Gospel Community Church
Sunday Service 11/23
  • Raise A Hallelujah
  • Indescribable

      • Matthew 20:28ESV

  • Good morning church!
    for those that don’t know me....
    Before we get started today,
    Aunt Bev
    Pray for our brothers and sisters all around the world.
    So grateful to be here and be able to share God’s beautiful Word with you today.
    God works in mysterious ways….Who’s heard that?
    While that is true, He also works in very specific ways, as we can find in His beautiful word.

    James 1:5

    “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.”
    When I started putting this sermon together, I did some reading, watched some videos and this sermon by John MacArthur on these very same verses He did this whole thing on this ancestry.com thing and I really liked it so I piggybacked off it . But I got just about done with the sermon and it didn’t feel right.
    I prayed. God - not john, not me….YOU
    After I prayed, I reread the text….
    This whole passage just gave me a vibe of the ultimate need for the Spirit. These people Jesus is addressing can’t do anything at this point. They can’t hear, they can’t understand. Ultimately, Jesus tells them, they are not of God.
    I called this sermon, God’s adopted children. It was almost called who’s your daddy?
    But again….seeking wisdom from God helped here.
    Pretty heavy conflicts up to this point. It’s a pretty tense scene, matter of fact, just a few more verses down and we see these same religious people pick up rocks to stone Jesus to death.
    We’ll see what happens there next week.
    In setting the stage for today, Let me ask y’all a question….
    How many people are related to someone famous?
    How many people know someone with a famous relative?
    How often do you hear about that???
    A claim to fame right? A way to show that your history is significant.
    I found out I am actually related to Robert E Lee.
    For those who don’t know, he was a general in the confederate army and helped end the Civil war eventually by his surrender to Ulysses S Grant. He was actually offered a senior position in the Union Army but chose to follow his home state Virginia when it seceded.
    Now, let me just say this, Robert E. Lee in 1870 in Virginia, has absolutely nothing to do with Gill Porto in 2025 in East Carbon.
    Absolutely nothing.
    I could go around claiming his glory though. My great great great whatever grandpa was this great dude! Therefore, I am awesome!
    Well the pharisees did just that. Always tying their holiness to “their father”.
    Abraham was counted as holy…So we are therefore holy! Dang, if it worked like that, we could just take the word accountability out of the dictionary.
    So a little context around today's reading. Jesus has been in active ministry for over two years now. Multiple miracles, and also multiple run ins with these religious leaders. We have Jesus with several I AM statements up to this point. Pastor Chris spoke last week of Jesus claiming to the the “Truth” and that that Truth shall set you free
    They gave some push back, and so the back and forth continues.
    Let’s read the text.
    We’re going to jump back a verse for context.
    John 8:38 ESV
    I speak of what I have seen with my Father, and you do what you have heard from your father.”
    38 I speak of what I have seen with my Father, and you do what you have heard from your father.”

