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Father, I ask your anointing and your spirit's guidance on brother Daniels. He ministers to us here this morning. Pray that you would enable him to communicate what you have laid on his heart in a way that each one of us can understand and that it connects with us. I ask that you would meet our needs here this morning and we trust that your spirit will guide the rest of the service. In Jesus name, amen.
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Well, good morning. Welcome to this part of the service. I so as you all may notice, Ivan was on the schedule to preach and he kindly traded with me. I have the week I'm scheduled to preach. We are getting our two. We're picking up our two baby calves that we have bought to bring home. And I think it's going to be a busy day. And so I that Saturday is kind of full for me. So Ivan had a full Saturday this week and I had a full Saturday that week. So we just. We swapped and it was a real blessing. I will say one thing that kind of happened last minute was I came down with a sore throat last night. So I'm a little croaky today. And I am covering a large passage today as well. So I am going to shoot for 30 minutes and I think my. My voice will hold out for 30 minutes and that's what I prayed and asked the Lord to give me 30 minutes of voice and we'll go from there. Thank you, Kevin, for leading those two last songs. I don't know if you knew. I don't know how you would know. I am going to be looking at continuing in John and one of the themes of John is light and Jesus explaining to us who he is and that he is light. So we're going to start with reviewing a little bit because we are looking at John 8, verses 12 through 57. And we're going to review a little bit because I haven't. This series has stretched on for a long time. And if you remember back in, I think December of 2025, we were looking at the beginning of John and we started with the idea of the theme of the Gospel of John. Why did John write the book? And our answer to that is our thesis statement. Statement is but these things are written that ye may believe that Jesus is the son of God and that believing ye may have life through his name. So a reminder, that's the reason this whole book was written. John was try. Is. Is making the argument for that thesis statement. And so you know, we're going to actually start studying today by going back and reading the first few verses of John because this portion of scripture springboards off of those arguments and takes and adds another layer to that argument and kind of expound sounds on it a little further. So that is the point of today's sermon, but just again, a little bit more of a review because it's. When I was looking at this, I realized it's been a while since we kind of reminded us where we're going. So John one, we had an introduction to the book. We talked. We talked about who God is or Jesus is and an argument for that we talked about he is light and light dispels darkness. Then in chapters two through 12, we have seven signs that are given that, that demonstrate who Jesus is. And so if just kind of reminding us where we're at in that we are going to be. We've just finished up in the past chapters, we just finished up the fifth sign and we have two more signs to go. And then in chapters 13 through 20, we can think about that as the glory of Jesus revealed. And we haven't gotten there yet, but just kind of for context. And then we have that conclusion in chapters 20 and 21. And the point of that is that we might believe. And then finally we have a little bit of an epilogue, just kind of tying up the loose ends after the resurrection in chapter 21. So that's a rough outline for, for the book. And then just a reminder of those backing up to the signs. Those signs that we've looked at so far are changing water into wine in chapter two, healing the official son in chapter four, healing the invalid in chapter five, feeding the multitude in chapter six, walking on water in chapter six. And then in chapter nine, we're going to have the healing of the man born blind. And then it cumulates into the raising of Lazarus. And then obviously in 1320, the glory of Jesus revealed is Jesus's resurrection. So the ultimate sign that we all are given. So I kind of. This is hopefully just a little bit of housekeeping so that we can jump into the meat of what we have today. So I'm if you want to turn in your Bibles, you can turn to chapter eight verse and we're going to be starting at verse 12 today. And just again, just to set the stage stage for this. Remember what we've just come from is the Jesus talking to the Pharisees and them wanting to stone the, the woman and none of them wanting to condemn her and all walking away. And Jesus says, I do not condemn you. So that's. We're picking up immediately after or after that. So, but. So I'm going to read verses. We'll start and read verses 12 and 14. Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, I am the light of the world. He who follows me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life. The Pharisees therefore said to him, you bear witness of yourself. You bear witness. Your witness is not true. I'm actually going to stop right there. So really focusing on this first verse, Jesus introduces this idea to the Pharisees again that he is the light of the world. And I think really just to build off of this and get a true sense of this, we need to go back to the beginning of John. And I just want to refresh our minds with just comparing where Jesus is starting and with this idea of the light of the world. John 1. