John Chapter 8:37-59

Same here that we have to keep his word, in order to see well that apparently is the implication so you say were saved by works, no. But when you get saved everything changes you no longer your own mastery are no longer deciding what's right and wrong.

God is deciding what is right and wrong.

Welcome to cross the bridge with David McGee. David is the senior pastor of the bridge in Kernersville, North Carolina.

Today he's teaching through John chapter 8 with the message. Freedom we also have the studio with this PA Brown, one of David's associate pastors welcome brother hey Bob, as Christians, we are set free from the wages of sin, which are scripturally supposed to use your freedom to serve God and serve others. Today pastor David jumps into that and more. In part two of his teaching freedom. So when John chapter 8 verse 37. I know that you are Abraham's descendents, but you seek to kill me because my word has no place in you. I speak what I have seen with my father and you do what you have seen with your father. They answered and said to him, Abraham is our father. Jesus said to them, if you are Abraham's children, you would do the works of Abraham. But now you seek to kill me, a man who was told you the truth, which I heard from God. Abraham did not do this. You do the deeds of your father. Then they said to him, we were not born of fornication. We have one father God and now they said that it's kind of all-male verse 42 Jesus said to them, if God were your father you would love me for I proceeded forth and came from God, nor have I come of myself, but he sent me this is interesting as is an interesting verse because he say no and God were your father you would love me and recognize where I came from and where I'm going understand that is the litmus test for any religion or any denomination they love Jesus proclaimed Jesus do they recognize that he's the son of God. He's the Messiah is not. Guess what is not of God. I don't care what their intentions are. I don't care how honorable they may be.

I don't care how many good works they do if they don't pass this litmus test than are not of God. Jesus at this point it seems is no longer interested in the wrong answers. Verse 43. Why do you not understand my speech because you were not able to listen to my word for get down to it, now you are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do.

He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him.

When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it, but because I tell you the truth, you do not believe me which of you convicts me of sin and about tell the truth, why do you not believe me, he who is of God hears God's words, therefore you do not here because you are of God.

Well, it's all now is God's eye father Abraham let your father your father the devil, which in a very religious person and you hear that, while that's that's a that's rock in your boat in the mail.

He who is of God hears God's word again, what is God's word you're holding it in your lap.

This is God's word. He who doesn't hear God's word.

Guess what, you don't belong to God. If you know God you want to hear his voice, you have a desire to be in the word out. Maybe you're here this morning and are going but he said there of the devil. But we all know that all people are God's children, whether their unbelievers or whether there is Islamic or whether there is a call or whatever. I'm sorry that's unscriptural. We are not all God's children. The Bible tells that tells us that in John chapter 1 verse 12 it says, but as many received him, to them he gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in his name. What is that mean that means if you've not received them. If you've not believed in him you're not God's child that they rock your boat. If you've never heard that before. That's the bad news. The good news is, God desires to adopt you.

God is here this morning, desiring a relationship with you where it's it's now it's really complicated so we have like 400 page book on how you do this in a bunch of rules about regulations know it said in this verse receive believe I can be that simple. Praise God. It's that simple. We complicated.

We had all these different things and all these complications, Jesus here says you know what that with the gospel of John says receive and believe Romans chapter 8 says, for as many as are led by the spirit of God, these are the sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, Abba, father you need understand that all but some translations translate it.

Father adds that's really not a good translation.

Abba is more like daddy, daddy, you know.

If you've never prayed to God is your daddy.

I would encourage you to do that because sometimes we can use that father determine its own little distant for us. It's not very intimate, and of course you know some of those hallowed prayers that you hear old Lord B is the dark ballast from father and all that stuff. There's no intimacy there and I would encourage her to some of you right now are saying that's not right should call God daddy that's just poor. That's bad. You know why and I love you because you scared you're afraid of the intimacy of relationship with the Lord you should be afraid of that, especially as men guys we have.

We struggle with this commitment thing we struggle in areas of relationships probably. And this is a generalization, but probably more than ladies when they encourage you to pray like that. Calling daddy because he longs for you to have that intimate relationship with him and we've been adopted. How awesome is that we've been adopted. Some of you may have a deeper appreciation of the than the rest of us. Some of you may have been adopted.

