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Sermon Introduction

Jesus explained to those who believed that His genuine disciples are those who abide in His word. And they will know the truth, which will set them free. To His accusers, Jesus stated that they were of their father, the Devil, who was a murderer and a liar. However, Jesus is the truth and the Son who can set them free. The Jewish accusers retorted that they were descendants of Abraham. Although that might be so in the genealogical sense, in terms of practice, their father was the Devil. The reason is that they intended to murder Jesus, and they opposed the truth in Christ.

Steve Bonilla
Elder

John 8:48-58

48 The Jews answered him, “Are we not right in saying that you are a Samaritan and have a demon?” 49 Jesus answered, “I do not have a demon, but I honor my Father, and you dishonor me. 50 Yet I do not seek my own glory; there is One who seeks it, and he is the judge. 51 Truly, truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death.” 52 The Jews said to him, “Now we know that you have a demon! Abraham died, as did the prophets, yet you say, ‘If anyone keeps my word, he will never taste death’. 53 Are you greater than our father Abraham, who died? And the prophets died! Who do you make yourself out to be?” 54 Jesus answered, “If I glorify myself, my glory is nothing. It is my Father who glorifies me, of whom you say, ‘He is our God.’ 55 But you have not known him. I know him. If I were to say that I do not know him, I would be a liar like you, but I do know him and I keep his word. 56 Your father Abraham rejoiced that he would see my day. He saw it and was glad”. 57 So the Jews said to him, “You are not yet fifty years old, and have you seen Abraham?” 58 Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.” 59 So they picked up stones to throw at him, but Jesus hid himself and went out of the temple”.

Notes

Jesus explained to those who believed that His genuine disciples are those who abide in His word. And they will know the truth, which will set them free. To His accusers, Jesus stated that they were of their father, the Devil, who was a murderer and a liar. However, Jesus is the truth and the Son who can set them free. The Jewish accusers retorted that they were descendants of Abraham. Although that might be so in the genealogical sense, in terms of practice, their father was the Devil. The reason is that they intended to murder Jesus, and they opposed the truth in Christ.

1. Keep His Word

   The Jewish accusers replied, that Jesus was a Samaritan and had a demon. Jesus replied that he had no demon, but He was only honoring the Father with His words. Jesus stated that all who keep His word will never taste death.

   
   48 The Jews answered him, “Are we not right in saying that you are a Samaritan and have a demon?” 49 Jesus answered, “I do not have a demon, but I honor my Father, and you dishonor me. 50 Yet I do not seek my own glory; there is One who seeks it, and he is the judge. 51 Truly, truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death.” 52 The Jews said to him, “Now we know that you have a demon! Abraham died, as did the prophets, yet you say, ‘If anyone keeps my word, he will never taste death’ (John 8:48-52).
   

2. Greater than Abraham

   The Jews asked if Jesus was greater than Abraham since Jesus spoke about not tasting death. Jesus then mentioned that He does not glorify Himself; it is the Father who glorifies Him. To answer whether He was greater, Jesus said Abraham rejoiced at His coming. In effect, He was saying, YES.
   
   53 Are you greater than our father Abraham, who died? And the prophets died! Who do you make yourself out to be?” 54 Jesus answered, “If I glorify myself, my glory is nothing. It is my Father who glorifies me, of whom you say, ‘He is our God.’ 55 But you have not known him. I know him. If I were to say that I do not know him, I would be a liar like you, but I do know him and I keep his word. 56 Your father Abraham rejoiced that he would see my day. He saw it and was glad” (John 8:53- 56).

3. I AM

   The Jews could not accept what they heard. They only saw the human Jesus. They did not understand that He was eternal. Therefore, they intended to stone Him after He said that before Abraham was, I AM.

   
   57 So the Jews said to him, “You are not yet fifty years old, and have you seen Abraham?” 58 Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.” 59 So they picked up stones to throw at him, but Jesus hid himself and went out of the temple” (John 8:57-59).

Application

1. Keep His Word

   Those who believe in Jesus will have eternal life; those who keep His word will never taste death. One cannot separate believing in Him and keeping His word. Therefore, we must believe in Him; if we do, we will keep His word. The blessing is eternal life.

2. Greater than ALL

   We must believe and know who Jesus is. He is greater than Abraham, Moses, Joshua, and David. Jesus is greater than all. In what way? Nothing was created without Him. Jesus is the Word who was with God and who was God. He existed before Abraham.

3. Proclaim Jesus is God

   When Moses asked God His name. Through the burning bush, God said, I AM. Jesus kept saying He was and is the I AM, but not everyone listened or understood. Until today, some think He was just a man or an underling of God. We must clarify that Jesus is the I AM; He is God.

Reflection & Discussion

1. According to the text, what is the benefit of keeping His word?

2. Explain the claims of Jesus in the text.

3. Why did they pick up stones with the intent to throw them at Jesus?