    John 8:39–41 ESV
    They answered him, “Abraham is our father.” Jesus said to them, “If you were Abraham’s children, you would be doing the works Abraham did, but now you seek to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. This is not what Abraham did. You are doing the works your father did.” They said to him, “We were not born of sexual immorality. We have one Father—even God.”
    39 They answered him, “Abraham is our father.” Jesus said to them, “If you were Abraham's children, you would be doing the works Abraham did, 40 but now you seek to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. This is not what Abraham did. 41 You are doing the works your father did.” They said to him, “We were not born of sexual immorality. We have one Father—even God.”
    John 8:42–44 ESV
    Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and I am here. I came not of my own accord, but he sent me. Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot bear to hear my word. You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.
    42 Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and I am here. I came not of my own accord, but he sent me. 43 Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot bear to hear my word. 44 You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.
    John 8:45–47 ESV
    But because I tell the truth, you do not believe me. Which one of you convicts me of sin? If I tell the truth, why do you not believe me? Whoever is of God hears the words of God. The reason why you do not hear them is that you are not of God.”
    45 But because I tell the truth, you do not believe me. 46 Which one of you convicts me of sin? If I tell the truth, why do you not believe me? 47 Whoever is of God hears the words of God. The reason why you do not hear them is that you are not of God.”
    Let’s pray.
    So jumping into these verses here.
    John 8:38 ESV
    I speak of what I have seen with my Father, and you do what you have heard from your father.”
    38 I speak of what I have seen with my Father, and you do what you have heard from your father.”
    So looking at this, two different types of testimonies. We have “seen” and we have “heard”
    Which one is stronger? In court We have what’s known as an eye witness account, and we have what is known as hearsay.
    Jesus also lays out some different actions in this. He says that He speaks of what He has seen. He then says that the Pharisees DO what they have heard. Interesting contrast here. Jesus makes a pretty big claim just in this passage. He says He’s seen the father, and He was with The Father.
    Boy is He ruffling some feathers…It gets worse though
    How does Jesus know that they are doing the deeds of the devil here or “their father”? Glad you asked…let’s read on.
    John 8:39–40 ESV
    They answered him, “Abraham is our father.” Jesus said to them, “If you were Abraham’s children, you would be doing the works Abraham did, but now you seek to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. This is not what Abraham did.
    39 They answered him, “Abraham is our father.” Jesus said to them, “If you were Abraham's children, you would be doing the works Abraham did, 40 but now you seek to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. This is not what Abraham did.
    So what did Abraham do?
    Well the best comparison I could find, is in Gen. 18.
    How many of you know what a Christophony is? We see what some will say are preincarnate appearances of Jesus. An Old Testament appearance of Jesus. So we see one here, we see Jacob wrestling with God in the physical form in Gen 32. And probably the most known is when Nebachanezzer throws Shadrack, Meshak and Abendego into the furnace and there’s a 4th person in the flames with them.
    So let’s look at Abraham's encounter.
    Genesis 18:1–4 ESV
    And the Lord appeared to him by the oaks of Mamre, as he sat at the door of his tent in the heat of the day. He lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, three men were standing in front of him. When he saw them, he ran from the tent door to meet them and bowed himself to the earth and said, “O Lord, if I have found favor in your sight, do not pass by your servant. Let a little water be brought, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree,
    18 And the Lord appeared to him by the oaks[a] of Mamre, as he sat at the door of his tent in the heat of the day. 2 He lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, three men were standing in front of him. When he saw them, he ran from the tent door to meet them and bowed himself to the earth 3 and said, “O Lord,[b] if I have found favor in your sight, do not pass by your servant. 4 Let a little water be brought, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree,
    Genesis 18:5–8 ESV
    while I bring a morsel of bread, that you may refresh yourselves, and after that you may pass on—since you have come to your servant.” So they said, “Do as you have said.” And Abraham went quickly into the tent to Sarah and said, “Quick! Three seahs of fine flour! Knead it, and make cakes.” And Abraham ran to the herd and took a calf, tender and good, and gave it to a young man, who prepared it quickly. Then he took curds and milk and the calf that he had prepared, and set it before them. And he stood by them under the tree while they ate.
    5 while I bring a morsel of bread, that you may refresh yourselves, and after that you may pass on—since you have come to your servant.” So they said, “Do as you have said.” 6 And Abraham went quickly into the tent to Sarah and said, “Quick! Three seahs[c] of fine flour! Knead it, and make cakes.” 7 And Abraham ran to the herd and took a calf, tender and good, and gave it to a young man, who prepared it quickly. 8 Then he took curds and milk and the calf that he had prepared, and set it before them. And he stood by them under the tree while they ate.
    So what did Abraham do? He ran to greet the Lord with great joy. He washed the Lord’s feet, he served Him food, probably some yummy veal steaks and gave Him a place to rest. Had cakes made for them 🙂
    What have the Pharisees done up to this point? Certainly none of the above.
    They have rebuked Him, denied His deity, denied His authority, and rejected His Word.
    So quite the opposite of what Abraham did.
    John 8:41 ESV
    You are doing the works your father did.” They said to him, “We were not born of sexual immorality. We have one Father—even God.”
    41 You are doing the works your father did.” They said to him, “We were not born of sexual immorality. We have one Father—even God.”
    So the Pharisees claim that they are born of this clean and direct blood line. Not born of sexual immorality - they are saying they are not of pagan or gentile descent. They claim to be of God here. Jesus gives them a rebuke here and straightens them out real quick.
    John 8:42–43 ESV
    Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and I am here. I came not of my own accord, but he sent me. Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot bear to hear my word.
    42 Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and I am here. I came not of my own accord, but he sent me. 43 Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot bear to hear my word.
    Jesus showing His submission to the Father here as we’ve seen throughout. Also, stating that if these people were of God, they would know Him. Period.
    What’s really profound and interesting though 43
    43 Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot bear to hear my word.
    So at this point, Jesus is telling them they this time they can’t bear to hear His word. When He speaks, they can’t take it.
    They’re really getting tired of Jesus preaching.
    It would be similar to someone standing up here and preaching that we need to steal and lie to one another since God created an environment of survival of the fittest and evolution.
