WHAT THE BELIEVER KNOWS

 

John 8:12-59

What does it mean to know someone or something? “Know” by definition is… to perceive or understand as fact or truth; to apprehend clearly with certainty, to have established or fixed in the mind or memory. It’s a wonderful thing to have the ability to know something or many things.

I know my wife and what makes her tick and what makes her happy.

I know my children in the same way.

I know where I live so I can find my way home.

I know what I drive so that I don’t get lost in the Walmart parking lot.

I know when my birthday is, so I know when to expect gifts and a cake.

I know where I was born, so I know I’m Canadian.

I know who my parents are, when I see them or hear their voices.

I know what interests me and what doesn’t.

I know what I’m capable of and what I’m not.

I know my sin and my selfish desires.

What does it mean to truly know Jesus Christ?

I know who my Redeemer is, the One who saved me from myself.

I know Jesus is my deepest and desire, and joy, despite how my life looks or feels at times.

I know that Jesus is who He claimed to be.

I know so much about the Godhead because of what I read in the bible through the Holy Spirit to understand the doctrines of Grace. The bible says we can know without a shadow of doubt that Jesus is who He claimed to be. The word “know” is used 957 times in 889 verses; so, there is a lot that we can know from the scriptures.

 

We Know That God Is The Creator & Sustainer Of This Universe. “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.” Gen 1:1

 

We Know That God Judged Mankind With A Global Flood. “And God saw the earth, and behold, it was corrupt, for all flesh had corrupted their way on the earth. And God said to Noah, "I have determined to make an end of all flesh, for the earth is filled with violence through them. Behold, I will destroy them with the earth.” Gen 6:12-1

 

We Know That God Is Patient And Extends Mercy Beyond What We Deserve. “But You, O Lord, are a God full of compassion and gracious, longsuffering and abundant in mercy and truth. “ 

Psalm 86:15

 

We Know That God Is The One Who Cares And Provides For His Creation. “for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.” Matt 6:8

 

We Know That God Sent His Son To Die For Sinful Men And Women. “just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep.” John 10:15

 

We Know That God Knows Who Are His. “But God's firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: "The Lord knows those who are his,…” 2 Tim 2:19

 

We Know That He Provides A Way Of Escape For Those Who Are His. “…the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials” 2 Peter 2:9

 

We Know That God Is All Knowing. “for whenever our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and he knows everything.” 1 John 3:20

 

See other organizations under the title

of Religion say Jesus was……

 

Michael the Arc Angel…. Jehovah Witnesses

A Prophet…..Islam

A subordinate son to Mary…. Roman Catholicism

Good Rabbi/Teacher……Judaism

Myth…… New Age

A Liar & a Lunatic……. the Atheist

A crutch & hoax……..the postmodern world

 

The underlining theme of these religious organizations is they all denounce Christ as earth’s divine manifestation of the Godhead. But we know from Scripture that Jesus is God in human flesh displaying the love of Godhead towards lost sinners like us. To know Jesus Christ is to be radically changed forever as Paul Washer said “It is absurd to think that a man can believe in Christ, with his heart, and it not have a radical affect on the rest of his life.” What we read in chapter 8 of John removes any doubt or uncertainty to whom Jesus claimed to be. I want to leave you with some biblical truths to knowing Jesus in this portion of scripture as Jesus confronts the so-called religious giants.

 

To Know Jesus Is To Find Genuine Comfort And Hope. (v12-v19)

 

We see some very strong language as Jesus answers the questions from these sceptic Pharisees. So! What is the comfort and hope that we see in this passage? (v12) “Shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life” What is Jesus saying? “Darkness” denotes: sin, sometimes ignorance and unbelief, a prime example is the religious men standing before Jesus. Whether its sin, ignorance or unbelief the message conveys the same truth about darkness [that those who are in darkness do not believe in Jesus Christ]. Whether its sin, ignorance or unbelief those WHO ARE NOT in darkness [born again Christians] no longer walk daily in ignorance, in habitual sin or unbelief. The Christian will continually walk in the light of Christ found in redemption, because He is light, itself. 

 

“Light” in this portion of scripture is referring to “the same way the sun gives light to the earth.” See what the sun was to the earth, Jesus is to mankind. Jesus was clearly claiming to be God and to be Israel’s Messiah sent by God as “the Light”. Jesus early use of the metaphor for Living water (7:37-39) this was relevant to the Feast of Tabernacles, just as He is the light is important here. This Light alone is what brings light of salvation to a sin-cursed world. To a world system in darkness of falsehoods, this Light exposes the darkness of ignorance.

 

Jesus is the light of wisdom; to darkness of sin.

Jesus is the light of holiness; to darkness of sorrow and decay.

Jesus is the light of joy; to darkness of death and separation.

