FBC Sunrise Beach
The Stonewall of the Heart

      • 1 Thessalonians 5:17ESV

  • Amazing Grace
  • Set My Soul Afire

      • Ephesians 2:8–9ESV

  • Song

      • Titus 2:11ESV

  • Just As I Am
  • I Have Decided to Follow Jesus
  • Bible Passage: John 7:14–24
    Hosea 10:12 ESV
    12 Sow for yourselves righteousness; reap steadfast love; break up your fallow ground, for it is the time to seek the Lord, that he may come and rain righteousness upon you.
    John 7:16–18 ESV
    16 So Jesus answered them, “My teaching is not mine, but his who sent me. 17 If anyone’s will is to do God’s will, he will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own authority. 18 The one who speaks on his own authority seeks his own glory; but the one who seeks the glory of him who sent him is true, and in him there is no falsehood.
    Summary: In John 7:14–24, Jesus enters the temple and begins to teach, stirring up tension among the people. His profound insights and claims about His authority provoke questions and skepticism, leading to a confrontation with those who prioritize tradition and their understanding over His message. This passage illustrates the clash between spiritual truth and human misunderstanding, revealing the barriers that exist in recognizing Jesus as the Messiah.
    Application: This sermon can help Christians identify the barriers that prevent them from fully embracing Christ's teachings. By examining the reasons behind their resistance—such as fear of change, cultural pressures, or pride—they can be empowered to dismantle these obstacles and deepen their faith in Jesus as the true source of wisdom and life.
    Teaching: This sermon teaches that genuine faith often requires us to challenge our preconceived notions about God and to be willing to confront our resistance to His truth. It emphasizes the importance of humility and openness in the process of faith development, showing how barriers can hinder a deeper relationship with Christ.
    How this passage could point to Christ: Throughout the Bible, Christ is presented as the cornerstone that many reject. His mission exposes the flaws in human reasoning and invites all to see Him as the ultimate truth. Jesus' interactions often reveal how societal and religious expectations serve as barriers to accepting His message, demonstrating His role as the ultimate reconciler.
    Big Idea: To embrace Christ fully, we must be willing to confront our misconceptions and dismantle the barriers that inhibit our faith journey.
    Recommended Study: I encourage you to study the historical and cultural context of the religious practices during the Feast of Tabernacles, as this can illuminate why Jesus faced such resistance. You may also find it helpful to explore commentaries on the theme of judgment in the Gospels using Logos to understand how perceptions of authority can lead to a rejection of Christ's message.

    1. Authority of Divine Wisdom

    John 7:14–16 ESV
    14 About the middle of the feast Jesus went up into the temple and began teaching. 15 The Jews therefore marveled, saying, “How is it that this man has learning, when he has never studied?” 16 So Jesus answered them, “My teaching is not mine, but his who sent me.
    Here we see Jesus’ wisdom
    this is a huge note in the life of Jesus
    as we examine His life we see a man who is divine
    but where does this knowledge come from
    When it comes to Christ His wisdom always comes from the Father
    the words of the Bible came from God Himself
    Jesus’ teachings are the same
    the words of Christ came from the Father as they are one
    The questions of the Jews come aggressively but also out of confusion
    they do not understand how this man could have this knowledge when He has never studied
    In this we see Jesus giving instruction
    As Christians this is a huge reminder
    as believers we have to be very careful in the Word of God
    in the sense that we must take everything as truth
    the truths of the Gospel are not something to be looked over
    they are not something to conform or manipulate
    instead they are something that should be adhered to
    with great reverence
    The divine wisdom of God must come before human credentials
    It does not matter how many letters come before their name
    God’s credential trumps mans credentials
    We must be adhering to the teaching of the Father at all times in the Gospel
    Recognizing and trusting Jesus authority
    and taking a stance that is not willing to compromise the ultimate truth’s of the Gospel
    Perhaps you could begin by exploring how Jesus' teaching in the temple amazed many but also stirred up skepticism due to His lack of formal training. This section highlights the importance of seeking divine wisdom over human credentials, suggesting that genuine faith requires openness to God's voice, even when it challenges our expectations. By focusing on Jesus' authority as coming from the Father, we can invite others to reconsider their own barriers to belief, emphasizing humility as a key to unlocking deeper faith.

