My sermon notes from Sunday, Oct. 15th as we continue our study through The Gospel of John. Remember, these are my study notes and not a manuscript of the sermon. To see the sermon each week or subscribe to the weekly sermon podcast please visit http://www.fbcap.net
John 8:12-20
12] Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” [13] So the Pharisees said to him, “You are bearing witness about yourself; your testimony is not true.” [14] Jesus answered, “Even if I do bear witness about myself, my testimony is true, for I know where I came from and where I am going, but you do not know where I come from or where I am going. [15] You judge according to the flesh; I judge no one. [16] Yet even if I do judge, my judgment is true, for it is not I alone who judge, but I and the Father who sent me. [17] In your Law it is written that the testimony of two people is true. [18] I am the one who bears witness about myself, and the Father who sent me bears witness about me.” [19] They said to him therefore, “Where is your Father?” Jesus answered, “You know neither me nor my Father. If you knew me, you would know my Father also.” [20] These words he spoke in the treasury, as he taught in the temple; but no one arrested him, because his hour had not yet come. (ESV)
A running commentary:
v. 12 – Jesus bold statement
I AM THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD
12 – I am the Light of the Word. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.
v, 13 – Their issue: UNBELIEF
He did not have the authority to make such a statement
13 – So the Pharisees said to him, “You are bearing witness about yourself; your testimony is not true.”
13 – Your testimony is not true.
- Takes more than one to confirm a witness
- You statement is preposterous
vv. – 14-20 – His Response: MY TESTIMONY IS TRUE
If you knew who I was, then you would understand why I make such a statement
[14] Jesus answered, “Even if I do bear witness about myself, my testimony is true, for I know where I came from and where I am going, but you do not know where I come from or where I am going. [15] You judge according to the flesh; I judge no one. [16] Yet even if I do judge, my judgment is true, for it is not I alone who judge, but I and the Father who sent me. [17] In your Law it is written that the testimony of two people is true. [18] I am the one who bears witness about myself, and the Father who sent me bears witness about me.” [19] They said to him therefore, “Where is your Father?” Jesus answered, “You know neither me nor my Father. If you knew me, you would know my Father also.”[20] These words he spoke in the treasury, as he taught in the temple; but no one arrested him, because his hour had not yet come. (ESV)
- Where He is from. The Father – THE PLACE I AM FROM
- What is His mission. To the Cross – THE PLACE I AM GOING
They did not understand His Coming and Going (His purpose, mission)
- from or going…HEAVEN OR THE CROSS
- Who sent Him… what He came to do
- They were clueless. Eyes and Mind were closed to the truth.
- The did not understand the REAL JESUS.
They did not understand His credibility (His judgment/His witness)
- They judged according to the flesh… Earthly standards.
- Limited and Superficial.
- Discerned by man/man.
- 2 Cor. 5:16 – We judge no one according to the flesh
- I do not come to judge, but to redeem. (He will ultimately pronounce judgment later)
- But I can judge, because I am the Father are one
They did not understand His true lineage (His deity)
- As always… Jesus sees and knows the heart. What is going on in the inside.
- Here is an interesting concept….Abraham was a man of faith, because he trusted the will and way of God. They were not men of faith because they had there trust in them and their way of faith.
Applying the Text
The what now…
Then… Just like today people do not see Jesus for who He REALLY WAS and WHAT He came to do.. Sent from the Father to die on the Cross for our sin. He is Lord and Savior. HE IS LORD OF HEAVE THAT DIED ON THE CROSS AS SAVIOR FOR OUR SIN… AND RULES AND REIGNS AT THE RIGHT HAD OF THE FATHER AND WILL ONE DAY COME AGAIN!!!!!
Then… Just like today people do not acknowledge the true Lordship of Jesus Christ. He is God and creator, ruler, sustainer, and judge.
- His testimony is true. Everything God has said is true.
- He does have the right to judge
Philippians 2:1-11 – [1] So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, [2] complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. [3] Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. [4] Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. [5] Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, [6] who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, [7] but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. [8] And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. [9] Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, [10] so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, [11] and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (ESV)
Then… just like today people… the question is do we really know Him?
Matt. 7:21-23 – [21] “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. [22] On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ [23] And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’ (ESV)
Then… just like today… nothing can alter the plan of God.
Jesus went to the cross just at the right time. Today, Jesus will come again just at the right time. He tells us that He will not leave us or forsake us and the He is with us all always.
Know Him, Trust in Him, Follow after Him today.