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God. And the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him. And without him was not anything made that was made in him was life. And the life was. Was the light of men. The light shineth in darkness and the darkness has not overcome it. There was a man sent from God whose name was John. He came as a witness to bear witness about the light that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light. So again, when Jesus says he was the light of the world and he's just building on. Or when John says this and Jesus says is John saying it because Jesus said it, he's. John is building on this idea of who Jesus is. And the takeaway is Jesus. We have all these words that Jesus is compared with or names for Jesus. So we start in the beginning, Jesus was the Word. And remember that that is a name of Jesus. We're going to need to pick that up later on in this passage. But it's important to just keep that. Remember that. And then Jesus is the light. And if you notice sometimes in your Bibles the light is lowercase, sometimes it's uppercase. That is translators trying to communicate when it's actually being used as a noun and. And when it is being used as a description of an attribute. And so that sometimes is difficult to kind of know if you don't know. But. And I would argue that some of those are not always accurate, but they're doing their best. So just be aware of that. The takeaway is Jesus is the Word, and the Word is a name for Jesus. Remember that. Also we talked about back a few sermons ago that the Word was with God at creation. So if we go back to Genesis, we talked about how the Jews would have. Jewish people would have understood that, you know, not only is that the word being spoken, but that that almost took on, like, who God was. So Jesus is defending who he is. And so he's using that as part of his defense that he is the son of God. And then also pointing out that in John 1, John is introduced as not the light, but he gave witness to the light, and the light was Jesus. So I think that is important as we're remembering as we go further into this passage. The Pharisees and the Jews are questioning Jesus being because they're like, you did not have people give witness to who you are. And it's interesting because John the Baptist actually did give witness to who Jesus was. He said, I am not that light, but one is coming. Who is that light? Well, that's a pretty clear witness to who Jesus is. So moving on. Then Jesus spoke, sorry, verse 13. The Pharisees therefore said to him, you bear witness of yourself. Your witness is not true. Jesus answered them and said to them, even if I bear witness of myself, my witness is true. For I know where I came from and where I am going. But you do not know who where I come from and where I am going. You judge according to the flesh. I judge no one. And yet if I do not judge, my judgment is true. Sorry. And yet if I do judge, my judgment is true. For I am not alone, but I am with the Father who sent me. It is also written in your law that the testimony of two men is true. I am one who bears witness of myself, and my father who sent me bears witness of me. So the Jews are challenging Jesus's claim. They're using Old Testament law of multiple witnesses to challenge this. And they're saying, well, you can't just say you are somebody. And as I just was saying, one of the interesting things here is that Jesus doesn't even bring up is that John bore witness of him, but he doesn't bring that up. He rather goes off of springboards and says, well, actually I do have two people who are bearing witness of who I am, and that's my father God, and I am bearing witness. So there are your two people. Now, I will also just point out that this is kind of a little bit of an ironic like argument. And I just. That they're challenging who God is. And it just, you know, at the end of the day, you're either going to believe who God is or you're not. And it doesn't really change who God is. But, you know, the Jewish, they're arguing this. And so he does not really debate with them whether or not, you know, using their logic or not. He rather points to the fact that God does not have to have a witness. He simply is God. Jesus is God and was sent by God. And the ridiculousness of them asking for a witness is completely observed. He is who he says he is. And this kind of makes me think of a story or not a story, but there's a famous preacher who, when asked, you know, when somebody was challenging the sovereignty of God and saying, I don't like the fact that there's suffering on the world. And the preacher was explaining this and they were still saying, I don't like this. His response to this was, well, that's fine, but you're not God. They were like, well, I think I have a better way. And he says, well, that may be, but God has a world and you don't. And so I'm often struck by that Jesus. Little do they know that Jesus is sitting there. And, you know, they're challenging Jesus on who he is. And at the end of the day, Jesus and God created the world. It is their world. And challenging them on that is ridiculous. And thinking that they know better is ridiculous. But Jesus does go go on to teach and to try to walk them through who he is. And then I think Jesus also goes on and says, you do not know God. And just