Dive into a powerful message that examines the intense drama of John chapter 8, where Jesus confronts his enemies with the radical truth of his identity and the eternal stakes of belief. This sermon explores the downward spiral of rejection Jesus faced and connects it directly to the reality of persecution for Christians today.
The Jews answered Jesus: "Are we not right in saying that you are a Samaritan and have a demon?" They resorted to name-calling and the worst associations to diminish him.
When men run out of words, they reach for their swords. When logic ceases, people attack character to win arguments without bringing truth to light.
Christ's Response
Jesus answered, "I do not have a demon, but I honor my Father and you dishonor me." He committed no sin. Neither was deceit found in his mouth.
When he was reviled, he did not revile in return. When he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly.
Matters of Life and Death
"Truly, truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death."
What is at stake is nothing less than death and deliverance from death. Church is not simply a place to figure out how to get through the week. We are dealing, as biblical Christians, with matters of life and death.
Eternal Stakes
Jesus taught prolifically on the reality of hell, calling it unquenchable fire, the place where the worm never dies, eternal fire, outer darkness.
The Gospel Call
Jesus is pleading with his enemies to believe and escape death—an act which shows the heart of God pursuing those who hate him.
The Reality of Hell
Hell is associated with three specific consequences that continually appear in Scripture:
01
Punishment
The wicked are punished and receive retribution for their deeds. Justice—nothing escapes the eye of God.
02
Destruction
Hell involves ruin and waste. Those who die in unbelief have squandered opportunities to live a life that mattered for God. They become enemies of God, and their loss and ruin are their fate.
03
Banishment
The wicked are banished from the blessings of God's kingdom and denied access to the glories of the new earth. God as King has removed them with no hope of ever entering his presence again.
Hell is the eternal schisming of body and soul. It is the eternal dying and eternal decomposition—to be in an eternal state of dying. It is just recompense for refusing a holy God.
Grace in the Face of Blasphemy
These are the Israelites, the Jews, his own people, saying "You are a Samaritan, you have a demon." And Jesus says, "I don't have a demon. Believe and you can have life."
Do you know the patience of God throughout history, his amazing grace and pursuit of people in the face of their hostility? These people Jesus is addressing are persecutors, enemies of God, people that hate him. But make no mistake—those enemies, those persecutors, those God-haters, they are the mission field.
"Bless those who persecute you. Bless and do not curse them." — Romans 12:14
Keeping the Words of Christ
The Command
"If anyone keeps my word, he will never see death."
What is the first word Jesus commands us to do? Believe.
Faith Alone
Salvation by grace through faith. Believe with your own heart, words, and mind. Your good works do not save you, but they express true saving faith.
"Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God." — Romans 5:1
Believe
Faith in Christ
Justified
Declared righteous
Good Works
Expression of faith
Abraham Rejoiced to See Christ's Day
The Jews challenged Jesus: "Abraham died, as did the prophets. Yet you say if anyone keeps my word, he will never taste death. Are you greater than Abraham and the prophets? Who do you make yourself out to be?"
Jesus responded that Abraham rejoiced to see his coming. In Genesis 22, Abraham was commanded to go to Mount Moriah and offer his son as a burnt offering. God miraculously provided a substitute so the son didn't have to be sacrificed.
Abraham called that place "The Lord will provide." The temple was built on Mount Moriah—the very location where Abraham almost sacrificed Isaac. Jesus stood on Mount Moriah declaring, "I am the light of the world," fulfilling the promise Abraham saw.
Before Abraham Was, I AM
The Jews said, "You are not yet 50 years old, and yet you have seen Abraham?"
"Jesus said to them, truly, truly, I say to you: Before Abraham was, I AM."
In Exodus 3, God said to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM. Tell them that the Lord God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, has sent me to you."
By using the timeless "I AM" rather than "I was," Jesus emphasized: I never was in being—I AM. Which means I am God. I am the one sent, promised to Abraham, to the Mount of Sacrifice, where I will stand in your place.
The Glory of God Chased from the Temple
1
The Rejection
"So they picked up stones to throw at him. But Jesus hid himself and went out of the temple."
2
Ezekiel's Prophecy
The glory of the Lord went out from the house. It left. It was refused. But the glory would return from the mountain of the east, the Mount of Olives.
3
The Return
The glory of God in Christ, having been refused from the Temple Mount, came riding on a donkey. He didn't go to the temple—he went to a cross to be glorified and lifted up in his death.
What grace in the face of such blasphemy and hatred! Even though chased from his own house, Jesus Christ was undeterred. He returned and went as the Lamb of God to take away the sins of the world.
Walk in the Name of the Son
As we think about being persecuted for Christ's name, may we walk in the name of the Son who endured such hostility to save people like us. May we live Christ, show Christ, and exalt Christ in everything we say and do.
Grace
Thank you for your grace in the face of such sinners and blasphemers as we.
Transformation
Thank you that you've taken us from a state of being sinners and by your grace have made us sons.
Worship
May we praise you for all of eternity, singing: Worthy, worthy is the Lamb!