The Light of the World- Part 2
Notes
Transcript
The Light of the World - Part 2 The Light of Truth Brings Freedom
John 8:31-38
INTRODUCTION
ILL- St Patrick
Raised in Scotland to wealthy parents.
16 years old he was taken as a slave from Great Britain.
He became a shepherd for 8 years.
He escaped back home. Spent
What did he do with his freedom?
15 years studying to become a priest.
Then went back to Ireland to lead one of the greatest revivals in history.
What do we do with our freedom in Christ?
Spiritual freedom- only possible because of the price paid by Jesus.
Men arguing with Jesus- See physical and not spiritual (Same as men after feeding of 5000)
John 8:12- “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
light and darkness- 2 sides.
Light=Truth/ Darkness=lies
light=freedom/ darkness=slavery.
31 So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples,
32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
33 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’?”
34 Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin.
35 The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever.
36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.
37 I know that you are offspring of Abraham; yet you seek to kill me because my word finds no place in you.
38 I speak of what I have seen with my Father, and you do what you have heard from your father.”
Set-up -- Believers Abide (31-32)
31-Abide in my word.
31 So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples,
ILL- Lazy River- abide and surrender. Freedom to float. (Not the best picture of word “abide”)
abide= stand in battle- persevere. Not passive.
Continue in diligent study of God's Word
15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.
Seed and Sower- some seed falls in area with weeds- choked out by life. Abiding is different than just existing.
28 And now, little children, abide in him, so that when he appears we may have confidence and not shrink from him in shame at his coming.
4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.
5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.
Christians are overcomers- we abide- abiding is not what makes us saved it is what proves we are saved.
4 For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.
5 Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?
3 Proofs of Abiding
3 Proofs of Abiding
1. We Get Marked
1. We Get Marked
31 So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples,
Known by Fruit
5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.
2. We Know Jesus
2. We Know Jesus
32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
It's knowledge of a person, not information or doctrine about Jesus. (We know Jesus)
3 And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.
14 I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me,
4 Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him,
3. We Have Freedom
3. We Have Freedom
33 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’?”
"never enslaved"
They had been slaves to most of the great powers; Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Media-Persia, Macedonia, Egypt again, Syria and Rome
Feast of Tabernacles- reminder of coming out of slavery.
So why would they say this?
Pharisees understood Jesus was not speaking about political freedom.
They were sons of God, therefore a holy people for God's possession.
They were free because they believed circumcision was a guarantee of escaping hell.
Like earlier people of Israel escaped Egypt.. Rabbi Akiba stated, "even the poor could be proud that they were 'sons of kings' because they were sons of patriarchs."
4 Ways Freedom Changes Us
4 Ways Freedom Changes Us
A. Habits (34)
A. Habits (34)
34 Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin.
B. Status (35-36)
B. Status (35-36)
35 The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever.
36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.
Do not remain a slave.
Son has made you free. Accept it and live in new status.
Holy priesthood
4 As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious,
5 you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
C. Heart (37)
C. Heart (37)
37 I know that you are offspring of Abraham; yet you seek to kill me because my word finds no place in you.
"finds no place in you"- hasn't changed your actions.
"I know you are baptist.. but my word finds no place in you."
"I know you are a deacon.. but my word finds no place in you."
"I know you are American... but my word finds no place in you."
"I know you are from a family of believers... but my word finds no place in you."
D. Loyalty (38)
D. Loyalty (38)
38 I speak of what I have seen with my Father, and you do what you have heard from your father.”
My Father= God
your father= the devil
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.
CONCLUSION
Lazy River—
Freedom is never found inside ourselves- it is found only in Jesus.
Freedom is found in dependence.
Freedom is found in choice.
Who has control?
Surrender.
Do you abide in Jesus?
Do you abide in Jesus?
— A new leader. A new General. A new boss.