Confronting Spiritual Blindness: The Truth of Jesus

 

Summary

### Summary

In today's sermon, we explored the deteriorating relationship between Jesus and the religious leaders as depicted in John chapter 8. This chapter marks a significant point in the Gospel of John, where the opposition to Jesus by the leaders reaches its peak. We examined the various attempts by the Pharisees and Sadducees to discredit Jesus, including their efforts to arrest Him, trap Him with the case of the adulterous woman, and challenge His testimony. Despite their relentless efforts, Jesus consistently outsmarted them, revealing their lack of true understanding and relationship with God.

We delved into the nature of the questions posed by the religious leaders, which were not genuine inquiries but rather attempts to mock and discredit Jesus. These questions revealed their spiritual blindness and their refusal to accept the truth that Jesus embodied. Jesus responded to their scorn with strong statements about the fate of the unregenerate, emphasizing that those who do not know Him do not know God the Father either.

We also discussed the concept of spiritual questions that resist the truth rather than seek it. Such questions are often a means to justify unbelief and reject the knowledge of God. This resistance to truth is not a new phenomenon; it has been present throughout history, as seen in the writings of King David and the Apostle Paul.

Furthermore, we touched on the sobering reality of God's judgment for those who refuse to believe in Jesus. Jesus warned that the day of God's grace is not endless, and delaying the decision to enter into a right relationship with God is folly. The consequences of dying in sin are severe, leading to eternal separation from God.

Finally, we reflected on the importance of assessing our relationship with Jesus by considering how we would answer the questions posed by the Pharisees. Do we know God as our Father? Do we recognize Jesus' sacrifice for us? Do we acknowledge Him as the Christ, the Son of the living God?

### Key Takeaways

1. The Nature of Spiritual Questions: Not all questions are aimed at discovering the truth. Some are designed to resist it and justify unbelief. This is evident in the way the Pharisees questioned Jesus, not to understand but to discredit Him. True spiritual inquiry seeks to know God and His will, while resistant questions aim to reject the truth already revealed. [47:47]

2. The Consequences of Rejecting God: Romans 1 teaches that those who refuse to retain the knowledge of God are given over to their own corrupt desires and judgment. This abandonment by God is a severe consequence of persistent unbelief and rejection of His truth. It serves as a warning to take seriously the knowledge of God and respond in faith. [50:40]

3. The Urgency of God's Grace: Jesus emphasized that the day of God's grace is present but not endless. Delaying the decision to enter into a right relationship with God is dangerous. Just as people prepare for various aspects of life, they must also prepare for eternity by responding to God's grace through faith in Jesus. [53:09]

4. The Reality of Spiritual Death: To die in sin means to face eternal separation from God. This spiritual death is far more severe than physical death, as it involves being cut off from God's presence forever. Jesus' warning to the Pharisees highlights the importance of accepting His offer of salvation to avoid this fate. [56:47]

5. Assessing Our Relationship with Jesus: Our relationship with Jesus can be assessed by how we answer key spiritual questions. Do we know God as our Father? Do we recognize Jesus' sacrifice for us? Do we acknowledge Him as the Christ, the Son of the living God? These questions help us evaluate our faith and commitment to Jesus. [01:05:13]

### YouTube Chapters

[0:00] - Welcome
[40:02] - Personal Anecdote and Introduction
[40:57] - Context of John Chapter 8
[41:54] - Attempts to Discredit Jesus
[42:53] - Mocking Questions by the Pharisees
[43:52] - Insulting Questions and Their Implications
[44:56] - Jesus' Response to Scorn
[46:03] - Knowing Jesus and the Father
[47:00] - The Nature of Spiritual Questions
[47:47] - Resistance to Truth
[48:54] - Universal Guilt and Rejection of God
[49:44] - The Clarity of God's Revelation
[50:40] - Consequences of Rejecting God
[51:34] - Sexual Sins and Depraved Mind
[52:25] - The Day of God's Grace
[53:09] - Urgency of Responding to God's Grace
[54:14] - Preparing to Meet God
[56:47] - Reality of Spiritual Death
[58:50] - The Palimpsest of the Heart
[01:00:58] - Eternal Separation from God
[01:03:01] - No Escape from God's Judgment
[01:05:13] - Assessing Our Relationship with Jesus

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. John 8:12-59 - This passage covers the deteriorating relationship between Jesus and the religious leaders, their attempts to discredit Him, and Jesus' responses.
2. Romans 1:18-32 - This passage discusses the consequences of rejecting the knowledge of God and being given over to a depraved mind.
3. Revelation 14:13 - This verse contrasts dying in the Lord with dying in sin, emphasizing the eternal consequences.

