Abiding & Freedom

Biblical Text: John 8:31-38

Author’s Main Idea: Believe in Jesus, Abide in His Word, Be Set Free

Subject & Modifier: Christ’s Word, Abide

Theological Themes: Spiritual Freedom, Disciples, Truth,

Non-Theological Themes: Slaves, bondage, freedom, truth,

Sermon/Lesson Ideas: Abide in Christ

Correlation Scriptures: John 15:7-8, 2 John 9, Romans 6:22, Galatians 5:1, James 1:22-25, 1 Peter 2:16

Observations - Jesus spoke to his Jewish followers/believers about abiding in His word that leads to freedom from sin and spiritual bondage. Jesus’ Words found no place in their lives.

Interpretation - Jesus expected action beyond belief that lead to abiding in His words, which results in freedom.

Generalization - Followers of Christ must seek to believe, and more importantly, abide in Him and His Word to be set free spiritually. Belief alone will not produce freedom but making room for Christ’s words in their lives.

Application - Belief and Abiding will result in a life of freedom. Make room for Christ’s words in your life.

Implementation - Christians must seek to live a life rooted in Christ and His word and enjoy a spiritually free life.

Outline

Introduction

July 4th, 2020. Lunar Eclipse pictures and video.

July Fourth is a time to celebrate our independence from Britain. Freedom is worth celebrating. As Christians, we too should celebrate freedom in our spiritual lives.

Main Point #1 - Fickle Faith is Not Enough

John 8:31a - Jesus speaks to his Jewish followers who had believed in Him but still lived in spiritual slavery to sin.

“Who had believed,” πεπιστευκότας is a perfect, first attributive participle. The Jews believed in Jesus (John 8:30). They had believed and this belief was still active when Jesus speaks yet they still were slaves to sin.

The Jews believed in Jesus (fickle faith) but did not abide in His Word which left them in spiritual slavery.

John 8:34 - Those who practice sin are slaves to sin and abide in the Flesh

Galatians 5:16-17 - The flesh and the spirit are at war and opposition towards each other.

Abiding in the flesh produces fruit of the flesh, abiding in the Spirit produces fruit of the spirit.

We abide in the Spirit by putting on Christ, abiding in His Word (Romans 13:14).

Main Point #2 - Abiding Leads to Freedom

John 8:31b - Abiding in Christ’s Word leads to knowing the Truth, which produces Freedom.

John 15:5 Jesus repeatedly speaks about abiding in Him throughout John’s Gospel, noting that Jesus is the source of life and truth, which allows believers to produce fruit for God’s Glory.

Romans 6:22 - The fruit we produce by abiding in Christ are the very proof of our salvation. Abiding in Christ produces fruit (as mentioned above in John 15) and by bearing fruit we prove ourselves Children of God.

Galatians 5:1 - Christ has set us free from sin so that we might never return to bondage under sin again. We remain free by abiding him Christ.

Main Point #3 - Abiding Is Making Room For Christ

John 8:37 - Jesus demonstrates that their actions are a result of the refusal to let Jesus’ Words find “place” within them. Abiding in Christ means making room for His Word.

John consistently uses the word “Abide” throughout his Gospel as an indication of authentic faith that leads to salvation.

Remaining in Christ’s Word also means obedience to His Word (John 14:15, 15:10).

Freedom From Sin

In Christ we are free from condemnation - John 5:24

In Christ we are free from the darkness - John 5:12

In Christ we are free from the power of the evil one - John 17:15, 1 John 5:18

In Christ we are free from death - John 5:24, 8:51

Application

Why is this important?

Understanding that faith involved abiding in Christ

What objections could be made against this topic?

“Belief does not require obedience.” - Jesus clearly teaches that if we love Him, we will keep His words (John 14:21)

“But I believe in Jesus, isn’t that enough?” - Belief is the beginning of the process towards salvation, we need to become one with Christ and identify with Him (James 2:19)

“I don’t need to worry, because I am not as bad as other people.” - Jesus’ main concern regards who we abide in and identify with. Later in John 8, the Jews rest their case on their descendants from Abraham and even expose Jesus’ parent’s possible sexual immorality (John 8:41).