think about this. These are men who have dedicated their lives to studying God. And when he says, he says, you do not know my Father. And ultimately he's saying, you do not know God. You do not know Yahweh. And. And I'm wondering at this point if this is starting to sink into some of them. But he's saying to these men who have spent their lives studying Scripture, studying who God is, and Jesus is like, you've missed the mark. You do not know the person that you want. You're. You are trying to know, and rather you are walking in darkness. And the only way we can truly know God is to know Jesus. And then in verses 21 through 25, we'll pick up there. Then Jesus said again, I'm going away, and you will seek me and you and will sorry. Then Jesus said to them, again, I am going away, and you will seek me and will die in your sins. Where I go, you cannot come. So the Jews said, he will kill himself because he says, where I go, you cannot come. And he said to Them, you are from beneath and I am from above. You are from this world, and I am not of this world. Therefore, I say to you that you will die in your sins. For if you do not believe that I am he, you will die in your sins. And they said to him, who are you? And Jesus said, just what I have been saying to you from the beginning. Jesus is saying here simply, I am from heaven and you are from earth. I am light, you are in darkness. And the irony, again in this situation is their response to that when he's saying, I'm not from the same place for as you, their response to this is not, oh, he must be from heaven and we're from the earth. No, they're wondering. Or their response is, well, you must. We are, you know, earth is the place that is good, and you must be from somewhere that is not. You must be from hell. And they just completely miss the truth that he is saying that. And, you know, they kind of flip it on its head and. Yeah. And that. And just, you know, they. They just. They're still missing the point completely. And then also. Note here in verse. Well, we'll move on and catch that later. So. So as we've moved through this, Jesus is telling them who he is and that he is the light of the world. And then we move into the next section of this, and that is that freedom is possible. And this is going to be. We're going to be looking at verses 31 through 38. I also will just point out in verse 29 and 30, and he who sent me is with me. And the Father has not left me alone, but I have always. But I always do those things that please him. And as he spoke these words, many believe. Then Jesus said to the Jews who believed him, if you abide in My word, you are my disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. So I'll just. I'll just go on and read through 38. And they answered him, we are Abraham's descendants, and we have never been in bondage to anyone. How can you say you will make. You will be made free? Jesus answered, most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave to sin. And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever. Therefore, if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed. I know that you are Abraham's descendants, but you seek to kill me because my words has no place in you. I speak what I have seen with my Father, and you do what you have seen with your father. So I'll stop there. I really want to focus on the first verses here, verses 31 and 32. If you abide in my word, you are my disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. So I think these verses are the verses that add a layer to this whole idea of who Jesus is. And they add the layer of abiding in Jesus or dwelling with Jesus. And I think the key here that is so beautiful is if we dwell in Jesus, what are we dwelling in? We are dwelling in light. Jesus is light. And then if we build on that idea, we build on the idea that light dispels darkness. And so Jesus is dwelling in us, we are dwelling in Jesus. And that is going to dispel the darkness out of us. And that is a very beautiful, beautiful thing. And it's key to the idea of, you know, Jesus coming, dying, and then the Holy Spirit coming down and dwelling within each of us. So Jesus introduces that layer into this whole idea of who he is. Jesus can dwell, or we can dwell in Jesus, and Jesus is the light of the world. And then I'll also just point out the word truth here. And if you notice, at least in the King James, the the word truth is not capitalized. But you know, if we just add on this idea of truth is describing Jesus. And so it's another attribute of who Jesus is. So moving on into the last two sections of this passage, no middle ground is what I've entitled the last one of this last section. And just picking up here, they answered him and said to him, abraham is our father. And Jesus said to them, if you were Abraham's children, you would do the works of Abraham. But now you seek to kill me, a man who has told you the truth, which I hear from God. Abraham did not do this. You do the deeds of your father. Then they said to him, we were not born of fornication. We have one father, God. Jesus said to them, if God were your father, you would love me, for I proceeded forth and came from God. Nor have I come from myself, but he sent me. Why do you not understand my speech? Because you are not able to listen to my word. You are of your father, the devil and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning and does not stand in truth because there is no truth in him