#### Observation Questions
1. What were the three main attempts by the Pharisees and Sadducees to discredit Jesus in John 8? ([41:54])
2. How did Jesus respond to the mocking questions posed by the religious leaders? ([44:56])
3. According to Romans 1, what happens to those who refuse to retain the knowledge of God? ([47:47])
4. What does Revelation 14:13 say about those who die in the Lord?

#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think the Pharisees and Sadducees were so determined to discredit Jesus? What does this reveal about their spiritual state? ([42:53])
2. How does Jesus' response to the religious leaders' questions in John 8 help us understand the nature of true spiritual inquiry? ([47:00])
3. What does Romans 1:18-32 teach us about the consequences of rejecting God's truth? How does this passage relate to the sermon’s message about spiritual blindness? ([50:40])
4. How does the concept of dying in the Lord versus dying in sin, as mentioned in Revelation 14:13, impact our understanding of eternal life and judgment? ([56:47])

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on the nature of your own spiritual questions. Are they aimed at discovering the truth or resisting it? How can you ensure your inquiries are genuine? ([47:00])
2. Considering the urgency of God's grace, what steps can you take to deepen your relationship with God today rather than delaying? ([53:09])
3. How do you respond to the reality of spiritual death and eternal separation from God? What changes can you make in your life to align more closely with Jesus' teachings? ([56:47])
4. Assess your relationship with Jesus by answering the questions posed by the Pharisees: Do you know God as your Father? Do you recognize Jesus' sacrifice for you? Do you acknowledge Him as the Christ, the Son of the living God? ([01:05:13])
5. How can you help others who may be asking resistant spiritual questions to seek the truth instead? What practical steps can you take to guide them? ([47:47])
6. Reflect on a time when you resisted the truth of God's word. What was the outcome, and how did it affect your relationship with God? How can you avoid such resistance in the future? ([49:44])
7. In what ways can you prepare to meet God, both in your daily life and in the long term? What specific actions can you take to ensure you are ready? ([54:14])

Devotional

Day 1: The Nature of Spiritual Questions
Description: Not all questions are aimed at discovering the truth. Some are designed to resist it and justify unbelief. This is evident in the way the Pharisees questioned Jesus, not to understand but to discredit Him. True spiritual inquiry seeks to know God and His will, while resistant questions aim to reject the truth already revealed. Jesus' interactions with the Pharisees in John 8 highlight the difference between genuine seekers of truth and those who are spiritually blind and resistant to God's revelation. Their questions were not born out of a desire to learn but to mock and undermine Jesus' authority. This resistance to truth is a recurring theme in the Bible, as seen in the writings of King David and the Apostle Paul. [47:47]

John 8:43-45 (ESV): "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. But because I tell the truth, you do not believe me."

Reflection: Think of a time when you resisted a truth from God. What was the underlying reason for your resistance, and how can you open your heart to genuine spiritual inquiry today?


Day 2: The Consequences of Rejecting God
Description: Romans 1 teaches that those who refuse to retain the knowledge of God are given over to their own corrupt desires and judgment. This abandonment by God is a severe consequence of persistent unbelief and rejection of His truth. It serves as a warning to take seriously the knowledge of God and respond in faith. The Pharisees' rejection of Jesus in John 8 is a stark example of this principle. Their refusal to accept Jesus' testimony and their attempts to discredit Him led to spiritual blindness and separation from God. This passage reminds us of the gravity of rejecting God's truth and the importance of embracing His revelation with a humble heart. [50:40]

Romans 1:28-32 (ESV): "And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done. They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless. Though they know God's righteous decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them."

Reflection: Reflect on an area of your life where you may be rejecting God's truth. What steps can you take to acknowledge and embrace His guidance today?


Day 3: The Urgency of God's Grace
Description: Jesus emphasized that the day of God's grace is present but not endless. Delaying the decision to enter into a right relationship with God is dangerous. Just as people prepare for various aspects of life, they must also prepare for eternity by responding to God's grace through faith in Jesus. The Pharisees' failure to recognize the urgency of Jesus' message in John 8 serves as a cautionary tale. They were so focused on their own agendas that they missed the opportunity to receive God's grace. This passage calls us to recognize the urgency of responding to God's invitation and not to delay in seeking a right relationship with Him. [53:09]

2 Corinthians 6:1-2 (ESV): "Working together with him, then, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain. For he says, 'In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you.' Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you have been delaying a decision to follow God's guidance? How can you take a step of faith today to respond to His grace?


