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Faith in Christ Jesus:

2 Timothy 1:12 defines FAITH as knowing the trustworthy character and motives of Jesus, and being confident in His limitless promise-keeping ability, and consequently committing yourself entirely to His keeping.  We are studying the Gospel of John, answering these questions:  1) What is revealed of Jesus’ character, motives, and abilities? 2) What is indicated that you could confidently commit to Jesus’?

 

John 8:21-59.      The Two Fathers.

 

     Please recall that Jesus is teaching in the Temple on the eighth (Octave) day of the Feast of Tabernacles, after His Great Invitation of John 7:37-38, and the general responses of the people in John 7:40-42!  Desperate to discredit and destroy Jesus by entrapment, the Jewish Leaders are using His power (John 7:21), actions (John 8:5), and teachings (John 8:8:13) against Him.  Jesus’ original message to Nicodemus (John 3:3) is expanded and expounded in the rest of John 8.

     23He said to them, You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world (of this earthly order); I am not of this world.  Here is the truth of, “Ye must be born again”.  Next, Jesus shows their moral ruin and need of a Savior.  24That is why I told you that you will die in (under the curse of) your sins; for if you do not believe that I am He [Whom I claim to be--if you do not adhere to, trust in, and rely on Me], you will die in your sins. The fact that Jesus always does and says what pleases God causes many to believe on Him, for He is a contrast to other teachers who please themselves! 

     With verse 32 as the foundation, “And you will know the Truth, and the Truth will set you free.” Jesus begins to contrast the Two Fathers and the characteristics of their offspring.  After all, why do they need to be born again?

…BECAUE THEY ARE SLAVES WHO NEED LIBERATION!  34Jesus answered them, I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, Whoever commits and practices sin is the slave of sin.    35Now a slave does not remain in a household permanently (forever); the son [of the house] does remain forever.    36So if the Son liberates you [makes you free men], then you are really and unquestionably free.   …BECAUSE THEIR ACTIONS CONDEMN THEM!                37[Yes] I know that you are Abraham's offspring; yet you plan to kill Me, because My word has no entrance (makes no progress, does not find any place) in you.    38I tell the things which I have seen and learned at My Father's side, and your actions also reflect what you have heard and learned from your father.  

…BECAUSE THEIR HEARTS ARE FULL OF MURDER, LUST, LIES, and REJECTION OF TRUTH!                                    Their murderous connection with the Devil is shown in verses 37, 40, 44, and 59.   Their Lusts and Lies are shown in verse 44.  Their rejection of the truth  is  shown in verse 37, “My word has no entrance…”,  verse 43, “Your ears are shut to my teaching…”, verse 47, “Whoever is of God listens to God. [Those who belong to God hear the words of God.] This is the reason that you do not listen [to those words, to Me]: because you do not belong to God and are not of God or in harmony with Him. Also, this is why they need to get a New Father!  They need the New Birth that is From Above!  They need a Savior. 

Read John 8:46 

Who of you convicts Me of wrongdoing or finds Me guilty of sin? Then if I speak truth, why do you not believe Me [trust Me, rely on, and adhere to Me]?

 

What trustworthy characteristics of Christ are stated here?  _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _.

 

Read John 8:51

I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, if anyone observes My teaching [lives in accordance with My message, keeps My word], he will by no means ever see and experience death.

 

What trustworthy promise does Jesus Make? _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _.

 

Read John 8:55-58

Jesus replied, I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, before Abraham was born, I AM. (Hebrews 11:13 and Exodus 3:14).

 

What does this reveal about Jesus’ identity?  _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _.

 

How do these truths encourage you to take yourself out of your own keeping, and to put yourself into His keeping?  _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _.