Sunday, February 14, 2021 ~ The Book Of John ~ Series: LOVED BY JESUS ~ Message: The “I AM” ~ Scripture: John 8:31–59 ESV ~ Pastor Philip Miller

Image: Truth Will Set You Free

Scripture: John 8:31-59 ESV

John 8 ESV and Audio

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. 37 I know that you are offspring of Abraham; yet you seek to kill me because my word finds no place in you. 38 I speak of what I have seen with my Father, and you do what you have heard from your father.”

You Are of Your Father the Devil

39 They answered him, “Abraham is our father.” Jesus said to them, “If you were Abraham's children, you would be doing the works Abraham did, 40 but now you seek to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. This is not what Abraham did. 41 You are doing the works your father did.” They said to him, “We were not born of sexual immorality. We have one Father—even God.” 42 Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and I am here. I came not of my own accord, but he sent me.43 Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot bear to hear my word.44 You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do 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 lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies. 45 But because I tell the truth, you do not believe me. 46 Which one of you convicts me of sin? If I tell the truth, why do you not believe me? 47 Whoever is of God hears the words of God. The reason why you do not hear them is that you are not of God.”

Before Abraham Was, I Am

48 The Jews answered him, “Are we not right in saying that you are a Samaritan and have a demon?” 49 Jesus answered, “I do not have a demon, but I honor my Father, and you dishonor me. 50 Yet I do not seek my own glory; there is One who seeks it, and he is the judge. 51 Truly, truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death.” 52 The Jews said to him, “Now we know that you have a demon! Abraham died, as did the prophets, yet you say, ‘it anyone keeps my word, he will never taste death.’ 53 Are you greater than our father Abraham, who died? And the prophets died! Who do you make yourself out to be?” 54 Jesus answered, “If I glorify myself, my glory is nothing. It is my Father who glorifies me, of whom you say, ‘He is our God.’ 55 But you have not known him. I know him. If I were to say that I do not know him, I would be a liar like you, but I do know him and I keep his word. 56 Your father Abraham rejoiced that he would see my day. He saw it and was glad.” 57 So the Jews said to him, “You are not yet fifty years old, and have you seen Abraham?” 58 Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.” 59 So they picked up stones to throw at him, but Jesus hid himself and went out of the temple.

SERMON NOTES

Sunday, February 14; 2021

The Book Of John

Series: LOVED BY JESUS

Message: The “I AM”

Scripture: John 8:31-59 ESV

Pastor Philip Miller

In this passage from the end of John 8, we catch a glimpse of Jesus' amazing glory. There are three glorious offers he gives us, but each has a tough reality that we must face. Because when the Son breaks through, we’re either drawn to his beauty or blinded by the light, there really no room in between.

Jesus offers Freedom

• Jesus offers freedom to those who admit their bondage.

1) Jesus offers Freedom to those who admit their bondage. There are two groups of people here; those who admit they’re slaves to sin, who look to Jesus to set them free; and those who insist they’re actually free, when they’re really not. Sin always looks like freedom until it’s too late. Sin always enslaves us in the end. Jesus offers freedom, but there’s a catch: freedom only comes when we admit our bondage. So we must ask ourselves: do we really want to be free?

Jesus offers a Father

• Jesus offers a Father to those who own their devilry.

2) Jesus offer a Father to those who own their devilry. In all of this, Jesus is making an appeal. He's saying: "You’re living in enslavement to sin, and you’re under the power of the devil. But I’m here that you might have life! I’m here to set you free! I’m here that you might no longer be slaves… but sons! I’m here to bring you home, that my Father might indeed be your Father!" But the catch is, that if you want God as your Father, you have to admit your sinful heart.

Jesus offers Forever

• Jesus offers forever to those who honor his deity.

3) Jesus offers Forever to those who honor His deity. Again, there are two groups of people. Those who believe (the disciples are there) and honor Jesus as “my Lord and my God” as Thomas will do, and those with stones in their hands. Jesus takes away the middle ground; you can either crucify Him as a liar and lunatic, or your can worship Him as Lord and live forever.

Takeaways:

• We are far worse off than we think.

• Jesus is far better than we realize.

• There is far more at stake than we imagine.

As human beings apart from grace, we’re in a desperate world of hurt. Jesus alone can be our Savior, because he alone is I AM.

Do you want to be free? Do you want God as your Father? Do you want to live forever? Jesus offers us all of this, if only we would admit our sin and worship Him.