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morning everyone welcome to the morning worship here at free Grace Baptist Church we're glad that you could all join us and for our regular thank you for coming back we pray that this will be a blessing to everyone a few announcements um this past week we had a new addition in the form of a baby born to Will and Tara drover Finn Daniel so we can congratulate them and pray the Lord's blessing upon their family upon all the families of this church the Lord keeps multiplying us it's good to see this evening will be Lord's Supper we'll be celebrating together so come prepared for that Wednesday night bible study has resumed we're 7 30 in the fellowship hall for Wednesday night bible study and then later this month February 25th we'll be having our annual general meeting for free Grace Baptist Church also in the fellowship hall that's at 7 pm on February 25th those are our announcements we're going to turn to worship by our call to worship which is in psalm 68. turn with me to Psalm 68. we are going to read from verse 28 to the end of the chapter Psalm 68 verse 28. your God has commanded your strength strengthen oh God what you have done for us because of your temple at Jerusalem Kings will bring presents to you rebuked the beasts of the Reeds the herds of bulls with the calves of the peoples till everyone submits himself with pieces of silver scatter the peoples who Delight in war envoys will come out of Egypt Ethiopia will quickly stretch out her hands to God sing to God you kingdoms of the earth o sing praises to the Lord say la to him who rides on the heavens of Heavens which were of old indeed he sends out his voice a mighty voice ascribe strength to God his Excellence is over Israel and his strength is in the clouds oh God you are most awesome you are more awesome than your holy places the god of Israel is he who gives strength and power to his people blessed be God Amen we are now going to sing from the psalter Salter number 99 a so if you take your Trinity Salter Hymnal turn to 99 selection a the Lord God Reigns on High please stand with me as we sing [Music] birthday [Music] s foreign [Music] foreign [Music] foreign [Music] ready for things for people [Music] may be seated take this time now to go to our God In Prayer gracious Father in heaven we do thank you for this privilege that we have of gathering as your people in this place thank you that all over this country and all over the world you have your people that you have gathered together this day chosen Out Of The World To Worship You together and Lord we do not want to take this privilege for granted we know that there are many many places where there is no gospel witness no gospel testimony we know even in our own country there are many towns and cities where there's no gospel preaching Church and Lord it is a tremendous privilege to have a place to gather with your people to worship you together and to hear the word preached to us we pray Lord that your blessing would rest upon us this day pray your blessing would rest upon Pastor Butler as he preaches open our hearts soften our hearts Lord and we do pray that you would forgive us for the sins that we have committed knowingly or unknowingly in this past week cleanse Us in the blood of Christ and make us ready not only for this morning's worship but also for the Lord's Supper this evening thank you again for this privilege we have of gathering thank you for the Privileges of of gathering as a people families and elderly and young thank you for the addition to our church thank you for Will and Terrace baby pray Lord that your blessing would rest upon that family and upon that little one Daniel I pray God you bless that little one and cause him to be reared and nurtured in the in the truth in the admonition of the Lord Lord we pray for all of the children in this congregation that they would not only hear the word but that the spirit of God would apply that word to their hearts when they are yet young and that they would be tender before you and repent of their sins and and Trust Christ as their savior never depart from the way Lord we pray for the elderly in our congregation some who are not able to be with us we pray that you would encourage them even at home or on their sick bed and be gracious to any others who are suffering physically or suffering emotionally spiritually we all have our ups and downs we pray that you would Bless the people that that call this church home we thank you oh God that there are many other churches in this city where the gospel is being preached this day we pray your blessing would rest upon them as well Lord across this nation we know there are many trials we know that there are problems politically the magistrate we pray for them as we've been commanded to we pray o God that you would cause our rulers to rule Injustice and in righteousness and not wickedly and Lord we pray that even amongst our leaders you would save a great multitude and turn this nation back to Christ Lord we pray across the world where your churches gathered this day and where those who are persecuted are gathering in secret that you would have mercy upon them and be gracious to them to our Brethren that are suffering in Chains those who are in prison those who are facing severe sentences perhaps even a death penalty be merciful to your people o God and give them Grace to persevere and not recant be gracious to your Saints this day we know that Christ has promised to build his church that the Gates of Hell will not Prevail against it we know he has been doing so successfully these two thousand years and we trust that he will continue Lord we want to be faithful we want to be a part of that growth and we look forward to the day when Christ will return to gather to himself all his elect we Rejoice at the prospect Lord sometimes we get far too comfortable in our lives here in this earth and yet once in a while you shake us up and realize that we realize that this is not all there is we look forward to that day when we are in Emmanuel's land with no more suffering No More Pain No More Tears no more sorrow bless your Saints this day oh God encourage us I pray and for our brethren in our sister churches we pray God that you would bless them as well out in ride in Ontario pray that you would encourage the congregation there encourage Josh and Dan as they lead and give direction to those Believers pray that you would cause them to grow in maturity and in numbers as well bless the congregation in the north Okanagan in Armstrong bless Pastor Melgar says he preaches this morning encourage that group continue to add to their number as well continue to join them together in unity and may they be a light and a beacon and for our brethren in South Surrey White Rock this morning encourage them as well pray for pastor Kirkpatrick that you would anoint him and give him fluency to preach the word of God powerfully and Lord continue with us this day I pray pray that you would bless our gathering again this evening as we celebrate the Lord's Supper it may it be a time of great rejoicing for all your Saints we ask this in Jesus name amen we're going to sing now hymn number 284 turn with me to ye Servants of God your master Proclaim him 284 and stand with me as we sing please thank you good morning [Music] Jesus Christ [Music] foreign [Music] foreign [Music] foreign [Music] for our New Testament scripture reading this morning please turn with me to Revelation chapter 5. Revelation chapter 5 we'll read the whole chapter and I saw in the right hand of him who sat on the throne a scroll written inside and on the back sealed with Seven Seals then I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice who is worthy to open the scroll and to loose its seals and no one in heaven or on Earth or under the Earth was able to open the scroll or to look at it so I wept much because no one was found worthy to open and read the scroll or to look at it but one of the elders said to me do not weep Behold The Lion of the tribe of Judah the root of David has prevailed to open the scroll and to loose its Seven Seals and I looked and behold in the midst of the throne and of the four living creatures and in the midst of the elders stood a lamb as though it had been slain having seven horns