INTRODUCTION - THERE IS SO LITTLE WRITTEN ABOUT THE SHORT LIFE OF JESUS, MANY QUESTIONS OF HIS LIFE

• The Public Ministry of Jesus was popular for about a year, then opposition grew to hatred
• Even John the Baptist began to wonder- Luke 7:19, and Pharisees rejected His council-v.30
• Some of their accusations have come down through the ages and foolish people have used them against the Son of God. We need to look clearly at the reality of His life!

I. JESUS WAS ACCUSED ОF SIN!

The Son of God who knew no sin, was accused of sin by wicked men who were full of sin

THE ENEMIES OF JESUS FOLLOWED HIM TO CATCH HIM IN SOME MISTAKE TO ACCUSE HIM

• They must have walked with him to see his disciples pluck grain-6:1, working on Sabbath-
• They couldn't miss his miracles within the synagogue of a Sabbath v.6, but why watch- v. 7
• Their jealousy and envy sought to trap him, but they could only grow in hatred v.11

JESUS LIKENED THEM TO LITTLE CHILDREN WHO WANTED EVERYONE TO PLAY THEIR GAMES WITH THEM 7:31-32

• The Leaders of Israel, were no doubt made quite angry by Jesus facing them in their games
• Read Living Gospels words- Luke 7:30-35 like children playing "wedding" and "Funeral"
• And anyone who would not "pretend" with them would send them into a rage, and pout-

FULL WELL THE TRADITIONS AND FASHIONS OF MEN OFTEN CONTRADICT THE LAWS OF GOD

• They worried about "Sabbath" keeping, washing of hands, rituals for separation for world
• We today worry about fashions & worldliness/ but on other hand about men, movements, words
• We are stigmatized if read a sermon by Billy Graham, listen to Carl McIntire, Rice, etc.

And while we are playing our little game with terms & trivialities - souls perish

II. NEITHER JOHN NOR JESUS COULD PLEASE SOME!!

Two of the greatest preachers of history during one generation, neither could please some

JOHN THE BAPTIST CAME AS A PROPHET WITH THE VOW OF A NAZARITE, PREACHING REPENTANCE

• He neither ate bread nor drank wine, showed no natural joy, tried to get them ready for kingdom
• Wherever he went he rebuked men for their sin, and was separated from their daily walk
• Because he was different- they called him mad, accused him of having a devil- rejected him

JESUS CAME AS A LOVING SAVIOUR SEEKING THE LOST, AND WENT WHERE THE LOST WERE TO SAVE THEM

• The perfect man - yet walking with people with their joys, sorrows, sharing their lives!
• Because he walked with the common people, they heard him gladly, Pharisees accused him-
• Because he ate and drank- feasts, weddings they called him winebibber & glutton-gossip

THE HATRED OF THE PHARISEES OPENED THE DOOR FOR FOOLISH SINNERS AND PHARISES TODAY

• The wine Jesus drank was grape juice- natural fermentation used for purifying the water
• Jesus moved with the common people, and the Pharisees felt they were better than these
• All levels of people need someone to minister to them, and we need not be critical of God

In man's criticism and rejection, they often reject their only chance of eternal life

III. BUT WISDOM IS JUSTIFIED OF HER CHILDREN - V. 35

Prov 21:2 "Every way of a man is right in his own eyes-" but wisdom is something else

BEWARE OF THE FALSE TEACHERS - There are two ways, two prophets, two professions

• You are to  judge to Prophets by their fruits - good tree bringing forth good fruit - v. 15-20

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN BEING "SMART" AND BEING WISE IS FOUND IN A PERSON'S TOUCH WITH GOD

• To be right doctrinally, believe the Bible, oppose modernish, and Phariseeism both!
• To be right in living, live out God's standards for a clean life- not worldly foolish-
• But the real wise man is one who has found Jesus Christ as Saviour-and is redeemed!

WHAT CAN WE DO ABOUT ALL THE DIFFERENT OPINIONS ABOUT SCRIPTURAL THINGS TODAY?

• Search the Scripture, and pray, and walk with the Lord- & God will guide you for yourself
• But when you stand on your convictions on doubtful things don't be contentious- contending
• Don't fight personalities- but concern yourself with purifying your own personality!

LEARN TO ACCEPT THE WORLD'S CRITICISM AS A BLESSING IN DISGUISE, AND BE NOT TURNED BY IT

• Don't think that you have to go along with the crowd- if they all speak well-look out!
• Search your heart for the New YOU, and let the Lord develop your life fully!
• If you are serving the Lord- witnessing, working; don't worry about others' criticism-

Many dedicated Christian has been discouraged by unjust criticism-like Jesus faced

CONCLUSION - LEARN TO HAVE THE WIDSOM THAT COMES FROM ABOVE, AND TRUST THE LORD JESUS FOR LEADERSHIP

• You stand no chance without the New Birth, and a direct line with Jesus -walk with Him
• As long as you are serving Jesus, let no Pharisee discourage you! but make sure you serve
• Jesus went everywhere preaching the gospel, and we need people today who will again!