I can only imagine what that's like.

Imagine if you will hear you're at the orphanage branch day after day, people, and they lined the children up and and and the parents go all want that when it may be day after day, you're not chosen.

Day after day. Some miles gets chosen.

Day after day you go out there to be chosen a day off today are not chosen, day after day you get your hopes up, and day after day, your hopes are dashed, but then one day the greatest father the best daddy that is ever entered the orphanage comes in on everybody knows all this is this is the deal.

Whoever gets the steel man. They've got consider passing by you like this happened so many times before.

He looks into your eyes since I choose this. I want this one to be my I want to adopt this. What an amazing thing. First John 316C how very much your heavenly father loves us free, allows us to be called his children and we really are.

But the people who belong to this world don't know God, so they don't understand that we are his children. What an awesome thing this next life lesson. If we have accepted Jesus than we have been adopted and are children of God. Or you could make them more personal. If you have accepted Jesus, you have been adopted and are children of God. Boy what an awesome thing need something to brighten your day. There is man you been adopted. Did you do anything to deserve it.

No snow you received the menu believed him and he did all the rest. Verse 48 then the Jews answered and said to him, doing not say rightly that you are a Samaritan and have a demon who served there down to it now verse 49 Jesus answered, I do not have a demon but honor my father and you dishonor me and I do not seek my own glory. There is one who seeks and judges. Most assuredly, I say to you of anyone keeps my word he shall never see death. You know, we hear this or not.

I think were little jaded to. I think we don't really recognize what it says anymore. Do you understand what I just read to you they will never see death led to sink in.

Let this sink in for just a moment and talk about spiritual death. When we die we ready when we die stake is that radical or why. If you're in a place where the teaching is it radical is probably not the truth because Jesus was very radical and when somebody teaches that the Bible is not radical is not a popular teacher. This is a radical book. I think more people of reviews the weak form of Christianity or watered-down version of Christianity, they refuse that rather than really refuse Jesus.

This is amazing stuff he says if anyone keeps my word.

Now, does that mean is Jesus saying here that we have to keep his word, in order to see eternal life. Well, that apparently is the implication so you say more saved by works, no nothing that but when you get saved everything changes you no longer your own master.

You're no longer deciding what's right and wrong. God is deciding what is right and wrong and like what Spurgeon said the grace that does not change your life. Cannot save your soul as you recognize that Jesus is forgiven you.

There's a gratitude that begins the happened of thankfulness that begins to happen in your life begins to change. Some people radically right then and there for the restaurant summer little more slower but changes begin. The happened and you begin to experience the freedom so what if you don't keep his word. Are you going to heaven I don't know that it is at the deal you will is that really the deal you want want to go to heaven but I don't I don't care anything about this other stuff on care anything about really following Jesus or joy or peace or any of those things. I so want to get a swallow fire insurance friend. Are you willing to sell yourself a cheap.

Are you willing to miss out on all that God has for your life should hope not because God has more for more than you ever imagined will be right back with more from David McGee on cross the bridge right now there's a word from associate pastor DA Brown hey Bob were excited about God's word, going forth with Pastor David and want to pray for some people in the cities will broadcasting today. Beaufort, Gainesville, Macon, Milledgeville savanna, Snellville and Thomasville, Georgia God, we thank you for the people listening today in these areas. We pray that they will be encouraged in your word, they would realize that you want to bless them. Lord, you have a good plan for them God. We pray for those who are sick in the area that you would please heal them and we pray for the pastors and the churches that they would be ignited and all the good plans you have for them and sharing your word throughout their city. In Jesus name, amen, amen. Thank you brother and now get back to David McGee as he continues teaching verse by verse, verse 52 then the Jews said to him, now we know that you have a demon keep going with this personal attack. Abraham is dead and the prophets, and you say if anyone keeps my word he shall never taste death but your seatbelts on the yellow turtle is coming here from verse 53 are you greater than our father Abraham, who is dead and the prophets are dead. Who do you make yourself out to be an unveiling new verse 54 Jesus answered, if I honor myself monitors nothing. It is my father who honors me, of whom you say that he is your God, yet you have not known him, but I knowing if I say I do not know it shall be a liar like you all know and keep his word noticed. Jesus is not taking the seeker sensitive approaches. Now, in part because he's not dealing with seekers. He's dealing with religious we prideful people that he's confronting with the truth. This next verse pushes him over the edge. Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day and he sought was glad then the Jews said to him you are not yet 50 years old and have you seen Abraham there really not get that they're really not wanting to get it verse 58 Jesus said to them, most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am now understand if you don't know parts of your Bible are specifically are familiar with the Hebrew Scriptures which referred to as Old Testament you might be going. I am once what's the big deal for the next verse they want to throw up rocks and hitting so anytime you see them responding in such a way you should ask yourself why are they mad and you can really learn a lot about the Bible about the Bible like that because you may reach up and you may miss it. And this is the first he's going to pick up rocks and hitting that mean something important is going well.