and seven eyes which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the Earth then he came and took the scroll out of the right hand of him who sat on the throne now when he had taken the scroll the four living creatures and the 24 Elders fell down before the lamb each having a harp and golden bowls full of incense which are the prayers of the Saints and they sang a new song saying you are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals for you were slain and have redeemed us to God by your blood out of every tribe and tongue and people a nation and have made us Kings and Priests to our God and we shall reign on the Earth then I looked and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne the living creatures and the elders and the number of them was Ten Thousand Times Ten Thousand and thousands of thousands saying with a loud voice Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing and every creature which is in heaven and on the earth and under the Earth and such as are in the sea and all that are in them I heard saying blessing and honor and glory and power be to him who sits on the throne and to the lamb forever and ever then the four living creatures said amen and the 24 Elders fell down and worshiped him who lives forever and ever amen what a glorious picture of our triumphant resurrected savior who is described here as the lion as the lamb who has been slain and also the lion of the tribe of Judah such a contrast a lamb who is which is so helpless and innocent and the line of the tribe of Judah he is both the sacrifice for our sins and the Conquering savior let us pray gracious Father in heaven when we think of the the throne room in heaven that we will one day witness with our own eyes those who have believed on Christ we are humbled we know o God that if these angels that are without sin fall down on their faces to worship the lamb how much more should we who have been redeemed out of sin fall down to worship that lamb who was slain for our sins thank you for your mercy thank you for your grace thank you for this picture of the The Throne Room of Heaven Lord I Thank you for recording it thank you for what you have revealed through the Apostle John please continue with us as we worship this morning I pray in Jesus name amen for our last hymn before the preaching will turn to 389. hymn 389 great God what do I see and hear please stand with me as we see you foreign [Music] sometimes memories [Music] foreign [Music] before God 's Grace maybe Grace [Music] foreign [Music] with me in your Bibles to the Gospel of John John chapter 8. section in John chapter a just a bit of a review as to where we are in the Gospel of John we're in the larger part of the book referred to typically as the book of signs so when Jesus starts his public Ministry in chapter 1 at verse 19 we see the emphasis on his Doctrine on his miracles on his actions up until chapter 12 and verse 15. in the more immediate context in chapter 6 we see Jesus teaching in a synagogue in Capernaum and that's around the time of the Passover about six months later in John 7 we see Jesus in Jerusalem and there he teaches at the Feast of Tabernacles and here specifically in John chapter 8 we see that it's the day following the Feast of Tabernacles so Jesus returns early in the morning according to John 8 2 to go back to the temple and there he teaches and there is teaching that goes out to all the people there obviously but there is a an anger amongst the religious leaders so they try to double down on our lord Jesus they continue to press him in terms of his authority or claims to Authority and his identity so that all comes to a head and what we saw the last time in John 8 verses 37 and following they claim to be of their father Abraham they claim to be of their father God Jesus denies their claim and Jesus in John 8 44 tells them the truth you are of your father the devil and the desires of your father you want to do he's a liar and a murderer from the beginning when he tells lies there there's no truth in him so obviously they could have repented they could have forsaken they could have received the added admonishment of the Lord Jesus but we see rather that they double down so verses 48 to 59 conclude this section there's a lot going on so we're going to break it up into two parts so this morning we'll look at 48 to 53 and then take up the latter half in 54-59 next week God willing but I want to read beginning in John 8 at verse 31. then Jesus said to those Jews who believed him if you abide in my word you are my disciples indeed and you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free they answered him we are Abraham's descendants that have never been in bondage to anyone how can you say you will be made free Jesus answered them most assuredly I say to you whoever commits sin is a slave of sin and a slave does not abide in the house forever but a son abides forever therefore if the son makes you free you shall be free indeed I know that you are Abraham's descendants 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 were Abraham's children you would do the works of Abraham but now you seek to kill me a man who has told you the truth which I heard from God Abraham did not do this you do the Deeds of your father they said to him we were not born a fornication we have one father God 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 why do you not understand my speech because you are not able to listen to my word 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 the truth you do not believe me which of you convicts me of sin and if I tell the truth why do you not believe me he who is of God hears God's words therefore you do not hear because you are not of God than the Jews answered and said to him do we not say rightly that you are a Samaritan and have a demon Jesus answered I do not have a demon but I 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 if anyone keeps my word he shall never see death than the Jews said to him now we know that you have a demon Abraham is dead and the prophets and you say if anyone keeps my word he shall never taste death are you greater than our Father Abraham who is dead and the prophets are dead who do you make yourself out to be Jesus answered if I honor myself my honor is 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 know him and if I say I do not know him I shall be a liar like you but I do know him and keep his word your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day and he saw it and was glad then the Jews said to him you are not yet 50 years old and have you seen Abraham Jesus said to them most assuredly I say to you before Abraham was I am then they took up stones to throw at him but Jesus himself went uh Jesus hid himself and went out of the temple going through the midst of them and so passed by amen well let us pray our gracious God and Holy Father we thank you for the word of Truth we thank you for Genesis to revelation we thank you for the promise of the Old Testament and the realization that we find in the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ and his Incarnation we bless you that the word became flesh and dwelt among us and we beheld his glory the glory as of the only begotten of the father full of grace and truth thank you for the eyes to see this reality thank you for the faith that you've granted to us to lay hold of him for salvation for that that blessed justification that you freely give father we know as well there were enemies in his Earthly Ministry there are enemies today we know that in the Churches of Christ there are those that are unsaved and we pray that today would be the day of salvation they would hear the words of eternal life and by the power of the Holy Spirit and by the grace of God most high they would come to know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior bless your gospel send it forth conquering and to conquer and be glorified throughout the Earth forgive us now for all of our sins and all of our unrighteousness cleanse Us in that precious blood of the Lamb of God and we pray for the ministry and the aid of the Holy Spirit as we consider this passage of scripture and we ask in Jesus name amen well as we consider this particular passage as we've noted Jesus did not mince words when the people