    We’d be ready to burn dude at the stake for crying out loud!! - Just kidding. Throwing pies at least.
    Here’s where it gets critical….
    John 8:44 ESV
    You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.
    44 You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.
    Shooot! You are of your father....the devil. Ouch.
    But is Jesus saying too much here? Well let’s take a quick look at the ACTIONS of the Pharisee.
    See, your actions reveal more about your allegiance than your words. Your actions say much more about you as a person than the words you say.
    So the Pharisee rejected the truth. This is not only accepting a lie, living a lie and spreading a lie. They have planned to or even attempted to kill Jesus. Murder.
    So the description of Satan here lines up directly with the action of the Pharisees. So it looks like these claims of Jesus, in context are right on doesn’t it.
    John 8:45–46 ESV
    But because I tell the truth, you do not believe me. Which one of you convicts me of sin? If I tell the truth, why do you not believe me?
    45 But because I tell the truth, you do not believe me. 46 Which one of you convicts me of sin? If I tell the truth, why do you not believe me?
    This next line, says they don’t believe Jesus. But why?
    Jesus says, “Because I tell you the truth.”
    Their minds are made up. Their righteousness is from Abraham. Jesus could no way be the Messiah. They are expecting a military conqueror as the Messiah. This leader that will bring Rome to its knees.
    They have hardened hearts of stone, they have deaf ears. Spiritual rejection comes from spiritual resistance. They just know they are right.
    Jesus then asks, who convicts Him of sin.
    A rhetorical question here of course. Jesus has had a viable, biblical answer for everything He has done. They haven’t been able to trip Him up in any of His teaching or actions.
    So the follow up -
    If I tell you the truth, why do you not believe Me?
    John 8:47 ESV
    Whoever is of God hears the words of God. The reason why you do not hear them is that you are not of God.”
    47 Whoever is of God hears the words of God. The reason why you do not hear them is that you are not of God.”
    Here’s a worldly example.
    If I go to Japan, I don’t know anything about the culture, I don’t know anything about the language. They are going to be able to tell very quickly, I am not of them. I don’t understand, and I don’t know anything about their culture. Fact is, I am not of them.
    I could study their culture, and I could learn the language, even speak without an accent, but I’m guessing they would still know I am not of Japanese decent.
    Jesus sees they know the language, but they are definitely not of God.
    We see this in several passages though. Jeusus’ people know His voice.
    But let’s see how this all unfolds. How did these Pharisees become sons of Satan?
    He is their biological Father. See, after the fall in Genesis, the world was broken. Man was no longer without sin. That sin not only plagued the world, but it also plagued man.
    The sinful nature of Adam was passed down through each and every generation. No exemptions. We are all under the federal headship of Adam. Sorry to break the news to you.
    So by no fault of their own, these Pharisees were born into sin. They were born of the father of lies, the murderer. The Devil.
    So if we are all children of Satan by nature, what then can be done? I’m so glad you asked!
    Here’s a worldly example that most can understand, maybe even relate with….
    What do we do if we have an evil neighbor that has a 7 year old child, and he beats him, yells at him, lies to him, teaches him evil and sends him out to do evil? The child has not power or resources to break free of this. No job, no wisdom, nothing.
    But he’s seen some of the other neighborhood kids. Some have toys, some have a father that hugs and kisses them. So even though he’s trapped, he’s seen this light of hope. Maybe one day, maybe one day.
    Then one day happens. A neighbor calls the police. We have a 3rd party intervention. They arrest the father and take the child. He’s given a new family, a new life, a new hope. A father that loves him as his own.
    This is sort of how God works as well.
    We also need an intervention. We are powerless over sin. The bible says that we are slaves to sin. That we are literally DEAD in our sin. We cannot break free on our own.
    The Holy Spirit must intervene and cause us to be born again. Then, and only then, are we adopted into a new family, with a new Father.
    I want to show you how this works biblically.
    When someone is adopted, it is the choice of the adopting parents, not the child. The child has no power, no family, no new father until that choice by the adopting parents is made and sealed.
    Ephesians 1:3–6 ESV
    Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.
    3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, 4 even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love 5 he predestined us[b] for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.
    We are adopted but His choice, then by that adoption, we are born again and given new life.
    John 3:3–5 ESV
    Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.
    3 Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again[b] he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 4 Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?” 5 Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.
    Now there are a ton of scripture on adoption and on being born again, but Here are the ones I picked.
    So what is our part in this? What can we do as that lost child?
    We’ve seen the light of the Lord. His creation, His saved people, His miracles. We have seen those other kids playing with their dads. We have a hope.
    So in that hope, we believe. In that hope, we are sorry that we don’t have control over these sinful ways. We are sorry for the life that we have lived under this evil rule. So we repent and we genuinely want to change. We want that new life and new hope, and most of all, that new Loving, caring and wonderful Father.
    We are called to repent and believe.
    And in doing that, our Father in Heaven hears us, He has compassion on us, He has mercy on us. And in that, He shows us this incredible grace, and He adopts us into this new family of His, and causes us to be born again.
    So in the Heavenly sense, what does this look like?
    We are born of imperfection. God has standards. They are perfect. Even in birth for we were born into sin,, we are not worthy. Even if we were born perfect, we’d mess it up.
    But in His glorious grace and mercy, He sent His only Son to rescue us.
    Not born or regular generation. The virgin birth is very important. If Jesus is born of sin, He can no longer atone for ours.
    In His active obedience, His perfect walk, His sinless life, He satisfies the law on our behalf.
    Then, in His passive obedience, He gives up His life for us on the cross, the cross that was meant for us.
    And not just that, He suffers ridicule, He suffers lashings, He suffers condemnation to the point of death.
    For me and for you.
    And in that, He satisfies the wrath of God for our very sin. God is not justified to forgive us through HIM.
    Now, how is that exchange made? How do we get His righteousness, and how do we give Him our sin?
    Romans 10:8–9 ESV
    But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
    8 But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); 9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
    Belief in your heart will cause you to repent. But here’s the thing, most don’t understand true repentance, or even true belief.
    Most say, i repent. I’m sorry for sinning, they go right back to sinning. That is not how it works.