He's using the phrase that was used in the Hebrew Scriptures.

I am that I am I am Gothic. That is the eternal existence self-sufficient God. He saying he is God here and if you mess that they did deserve look at look at what Ali said. He said your father is the devil that should inflame on the pick up some rocks but that didn't do it.

He says your bunch of liars are still not picking up rocks, but then he says, before Abraham was, I am in their grammar percent that tells you something serious is been said, this is interesting because this leads us to a discussion that we need to take a couple minutes to talk about what is he mean before Abraham was, I am what is he mean that Abraham saw his day. What can that possibly mean will. Don't miss this too. Jesus is claiming to be eternal.

He was birthed born of Mary, but that wasn't when he came to be.

He was in heaven.

Before that he was in heaven.

After that Jesus is eternally existent.

Now the question is, what day is he talking about. Some people believe that he speak of Melchizedek. In Genesis 14 talks about in Hebrews 5 to 7 good. I don't think that it could be the what we call Christophe and he or an appearance of Jesus. When Abraham was interceding member that Angel of the Lord. Good things for the talking about while remember the story of Abraham and Isaac how Abraham was told to sacrifice his son, and you may have grown up in Sunday school restores, like I did, and in the and in the pictures and in the coloring sheets and stuff you know is like six years old or something that's very cute that's very quaint but with a few scriptures I could show you he's probably about 30 years old. He was a man he was a man that submitted to his older father. So Abraham is taken Isaac up on the hill and I've heard the discussions I've heard people say how how could God is that of Abraham. This is the promised son.

This is the Sonny's prayed for long.

For how can God ask Abraham to do something like this with asking to sacrificing and they went up on the hill and got so close before God provided a different solution must Abraham been thinking and feeling.

What most of father God felt when the sacrifice was carried through the day.

He gave us his son. What was he feeling there's a verse Genesis chapter 22 verse eight says and Abraham said, my son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering.

So they went both of them together. This is the King James, my son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering. If you read the new King James it says God will provide for himself. I suggest you mark out that word for the reason this is not in the original Hebrew is not in their in the original Hebrew, it says God will provide him self a Lansing. This was a prophetic Scripture. Speaking of what was going to happen. Years later, the analogy here goes farther than you could imagine. And then, way beyond the scope of today's teaching, but what's interesting is after this you don't hear about Isaac anymore. As a matter fact you see Abraham's unnamed servant bringing gifts to the bride of Isaac, perhaps like the Holy Spirit brings the church gifts and then the next time we see Isaac is he's coming for his bride. There's a lot of pictures on their but let's go back to the hill Genesis 22 to Susan he said take now your son by only son Isaac, whom you love, and get thee into the land of Moriah, and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I tell the soldier in the land of Moriah, the mountain, they went up on was Mount Moriah represented okay. I don't see the connection but okay Mount Moriah that's what it says. Where's Mount Moriah does remember there's never a detail that's in the Bible by circumstance or happenstance, or just filler material.

It always means something she were actually told where Mount Moriah is in second Chronicles chapter 3 verse one is now Solomon began to build the house of the Lord at Jerusalem on Mount Moriah where the Lord appeared to his father David at the place, they would have prepared on the threshing floor of owner. The Jebusite Mount Moriah was in Jerusalem. We go one step further. There's two different beliefs about where the cross was placed.