that were opposing him claim to have Abraham as their father and God as their father Jesus says it's really the devil that is your father remember and remember in Matthew chapter 23 he upgrades the scribes and the Pharisees and he calls them Hypocrites he calls them The Brood of Vipers for Christ truth is everything in fact we'll see that emphasis here in his words in verse 51. if anyone keeps my word he shall never see death it's truth that matters to our blessed savior and his lies and deception that issue forth from the devil and as I said these Jews could have put silence to his words if they had manifested repentance if they would have said we are you know sorry for our sins against you but they don't do that rather they imitate their father the devil they continue to traffic in lies and we see that the chapter Coleman aids with them wanting to murder the Lord Jesus Christ they understood the implication of his words they understood the implication of his statement in verse 58 that he when he says I am he Likens himself to The Father revealed that the bush in Exodus chapter 3. so instead of repentance they take up stones to throw at him to try to exterminate him and destroy him so today as we look at the particular section 48 to 59 I would call it the imitation of the Devil by the Jews and there are several considerations two will look at this morning and as I said two next week so first we have the accusation of the Jews in verses 48 to 51. secondly the arrogance of the Jews in verses 52-53 and we'll notice that simply repeating an assertion doesn't make it valid it doesn't make it true it doesn't somehow cause it to shine forth and in glory and then God willing will see the revelation of the savior's Glory next week taking 54-56 and then the attempted murder by the Jews in verses 57 to 59 so a bit of a map as to what's going on in this section but let's look first at the accusation of the Jews in verses 48 to 51. we cannot forget the contacts that's why I read it in its context because it's crucial to understand what they are doing and what they are asserting and declaring concerning our blessed savior and the degree to which they will go to try to rid the world of the Son of God who came into the into the world Sinners to save so they claim Abraham is their father notice in verse 37 he says I know that you are Abraham's descendants physically but you seek to kill me because my word has no place in you I speak what I've seen with my father and you do what you have seen with your father so they double down again and they answer and they say to him say to him Abraham is our father so Jesus said to him to them if Abraham were or if you were Abraham's children you would do the works of of Abraham but now you seek to kill me a man who has told you the truth which I heard from God Abraham did not do this Abraham was not the sort of person when he received Revelation from God who would raise his fist at him no rather Abraham was submissive to the Lord Abraham saw a manifestation of God according to Genesis chapter 18. Abraham saw a glimpse of the Gospel that was coming in Genesis chapter 22 when he takes up Isaac to Mount Moriah and there he binds him and there he's going to kill him he learns the lesson there that the Lord will in fact provide and so when they turn around they see that Ram caught in the thicket we get that Abraham understands what is going to take place in terms of Redemptive history so Jesus says you're not like Abraham don't claim that kind of paternity when you want to destroy a man who is only here to tell you the truth so when he says in verse 41 you do the Deeds of your father then they said to him we were not born a fornication could be a dig or a slight at Jesus they suppose that he in fact had been born a fornication but it's also probably that they are not sort of uh Outsiders to Israel's God they're not Outsiders like say for instance Samaritans that they're going to accuse Jesus of being and then they claim we have one father God so it's on the heels of that that Jesus indicts them and itbraids them for their wicked conduct and as I said the Jews could have owned his indictment and repented there's a proverb Proverbs Chapter 14 verse 17 it says in verse 28 even a fool is counted wise when he holds his peace when he shuts his lips he is considered perceptive you've probably heard the human addition to that if persons hear you silently they might think that you're a fool don't open your mouth and convince them that you are in fact a fool there is a certain amount of wisdom in keeping one mouth one's mouth closed the Jews should have followed that but the Jews taking the attack that they did evidence or confirmed that Christ's Declaration of their paternity being the Devil Himself is true they follow suit with what is true of the devil they continue to engage in lies and with this murderous rage Cyril of Alexandria made the observation they are hurt by the Savior telling them that they are not from God I don't know if they were hurt that might not be the word that I choose but nevertheless they were affected by what they had heard from the Savior telling them that what they are not from God and in no time they manifest the precise image of the devil's wickedness in themselves this is proof positive of his assertion in verse 44. when he tells them that you're of your father the devil he gives them enough rope to hang themselves and that's precisely what they do in 48-59 he goes on to say they dare to say that God who comes from God is a Samaritan and a deboniac while it is really they who have in themselves the bitter demon who is an enemy of God when they get angry that they were number a number of times called sons of the devil and Liars they show by their actions that they deserve the accusation so they are embracing it and by demonstration showing the validity of his statement that they were in fact Children of the devil level you're not Abraham's seed spiritually you're certainly not the the seed of God most high redemptively but rather you have Affinity with the devil who's a murderer from the beginning and only traffics and lies now that brings us to their accusation in verse 48 then the Jews answered and said to him do we not say rightly they're convinced beyond a shadow of a doubt and Brethren just as we've considered John chapter 8 the truth claims of our blessed savior and the things that he has said and and declared concerning himself this is outlandish there's no deliberation there's no well we ought to really think about this we we really ought to confer with one another and the sacred texts in the Old Testament and pretty much try to discern whether or not what he's saying is true oh no they they just simply say do we not say rightly that you are a Samaritan and have a demon now in this particular context Samaritans were not looked upon favorably in fact look at John 4 specifically at verse 9 when Jesus meets that Samaritan woman by the well in John 4 specifically at verse 9 then the woman of Samaria said to him how is it that you being a Jew ask a drink from me a Samaritan woman for Jews have no dealings with Samaritans this goes all the way back to the Old Testament when God brings Devastation upon the northern tribes of Israel Assyria takes many of the inhabitants of the northern kingdom back to Assyria and as was the practice with the Assyrians peoples that they conquered they would settle in other parts of the world and it was quite brilliant I think I've shared this before they take sea peoples and put them in the mountains they take mountain people and put them on the seashore why is that because you keep them destabilized and you keep them in a position of disadvantage so that they cannot rise up against the Assyrian Empire well that's what happened in the Northern Kingdom of Israel and we see that initially when they come come into this land and they start worshiping false gods so the true in living God sends Lions to consume a bunch of that and so then they say well ask that priest in Bethel about this whole Arrangement and so basically what they do is they engage in what's called syncretism they marry the worship of their gods with the worship of the true and living God now the text of scripture does not take that lightly any attempt whatsoever to mingle the true