@ PastorGary

Hey everyone I’m Gary Hoban and welcome to Refinery Life Australia. “The Christ of John’s Gospel” is the theme we are continuing for the coming Sunday morning teachings that focus on John’s unique portrayal of the Christ. We will continue this series for a while longer. Today we are discussing, The Distinctives of Discipleship. **Prayer** Father, we come to You today because You made us, You redeemed us, and we acknowledge that every good and perfect gift comes from Your bountiful hands. Thank You, Father, for the privilege of giving to You for the glory of Your name and cause. The words of Jesus are so true, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Thank you for this heavenly blessing. In Jesus name we pray. Amen. **Text** John 8:31 NKJV The Truth Shall Make You Free 31 Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. **Scripture Reading** John 8:30-59 NKJV 30 As He spoke these words, many believed in Him. The Truth Shall Make You Free 31 Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed.  32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” 33 They answered Him, “We are Abraham’s descendants, and have never been in bondage to anyone. How can You say, ‘You will be made free’?” 34 Jesus answered them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin.  35 And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever.  36 Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed. Abraham’s Seed and Satan’s 37 “I know that you are Abraham’s descendants, but you seek to kill Me, because My word has no place in you.  38 I speak what I have seen with My Father, and you do what you have seen with your father.” 39 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.  40 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.  41 You do the deeds of your father.” Then they said to Him, “We were not born of fornication; we have one Father—God.” 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.  43 Why do you not understand My speech? Because you are not able to listen to My word.  44 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.  45 But because I tell the truth, you do not believe Me.  46 Which of you convicts Me of sin? And if I tell the truth, why do you not believe Me?  47 He who is of God hears God’s words; therefore you do not hear, because you are not of God.” Before Abraham Was, I AM 48 Then the Jews answered and said to Him, “Do we not say rightly that You are a Samaritan and have a demon?” 49 Jesus answered, “I do not have a demon; but I honor My Father, and you dishonor Me.  50 And I do not seek My own glory; there is One who seeks and judges.  51 Most assuredly, I say to you, if anyone keeps My word he shall never see death.” 52 Then 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.’  53 Are You greater than our father Abraham, who is dead? And the prophets are dead. Who do You make Yourself out to be?” 54 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.  55 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.  56 Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day, and he saw it and was glad.” 57 Then the Jews said to Him, “You are not yet fifty years old, and have You seen Abraham?” 58 Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM.” 59 Then they took up stones to throw at Him; but Jesus hid Himself and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by. **Introduction.** What does it really mean to follow Jesus? Somehow in the early part of the twenty first century, people have lost sight of what it means to follow Jesus. Discipleship is linked to external observance of religion rather than a relationship experience with Jesus Christ. During Jesus’ life and ministry on earth, many people sought to follow Him. John 8:30, 30 As He spoke these words, many believed in Him. Any motives moved to associate with Jesus Christ. Some were infatuated with His miracles and teachings. Others were just curious. Jesus did not want people to follow Him outside the motive of a genuine commitment.\ To distinguish the authentic followers, Jesus gave the distinctive qualities of a true disciple. 1. **A true disciple has continuance** John 8:31-33 NKJV The Truth Shall Make You Free 31 Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. 32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” 33 They answered Him, “We are Abraham’s descendants, and have never been in bondage to anyone. How can You say, ‘You will be made free’?” Jesus realised that some people made an impulsive decision to follow Him. At times in Jesus’ ministry, large crowds followed Him. He knew they followed mainly to see His miracles or just to be part of the crowd. He knew that many would decide not to follow Him. After Jesus taught the crowds that He was the Bread of Life, John 6:66 says, From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more. Jesus pointed out that perseverance would be the sign of a true disciple. John 8:31, The Truth Shall Make You Free 31 Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. Discipleship is not the excitement of one moment. It is a patient continuance in the footsteps of Jesus Christ. To a crowd of potential followers, Jesus gave a sure sign of a disciple. A disciple is one who follows Jesus continuously. The genuine evidence is in the sustained effort. **2. A true disciple has freedom.