Message Notes

SUNDAY SCHOOL SPECIAL 5 December 2021

Text: John 8:48-59

Subject: Evangelism

Focus: “The Abraham Connection III”

INTRODUCTION

1. Discussion- Debate-Disaster

a) It began with a Discussion

b) It went on to become a Debate

c) It nearly concluded in Disaster

2. Deterioration of the Conversation

a) The Conversation had been about Abraham

b) The Claims of the Jews

i) They were Abraham’s Descendants (John 8:33)

ii) Abraham claimed as “father” (John 8:39a)

iii) God as “Father” (John 8:41)

3. The Challenge of the Lord Jesus

a) They were not Abraham’s children (John 8:39b)

b) God was not their Father either (John 8:42)

c) Their father was the Devil (John 8:44)

THE DETERIORATION OF THE DISCUSSION 

1. Wild and wicked statements made against the Lord Jesus

a) “You are a Samaritan” John 8:48a

b) “And have a demon” John 8:48b

2. Refutation of these statements

a) Denial

“I do not have a demon” John 8:49a

b) Honouring God

“But I honour My Father and you dishonour Me” John 8:49b

3. Vital Truths

a) Glory

“And I do not seek My own glory” John 8:50a

b) God as Judge

“There is One who seeks and judges” John 8:50b

c) No Death

“Most assuredly, I say to you, if anyone keeps My word he shall never see death.” John 8:51

4. Retort of the Jews

a) Accusation of being Demonised

“Then the Jews said to Him, “Now we know that You have a demon! Abraham is dead, and the prophets; and You say, ‘If anyone keeps My word he shall never taste death.’ John 8:52

i) Wild accusation

ii) Poor theology

iii) Total misunderstanding

b) Greatness

“Are You greater than our father Abraham, who is dead? And the prophets are dead. Who do You make Yourself out to be?” John 8:53

i) Taunting the Lord Jesus

ii) Rejection of His teachings

FINAL WORDS OF THE LORD JESUS

1. True Honour

Jesus answered, “If I honour Myself, My honour is nothing. It is My Father who honours Me, of whom you say that He is your God.” John 8:54

a) No self-honour

b) God’s honour

2. True knowledge

“Yet you have not known Him, but I know Him. And if I say, ‘I do not know Him,’ I shall be a liar like you; but I do know Him and keep His word”.  John 8:55

a) The Jews have not known God at all

b) The Lord Jesus’s avowal

i) He knows God

ii) He keeps God’s word

3. Abraham

“Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day, and he saw it and was glad”. John 8:56

a) Abraham rejoiced

b) He saw the day of the Messiah

c) He was glad

THE LAST STRAW

1. Rejection of the Lord’s word

a) Dismissal

“You are not yet fifty years old, and have You seen Abraham?” John 8:57

b) Total rejection

2. The Lord’s final word

“Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM.” John 8:58

a) He existed before Abraham

b) He is the Eternal One

3. Taking up stones

a) The Jews took up stones to throw at the Lord Jesus (John 8:59a)

b) The protection of the Lord Jesus (John 8:59b)

i) He hid Himself

ii) He went out of the Temple

iii) He went through them 

iv) He passed by

CONCLUSION

1. The Discussion did not end well at all

a) There was rejection

b) There could have been physical violence

2. The Lord Jesus still managed to present Vital Truths

a) That God had sent Him

b) That He is able to give eternal life 

c) That He is the Messiah