and living God with any other God is idolatry it is blasphemy and that was condemned and so this is the history the religious history of Samaria Omri is the manhood the the the wicked King Omri who founded the capital of the North in Samaria so they were not looked upon favorably and the idea is primarily heresy it is primarily bad Doctrine it is primarily idolatry and those things that are a departure from the camp of the true and living God so again I think that's probably what they're in intimating in verse 41 we were not born a fornication we're not sort of you know spiritually uh diverse in terms of our approach to living and true God we worship Yahweh and we worship him alone and so when they charge that Jesus is a Samaritan they're excluding him from the true people of God do we not say rightly that you are a Samaritan but then notice they go on to say and have a demon they claim this on three occasions with reference to our blessed savior they do so in chapter 7 at verse 20 again in chapter 10 in verse 20 and then in Matthew's gospel when they accuse Jesus of casting out demons by Beelzebub so they are alleging that the one who speaks the truth as it is in God most high they're alleging that the one who was uh became flesh and dwelt Among Us they're alleging that the one who is sent by the father on this Mission of Mercy is actually a demon he's actually sort of animated by demonism this is a horrific claim but it's one that goes hand in hand with heresy so I think that the Jews here and I don't want to commend these guys whatsoever but they saw the close connection between heresy and demonism why do you guys use a confession of Faith why do you guys teach Doctrine why do you guys teach the truth as it is in Jesus because it's the truth as it is in Jesus that differentiates us from the world if we do not get things right then we will die in our sins Jesus says that in 824 if you do not believe that I am you will die in your sins we need to understand the truth if we don't understand the truth then it might be the case that we have more Affinity with demons and the devil the psalmist put this connection together well in Psalm 106 36 and 37 he's reflecting on Israel's history and the fact that they were not always faithful in terms of their Covenant obligation it's a as they served their Idols which became a snare to that they even sacrificed their sons and their daughters to Demons see when you change from or you go from the worship of the true and the Living God and you start to worship that which is not God you open yourself up to a whole host of bad things very wretched and very horrible things when you side with the devil it's murder and lies that Define you it is murder and lies that that characterize you so these men are evidencing that Affinity with their father the devil in the very accusation they make against the Lord he's got a Samaritan and he's a demon-possessed man they don't see it that they have far more in common with the Samaritans in the rejection of the true and living God and in demonism by the fact that they want to slaughter Jesus who never did anything wrong so these men are way out to lunch with reference to their accusation concerning our Lord but let's see how Jesus responds to this so in verse 48 do we not say rightly that you are a Samaritan and have a demon notice what he doesn't say well you know you're entitled to your opinion because everybody gets to gets to say whatever it is they want to say no he he fights this he defends himself he shows what his position is he negates the fact or he negates rather this accusation that he is demon possessed notice the simple Denial in 49a Jesus answered I do not have a demon it's a good answer right somebody accuses you of being demonic well that's a great way to respond I don't have a demon now if we said that they could still surmise I don't know he he might actually have a demon so there needs to be some corroborating evidence there needs to be some proof there needs to be some manifestation that this denial is in fact valid and legitimate and this is what Jesus does he gives this corroborating evidence to describe or to declare that he does not have a demon and he does so in three ways first he speaks concerning his honor of the father secondly that he does not seek his own glory and thirdly that he speaks the words of eternal life that's what he's answering there and so much of his responses to the unbelieving Jews that he deals with in his Earthly Ministry always hinges upon his identity his authority remember at that Feast of of Tabernacles in John 7 they asked the question where did this man get his Doctorate where does this man get his his education he's not a man of letters he didn't go to the rabbi schools he didn't go to Bible College he didn't go to Seminary who does he think he is so so many of their questions had to do with his authority and with his identification and he constantly constantly answers with reference to his authority and his identification so they are never able to say well you know we asked him he's simple questions and he just wouldn't answer that's all he ever did was answer you just didn't happen to like the answer see that's another common a symptom of sinful man God tells us very clearly in his word what he calls us to if we don't like it it doesn't mean that God is silent it rather means that we don't care about what he has spoken so let's look at what Jesus responds notice he says that he honors the father Brethren demons don't honor the father do they no that's kind of what it is to be a demon your anti-god your Antichrist you hate righteousness you hate lawfulness when you look at a society like ours you see the imprint of demonism all over it lies and and murder and rage and enmity and chaos and destruction Jesus says I honor the father demon-possessed men don't honor the true and the Living God it's a very simple declaration in terms of their in terms of a response I do not have a demon so the recurring emphasis look at verse 49 again I do not have a demon but I honor notice my father and you dishonor me he continually underscores the intimacy that he has with the father they've claimed that God is their father Jesus has denied or denounced that claim but Jesus always speaks of that intimacy he has my father as his reference I honor him the principle of A House Divided argues against him having a demon I mentioned Matthew 12. you can go there just to evidence or to show what Jesus is doing in terms of his response this denial to the claim or the accusation that he has a demon notice in Matthew chapter 12 verse 22 then one was brought to him who is demon-possessed blind and mute and he healed him so that the Blind and mute man both spoke and saw and all the multitudes were amazed and said could this be the son of David it's a great question that he vote the right response from the multitudes but of course in addition to the multitudes you had the religious Elite you had the religious leaders you had the guys that were very much concerned to protect their status to protect their position to protect their Prestige as far as they were concerned Jesus posed a threat Jesus did not subscribe to their form of externalism and formalism their empty sort of uh uh or their dead men in Tomb sort of approach to Christianity their filth inside of a cup approach to True Religion then notice in verse 24 now when the Pharisees heard it they said this fellow does not cast out demons except by B also Bob the ruler of the Demons so he uses this illustration of A House Divided that cannot stand Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them every Kingdom divided against itself is brought to Desolation and every city or house divided against itself will not stand if Satan casts out Satan he is divided against himself how then will his kingdom stand and if I cast out demons by Beelzebub by whom do your sons cast them out therefore they shall be your judges but if I cast out demons by the spirit of God which he did listen to what he says next if I do cast out demons by the spirit of God surely the kingdom of God has come upon you and the kingdom hasn't come in full glory and consummate blessing the kingdom of God had come in the person and the work of our Lord Jesus Christ in other words it's not the second