    2. Step Out in Faith

    John 7:17–19 ESV
    17 If anyone’s will is to do God’s will, he will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own authority. 18 The one who speaks on his own authority seeks his own glory; but the one who seeks the glory of him who sent him is true, and in him there is no falsehood. 19 Has not Moses given you the law? Yet none of you keeps the law. Why do you seek to kill me?”
    Jesus then calls for a test of faith
    He tells the people present that they must follow this teaching
    they must step out in faithful obedience
    but they must do so in proper understanding
    Serving for our own Glory is not why we serve
    this leaves that skepticism masks a reluctance to obey
    This is a call to trust the teachings of Christ!
    not just in faith but in action
    The reality is many of us look at a sermon title like this one and say this sermon must be for the unbeliever
    WRONG: This sermon is just as much for the believer
    The negating of application is just the stonewall of the heart not letting the Gospel do its work!
    The Gospel has the ability to speak into all of our lives at any moment if we allow the Holy Spirit to work
    the problem is we have put up these walls around our faith and stoned off the heart to sanctification
    God is working in the life of the Believer where we allow Him to work
    amidst a time of Spiritual moving in our church we must be careful to prevent the walls from building up in the heart
    As believer’s in Christ we are called to act upon the teachings of Christ
    not just listen to them
    as Jesus says we are to seek His will and we will adhere to the teachings
    why?
    for the Glory of God
    not for the Glory of man
    You could delve into Jesus' call for people to test His teachings by practicing them, stressing that understanding God's will is contingent upon doing His will. Perhaps this point illustrates how intellectual skepticism often masks a reluctance to obey. By inviting believers to step out in faith and apply Jesus’ words, you can highlight how obedience dissolves doubt. This encourages the audience to confront their apprehensions and experience the transformative power of living out Jesus’ teachings.

    3. See Beyond the Surface

    John 7:20–24 ESV
    20 The crowd answered, “You have a demon! Who is seeking to kill you?” 21 Jesus answered them, “I did one work, and you all marvel at it. 22 Moses gave you circumcision (not that it is from Moses, but from the fathers), and you circumcise a man on the Sabbath. 23 If on the Sabbath a man receives circumcision, so that the law of Moses may not be broken, are you angry with me because on the Sabbath I made a man’s whole body well? 24 Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment.”
    Lastly Jesus addresses their resistance officially
    Jesus addresses their doubts
    Jesus analyzes their judgment looking at past and present
    in this judgment they find that they should not judge on appearances
    they should judge with right judgment
    judgment from the heart
    Judgment through Scripture
    Judgment through truth
    Jesus has stated who He is and His authority yet the Jews have even rejected this
    Some of His Disciples have proven their doubts
    Jesus is telling them and us how we can tell true God glorifying work from man glorifying work
    Jesus is emphasizing that man has a tendency to allow their judgment to be swayed by the world or circumstances
    not by scripture and the Father
    In this as Christians we must be cautious
    we must allow our stonewalls to fall down
    and call upon His name to be glorified!
    Maybe you can explore how Jesus addresses the crowd's reaction to His claim, exposing their judgment based on appearances and urging righteous judgment. This section challenges believers to look beyond surface-level attitudes and biases. By discussing the necessity of seeing with spiritual discernment rather than societal standards, you can encourage the congregation to break free from judgmental barriers that hinder recognizing Christ’s truth. Highlight how Jesus models perfect judgment to inspire personal reflection and growth.

      • John 7:16–18ESV

      • John 7:14–16ESV

      • John 7:17–19ESV

      • John 7:20–24ESV

  • Bible Passage: John 7:14–24
    Hosea 10:12 ESV
    12 Sow for yourselves righteousness; reap steadfast love; break up your fallow ground, for it is the time to seek the Lord, that he may come and rain righteousness upon you.
    John 7:16–18 ESV
    16 So Jesus answered them, “My teaching is not mine, but his who sent me. 17 If anyone’s will is to do God’s will, he will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own authority. 18 The one who speaks on his own authority seeks his own glory; but the one who seeks the glory of him who sent him is true, and in him there is no falsehood.
    Summary: In John 7:14–24, Jesus enters the temple and begins to teach, stirring up tension among the people. His profound insights and claims about His authority provoke questions and skepticism, leading to a confrontation with those who prioritize tradition and their understanding over His message. This passage illustrates the clash between spiritual truth and human misunderstanding, revealing the barriers that exist in recognizing Jesus as the Messiah.
    Application: This sermon can help Christians identify the barriers that prevent them from fully embracing Christ's teachings. By examining the reasons behind their resistance—such as fear of change, cultural pressures, or pride—they can be empowered to dismantle these obstacles and deepen their faith in Jesus as the true source of wisdom and life.
    Teaching: This sermon teaches that genuine faith often requires us to challenge our preconceived notions about God and to be willing to confront our resistance to His truth. It emphasizes the importance of humility and openness in the process of faith development, showing how barriers can hinder a deeper relationship with Christ.
    How this passage could point to Christ: Throughout the Bible, Christ is presented as the cornerstone that many reject. His mission exposes the flaws in human reasoning and invites all to see Him as the ultimate truth. Jesus' interactions often reveal how societal and religious expectations serve as barriers to accepting His message, demonstrating His role as the ultimate reconciler.
    Big Idea: To embrace Christ fully, we must be willing to confront our misconceptions and dismantle the barriers that inhibit our faith journey.
    Recommended Study: I encourage you to study the historical and cultural context of the religious practices during the Feast of Tabernacles, as this can illuminate why Jesus faced such resistance. You may also find it helpful to explore commentaries on the theme of judgment in the Gospels using Logos to understand how perceptions of authority can lead to a rejection of Christ's message.

