The Truth Will Set You Free (John 8:31-36)
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[SLIDE 1] Introduction
If you have your Bible, then please turn to John 8:31-36.
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.
Illustration
We are truly blessed to live in North America.
Many people from developing or war-torn nations would dream of moving to countries such as Canada or USA.
Why?
It’s because we’re known as the “free countries.”
In Canada, we are known as The True North, strong and free!
Our national athem includes a prayer, asking God to keep our land, glorious and free.
We have the Charter of rights and freedom as part of our Canadian constitution.
And everyone has the following fundamental freedoms:
(a) freedom of conscience and religion; (b) freedom of thought, belief, opinion and expression, including freedom of the press and other media of communication; (c) freedom of peaceful assembly; and (d) freedom of association.
A similar thing could be said about our neighbour in the south.
We praise God and thank God for these freedoms that we get to experience in Canada.
They are precious to us and such freedom is so foundational for our nation.
However, let me raise some questions for us to ponder:
Is that the kind of freedom that Scripture talks about?
Do you feel like you’re experiencing freedom at the bottom of your soul?
Now, don’t get me wrong.
I’m grateful that we live in a free country, democratic society, and political freedom.
I’m thankful that we have the freedom to gather as a church and worship our Lord without the fear of persecution.
But, there is a deeper and better freedom.
It is the kind of freedom that cannot be revoked by tyrannical government, dictatorship, or strict laws.
It is the kind of freedom that you can experience a sense of peace and consolation even if you are hospitalized or locked in a prison cell.
That freedom is spiritual freedom.
It is the kind of freedom that only Jesus can give.
Biblical Theology
Context
In the previous message, we remember that Jesus declared His message to the Jews in verses 21-29.
Jesus gave a rather stern warning to the Jews.
They’re going to die in their sins unless they believe that He is the “I Am,” the God of Israel.
And Jesus stated very clearly that He comes from above while they are of the world.
And because they are of the world, and not of God, they’re going to die in their sins.
Jesus also testified the Jews will one day understand who He is until Christ dies on the cross, and be vindicated through His resurrection.
Jesus also talked about His relationship with the Father is deep and profound.
Because of His relationship with His Father, Christ will always walk in obedience to His Father’s will and do what pleases Him.
After Jesus’s stern warning and proclaimation about Himself, we are told in verse 30 that many of the Jews believed in Him.
This is good news on the outset.
We want to see sinners repent of their sins, come to Jesus and believe in Him for eternal life and salvation.
We want to see new believers get baptized and we want to them grow in their relationship with the Lord.
We want Jesus to set sinners free from their sins and experience spiritual freedom.
[SLIDE 2] Main Idea: Jesus frees you from spiritual bondage so that you can experience spiritual freedom in Him.
There are three aspects about spiritual freedom that we should consider.
Exposition
[SLIDE 3] First, Freedom Starts By Steadfast Abiding In God’s Word (vv.31-32)
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.”
Jesus certainly knew about their faith because of His divine knowledge.
We remember in John 2:24-25 that Jesus knew what was in man.
Since many Jews believed in Him, Jesus addressed them.
Jesus gives a conditional statement in verses 31-32.
Jesus says, “If you abide in my word...”
This sets the condition for the result.
And we should carefully understand what this condition is all about and what it means.
If you’re a lawyer (and we have two), you should understand the significance of conditions in legal contracts.
Jesus is speaking to those who have now believed in Him.
Jesus is going to challenge them to true discipleship.
Jesus will not allow them to be content with just mere and easy believism.
There is a cost to spiritual freedom.
There is a cost to true discipleship and learning what it means to follow Jesus.
Here’s the test of whether your faith is genuine: Are you abiding in my word?”
What does it means to “abide?”
We may sing this hymn, “Abide with me, fast falls the eventide...”
The Apostle John and Jesus love to use this word, Abide (Meno)
In all his writings (John’s gospel, 1+2+3 John, and Revelation), he uses this word 68 times.