Advent we're waiting for to see the kingdom of God the kingdom is upon us the Blessed Christ is at the right hand of the father where he rules and he reigns Over All things for the good of his church and so Jesus uses this illustration to disavow them of this nausea that he casts out demons by Beelzebub notice in verse 29 or how can one enter a strong man's house and plunder his Goods unless he first binds the strong man and then he will plunder his house he who is not with me is against me and he who does not gather with me scatters abroad look at Paul's words in second uh I'm sorry First Corinthians chapter 12. First Corinthians chapter 12. see when Jesus responds sometimes we might think that's a bit of an odd way to go with it you've said I don't have a demon and then he goes on to speak of his father honoring his father that is a most wise and glorious way to respond because demon possessed men don't honor the father it's just that simple notice in First Corinthians chapter 12 verse 3. therefore I make known to you that no one's speaking by the spirit of God calls Jesus a curse and no one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the holy spirit so this is the nature of his defense the recurring emphasis on his relationship to the father my father the fact that he honors the father something that a demon-possessed man wouldn't do but but as well we've got to ponder the implication of his words now Brethren these Jews had Tangled with him already if you go back to John 5 specifically at verse 23 Jesus makes this statement that all should honor the son just as they honor the father he who does not honor the son does not honor the father who sent him so going back to our text in verse 49 as the first line of evidence to declare that he does not have a demon he says I do not have a demon but I honor my father and you dishonor me so he is addressing their accusation he is addressing them indirectly but very pointedly that they dishonor Jesus betrays the fact that they dishonor the father because the two go hand in hand one true and living God who exists eternally as Father Son and Holy Spirit you deny the father you deny the son you deny the son you deny the father and in this instance Jesus lays this upon that it is this accusation characteristic of what the Devil Himself would say that identifies you as children of the devil I do not have a demon but I honor my father and you dishonor me now notice secondly to sort of corroborate that he doesn't have a demon he says that he does not seek his own Glory verse 50 I do not seek my own Glory there is one who sees and judges Brethren again that's contrary to a demon-possessed man now I'm probably going to get in trouble here but all of our Facebook statuses and all of our tweets that sort of extol our virtue and our greatness and our blessedness among our fellows has more Affinity with a devilish approach to things than it does with a Godly approach to Faith see the people of God are supposed to be humble the people of God are not supposed to seek their own Glory the people of God are supposed to be like Samson oh people think that Samson was this big bumbling oaf that was governed and driven by his lusts four times in the Samson narratives it tells us that the spirit of the Lord Came Upon Samson you know how we know at least one bit of evidence that Samson was not some big bumbling oaf driven by his lusts when that brother killed a lion he didn't Facebook about it he didn't even tweet it he called no attention to it whatsoever he didn't seek his own Glory Brethren I have got to tell you if I ever meet a lion on my way home from the church back to Woodbine and I happened to kill a lion with my bare hands you're going to hear about it you're going to see it on my wife's Facebook you're going to see selfies you're going to see it at nausea that will be the thing I talk about until my Lord comes again in glory to judge the living and the dead Samson doesn't do that Samson doesn't seek his own Glory Samson isn't out for himself he's out for God and that's what Jesus says to silence these men I don't have a demon I'm not out for my own Glory there is one who glorifies me he's certainly conscious of that reality he's certainly conscious of the fact that he is one with the father and there is a reciprocal Glory between the father and the son and the spirit he's not denouncing or denying he's not saying that that's somehow bad but he's telling these men I don't have a demon demon-possessed men would try to court you they would try to get Glory from you they would try to look good in yours in your eyes they would be completely opposite or contrary to the way that Christ is relative to these men they would be yes men they would just go along to get along they would agree with the scribes and the Pharisees they would agree with the Sadducees they would wouldn't refute them they wouldn't resist them they wouldn't reject reject them because for a demon-possessed man truth doesn't matter God's word doesn't matter veracity doesn't matter faithfulness doesn't matter all that matters is is that I'm looked upon favorably by this particular group of people and so Jesus denounces that Jesus says I do not seek my own Glory he goes on to say there is one who seeks and judges and that judgment there again Brethren he is talking to people that are blaspheming him he's talking to people who have denounced him as a Samaritan and as a man demon possessed and he wants to remind them that words are something they will be judged on Matthew 12 had we con continued on in that particular section we would have seen Jesus say that men will give an account for Every Idle Word that they speak that tax terrifies me it's I Little Words Idle Words that means words that really don't matter what about the blasphemy what about the abject wickedness that we oftentimes speak what about the vile things that actually proceed out of our mouths if he says that we're going to give an account or be judged based on Idle Words how much more blasphemies like this you're you have a Samara or you're a Samaritan and you have a demon he says there's one who honors and there is one who will judge now Jesus speaks to the Judgment that will come upon Israel in what we call the Olivet discourse there will be a temporal judgment for these unbelieving Jews in the first century in accordance with the curses of the Covenant Leviticus 26 and Deuteronomy 28 they will fill up the measure of Wrath and God most high will pour it upon their heads when Jerusalem is surrounded by armies and when there is that abomination of desolation but it's not just a temporal judgment that Jesus alludes to it's not just the temporal judgments that you and I have to fear for not Believers in Jesus Christ it's the Eternal Judgment of God most high see right now the destruction of our city would be a bad thing the destruction of Jerusalem in 1870 was a bad thing the destruction of their Temple the destruction of their cult the destruction of their Covenant the destruction of their status as God special people that was a a horrific thing in fact when you look at that event it's not the body count that matters it's the covenantal significance that's in view but you know what they did get dispersed they did go into other nations they were scattered it's that coming judgment it's the day of judgment it's the song We sang before the the the preaching of the word that that great God what do I see that God who will judge each and every one of us Second Corinthians chapter 5 tells us we will stand before the Judgment seat of Christ to give an account of Deeds Done in the body whether good or ill that's terrifying stuff isn't it the thought that we're going to meet the Savior the fact that we're going to set our eyes upon the son of of God who came into this world Sinners to save well these Jews were in his presence these Jews instead of worshiping him these Jews instead of bowing to him these Jews instead of saying man this is the one this is the servant of Yahweh that we see in the prophet Isaiah this is the branch of righteousness that we see in Jeremiah 23. this is the prophet that was kind of like Moses but not all together like Moses of of Deuteronomy 18. instead of bowing to him and and John's already tipped his hand John 1 in the prologue he