 

David said “For with you is the fountain of life; in your light do we see light.” Psalm 36:9

 

John wrote “And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb. By its light will the nations walk, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it, and its gates will never be shut by day—and there will be no night there.” Rev 21:23-25

 

The Christian will not walk in darkness of sin, the world or Satan. Knowing that Jesus is our light in a blackened world. The Reformer J C Ryle said “He shall not live in doubt or uncertainty but sees the light that guides to Heaven.” You and I take an obstacle course walking through it blindfolded [stumbling into things because you cannot see] But remove the blindfolds on the same obstacle course under the guidance of Christ and His supernatural light……you will find the end. Look how he starts the sentence. “He who follows me” (v12) Who is the he? Those whom have tasted the supernatural work of God found in the Gospel of Jesus Christ our Lord. “Follow” means disciple, soldier or sheep. This doesn’t always mean copying and imitating [though we’re to reflect Jesus at all times) but this also means “of trusting, putting faith in another, here meaning Christ. Jesus said "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.” Matt 5:14. The Apostle Paul said, “for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light” Eph 5:8. One Theologian wrote, “If man could continually follow the sun, he would always be in broad daylight in every part of the globe. So it is with Christ and believers. Always following Him, they always have light.

 

It’s not enough to gaze at the light and marvel,

we must follow it throughout our day.

 

And the Christian hope lies in this truth and Jesus is letting us know that He is the light that shines out of darkness. He will lead us through the darkness of this world. And we can know that blessed truth every day.

 

To Know Jesus Is To Be Illuminated By The Truth. (v31-v32)

 

“and you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (v32) It’s an amazing thing that the God of the universe supernaturally gives us understanding to the gospel and the scriptures by the Holy Spirit. It’s not your wisdom that gives understanding, it’s not your ability that illuminates biblical truth. It’s by the amazing power of the third person of the Godhead… the Holy Spirit.  Paul wrote these beautiful words to knowing the scripture, “Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God. And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual. The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. The spiritual person judges all things, but is himself to be judged by no one. "For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?" But we have the mind of Christ.” 1 Cor 2:12-16

That’s why Jesus said “you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free”. (v32) “Truth” is reference not only to the facts surrounding Jesus as the Messiah, the Son of God, but also to the teachings that He taught. John MacArthur said “a genuinely saved and obedient follower of the Lord Jesus will know divine truth and both freedom from sin.” As Jesus says in (v34) a freedom from the bondage of sin which can only come from the truth found in Christ. The scripture illuminate this wonderful truth into the heart of the newly regenerate person as they respond to the Gospel calling. It’s only by Jesus and the truth of His word that a person can truly know Him in our….

Redemption

Regeneration

Sanctification

Glorification

 

All this has been made possible and known by the truth of Jesus Christ. And this is the truth that will set you truly free.

 

To Know Jesus Is To Know Ultimately God. (v54-v58)

 

“before Abraham was, I AM” This is a bold statement, it literally means “I am God” and this would have struck a chord with them especially after what Jesus previously said. (v19). Jesus declared himself to be the Eternally Pre-Existent God who revealed Himself throughout scripture in Old and New Testament. Abraham spoke to Jesus when he pleaded for the people of Sodom. Gen 18:18-33. Moses at the burning bush is the greatest of examples! Exo 3:14. You and I don’t need to see God to believe God! Why? Jesus came and declared He was God and that He came to save sinners. Remember what Jesus said to Thomas? “Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you." Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe." Thomas answered him, "My Lord and my God!" Jesus said to him, "Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” John 20:26-31

 

Remember what the blind man, who now sees, said in his encounter with Jesus after he was excommunicated and basically disowned by his parents in

John chapter 9? Jesus heard what they did to him, so He goes out to this man and said "Do you believe in the Son of Man?" John 9:35. And his response to Jesus’s question was, "And who is he, sir, that I may believe in Him?" (v36) This is what I don’t what you to miss! Jesus said "You have seen him, and it is he who is speaking to you." And He said, "Lord, I believe," and he worshiped Him. John 9:37-38. We know by what we read in the scriptures that Jesus is God, just as the Father and the Holy Spirit are equal amongst the Godhead.

 

Let me ask you as we close! Has He illuminated the truth of His words to you heart which sets you free from the bondage of sin and this world? Do you believe that He is God or do you believe that Jesus is some man as the religions of this world proclaim? Remember the Pharisee’s thought they knew the truth, but all they had were swelled self-righteous heads with knowledge that leads to morals and death. And sadly the outcome is tragic, because Jesus reveals their future if continue this path of destruction, “I am going away, and you will seek me, and you will die in your sin. Where I am going, you cannot come." So the Jews said, "Will he kill himself, since he says, 'Where I am going, you cannot come'?" He said to them, "You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. I told you that you would die in your sins, for unless you believe that I am he you will die in your sins." John 8:21-24

 

Jesus said all who come to me will find light, rest, truth, and freedom from your sin and from future destruction and damnation. But it requires you to leave yourself at the door and embrace Him as He is “before Abraham was, I AM”. The all-knowing, sustaining, full of mercy and grace, the Lord of the universe. Who came to redeem sinful men and woman by coming in the form of flesh? To show His love for blind and hopeless sinners who desperately need Jesus Christ. The Light of the world who came by giving His life for you and me. 

What does it mean to know Him?  By the song we already sang by Charles Wesley “And Can It Be”

“Long my imprisoned spirit lay

Fast bound in sin and nature night;

Thine eye diffused a quickening ray,

I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;

My chains fell off, my heart was free;

I rose, went forth and followed Thee.”

 

That’s what it truly means to know Him personally!

That’s the gospel truth that sets the captive’s free.