To abide means to remain or stay or be firm continuously.
Now, Jesus is telling the Jews this condition: “if you abide in my word...”
If you remain in my word.
Or, in the KJV, if ye CONTINUE in my word.”
What does it look like to abide in the word of Jesus?
Perhaps you may be more familiar with that word when Jesus proclaims that He is the true vine and we are the branches in John 15:5-7.
[SLIDE 4] This is a perfect illustration of what it looks like to abide in Jesus’ word.
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. 6 If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. 7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.
To abide in Jesus is like remaining connected to the vine.
As long as you’re in the vine, you remain healthy, alive, and fruitful.
You are drawing life, strength, and nourishment from it every moment of every day...not just touching the vine on the Sundays.
So, practically, what this looks like is taking Jesus' words seriously.
You cling to His word so seriously to the point that they shape your worldview, deepen your doctrinal convictions, transform how you live, and expand your love for others.
You study and read His word earnestly so that His word would take root in your heart and produce its fruit in your life.
You can also be reflecting and meditating on Jesus’ words and internalizing His words.
[SLIDE 5] What this could look like is memorizing His word.
11 I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.
The Apostle Paul says in Colossians 3:16
16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admnishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.
Another illustration of what abiding looks like is letting Christ’s words make its home in you.
You let His words live in you and let them work their purpose in your life in accordance to the will of God.
Abiding in Jesus’ words also means obeying His commands, and believing His promises.
It’s a life of surrender.
You cannot truly abide and remain in His words if you don’t recognize your utter dependency upon His authority over your life.
This is a general principle and application of Scripture because all Scripture is God’s word.
We are called to abide in God’s word.
So, that’s the condition: If you abide in my word.
[SLIDE 6] By abiding in His word, there are three undeniable results of that condition:
First, you are truly my disciples.
The non-negotiable principle is that if you want to be Jesus’ disciples, then you are to abide in His teachings and in Scripture.
[SLIDE 7] Jesus made it clear about the mandate for discipleship in Matthew 28:18-20
18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Yet, I find it truly remarkable that we have baptized folks in the name of the Triune God, but we forget to obey verse 20.
Jesus said that we are to teach the (new disciples) to observe all that Jesus had commanded.
To observe (terein) is to persistently obey all of Jesus’ commands.
You can’t observe and obey Christ unless you abide in His word.
The goal of abiding in Jesus’ word is not to ascend into theological intellectualism.
The goal is many folds:
First, the goal of abiding is to be conformed into the image of Christ through the obedience of faith (Romans 1:5; 8:29).
Second, the goal of abiding is to grow spiritually mature in Christ. (Colossians 1:28)
Abiding in the word of Christ also requires utmost perseverance and endurance.
It is not easy to consistently remain in Christ.
The enemy, the world, and our flesh will do everything they can to cause us not to abide in His word.
However, the truth is that abiding in Christ is a demonstration of being a true and genuine disciple of Christ.
[SLIDE 8] Second, if you abide in His word, the 2nd undenial result is that you will know the truth in verse 32.
What is “the truth?”
It’s difficult to describe all that there is to say about the truth in John’s gospel.
There is so much to say and somewhat inexhaustable.
But, in the immediate context, the truth is referring to Jesus Himself in verse 36
36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.
That’s because Jesus will say that the truth will set you free.
So, the truth and the Son are parallel to each other.
They are one and the same.
Jesus says in John 14:6, “I am the way and THE TRUTH...”
The truth is the absolute reality of who God/Jesus is.
The truth is the teaching from Jesus since it is also from the Father.
The truth is the person and work of Jesus (ultimately on the cross) that sets sinners free from their sins.
The truth is the word of God (John 17:17), which sanctifies believers.
Notice that Jesus says that by abiding in Christ, you will KNOW the truth.
What did Jesus mean by “know” the truth?
Knowledge of the truth is important.
But, it’s more than mere knowledge or intellectual awareness.
It is deeper and more personal.
