Sermon Tone Analysis
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Text
We discussed last week that Jesus was the true light and that the reason these Pharisees could not understand and see this fact was because of the blind nature of their flesh.
We all have a flesh nature.
We are born into this word as children of darkness and it is only through the light of Jesus Christ that we can be made to see.
These Jews again accused Jesus of lying because he bore witness of himself and according to Jewish law everything was established by two witnesses.
They failed to see Jesus for who he was - Messiah
They failed to see who his true father was - God the Father
Jesus accuses these Pharisees of being blind!
He plainly stated you are blind because you have failed to discern who I am, you have failed to discern where I have originated from and you have failed to understand where I am going!
You claim to be teachers but you are really inept.
RELIGION BLINDS MEN!
While he was pointing out these glaring deficiencies in the hearts of these self righteous Pharisees many others who were listening to his teaching believed on him.
So his command to “follow me” was really a call to his saving grace!
More to the story
But there is more to the story than just coming to Jesus for saving grace.
While we do not want to minimize the importance of such an important decision, we want to emphasize the importance of moving forward from this point.
We could say that following Jesus certainly involves coming to the light for that is certainly what he is calling men to do.
However, we can also say that following Jesus involves continuing in the light!
Continuing in the light
Notice what the Lord says in verse 31
From this verse we learn several truths.
1. Being a disciple involves a continual effort in the Word of God.
2. The result of this is knowing truth
3. The result of knowing truth is freedom!The freedom of being a disciple!
The freedom of being a disciple!
What does that mean?
But What does that mean?
What kind of freedom is our Lord referring to?
Right after this statement by our Lord the Pharisees immediately contend that freedom is not necessary since they were never in bondage to any man.
What does it mean to follow Jesus?
It means to trust him as Lord and Savior
It means to place him in the position of authority in our lives - He is Savior and he is Sovereign
Who are some bible characters that followed God?
David- The Bible tells us that David was a man after God’s own heart - it means that he, at least to some degree understood what was important to God and determined to adopt the same priorities in his own life
Review Last Week:
Enoch- We are told that Enoch was translated - basically raptured to God without death (a picture of the rapture), this was a result of his walk with God.
What was the result in their life?
What was the result in their life?
Where is Jesus Going?
Last week we discussed the fact that there are really 2 types of people in this world.
Those walking in darkness and those walking in the light.
Pastor, how can I follow Jesus?
Pastor, why should I follow Jesus?
People walking in darkness
I am saved from hell and I will spend an eternity in heaven am I now free to live the rest of my life under my own direction and course?
Well, you are free to do whatever you want but let me encourage you to choose a different path.
The path of self direction is filled with empty lies and unfulfilled desires.
The Command to Walk in the Light- Commanded of God:
The Compelling Response to Walk in the Light- A Natural Response to what God has done for us:
This lame man was healed as Peter and John where headed to the Temple to worship God.
His natural response to the healing he had recieved was to go into the temple and praise God.
Something far greater happened when you and I were saved.
The miracle of salvation that redeemed our ever dying soul ought to ellict a response in our heart to go forward and follow Jesus!
The Conditional Promise of our Walk in the Light- “and ye shall know the truth”
What truth will we know?
A. The Truth we will know
It is the only way to experience Joy
B. The Freedom we will Experience
Every problem we encounter in this life is really a sin problem.
Think about it… You have financial problems, relationship problems, problems with your home, your job .... whatever the problem is, it can be traced back to sin.
We are not talking about temporary happiness, we are talking about a settled peace in our hearts and lives.
A genuine satisfaction that can only be described as “the joy of the Lord”
Jesus died to deliver us from the penalty of sin and the power of sin.
Sin past present and future in terms of our standing before God but sin now as it tries to derail our purpose.
What other distraction is there in this life but the deceitfulness of sin.
This is our instinct - we are born in darkness and we are directed by our flesh nature- our natural man
2. People walking in the light
These are those who, by faith, follow Jesus Christ
Contained in this verse was a Precept, a Promise and a Protection.
A. The Precept - God is light
B. The Promise - If we follow the light (continually) - we shall posses the “light of life”
C. The Protection - We will have protection from darkness
Context
Jesus declares that he is the Light of the World
The religious crowd debates with him & they are completely blind to his deity (RELIGION BLINDS MEN)
Jesus rebukes them for their blindness & tells them they will “die in their sins”
Jn
As Jesus preaches many believe on him (vs 30 “…many believed on him”)
Jesus turns his attention from the disagreeable & doubtful Pharisees to those that have believed
As he speaks to them he gives them further truth on the matter of what it means to follow Jesus or we could say walk in the light
Illustration: It is very easy to start something, it is quite another to see the job through to completion.
Growing up I would always hear my dad start talking about some great new thing he had discovered.
Amway
Quickstar
Juices, Potions, Lotions, Whatever......
None of it ever really amounted to much, he was quick to start but lacked the follow through and persistence
The Christian life is no different.
It is full of starters but far fewer finishers, far fewer that will continue in the word!
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I.
A Compelling Challenge
“if ye continue in my word”
There was no guarantee that they would continue.
Many do not!
The essence in “following Jesus” is a continuance in his word!
How important is God’s Word to you?
A. The Preaching of the Word- we must stay under it!
B. The Promotion of the Word- we must be involved in it!
Not a command just for preachers!
C. The Practice of the Word- we must live it!
Ja 1:22
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