Posted on August 19, 2026 Posted By: Jenni Nikolakakis Categories: Message Notes, Weekly Program

Believe! The Gospel of John

WK 23 – “Ignorance Ain’t Bliss”

John 7:40-53 NASB

August 23, 2026

Justin Scarberry

“This truly is the Prophet.” vs. “This is the Christ.”

– John 7:40-41

The Prophet could be reference to Deuteronomy 18:15 or to the prophet Elijah (Malachi 4:5-6). There was a ____________ on who they thought Jesus was.
Christ is a title; refers to what the Old Testament called the _____________, or anointed one, who was _________________ to save the people.
They thought the Christ wasn’t from _____________ because of the prophesies of the Messiah in the Old Testament.

Has the Scripture not said that the Christ comes from Bethlehem?

– John 7:42

A lot of them knew their Bible, but they did not know ___________.
Where was Jesus Born? ________________!
They were ignorant of the ________ and didn’t bother to check.
Ignorant = _______________; don’t have the details to formulate a valid opinion.

So a dissension occurred in the crowd because of Him.

– John 7:43

Jesus is perhaps the most ____________ person who has ever lived.
Jesus Himself said He came to ___________. – Luke 12:51
Divided opinions can be a major problem; they may even _________ the church.
The Bible says a house divided against itself cannot ____________. – Mark 3:25
Jesus warns us about judging, “Do not judge, and you will not be ____________. Do not condemn, and you will not be ________________.” – Luke 6:37-38
Judging another Christian is judging a __________ of God. – Romans 14:4
God gives varying gifts to people to __________ the church up! – 1 Corin. 14:26
Don’t judge. Don’t condemn. That’s ____________’ job! – 1 Corinthians 4:5
What is our job? “____________, and you will be forgiven. _________, and it will be given to you.” – Luke 6:37-38

Some of them wanted to arrest Him, but no one laid hands on Him.

– John 7:44

They wanted Him ____________ because He conflicted with their religious ways.
They started with envy, which moved to jealousy, which morphed into ________!
They despised Jesus so much that they sent people out to ___________

“Never has a man spoken in this way!”

– John 7:45-48

Jesus is God in human flesh. What comes out of His mouth is the ________ of God. That’s where the ___________ is, in the Word of God.
They were tasked with arresting Jesus, but the Word of God filled their souls with ________! They couldn’t carry out the task.
The Pharisees believed Jesus was an imposter and was ______________ people away (from the comfortable religion they’d established).

But this crowd that does not know the Law is accursed!”

– John 7:49

They accused the crowd of being ____________ because of their ignorance of the Law.
The Bible said they were cursed if they were not ______ – Deuteronomy 27:26
The Bible tells us that it’s very dangerous for us to _____ to or _______ _______ from the Word of God. – Deuteronomy 4:2, Proverbs 30:5-6, Revelation 22:18-19

“Our Law does not judge… unless it first hears from him”

– John 7:50-51

In the Court of the Law today, if someone accuses you of something, you have the right to __________ yourself, and the _____________ is weighed.
The Bible says that if we have something against someone, we should take it to them __________, one-on-one. – Matthew 18:15
The ___________ didn’t take it directly to Jesus until much later (Mark 14:61-62).

“You are not from Galilee as well, are you?”

– John 7:52-53

They were trying to belittle Nicodemus, a ___________ of the Jews.
They were incorrect saying that “no prophet arises out of Galilee”; at least one prophet, __________, was from the area of Galilee. – 2 Kings 14:25

The Pharisees showed us what NOT to do when we have a difference of opinion on something that is in the Bible. Paul lays out how we SHOULD handle it:

2 Timothy 2:23-26 NKJV

²³But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife. ²⁴And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, ²⁵in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, ²⁶and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will.

1) Avoid ignorant disputes- some people are just looking to argue

2) Don’t quarrel- good to learn about the Bible together, not to fight

3) Teach gently- to teach you must first know God’s Word, pass it on gently

4) Be patient- don’t “force feed” people the Bible, be patient helping them learn

5) Come in humility- we must be gentle when we are correcting others

FINAL THOUGHTS

Do you extend the same mercy for others that Jesus extends to you?

How many times do we judge before we’ve heard both sides of the issue?

We should all ask the Question: “God, how do You want to use me in the church?”

We are all “wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14)” and it is up to us to understand how we can come together and use our differences to build God’s Church!

Are you using your gifts to build up the church or are you tearing it down?

Mid-week Bible Studies

Monday: Bible Study at Paul & Paulette’s 6pm

Wednesday: Women’s Bible Study at church 7pm

Thursday: Men’s Bible Study at church 6pm

Youth Group Wednesday

Paul & Paulette’s. Food Provided. Bring Friends! 6-8pm

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James 4:12 NIV

¹² There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy.

But you – who are you to judge your neighbor?

What holiday is Jesus and the disciples attending in Jerusalem in chapter 7? What are some important context clues for this chapter? What other groups are at the celebration and what is their opinion of Jesus and His ministry?
Read John 7:40-46, what is meant by “the Prophet” in verse 40?
What is meant by the word “Christ”?
Would you consider Jesus a divisive person? Why or why not?
Read Luke 6:37. Should Christians ever judge others? Why or why not?
Are Christians required to forgive? Are Christians required to forgive in all cases, without exception? What are some things that can happen when we refuse to forgive others what they’ve done against us?
Read John 7:47-53. What are some ways we can be “led astray” (verse 47) from doing what God wants us to do?
If you have an issue with someone in the church, what is the Biblical process to address that issue? What are some scriptures that we can reference for guidance?
What do you think is meant in verse 52 that “no prophet arises out of Galilee”? Where is Galilee?

August 23, 2026 Sermon Notes and Questions