ICEL Truus Wierda 24 July 2016 Scripture Reading: John 8: 30 – 37 and 51 – 59 Main theme of study: Verse 32: You will know the truth and the truth shall set you free.

ICEL John 8:30-37; Even as he spoke, many believed in him. 31 To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, ‘If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. 32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.’ 33 They answered him, ‘We are Abraham’s descendants and have never been slaves of anyone. How can you say that we shall be set free?’ 34 Jesus replied, ‘Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin.

ICEL John 8:30-37; Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it for ever. 36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. 37 I know you are Abraham’s descendants. Yet you are looking for a way to kill me, because you have no room for my word.

ICEL John 8:30-37; Very truly I tell you, whoever obeys my word will never see death.’ 52 At this they exclaimed, ‘Now we know that you are demon-possessed! Abraham died and so did the prophets, yet you say that whoever obeys your word will never taste death. 53 Are you greater than our father Abraham? He died, and so did the prophets. Who do you think you are?’ 54 Jesus replied, ‘If I glorify myself, my glory means nothing. My Father, whom you claim as your God, is the one who glorifies me.

ICEL John 8:30-37; Though you do not know him, I know him. If I said I did not, I would be a liar like you, but I do know him and obey his word. 56 Your father Abraham rejoiced at the thought of seeing my day; he saw it and was glad.’ 57 ‘You are not yet fifty years old,’ they said to him, ‘and you have seen Abraham!’ 58 ‘Very truly I tell you,’ Jesus answered, ‘before Abraham was born, I am!’ 59 At this, they picked up stones to stone him, but Jesus hid himself, slipping away from the temple grounds.

ICEL Main Theme of study: Verse 32: You will know the truth and the truth shall set you free. In this portion Jesus says three times: I tell you the truth. Other translations: Verily, verily I say unto you Most assuredly I say to you In Greek language: Amen, Amen. This is a trustworthy word. What is the truth Jesus is speaking about, which the Jews needed to know in order to be set free?

ICEL 1. In the first place they need to know the truth about themselves. In verse 34 we read: I tell you the truth, “Every one who sins is a slave to sin.” Romans 7:19 For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do – this I keep doing.

ICEL 2. The second truth they need to know is the truth about the Lord Jesus. In verse 58 we read again: I tell you the truth, “Before Abraham was born, I AM.” Exodus 3: 13 : Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them: the God of your fathers has sent me to you, and they ask me, What is his name? Then what shall I tell them? God said to Moses: I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say: I AM has sent me.

ICEL 2. The second truth they need to know is the truth about the Lord Jesus. How can we facilitate the work of the Lord in us, in order to be set free? We need the Holy Spirit We need one another We need the Word of God.

ICEL 3. The third truth we need to know is the truth about the Word of God. Verse 31: : If you hold to my teaching, (if you abide in my word) you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free. In verse 51 we find the third mentioning of: I tell you the truth; “If anyone keeps my word, he will never see death.”

ICEL 3. The third truth we need to know is the truth about the Word of God. Sin leads to death. Sin and Death are connected. The Word creates Life. Word and life are inseparable. Ephesians 5: 26 Christ gave himself up for the Church, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word.