Sermon Listening Guide
Speaker: Dr. Condy Richardson
Scripture: John 7:40-52
Sermon Title: “Jesus Divides People”
Date: July 19, 2026
John 7:40-52 (NIV)
40 On hearing his words, some of the people said, “Surely this man is the Prophet.”
41 Others said, “He is the Messiah.”
Still others asked, “How can the Messiah come from Galilee? 42 Does not Scripture say that the Messiah will come from David’s descendants and from Bethlehem, the town where David lived?” 43 Thus the people were divided because of Jesus. 44 Some wanted to seize him, but no one laid a hand on him.
Unbelief of the Jewish Leaders
45 Finally the temple guards went back to the chief priests and the Pharisees, who asked them, “Why didn’t you bring him in?”
46 “No one ever spoke the way this man does,” the guards replied.
47 “You mean he has deceived you also?” the Pharisees retorted. 48 “Have any of the rulers or of the Pharisees believed in him? 49 No! But this mob that knows nothing of the law—there is a curse on them.”
50 Nicodemus, who had gone to Jesus earlier and who was one of their own number, asked, 51 “Does our law condemn a man without first hearing him to find out what he has been doing?”
52 They replied, “Are you from Galilee, too? Look into it, and you will find that a prophet does not come out of Galilee.”
41 Others said, “He is the Messiah.”
Still others asked, “How can the Messiah come from Galilee? 42 Does not Scripture say that the Messiah will come from David’s descendants and from Bethlehem, the town where David lived?” 43 Thus the people were divided because of Jesus. 44 Some wanted to seize him, but no one laid a hand on him.
Unbelief of the Jewish Leaders
45 Finally the temple guards went back to the chief priests and the Pharisees, who asked them, “Why didn’t you bring him in?”
46 “No one ever spoke the way this man does,” the guards replied.
47 “You mean he has deceived you also?” the Pharisees retorted. 48 “Have any of the rulers or of the Pharisees believed in him? 49 No! But this mob that knows nothing of the law—there is a curse on them.”
50 Nicodemus, who had gone to Jesus earlier and who was one of their own number, asked, 51 “Does our law condemn a man without first hearing him to find out what he has been doing?”
52 They replied, “Are you from Galilee, too? Look into it, and you will find that a prophet does not come out of Galilee.”
First Thoughts
While Jesus is love and light, John 7 tells us his message and presence divides people.
The Gospel always demands a response from people.
Jesus Stirs the Pot with People
Jesus’ adult public ministry is well underway in John 7.
His hard teachings and claims have upset many Jewish people and their leaders.
Some believe he is a prophet or the Messiah, while others think he is a liar.
When faced with his audacious claims, we must decide how Jesus fits into our lives.
Jesus Stirs the Pot with Religious Leaders
The Pharisees mock the guards who do not arrest Jesus and look down upon them.
Even Nicodemus (John 3) is at odds with his Pharisee brothers.
Over the ages, people have often mocked Christians for being ignorant or narrow-minded.
World history does not show Christians to be ill-informed or mentally inferior.
A Few Truths
It is ok that Jesus is divisive.
Many will choose not to follow him.
It is God’s responsibility to open minds to the Gospel
Seek the truth about Jesus…and do not stop.
Our quest to know and understand Jesus should never stop.
Final Thoughts
In John, Nicodemus moves from curious to courageous to committed.
As we move through the Bible and church life, where are we on that spectrum?
Do you know the real Jesus?
While Jesus is love and light, John 7 tells us his message and presence divides people.
The Gospel always demands a response from people.
Jesus Stirs the Pot with People
Jesus’ adult public ministry is well underway in John 7.
His hard teachings and claims have upset many Jewish people and their leaders.
Some believe he is a prophet or the Messiah, while others think he is a liar.
When faced with his audacious claims, we must decide how Jesus fits into our lives.
Jesus Stirs the Pot with Religious Leaders
The Pharisees mock the guards who do not arrest Jesus and look down upon them.
Even Nicodemus (John 3) is at odds with his Pharisee brothers.
Over the ages, people have often mocked Christians for being ignorant or narrow-minded.
World history does not show Christians to be ill-informed or mentally inferior.
A Few Truths
It is ok that Jesus is divisive.
Many will choose not to follow him.
It is God’s responsibility to open minds to the Gospel
Seek the truth about Jesus…and do not stop.
Our quest to know and understand Jesus should never stop.
Final Thoughts
In John, Nicodemus moves from curious to courageous to committed.
As we move through the Bible and church life, where are we on that spectrum?
Do you know the real Jesus?