54 and coming to his hometown he taught them in their synagogue, so that they were astonished, and said, “Where did this man get this wisdom and these mighty works? 55 Is not this the carpenter's son? Is not his mother called Mary? And are not his brothers James and Joseph and Simon and Judas? 56 And are not all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all these things?”  Matthew 13:54-56

Studies in John’s Gospel Chapter 7 Brotherly Lessons Studies in John’s Gospel Chapter 7

It Is Possible To Be Familiar With Christ And His Gospel And Yet Not Believe.

MANY BELIEVED BUT DID NOT ACT John 12:42 - rulers James 2:19 - demons Acts 24:22, 25 - Felix MANY BELIEVED BUT DID NOT ACT

SOME DO NOT BELIEVE BECAUSE They do not know Him They are prejudiced They are afraid They are blinded by Satan SOME DO NOT BELIEVE BECAUSE

2 Thessalonians 1:6-9a …it is only just for God to repay with affliction those who afflict you, 7and to give relief to you who are afflicted …when the Lord Jesus will be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire, 8 dealing out retribution to those who do not know God and to those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. 9 These will pay the penalty of eternal destruction…

It Is Foolish And Wrong To Take Comfort In Outward Privileges

Jesus’ Brothers Saw His Life… And it did no good Belief is the key, shown by action

John 15:10 If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.

Jesus’ Brothers Saw His Life… And it did no good Belief is the key, shown by action God will ask you.. what are you doing?

1 Peter 4:17-18 For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18And if it is with difficulty that the righteous is saved, what will become of the godless man and the sinner?

It Is Vital To Penetrate Through Acquaintance To Spiritual Knowledge

Jesus’ Brothers Knew Him 30 yrs… And didn’t know Him! Some Christians know Jesus 30 yrs… and don’t know Him either Don’t comprehend faith, Don’t understand devotion, Don’t see fellowship

Knowledge without application is useless.

To “not believe” Is To Reject Christ In All His Offices

Rejecting Christ as …. A prophet (inspired teacher)? A priest (a lying mediator) ?

Hebrews 7:26-27 it was fitting for us to have such a high priest, holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners and exalted above the heavens; 27who does not need daily, like those high priests, to offer up sacrifices…because this He did once for all when He offered up Himself.

Rejecting Christ as …. A prophet (inspired teacher)? A priest (a lying mediator) ? A king? Blessing his own Waging war on his foes

Zechariah 6:13 Yes, it is He who will build the temple of the LORD, and He who will bear the honor and sit and rule on His throne. Thus, He will be a priest on His throne

John 12:48 He who rejects Me and does not receive My sayings, has one who judges him; the word I spoke is what will judge him at the last day.

What is the Course of Wisdom? Believe and Obey what you know to be the truth Seek past superficial facts to true spirituality Lay hold of the “anointed one” in all His glory