Sermon Tone Analysis

Introduction-Review:

John 8:

Last week we looked at the harmony of the law of God and the grace of God in the story of the woman caught in adultery.

We discussed these aspects of the law of God:

II.

If you decide to, you can follow the light of Jesus (this is more than Salvation- this is discipleship and devotion)

III.

Following Jesus results in a lighted path and not following Jesus results in a dark path

In one scenario a person cannot properly discern anything and in the other scenario there is light to see and discernment is the result.

Notice the discourse between Jesus and the Pharisees following the verse 12.

1.

The Pharisees claimed Jesus was lying - why? because of who he claimed to be.

* What had he proclaimed?

To give everlasting life:

Get the Light

The Law of God was added after Israel was delivered from Egypt as instruction for worshiping a holy God

Follow the Light

Continue in the Light

The Law of God condemns all (not just this woman caught in this espesually egregious sin)

How do I follow Jesus?

3. The Law was and is our schoolmaster, teaching us the holiness of God and the impossibility of attaining righteousness and redemption on our own.

So the law brings this woman to Jesus and her faith in him delivers her from the penalty of sin, but the Lord does not stop with his gift of grace.

He commands her to live under the gravity of that grace.

“go and sin no more”

This was a command to a redeemed woman and it is a command to you and I as well.

She was delivered from the penalty of sin but Jesus wanted her to understand that she could also be delivered from the power of sin.

Not some sinless state but rater a state where sin does not dominate.

We will not be free from the presence of sin but we can be free from the power.

Not some sinless state but rater a state where sin does not dominate.

We will not be free from the presence of sin but we can be free from the power.

So grace is the reason sin shall not dominate

All of this leads us to the very next statement of the Lord:

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Declaration: There are only 2 types of people in this world- those walking in the light and those in darkness

Preposition: Are you following Jesus and walking in the light of his word?

Transition: I want us to notice carefully the distinct difference between these two choices

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I. Follow the Flesh by Instinct

Although Jesus: Fulfilled OT Prophecies, Performed Miracles, Preached with truth and Power…they still could not identify Him as the Messiah.

The issue revolved around the tool they were using to discern EXPLAIN WHAT THE FLESH IS

A. The Flesh is Weak

“an arm of flesh”

Hezekiah was Godly king and reformer in Israel

destroyed pagan idols

Commissioned the priests to cleanse the temple

Re instituted sacrifices

Revival was spreading in the land

Hezekiah had made a mistake in dealing with the Assyrian king previously but had another opportunity and rightly described his power:

Although the flesh can seem strong, it is ultimately under the authority of Almighty God

2 Ch

B. The Flesh is Without Wisdom

Earthly Wisdom defined:

Earthly Wisdom demonstrated:

C. The Flesh is Wayward

Jeremiah

Illustration: Stephen Hawking is reported to be one of the smartest men on earth with an estimated IQ of over 160.

Here is a quote from this “very intelligent man”

'I'm an Atheist': Stephen Hawking on God and Space Travel.

World-famous theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking says flat-out that he doesn't believe in God, but he does believe that space travel offers the best hope for our species' immortality.

What God says:

D. The Flesh is Worthy of No Confidence

Paul said “have no confidence in the flesh”

Phil

Here is a quote from this “very intelligent man”

'I'm an Atheist': Stephen Hawking on God and Space Travel.

World-famous theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking says flat-out that he doesn't believe in God, but he does believe that space travel offers the best hope for our species' immortality.

What God says:

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We have looked at the utter worthless nature of our flesh, now notice the 2nd option we have:

II.

Follow the Lord by Faith

Jn

There are 3 key elements in this verse we should notice:

The Precept - God is light

The Promise - if we follow Jesus Christ we will have the light of life

The Protection - if we follow Jesus Christ we will not walk in darkness

“he that followeth me”

“he that followeth me”

Following Christ is a choice we make

A. The Reality of Following Jesus

Not everything is going to go your way.

It requires losing our lives!

We are called and commanded to do it!

It is a lifetime commitment!

Great example of what it means to follow Jesus

How can I follow Jesus?

How can I follow Jesus?

“continue in my word”

Freedom- sounds a lot like walking in the light!

B. The Resentment of Following Jesus

Don’t look for the masses to follow, many Christians don’t follow the Lord.

You will face ridicule and possibly even persecution.

You will be in the minority.

Illustration: The World does not know the way!

While GPS technology is often helpful, there are a growing number of instances where it isn’t.

For instance, a mother and her son rented a car to explore Death Valley; the GPS led them off the main road onto an unmarked path that eventually terminated in a dead end.

Oppressed by the devastating temperature, they couldn’t find their way back.

After missing for days, their car was found with the mom clinging to life but her young son tragically dead from the heat.

The park ranger was quoted talking about this growing reality she called “death by GPS.”

The culture around you, just like that GPS, will provide you many pathways to joy and many blindly follow those pathways thinking they are on track toward their destination.

But should these pathways be trusted?

Could it be that they are ultimately leading to a dead end and that God has a more reliable way? —Jim L. Wilson & Ryan Blackwell

C. The Results of Following Jesus

Look at what Jesus said was the result of following him.