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John Chapter Eight

 
The Light Of The World (8:12)
 
INTRODUCTION
 
1. The gospel of John records at least seven remarkable claims by
 Jesus...
 a. "I am the bread of life" - Jn 6:48
 b. "I am the light of the world" - Jn 8:12
 c. "I am the door" - Jn 10:9
 d. "I am the good shepherd" - Jn 10:11
 e. "I am the resurrection and the life" - Jn 11:25
 f. "I am the way, the truth, and the life" - Jn 14:6
 g. "I am the vine" - Jn 15:5
 
2. In making such statements, Jesus reveals much...
 a. About the world around us, and the lives we live
 b. About Himself, and what He has to offer to us
 
3. In this study, we will focus our attention on His claim to be "The
 Light Of The World"...
 a. As recorded in Jn 8:12... "I am the light of the world. He who
 follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of
 life."
 b. Made by Jesus in the treasury of the temple (part of the Court of
 Women) - cf. Jn 8:20
 c. In which there were "two colossal golden lamp stands, on which
 hung a multitude of lamps, lighted after the evening sacrifice
 (probably every evening during the feast of tabernacles),
 diffusing their brilliancy, it is said, over all the city"
 - Jameison, Fausset, and Brown
 
[As we examine the words of Jesus, we notice what is implied about the
world in which we live...]
 
I. THERE IS DARKNESS IN THE WORLD
 
 A. THE SYMBOLISM OF DARKNESS...
 1. Used metaphorically to symbolize distress, mourning,
 perplexity, ignorance and death - Isa 9:1-2; Job 5:14; 12:
 24-25; 10:21; 17:13
 2. Used figuratively of moral depravity - cf. Jn 3:19; Ro 13:
 12-13; Ep 5:11
 
 B. THE REALITY OF DARKNESS...
 1. Seen in the news (terrorism, war, oppression, sexual abuse,
 greed)
 2. Viewed in the media (pornography, filthy language)
 3. Experienced in life (adultery, physical and verbal abuse, false
 religions)
 4. As described by the apostle Paul, many walk in darkness...
 - cf. Ep 4:17-19
 a. In the futility of their minds
 b. Darkened in their understanding
 c. Alienated from the life of God
  d. Ignorant because of the blindness of their heart
 e. Past feeling, given over to lewdness
 f. Working all uncleanness with greediness
 
[While there may be varying degrees of darkness in which people find
themselves, if they live in the world they must contend with darkness.
To those in darkness, Jesus offers hope...]
 
II. JESUS IS THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD
 
 A. HE IS THE LIGHT...
 1. A claim made elsewhere in the gospel
 a. In the prologue - Jn 1:4-9
 b. By Jesus on other occasions - Jn 9:5; 12:35,46
 2. He is the light, not a light
 a. Indicating that He alone provides the true light
 b. Even as He alone provides the true and living way - cf. Jn
 14:6
 3. As the light, Jesus is the source of life - Jn 8:12c
 a. The abundant life (with peace, joy, love) - Jn 10:10; cf. Jn
 14:27; 15:10,11
 b. The eternal life (including the resurrection) - Jn 11:25;
 17:2
 4. We must be wary of those who proclaim to offer "light"
 a. Some may be servants of Satan - cf. 2 Co 11:13-15
 b. At best, one can only reflect what light Jesus has already
 bestowed
 
 B. OF THE WORLD...
 1. Not for the Jews only, but for Gentiles (the nations) as well
 a. As foretold by the prophets - cf. Isa 49:6; 60:1-3
 b. As commanded of His apostles - cf. Ac 26:15-18
 2. Available to all who believe, not an elect few
 a. To everyone who believes in Jesus - Jn 12:46
 b. To those who follow Jesus - Jn 8:12b
 
[How wonderful to know that in a world of darkness, we can have the
light of life through Jesus Christ, the light of the world! Yet we
should reiterate that He is truly the light...]
 
