January 3, 2010
Morning Service

St.Jn. 8:11-32

 

Review:

1.       Last Sunday morning we saw how Jesus dealt with the woman taken in adultery.  It was an act of mercy, and forgiveness.  It was a very good example of the statement “Grace, and truth came by Jesus Christ.”

 

This morning we want to look at the statement Jesus made when He said, “I am the light of the world.”  The second of eight times He used the phrase of “I AM.” 

At the beginning of John’s gospel, Jesus reveals to us all about His divinity.  “Joh 1:1-3 KJVR  In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  (2)  The same was in the beginning with God.  (3)  All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.”

This Word came to Moses in the burning bush and said, Exo 3:13-14 KJVR  And Moses said unto God, Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What is his name? what shall I say unto them?  (14)  And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.

Let’s look this morning at Jesus saying, “I AM the light of the world.”

 

This Light of the world has just shown us by example the meaning of mercy, and grace.  However, this showing of mercy to someone that has committed an act worthy of death, precedes the words of “go and sin no more.”  Sin is what separates us from God. 

 

Joh 8:12-32 KJVR  Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. 

• Walking in darkness is to walk contrary to the will of God, it is to walk daily in a sinful life.
• But if we follow the teachings of the Lord we will walk in the will of God, and not in the captivity of sin.

 

Now we see a conversation between the Spirit of God, and the spirit of satan.

(13)  The Pharisees therefore said unto him, Thou bearest record of thyself; thy record is not true.  (14)  Jesus answered and said unto them, Though I bear record of myself, yet my record is true: for I know whence I came, and whither I go; but ye cannot tell whence I come, and whither I go.  (15)  Ye judge after the flesh; I judge no man.  (16)  And yet if I judge, my judgment is true: for I am not alone, but I and the Father that sent me.  (17)  It is also written in your law, that the testimony of two men is true.  (18)  I am one that bear witness of myself, and the Father that sent me beareth witness of me. 

• Christian, you have every right to speak like this to satan, if you are walking in the will of God, as was Jesus.  Later in John’s writings he tells us, “behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed upon us that we should be called the sons of God.”  If a son then an heir.  Born of His Spirit, possessor of all the Father owns.
• We should testify with confidence “I am a Christian”.   Then the works that we do will be the witness of our Father that we are His.  The witness of two.

(19)  Then said they unto him, Where is thy Father? Jesus answered, Ye neither know me, nor my Father: if ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also.  (20)  These words spake Jesus in the treasury, as he taught in the temple: and no man laid hands on him; for his hour was not yet come.  (21)  Then said Jesus again unto them, I go my way, and ye shall seek me, and shall die in your sins: whither I go, ye cannot come.  (22)  Then said the Jews, Will he kill himself? because he saith, Whither I go, ye cannot come.  (23)  And he said unto them, Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world.  (24)  I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins. 

• It is discussions like this that sent Jesus to Calvary.  These Jews did not want to hear these type of words against themselves.
• At the end of this paragraph the word he is in italics which means it was added by the translators.  Leave it out and it reads like this, “ for if ye believe not that I AM, ye shall die in your sins.”
• Jesus said “I am from above, ye are of this world.”  Where do our fruits show us to be from?  

 

(25)  Then said they unto him, Who art thou? And Jesus saith unto them, Even the same that I said unto you from the beginning.  (26)  I have many things to say and to judge of you: but he that sent me is true; and I speak to the world those things which I have heard of him. 

• Jesus said “Mat 24:5  For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.”
• We need only to look on the television to know this is true.  They claim they have been sent by God to further the gospel call.  Do their fruits bear it out?  Even though they quote many of the wonderful Scriptures, most are out to fleece the sheep, not to feed them.  They preach a gospel of prosperity, and live in luxury.  “you shall know them by the fruits they bear.”  

 

Which I have heard from Him.

 

They understood not that he spake to them of the Father.  (28)  Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man,( on the cross ) then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things.  (29)  And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him. 

• All these sayings that Jesus is telling these people can be ours. 
• I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things.  Can we say this?
• And do we understand that if we do, God will be with us in all we do?  He will not leave you alone.  If we do always those things that please Him.
• Can we see why it so important to go that extra mile in our relationship with God?  HE WILL BE WITH US ALWAYS.  IF GOD BE FOR US, WHO CAN BE AGAINST US?

(30)  As he spake these words, many believed on him.  (31)  Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;  (32)  And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

• Jesus says this to us also; If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;  (32)  And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
• If we continue in His word, not necessarily what man has added to it.  His word.  Not adding to or taking away from.
• Is this our goal, or do we really even care?  Will I take up my Bible this week, and see what His words are, or will I just wait until Sunday and listen to what the preacher has to say concerning His words?

 

As Paul told Timothy;  2Ti 2:15 KJVR  Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

 

STUDY!!  Then we will be able to say:

 

“I know the Truth, and He has set me free.”

 

 

I BELIEVE THAT JESUS IS THE CHRIST THE SON OF THE LIVING GOD.