from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it. But because I tell the truth, you do not believe. Which of you convicts me? Of sin. And if I tell you the truth, why you do not believe me? He who is of God hears God's word. Therefore you do not hear because you are not of God. Then the Jews answered him and said to him, do we not say rightly that you are a Samaritan and have a demon? I am going to stop there. So I think this is just the next step. And that is, if Jesus does not dwell in you, by default, you are dwelling in darkness. And Jesus, Jesus's response to the Jews and the Pharisees is just that. By default, if you do not accept me, me, you are dwelling in darkness. And I think that is something that is really important even today to remember. If we're not willing to dwell with Christ, there is no middle ground. And just like the Pharisees, just like, you know, just like those who are challenging Jesus, you're either in the camp of darkness or light. And you're either in the camp of the devil or the camp of Jesus. And where you dwell is that cut and dry. And I think that's a sobering reality, but also a beautiful reality because all of us can make that choice to dwell with Jesus. And I also just want to point out, if we think about what just happened in the verses prior to this section, is that Jesus point and is assumedly those people all left, but you know, they were convicting this woman and Jesus is there writing on the sand, writing in the sand and reminding them of all of their sins, and they all stand up and walk away. So I don't know if any of those people had wandered back or if, you know, it's just, you know, if. But that has to be fresh on everyone's mind of just the fact that, you know, they're accusing Jesus of, you know, of having a less than pure lineage. And then Jesus brings back the fact that you guys obviously aren't living that pure anyway. And so I don't know, that just struck me. This all builds on the next thing, but Jesus is reminding them they are walking in darkness. In conclusion, I want to read the last verses of the chapter and then I just have a few thoughts. In conclusion, Jesus answered them, I do not have a demon, but I honor my Father, and you dishonor me, and I do not seek my own glory. There is one who seeks and judges most assuredly. I say to you, if anyone keeps my word, he shall never see death. Then the Jews said to him, now we know that you have a demon. Abraham is not dead. And the prophets that you say, if anyone Keeps my word. He shall never taste death. Are you greater than our father Abraham, who is dead and the prophets are dead, who you do make yourself out to be? Jesus answered, if I honor myself, my honor is nothing. If my Father who honors me, of whom you say he is your God, He. Yet you have not known him. But I know him. And if I say I do not know Him, I shall be a liar like you. But I do know him and keep his word. Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day. And he saw it and was glad. Then the Jews said to him, you are not yet 50 years old. How have you seen Abraham? Jesus said to them, most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was I am. Then they took up stones to throw at him. But Jesus hid himself and went out of the temple, going through the midst and so passed by. Just a couple things to point out. The Jews again miss the point. They miss so many of the things that Jesus said. Jesus has said, I am the Word. And the Word was in the beginning. So we do know Jesus was with. With God in creation. Jesus and the Father were together in the creation. And so as much as they were calling out and saying, how do you know, Abraham? Jesus has already proven that point to them and shown them how he who he is. And so they're missing understanding that. And they still do not know who God, who Jesus is. And then finally, I just want to point out in verse 59, we don't really talk about this as a sign or a miracle, but they picked up stones and were going to stone Jesus and somehow he just walked out of there and was hidden from them. So I think that's a beautiful little miracle that just kind of hides in that little sentence. There was something very supernatural that happened where Jesus was able to just walk out. And we see that happening numerous times when it wasn't the time. They were not able to lay hands on him. So in conclusion, Jesus is, is light, he's life, and he is the Word. If we abide in him, he will dwell in us. And what does that mean? That means that the light of the world is in us, dispelling darkness and giving us life. And that is a beautiful, beautiful picture. And I think as we continue through John, we just continue to see this concept of who Jesus is build on and build on and build on. So I'm just going to come back to that initial verse that I read in the beginning of the sermon. But these things are written that ye may believe that Jesus is the Son of God and that believing ye may have life through his name. If you all want to stand with me, we'll have a closing prayer. Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for the fact that you dwell in each of us who believes in you. And Lord, I just pray that we would allow your light to dispel the darkness in our lives and to be bright spots in the world around us. Lord, thank you for that gift of your son. I also thank you for all that you have given us. Thank you for the food that is prepared. And Lord, I just pray that we would eat it and use it to honor and glorify you in your name, Amen.