True Spirituality

True Spirituality
John 7:1-13 NLT

Spiritual Expressions

• Jesus challenged three different types of spirituality:
  
  • tradition, legalism, and superstition
    
  • Each has its own attraction and error
    
• They are false expressions of spirituality initiated by humanity in our own efforts of religion.
  
• At first these things seem innocent, but ultimately, they are a lie that leads to total deception.

Weary In Weakness

• Today we will look at the misguided spirituality of Jesus’ own brothers as well as the religious leaders and of all the people.
  
• John 7:3-5 – Jesus’ brothers try to push him to action!

God of Process

• Jesus walked out His life of obedience
  
• He was careful:
  
  • 1. To seek His guidance from God and not from men
    
  • 2. To avoid unnecessary trouble
    
• The Feast of Tabernacles
  
  • Focused on God
    
  • Required of men

Remember the maxim:

• The work of a believer is to believe!
• Faith is not the absence of doubt,
  it is the overcoming of doubt.

The Reality of Faith & Doubt

• We must break through the three barriers of faith:
  
  • Cynicism
    
  • Ignorance
    
  • Empiricism

They Were No Threat to the World – John 7:7

• They were men without conviction, discernment, courage.
  
• They never criticized the world, and never denounced evil.
  
• They “minded their own business” and never made enemies.
• Therefore the world had no cause to hate them.
  
• They waited to see which party would get into power, and then supported it!
  
• Moral issues and spiritual values had no appeal.
• God could look after His affairs; they would look after their affairs.
  
• Jesus was different.
  
  • He came to do the will of God
    
  • He denounced evil
    
  • He was spiritual; they were carnal.
    
  • He was from above; they were of the earth

We are people of the Word, we live by revelation!

It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’
Matthew 4:4

“The Grand Weaver” by Ravi Zacharias pgs 95-96

• We must know to worship!

Jesus challenged three different types of spirituality or spiritual expressions:

• Traditionalism = paying homage to sect that built their traditions around sayings and laws.
  
• Legalism = A strict conformity to a religious or moral code. (Living by the Law)
  
• Superstition = controlling millions of people by fear.

Weary In Weakness

• We must be careful not to strengthen the layers surrounding our weakness!
  
  • Weary in Shame
    
  • Wicked in Sin
    
  • Wounded in Situations
    
  • Weakness in Self
    
• Our weakness, then, can be distinguished from our shame, our sin, and our wounds.