comes to his own and what his own receive him not well this is proof positive of that you are a Samaritan and you have a demon so of course Jesus would be remiss and not reminding them of the judgment to come you're going to give an account for the words that you have spoken you're going to give an account for having alleged that Jesus is a Samaritan and a demon-possessed man and then noticed thirdly he speaks concerning his truth verse 51. so again this is the confirmation or the the corroborating evidence to his denial that I do not have a demon he honors the father 49b he does not seek his own Glory verse 50 but then notice he speaks the words of eternal life in verse 51. again demons don't do that it's one consistent thing I don't hang out with demon-possessed men as far as I know uh but I think that if I did they wouldn't want to talk about the trinity they don't want to talk about the only begotten nest of the sun they don't want to talk about the Eternal relations of aurajet they don't really care about the noetic Covenant they're not really into Redemption by his Precious Blood they don't Muse as our brother did on the reality these both lamb and lion that doesn't ring in their comprehension you see demon-possessed persons or men who have Affinity with the devil they speak the words of lies and and deception they engage in allegation that has no basis they say things to righteous men like you're a Samaritan and you have a demon so Jesus says I don't have a demon because I speak the words of eternal life notice the emphasis in verse 51 most assuredly I say to you if anyone keeps my word he shall never see death in this context his word is Paramount and his word is identifiable with the father's work it's not two sets of words but based on the doctrine of divine Simplicity the Oneness or Singularity of God most high there is one truth so what Jesus speaks is from the father what the father speaks is of the Son and the spirit go back to John chapter 7. specifically in verse 16 Jesus answered and done and said my Doctrine is not mine but his who sent me see he's not an original thinker he's not an innovator he's not come to correct Israel's God or Israel's theology the words that he speaks are the words of God most high look at chapter 8 our particular context notice in verse 31 then Jesus said to those Jews who believed him if you abide in my word you are my disciples indeed and you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free so as I've said as we move through these passages as we see the enmity and the animosity of these unbelieving Jews directed to our lord Jesus we don't condone it we don't approve it but on a certain level we kind of understand it because they're dead in their trespasses and sins they don't have any spiritual Discerning power they're standing before the second person of the Trinity clothed in or having assumed our humanity and he is saying to them that it's my words upon which the Eternal Destiny of man rests again not to condone not to approve but you can see why ungodly wretched men would get a little irritated and get a little stirred up see Jesus didn't just prance around the streets of of Jerusalem saying things that were irrelevant he didn't just come with all kinds of you know hot air and just you know sayings that that really didn't matter they were the words of eternal life For Those whom God had purposed to Salvation and they were the words of Eternal death that savored unto death for those who would resist and reject so the heavy emphasis on his word in this context is once again making his point that he does not have a demon demons don't speak truth demons don't love truth demons don't like to talk about the hypostatic union demons don't like to celebrate the Incarnation of the Lord demons don't come to the Lord's Supper were they in a special way remember the death and resurrection of our blessed savior they don't recite the Apostles Creed the Nicene Creed the calcedonian Creed they don't like our confession of Faith demon-possessed people hate the truth so what happens if you are dealing with somebody you suspect as demon-possessed preach the truth to that this is a place where 100 unequivocally agree with John MacArthur there and I'm not saying that in any sort of derogatory way there's a few difference I have have with him theologically but responding to these guys that that have all these tactics for how to deal with demon-possessed people which sounds a lot like secular humanism and psychology and things that that probably have their place but when it comes to demon-possessed people you know what MacArthur says preach the gospel to them not cast out the demons not reach down deep into your demon soul and find whatever is aggravating you and have some truck with no you preach the gospel to that what's the most blessed and liberating thing ever it's to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be saved and then you enter into that blessed Arena of which John the Apostle speaks greater is he that is in us than he that is in the world there's no demon-possessed man taking up residence in a heart that is filled by the holy spirit of God most high if you meet somebody you you think or suspect is demon possessed preach to them Jesus crucified and resurrected preach to them justification by faith alone preach to them the Glorious God Of Heaven and Earth who reaches down in Mercy and love to save his people from their sins that's what demon-possessed people need to hear that's what non-demon possessed Sinners need to hear why wouldn't we think that the demon possessed sinner needs it even more that is precisely what will liberate him from the effects and the ravages of those demonic forces the Geneva Bible gloss it says the only doctrine of the Gospel apprehended by faith is a short remedy against death and the death here is not physical we will physically die he is speaking about eternal or spiritual death so verse 51 most assuredly I say to you if anyone keeps my word he shall never see death that's a truism that's true we may physically die we'll breathe our last we'll get buried into this Earth but our spirit departs to be with the Lord there is eternal life there is eternal blessing Eternal beatitude Eternal goodness from God to his people so when Jesus promises this eternal life he's able to deliver it he's able to make good on it and this again is something that a demon-possessed man does not have the ability to do demon possess men lie do demon-possessed man rejoice in Murder now notice in terms of the arrogance of the Jews you really should appreciate what we're dealing with with sinful people right it's not just moral you know the a bit of moral persuasion on the part of the Evangelist well I'm just going to present enough data and you know because you're you know not that bad I I suspect that you're going to lay hold of that data and believe Brethren if we enter into the the Lion's Den of evangelism if we enter in against uh not against but for those who are dead in their trespasses and sins we need to understand what's going on we need to understand what their problem is because if we don't understand what their problem is it's going to be like David and Saul's armor David says I can't go out to best this giant in Saul's armor it's not tried it's not proven it doesn't fit properly I I want to have my my shepherd's bag I want my sling I want my five smooth Stones so that I know what I'm I'm capable of well Brethren we're dealing with sinful people dead in their trespasses and sins people doesn't Paul tell us that Ephesians 2 and you being dead in trespasses and sins how else do you describe God what's happening here if there's not a Biblical Doctrine a confessional doctrine of total depravity I'm not sure how we make heads or tails out of passages like these Jesus Christ who is truth himself truth incarnate tells these men glorious things he honors the father he doesn't seek his own Glory he speaks the words of eternal life and think about that in this context he speaks the words of eternal life and he uses this statement if anyone keeps my word do you see the grace and the mercy of the savior of course he's spoken of God's judgment that's part and parcel of declaring the truth but it's always tempered by his mercy and Grace if anyone in the temple