Words of Love, Light, and Life
by Rev. Kirby Williams
The love and light of the life-giving Gospel!
Text: John 8:51-53
Date: 10/29/2017, the Traditional service.
Series: "John: Encountering Love" Part 67
Description:
The Gospel of John is well known for its many beautiful, simple, and concise statements of the Gospel-- and our text for this message is no exception. What makes this particular statement of the Good News so extraordinary is that it is sandwiched between two angry attacks on the legitimacy of Jesus as the Christ-- even accusing Him of being a demon-possessed lunatic! But Jesus paints a powerful portrait of a soulwinner by remaining true to His calling and sharing the truth of the Gospel, regardless of their attacks on Him personally. We will analyze the words of verse 51 very carefully to reap the richness of their meaning, and bask in the promise of life eternal Jesus extends to all who will truly believe. But ultimately it will be Christ who is exalted and the Father who is glorified as His great Plan of Redemption is revealed in these words of love, light and life!
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I. Introduction
II. Exposition of the text, John 8:51-53.
A. Context
B. Invitation and rejection.
1. The invitation, vs. 51.
2. The rejection, vs. 52-53.
a. Words of hatred, darkness and death, vs. 52.
i. Returning to religiosity.
ii. Hiding behind literalism.
¥ A "back-handed" ad hominem., John 8:21-22.
¥ Appealing to the pillars of religiosity.
b. Faulty reasoning, vs. 53.
i. The "straw man" argument.
ii. Ears that do not hear, John 8:37, 47.
C. A deeper look at the words of love, light and life.
1. An overview of the words in context.
a. Envisioning the scene.
b. Portrait of a Soulwinner.
i. Words of truth, John 8:43.
ii. The words of love: Jesus as a Lamb amongst wolves, John 1:29.
iii. Words of light: Jesus as the messenger of light.
iv. Words of life: Jesus as inseparable from the Father.
¥ The inseparable bond, John 1:1,14, 8:29, 5:30.
¥ Yet another analogy.
2. Analyzing the words.
a. The inclusivity of the Gospel, John 8:44, 47, 6:44.
b. The exclusivity of the Gospel, John 8:31, 37, 14:15.
i. What it means to "keep".
¥ Believe the words are true.
¥ Assimilate the words, John 6:51, 8:31.
¥ Obey the words, John 8:30, 14:15.
¥ Treasure and guard the words.
ii. Determining the words to keep.
¥ Words of life and light, John 5:24, 6:48-50, 7:37-38, 8:12, 6:68.
¥ Words of love and faith, John 6:40, 3:14-15.
c. The Promise of eternal life.
i. The positive emphasis, John 6:40,47,50,54,58,63, 8:12.
ii. The "negative" emphasis, John 6:50.
iii. The glorious victories, Rev. 14:13.
¥ Over sin.
¥ Over spiritual death, Eph. 2:5.
¥ Over physical death, 1Cor. 15:26.
III. Application
IV. Conclusion