III. FOR THOSE WHO FOLLOW HIM
 
 A. BY BECOMING HIS DISCIPLE...
 1. Note the connection between following Jesus and being a
 disciple
 a. The word "disciple" means a follower, a learner
 b. Only those who follow Him will have the light of life
  c. Therefore only those who become His disciples will walk in
 His light
 2. How one becomes a disciple (or follower) of Jesus
 a. It begins with faith - Jn 12:46
 b. It includes baptism - cf. Mt 28:19-20; Mk 16:16
 
  B. BY ABIDING IN HIS WORD...
 1. Only by abiding in His Word...
 a. Are we truly His disciples (followers) - Jn 8:31
 b. Do we truly have Christ - cf. 2 Jn 9
 2. As we abide in His words, we not only walk in light, we become
  light!
 a. Reflecting the light of Christ - cf. Ph 2:15-16
 b. Proving what is acceptable, exposing that which is not - cf.
 Ep 5:8-14
 c. The light of the world, bringing glory to our Father in
 heaven - cf. Mt 5:14-16
 
CONCLUSION
 
1. Are you confused, stumbling in a morass of darkness, making a mess of
 your life...?
 a. Come to Jesus, the light of the world
 b. Follow Him, who will give you the light of life
 
2. You can become a light to others walking in darkness...
 a. As you reflect the light of Christ in your own life
 b. As you abide in His teachings, and follow His doctrine
 
In a world of darkness, let us walk in the light of Him who leads us to
both the abundant life and eternal life...!

The Truth Shall Make You Free (8:31-36)
 
INTRODUCTION
 
1. One of the better known statements of Jesus is this: "And you shall
 know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." (Jn 8:32)
 
2. Today this popular statement is often used in a political context...
 a. Referring to freedom from political oppression
 b. Extolling the value of the free press, and freedom of expression
 
3. While such are notable virtues, Jesus had something else in mind...
 a. Freedom from something more serious than political oppression
 b. Truth that comes from only one source
 
[Let's examine the context in which Jesus' statement is found (i.e., Jn
8:31-36). From a careful reading of it we first note...]
 
I. THE FREEDOM OF WHICH JESUS SPEAKS
 
 A. FREEDOM FROM SIN...
 1. The Jews misconstrued Jesus - Jn 8:33
 a. They claimed to have never been in bondage (i.e., political
 oppression)
 b. An odd claim in view of the present Roman occupation, and
 past Egyptian, Assyrian and Babylonian captivities!
 2. Jesus explains the context of His statement - Jn 8:34-36
 a. He is talking about the slavery of sin
 b. He offers freedom from the bondage of sin
 
 B. THE BONDAGE OF SIN...
 1. There is the guilt of sin
 a. A guilt shared by everyone - Ro 3:23; 1 Jn 1:8
 b. Even if one has committed only one sin (if such were
 possible!) - Ja 2:10-11
 2. There is the power of sin
 a. Jesus describes how committing sin makes one a slave to sin
 - Jn 8:34
 b. Paul illustrated the dilemma of one in bondage to the power
 of sin - Ro 7:14-24
 
[More oppressive than any kind physical slavery is the spiritual slavery
that comes from being a sinner! While man may legislate political
freedom, only Jesus provides freedom from the bondage of sin. How He
does this can be seen as we now examine...]
 
II. THE TRUTH OF WHICH JESUS SPEAKS
 
 A. HIS DOCTRINE...
 1. The truth of which Jesus speaks is His own word or doctrine
 - Jn 8:31-32
 2. Which offers freedom from the bondage of sin
 a. From the guilt of sin through the blood of Christ - cf. Mt
 26:28; Ep 1:7
 b. From the power of sin through the Spirit of God - cf. Ro 8:
 1-2,12-13
 
 B. WHICH WE MUST OBEY...
 1. To be His disciples indeed - Jn 8:31; cf. Lk 6:46
 2. To be set free from sin - Ro 6:17-18; cf. He 5:9
 
 C. BEGINNING WITH BAPTISM INTO CHRIST...
 1. In which we are crucified with Christ - Ro 6:3-4a,6a
 2. In which we die to sin, thus freed from sin - Ro 6:6b,7,11a
 a. Its guilt removed by the blood of Jesus - Ac 2:38; 22:16
 b. Its power weakened by the gift of the Holy Spirit - Ac 2:38;
 Ep 3:16
 3. In which we rise to newness of life, free now to serve God - Ro
 6:4c,11b-14,17-18
 a. With the aid of the continual cleansing of Jesus' blood
 - 1 Jn 1:9
 b. With the aid of the Spirit in putting to death the deeds of
 the body - Ro 8:12-13
 
