I am he | John 8:25-30
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Transcript
Metaoutline
Intro
What the problem is; our contemporary cultural context: Here’s what we face.
Early Points
What the Bible says; the original readers’ cultural context: Here’s what we must do.
Middle Points
What prevents us; current listeners’ inward heart context: Why we can’t do it.
Late Points
How Jesus fulfills the biblical theme and solves the heart issue: How Jesus did it.
Application
How through faith in Jesus you should live now.
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[Kid’s Time]
Gospel means “Good news”
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[Introduce Text]
Last week we introduced the basic formula of Explaining the Gospel
Explanation of the Gospel
The Facts
Bad News
Good News
What now?
Jesus had begun this conversation with the statement and invitation:
12 Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
verses 13-19, Jesus builds His credibility in order to move past the Facts to the Bad News
Verses 21-24, Jesus tells them the Bad News:
> I’m going away, somewhere you cannot come
> You will seek me and, unable to find me, die in your sins
> You are from below, of this world
> I am from above, NOT of this world
> Without belief that Jesus “is he”, they will die in their sins
Finally, the Jews ask Him, “Who are you?”, which begins Jesus’ explanation of The Good News.
God willing, we will unpack Christ’s direction with this question,
25 So they said to him, “Who are you?” Jesus said to them, “Just what I have been telling you from the beginning. 26 I have much to say about you and much to judge, but he who sent me is true, and I declare to the world what I have heard from him.” 27 They did not understand that he had been speaking to them about the Father. 28 So Jesus said to them, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he, and that I do nothing on my own authority, but speak just as the Father taught me. 29 And he who sent me is with me. He has not left me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to him.” 30 As he was saying these things, many believed in him.
[Pray]
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Let’s do an exercise:
When is the last time you REALLY thought of, reflected on, the image of the Cross of Christ?
>> This morning? Yesterday? Last week? A month ago?
“Who are you?”
Jesus points to two things which testify to His identity
>> Connects them to the Father, and, to the Cross
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(1) The Father
In v. 25-30, Jesus mentions His Father SIX TIMES
>> Why?
[Illustration]
Emily has somewhere around 200 cousins, of varying types… Some are in this room!
The first time I travelled to a family reunion, I was repeatedly ask,
“Whose son are you?”
Our place of origin describes who we are, and for Jesus, this connection to the Father is PIVOTAL
>> Our relationship to the Father is PIVOTAL
John makes the connection clear between Jesus, the Son, and His Father:
22 For the Father judges no one, but has given all judgment to the Son, 23 that all may honor the Son, just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him.
and
23 Whoever hates me hates my Father also.
and
23 No one who denies the Son has the Father. Whoever confesses the Son has the Father also.
Who is Jesus?
He is His Father’s Son:
John 8:25-29
> The Father is True
> The Father sent Jesus, the Son
> The Father speaks to the Son, and the Son declares what He hears from the Father
> The Father instructs the Son, and the Son speaks on the Father’s authority
> The Father is with the Son
> The Son always does what is pleasing to His Father
If you ask the Son, He will point to His Father
If you ask for the Father, He will point to His Son
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(2) The Cross
[Illustration]
When I was a boy, my grandmother was Catholic. In her home were many crucifix. I was always puzzled by the scantly clothed man nailed to the cross…
“How strange a symbol the cross is to us who are worldly. When the Facts aren’t true to us, when the Bad News is reserved for fanatics, fundamentalists, people who just need to “chill out” with this obsession over the Gospel… The Cross being the sign of the Good News is nonsense. The pagan Romans saw Christianity as a “weak” religion. How could honor, praise, worship, sacrifice be reserved for so humble and lowly a God as the crucified Jesus?”
Why the obsession?
It’s not until we see the Cross AND the man pierced to it that we connect the dots
28 So Jesus said to them, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he, and that I do nothing on my own authority, but speak just as the Father taught me.
>> The Cross of Christ IS the penultimate revelation of the personhood of God
Who is Jesus and What is the Gospel
Jesus DOES out of WHO He is
Let’s unpack it:
Jesus spells out the ultimate revelatory moment… the moment of total irony.
Jesus would be high and lifted up on the cross.
Jesus would be declared the King of the Jews in mockery.
