The Truth Will Set You Free Series

You’ve Got the Time is taking 28 minutes a day to listen to the New Testament on mp3. You’ll cover the entire New Testament in just forty days. 28 minutes a day for forty days – it’s just that simple. You can pick up free mp3s at any of our exits as you leave today. Our entire church family began two Sundays ago, but you can catch up. This upcoming Saturday is the halfway mark. I’m preaching on selected Scriptures throughout the forty days as you listen.

As you quickly peruse John 8, you notice at first glance a lengthy dialogue where Jesus claims to be the Messiah. It’s a conversation with many layers. It’s a conversation that heats up quickly.

As he was saying these things, many believed in him.

31 So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” 33 They answered him, “We are offspring of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone. How is it that you say, ‘You will become free’?”

34 Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin. 35 The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever. 36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. (John 8:30-36)

My goal for you today is to have a real, genuine faith. I have three questions today and along the way I want to tell you a story about the most famous scientist of the twentieth century, Albert Einstein.

1. Is Your Faith Real?

It looks as if Jesus is speaking of real disciples for verse 30 says that after Jesus spoke to the crowd, “many believed in him.” Evidently, because of Jesus’ teaching, many people were attracted to Him. Yet, Jesus does not treat their belief in Him as genuine. For their faith oscillates between hero worship and massive discontentment.

Did you see and hear the word “truly” in verse 31? “So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, ‘If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples…’” (John 8:31) This word “truly” means really – “you are really my disciples.”

Later on, these same believers are described as:

• slaves to sin (John 8:34);

• indifferent to Jesus’ words (John 8:37);

• children of the devil (John 8:44);

• liars (John 8:55);

• and people who attempt to kill Jesus by stoning Him (John 8:59).

If all those descriptions are not telling enough, Jesus’ opinion of their faith is stated matter-of-factly later on in their conversation: “But because I tell the truth, you do not believe me.” (John 8:45)

Jesus suggests there are not two kinds of people in the world: disciples of Christ and non-disciples… But three kinds of people: non-Christians, there are real Christians, and there are fake Christians.

Don’t assume all belief in Jesus is real for not all belief in Christ is real. Is your faith real? Or are you a phony? It's not a good thing if you never question whether you are a Christian. Every once and awhile, check the validity of your faith. “Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. 11 For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” (2 Peter 1:10-11)

If your faith were a ship, you would check to see if the hull was seaworthy before taking off into the ocean. So Jesus wants you to check your faith. Satan wants the counterfeit Christian to go to his grave with the confidence He is saved. Now, any Christian who incessantly questions their experience with Christ finds no traction to confidently witness, pray, or live the Bible. Yet, Jesus doesn’t assume that all belief is real. Do you want a real faith? Jesus gives us a test that we can use to test whether our faith is real.

2. What are the Marks of Real Faith?

There is a genuine faith that rules a man’s house and runs his business. And Jesus gives us a short checklist of three items of real faith. Before I launch into these three marks of real faith, let me say a word about small faith.

Jesus takes notice of even the smallest amount of real faith. “…when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?” (Luke 18:8b) Certainly, He can find it if anyone can. For He has remarkable eyes to see all. Out of weak and imperfect faith, Jesus recognizes that something greater might arise from it.