Scripture Reading: John 10:22-30

They Surrounded Jesus

Intro.

1. Great multitudes followed Jesus, Matt. 4:25; Jno. 6:2.

a. Sometimes, Jesus engaged them with miraculous acts of compassion, and with words of truth, Matt. 14:14; Lk. 14:25-27.

b. Sometimes, Jesus withdrew from them, Jno. 6:15.

c. Sometimes, Jesus called the multitude together, Matt. 15:10.

2. Jesus would not be controlled by the crowd; His purpose was to do His Father’s will. Enemies were lurking, looking for opportunities to destroy Him, Psa. 22:12-13 (“bulls have surrounded me”).

3. On such an occasion, the Jewish leaders surrounded Jesus to accuse Him and entrap Him, Jno. 10:22-26.

4. Why do people surround Jesus? Why do we surround Jesus?

I. HOW WE TREAT HIS WORD AND HIS PEOPLE, IS HOW WE TREAT JESUS, Matt. 25:40, 45; Acts 9:1, 4.

A. We Cannot Physically Surround Jesus, but We Do So Figuratively, by the Posture We Take Toward His Word and His People, Jno. 12:48.

1. His apostles, Matt. 10:40; Jno. 13:20. cf. 2 Thess. 2:15.

2. We cannot receive Jesus, but refuse His word, Jno. 14:6.

a. Through false plans of salvation (faith only, etc.).

b. Through false worship, Jno. 4:23-24.

c. Through immoral living, Eph. 5:1-7.

d. Through false teaching, 2 John 9.

3. Peter told to love Jesus by caring for His sheep, Jno. 21:15-17; Rom. 12:10.

II. WHY DO PEOPLE SURROUND JESUS?

A. Some, because He Has the Words of Eternal Life.

1. Faith compels us to surround Jesus, Jno. 6:66-69.

2. Merciful forgiveness He gives, compels us, Lk. 15:1-2.

3. Do not be distracted, Lk. 10:38-42.

B. Some, because they Want to be Like Him and be Blessed by Him, Lk. 6:17-19, 40.

C. Some, because they have Selfish Expectations of Personal Benefit.

1. Selfish encircling, looking for personal advantage, Jno. 6:25-26 (70-71). (Ex. Some become Christians to gain a spouse, a job…)

2. Felix was of this sort, Acts 24:25-27.

D. Some, because they Disagree with His Word, and They Want to Expose it as False, and Discourage Others.

1. Testing, not seeking for truth, Lk. 11:29, 53-54; Matt. 22:34-35.

2. cf. Stephen’s opponents, Acts 6:8-15, 54-58.

3. cf. Paul’s opponents, Acts 14:19-20 (2 Cor. 11:24-26).

4. This is fighting against God, Acts 5:38-39.

E. Some, because they Cannot Overcome Him and His Truth, so they Rally Allies to Resist and Oppose Him, Matt. 26:1-5.

1. This is the work of the devil, Rev. 12:7-8, 12-13.

2. Servants of the devil appear righteous, as they resist and oppose Jesus, His truth and His faithful ones, 2 Cor. 11:12-15.

3. Examples:

a. When family opposes you because of truth, Matt. 10:34-36.

b. When brethren forsake truth for the world, 2 Tim. 4:10.

c. When people undermine the influence of truth and of faithful brethren out of envy, or other evil motives (Matt. 27:18).

Conclusion

1. Jesus knows what everyone around Him is thinking, doing, and what their motives are, Jno. 2:23-25.

2. We must be sure we surround Jesus with every good and godly reason: To hear, to believe, to obey and to be blessed by Him (Jno. 10:11).

By: Joe R. Price

Posted: November 30, 2017