John 8:21-30
Notes
Transcript
So when we preach there are 3 people we are talking to.
First, we preach to the Christian so they can hear the Words of God. So they will be encouraged and exhorted to continue on no matter what comes their way.
The Second person we preach to is the False Convert, the Nominal Christian. Nominal: existing in name only. Those who say they are a Christian but they truly aren’t regenerated. And this person may really believe they are a Christian. But, the Word of God will shine light and hopefully this person sees their sinfulness like they have never seen it before and they repent, turn to Christ and trust in Him for salvation from their sin.
The Third and last person we preach to is the Lost person. The one who knows they are lost. And for you today, I pray that your heart longs to know Christ.
Lets read God’s Word:
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.” So the Jews said, “Will he kill himself, since he says, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come’?” He said to them, “You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. I told you that you would die in your sins, for unless you believe that I am he you will die in your sins.” So they said to him, “Who are you?” Jesus said to them, “Just what I have been telling you from the beginning. 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.” They did not understand that he had been speaking to them about the Father. 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. 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.” As he was saying these things, many believed in him.
Prayer:
Lets look at verse 21 together:
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.”
There is a lot here. So, you know how to eat an elephant?
One bite at a time!
Here is our first bite:
You know what I love about Jesus? The Biblical Jesus? Not the weak American Disney Jesus..But the Biblical Jesus, the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords…the God Man…you know what I love about Him?
I love that He :
isn’t scared of anything!
He isn’t intimidated by anyone!
He’s the baddest dude on the block
He’s not a whimp or a coward...
He’s not scared of danger
He’s not scared of hard conversations
And He is so loving, merciful, and gracious.
Look at the first 6 words of verse 21 because I want us to see something this morning...
“So he said to them again...”
Jesus is standing up to these guys who absolutely HATE Him and He knows it…BUT HE NEVER BACKS DOWN FROM THE TRUTH!
Remember where this scene started? In Chapter 7.
HE knew then that these religious leaders wanted to KILL Him. (vs 2)
In verse 20 they accused Him of having a ‘demon’...
Everyone knew they wanted to KILL Him (vs. 25-26)
They were trying to ARREST Him (vs. 30 and 32)
In verse 33 and 34 He tells the Pharisees, the Religious Leaders:
Jesus then said, “I will be with you a little longer, and then I am going to him who sent me. You will seek me and you will not find me. Where I am you cannot come.”
And here we go again...
He causes a division (vs. 43)
They want to arrest him again (44)
They try to trap him and test him in Chapter 8:6
They call him a liar (Chapter 8:13)
See, most good church-men who walk away.
Most good church-men would run from the pressure, the slanderous mean accusations about him.
Most good church-men would say, “to heck with them...”
But NOT the King…Not Jesus…Look at how BOLD Christ is…in the face of all that...
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.”
He knows they want Him gone.
He knows they wish He would JUST LEAVE...
He knows they wish He would JUST SHUT UP and leave them alone…BUT...
HE DOESN’T BUDGE!
HE DOESN’T BACK DOWN!
Actually, He doubles down!
NOW LETS LOOK AT WHAT HE TELLS THEM...
“I am going away, and you will seek me, and you will die in your sin. Where I am going, you cannot come.”
What is He saying here?
He is saying:
I’ll be going back to the Father, where I came from.
You WILL SEEK ME…and you WILL DIE IN YOUR SIN.
What sin?
THE SIN OF UNBELIEF.
And because of that you cannot come… “you cannot come where I am going…to the Father”.
Look at how true that was then…and still today for the Jewish people!
They are seeking the Messiah but they will NOT find Him!
They are still waiting on the Messiah to come but He already HAS come!
And because they did not and DO NOT believe that Christ was and IS the Messiah they WILL NOT FIND HIM…and they WILL DIE IN THEIR SIN OF UNBELIEF.
They are seeking him in vain
And it is TRUE for so many today! It is true for some of us here today!
Remember what Jesus said in verse 12?
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.”
Everyone who walks in darkness is looking for light! People hate darkness and they will search all over for the light switch or a flashlight.
It is the same with our lives. People hate darkness and they want the warmth of light, the security of light…but because they seek everywhere else other than the TRUE LIGHT OF THE WORLD…they will die in their sin!
What does the TRUE LIGHT GIVE?
complete satisfaction
but people look for it everywhere else but in Christ.
The TRUE LIGHT GIVES the the Knowledge of the Glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ (2 Co. 4:6)
But people seek it in their jobs, their careers, in their identity.
