We are going through the gospel of John at Southbrook Church these days. And long before I preach on a topic I will read it in a plane ole’ Bible first. Jesus first! And that’s not a ‘put-down.’ I’m talking about the stripped down, commentary free, no study notes Bible—the non Ryrie, NLT Study, NIV notes, Scofield crutch—none of it! I like to hear what God has to say before man gets it all filtered up. Hey listen, eventually I will get to the study Bibles, commentaries and even favorite preacher flavors of the month But, Jesus first!
Hey, there might be a bracelet or bumper sticker in that!
We good? I hope so, you need to let it go!
Now, here’s another reason I do it this way and in this order—It extends my quiet time with the Lord. You see, my sermon prep time can and often does serve as an extension of time with Jesus—but it’s no guarantee. Study time and talk time are not the same—anymore than corporate prayer can serve as all your prayer time with God. Sometimes Jesus and I just need to talk.
Uninterrupted.
I get some of my best stuff in these times.
Like what I read for this coming week’s message. Yes, I am cheating by giving you a little of the sermon beforehand but hopefully you won’t bail on the weekend do to this little bone I’m throwing your way. 
Anyhow, here’s what I saw. Those pesky religious leaders (most often a particular brand of them known as the Pharisees) are up to no good again. They never gave Jesus a break. And they’ve even rallied some of the good, hard working, blue collar folks to chime in on this particular occasion because, as it turns out, they feel more threatened than ever by Jesus.
Here’s a little background:
John 8:45–47
45But because I tell the truth, you do not believe me. 46Which one of you convicts me of sin? If I tell the truth, why do you not believe me? 47(CC) Whoever is of God hears the words of God.(CD) The reason why you do not hear them is that(CE) you are not of God.”
Jesus has just given them a verbal beat down—a kindergarten level lesson on truth but truth is so foreign to them that all they can to is get angry and resort to name calling.
Look at verse 48,
“48The Jews answered him, “Are we not right in saying that you are a Samaritan and have a demon?”
What?! No you’re not right in saying He’s a demon possessed half-breed!
A little right?
NO! Not even a little—zero right, in fact. And that’s just it. Whenever people are confronted with the truth and there’s no place to run and hide they seem to result to name calling and character assassination. I’ve seen this over and over again in my own life. Confront a member, church goer, or even staff with tough but true issues and they usually react one of two ways (we all do, BTW). They either accept it and repent or they stiffen up and go on the offensive. Offended people go on the offensive BTW. Check out our Midweek service it you want to know more about that—no time for it now!
Anyway, that’s what these Jews here did. Seems quite a few were starting to believe Jesus lock stock and barrel and that simply wasn’t going to fly for the Pharisees or many of the Jewish people allergic to truth at the time. So what do they say to Jesus’ dissertation on truth?
“You have a big nose!”
Huh?
“Your breath stinks!”
What?
“Hey everyone, He turns into a four headed monster each night there is a full moon! I’ve seen it!”
In other-words, they name call. They resort to character assassination and ridicule in order to deflect the conversation away from that incredibly uncomfortable thing called truth. Only this time it isn’t, “You throw like a girl,” It’s “I knew it, He is a half breed, demon driven mad man!”
Any truth to that? No—but truth is foreign to them—read the verses leading up to this encounter and you’ll see what I am talking about. Their native tongue is lies, so this one seems perfectly natural to them. But it’s laughable. And it falls flat.
They would have been better off throwing sticks and stones.