“Tell the Truth, the Whole Truth, and Nothing But the Truth” - John 8:31-47 - Kairo Worship

Intro
• Intro: Urban Legend of the Highbeams
• Do you ever have a good intent toward someone, wanting the best for them, and then end up turning against you, as if you were the enemy?
• It happens, and it happens in the Bible. Right here in John 8, we see Jesus wanting the Jews to know the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, but the Jews don’t like all that Jesus has to say and turn against him as if he were the enemy!
• I want to talk about the truth today, and share 3 things about the truth that we can learn from Jesus’ interaction with the Jews. Let’s pray.

1. The Truth Gives Freedom
31To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. 32Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."
• Jesus speaks to those who had just put their faith in him, and he says that the true disciples are those who really hold to his teaching, just like we said last week. It’s those who follow him, and does as he teaches.
• Those who choose to do so, will know the truth, and they will experience true freedom.
• Now that brings up the question: What is Freedom?
• Well, we know Jesus is talking about freedom from Sin, because he says in v. 34 that anyone who sins is a slave to sin.
• By nature, and at birth, we were born into slavery because of our sinful nature.
• Because of the fall, we are born with the chains of sin tied around us.
• Most people in this world who have not been freed by Christ know no other life. We get so used to being slaves to sin that living in it becomes attractive and desirable… because we’ve never known true freedom.
• EX: Me and a Friend were watching on Tru TV a documentary on prison life. And he was like, “Yup, yup, yup.” That’s how it really is. He was locked up for 1 year in prison. He told me about one of his friends who was locked up for most of his life. And when he finally got out, he didn’t know what to do with himself. He had grown so accustomed to life in prison, and so comfortable with it, that he committed armed robbery, and waited for the cops to arrive, just to go back to the way of life he had become so used to.
• That’s what bondage to sin looks like. We are born as slaves to sin, we come to love it and desire nothing else, even if it means true freedom.

• But I think true freedom is more than just being free from sin. It is, but I think it’s more significant.
• Freedom is living in the way you were created to live.
• It includes living free from sin, since God never intended us to live in sin.
• But more importantly, when we live in the fullness of the image and in fullness of the purposes that God designed for us, that’s true freedom. It’s not just “not sinning”.
• It’s embracing who we were meant to be.
• People often think that if I can live for myself and do whatever I want to do, then that’s freedom!
• EX: What do footprints, driftwood, crabs and raccoons have in common? I was reading up on baby sea turtles this week. Don’t ask me why. But baby sea turtles are called hatchlings, because they hatch in the sand. Mommy sea turtles will bury her eggs in the sand, and after about 1.5 to 2.5 months, the baby turtles hatch. But once they hatch, they are on a quest to find life in the ocean. Only about 1/1000 actually survive because of these obstacles they face that keep them from getting to the water. Why is it so important that they get to the water? Because that’s what they were created for! They were created to live and to grow in the water! That’s freedom for them.
• Keeping them in the sand and on land would trap them and eventually kill them… because that’s not what they were created for. They were created for the ocean. And until they live in it, they will not be free to live. They will be trapped.

• How can we be set free?
• Jesus turns to those who put their faith in him, and says that if they continue to hold to his teaching, they will know the truth.
• Last week I made it a point, that it’s not just about saying “I believe!”
• It’s not just saying “I acknowledge that you’re the Only Way!”
• Jesus says our faith is proved by doing, following, holding to his teaching and his words.
• That is the person who will know the real truth. That’s the person who will know true freedom.
• When we hold to his teaching and make our lives about living according to what Jesus has taught, guess what?
• WE START LIVING IN THE WAYS THAT GOD MEANT FOR US.
• Yes, we are set free from the life of sin we’ve been so enslaved by and so accustomed to.
• But more than that, we start living according to our true design. That is freedom to live.

2. The Truth is Offensive
33They answered him, "We are Abraham's descendants[b] and have never been slaves of anyone. How can you say that we shall be set free?"
34Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. 35Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. 36So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.