It is the truth that would shape who you are as a true disciple of Christ.
It is an experiential truth.
The truth that transforms lives.
Knowing the truth means knowing Christ through His word because:
Jesus is the truth.
His word is the truth.
This truth comes from His Father.
So, when a person abides in the word of Jesus, not only will they demonstrate that they are truly His disciples, but they will also know the truth.
Third, if you abide in His word, the 3rd undenial result is that the truth will set you free.
When a person abides in the word of Jesus...
Not only will they demonstrate that they are truly His disciples,
And not only will they know the truth,
The consequential result is that the truth will set them free.
I’ll circle back to this verse when we get to verse 36 because both the truth and the Son are parallel to each other.
So, brothers and sisters, it’s good to ask yourself and reflect on these questions: Have you been abiding in His word regularly? Are you continuously remaining steadfast in His word?
If not, then are you seeing how that is also changing you, except most likely for the worse?
Like, if that’s you, then you should know for yourself that you feel like you’re dying.
You are not receiving spiritual nourishment, strength, and life from Christ.
The logical implication is that if you DO NOT abide in the word of Jesus, if you’re not faithfully continuing in your abiding relationship with Christ, then here are the three negative consequences:
You are NOT truly disciples of Christ.
You will NOT know the truth.
The truth will NOT set you free.
This is a clear warning and example of false discipleship.
You can appear to believe in Jesus outwardly.
You can play church and tick off your Sunday religiosity and routine.
However, your so-called faith has no healthy and enduring root.
You can just be like the false disciples in John 6:66 who turned their back on Christ and walked away from Him because they cannot accept His hard teachings, even though they were the truth.
Jesus is not interested in casual followers.
He calls you to abide and remain with Him through His word.
If you’re not abiding in Christ, then you’ll just be like the professing Jews who questioned His words. This leads me to the next point:
[SLIDE 9] Second, Freedom Is Shattered By Sinful Bondage (Verses 33-34)
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.
The Jews here - who seemed to have believed in verses 30-31 - were skeptical and in denial about Jesus’ statement on freedom and bondage.
To be free from something implies that you were enslaved to something.
And they refuse to admit that they’re enslaved to anyone.
Why is that? It’s because they said that “we are offspring of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone.”
Now, who is Abraham that they’re talking about?
I asked that obvious question for two reasons:
First, this is the 1st time John mentions him in this gospel.
In fact, John 8 is the only chapter where Abraham is mentioned in John’s gospel.
Second, maybe some of you did not grow up in the church and aren’t familiar with the Bible.
In case you don’t know who he was, he was the first of the three patriarchs in the book of Genesis. The other ones would be Isaac and Jacob.
He was the father of the Hebrews (or Israelites) or the Jewish nation.
He’s an important character in Genesis and in the whole Bible.
Abraham was in the promised land, which we know today is called Israel.
But, back in Genesis, it was known as the land of Canaan.
Before he was there, Abraham was the man whom God called out of the land of Ur and promised him many things.
God made a covenant with Abraham in Genesis 12, 15, 17.
In summary, God promised Abraham a people, a nation, a land, and that his name would be great and that he would be a blessing to the families of the earth.
God promised Abraham that he would have a son and that his descendants with be multiplied and have as many of them as the stars.
So, the Jews are offspring of Abraham.
They are physical descendants of Abraham.
And Jesus acknowledges that in verse 37 by saying: “I know that you are offspring of Abraham.”
But, how does being an offspring of Abraham relate to being free AND not being enslaved?
It seems like they’re implying that they’re free because they’re offspring of Abraham.
They make an audacious claim that they have NEVER been enslaved to anyone.
But, aren’t they technically enslaved to the Roman Empire?
Furthermore, weren’t their ancestors slaves to Egypt in the book of Exodus?
Did they somehow forget their family history?
Most likely, they’re not talking about physical freedom, but spiritual freedom because of their identity as Abraham’s descendants.
It was a highest privilege to be an offspring of Abraham.
