St. Charles | Bob Ingle
June 29, 2025
John 7:25-36

“But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” John 20:31 (NIV)

“At that point some of the people of Jerusalem began to ask, “Isn’t this the man they are trying to kill? Here he is, speaking publicly, and they are not saying a word to him. Have the authorities really concluded that he is the Messiah? But we know where this man is from; when the Messiah comes, no one will know where he is from.” Then Jesus, still teaching in the temple courts, cried out, “Yes, you know me, and you know where I am from. I am not here on my own authority, but he who sent me is true. You do not know him, but I know him because I am from him and he sent me.” At this they tried to seize him, but no one laid a hand on him, because his hour had not yet come. Still, many in the crowd believed in him. They said, “When the Messiah comes, will he perform more signs than this man?” The Pharisees heard the crowd whispering such things about him. Then the chief priests and the Pharisees sent temple guards to arrest him. Jesus said, “I am with you for only a short time, and then I am going to the one who sent me. You will look for me, but you will not find me; and where I am, you cannot come.” The Jews said to one another, “Where does this man intend to go that we cannot find him? Will he go where our people live scattered among the Greeks, and teach the Greeks? What did he mean when he said, ‘You will look for me, but you will not find me,’ and ‘Where I am, you cannot come’?” John 7:25-36 (NIV)

* Instead of Believing in Jesus…

1. They Critiqued His CREDENTIALS.

“At that point some of the people of Jerusalem began to ask, “Isn’t this the man they are trying to kill? Here he is, speaking publicly, and they are not saying a word to him. Have the authorities really concluded that he is the Messiah? But we know where this man is from; when the Messiah comes, no one will know where he is from.” John 7:25-27 (NIV)

“I will send my messenger, who will prepare the way before me. Then SUDDENLY the Lord you are seeking will come to his temple; the messenger of the covenant, whom you desire, will come,” says the Lord Almighty.” Malachi 3:1 (NIV)

• The greatest obstacle to belief is not IGNORANCE; it is ARROGANCE that thinks it already knows.

* Instead of Believing in Jesus…

2. They Ignored His INVITATION.

“Then Jesus, still teaching in the temple courts, cried out, “Yes, you know me, and you know where I am from. I am not here on my own authority, but he who sent me is true. You do not know him, but I know him because I am from him and he sent me.”” John 7:28-29 (NIV)

“All day long I have held out my hands to an obstinate people, who walk in ways not good, pursuing their own imaginations.” Isaiah 65:2 (NIV)

“No one who denies the Son has the Father; whoever acknowledges the Son has the Father also.” 1 John 2:23 (NIV) 

• Jesus’ invitation is EXTENDED to everyone, but it won’t be ENDLESS for anyone.

* Instead of Believing in Jesus…

3. They Determined Their DESTINY.

“Then the chief priests and the Pharisees sent temple guards to arrest him. Jesus said, “I am with you for only a short time, and then I am going to the one who sent me. You will look for me, but you will not find me; and where I am, you cannot come.” The Jews said to one another, “Where does this man intend to go that we cannot find him? Will he go where our people live scattered among the Greeks, and teach the Greeks? What did he mean when he said, ‘You will look for me, but you will not find me,’ and ‘Where I am, you cannot come’?” John 7:32-36 (NIV)

*3 Crucial Truths:

-> Truth #1: Salvation is URGENT!

“I am with you for only a short time, and then I am going to the one who sent me.” “For God says, “At just the right time, I heard you. On the day of salvation, I helped you.” Indeed, the “right time” is now. TODAY is the day of salvation.” 2 Corinthians 6:2 (NLT)

“As has just been said: “TODAY, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion.” Hebrews 3:15 (NIV)

-> Truth #2: Opportunity Is TEMPORARY!

“You will look for me, but you will not find me…”

• Every ‘NOT NOW’ is a soft ‘NO’ that grows stronger with time.

-> Truth #3: Hell Is FOREVER!

“…and where I am, you cannot come.” “Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”” John 14:6 (NIV)

A Sliver of Light…

“Still, many in the crowd BELIEVED IN HIM. They said, “When the Messiah comes, will he perform more signs than this man?”” John 7:31 (NIV)