• I think this is quite interesting, and it even confused me a little bit.
• This passage starts in v. 31 saying that Jesus was talking specifically to those who believed him.
• Yet the conversation turns ugly and Jesus gets into a heated discussion with them.
• What the heck? Didn’t they believe in him? Why are some now turning and going against him?
• I’ll tell you why… because the Truth can be pretty dang OFFENSIVE.
• There’s a series this week on the radio on the Hard Teachings of Christ. Let’s face it, it’s hard!
• It’s exactly why Jesus says, “You must hold to my teaching, then you are truly my disciples.”
• Some had claimed to believe in him, but even among them, some would prove to not be able to keep following and keep holding to his teachings, because it got too hard, it got too offensive..
A. SLAVES TO SIN
• How does Jesus offend them?
• If Jesus says, follow me and hold to my teachings, and then you’ll be free… what does that imply?
• That they are slaves! That they are currently slaves!
• And NOBODY likes to be called a slave.
• EX: I was preaching at the LBRM one week, and I spoke on Slavery, and how we’re often slaves to sin. I gave an example of a guy named Eddie that I had met and been ministering to in MacArthur Park in Downtown LA. I had driven out quite a few times to meet up with Eddie, even getting in touch with his sisters just to let them know I’ve been in touch with him and that he’s still alive.
• I found out from his family that he was a very bright and smart man. He had graduated from college and had a Master’s degree.
• When I encouraged Eddie to go home… he kept saying, “I can’t. Not yet, it’s just not the time.”
• I shared at the LBRM how Eddie was slave to sin, and how his addictions in the inner city had kept him there.
• Right after I finished preaching, this big guy comes up to me, and had some words to say. He was bothered that I called Eddie a slave. I have a strong feeling that it struck a chord with him, and somehow he took it that I was indirectly calling him a slave to sin.
• NO ONE LIKES TO BE CALLED A SLAVE… especially if it’s an accurate description of them.

• The Jews are offended by this and start defending themselves by saying (v. 33)"We are Abraham's descendants and have never been slaves of anyone. How can you say that we shall be set free?"
• Rowr. Jesus was just talking about sin, but I guess someone’s sensitive.
• They start claiming that they’ve never been slaves to anyone. Oh really?
o What about Egypt, under Pharoah, that bitter time in your history?
o What about under the Exile of the Babylonians?
o What about under the Exile of the Assyrians?
• You’ve never been slaves? Obviously it was a touchy issue for the Jews. It offended them.
• Jesus was just telling them the truth. He goes on.

B. SONS OF SATAN
• Jesus says in (v. 38) “Hey, don’t get mad at me, I’m just telling you what I have seen from the Father. I’m just telling you THE TRUTH.”
• But then he turns it on them and says “But you on the other hand, you do what your father tells you.”
• HE says this RIGHT after he just accused them of wanting to kill Jesus. Of wanting to murder.
• Now, think this through with me. If he’s accusing them of wanting to murder, and then tells them that they do what their father tells them to do, what is Jesus implying?
• Either he’s saying that their father Abraham is a murderer, or someone else is their daddy.
• The Jews say in (v. 39), “Hey, our father is Abraham.”
• But Jesus makes it clear what’s he’s implying.
• (V. 40) He says “you want to kill me, but Abraham would never do such a thing. Instead, you do what your real father wants you to do.”

• Heres a point Jesus makes: We tend to do what our fathers do.
• EX: You all know Daniel is all about kung fu and martial arts, that’s his whole life. But I was a kung fu master way before his time! My uncles called me Fat Kung Fu master and Fat Ninja growing up. I had my own karate club with my friends and even invented my own martial art called Tak Shing Do. What does it mean? I have no clue, but it sounds Chinese martial artish.
• Where do you think me and Daniel got this love from? Our dad.
• Isn’t true, that often times we grow up loving the things our fathers love.
• Jeff loves the great outdoors. Where do you think he got that from?
• Jack is a doctor, where do you think he gets that from?

• But more than just doing things that your father does… I think Jesus hits at something deeper to the core.
• I think he’s talking about how sons behave according to the things their father’s value.
• Me and Daniel grew up going to church and learning to read our bibles, praying in every situation. Why, because at 5 years old the Lord convicted us? Not really. It’s because our father values thing of God and Spiritual things. We’ve been influenced by our Father.
• As sons, we do what our father does, but more importantly we act upon what he values at the core.
• In v. 39, They claim that Abraham is their father
o Oh really? Jesus shows that they’re not doing anything Abraham valued, because Abraham valued God and the God’s truth.
o The Bible says Abraham longed to for the day of God’s son, which is Christ.
o So if they were Abraham’s true sons, they would embrace everything about Christ and all his teachings.
• In v. (41), they then claim God is their father.
o Oh Really? If they were really children of God, they would value what the God values.
o What does the God the Father value?
o At Jesus’ baptism, he said “This is my son, whom I love. With him I am well pleased.”
o When Jesus was transfigured, he said, “This is my son, whom I love. Listen to him”
o V(. 42) Jesus himself says, “If God were your father, you would love me.” You would love him because God loves him and values his Son.
• He shows that they are enslaved and living in the ways of their real father, the devil!
• And as the Jews are listening to Jesus expose their (1) Slavery to Sin and (2)their influence as Sons of Satan, they are extremely offended.
• Sometimes, the truth can be offensive. But Jesus gives it to them.