Jesus would be told to come down if he is who he says he is… He would stay because He is who He says He is.
Jesus would ask of His Father, “forgive them, for they know not what they do”. Luke 23:34
Jesus would cry to His Father, “Into your hands I commit my spirit”. Luke 23:46
Jesus would declare to all of creation, “It is finished”. John 19:30
All these things the Savior thought fit to do, so that, recognizing His bodily acts as works of God, men who were blind to His presence in creation might regain knowledge of the Father...[the end of His earthly life and the nature of His bodily death] is, indeed, the very center of our faith, and everywhere you hear men speak of it; by it, too, no less than by His other acts, Christ is revealed as God and Son of God.
—On the Incarnation, St. Athanasius of Alexandria
So what does the Cross teach us of who Jesus is?
(a) The Redeemer
7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, 8 which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight 9 making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ 10 as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in Christ, things in heaven and things on earth in him.
13 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
(b) The Reconciler
32 And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.”
>> We are gathered together, reconciled to each other
19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.
21 And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, 22 he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him,
(c) The Propitiation
Propitiation: appeasing or satisfying the wrath of God; sufficient sacrifice
Jesus did not die a martyr, but a sacrifice.
— Alistair Begg
>> Only a sacrifice as immensely valuable as the Son of God could overshadow our innumerable sins
If someone offends you, what must they do to satisfy your wrath? an “I’m sorry”?
>> What if they wreck your car? or destroy your property?
>> What if they harm your family? Your health?
What must be done to satisfy the wrath of Holy God?
>> Worldly Kings would have their offender’s head…
>> What about the Good and Great King of the universe?
His propitiation should be seen with His goodness in mind:
10 In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
>> His goodness, AND His greatness:
17 Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.
(d) The Substitute
But as I ran my hell-bound race
Indifferent to the cost
You looked upon my helpless state
And led me to the cross
And I beheld God’s love displayed
You suffered in my place
You bore the wrath reserved for me
Now all I know is grace
— All I Have is Christ
21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
(e) The Preeminent one
Preeminent: Surpassing all others
15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent.
8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
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[Worship Band come up]
Jesus is
1 Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, 2 and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain.
3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures,
[Pray]
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Communion
1 Corinthians 11:23–26
“23 For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”
25 In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.”
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(4) What Now?
>> Belief Proceeds points 1-3… Action Proceeds Belief
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.
John 12:35–36
35 So Jesus said to them, “The light is among you for a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you. The one who walks in the darkness does not know where he is going. 36 While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light.” When Jesus had said these things, he departed and hid himself from them.
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[Worship Band come up]
[Pray]
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Communion
1 Corinthians 11:23–26
“23 For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”
25 In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.”
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Sermon Prep Outline
Sermon Prep Outline
STEP 1: DISCERN THE GOAL OF THE TEXT
STEP 1: DISCERN THE GOAL OF THE TEXT
Round One — First Reading
Read the English text at least twice
Begin writing a running commentary
Your Text:
John 8:12–59
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“12 Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
Jesus addresses the people, we know, from the Treasury of the Temple (v. 20). This is presumably still at the tail end of the Feast of Booths, if we follow that the Adulterous Women story be removed.
Jesus makes an “I am” statement. This is unique, as we know John spends much of his gospel presenting an answer to the question, “Who is Jesus?”. What better source than the man Himself?
Jesus uses imagery, the “light of the world”, drawing our attention back to John ch. 1. The statement insinuates many things: His revelatory nature, His opposition to darkness/confusion/chaos, His position to the world (kosmos)… What follows is a bit of an “if/then” statement >> “IF you follow Me, THEN you will not walk in darkness...” and “IF you follow me, THEN you will have the light of life”
13 So the Pharisees said to him, “You are bearing witness about yourself; your testimony is not true.”
Now the Pharisees are on the scene. They’ve come guarded, ready to deal with this rabble rouser themselves.
They’re first offense is to question His credibility, drawing back to the necessity for “two or more witnesses” for a testimony to hold. It wasn’t enough to make statements or claims about yourself if it couldn’t be corroborated. Jesus confirms this in Jn. 5:31
14 Jesus answered, “Even if I do bear witness about myself, my testimony is true, for I know where I came from and where I am going, but you do not know where I come from or where I am going.
