The Truth Shall Make You Free

 Temple Baptist Church - 4-19-2023

John 8:25-36

 

Introduction:

 

A.  So often, verse 32 is quoted and, if not careful, can become a pretext instead of a text.  Verses 25-31 established the criteria for knowing the truth and being made free.

 

B.  The context:

 

1.  In verse 25, the Jews asked, “Who art thou?”

 

2.  In verses 25-29, the Lord told them that He had already told them who He was. 

 

3.  In verse 30, many believed on Christ.  These Jews were now saved Jews.

 

4.  In verse 31,  Jesus spoke to these believers saying that, if they continued in His word, they would be His disciples.

 

5.  The context tells us that some will not believe on Christ but those who do believe are to continue in the Word of God as disciples (followers or learners).

 

C.  The Truth concerning Truth.  There are two types of Truth: temporal truth and eternal truth.

 

1.  Temporal Truth is something that is true at the moment but will change and not be true later.  Example: “I am in Laurens” is truth if I am in Laurens, but I may be in Greenville later which changes that truth.

 

2.  Eternal Truth is something that is true at this moment and will always remain constant and unchanging.

 

D.  There are three eternal “Truths” found in our text:

 

1.  God the Father is Truth:  John 8:26  I have many things to say and to judge of you: but he that sent me is true; and I speak to the world those things which I have heard of him.

 

2 Corinthians 1:18  But as God is true, our word toward you was not yea and nay.

 

2.  God the Son is Truth: John 8:34-36  Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.  (35)  And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever.  (36)  If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

 

John 14:6  Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

 

3.  The Word of God is Truth:  John 8:31-32  Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;  (32)  And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

 

2 Timothy 2:15  Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

 

E.  Responsibility in Truth.  If something is true or truth, then there are two choices to be made. 

 

1.  You have a right to reject or disbelieve truth.  Many of these Jews did so but their unbelief did not change the truth!

 

2.  You have a right to accept or believe truth.  Many of these Jews did so but their belief in the truth did not change truth either.  

 

3.  Truth is truth whether you believe it or not!  It is the Truth that will MAKE you free.  There is an old saying: “The Bible is true, and I believe it.”  That is a great adage, but the Bible is still true if you believe it or not!

 

F.  The liberating factor of truth is also found in two ways here.

 

1.  Truth in Salvation.  “As he spake these words, many believed on him.”  Salvation is the beginning of freedom as those who accepted the Messiah were forever MADE free from the Penalty of Sin.  Those who rejected their Messiah were doomed to an eternity in hell.

 

Romans 8:2  For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.

 

John 8:36  If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

 

2.  Truth in Service.  “If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;”  Those who faithfully continue in the Word of God are MADE free from the Power of Sin.

 

Faithfulness and desire to serve the Lord is the second step to freedom.

 

G.  The Truth of God’s Word frees us from:

 

1.  Bondage of Fear – Hebrews 2:15  And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.

 

2.  Bondage of Sin - 2 Peter 2:19  While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.

 

3.  Bondage of Law - Galatians 5:1-4  Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.  (2)  Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing.  (3)  For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law.  (4)  Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.

 

4.  Bondage of Confusion - Luke 21:25-26  And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;  (26)  Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.

 

5.  Bondage of Doubt - 1 John 5:13  These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.