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AfterThoughts: January 04, 2026

January 4, 2026
Who Is This Man?
John 7:1–20 

This week, Dr. David Eldridge continued the series from the Gospel of John. In these verses, he explanded on two points: 

  • Don't expect everyone to embrace your faith.
  • Don't expect everyone to agree with the teachings of your faith.

GOING DEEPER: 

  • While the Feast of Booths (Tabernacles) was a joyous time of celebration, the presence of Jesus transformed the celebration into a time of confrontation with His family (John 7:1–6). By the end of this week, the religious leaders in Jerusalem were going to try to arrest Jesus and kill Him. Pastor David reminded us that we should not expect everyone to embrace our faith (John 7:3–5). While two of Jesus’ half-brothers eventually wrote two of the books of the New Testament, in John 7 even His brothers and sisters didn’t believe in Him. When do you face this kind of rejection from your family, friends, or co-workers? How can you continue to patiently pray, through the power of the Holy Spirit, for those who do not embrace your faith?
     
  • Pastor David also shared that we should not expect everyone to agree with the teachings of Jesus (John 7:7–20). Jesus called out sin, which wasn’t popular then and isn’t now. They hated Jesus because He had the nerve to say that sinful behavior was evil. As we continue to grow and understand the teachings of Jesus in our own lives, we will continue to be out of step with the world. What issue(s) in our current culture make you feel tension with the world or with those around you?
  • While we should always be discerning when someone says God told them to tell us something, that does not apply to Jesus or His teachings recorded for us in the Bible. Each person must continually affirm that we absolutely trust the words of Jesus. While the world sees all religions as equal paths to a right relationship with God, we must accept that the words of Jesus found in the Word of God go against the prevailing themes of our world (John 14:6; Luke 9:23; John 8:11; Matthew 7:21; Luke 5:32; Mark 8:36; Matthew 5:44; and Matthew 28:18). Do you see Jesus as the authority for your life? Does He get the first word and the last word for what is true, what is good, and what is beautiful in your life?
  • As we stand at the beginning of this time of making resolutions, Jesus calls us to surrender. Resolutions can be helpful, but surrender anchors us when our obedience is costly. We must say this and settle it each and every day: Jesus, You have authority over my life, over my words, over my relationships, over my calendar, and over my everything. Are there areas of your life that are off-limits to God? How can you change your schedule this week to make more time for confession and repentance and for thankfulness and praise for His forgiveness? What spiritual disciplines can you embrace this year that will help you be more formed in the image of Jesus?

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES: 

  • To view past sermons, please click here.

The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace. Numbers 6:24–26

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