INTRODUCTION

1. The Ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ

a) To preach about the Kingdom of Heaven

b) To help people to believe in Him and receive eternal life

2. How the Lord Jesus went about His work

a) He performed Miracles

b) He used the Miracles to help people find Faith

 

RESISTANCE TO THE MINISTRY OF THE LORD JESUS

1. “The Jews”

a) This term was used in John’s Gospel

b) It was a specific reference to:

i) The rulers

ii) Those who opposed the Lord Jesus

2. The work of the Resistant Jews

a) They complained

b) They challenged the Lord Jesus

c) They contrived plots against Him

d) They were committed to put Him to death

 

A SPECIAL CHALLENGE

1. The Jews brought a woman who was caught in adultery

2. They wanted to put the Lord Jesus into a difficult place

3. What were the possible responses?

a) Would the Lord Jesus condemn?

b) Would He condone?

 

THE SILENCE OF THE LORD JESUS

1. The Lord Jesus refused to respond

2. The Jews pressed for a definite response

 

THE ANSWER OF THE LORD WAS PROFOUND

So when they continued asking Him, He raised Himself up and said to them,

“He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.” John 8:7

1. The Jews were ready to stone the woman to death

2. The Lord Jesus challenged those who felt that they had no sin to cast the first stone

 

THE RESPONSE TO THE WORD OF THE LORD JESUS

9 Then those who heard it, being convicted by their conscience, went out one by one,

beginning with the oldest even to the last. And Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.

10 When Jesus had raised Himself up [i]and saw no one but the woman,

He said to her, “Woman, where are those accusers [j]of yours? Has no one condemned you?”

11 She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said to her, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.” John 8:9-11

1. The Jews left the woman alone

a) Their conscience convicted them

b) Everyone has sins that are worthy of condemnation

2. A kind word to the woman

a) The Lord would not condemn her

b) He encouraged her not to return to a life of sin

 

THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD

Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world.

He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” John 8:12

1. The Lord used this occasion

a) To help people come to the Light that He gives

b) He offers light to the world

2. He invited all

a) To follow Him

b) To walk in the light and not in darkness

 

THE REACTION OF THE JEWS

31 Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed.

32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

33 They answered Him, “We are Abraham’s descendants,

and have never been in bondage to anyone. How can You say, ‘You will be made free’?”

34 Jesus answered them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin.

35 And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever.

36 Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.

37 “I know that you are Abraham’s descendants, but you seek to kill Me, because My word has no place in you.

38 I speak what I have seen with My Father, and you do what you have [n]seen with your father.”

39 They answered and said to Him, “Abraham is our father.”

Jesus said to them, “If you were Abraham’s children, you would do the works of Abraham.

40 But now you seek to kill Me, a Man who has told you the truth which I heard from God. Abraham did not do this.

41 You do the deeds of your father.” Then they said to Him,

“We were not born of fornication; we have one Father—God.”

42 Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love Me,

for I proceeded forth and came from God; nor have I come of Myself, but He sent Me.

43 Why do you not understand My speech? Because you are not able to listen to My word.

44 You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do.

He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him.

When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.

45 But because I tell the truth, you do not believe Me.

46 Which of you convicts Me of sin? And if I tell the truth, why do you not believe Me?

47 He who is of God hears God’s words; therefore you do not hear, because you are not of God.” John 8:31-47

1. The Jews

a) They took pride in being the descendants of Abraham

b) They even claimed that God was their Father

c) They continued to harass the Lord Jesus

2. A startling Revelatory word from the Lord Jesus

a) God was not their Father

b) Satan was their father

i) He is the father of lies

ii) No truth abides in him

iii) They were enslaved by their sins

 

THE PROMISE OF THE LORD JESUS

1. To believe in Him

a) To follow Him

b) To be taught by Him

2. To be made free

a) By the Lord Jesus

b) By His word of truth

c) By the light that He gives

3. Encouragement

a) To seek freedom from the power of sin

b) To seek to follow the Lord Jesus as His disciples