Sermon Tone Analysis

*Union Church of LaHarpe, Illinois, USA* \\

!!!! John 8:13-29

!!! "A Reliable Witness"

\\ \\ There was some real good news this last week . . . .

some researchers are suggesting that chocolate may help prevent heart disease . . . in fact the combination of moderate consumption of chocolate and red wine are especially effective.

Of course, that's one group of experts opinion.

There are studies that tell us that sugar is bad for us . . . .

others that sugar substitutes are worse for us.

Some tell us coffee is not so bad . . .

others say it is.

WHO DO YOU BELIEVE?

You can't watch a news broadcast without hearing about some kind of trial.

It may be O.J.'s civil trial, it may be Travelgate, Whitewater, or a local criminal trial.

Experts are paraded before the court to testify about the facts and the competency of the defendant.

The problem is they don't agree.

The experts defense witnesses tell us that the defendant was not responsible.

The expert Prosecution witnesses tell us that the defendant was most surely responsible.

Can anyone really blame us for becoming cynical?

Does truth really depend on who's paying the bill?

WHO DO YOU BELIEVE?

You listen to many voices saying they have the way to God . .

.they've seen a vision, they've discovered a formula, they have the approach needed to know God better.

However, these people conflict with each other.

WHO DO YOU BELIEVE?

This must have been much like the climate that existed in John chapter 8. Jesus testifies that He is the Light of the World.

He tells them that He is sent by God.

In essence He claims to be the long-promised Messiah.

If you look at it from the perspective of those people are we really surprised that they were a little hesitant to believe?

After all.....it was as if I were to say....this man over here is God . . .

How do you know?

Because He told me he was.

We would think that was gullibility to the highest degree.

It is certain that these folks were obstinate but their question is still the most important one in life: So why should we believe Jesus?

!!!

Why Jesus Should be Trusted

!!!!

Because He Was Serving God and not Himself

If someone came up to you and said, "I am an excellent musician.

I sing well and can really play the trumpet."

how would you respond?

Probably you would think, "I bet".

You would be unconvinced until you had heard that person sing or play.

Why?

Because you have heard others who said they were good . . .

and they weren't.

This illustrates a common trait of humankind, we distort the facts for our benefit.

We exaggerate the good to make us look even better.

We color over the bad to make us look less culpable.

We will lie to cover our wrongs.

We will do whatever it takes to get the outcomes we desire.

Since this is the way we are we tend to assume that others are this way as well.

Jesus confronts this notion with His words: "These claims are valid, even though I make them about myself."

(8:14).

In other words, just because other people lie, don't conclude that I am incapable of telling the truth simply because I talk of myself.

But Jesus goes beyond this.

In verse 28 he says, "When you have lifted up the Son of Man on the cross, they you will realize that I am he and that I do nothing on my own, but I speak what my Father taught me . .

"

I believe Jesus is telling us that at His death we will look back and realize that He was telling us the truth.

Why?

Because His life will be consistent with His testimony.

The person who claims to be a good singer and does sing well is shown to be a credible witness.

The Savior who says He comes to glorify the Father, and does, is shown to be a truthful witness.

!!!!

He Presents Clear Truth not Speculative Theories

Certainly one of the most difficult times in life is that moment when you are asked to "declare a major".

At that moment you have to make a decision as to what direction your life will take.

It's scarey.

Most of us don't know what we are called to do. . .

what we are called to be.

Consequently we are "stabbing in the dark".

Jesus was different, He said, "I know where I came from and where I am going, but you don't know about me."(v.

14) By looking at verses 14, 21, and 27 you can see that Jesus knew that He came to give His life.

He knew He was going to die and He knew why.

Jesus was clear as to His purpose and His destiny.

He came to draw mankind to the Father.

Jesus also said, "You judge me with all your human limitations, but I am not judging anyone."(V.15).

Jesus knew that we cannot make valid judgements because we don't know all the facts.

We don't know what was intended or what the result of actions will be.

We also don't know if a person is serving God of themselves in the things they do.

Consequently we are left with faulty judgment.

That's why Jesus has already showed us that we should leave the judgment to the Lord.

Jesus is not judging anyone because that is not what He was called to do while He was here on earth.

(Though there is coming a day when He will exercise that role).

Jesus knew what the Father wanted Him to do and He did it.

We can only give hypotheses that will change as more information comes to light.

We can give theories but only Jesus can see clear enough to tell the truth!

!!!!

He has Corroborating Testimony

Jesus reminds us that He is not testifying to His nature in isolation.

The Father has also testified on His behalf at His baptism.

Remember?

The voice came from heaven saying, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."

Subsequent to this conversation the Father will also testify at the transfiguration of Jesus.

And who can deny that the resurrection was a powerful testimony of the validity of Jesus' claim to be the Son of God, the Redeemer of men.?

If we needed additional witnesses (and we don't because God does not lie), we could call on some of the Demons who said, "What do you want with us Jesus, Son of the Most High?" Or we could call to the stand those who were healed, transformed, made knew.

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The Implications of Believing the Testimony of Jesus

When OJ Simpson was declared innocent of murder the implication was that he would be set free.

He could never be charged for that crime again.

He must have all his rights returned to him.

There are consequences to the decisions we make.

That is certainly true with Jesus.

!!!!

Those who do not exalt Christ are not friends of the True and Living God

Jesus makes it plain, "Since you don't know who I am, you don't now who my Father is.

If you knew me, then you would know my Father, too."

These are hard words for people to accept but it is a necessary consequence if Jesus is the only way to forgiveness (as He will soon claim).

Anyone who rejects Jesus as God in human form who came to give His life for the redemption of those who would believe, is godless.