    1. Authority of Divine Wisdom

    John 7:14–16 ESV
    14 About the middle of the feast Jesus went up into the temple and began teaching. 15 The Jews therefore marveled, saying, “How is it that this man has learning, when he has never studied?” 16 So Jesus answered them, “My teaching is not mine, but his who sent me.
    Here we see Jesus’ wisdom
    this is a huge note in the life of Jesus
    as we examine His life we see a man who is divine
    but where does this knowledge come from
    When it comes to Christ His wisdom always comes from the Father
    the words of the Bible came from God Himself
    Jesus’ teachings are the same
    the words of Christ came from the Father as they are one
    The questions of the Jews come aggressively but also out of confusion
    they do not understand how this man could have this knowledge when He has never studied
    In this we see Jesus giving instruction
    As Christians this is a huge reminder
    as believers we have to be very careful in the Word of God
    in the sense that we must take everything as truth
    the truths of the Gospel are not something to be looked over
    they are not something to conform or manipulate
    instead they are something that should be adhered to
    with great reverence
    The divine wisdom of God must come before human credentials
    It does not matter how many letters come before their name
    God’s credential trumps mans credentials
    We must be adhering to the teaching of the Father at all times in the Gospel
    Recognizing and trusting Jesus authority
    and taking a stance that is not willing to compromise the ultimate truth’s of the Gospel
    Perhaps you could begin by exploring how Jesus' teaching in the temple amazed many but also stirred up skepticism due to His lack of formal training. This section highlights the importance of seeking divine wisdom over human credentials, suggesting that genuine faith requires openness to God's voice, even when it challenges our expectations. By focusing on Jesus' authority as coming from the Father, we can invite others to reconsider their own barriers to belief, emphasizing humility as a key to unlocking deeper faith.

    2. Step Out in Faith

    John 7:17–19 ESV
    17 If anyone’s will is to do God’s will, he will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own authority. 18 The one who speaks on his own authority seeks his own glory; but the one who seeks the glory of him who sent him is true, and in him there is no falsehood. 19 Has not Moses given you the law? Yet none of you keeps the law. Why do you seek to kill me?”
    Jesus then calls for a test of faith
    He tells the people present that they must follow this teaching
    they must step out in faithful obedience
    but they must do so in proper understanding
    Serving for our own Glory is not why we serve
    this leaves that skepticism masks a reluctance to obey
    This is a call to trust the teachings of Christ!
    not just in faith but in action
    The reality is many of us look at a sermon title like this one and say this sermon must be for the unbeliever
    WRONG: This sermon is just as much for the believer
    The negating of application is just the stonewall of the heart not letting the Gospel do its work!
    The Gospel has the ability to speak into all of our lives at any moment if we allow the Holy Spirit to work
    the problem is we have put up these walls around our faith and stoned off the heart to sanctification
    God is working in the life of the Believer where we allow Him to work
    amidst a time of Spiritual moving in our church we must be careful to prevent the walls from building up in the heart
    As believer’s in Christ we are called to act upon the teachings of Christ
    not just listen to them
    as Jesus says we are to seek His will and we will adhere to the teachings
    why?
    for the Glory of God
    not for the Glory of man
    You could delve into Jesus' call for people to test His teachings by practicing them, stressing that understanding God's will is contingent upon doing His will. Perhaps this point illustrates how intellectual skepticism often masks a reluctance to obey. By inviting believers to step out in faith and apply Jesus’ words, you can highlight how obedience dissolves doubt. This encourages the audience to confront their apprehensions and experience the transformative power of living out Jesus’ teachings.

