An Unbelievable Offer

Background:

Jesus teaching in the temple.

Post Festival of Booths

Jews still out to catch Jesus to have him put to death.

They get real close this time.

Those listening to Jesus were confident of their righteousness and based that on their birthright as children of Abraham.

Jesus challenge this false sense of security.

Three unbelievable things that Jesus offers to those who follow Him...

Offer #1 - Freedom

John 8:31–38 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.”

What is this freedom from? Why do we need it?

John 8:34–38 ESV

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.”

???

[Note: They were dead wrong about never being in captivity. What about Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Persia and then Rome?]

[Note: This freedom is from the sin and traps of this world.]

How do we get this freedom?

John 8:31–32 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.”

???

Offer #2 - Hearing

What kind of hearing does Jesus offer?

John 8:39–41 ESV

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.”

???

Why do most people not hear from God?

John 8:41–47 ESV

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.”

???

What if I am a Christian, but struggle to hear from God?

John 8:47 ESV

Whoever is of God hears the words of God. The reason why you do not hear them is that you are not of God.”

Just as much as this statement should cause us to check our salvation it should also cause us those who know Him to listen more. For many who know Jesus as Lord and Savior is not that we can’t hear from God, the problem is that we are so jacked up on social media, news reports and our hobbies that we can’t hear the still small voice of God. Most of the time that is how God speaks. It is most often not a burning bush or a pillar of cloud. Most often it is a still small voice. To hear it we need to slow down, get still and listen.

To those who struggle to hear God and be assured that you have heard from God I would like to offer a few thoughts and suggestions that go beyond read your Bible and pray.

[Share some of the insights from Dallas Willard’s Book]

Offer #3 - Life

What is Jesus’ offer of life? I’m already alive.

John 8:48–51 ESV

The Jews answered him, “Are we not right in saying that you are a Samaritan and have a demon?” Jesus answered, “I do not have a demon, but I honor my Father, and you dishonor me. Yet I do not seek my own glory; there is One who seeks it, and he is the judge. Truly, truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death.”

???

How do we get in on this offer?

John 8:52 ESV

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.’

???

How is Jesus able to make such an offer?

John 8:53–59 ESV

Are you greater than our father Abraham, who died? And the prophets died! Who do you make yourself out to be?” 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.’ 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. Your father Abraham rejoiced that he would see my day. He saw it and was glad.” So the Jews said to him, “You are not yet fifty years old, and have you seen Abraham?” Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.” So they picked up stones to throw at him, but Jesus hid himself and went out of the temple.

???

So, there are a few ways to respond to what Jesus offers...

That’s not for me. Are you sure?

I prayed a prayer, but I never experienced anything like that. You can and you should.

I’m so grateful for what Jesus has done. You need to turn your worship and sharing dial up to 10.

Deeper Discoveries...