Free Indeed
Gospel of John • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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Purpose of John: John 20:30-31
Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
Text: John 8:30-55
Text: John 8:30-55
As he was saying these things, many believed in him.
So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples,
and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
They answered him, “We are offspring of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone. How is it that you say, ‘You will become free’?”
Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin.
The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever.
So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.
I know that you are offspring of Abraham; yet you seek to kill me because my word finds no place in you.
I speak of what I have seen with my Father, and you do what you have heard from your father.”
They answered him, “Abraham is our father.” Jesus said to them, “If you were Abraham’s children, you would be doing the works Abraham did,
but now you seek to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. This is not what Abraham did.
You are doing the works your father did.” They said to him, “We were not born of sexual immorality. We have one Father—even God.”
Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and I am here. I came not of my own accord, but he sent me.
Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot bear to hear my word.
You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.
But because I tell the truth, you do not believe me.
Which one of you convicts me of sin? If I tell the truth, why do you not believe me?
Whoever is of God hears the words of God. The reason why you do not hear them is that you are not of God.”
The Jews answered him, “Are we not right in saying that you are a Samaritan and have a demon?”
Jesus answered, “I do not have a demon, but I honor my Father, and you dishonor me.
Yet I do not seek my own glory; there is One who seeks it, and he is the judge.
Truly, truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death.”
The Jews said to him, “Now we know that you have a demon! Abraham died, as did the prophets, yet you say, ‘If anyone keeps my word, he will never taste death.’
Are you greater than our father Abraham, who died? And the prophets died! Who do you make yourself out to be?”
Jesus answered, “If I glorify myself, my glory is nothing. It is my Father who glorifies me, of whom you say, ‘He is our God.’
But you have not known him. I know him. If I were to say that I do not know him, I would be a liar like you, but I do know him and I keep his word.
False Faith vs. True Faith
False Faith vs. True Faith
False Faith
False Faith
As he was saying these things, many believed in him.
You might think you’re saved because of a past experience or decision; but you might believe many right things about God and Jesus and be lost, just like the demons in James 2:19
You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder!
You might think you’re right with God because of your physical or spiritual ancestry—like the Jews who thought they were good because they descended from Abraham. (33-35, 37, 39-40, 53)
They answered him, “We are offspring of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone. How is it that you say, ‘You will become free’?” Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin. The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever.
I know that you are offspring of Abraham; yet you seek to kill me because my word finds no place in you.
They answered him, “Abraham is our father.” Jesus said to them, “If you were Abraham’s children, you would be doing the works Abraham did, but now you seek to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. This is not what Abraham did.
Are you greater than our father Abraham, who died? And the prophets died! Who do you make yourself out to be?”
There is a false kind of faith — make sure this is not the kind you have. (v. 30, 37, 43-44, 45, 47, 55)
True Faith
True Faith
True faith abides in the words of Jesus (v. 31, 37); it perseveres in and through the Scriptures.
So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples,
I know that you are offspring of Abraham; yet you seek to kill me because my word finds no place in you.
True faith obeys (keeps) the words of Jesus, just as Jesus obeyed the Father (51, 55)
Truly, truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death.”
But you have not known him. I know him. If I were to say that I do not know him, I would be a liar like you, but I do know him and I keep his word.
True faith results in eternal life
Truly, truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death.”
Slaves vs. Sons (v. 32-36)
Slaves vs. Sons (v. 32-36)
Slaves
Slaves
You are a slave by nature, even if you feel like you’re free
They answered him, “We are offspring of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone. How is it that you say, ‘You will become free’?”
Your slavery is not to a human master, but to sin. You were born in sin and cannot do anything but sin.
Even the most outwardly good acts of an unbeliever are counted as sin before God, because they are not done out of love for God and for the glory of God.
The iniquities of the wicked ensnare him, and he is held fast in the cords of his sin.
Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin.
Are you a slave to sin? Does sin characterize your life? Things like dishonesty, laziness, love for money, sexual immorality, anger, complaining, selfishness, or anything else that controls your life other than God.
If any of these things characterize your life, you are probably still a slave of sin and not a child of God; you can’t be both.
The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever.
The slave does not remain in the house forever — you may enjoy some privileges now because of your spiritual ancestry and your associations with the church, but if you are a slave of sin, the spiritual benefits you receive now are only temporary, and you will one day be removed from the house and cast into outer darkness.
Only those who are true sons will remain in the house forever.
Sons
Sons
Freedom is a supernatural work of God (You must be set free — it is not your own doing)
You are free, not to live how you want, but to live for God
The truth will set you free; the Son will set you free (v. 32, 36)
and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.
Jesus Christ is the truth (John 14:6) and the Son who alone can set you free — so go to him, run to him if you want to be free indeed—free from the power of sin, and free to live for God.
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
Children of the Devil vs. Children of God
Children of the Devil vs. Children of God
If the Devil is Your Father
If the Devil is Your Father
You may claim to be a child of God, but your claim is false (41-42)
You are doing the works your father did.” They said to him, “We were not born of sexual immorality. We have one Father—even God.” Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and I am here. I came not of my own accord, but he sent me.
You don’t want to listen to Jesus and you can’t understand what he says (43)
Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot bear to hear my word.
Your will is the devil’s will—to exalt yourself and put down everyone else, including God (44)
You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.
You refuse to believe Jesus (45)
But because I tell the truth, you do not believe me.
You do not hear the words of God (47)
Whoever is of God hears the words of God. The reason why you do not hear them is that you are not of God.”
You dishonor Jesus (49)
Jesus answered, “I do not have a demon, but I honor my Father, and you dishonor me.
You don’t know God (55)
But you have not known him. I know him. If I were to say that I do not know him, I would be a liar like you, but I do know him and I keep his word.
If God is Your Father
If God is Your Father
You listen to Jesus (v. 38)
I speak of what I have seen with my Father, and you do what you have heard from your father.”
You follow examples of faith and obedience like Abraham (39-40)
They answered him, “Abraham is our father.” Jesus said to them, “If you were Abraham’s children, you would be doing the works Abraham did, but now you seek to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. This is not what Abraham did.
You love Jesus (42)
Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and I am here. I came not of my own accord, but he sent me.
You hear (pay attention to) the words of God (47)
Whoever is of God hears the words of God. The reason why you do not hear them is that you are not of God.”
You seek the glory of God, not your own (49-50)
Jesus answered, “I do not have a demon, but I honor my Father, and you dishonor me. Yet I do not seek my own glory; there is One who seeks it, and he is the judge.
You keep the word of Jesus (51, 55)
Truly, truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death.”
But you have not known him. I know him. If I were to say that I do not know him, I would be a liar like you, but I do know him and I keep his word.
You will never see death (51)
Truly, truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death.”
Application: consider these things about yourself first, and also apply these questions to loved ones whom you are concerned for regarding their salvation and walk with God.
Are you free?
Are you free?
Are you free from sin so that you can choose not to sin but to serve God? Or are you still a slave to sin?
Are you abiding in the word of Jesus?
Are you abiding in the word of Jesus?
What is the place of God’s Word in your life? Is it your priority? Do you spend time reading, studying, and learning from God’s Word regularly? Or are you ignoring it or despising it?
Is God your Father?
Is God your Father?
What evidence is there in your life of your relationship with God? When someone looks at your life, do they see God at work? If you were on trial for your faith, would there be enough evidence to convict you of being a child of God? Or do you take after the devil?