Sermon Tone Analysis
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Before Abraham was, I Am
I don’t know if you remember or not, but way back in John 1, we spent the first few weeks going over the first 18 verses of John’s Gospel.
In your bibles these 18 verses are most likely titled the prologue.
And in the prologue, John is going to lay out the themes of his gospel.
And we will see those themes time and time again.
One of those main themes is light.
John 1:4-5 “4 In him was life, and that life was the light of men. 5 That light shines in the darkness, and yet the darkness did not overcome it.”
John 1:9 “9 The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world.”
Fast Forward a couple of chapters to chapter 3 and we read.
John 3:19-21 “19 This is the judgment: The light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than the light because their deeds were evil.
20 For everyone who does evil hates the light and avoids it, so that his deeds may not be exposed.
21 But anyone who lives by the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be shown to be accomplished by God.””
And here is a picturesque example of the darkness hating the truth.
These Jewish leaders are hating the truth that Jesus is exposing to them.
The evil hates the light.
And as the light shines brighter the evil and darkness gets deeper.
And as the darkness gets deeper, they have no retort for Jesus.
They have nothing that they can say to him that is going to combat what he has already said about them.
So what do they do?
What do most people do when they care confronted with a truth that they can’t dismiss or push aside?
They result to name calling.
They result to attacking the character of Jesus and not his arguments.
Side note: Don’t do this.
If you have a problem with someone’s argument attack the argument not the person.
Eternal Life
Jesus here is still combating with the same Jewish Leaders he was talking to for in verse 31-47.
But these Jewish leaders have now become defensive against what Jesus is saying.
If you don’t remember what Jesus said about these men here’s a little recap.
John 8:44 “44 You are of your father the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires.
He was a murderer from the beginning and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him.
When he tells a lie, he speaks from his own nature, because he is a liar and the father of lies.”
John 8:47 “47 The one who is from God listens to God’s words.
This is why you don’t listen, because you are not from God.””
So Jesus is telling these religious men that they aren’t serving the God they claim to serve.
That they are just like the lying and murderous devil
That in fact he is their father.
Jesus is making these claims based on their actions.
Based on how they are treating him.
They are being confronted with the truth and they are reacting in evil and wicked ways.
The truth reveals their wickedness.
The truth reveals their brokenness.
The truth reveals the fact that they don’t belong to God.
They are fighting against Jesus.
Jesus is the bringer of light.
He is the source of all truth.
He is shinning on them and revealing their evil deeds and they hate him for it.
And what do they say about Jesus?
John 8:48 ““Aren’t we right in saying that you’re a Samaritan and have a demon?””
We talked about before in John 4 how the Jewish people thought of Samaritans.
They believed they were heretical half-breeds.
They were viewed as the scum of the earth.
They were seen as not worthy of respect or dignity.
So for them to say this about Jesus was to attack with a low blow.
To questions his very worth and dignity.
They obviously know that he isn’t from Samaria b/c he is the “backwoods prophet from Galilee.”
But not only do they accuse him of being a Samaritan, but they accuse him of having a demon.
This is no doubt in response to Jesus’ correct accusation of their father being the devil.
They are trying to cast shame on Jesus.
They are trying to turn the tables on Jesus.
They are acting like elementary aged kids on the play ground.
Chanting “I’m rubber and your glue, whatever bounces off of me sticks to you.”
Remember they know that they have already lost the fight.
They are now trying to save face.
And using every tool at their disposal to make Jesus look bad.
Why?
B/c they have lost the battle.
So Jesus responds to the Jewish Leaders.
Notice he doesn’t even respond to the claim about being Samaritan.
He’s not even going to dignify that attack with a response.
But he does fight against the demon attack.
He throws down that reverse card and says actually, You are dishonoring God.
You are still children of the Devil.
You are accusing me of seeking my own glory, but I don’t seek my own glory I seek the Father’s Glory.
Jesus is going to talk more about the Father’s glory a little later, so for right now I want you to focus on verse 51.
John 8:51 “51 Truly I tell you, if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death.””
This is the crux of these few verses.
Jesus is offering eternal life.
He is offering the opportunity to bypass death.
But he isn’t talking about a physical death.
Everybody dies.
He is talking about a spiritual death.
But notice the invite is for anyone to come, but only those that keep his word will inherit eternal life.
This is no doubt a further reflection on what he said in v. 31
Remember, John 8:31 “31 Then Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you continue in my word, you really are my disciples.”
Now those who continue in his word, keep his word aren’t only his disciples, but they also receive a reward.
If they abide.
If they continue.
If they keep.
If they stay committed to Jesus and his word they will not see condemnation.
They would avoid death.
Spiritual death.
Here’s the thing, when we face our physical death, there is going to be a time that we stand before God.
And he is going to separate us into two categories.
Those who honored, obeyed, and kept Jesus’ Words and those that didn’t.
Those who honored, obeyed, and kept Jesus’ Words are going to inherit eternal life.
Those who don’t will reap the reward of their sin and face spiritual death.
Death at its very core is separation.
So those who die physically and spiritually are going to be separated from God and in goodness.
God’s grace.
God’s Love.
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