John 8:32 - "You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."
Introduction:
- Scripture: John 8:32 - “And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
- Context: Jesus is speaking to His disciples about spiritual freedom through the knowledge of truth.
- Main Idea: In today's world, the truth is under attack, constantly redefined by societal norms. But biblical truth remains constant and brings freedom.
- The Definition of Truth:
- Modern Struggle with Truth:
- In a world where people attempt to redefine everything (gender, family, morality), it's vital to clarify what truth is.
- Biblical Definition of Truth:
- John 17:17: “Sanctify them by the truth; Your word is truth.”
- The Word of God is our absolute, unchanging truth.
- Application:
- It's not that we don’t know the truth—it’s that we often don’t tolerate it because it challenges us.
- Truth #1: Without Christ, We Are Sinners
- Humanity’s Condition:
- Romans 3:23: “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
- Without Christ, we are enslaved to sin. There are only two kinds of people: those who admit their sin and those who don't.
- Self-Deception:
- 1 John 1:8: “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.”
- Denying our sinful nature leads to self-deception, the most dangerous form of deception.
- Our Need for a Savior:
- Isaiah 53:6: “We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way.”
- Acknowledging sin is the first step to freedom in Christ.
- Confession Brings Freedom:
- 1 John 1:9: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
- Truth #2: "You Shall Have No Other Gods Before Me"
- The Command:
- Exodus 20:3: “You shall have no other gods before me.”
- God demands exclusive worship. He doesn't allow competition with idols.
- Idolatry in Our Lives:
- We may not worship golden statues, but we often place things like money, success, or entertainment above God.
- Matthew 6:33: “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”
- God Dismantles False Idols:
- Just as God dismantled the gods of Egypt, He dismantles the false gods of our lives. In Christ, we find deliverance, healing, and restoration.
- Truth #3: Jesus is Coming Soon
- The Return of Christ:
- Revelation 22:12: “Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me.”
- Christ’s imminent return should change the way we live and prioritize our lives.
- Living in Expectation:
- Matthew 24:44: “So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect Him.”
- Our actions, priorities, and faithfulness should reflect the reality that Jesus could return at any moment.
- Warning and Comfort:
- In His letters to the churches, Jesus repeatedly warned them to be ready for His return, offering both correction and hope.
- Final Truth: Today is the Day of Salvation
- Urgency of Salvation:
- 2 Corinthians 6:2: “Now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.”
- We cannot assume we have more time. Many go to their graves thinking they had time to repent.
- Noah’s Example:
- Noah built the ark as a vessel of salvation, but the people around him ignored the warning. As in the days of Noah, people live for themselves, ignoring God's call to repentance.
- Invitation:
- Matthew 24:37: “As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.”
- Today, we are called to enter into the “ark” of salvation—Christ—before it's too late.
Conclusion:
- John 8:36: “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”
- The truth of God's Word brings freedom from sin, idolatry, fear, and spiritual blindness.
- Call to Action: Today is the day to accept the truth, confess sin, reject idolatry, live in expectation of Jesus’ return, and embrace the salvation He offers.
Some References:
John 8:32 - "You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."
John 17:17 - "Thy word is truth."
1 John 1:8 - "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us."
1 John 1:9 - "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins."
Isaiah 53:6 - "All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way."
Isaiah 53:5 - "He was wounded for our transgressions, bruised for our iniquities."
James 4:17 - "Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin."
Psalm 139:23-24 - "Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me."
Exodus 20:3 - "Thou shalt have no other gods before me."
Matthew 6:33 - "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you."
Colossians 2:15 - "Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it."
John 8:36 - "Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed."
2 Kings 17:33 - "They feared the Lord, yet served their own gods."
Revelation 22:12 - "Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work."
Revelation 22:20 - "Surely I am coming quickly."
Revelation 19:11-16 - Describes Christ returning as King of Kings and Lord of Lords with a sword and a rod of iron.
Matthew 24:37 - "As the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be."