Jesus begins His response in a unique way… He doubles down, speaking about his own integrity for His testimony.
15 You judge according to the flesh; I judge no one.
They judge according to fleshly, observable things… But Jesus says He doesn’t judge that way. (Divine Judgement)
16 Yet even if I do judge, my judgment is true, for it is not I alone who judge, but I and the Father who sent me.
Here, Jesus explains that He judges WITH the Father as His witness and fellow judge (Credible Judgement)
17 In your Law it is written that the testimony of two people is true.
Jesus references their Law, Numbers 35:30.
18 I am the one who bears witness about myself, and the Father who sent me bears witness about me.”
Jesus claims that His secondary witness is His Father. This would have been inferred from the Law/Scriptures.
19 They said to him therefore, “Where is your Father?” Jesus answered, “You know neither me nor my Father. If you knew me, you would know my Father also.”
“Because” Jesus said this, the Pharisees ask about the location of His Father, probably to question Him too… Jesus’ response is not answering their question, but, points out their knowing His Father. Jesus points out that knowing Him would be the equivalent of knowing the Father.
John writes this to demonstrate Jesus’ credibility, the Pharisee’s lack of credibility, and here, WHO Jesus really is! He is the revelation of God, because He IS God!
20 These words he spoke in the treasury, as he taught in the temple; but no one arrested him, because his hour had not yet come.
Again, Jesus is preserved from being arrested because the timing, the divine appointment, had not yet come.
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21 So he said to them again, “I am going away, and you will seek me, and you will die in your sin. Where I am going, you cannot come.”
Jesus is telling them the Gospel. It starts by telling them the “bad news”.
22 So the Jews said, “Will he kill himself, since he says, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come’?”
Judging, again, “by the flesh”. They seem to pay no attention to what Jesus is saying of their state…
23 He said to them, “You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world.
Jesus describes their “alienation” from each other.
24 I told you that you would die in your sins, for unless you believe that I am he you will die in your sins.”
Jesus hits the point home again. Like a doctor, circling back to the significance of the terminal diagnosis, when the patient is focused on the doctor’s testing methods…
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25 So they said to him, “Who are you?” Jesus said to them, “Just what I have been telling you from the beginning.
Finally, the ask the right question. And Jesus reiterates, stating He’s already given the info needed for them to know the answer to this question.
26 I have much to say about you and much to judge, but he who sent me is true, and I declare to the world what I have heard from him.”
Jesus is pointing the magnifying glass back at them. They want to look at Jesus, question His credibility, question His judgement, question every iota of what He says… without ever asking the truly relevant questions.
How like them we are?! When we share the Gospel, when we receive it, we are blind to our sin and so focused on others, like a kid giving the excuses of their failure to follow through by pointing at their siblings…
Jesus is a herald Himself, declaring all he hears from the Father.
27 They did not understand that he had been speaking to them about the Father.
They still haven’t connected the dots. Once they do, they would reject it (v. 59).
28 So Jesus said to them, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he, and that I do nothing on my own authority, but speak just as the Father taught me.
Jesus spells out the ultimate revelatory moment… the moment of total irony.
Jesus would be high and lifted up on the cross.
Jesus would be declared the King of the Jews in mockery.
Jesus would be told to come down if he is who he says he is… He would stay because He is who He says He is.
Jesus would ask of His Father, “forgive them, for they know not what they do”. Luke 23:34
Jesus would declare to His Father, “Into your hands I commit my spirit”. Luke 23:46
29 And he who sent me is with me. He has not left me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to him.”
Jesus claims unity with the Father
30 As he was saying these things, many believed in him.
At this, many believe in Him. As we will see, their belief wont last long…
31 So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples,
Here’s the “Whatcha gonna do about it?”…He addresses those who “believed” and delivers a condition. Obedience is a fruit of true discipleship.
32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
Discipleship is marked by 1) Knowledge of the truth and 2) Freedom by the truth.
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’?”
They’re response shows their hearts; They cannot fathom their freedom because they cannot recognize their slavery. They associate their kinship to Abraham as evidence of their “status”.
34 Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin.
Jesus begins with, “Truly, truly, I say to you...”. It was typical for our Lord to begin by drawing in the attention of the hearers, so that they might cling to His word and live.