    3. See Beyond the Surface

    John 7:20–24 ESV
    20 The crowd answered, “You have a demon! Who is seeking to kill you?” 21 Jesus answered them, “I did one work, and you all marvel at it. 22 Moses gave you circumcision (not that it is from Moses, but from the fathers), and you circumcise a man on the Sabbath. 23 If on the Sabbath a man receives circumcision, so that the law of Moses may not be broken, are you angry with me because on the Sabbath I made a man’s whole body well? 24 Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment.”
    Lastly Jesus addresses their resistance officially
    Jesus addresses their doubts
    Jesus analyzes their judgment looking at past and present
    in this judgment they find that they should not judge on appearances
    they should judge with right judgment
    judgment from the heart
    Judgment through Scripture
    Judgment through truth
    Jesus has stated who He is and His authority yet the Jews have even rejected this
    Some of His Disciples have proven their doubts
    Jesus is telling them and us how we can tell true God glorifying work from man glorifying work
    Jesus is emphasizing that man has a tendency to allow their judgment to be swayed by the world or circumstances
    not by scripture and the Father
    In this as Christians we must be cautious
    we must allow our stonewalls to fall down
    and call upon His name to be glorified!
    Maybe you can explore how Jesus addresses the crowd's reaction to His claim, exposing their judgment based on appearances and urging righteous judgment. This section challenges believers to look beyond surface-level attitudes and biases. By discussing the necessity of seeing with spiritual discernment rather than societal standards, you can encourage the congregation to break free from judgmental barriers that hinder recognizing Christ’s truth. Highlight how Jesus models perfect judgment to inspire personal reflection and growth.

      • Hosea 10:12ESV

      • John 7:16–18ESV

      • John 7:14–16ESV

      • John 7:17–19ESV

      • John 7:20–24ESV

  • Bible Passage: John 7:14–24
    Hosea 10:12 ESV
    12 Sow for yourselves righteousness; reap steadfast love; break up your fallow ground, for it is the time to seek the Lord, that he may come and rain righteousness upon you.
    John 7:16–18 ESV
    16 So Jesus answered them, “My teaching is not mine, but his who sent me. 17 If anyone’s will is to do God’s will, he will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own authority. 18 The one who speaks on his own authority seeks his own glory; but the one who seeks the glory of him who sent him is true, and in him there is no falsehood.
    Summary: In John 7:14–24, Jesus enters the temple and begins to teach, stirring up tension among the people. His profound insights and claims about His authority provoke questions and skepticism, leading to a confrontation with those who prioritize tradition and their understanding over His message. This passage illustrates the clash between spiritual truth and human misunderstanding, revealing the barriers that exist in recognizing Jesus as the Messiah.
    Application: This sermon can help Christians identify the barriers that prevent them from fully embracing Christ's teachings. By examining the reasons behind their resistance—such as fear of change, cultural pressures, or pride—they can be empowered to dismantle these obstacles and deepen their faith in Jesus as the true source of wisdom and life.
    Teaching: This sermon teaches that genuine faith often requires us to challenge our preconceived notions about God and to be willing to confront our resistance to His truth. It emphasizes the importance of humility and openness in the process of faith development, showing how barriers can hinder a deeper relationship with Christ.
    How this passage could point to Christ: Throughout the Bible, Christ is presented as the cornerstone that many reject. His mission exposes the flaws in human reasoning and invites all to see Him as the ultimate truth. Jesus' interactions often reveal how societal and religious expectations serve as barriers to accepting His message, demonstrating His role as the ultimate reconciler.
    Big Idea: To embrace Christ fully, we must be willing to confront our misconceptions and dismantle the barriers that inhibit our faith journey.
    Recommended Study: I encourage you to study the historical and cultural context of the religious practices during the Feast of Tabernacles, as this can illuminate why Jesus faced such resistance. You may also find it helpful to explore commentaries on the theme of judgment in the Gospels using Logos to understand how perceptions of authority can lead to a rejection of Christ's message.