    1. A change of mind

    A deep, inner shift in how you think about God, sin, and yourself.

    2. A turning

    A decisive turn away from sin and toward God.

    3. Producing a changed life

    True repentance results in new actions, obedience, and fruit.
    And belief in Jesus isn’t just saying it.
    Satan also believes in Jesus. Heck, he even tempted Him.
    But He rejects His words. He trusts his own will over God’s. Just as the Pharisees.
    If we truly believe, we know His word is true. We know that we can trust Him. And for me, my personal experience, trust is where I lacked.
    I always knew what was best for me. Until I was completely shattered as a person.
    When I finally gave up all my reservations, when I finally, truly submitted to Christ and not only the Savior of my life, but the Lord of my life also, is when He rescued me.
    We must trust Him, His word, and most of all in His completed work on the cross.
    I don’t know how God chooses His elect, but I know that the bible tells us to cry out to Him. So if you’re here today, and you haven’t been adopted into the glorious family of God, or you are uncentain if you have or not, go home today, don’t wait. Sink to you knees, and beg God for His forgiveness, beg Him for mercy and grace, beg Him for a new, loving Father.
    Let's pray.

      • John 8:38ESV

      • John 8:39–41ESV

      • John 8:42–44ESV

      • John 8:45–47ESV

      • John 8:38ESV

      • John 8:39–40ESV

      • Genesis 18:1–4ESV

      • Genesis 18:5–8ESV

      • John 8:41ESV

      • John 8:42–43ESV

      • John 8:44ESV

      • John 8:45–46ESV

      • John 8:47ESV

      • Ephesians 1:3–6ESV

      • John 3:3–5ESV

      • Romans 10:8–9ESV

      • Romans 5:6ESV

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