True Disciples

True Disciples: The Authentic Markers of Faith

Bible Passage: John 8:31-47

Summary: In this passage, Jesus speaks to the Jews who had believed in him about the importance of remaining in his word to truly be his disciples, emphasizing the transformative power of truth and addressing the nature of true freedom and sonship through faith in him.

Big Idea: True disciples are those who abide in Jesus' word, allowing the truth to shape their lives, leading to true freedom and intimate relationship with God.

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Good morning,

Today we are going to jump ahead just a little in the Gospel of John, we will be in Chapter 8 still, but verses 31-47.

To give a little overview of what we are moving through, we see more dispute over who Jesus is. Jesus is still teaching in the temple courts, and is letting them know that he will soon be leaving them. Confused, as Jesus tells them where He is going they cannot come, as they will die in their sins. This causes discussion amongst the people, is Jesus talking about killing himself, where is he going? Jesus continues to expand on His deity. He tells them that He si from above, and they are from below. He ends by essentially telling them that the day will come when they will understand what He is saying and where He comes from. Just before our scripture for today it tells us that as He spoke, many believed.

What we are about to dive into is Jesus addressing the new Jewish believers, and it serves for us as a lesson in true discipleship and what our foundation, as disciples, is to be formed on.

John 8:31–47 ESV

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.”

1. True Disciples Hold to the Word

John 8:31–36 NIV

To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” They answered him, “We are Abraham’s descendants and have never been slaves of anyone. How can you say that we shall be set free?” Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.

You could explore how abiding in Jesus' word is the starting point for true discipleship. Highlight how Jesus describes the transformative process of discipleship, where consistently engaging with His teachings leads to genuine freedom. Emphasize that this freedom is not mere liberation from external constraints but liberation of the soul from sin. Connect this concept with the christocentric theme by showing Jesus as the source of truth who offers freedom. Encourage listeners to consistently dwell in the Scriptures, seeking truth that transforms.

Holding to God’s Word is the starting point for true discipleship

Not just part of it, all of it.

Within His Word is the truth, the truth will set you free.

We are all born slaves to sin, the Jews did not understand this.

As followers of Christ we are to Hold to his Word fully,

2. True Disciples Discover Truth in the Word

John 8:37–42 NIV

I know that you are Abraham’s descendants. Yet you are looking for a way to kill me, because you have no room for my word. I am telling you what I have seen in the Father’s presence, and you are doing what you have heard from your father.” “Abraham is our father,” they answered. “If you were Abraham’s children,” said Jesus, “then you would do what Abraham did. As it is, you are looking for a way to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. Abraham did not do such things. You are doing the works of your own father.” “We are not illegitimate children,” they protested. “The only Father we have is God himself.” Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I have come here from God. I have not come on my own; God sent me.

Perhaps consider discussing the barriers to living as true disciples, shown in the resistance Jesus faced from those who claimed Abrahamic heritage. Jesus exposes the superficial belief that isn't rooted in genuine relationship. This provides a chance to challenge the audience to evaluate if their faith is based on tradition or personal encounter with Christ. Highlight Christ as the true son embodying authentic relationship with the Father, inviting believers into the same intimacy.

Truth comes from the Word of God

Truth sets us Free

The JEwish people were so wrapped up in their heritage, they missed the genuine relationship that is required

We do this as well

We hold to traditions, the old ways, we can easily miss out on what God has planned for us today.

Is our relationship built on the truth of the Lord, or simply traditions we have done our entire life.

Have you had a personal encounter, or are you stuck in the past?

Having a true relationship is talking, learning, and listening to Him

Jesus lets them know its all about HIM, HIS WORD, HIS WAY

3. True Disciples find Freedom in the Word

John 8:43–47 NIV

Why is my language not clear to you? Because you are unable to hear what I say. You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. Yet because I tell the truth, you do not believe me! Can any of you prove me guilty of sin? If I am telling the truth, why don’t you believe me? Whoever belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God.”

Maybe discuss the rejection of truth as depicted by Jesus addressing why many cannot accept His teachings. Emphasize the spiritual roots of unbelief and highlight the importance of aligning with God's word. Jesus is depicted here as the truth-teller revealing the disconnect between claiming faith and living faith. This point challenges listeners to embrace a living faith that aligns with Jesus’ teachings and portrays Jesus as the light that illuminates true belief from deception.

If we do not belong to the Lord, we belong to Satan

There is no middle ground here

We carry out Satan’s desires

Truth on resides in the Lord

People are afraid of the truth

The truth can hurt

But the truth si what sets us free from the bondage of sin and death

If we do not know truth, we do not know God

If we fight truth we fight God

If we fight God we do not belong to Him

Conclusion

How do we fix this?

Get in the Word

Bible Buddies Program

This will become a aprt fo your life

You will talk about it more

It will change you

When you read God’s word you learn who He is and what He desires

Your opinion does not matter

At our core we are all sinners, and slaves to sin

If you disagree with the Word of God, examine yourself

Jesus is the way the truth and the life

His truth is the only truth

When we trust in Him, we are taken away from the bondage of sin and death

Real relief comes by abiding in His Word

You will never be wrong when resting in the Word