The first is the church of the holy sepulcher, which many people have fought over in the couple of denominations, have split it in half and they operate their I don't think that's the place there's a lot of reasons, but I will get them till that's why I don't think that's the place. I think it's a place it's outside the city. This place it's outside the city that before they excavated and built the city was the top of this rich, I believe that's the place to refer to as Gordon's Calvary, but for a lot of reasons. I think this is the place is the tip of Mount Moriah, 777 m above sea level.

Interesting number and it that day. Just as Isaac placed the wood on his back to carried up the hill for his sacrifice. Many years later, Jesus put the wood on his back to carried out the hill for the sacrifice. The bottles all connected. We we talk about that a lot here Jesus is claiming to be deity and I believe he speaking of that day where he rescued Isaac at a great price he desires to rescue all of us know verse 59 says then they took up stones to throw them through Adam, but Jesus hid himself and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by.

Don't miss the fact that Jesus is saying I am God. I am eternally existent. And that's why they want to stone them and he had been saying confrontive things.

The whole time, but at this point to their mind he's crossed the line from confronting them in their evil into what they would term blasphemy claiming to be God. I believe this claim was a righteous one to understand we all deserve to be in that place where Isaac was that day to give our lives as a sacrifice, because we send you understand earlier in this chapter talking about the adulterous woman standing guilty, her guilt open. Her shame open in front of everybody deserving to be stoned that you and I that's what we deserve. But Jesus is willing to take our place is going to die for us. The question is will you accept the sacrifice or will will you reject. How can you reject so great an offer. How can you walk away from that seek Jesus reaches out to you this morning beyond time and space and so you know what the offer still stands. I'll die in your place. What will be your response. What was Abraham feeling that they when he was offering Isaac his son.

I can imagine much less can imagine what father God fell the day he gave us his son. What was he feeling I'm clueless there but probably a better question is what would he feel if this morning, you turned your back on the offer rejected him and walked out here. I can imagine but that is the question. How does he feel when we reject the sacrifice. How does he feel when we pick up the chains and try Monica, how does he feel when he's fifth, sixth, seventh, 28th on the list of important things in our lives.

Prints should be. Jesus has provided the opportunity for freedom. All of us have that opportunity. Maybe you've never responded to Jesus.

Maybe you've never ask him to forgive you of your sins this morning. You have that opportunity. Friend, you know for sure that your sins have been forgiven. You can know right now own Legion.

A short simple prayer simply telling God you're sorry and asking him to help you to live for him.

God wants you to pray this prayer so much that he died to give you the opportunity and the ability to ask him to forgive you. Please pray this prayer with me out loud right now. Dear Jesus, I believe you died for me that I could be forgiven and I believe you were raised from the dead that I can have a new life now done wrong things I have sent and I'm sorry. Please forgive me of all those things. Please give me the power to live for you. All of my days in Jesus name, amen friend of you prayed that prayer according to the Bible you've been forgiven you've been born again. Jesus said he would not turn anybody away who comes to him and he came for those people who knew they needed forgiveness.

Those who were sick, not the righteous to congratulations bring you just made the greatest decision that you will ever make. God bless you, if you pray that prayer with David for the first time we'd love to hear from you. You can visit crossed the bridge.com to receive our first steps package with helpful resources to help you begin your walk with Christ.

Or you can write to crossed the bridge at PO Box 12, 515 Winston-Salem, NC 27117 and share how God is working in your life will DA before we go. What are some ways that we can bless our listeners each day. You can wake up with encouragement from Pastor David to the word of God with his email devotional life lessons to consider a daily reading plan and a thought to meditate on throughout your day. From the heart of David McGee. That sounds good Pastor day and again. It's been great to have you with us on the program today but tell us what else can a listers find on crossed the bridge.com. If you're not able to make it to your home church this Sunday.

Why not join us for our lifestream at 10 AM Eastern time or on Thursday night, 7 PM Eastern.

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Thanks again for listening and join us next time. As David McGee continues teaching verse by verse in the gospel of God