Understanding God
Notes
Transcript
Welcome!
Welcome!
Appeal up front
Many people struggle to accept Christ because we don’t understand His Father
Many people struggle to accept Christ because we don’t understand His Father
Why would God do this, or when he said that, what did he mean? If either of those things have been a stumbling block for you, this message is for you.
6 There was a man sent from God whose name was John.
7 He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe.
8 He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.
9 The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world.
10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him.
11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.
12 Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—
13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.
(Pray)
Where is Your Father From?
Where is Your Father From?
My dad grew up in Chicago, IL but he spent the first 12 years of his life in Clarksdale, MS. When my wife first met my dad she couldn’t understand his words.
When they first met he would ask her something and she would either not respond or do something opposite of what he asked. It was evident that she didn’t understand his words.
The phone conversations were the most entertaining because there was no line of site to read lips or body language. Sometimes she’d say, “Okay, here’s Corey”. My reply: Babe, he just asked you a question. She couldn’t understand his words, but somehow...
His Children know what he was saying!
Raj —
In John 8, Jesus is speaking to a mixed crowd. In that crowd were some who believed in him already, some who just started believing during this conversation, and finally, there were some who disagreed with every word that came out of his mouth.
31 To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples.
Hold: stay, dwell, abide, live in
This is not a cram and brain dump relationship. Discipleship is about knowledge applied.
32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
Implied — My teaching is the truth
Declared — The truth will set you free
Free from what? The truth sets you free from anything that keeps you from applying God’s word to your life. As we all know, the opposite of the truth is a lie. And that’s what makes the next verse so hilarious.
33 They answered him, “We are Abraham’s descendants and have never been slaves of anyone. How can you say that we shall be set free?”
Never been slaves? 400 years in Egypt ring a bell? Ever heard of the Babylonians? Remember King Xerxes and the Persians? What do you mean “You’ve never been slaves of anyone?” If you believe that your whole life is a lie.
Which I guess, makes you all liars. And as long as you are trapped in that lie, you are slave to it. And since lying is sin, that also makes you a slave to sin.
I imagine Jesus gave them that look that we all give people when an obvious lie pops out of their mouths and
34 Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin.
In other words, “On your own, you couldn’t stop lying even if you wanted to.” You are slave to that sin.
35 Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever.
And here comes the good news.
36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.
But as we stated last week, everyone doesn’t respond to good news the same way. In fact, sometimes they respond to it completely opposite to what you’d expect. In this case, the good news Jesus was preaching about made some people want to kill him.
37 I know that you are Abraham’s descendants. Yet you are looking for a way to kill me, because you have no room for my word.
Pay attention to that phrase. “You have no room for my word.” What does he mean? Psa 119:11
“But you,” Jesus says have so little room in your heart that even though I’m telling you what I’ve seen from the father, you want to kill me.”
38 I am telling you what I have seen in the Father’s presence, and you are doing what you have heard from your father.”
And knowing that Abraham would not be doing what they are doing, they protest. “We know we aren’t acting like him but still”
39 “Abraham is our father,” they answered. “If you were Abraham’s children,” said Jesus, “then you would do what Abraham did.
Now, before we move on let’s play that game from Sesame Street called “One of these kids are not like the others.” I want us to recall the public ministry of Jesus Christ for a moment. He healed the sick. Raised the dead. Drove thieves out of the temple and even paid taxes (Matt 17:27).
Now, compare what I just told you to the fact that these folks have in their hearts or minds to kill Jesus. In fact, as we just read, he calls them out on it in verse 37 and they don’t even deny it. So as we compare the two, we see Jesus, who consistently adds value to the lives of others, and these folks who are committed to ending Jesus.
And in response to Jesus’ words, there may be a bit of self-realization from the crowd, that they have been lying to themselves the whole time. So they drop the part about never being slaves and simply argue, “but...“Abraham is our father,”
John 8:39
39 “Abraham is our father,” they answered. “If you were Abraham’s children,” said Jesus, “then you would do what Abraham did.
Jesus doesn’t back down. He still knows their hearts. They are exposed but unrepentant. They know they are wrong but won’t change their ways. They’d rather kill the messenger than receive the message. It’s good news but they don’t like it. It’s good news but they won’t hear it. And Jesus calls them out on it.
John 8:39-41
39 “Abraham is our father,” they answered. “If you were Abraham’s children,” said Jesus, “then you would do what Abraham did.
40 As it is, you are looking for a way to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. Abraham did not do such things.
41 You are doing the works of your own father.” “We are not illegitimate children,” they protested. “The only Father we have is God himself.”
And Jesus is like, “Umm, I don’t know about that.” First you said you’ve never been enslaved. Then you said that although you don’t do what he does, Abraham is still your father. And now you’re telling me that God is the only father you have. At this point, your entire argument is supsect!
42 Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I have come here from God. I have not come on my own; God sent me.
And this next verse makes the point of our entire conversation tonight. Jesus argues
John 8:43
43 Why is my language not clear to you? Because you are unable to hear what I say.
And why is that? Because
John 8:44-47
44 You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.
45 Yet because I tell the truth, you do not believe me!
46 Can any of you prove me guilty of sin? If I am telling the truth, why don’t you believe me?
47 Whoever belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God.”
Ladies & gentlemen, there is a language in which God speaks through and it’s called the Holy Spirit. It is this same Holy Spirit that Jesus promised would come down from Heaven after he rose from the grave. This same Holy Spirit was given to the disciples who waited in the upper room. And it’s the same Holy Spirit that Peter spoke of in Acts 2:38. It’s the same spirit that spoke to our forefathers and generals of the faith. It’s the spirit that God wants to breathe into you.
With God’s Holy Spirit you find comfort in troubling times, a guide in the darkest hour, a teacher in the school of life, and an advocate in the midst of trials who will lead you into all truth. And the truth is, though they lied, he is risen. They cursed him but he is risen. They beat him but he is risen. They spat in his face and pierced his side, they put nails in his hands and a crown of thorns on his head.
The song writer said they hung him high, they stretched him wide, he hung his head. For me he died. But that’s not how the story ends. Three days later he rose again. Another song writer said, “Living he loved me. Dying he saved me. Buried he carried my sins far away. Rising he justified. Freed me forever.”
And another said, “I am free. Praise the Lord I’m free. No longer bound. No more chains holding me. My soul is resting. It’s just a blessing. Praise the Lord, hallelujah I’m free.
He who the son sets free is free indeed. I want to talk to someone today who feels like you can’t find your freedom. You’ve been slave to addictions, bad habits, and sin that has kept you from experiencing the freedom that comes from a life in Christ Jesus....