in John 8 that just leveled these accusations at him repent and believe the word that he speaks they will not see Eternal death they will not die he's holding out a promise even in the midst of this challenge concerning his identification so notice what they do in verse 52 then the Jews said to him now we know that you have a demon we know it it's proof positive Brethren what did he say in those brief verses that demonstrated that he had a demon they don't know anything doubling down again is not making your argument continually seeking recourse in your false statements does not make you truer it doesn't make you more full of the rightness it doesn't make you on the path or put you on the path of righteousness they rather double down they move from this accusation do we not say rightly that you are a Samaritan I have a demon to this point now where they're incensed that's tough to you know when you when you read scripture it's hard to get in flexion it's hard to get tone right the tone police you see them on the on the internet your tone is bad we got to cancel you well it's tough to get toned are these guys just kind of back and forth discoursing the fact that there are a few verses away from picking up stones to throw at this man would seem to indicate that we're at a higher fever pitch level here that when they say this they're not saying it with calculated careful consideration but they are arrogant they are foaming at the mouth they are frothing they are in a frenzy they want to destroy this man and that is how we ought to understand now we know that you have a demon Abraham is dead and the prophets and you say if anyone keeps my word he shall never taste death you get the argument this man Jesus says if if you keep my words you'll never die what do they do they look back in their history they say Abraham was the greatest of man or Father Abraham died the great prophets Isaiah and Jeremiah and Micah and and and Ezekiel and Daniel all those men they died who do you think you are you you think that your words convey the ability to persons to never die you think that you carry that kind of authority and you carry that kind of power do you really think that that is what is true concerning you do we not say rightly do we not now know that you have a demon notice they pursue this line of questioning verse 53 are you greater than our Father Abraham who is dead imagine if he would have said yeah how do you think they would have responded to that I mean he does essentially he says Abraham Rejoice to see my day he saw it and he was glad so he is saying yes and this again outrages them this again causes them to lose their minds so are you greater than our Father Abraham who is dead and the prophets are dead well of course he is he's the subject of the prophets he's the content of the servant songs of Yahweh Isaiah would happily defer to Jesus just like John the Baptist when the Baptist makes way for the savior he says he must end Greece but I must decrease all those Godly men filled with the Holy Spirit and the old Covenant would happily defer would happily point to Christ he's the subject of my writings of course he's greater of course he's better of course he's everything he's the darling of Heaven he's the second person of the Triune God who took on our Humanity for us man for our Salvation he comes down from heaven to live for us to die for us to rise for us of course he's greater and then notice how verse 53 ends and this is the place we're going to stop this morning it says who do you make yourself out to be that is always the issue with Jesus when you look at our culture you look at the cultures of the world what are they ultimately at odds with they just hate us because we come to church yeah they do but there's a bigger reason why they hate us because we come to church because we come to church and church is God's house see when you look around the world today you can't help but notice similarities with Psalm 2. why why do the Nations rage and the people plot vain things why why do all these people take their stand against Yahweh and against his Christ well the Bible answers that question we we just don't like the answer remember John 3 the Lord Jesus says the darkness hates the light Darkness doesn't want to come to the light why because the darkness is quite content hiding and slithering and doing those devilish things without detection see the light of the Gospel the light of God's law Shines on that and they despise it they they loathe it you see in our own generation it's not the case that they all say oh yeah Jesus is the son of God Jesus is the word that was with God and the word who was God he is the one who was made flesh and and dwelt among us that they don't see that that way they despise him they reject him they hold him in contempt it always hinges on this particular question and it hinges on this particular question not just for them out there not just the the rulers of our ages that are that are challenging Yahweh and as Christ but it's the question for all of us who is this man now by Grace some of us have come to see that he is who the Bible says he is the altogether lovely the chief among ten thousand but if you look at John's gospel the way it's set up the way that he structures it it's all about the identity of our Lord Jesus the prologue is a sort of behind the scenes look before we see the economy of redemption sort of summarize there in 129. when John says Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world that's what the Savior will do that's what the second person of the Trinity who assumes our Humanity will do but before John gets there he tells us about the second person of the Trinity he tells us in the beginning what's the word the word was with God and the Word was God he tells us by him all things were made he tells us that this word became flesh and dwelt Among Us he tells us the function a primary function of this word this only begotten son who is in the bosom of the father declares the father and then as Jesus embarks on his public Ministry what's one of the first things that happens in John chapter 3. Nicodemus comes to him by night and I think people on misunderstand that oh Nicodemus is sort of breaking away from the the the official status quo and he's coming at night to sort of see what Jesus is all about now brother Nicodemus ends well but Nicodemus didn't start well according to that narrative in John chapter 3 he came from Jerusalem he was sent on a dispatch he was sent on official business on the part of the Sanhedrin to vet Jesus who are you who do you think you are wait we know that nobody unless he comes from God uh can do the sorts of things that you do of course Jesus hits him with the necessity of regeneration the new birth you must be born again well as we move through the narrative hasn't this been the issue look at John 5 after the healing of the man in Bethesda John 5 verse 16 for this reason the Jews persecuted Jesus and sought to kill him because he had done these things on the Sabbath but Jesus answered them my father has been working until now and I have been working therefore the Jews sought all the more to kill him because he not only broke the Sabbath but also said that God was his father making himself equal with God then Jesus answered and said to them how in fact he is indeed equal with God that takes up John chapter 5. John chapter 6 same thing he teaches those hard truths those who had professed to be his disciples after eating the bread when he gets into that that high Doctrine they don't like that anymore they're no longer going to follow him John 7 Feast of Tabernacles by what Authority do you say these things who do you think you are we get into John 8 by what Authority do you do these things who do you think you are we continue on in the gospel narrative by what Authority do you do these things and who do you think you are that's always the question and the Bible produces the answer the Bible is very clear in the beginning was the word the word was with God and the Word was God God most high the second person of the Trinity took on our humanity and he did that not just to be an example to us on how we ought to live in this present evil world but he does it so that he can live in this present evil world so that he can fulfill every