John quotes Jesus uses absolute language, especially “everyone”. There is no exception; ALL who practice sin are slaves to sin. Jesus appears to be insinuating to these Jewish believers that they occupy this camp as well.
35 The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever.
The slave is property, expendable, good for his use to his Master. A son remains forever; the “house” is his inheritance, along with the slaves of the house.
Because Jesus is fully God, His inheritance and presence in this house is eternal, forever, never losing or abandoning His post.
36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.
So = Therefore, in light of this… Another “IF” statement. With the previous point in mind, Jesus makes clear that, although the problem of slavery to sin and slavery as a status limit the slave from his freedoms, the Son is Master over His house. No slave set free by the Son will lose this freedom; it is a part of the inheritance the Son grants those He frees. “Indeed” insinuates “completeness”, “confidence/certainty”.
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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.”
39 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,
40 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.
41 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.”
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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.
43 Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot bear to hear my word.
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.
45 But because I tell the truth, you do not believe me.
46 Which one of you convicts me of sin? If I tell the truth, why do you not believe me?
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.”
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48 The Jews answered him, “Are we not right in saying that you are a Samaritan and have a demon?”
49 Jesus answered, “I do not have a demon, but I honor my Father, and you dishonor me.
50 Yet I do not seek my own glory; there is One who seeks it, and he is the judge.
51 Truly, truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death.”
52 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.’
53 Are you greater than our father Abraham, who died? And the prophets died! Who do you make yourself out to be?”
54 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.’
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.
56 Your father Abraham rejoiced that he would see my day. He saw it and was glad.”
57 So the Jews said to him, “You are not yet fifty years old, and have you seen Abraham?”
58 Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.”
59 So they picked up stones to throw at him, but Jesus hid himself and went out of the temple.”
Note anything that strikes you or raises a question:
Notes:
Round Two — Second Reading (Look for 3 categories)
Repetitions (words, ideas, grammatical forms):
Notes:
Connector words (therefore, because, for, since, if, then):
Notes:
Metaphors or images:
Light of the World
Notes:
For each one ask:
Why did the author use this?
John is connecting the imagery used elsewhere to Jesus.
What was he conveying?
John was showing Jesus’ revelatory nature.
How would the meaning change if this weren't here?
It was take away from the claims elsewhere. Those writing that Jesus is the Light are speaking from what they heard Jesus claim.
Round Three — Original Language & Commentaries
Determine the meaning of each significant word:
Notes:
Check for repetition masked by English translation:
Notes:
Use commentaries to answer puzzling things:
Notes:
Examine images and their use elsewhere in Scripture:
Notes:
Look for allusions/quotes from other parts of the Bible:
Notes:
Round Four — Context Questions
Within the book:
How does this passage fit with the rest of the book?
What is the message of the whole book?
How does this passage contribute to it?
Why is it here?
How would the book be diminished without it?
Notes:
Within the whole Bible:
What doctrines does this text touch on?
What themes run through the whole canon?
How do the biblical themes in this text point to or find fulfillment in Christ?
Notes:
Goal Question (choose one or write your own):
(Motyer)"What is the one thing that all the other things are about?"
(Robinson)"Subject: what is this talking about? Complement: what is it saying about that?"
"What did the author want his original listeners to learn, feel, and/or do?"
Your answer (1–2 sentences — the "freshly-squeezed essence" of the passage):
Passage title:
Section titles (if longer passage):
STEP 2: CHOOSE YOUR THEME FOR THE SERMON
STEP 2: CHOOSE YOUR THEME FOR THE SERMON
What central idea of the text do you want to present?
How does this address your specific listeners?
Sermon Theme Statement:
STEP 3: DEVELOP YOUR OUTLINE
STEP 3: DEVELOP YOUR OUTLINE
Theme fits the passage ✓
Each point raises insights from the text ✓
Movement toward a climax ✓
Point 1:
Point 2:
Point 3:
(Add points as needed)
STEP 4: FLESH OUT EACH POINT
STEP 4: FLESH OUT EACH POINT
For each point, gather:
Element
Arguments
Illustrations
Examples
Images
Supporting Bible texts
Practical
Application
"The goal is not just to explain the text but to minister to your specific listeners."— Timothy Keller
