John 10:22-24 Can't See The Forest For The Trees

15 February 2017

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“And it was at Jerusalem the feast of the dedication, and it was winter. 23 And Jesus walked in the temple in Solomon’s porch. 24 Then came the Jews round about him, and said unto him, How long dost thou make us to doubt? If thou be the Christ, tell us plainly.” John 10:22-24


Are you too religious? Does your practice of religion blind you to the true nature of God and the truth revealed in His word?


That is the exact situation described here in John’s gospel. They were so involved in religion that they missed the Messiah. They “couldn’t see the forest for the trees.” They missed the big picture by focusing on the wrong, insignificant trees.

The Feast of Dedication commemorates the time when Judas Maccabeus led a revolt. The legend states that there was only enough oil for one night to light the lamp but it lasted for eight. Today, this celebration is known as Hanukkah.

Even though this is a very popular celebration, we must examine the facts surrounding it. First of all, there is no INSPIRED writing that testifies to the account. This occurred during the time between the two Testaments when God Himself swore He would not speak to Israel until He sent John the Baptist. This should cast some doubt on the validity of the story, or at least show that this celebration is not appointed by God.

My point is this. The Jews were VERY religious with their ceremonies and celebrations. This particular celebration is not appointed by God but is widely accepted and practiced. But what good did it do for the Jews? While they celebrated, the Messiah Himself was standing among them and they don’t even recognize Him! In fact, the most zealous leaders among the Jews who promoted the man-made celebration were actually trying to discredit Jesus.

Our practice of religion should never interfere with our understanding of the true nature of God. Our worship should be simple enough so that we are not distracted by the practice and lose focus from our Object of worship.

Tags: harmony_of_the_gospels, john

Welcome

Brentwood Hills Primitive Baptist Church is a community of believers working together to transform our lives to the image of Jesus Christ. We believe it is our duty and privilege to live the gospel of the doctrines of grace in such a way as to edify the families within our church and other children of God in our community. Through regular worship based on strong Biblical principles, fellowship, admonishment, and outreach, we glory in the grace of the sovereign God working in our lives thereby showing the Spirit of God in the world.

Brentwood Hills was organized in 1906 in Fort Worth, Texas as Laodicea Primitive Baptist Church. You can find much of the history of the church, as well as other churches here: Primitive Baptist History Database

We identify ourselves as an old-line Primitive Baptist church. If you read our Articles of Faith, you’ll see that we hold to such doctrines as the inspiration and inerrancy of the Bible. We recognize the King James Version (KJV) as the only English translation worthy of being called the Bible. We believe in salvation solely by the grace of a sovereign God. We believe that Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, came to the earth to do the will of His Father, which was to deliver from the sentence of death all those the Father gave Him before the world began. We believe that Jesus fully satisfied the Father by atoning for all the sins of all His people. In time, we believe the Holy Spirit comes to each person that belongs to Jesus and regenerates them. Then (and only then) can anyone have faith, which is a fruit of the Spirit, by which you are able to believe the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ. Whether or not you ever hear the gospel, or believe it if you did hear it, or obey it if you did believe it, rest assured that Jesus will remain forever faithful to you because, if He died for you, He will never deny that you belong to Him.

We believe that everyone for whom Christ died will without fail be raised again from the dead to a glorified life. Even if we are alive when He returns to raise the dead, we shall be changed to a glorified life. All the Redeemed will meet the Lord in the air. Then He will take us to Heaven and there we shall forever be with the Lord. The wicked will be raised at the same time as the righteous, but the wicked shall go away into everlasting punishment along with Satan and his angels. Until that glorious day when Christ returns to raise the dead, He has provided a place for His people to find rest for their souls. This place is the Church. Jesus Christ set-up His church on this earth before His death on the Cross. The church is there for those of His people who have come to believe that God saved them by His Son, Jesus Christ. To believe that Christ “paid it all” gives believers the strongest motivation to serve Him. Once enlightened to this glorious truth, then the child of God should feel an obligation to become and remain an active member of the His church. To serve the Lord in His church makes for one of the great blessings to experience this side of Heaven. It fulfills you to serve in His church and it gives your life purpose and meaning.

Living in Liberty

Elder Bryce Lowrance

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