** John 8:34-38, 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.” Jesus taught of a freedom that led to bondage. Jesus answered them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. Jesus taught a group of potential disciples about how sin leads to bondage. Going through life with self will, self trust, and self assertion leads to a detrimental bondage. No one who follows Jesus can be a master to himself. Jesus spoke of a bondage that leads to freedom. A true disciple is one who has renounced his or her way to follow the way of Christ. Bondage to the Lord leads to authentic freedom. Jesus said, “Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.” The true disciple of Jesus lives to please only one person, Jesus Christ. A disciple of Jesus is not a slave to sin but is a slave to the master. **3. A true disciple has Christlike behaviour.** John 8:39-47 NKJV 39 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.  40 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. 41 You do the deeds of your father.” Then they said to Him, “We were not born of fornication; we have one Father—God.” 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.  43 Why do you not understand My speech? Because you are not able to listen to My word.  44 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.  45 But because I tell the truth, you do not believe Me. 46 Which of you convicts Me of sin? And if I tell the truth, why do you not believe Me?  47 He who is of God hears God’s words; therefore you do not hear, because you are not of God.” The Jew’s claimed to be Abraham’s children. By physical lineage this was true. However, many Jews lived contrary to Abraham’s example. They sought to kill Jesus and slander His name. Jesus said they were not God’s children, for they did not reflect God’s character. Rather, He said in John 8:44, 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. God’s children behave like His children. John 8:42, “If God were your Father, you would love Me”, and He added in verse 47, “He who is of God hears God’s words.” Nature will be true to itself. If one is born of God, then they will live in accordance with Christ’s character. **4. A true disciple honours Christ.** John 8:48-59 NKJV Before Abraham Was, I AM 48 Then the Jews answered and said to Him, “Do we not say rightly that You are a Samaritan and have a demon?” 49 Jesus answered, “I do not have a demon; but I honor My Father, and you dishonor Me.  50 And I do not seek My own glory; there is One who seeks and judges.  51 Most assuredly, I say to you, if anyone keeps My word he shall never see death.” 52 Then 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.’  53 Are You greater than our father Abraham, who is dead? And the prophets are dead. Who do You make Yourself out to be?” 54 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.  55 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.  56 Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day, and he saw it and was glad.” 57 Then the Jews said to Him, “You are not yet fifty years old, and have You seen Abraham?” 58 Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM.” 59 Then they took up stones to throw at Him; but Jesus hid Himself and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by. Many claimed to be disciples of Jesus, but they did not honour Him. In fact, they accused Him of being demon possessed. Jesus said in verse 49, “I do not have a demon; but I honor My Father, and you dishonor Me.”  They could not be authentic followers and dishonour the Lord in this way. True disciples honour and adore and obey Christ. **Conclusion.** Are you a true disciple of Jesus Christ? The proof is a continuing commitment to Him, freedom from sin, Christlike behaviour, and a Christ honouring life.  Until next time Stay in the Blessings I really want to encourage you to be diligent with your Bible study time, because God has so much more for us than we can get from just going to church once or twice a week and hearing someone else talk about the Word. When you spend time with God, your life will change in amazing ways, because God is a Redeemer. Theres nothing thats too hard for Him, and He can make you whole, spirit, soul and body! You’re important to God, and you’re important to us at The Refinery. When it comes to prayer, we believe that God wants to meet your needs and reveal His promises to you. So whatever you’re concerned about and need prayer for we want to be here for you! Or even if you just want to say Hi, you can contact us at www.refinerylife.org 2025 IS A YEAR OF NEW BEGINNINGS. © www.refinerylife.org  2013-2024 All rights reserved. Except as permitted under the Australian Copyright Act 1968, no part of this Article may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, communicated or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior written permission. 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