A sermon for Independence Day

by Jonathan Spurlock
(Holts Summit, MO)

Text: John 8:31-36

Background: Jesus has defended and dismissed the woman taken in adultery. He’s now talking to the crowd who had remained after watching that encounter. Some, according to John, had believed but others, apparently, either hadn’t or didn’t understand Jesus’ words.

Introduction: Jesus is speaking to those who believed in Him. These who believed seemed to have a hard time understanding some of the things Jesus was saying. Jesus is giving them encouragement.

I Jesus promised the truth will make them free
Conditions: Jews were under bondage of various kinds (more on that in the next point). Many had abandoned Jesus (see John 6) and some even wanted to kill Him (John 7). That wasn’t too long before this!

Certainty: you will know the truth and the truth shall make you free. No doubt about it!

II Those who believed protested the words Jesus spoke
-Appeal to heritage: We are Abraham’s "seed" (the physical children, with some Gentile converts)
-Appeal to history: and were never in bondage to anyone!

REALLY? They were under Roman dominion at that very time!
Had they forgotten their past captivities?

III “You will be free indeed”, Jesus said
Condition 1: IF the Son makes you free: not a command, people have the option or choice to believe or not
Condition 2: Future tense, believers would be made free!

Location, status, etc., none of these matter: it’s what’s inside that’s important!