Therefore, because they are offspring of Abraham, the Jews questioned Jesus’ statement: “How is it that you say, ‘You will become free’?”
Jesus will explain what he means in verse 34.
Jesus begins with these familiar words: “Truly, Truly, I say to you.”
Jesus is making an emphasis that He is telling the Jews the truth and nothing but the truth.
What is the truth that Jesus wants to say to the Jews?
Everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin.
To practice sin means to be committed to sinning wilfully and willingly against the Lord.
It makes sense that one who continuously engage in sin and rebellion against Christ is a slave to sin because they’re a slave to the evil one and they belong to the devil.
[SLIDE 10]
6 No one who abides in him keeps on sinning; no one who keeps on sinning has either seen him or known him...8 Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning... 9 No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God’s seed abides in him; and he cannot keep on sinning, because he has been born of God.
The slavery that Jesus is addressing is not enslavement to the political or economic system in Rome.
It’s a spiritual enslavement and bondage.
They are enslaved to sin.
It is a kind of slavery where you are continuously doing the things that are against the Lord and in rebellion against the Creator.
Rejecting Christ and His word is what’s going to continue to enslave them.
Spiritual enslavement is going to prevent them from knowing the truth.
Here’s the truth: Either the word of God is going to keep you away from sin OR sin is going to keep you away from the word of God.
Continuous and wilful rebellion against the Lord is not what a true disciple looks like.
Instead, it’s what a false disciple looks like.
It’s what self-professing Christian looks like.
They are those who have not truly believed and gave their lives to Christ.
If you make a practice of sinning, then you are not a disciple of Christ, nor a child of God.
Instead, you are a child and disciple of Satan.
That’s why Jesus will later on tell these so-called believing Jews that their father is the devil (John 8:44)
The practice of willful sin has no place in the life a born-again Christian.
Now, you may be wondering: How is that different from believers who still sin?
If you’re truly a disciple of Christ, then you have been liberated from the power and penalty of sin.
Yet, we still have the presence of sin in us.
It’s called the indwelling sin or the flesh.
All of us still sin, even after God caused us to be born-again.
We will struggle and fight against sin.
[SLIDE 11] Even the Apostle Paul struggled with sin when he talked about it in Romans 7.
22 For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being, 23 but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members.
However, there is a difference between struggling with sin and living in unrepentant, willful sin.
Believers who struggle with sin are no longer enslaved to sin.
Whereas unbelievers living in unrepentant sin are enslaved to sin.
[SLIDE 12] We read it during service:
17 But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed, 18 and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness.
You know what true believers ought to do after they sin?
We should mourn over it.
We should confess it.
We should be convicted by the Holy Spirit.
We should hate our sins because sin displeases our heavenly Father.
And we are to seek to put it to death by the power of the Holy Spirit.
We are in a lifelong battle against the indwelling sin until the day we meet the Lord.
So yes, we as Christians still sin, but we don’t make peace with it.
We ought to rage war against it because we are in a spiritual warfare.
So, consider this question: Are you enslaved to sin?
It doesn’t matter if you’re living in the free countries.
Apart from Christ, you’re ultimately enslaved to your sin.
You think about those who are enslaved to drugs in DTES. I’m sure we grieve when we see people are crushed under the weight of sin’s consequences.
We see the spiritual bondage of sin being manifested visibly and physically.
But, let’s not deceive ourselves.
Spiritual slavery is not just something we can see visibly, but it’s invisibly.
Sinful bondage can be hidden behind religious activity, wealth, education, or outward morality.
You could appear clean, successful, or even religiously devout on the outside, yet still be enslaved on the inside.
You can be enslaved to pride, sexual lust, greed, anger, likes on social media, educational achievements, or other forms of sinful addictions.
So I ask again: Are you enslaved to sin, or have you been set free by the truth?
If you’re not a believer this morning, and you recognize that you need to be set free, then consider this 3rd point.
[SLIDE 13] Third, Freedom Is Secured By The Son (Verses 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.