They seek glory in their money and possessions...
They seek glory in their posts, in their snap-chats...
But it always leaves you empty!
ALL THE GOOD THINGS that you desire are only found in Jesus Christ!
And like He told them… “I am going away”…and when he does…when the preaching ends and you no longer hear of Him…you will die in your sin and you cannot go where He is!
Look at verse 22:
So the Jews said, “Will he kill himself, since he says, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come’?”
Can’t you just see these Religious Leaders all clumped up together…knowing what He is saying but refusing to believe all that they know deep down is true…they start mocking Him.
This is what people do right? Once an argument is lost the loser turns to ridicule and slander.
Instead of having an intelligent conversation the Religious turn to mockery.
Look at verse 23
He said to them, “You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world.
Look at what He is telling them!
He is saying there is such a chasm between us you have NO IDEA!
Christ and these Religious Leaders are from two separate galaxies! There is nothing in common between the two.
Now, only Christ can say in its fullest sense that “He is from Above” and “I am not of this world”…BUT
We…as Christians, can say that we are not of this world as well...
Look at what Christ says in John 15:18-19
“If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.
The unbeliever, the NOMINAL CHRISTIAN (Christian by name only)…their thoughts are all about the things of this world
money
popularity
likability
success
The Believer, the Christian, has his mind set on things ‘ABOVE’…eternal things.
Another point about this verse:
Remember there is a chasm between Christ, the one from above, and the unbelievers here, the ones from below.
Listen to me Christian:
You are going to have to be okay with being alone sometimes! This is the cost of God’s Grace!
You are going to have to be content with people hating you…you don’t have to like it but you have to expect it. <<LOOK at these TWO VERSES HERE…let that marinate>>
Don’t hang your head when the world, the religious leaders who refuse to look at God’s Word mocks you, slanders you, and ridicules you.
Don’t hang your head…lift it up…stand firm!
Look at what He is telling these religious people:
I told you that you would die in your sins, for unless you believe that I am he you will die in your sins.”
Can you imagine telling people that if they do not believe in Christ they will die in their sins and go to Hell?
How socially unacceptable is that?
NOW…can you imagine telling a RELIGIOUS PERSON that if they do not believe in Christ ALONE and not rely on their own merit in the slightest way…they will die in their SIN and go to Hell?
Oh…let me tell you…that doesn’t go over well
But…it is the most loving thing you can do!
unless people know who they are in their sin…and who God is in His Holiness…they cannot see their desperate need of a Savior!
This is the example Christ set for you Christian!
You and I must WARN people…all kinds of people!
But can you imagine telling a religious person, like someone who Christ is talking to in this verse? Someone who “thinks” they know Christ…and has a stack of good works to tell you about…can you imagine what they might say to you if you told them that their righteous deeds were filthy rags in the sight of God and that if you do not trust in Christ Alone…simply by FAITH ALONE…you will die in your sin...
YOU KNOW WHAT THAT PERSON WOULD PROBABLY SAY TO YOU?
the same thing they said to Christ in VERSE 25
look at the first part of verse 25!
John 8:25 (ESV)
So they said to him, “Who are you?”
They knew who He was…what they are saying is, “Who do you THINK you are preaching to ME?”
AND LOOK AT THE END OF VERSE 25 AT HOW JESUS RESPONDED:
John 8:25 (ESV)
Jesus said to them, “Just what I have been telling you from the beginning.
I am the LIGHT of the World…I am THE LIGHT! That’s who I am
Look at verse 26: Look at the FIRST 5 WORDS...
John 8:26 (ESV)
I have much to say ...
When people look at you Christian, and ridicule you and question you as “who are YOU to tell me anything about Christ and salvation”...
Let them know you “HAVE MUCH TO SAY”.
Christ didn’t back down because people were opposed to Him or His message.
Christ was BOLD…not intimidated by anyone when it came to the Word of God.
Look at the rest of verse 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.”
Here, Jesus is outnumbered by the Religious Jewish people all around Him.
They ridicule Him, the MOCK Him…but HE stands firm on what He has heard from the Father. He doesn’t cower down.
He came to call out sin and to offer salvation to those who would believe. He warned that those who would not believe in Him would die in their sin and this is the example He set for us.
It doesn’t matter who the majority is…it matters who stands on Scripture Alone…the Word of God to the Glory of God.
Verse 27
They did not understand that he had been speaking to them about the Father.
There is a couple things to this verse:
Do not be discouraged when you are sharing the faith with someone and they do not understand.