3. The Truth is Not False
44You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.
• Here’s the truth about truth: The Truth is Not False. Well, duh.
• NO, but think about that.
• We tend to act as if there is a middle ground, like something in between true and false.
• Where if you’re not of God and of the truth, and you’re not a devil worshipper, then you’re somewhere in between.
• Do you believe that? Of course you don’t.
• But why are we so afraid to tell people that they’re going to hell and living in the lie of Satan if they don’t follow Jesus into the truth?
• Because isn’t that the truth? You’re either of God, or of the Devil. You’re either of the truth, or you’re of the lie. THERE IS NO MIDDLE GROUND.

• Jesus tells these Jews that their father is the devil.
• Now, easy there, Jesus. I mean, shouldn’t we be a little more gentle?
• After all, it’s not like the Jews were really saying anything mean to Jesus. They were just responding to what Jesus was saying.
• Like, all they’ve really said is “Abraham is our father”, and “we haven’t been slaves to anyone”. And Jesus seems to get all crazy on them saying, “Your father is the devil! He’s a murderer, he’s always been a murderer, all he speaks are lies, and you want to carry out his desires.”
• Wow. Really Jesus?
• Yeah, really. Actually, Jesus isn’t being harsh…. He’s actually just being truthful.
o We just see it as being harsh because many of us aren’t use to telling the truth.
• The truth of the matter is that there are two rulers among two kingdoms.
• You’re either a child of God, in the heavenly kingdom.
• Or you’re a child of the Devil, in his earthly kingdom.
• You’re either living the truth, or you’re living the lie.
• Jesus isn’t too concerned about having the largest following. He’s not too concerned about being the most popular preacher in town. He’s much more concerned about telling the truth and exposing the lie.
• These people claim to believe in him… but Jesus’ business is about searching out the people who are serious about the truth and serious about experiencing God’s freedom.

• This is convicting to me. Does it convict you? Are you willing to tell people the truth? That if they aren’t living in the truth of Christ, they’re living in the lies of Satan?
• EX: Francis Chan, an increasingly popular preacher, had a revelation while trying to sleep one night. He said to his wife while lying in bed, “If Jesus had a church in this town, I bet you mine would be bigger. And if Paul built a church across the street, I bet you mine would be bigger.”
• And it haunted him.
• He realized that up to that point he wasn’t willing to say the hard things Jesus said, or teach the hard things Paul taught.
• He was too concerned about saying things that people like and that made people feel good. He was too concerned about not stepping on toes… he hated the thought about losing his friends n followers.
• Whereas Jesus, he realized, was only concerned about separating people of the truth and people of the lie, and making sure that those who said they believe really held to his teachings.

Closing
• Church, the challenge is before us. Will we be willing to expose the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth of the Gospel by exposing the influence of Satan?
• Will we be willing to make known the harsh truth that those who do not follow Jesus and hold to his teachings, are by default living under the lie of the Devil?

• EX: A few weeks ago Jack talked about raising the hard questions with our friends and helping them get off the fence about what they thought about Jesus and their commitment to him.
• I was challenged. And I responded by talking to a friend that week about his relationship with Jesus, when I would have normally passed it up in fear of offending him.
• Will you be challenged, along with me, to speak up, and talk to your friends or your family about the reality of their relationship with Satan if they aren’t living in the truth of God?
• Church, I’m scared. I’m challenged, just as much as you this very minute. I don’t know if I can do it.
• It Freaked me out that I had to preach about this before you guys today, knowing that the challenge is mine just as much as it is yours.

• EX BRIAN: I think about a testimony that Brian Lam shared one Friday, about how he heard in a sermon about an Atheist say, “I’m bothered by Christians who must really have to hate me in order not to share with me their Gospel of eternal life and warn me about hell.”
• And at the time I thought it was a little extreme, and I still do. Because I don’t think we hate people when we fail to share with them the truth.
• I think many times it’s just that we’re chicken. We’re scared.
• But the result is the same. We are letting people we love live in bondage to Sin and under the influence of Satan, and we’re not saying anything.
• Whether it’s because we HATE them, or we LOVE ourselves too much.
• EX EVAN: I think about baby Evan, if one day he was playing in the street, would I not yell, “EVAN GET OUT OF THE STREET NOW!!!!” Would I ignore the imminent danger because I’m too scared of what he might think of me as a dad because I yelled at him?
• It makes no sense.
• EX HIGH BEAMS: Would I not flash my high beams even if I knew there was a predator lurking in the darkness waiting to steal, kill and destroy?
• Because truth is, the Bible says that there is a predator lurking, who has come to steal, kill and destroy.
• Will we not tell people the whole truth, that if we follow the teachings of Christ, we will not only be free from sin, but we will experience true freedom?
• Will we not tell people the whole truth that if they don’t follow the teachings of Christ, they are following the lies of the Devil?
• Let’s tell the truth, the whole truth, nothing but the truth. So help us God.