 D. CONTINUING WITH ABIDING IN HIS WORD...
 1. As stated by Jesus - Jn 8:31
 2. As reiterated by John - 2 Jn 9
 
CONCLUSION
 
1. Perhaps we can now better appreciate the significance of the Great
 Commission...
 a. To make disciples by baptizing them - Mt 28:19
 b. To make disciples by teaching them to observe all that Christ
 commanded them - Mt 28:20
 
2. For in carrying out the Great Commission into all the world...
 a. We offer the truth that really makes one free!
 b. Freedom from sin, the burden which truly oppresses mankind!
 
Are you under the heavy burden of sin, both it's guilt and it's power?
Then respond to the Savior's tender invitation:
 
 "Come to Me, all [you] who labor and are heavy laden, and I will
 give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am
 gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." (Mt 11:28-30)
 
Accept His call to discipleship ("take My yoke...learn from Me"),
remembering His promise in our text:
 
 "Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed."
 (Jn 8:36)

Is God Your Father? (8:42)
 
INTRODUCTION
 
1. We often hear people speak of the "Fatherhood of God"...
 a. Suggesting that all people are the children of God
 b. There is some truth to that, for we are all the offspring of God
 - cf. Ac 17:28-29
 
2. Yet in one sense, not everyone has God as their Father...
 a. Jesus identified some who did not have God as their Father - Jn
 8:42
 b. He even said their father was the devil! - Jn 8:44
 
3. Who is your Father? God or the devil...?
 a. If God is your Father, you will love Jesus - cf. Jn 8:42
 b. Love of the Son is proof that we have God as our Father
 
[Do we love the Son? How does love for Jesus express itself? We prove
that God is our Father when we love the Son in at least seven ways. For
example...]
 
I. BY TRUSTING IN JESUS
 
 A. CAN LOVE EXIST WHERE THERE IS NO TRUST...?
 1. Between husband and wife?
 2. Between friends?
 
 B. SO TRUST IN JESUS IS INHERENT TO LOVING HIM...
 1. He asks us to trust Him - cf. Jn 14:1
 2. How can we say that we love Him, if we don't trust Him?
 
 C. DO WE REALLY TRUST JESUS...?
 1. To be the way, the truth, the life (enough to put our souls in
 His hands)? - Jn 14:6
 2. To be the provider of our daily needs (enough to put the
 kingdom first)? - Mt 6:33
 
[If we trust Jesus in this way, we must surely love Him - and thus God
is our Father! But we also show our love for Jesus...]
 
II. BY OBEYING HIS COMMANDMENTS
 
 A. KEEPING HIS COMMANDMENTS IS INDICATIVE OF LOVE...
 1. As Jesus made clear, time and again - Jn 14:15,21,23,24; 15:10
 2. Can anything be more clear?
 a. Yet some might accuse us of "legalism" because we stress
 keeping His commands
 b. If keeping His commandments is legalism, then I plead
 guilty, because:
 1) I love Him and want to abide in His love
 2) Don't you?
 
 B. YET MANY FAIL TO DO WHAT JESUS TEACHES...
 1. He said to repent (Mk 1:14-15) - but many don't, while
 professing to love Him
 2. He said to be baptized and observe all that He commanded (Mk
 16:16; Mt 28:19-20) - yet many say baptism is not a
 necessary command
 
[Jesus said it best in Lk 6:46...why bother to call Him Lord if we don't
do what He says? If God is our Father, we will obey Jesus Him gladly
because we love Him. We also show love for Jesus...]
 
III. BY DELIGHTING IN HIS COMPANY
 
 A. IF YOU LOVE SOMEONE, YOU ENJOY BEING WITH THEM...
 1. E.g., friends, loved ones
 2. Can you imagine someone loving Jesus, but not wanting to be
 with Him?
 
