6 } The knowledge of divine truth is promised to those who will render obedience to the light and truth that have been given to them. An entrance into the strait gate is not dependent upon the possession of learning or riches, but it is dependent upon the possession of a teachable spirit. He who appreciates the first ray of heavenly light, and appropriates it, and walks in it, bringing his actions into harmony with that ray, and becoming sanctified through it, will receive yet more light. He will understand that the gospel is the plan of salvation…. { YRP 110.3; RP.112.3 } He who has an obedient heart, that is ready to do the will of God, will not only gladly receive truth, but will earnestly seek for truth as for hidden treasure. He will come to the Scriptures with a humble and teachable spirit, seeking to understand how he may walk in the light, and saying, “Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?” ( Acts 9:6). He is ready to sacrifice anything and everything, if required, in order that he may be in harmony with the will of God. { YRP 110.4; RP.112.4 }