Here, Jesus is the preacher…it is Jesus Christ telling these people about their sin and their need to believe in Him for salvation and THEY DON’T UNDERSTAND.
How could they NOT understand though? How could they NOT see what Christ was talking about?
I’ll tell you how...
Turn to John 3:3
Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
Christ is THE LIGHT of the World NO DOUBT…Here He is shining right in front of them…BUT THEY COULDN’T SEE IT…THEY COULDN’T UNDERSTAND IT...
A.W. PINK Says, “Men need something more than external light; they need inward illumination”
And where does that come from? It comes from God Himself
And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true; and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.
Look at verses 28-29
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. 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.”
HE is obviously talking about the cross… when he is “lifted up”. When the Light of the World is lifted up on the cross and the Light shines for all to you…oh…then you’ll know.
Remember Psalm 22…oh…they will know when that time comes. There will be NO DOUBT.
And for us…when we tell people who Christ REALLY IS…and who THEY REALLY ARE...
Stand firm…BE BOLD....KNOW THAT THE WORLD will hate you…but it is by Grace that you get to tell others of Christ. It is by GRACE that you UNDERSTAND who Christ truly is and it is BY GRACE that you can let HIs light shine through you...
Look at this verse...
Christ spoke of the things The Father taught…the Father was with Him....He was NOT ALONE even when it looked like He was alone.
When it looked like He was out numbered…He was NOT ALONE. He spoke what he learned from the Father...
And guess what, Christian!! You who know how sinful you are in your flesh…you who have looked to Christ Alone for your salvation…You and I can’t and won’t “always do the things that are pleasing to him”…but what we can do is tell others what we have HEARD AND LEARNED FROM THE FATHER AS WELL...
No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day. It is written in the Prophets, ‘And they will all be taught by God.’ Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me—
Look at verse 30
As he was saying these things, many believed in him.
Now did they truly believe in Christ or is this more vain belief? We will look at that next week...
But one thing is for sure…THEY SAW ALL OF THIS GO DOWN…AND THEY KNEW THEIR BIBLES.
THIS sounded very familiar to them...
This all started with Christ claiming to be The LIGHT OF THE WORLD… and it ends with Christ refuting those who oppose Him and telling them that the Father is with Him…defending Him....
I want to end by reading you some of Isaiah…I want you all to see how amazing The Bible really is…Look at this text and listen…open your eyes…look for Christ...
But the Lord God helps me;
therefore I have not been disgraced;
therefore I have set my face like a flint,
and I know that I shall not be put to shame.
He who vindicates me is near.
Who will contend with me?
Let us stand up together.
Who is my adversary?
Let him come near to me.
Behold, the Lord God helps me;
who will declare me guilty?
Behold, all of them will wear out like a garment;
the moth will eat them up.
Who among you fears the Lord
and obeys the voice of his servant?
Let him who walks in darkness
and has no light
trust in the name of the Lord
and rely on his God.
Behold, all you who kindle a fire,
who equip yourselves with burning torches!
Walk by the light of your fire,
and by the torches that you have kindled!
This you have from my hand:
you shall lie down in torment.
“Listen to me, you who pursue righteousness,
you who seek the Lord:
look to the rock from which you were hewn,
and to the quarry from which you were dug.
Look to Abraham your father
and to Sarah who bore you;
for he was but one when I called him,
that I might bless him and multiply him.
For the Lord comforts Zion;
he comforts all her waste places
and makes her wilderness like Eden,
her desert like the garden of the Lord;
joy and gladness will be found in her,
thanksgiving and the voice of song.
“Give attention to me, my people,
and give ear to me, my nation;
for a law will go out from me,
and I will set my justice for a light to the peoples.
My righteousness draws near,
my salvation has gone out,
and my arms will judge the peoples;
the coastlands hope for me,
and for my arm they wait.
Lift up your eyes to the heavens,
and look at the earth beneath;
for the heavens vanish like smoke,
the earth will wear out like a garment,
and they who dwell in it will die in like manner;
but my salvation will be forever,
and my righteousness will never be dismayed.
Christian, be BOLD with your faith. We serve an ALMIGHTY GOD! A GREAT SAVIOR!
For you who claim to be a Christian by name only and for you unbelievers…come, truly come to Christ and put your faith in Him. Lay everything at His feet and acknowledge yourself as a sinner and Him as your King. Let Him rule over you...trust that He is a good King.
IF you do not believe in Him…you will die in your sin and you will not be where He is.
Repent and come to Christ and live.