jot and Tittle of God's law so that he can go to the cross and die not as an example but as a substitutionary atonement as a lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world and then he's raised again the third day for our justification so we need to know who this Jesus is we need to understand what the Bible declares concerning this Jesus and we need to understand that coming to him in faith means everlasting life if you ask a Christian why are you going to go to heaven and they answer something like because I'm a pretty good guy wrong answer always the wrong answer why are you going to heaven I think the better question is why are you going to have it how are you going to heaven suggested before we're going to enter into heaven we might see people we go you're here I think there's going to be people that see us and go you're here we're going to extol the grace of God most high because we were dead in our trespasses and sins and God in his grace opened our eyes and hearts to Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world I want to end on verse 51. I want to end with just a couple of thoughts on verse 51. notice what Jesus does John 8 51 first of all he underscores the veracity of his statement veracity kids is a word that simply means true the truthfulness of his statement so again in a crucial moment when he's debating with these persons when he's been accused of being a Samaritan and being accused of having a demon he says most assuredly I say to you most Assurance the the Greek words amen amen it's a doubly emphasized statement it's one of those ones that not that any of the word of God we don't really pay attention to but we really should pay attention to these all men on men statements by our lord Jesus to these most assuredly and again pay attention to you know Lamentations 3 22 as well pay attention to Leviticus 9 you know 20. absolutely pay attention listen to the word of the Living God but but Jesus underscores the veracity of a statement and again in the context you've got to appreciate the the irony you're of your father the Devil he's a murderer from the beginning and he's a liar they've charged him of being demonized or demon possessed being a uh having a demon what does he say he says truly truly I say to you and then notice the the the second observation on the passage the the graciousness of the statement I tip my hand a little bit earlier I meant to save it for right now but notice the graciousness of the statement I I say to you now we take that and it's for us right John 8 it's our words our Bible someone once said well in terms of a hermeneutical approach to scripture all the Bible is written for us but it's not all written to us there were some case-sensitive things or specific things going on in the seven churches of Asia Minor say for instance in Revelation two or three but we don't just extrapolate all that and say oh yeah that's exactly our condition our situation this one was written for us and to us to be sure but it was said to these guys again Brethren I'd like to think better of myself but somebody's that's accusing me of being a Samaritan and having a demon I'm not sure gospel preaching is my primary emphasis got a little hair in my eye I think but the thing is is that Jesus in the midst of these men who are opposed to him Jesus in the midst of these men who are going to pick up stones to throw at him says I say to you and then notice the Assumption in the statement the Assumption in the statement if anyone keeps my word he uses the same sort of language in verse 31 if you abide in my word you are my disciples indeed and you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free the assumption is simple we come to Jesus in faith for justification and by God's grace we continue in it in other words what's a Christian a Christian is one who is conquered by God's grace through faith in Jesus Christ and knows what justification Is Forgiven of sin and given a righteousness that avails with God but on the heels of that justification come sanctification a living the Christian Life the in and out or the day in day out the ebb and the flow the hardships and the trials the difficulties and the afflictions what do we do do we say well he was good enough to save me but now I need to sort of make it on my own we abide in his word we keep his word we love his word we don't abide as we ought we don't keep as we ought we don't love it as we ought but there is a fundamental change in our hearts that word we once despise that word we want you once rejected is that word now that we hang our lives on and then the blessedness of the text the blessedness of the statement if anyone keeps my word he shall never see death as a preacher of the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ I cannot stand up here and assure you that you will never die physically in fact I can assure you just the opposite on the basis of Hebrews 9 and verse 27 it is appointed for men to die and then comes the Judgment but I can tell you that if you by God's grace believe the gospel of Jesus Christ Our Lord you shall never see Everlasting death you shall never taste Eternal death you shall pass once your body is planted into the ground even prior to that we don't have to wait till the body's planted in the ground what does Paul say to to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord when that separation comes and it's temporary we call that the intermediate State we look forward to the general resurrection of the Dead when God raises all men all women reattaches body and soul and its body and soul wherein we go in to the New Jerusalem to worship our blessed God World Without End Amen so believe on him and you will never see that Eternal death you will never see that that Eternal judgment you'll never see that wrath and fury of God the Bible speaks to that the Bible is not silent the Bible is not some sort of a fake sort of an approach to life and death and those sorts of it is honest brutally honest it is so honest that persons hate it for that very reason oh that Jesus oh those disciples always talking about hell and always talking about judgment that's a mercy if you're not warned about what the condition is you're not warned about the the malady that you suffer you're not warned about the seriousness of your challenges or your issues or your sin and transgression you will never see the need for our blessed savior the Lord Jesus Christ so let not this day end in a state of having life uh having a pathway to Eternal death but rather come to the Savior come to the Blessed Lord Jesus and you will be saved and passed from death into life and John the Apostle at the end of Revelation he thinking of that or pondering that says even so come Lord Jesus that's the heartbeat of all of God's people to Deliver Us from this present evil age and to enter into the presence of our great God in the meantime we got to fight we got to watch we gotta we pray and we got to be faithful keeping that word because God has given us the grace to do so well let us pray Our Father in heaven we thank you for your word we thank you for our our clear our savior's Clarity and the Declaration that he makes the denial of being a demon-possessed man and the proof that he offers to show that it's simply not the case and we know him from our study in John's gospel that he is the second person of the Trinity he is the one come from Heaven to save us from our sins and again father bless the preaching of the word today May the Holy Spirit attend and may you bring forth many dead Sinners to life and to Resurrection joy in our blessed savior King so with us now and help us to glorify you in this day and we pray through Jesus Christ Our Lord amen well let's close by singing 564 in our hymn books number 564. [Music] foreign [Music] goodness [Music] [Applause] [Music] foreign [Music] the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all amen father thank you for your graciousness to us thank you for the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ and the privilege that is ours to come to the father through the son in the spirit may you bless and strengthen us may you go with us now may we know your nearness as our good and we pray through Jesus Christ Our Lord amen well please be seated for a brief time of meditation