Light of the World

Freedom

18. CHRISTIAN FREEDOM

We find the light of truth in Jesus. In the midst of rejection and controversy, the message of this light can still lead people to put their faith in him.

We need some basic things for life – water, only a few days w/o, food a week or two. Light – nothing can grow live or survive without light

Water – Living Water the Samaritan Woman

Food – I am the Bread of Life – feeding 5000+

Light – I am the Light – This is the passage today

John 8:12–36 - 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.” 13 So the Pharisees said to him, “You are bearing witness about yourself; your testimony is not true.” 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. 15 You judge according to the flesh; I judge no one. 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. 17 In your Law it is written that the testimony of two people is true. 18 I am the one who bears witness about myself, and the Father who sent me bears witness about me.” 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.” 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.

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.” 22 So the Jews said, “Will he kill himself, since he says, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come’?” 23 He said to them, “You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. 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.” 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.

The Truth Will Set You Free

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.

I. THE SETTING—v. 12.

A. Picture— Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world.

Darkness kills - Light is needed to grow.

Darkness confuses Light reveals our surroundings

Darkness disrots Light guides like the pillar of fire in the desert, Psalm 119:105lamp to my feet

Darkness is cold, Light warms, gives heat

Darkness is dangerous - Light warns – like light houses, teaches Prov 6:23 For the commandment is a lamp and the teaching a light, and the reproofs of discipline are the way of life,

Satan brings darkness but God as light –

Psalm 27: Light and Salvation

Psalm 44:3 a fighting force – for not by their own sword did they win the land, nor did their own arm save them, but your right hand and your arm, and the light of your face, for you delighted in them.

B. Practice— “Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

He doesn’t just throw out the I am the light and let it sit there –

Immediate follow up – whoever follows me

Ever play hide and seek in the day?

Why do we play at night?

Darkness hides

1. Sin. Sin always darkens man to the truth.

2. Shame. Man loves darkness because his deeds are evil.

3. Showing. Following Christ shows man his sin and shortcomings.

We have the setting – during the festival of lights Jesus says I AM the light of the world – this creates a situation.

II. THE SITUATION—vv. 13–24

A. Problem—v. 13. The Pharisees accused Jesus of boasting and lying, since He said He was the Light of the world.

B. Proof—vv. 14–18.

1. Wrong—vv. 14–16. They judged Christ without having the facts.

3:17 – He came to save not to condemn or judge

He says Heaven they think Nazareth

He says Father (God) they think Joseph and illegitimate child

He speaks spiritually they judge worldly

Jesus refuses to judge them or others as they judged Him.

When I was younger – I had a harsh view of the Jews

How often do I judge others without all the facts?

How often have I questioned God?

2. Witness—vv. 17–18. The Jewish law agreed that if two people agreed on something, it was true—

Deuteronomy 17:6; 19:15;

These of course deal with sentencing to death and charge of a crime

2 Corinthians 13:1b Every charge must be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses.

“Well, I am one witness, and my Father who sent me is the other”—v. 18, LB

Jesus takes them back to OT – I AM – Moses

They challenge Jesus –

• “Your testimony is not valid” (v. 13). Jesus responds you neither know me nor my father

• “Where is your father?” (v. 19). If you knew me you know my father

• “Will he kill himself?” (v. 22). You are earthly and see things worldly – I am from above

• “Who are you?” (v. 25). I told you I am the light of the world – my father AVI HAKAVOD the father of lights sent me

C. Person—vv. 19–21. The Jews did not accept Christ as the Messiah. Jesus made it clear that if they had known Him, they would have known the Father. If they did not repent, they could not enter heaven.

D. Punishment—vv. 22–24. If they did not accept Christ, then they would die in sin, and could not enter heaven.

No fancy, savvy lawyer –to get innocence for a guilty person

All who do not accept forgiveness from Christ the Messiah will die to sin

Jesus’ own words here indicate that those who reject the Him, reject the Gospel message will die to their sins – not everyone gets to heaven – Scripture is clear

Jesus is clear

The setting – festival of flights – the situation – Jesus is accused of lying and lays out the penalty for rejecting Him and the Father’s plan – which is to send us the SAVIOR

III. THE SAVIOR—vv. 25–29

A. Christ—vv. 25–26. Christ always claimed to be the Savior. He knew more than the religious leaders, since He spoke God’s Word.

B. Confusion—v. 27. Jesus spoke plainly, yet they didn’t understand. Why? Three reasons: (1) spiritual blindness,

(2) stubbornness

(3) tradition

Are we spiritual blind? Do you see God working in different aspects of your life?

Are you stubborn? If God doesn’t ______________ (fill in the blank)

Does tradition keep us from the freedom that comes from a life with Jesus? Do we trap ourselves rules and regulations that prevent us from experiencing the freedom because tradition is more important that relationship?

C. Convinced—vv. 28–29. After these Jewish leaders had crucified Christ, they would be convinced He was the Son of God, the Messiah.

IV. THE SALVATION PLAN—vv. 30–36

A. Service—vv. 30–31. Can only be a disciple as one follows Christ. A true disciple will leave all to follow Christ.

Soldiers follow their leaders do as they say, apprentices follow their teachers do what they do – disciples follow Christ and do what He did

B. Salvation—v. 32. The truth (John 14:6) sets man free.

What is truth? Can it change? Can what is truth for me be different for what is truth to you?

No! Truth is not a slide rule, its unchanging so the source of truth has to be unchanging so truth cannot come from a man because man changes.

There can only be one source of truth and when you accept that truth about truth the source of truth – freedom comes.

Lies burden you, sin weighs you down but if you follow Him, you will know the truth and the truth will set you free

Bankers when looking for counterfeits don’t spend much time looking at fake money – they spend a lot time looking at real money so when they something that is not real its easily identified

The more we follow Christ’s example – the easier it is to spot lies, untruths, misnomers about Jesus and God

C. Slave—vv. 33–35. A slave to sin. A slave has no rights, he must always obey his master. The sinner’s master is satan.

D. Savior—v. 36. It is Christ, our Savior, who sets us free!

Jesus told them you will seek me and you will die in your sins – Even after raising from the dead many will continue to look for the messiah and die in their sin –

Truth?

Everyone who sins is a slave to sin – there is no freedom

Accept the truth – Jesus us standing there with the keys to unlock the chains – what will you do?

My prayer vision – Bondage Breaker

Are you still captive? Do you want to be free?

Are you free? What are you doing with it?

Questioning God?

Judging others?

Arguing with God?

Remaining Spiritually blind so you can try and say I didn’t know?

Being stubborn to what God is calling you to do?

What are you doing with the truth? With the light of the World?

Let us pray