John 8:21-30
Introduction
Why are we sending the Parks
From America- land of the free, plenty, and prosperous
To the N.Africa- land of struggle, heat, strange language?
According to the text, it is simply a profoundly serious problem and a magnificently divine solution.
1. What is the problem?
(v.21,24) you shall die in your sins
According to Jesus, it means that no one can follow Him to heaven: “where I am going, you cannot come.”
That raises two questions:
1. Where are you going?
2. Why can’t we come there?
v.23. “You are from below, I am from above; you are of this world, I am not of this world.”
“the light shined in the darkness and the darkness did not comprehend it” (Jn.1:5) and “the light is come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the light…”(Jn.3:19).
To be “of this world”, as Jesus supposes we all are by our very nature, is to be bound inextricably to a condition, orientation, moral order in rebellion against God. The tragedy of belonging to this world, according to the bible, is it:
* feels normal
* blinds
* deceives:
* self-justifying:
* short-sighted:
If none of this is true, Parks, you are wasting your time and ours.
2. What is the solution? (v.24)
Jesus said, “Unless you believe that I am, you shall die in your sins”.
Belief is a contingent concept, it requires a direct object. You believe in something. Belief is resting upon, trusting in, relying upon. Each has a direct object.
What is the content of saving belief? You believe what to escape dying in sin? Jesus tells us by answering the Jews’ question: v.25 “Who are you?”
v. 24 Jesus says here you must believe that “I am”.
I am what I have revealed Myself to be: (all anticipated in the OT)
BUT, all of that knowledge is not enough. In order to make sense of the pieces, they must converge into a whole, at one special place, the cross.
v.28: When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he.
“Lift up” refers to the means of His death, and His glorification as the dying savior.
Verse 28 gives us the confidence that such efforts are not in vain. “When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He.”
Jesus said in John 12:32, “And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to Myself.” (all kinds of men)
In the preaching of the cross sinner’s eyes are opened to behold the love and justice of God. His love, in emptying Himself to be punished for us (something no other religion can promise). His justice, in paying the death penalty for our sins (something no other religion can promise).
At the cross we receive everything we need to be reconciled to God: unconditional acceptance, unspoiled righteousness. There is nothing more you need, nothing more you could add. Jesus is the substitute: the One who lays down His life in your place. What other religious figure has dared to claim that? And what other figure has backed up His claims with the empty tomb?
Is it worth it for the Parks to go? I think to answer that you first have to answer this question: What is the cross worth to you?
What does a church look like when its members take the cross seriously?
You reorient the way you live in light of the cross:
Here are some telltale signs:
1. Move from indifference to sin to taking it very seriously, especially your own.
2. You experience a growing disdain for self-exaltation.
3. You pray for the advance of the cross in the midst of your concerns
4. You reorient your finances
5. You are lovingly, humbled, other-centered, to serve others.
The American missionary to South America, Jim Elliot, who lost his life for the sake of the cross, said this: “He is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep, to gain what he cannot lose.”