    1. Authority of Divine Wisdom

    John 7:14–16 ESV
    14 About the middle of the feast Jesus went up into the temple and began teaching. 15 The Jews therefore marveled, saying, “How is it that this man has learning, when he has never studied?” 16 So Jesus answered them, “My teaching is not mine, but his who sent me.
    Here we see Jesus’ wisdom
    this is a huge note in the life of Jesus
    as we examine His life we see a man who is divine
    but where does this knowledge come from
    When it comes to Christ His wisdom always comes from the Father
    the words of the Bible came from God Himself
    Jesus’ teachings are the same
    the words of Christ came from the Father as they are one
    The questions of the Jews come aggressively but also out of confusion
    they do not understand how this man could have this knowledge when He has never studied
    In this we see Jesus giving instruction
    As Christians this is a huge reminder
    as believers we have to be very careful in the Word of God
    in the sense that we must take everything as truth
    the truths of the Gospel are not something to be looked over
    they are not something to conform or manipulate
    instead they are something that should be adhered to
    with great reverence
    The divine wisdom of God must come before human credentials
    It does not matter how many letters come before their name
    God’s credential trumps mans credentials
    We must be adhering to the teaching of the Father at all times in the Gospel
    Recognizing and trusting Jesus authority
    and taking a stance that is not willing to compromise the ultimate truth’s of the Gospel
    Perhaps you could begin by exploring how Jesus' teaching in the temple amazed many but also stirred up skepticism due to His lack of formal training. This section highlights the importance of seeking divine wisdom over human credentials, suggesting that genuine faith requires openness to God's voice, even when it challenges our expectations. By focusing on Jesus' authority as coming from the Father, we can invite others to reconsider their own barriers to belief, emphasizing humility as a key to unlocking deeper faith.

    2. Step Out in Faith

    John 7:17–19 ESV
    17 If anyone’s will is to do God’s will, he will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own authority. 18 The one who speaks on his own authority seeks his own glory; but the one who seeks the glory of him who sent him is true, and in him there is no falsehood. 19 Has not Moses given you the law? Yet none of you keeps the law. Why do you seek to kill me?”
    Jesus then calls for a test of faith
    He tells the people present that they must follow this teaching
    they must step out in faithful obedience
    but they must do so in proper understanding
    Serving for our own Glory is not why we serve
    this leaves that skepticism masks a reluctance to obey
    This is a call to trust the teachings of Christ!
    not just in faith but in action
    The reality is many of us look at a sermon title like this one and say this sermon must be for the unbeliever
    WRONG: This sermon is just as much for the believer
    The negating of application is just the stonewall of the heart not letting the Gospel do its work!
    The Gospel has the ability to speak into all of our lives at any moment if we allow the Holy Spirit to work
    the problem is we have put up these walls around our faith and stoned off the heart to sanctification
    God is working in the life of the Believer where we allow Him to work
    amidst a time of Spiritual moving in our church we must be careful to prevent the walls from building up in the heart
    As believer’s in Christ we are called to act upon the teachings of Christ
    not just listen to them
    as Jesus says we are to seek His will and we will adhere to the teachings
    why?
    for the Glory of God
    not for the Glory of man
    You could delve into Jesus' call for people to test His teachings by practicing them, stressing that understanding God's will is contingent upon doing His will. Perhaps this point illustrates how intellectual skepticism often masks a reluctance to obey. By inviting believers to step out in faith and apply Jesus’ words, you can highlight how obedience dissolves doubt. This encourages the audience to confront their apprehensions and experience the transformative power of living out Jesus’ teachings.

    3. See Beyond the Surface

    John 7:20–24 ESV
    20 The crowd answered, “You have a demon! Who is seeking to kill you?” 21 Jesus answered them, “I did one work, and you all marvel at it. 22 Moses gave you circumcision (not that it is from Moses, but from the fathers), and you circumcise a man on the Sabbath. 23 If on the Sabbath a man receives circumcision, so that the law of Moses may not be broken, are you angry with me because on the Sabbath I made a man’s whole body well? 24 Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment.”
    Lastly Jesus addresses their resistance officially
    Jesus addresses their doubts
    Jesus analyzes their judgment looking at past and present
    in this judgment they find that they should not judge on appearances
    they should judge with right judgment
    judgment from the heart
    Judgment through Scripture
    Judgment through truth
    Jesus has stated who He is and His authority yet the Jews have even rejected this
    Some of His Disciples have proven their doubts
    Jesus is telling them and us how we can tell true God glorifying work from man glorifying work
    Jesus is emphasizing that man has a tendency to allow their judgment to be swayed by the world or circumstances
    not by scripture and the Father
    In this as Christians we must be cautious
    we must allow our stonewalls to fall down
    and call upon His name to be glorified!
    Maybe you can explore how Jesus addresses the crowd's reaction to His claim, exposing their judgment based on appearances and urging righteous judgment. This section challenges believers to look beyond surface-level attitudes and biases. By discussing the necessity of seeing with spiritual discernment rather than societal standards, you can encourage the congregation to break free from judgmental barriers that hinder recognizing Christ’s truth. Highlight how Jesus models perfect judgment to inspire personal reflection and growth.

      • Hosea 10:12ESV

      • John 7:16–18ESV

      • John 7:14–16ESV

      • John 7:17–19ESV

      • John 7:20–24ESV

FBC Sunrise Beach
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