In verse 35, Jesus uses another analogy regarding slavery, but he adds sonship into the mix.
We see a contrast here: The slave does not remain in the house forever. However, the son remains in the house forever.
What in the world does Jesus mean here? What is this house?
In the Jewish culture, slaves were a part of the household, but they were not permanent members of the family.
Afterward, they could be sold and were freed.
In fact, in the Old Testament, the Israelites had Israelite slaves/servants of their own, but it’s nothing like the American slavery.
The law mandated that the slaves would be free, such as the year of Jubilee.
What Jesus is saying is that those Jews may have thought that they’re sons of Abraham in God’s house, but in reality, they’re slaves in a household, so to speak.
It doesn’t matter if you are physically descendants of Abraham, and assume to be sons of God.
Only those who trust in Christ are truly sons of God. (Romans 8:14, Galatians 4:6).
They will remain in the household of God forever.
So, for the Jews, if they reject Christ, they are in danger of forfeiting the privileges they had received.
Therefore, Jesus draws a conclusion to his brief “parable” or analogy.
It is the Son who sets people free that they will be really free.
The Son is the permanent member of the household and the heir of the household.
The Son has that kind of authority to set slaves free because His Father gave Him that authority.
He came to set liberty those who are oppressed.
If the Son sets us free and if the truth will set us free, then what are we free from exactly?
Free from power and penalty of sin.
Free from the tyranny of Satan.
Free from condemnation.
Free from judgment of God.
Free from spiritual death.
Free from the fear of death.
If you’re truly a disciple of Christ, then you are free from the spiritual bondage of sin.
Now, we have to carefully define what this freedom looks like.
Yes, we have noted that you’re free from sin and the consequence of sin.
But, sometimes, people think that freedom means they get a license to do whatever they want, including sin.
[SLIDE 14] But, Scripture is clear that you are not free to continue in sin because you have died to it in Christ.
13 For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.
Paul explains that you were free from being slaves to sin so that you can freely become slaves to righteousness and slaves of Christ.
You’re free to serve Him gratefully.
You’re free to live for Him joyfully.
You are free to be sons and daughters of God and be in union with God.
A pastor summarizes this nicely:
“When you truly believe in Christ, He gives you the desire to please Him who lavished His grace upon you. He gives you the ability to obey Him as you walk in the Spirit who lives in you. He gives you opportunities daily to say no to sin and selfishness and to serve others in love. And you will dwell with Jesus in heaven forever, with no regrets that you left your life of sin to follow Him.”
Brothers and sisters, let me ask you some heart-level questions:
Are you using your freedom to love, serve, and glorify Christ, or are you using it for self-indulgence?
Does your life reflect the joy and gratitude of someone set free by the Son?
[SLIDE 15] Application
Main: Jesus frees you from spiritual bondage so that you can experience spiritual freedom in Him.
Freedom Starts By Steadfast Abiding In God’s Word (Verses 31-32)
Freedom Is Shattered By Sinful Bondage (Verses 33-34)
Freedom Is Secured By The Son (Verses 35-36)
[SLIDE 16] Conclusion
As I conclude this message: I mention in the beginning that many people from developing or war-torn nations would dream of moving to free countries such as Canada or USA.
We are places known for our freedom, safety, and opportunity.
They dream of escaping oppression, poverty, and fear to live a better life for themselves and for their family.
Just imagine all sinners in the world would have that same desire and longing...
Not for political freedom, but longing for spiritual freedom that only Christ can give.
And when they come to genuine saving faith and abide in Christ, just imagine the weight of their sinful bondage being lifted away.
And they found true liberty, true peace, lasting hope, and eternal life not in any countries or politicians, but in the person and work of Jesus Christ.
Friends, if that describes you this morning, then you can come to Christ, place you faith in Him for eternal life, and abide in His word.
So that the truth will set you free.
Brothers and sisters, let us live before the watching world in such a way that our freedom in Christ would captivate them to know Jesus.
Benediction
