Chapter 8

Vital Concepts & Truths to Know in John 8• Condemn the sin but have compassion on the sinner!• Jesus made it His aim to “always do those things that

please [the Father]” (John 8:29)!– He said that He honored His Father and did not seek His own

glory (John 8:49-50).– He let the Father take care of seeing, knowing and deciding

reward (John 8:50).• God’s truth is absolute (John 8:32, 44)!– God’s truth is not multiple choice, a gray area, subjective to

the whims of man.– God’s truth is THE truth. THE ABSOLUTE truth. – There is only ONE truth. And it does not change!

Vital Concepts & Truths to Know in John 8• Believing in Jesus does not make one a child of God!– “As He spoke these words, many believed in Him” (John 8:30).– “Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him…” (8:31).

• “If you abide in My word…” (John 8:31). Is it possible they may not? • “If you were Abraham’s children…” (8:39). Is it possible they were not? • “If God were your Father…” (John 8:42). Is it possible He is not?

– If God was not their Father, then who was?• “You are of your father the devil…” (John 8:44).

– To Jews who believed in Him, Jesus told them that the devil was their father.• Faith alone in Jesus does not save!

– Claiming God as your Father does not make Him your Father (John 8:41-47)!

Vital Concepts & Truths to Know in John 8• Jesus is eternal (John 8:58)!– “Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM”

(John 8:58).– “Abraham was” signifies a beginning point. Abraham came to

be at some point.– “I AM” signifies timeless presence, always existing,

independent of time (Ex. 3:14).

An Overview/Theme of John 8: “Freedom from Sin through Christ”

• There Is One Thing That We All Have in Common – Sin!– Jesus told the hypocrites, “He who is without sin among you…”

(John 8:7).– Even the hypocritical scribes & Pharisees recognized they all

were sinners (John 8:9).

An Overview/Theme of John 8: “Freedom from Sin through Christ”

• There Are Only Two Possible Relationships One Can Have with Sin!– He can be a “slave” to it!

• “Whoever commits sin is a slave of sin” (John 8:34). In bondage!• One given to a lifestyle of habitually sinning is enslaved to that lifestyle.• Slaves to sin do what they have heard from their father (John 8:38).• Slaves to sin do the deeds of their father (John 8:41).• Slaves to sin are of their father, the devil, and fulfill his desires (8:44).

– He can be “free” from it! • “If the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed” (John 8:36).• A slave cannot free another slave. The Son is only one who can (34-36).• One who is free from sin has God as his Father (John 8:42).

An Overview/Theme of John 8: “Freedom from Sin through Christ”

• Living As a Slave to Sin Is a Choice That One Makes!– Live and judge only according to the flesh (John 8:15).– Willfully choosing to know neither the Father nor the Son (John

8:19, 55).– Living, not just “in” the world, but “of this world” (John 8:23).– Choosing not to believe (John 8:24).– Willfully ignoring, rejecting and not listening to the word (John

8:37, 43, 47).

An Overview/Theme of John 8: “Freedom from Sin through Christ”

• Remaining a Slave to Sin Has Devastating Consequences!– “Walk in darkness” (John 8:12).– “You will die in your sin…die in your sins” (John 8:21, 24).

Eternal separation!– “Where I go you cannot come” (John 8:21) – cannot go to

heaven!– Follow the devil on this earth and you’ll follow him into eternity

(8:44; cf. Mt. 25:41).

An Overview/Theme of John 8: “Freedom from Sin through Christ”

• Freedom from Sin Comes Only in and through Christ!– It relies on the mercy of Christ (“Go and sin no more,” John

8:11).– It is made available to all by Christ (“I am the light of the

world,” John 8:12).– It rests on the sacrifice of Christ, being “lifted up” (John 8:28).– The Son must give the freedom! Earthly/Fleshly descent means

nothing (John 8:36)!

An Overview/Theme of John 8: “Freedom from Sin through Christ”

• Freedom from Sin Is Promised & Secured By Those Who…– Hear the things Jesus spoke from the Father (John 8:26, 28).– Hear God’s words to be “of God” rather than “of the devil” (8:47).– Listen to His word (John 8:43).– Know Christ (John 8:19), that He is deity and equal with God (28).– Know the truth (John 8:32). Only His truth can bring freedom!– Believe in the deity of Christ (John 8:24).– Believe His words, the words of truth (John 8:30, 45-46).– Love Christ, who came from God and is equal with God (8:42).– Abide in His word (8:31), which requires living, obeying & action!– Give His word a place (to run free course) in our hearts & lives (37).– Follow Christ, the light of the world, to have the light of life (8:12).– Keep His word (8:51). To know God requires keeping His Word (8:55).

An Overview/Theme of John 8: “Freedom from Sin through Christ”

• Freedom from Sin Has the Best Reward!– Freedom from sin, the world, the devil, the flesh, an evil

conscience and the devil!– Never see death (John 8:51).

How Chapter 8 Helps to Fulfill the Overall Purpose of the Gospel of John

• Jesus possessed an eternal nature equal to the Father!– He knew where He came from and where He was going (8:14).– “I am not alone, but I am with the Father who sent Me” (8:16).– “…And the Father who sent Me bears witness of Me” (8:18).– “I speak to the world those things which I heard from Him” (26, 38, 40).– “Believe that I am He…know that I am He” (John 8:24, 28).– “I do nothing of Myself…as My Father taught Me, I speak” (28).– “He who sent Me is with Me. The Father has not left Me” (29).– “I proceeded forth and came from God…He sent Me” (8:42).– “It is My Father who honors Me” (John 8:54).

• Jesus made several “I Am” statements in this chapter.– “I am the light of the world” (John 8:12).– “I am from above…I am not of this world” (John 8:23).– “Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM” (58).