Day 4: The Reality of Spiritual Death
Description: To die in sin means to face eternal separation from God. This spiritual death is far more severe than physical death, as it involves being cut off from God's presence forever. Jesus' warning to the Pharisees in John 8 highlights the importance of accepting His offer of salvation to avoid this fate. The concept of spiritual death is a sobering reminder of the consequences of rejecting Jesus. It calls us to take seriously the offer of eternal life through faith in Him and to share this message with others who may be unaware of the gravity of their spiritual condition. [56:47]

Ezekiel 18:30-32 (ESV): "Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, declares the Lord God. Repent and turn from all your transgressions, lest iniquity be your ruin. Cast away from you all the transgressions that you have committed, and make yourselves a new heart and a new spirit! Why will you die, O house of Israel? For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Lord God; so turn, and live."

Reflection: Consider the reality of spiritual death and eternal separation from God. How does this understanding impact your view of salvation and your urgency in sharing the gospel with others?


Day 5: Assessing Our Relationship with Jesus
Description: Our relationship with Jesus can be assessed by how we answer key spiritual questions. Do we know God as our Father? Do we recognize Jesus' sacrifice for us? Do we acknowledge Him as the Christ, the Son of the living God? These questions help us evaluate our faith and commitment to Jesus. The Pharisees in John 8 failed to recognize Jesus' true identity and the significance of His mission. In contrast, we are called to examine our hearts and ensure that we have a genuine relationship with Jesus, marked by faith, recognition of His sacrifice, and acknowledgment of His lordship. [01:05:13]

Matthew 16:15-17 (ESV): "He said to them, 'But who do you say that I am?' Simon Peter replied, 'You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.' And Jesus answered him, 'Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven.'"

Reflection: Reflect on your relationship with Jesus. How would you answer the questions about knowing God as your Father, recognizing Jesus' sacrifice, and acknowledging Him as the Christ? What steps can you take to deepen your faith and commitment to Him today?

Quotes

1. "Now, yes, people can approach the Bible's text in different ways. And that leads to very different conclusions, which is exactly what we see here in John chapter 8. Because we need to understand, if we are to enter fully into the spirit of this chapter, that the relationship between Jesus and the rulers of the people was rapidly deteriorating. At least, that's how we would describe it." [40:57] (37 seconds) ( | | )

2. "But at this point, John is still tracing the deteriorating relationship between Jesus and the leaders and showing us that it has reached a new low. It had already sunk quite low already. First, in chapter 7, verse 32, there was the attempt to arrest Jesus, but that failed because the soldiers who were sent to arrest him started listening to him and thought, well, this bloke isn't so bad." [41:54] (33 seconds) ( | | )

3. "Now, what was Jesus' response to such questions? What was his reaction to the scorn they expressed? Well, it's interesting that Jesus answered by the strongest series of statements about the fate of the unregenerate, that we have thus far seen in John's Gospel. The first thing the Lord Jesus said when faced by the scornful questions of these men is that such questions are not asked by those who know him. Therefore, those who ask these questions don't know him. They don't know God the Father." [44:56] (40 seconds) ( | | )

4. "But at the same time, we need to recognise that in spiritual matters, there is a type of question that is not at all helpful. It's the type of question that is aimed not so much at finding out the truth. But the type of question that resists the truth. It really is an attempt to justify a refusal to believe. To believe that which God has already made known." [47:00] (34 seconds) ( | | )

5. "The sad thing is it's all unnecessary because the knowledge of God can be clearly discerned by those who seek. Jesus says, ask and you will receive. Seek and I will be found. God is revealed in the person of Jesus and in the scriptures. The Romans chapter 1 reminds us of one more truth. The truth is in the form of a warning of what God does to those who will not retain the knowledge of him. We're told that God gave them up." [49:44] (37 seconds) ( | | )

6. "Second, Jesus taught that the day of God's grace was present but would not last forever. He taught this in two ways. First, by reference to, to his own death and departure, after which he said, you will seek for me, but you won't be able to find me. And second, by reference to the fact that they too would die. Now, the day of God's grace, either in historical or personal terms, is not endless. Hence, the personal act of entering into right relationship with God through faith in Jesus, should never be delayed. To delay is folly." [53:09] (48 seconds) ( | | )

7. "Finally, Jesus said the most sobering thing of all. He said that if people refuse to believe in him and continue to refuse him and therefore died in their sins, they would not be going to heaven, they would go to hell. It's true that Jesus doesn't mention hell by name in these verses, though he certainly does elsewhere. But the existence of hell and the fact that hell is the destiny of those who refuse him is still stated. Jesus said, you will die in your sin. Where I go, you cannot come." [01:00:58] (50 seconds) ( | | )

8. "You can assess your relationship to the Lord Jesus by the way in which you are. You can assess your relationship to the Lord Jesus by the way in which you would answer the questions that were posed by the Pharisees and with which we began. Where is your father? Can you say, my heavenly father? Do you know your father is God almighty and you are his son or daughter? And to the second question, will he kill himself? Can you say, yes, Jesus gave himself for me. He died that I might live." [01:05:13] (44 seconds) ( | | )

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Transcript
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