Series on John's Gospel

The Truth Shall Set you Free!

Read: John 8:31–59

The New Convert - “I shall not steal!” I shall not commit adultery” - Took it as a promise not a command. Evidence of a changed life!

There is such a lot we could draw out from this passage, some of which we have touched on before but our focus today is on the verse 32: “The truth shall make you free”.

I. FREE!

(SLIDE 1) - Examples of what “free” means: -

- Free speech

- America, the land of the free

- At liberty to say/do what we want

Dictionary definition: “Not under the control or in the power of another”.

II. SPIRITUALLY FREE!

So, we need to understand what Jesus means here! The freedom to which Jesus is referring is not the same as the image that our secular society has. He is speaking off a Spiritual freedom

We were slaves to sin – we were controlled by our earthly passions and desires – our mindset was on pleasing ourselves rather than pleasing God

We were not able to redeem ourselves – a slave has no say over their own destiny

However, once Jesus sets us free, sin no longer has dominion over us – Colossians 1:22 “But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation—”

However, this does not mean we are free to do exactly as we please – cf worldly freedoms (still come with restrictions)

The truth will set you free

The truth of the Gospel message – John 3:16

This truth is not about knowing facts (although the Gospel is factually true), but about knowing Jesus – a relationship

When we accept the truth of who Jesus is – not just giving intellectual assent, but allowing it to inwardly transform us – we can experience the freedom that Jesus talks about here – cf Romans 12:2 “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

Take a step back and look at what comes immediately before this key verse – this is expanded on in the rest of the passage. V31: If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth … We should not try to understand and apply v32 without the context of v31. Consider, Jesus’ audience:

Jesus was speaking to Jews “who had believed” –Consider but this passage shows that their belief was only shallow. When questioned, they became defensive and argumentative

They were also unaware of their own history! – I know you are Abraham’s descendants. Yet you are ready to kill me, because you have no room for my word. - When identity collided with reality, they defaulted to identity

They had a number of stumbling blocks when it came to believing in Jesus:

Jesus distinguishes between those who say they believe but have no deep roots and those who are truly committed to following Him. Cf weeds in garden.

“Some of you are trying to kill me because there’s no room in your hearts for my message” (v36, NLT) - – they were too sure of their own inheritance to allow space for Jesus’ words to transform them

“If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God” (v42) – they failed to recognise who Jesus was

“He who belongs to God hears what God says”(v47) – John 10 reminds us that those who follow Jesus know His voice, but Jesus’ listeners here did not recognise God’s voice because they did not belong to Him

Jesus’ desire was to honour His Father, but His audience were more concerned with defending their traditions

Jesus sets us free!

The Son has set you free from the penalty of sin. Through faith in Jesus, we are no longer under condemnation but are forgiven and reconciled to God.

The Son has set you free from the power of sin. We are no longer slaves to our fleshly desires but can live a life of obedience and righteousness.

The Son has set you free from the fear of death. Because Jesus conquered death, we have eternal life and can face tomorrow with confidence.

The Son has set you free from the bondage of shame. We are no longer defined by our past but are new creations in Christ, forgiven and loved.

III. FREE AT LAST! MAKE IT LAST!

How should we respond?

Recognise the significance of our spiritual freedom – Galatians 5: 1 – It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. - A Slave in Roman times once adopted is free from hard labour. He has rights and privileges in his freedom, menial tasks belonged to the slaves

A prisoner released from prison is free, but may still feel the fear and habits of the prison. The truth of the Gospel ("knowing the truth") is what changes their mindset, allowing them to truly live in that freedom, not just technically have it

Don’t allow other beliefs (eg political) or traditions to become more important than honouring God – be aware of our own stumbling blocks

Make sure there is room in our hearts for Jesus’ message – hold to His teaching – “Oh, come to my heart, Lord Jesus, There is room in my heart for Thee”

PRAY & REFLECTION, THANKSGIVING! – maybe use Galatians 4:1–7 “What I am saying is that as long as the heir is a child, he is no different from a slave, although he owns the whole estate. He is subject to guardians and trustees until the time set by his father. So also, when we were children, we were in slavery under the basic principles of the world. But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons. Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir.”