 B. YET IT SEEMS DO NOT ENJOY BEING WITH CHRIST...!
 1. Demonstrated by their disregard for His Word revealed by the
 Spirit - Jn 16:12-14
 a. They don't make the effort to read it
 b. They don't take advantage of opportunities to study it
 2. Demonstrated by their lack of prayer which Jesus is willing to
 answer - cf. Jn 14:13-14
 a. They don't pray as they should privately
 b. They don't appreciate the blessing of congregational prayer
 3. Demonstrated by their sporadic attendance - cf. Mt 18:20
 a. Where Jesus has promised to be present
 b. Where many seem to pass by opportunities to assemble
 
 C. WHY SUCH DISREGARD FOR THE COMPANY OF CHRIST...?
 1. For those new in faith, it is likely ignorance
 2. For others, Satan and sin has hardened them into complacency
 - cf. He 3:12-14
 
[If we love Jesus, we will love the opportunities to be in His company.
We will also show our love...]
 
IV. BY SPEAKING ABOUT HIM
 
 A. WE OFTEN DEMONSTRATE LOVE THIS WAY...
 1. "Let me tell you about my grandchildren!"
 2. "You want to see the latest pictures?"
 
 B. SO THE EARLY CHURCH DEMONSTRATED THEIR LOVE FOR JESUS...
 1. E.g., the apostles - Ac 5:41,42
 2. E.g., those scattered abroad by persecution - Ac 8:1,4
 
 C. DO WE NOT LOVE THE LORD...?
 1. How can we be the children of God, if we are ashamed to speak
 of His Son?
 2. Imagine treating your family that way
 
[We should always be ready to speak about Jesus (cf. 1 Pe 3:15). We
also show our love...]
 
V. BY WILLINGLY SUFFERING FOR HIM
 
 A. MANY MAKE GREAT SACRIFICES FOR OTHERS...
 1. Parents give up much to be able to have and support children
  2. People are willing to jeopardize their lives for loved ones
 3. Even a dog will risk his life to save his master
 
 B. DO WE LOVE OUR LORD ANY LESS...?
 1. Especially when we receive salvation through His suffering?
 - He 5:7-9
  2. Paul called Timothy to join in suffering with him for Christ
 - cf. 2 Ti 1:7-12
 3. Peter likewise enjoins all to suffer willingly if need be - cf.
 1 Pe 2:19-21; 4:1
 
[Another way to express our love for Jesus, and thereby prove that God
is our Father...]
 
VI. BY LONGING TO BE LIKE HIM
 
 A. CHILDREN DEMONSTRATE LOVE THROUGH IMITATION...
 1. By adapting mannerisms of the parents they love
 2. Some good, some not (such as bad habits)
 
 B. CAN ONE SAY THEY LOVE JESUS, BUT NOT WANT TO BE LIKE HIM...?
 1. Especially when imitating Jesus is the goal of Christian
 doctrine?
 2. Note Co 3:9-11; Ga 2:20
 
[Finally, we show love for Jesus...]
 
VII. BY DESIRING TO PLEASE HIM
 
 A. CONSIDER PEOPLE IN LOVE...
  1. What man or woman won't go out of their way to please the one
 they love?
 2. They'll change clothes, mannerisms, hobbies, etc.
 
 B. CHRISTIANS ARE TO BE SIMILAR...
 1. For we are a pure virgin betrothed to Christ - cf. 2 Co 11:2
 2. Because of His love for us, we should live for Him - 2 Co 5:
 14-15
 3. Do you have a compelling desire to please Christ?
 4. You do if you truly love Him!
 
CONCLUSION
 
1. If one does not love the Lord Jesus, they are accursed - cf. 1 Co
 16:22
 a. Why? Because if you do not love Jesus then God is not your
 Father, Satan is!
 b. If God is your Father, then you will love the Son and demonstrate
 in these various ways!
 
2. How does one initially become a child of God? - cf. Ga 3:26-27
 a. It involves faith, and putting Christ on in baptism
 b. This demonstrates our love for Christ as well
 c. For we are willing to become one with Him, just as two in marriage
 become one out of love
 
Is God your Father? Do you love Jesus enough to obey Him and become a
child of God?

－－《Executable Outlines》