THE GOSPEL OF JOHN

I AM THE TRUTH

JOHN 14:1-6

Introduction:

Jesus said, “’I am the way, and the truth, and the life.’ Either of these statements is profound enough to STAGGER any one, but here all three together OVERWHELM Thomas.

“Jesus had called himself “THE LIFE” to Martha (11:25) and ‘THE DOOR’ to the Pharisees (10:7) and ‘THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD’ (8:12). He spoke ‘THE WAY OF GOD IN TRUTH’ (Mark 12:14). He is the way to God and the only way (verse 6), the personification of truth, the center of life.

“’EXCEPT BY ME.’ There is no use for the Christian to wince at these words of Jesus. If he is really the INCARNATE SON OF GOD (1:1,14,18), THEY ARE NECESSARILY TRUE.” —A. T. Robertson

I. GOD IS A GOD OF TRUTH

Deuteronomy 32:4, “He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he.”

A. A God of TRUTH, Psalm 31:5, “Into thine hand I commit my spirit: thou hast redeemed me, O LORD God of truth.”

B. A God WITHOUT iniquity, Psalm 92:15, “To shew that the LORD is upright: he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him.”

II. CHRIST IS TRUTH

John 14:6; John 7:18, “He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him.”

A. Christ was FULL of Truth, John 1:14, “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.”

B. Christ SPOKE Truth, John 8:45, “And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not.”

III. THE WORD OF GOD IS TRUTH

A. The SCRIPTURE of Truth, Daniel 10:21, “But I will shew thee that which is noted in the scripture of truth: and there is none that holdeth with me in these things, but Michael your prince.”

1. Thy Word is TRUTH, John 17:17, “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.”

2. The Words of the Lord God are TRUE, 2 Samuel 7:28, “To shew that the LORD is upright: he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him.”

B. The WORD of Jesus is the Word of God, John 10:30, “I and my Father are one.”

1. His Word is the STAGGERING Truth, 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.”

2. His Word is the OVERWHELMING Truth, “Either of these statements is profound enough to stagger any one, but here all three together overwhelm Thomas.” —A. T. Robertson

a) Jesus had called himself “the life” to Martha, John 11:25, “Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:”

b) Jesus had called himself “the door” to the Pharisees, John 10:7, “Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep.”

c) Jesus had called himself “the light of the world,” John 8:12, “Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.”

d) He spoke “the way of God in truth,” Mark 12:14, “And when they were come, they say unto him, Master, we know that thou art true, and carest for no man: for thou regardest not the person of men, but teachest the way of God in truth: Is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar, or not?

e) He is the way to God and the only way, the personification of truth, the center of life, 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.”

f) Jesus said that no one goes to heaven “but (Except) by me” because He is the Incarnate Son of God, John 1:1, 14, 18, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 14And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. 18No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.”

CONCLUSION:

“There is no use for the Christian to wince at these words of Jesus. If he is really the Incarnate Son of God, they are necessarily true.” —A. T. Robertson.

The words of Jesus are words of TRUTH and LIFE. If you will trust Him and His Word you will have ETERNAL LIFE, John 1:12, “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:” John 3:16, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

I AM THE TRUE VINE 2

JOHN 15:1-10; GALATIANS 5:22-23

Introduction:

This is the second message on the True Vine. In the first message we learned that Israel was God’s choice vine and that He looked for fruit from her. See notes.

In this message we will see what happens as God prunes his branches and when that fruit is not found.

I. THE PRUNING PROCESS

A. Any good tree needs pruning in order to produce more fruit, v. 2, “Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.”

1. The pruning make us stronger, Job 17:9, “The righteous also shall hold on his way, and he that hath clean hands shall be stronger and stronger.”

2. It refines the believer, 1 Peter 1:7, “That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:”

B. Every branch that does not bear fruit is cut off, v. 6, “If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.” Matthew 3:10, “And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.”

1. These are those who profess to know Christ, but their fruits deny it, Matthew 7:20-21, “Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. 21Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.”

2. These are false professors of Christ, Jude 12, “These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds they are without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots;”

3. These will be turned into Hell, Revelation 20:15, “And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.”

II. THE DISCIPLE IS TO REMAIN FAITHFUL

A. First he receives Jesus Christ as his Savior, John 6:54, 56, “Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. 56 He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him.”

B. Then he is to continue or persevere in believing, John 8:31, “Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;”

1. Some paid attention to Jesus’ words without necessarily committing themselves to Him personally, John 6:53, “Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you.”

2. These did not continue, 1 John 2:19, “They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.”

3. Those that remain are true disciples, John 3:33, ”He that hath received his testimony hath set to his seal that God is true.”

4. The true disciple is to let what we have heard from the beginning live in us, 1 John 2:24, “Let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the beginning. If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father.”

C. It means that the believer is to have a believing, loving obedience, John 15:9-10, “As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. 10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.”

1. To continue in His love, 1 John 2:28, “And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.”

2. Keep His commandments, John 14:15, “If ye love me, keep my commandments.”

3. In keeping His commandments we will abide in His love, John 14:21, “He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.”

a. Jesus said, “If a man love me, he will keep my words,” John 14:23, “Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.” [to attend to carefully]

b. He that doesn’t keep His commandments doesn’t love Him, John 14:24, “He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father’s which sent me.”

CONCLUSION:

The Word of God is emphatic here. Those that love God will keep His commandments and those who do not love God will not keep His Word.

When the believer lives a righteous obedient life for the Lord then others will see Jesus in our lives. That will cause folks to see the need for Christ in their life.

I AM THE TRUE VINE

JOHN 15:1-10

Introduction:

This is the last of the seven great “I AM” statements in John. Here the Lord Jesus declares “I am the true vine,” Here the Lord speaks of Himself in humble terms. He that is the Sun of righteousness, and the bright and morning Star compares himself to a vine. Look at these verses and you will find the greatness of our Savior as he cares and protects the branches of His vine.

The fruit mentioned here is not the winning of souls to Christ, but rather a life of righteous, loving obedience.

I. I AM THE VINE

A. Israel was God’s choice vine, Isaiah 5:7, “For the vineyard of the LORD of hosts is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah his pleasant plant: and he looked for judgment, but behold oppression; for righteousness, but behold a cry.”

1. God lavished care and attention on the vine, Isaiah 27:2-3, “In that day sing ye unto her, A vineyard of red wine. 3 I the LORD do keep it; I will water it every moment: lest any hurt it, I will keep it night and day.”

2. God longed for fruit, but Israel produce rotten fruit, Jeremiah 2:7-8, “And I brought you into a plentiful country, to eat the fruit thereof and the goodness thereof; but when ye entered, ye defiled my land, and made mine heritage an abomination. 8 The priests said not, Where is the LORD? and they that handle the law knew me not: the pastors also transgressed against me, and the prophets prophesied by Baal, and walked after things that do not profit.”

B. Jesus is the True Vine of God, v. 1.

1. He is the Branch of the Lord, Isaiah 4:2, “In that day shall the branch of the LORD be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the earth shall be excellent and comely for them that are escaped of Israel.”

2. He is a root of Jesse, Isaiah 11:10, “And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and his rest shall be glorious.”

II. THE GARDNER IS THE FATHER

A. The Father cultivates and protects the vine; He is the husbandman, v. 1.

B. He desires fruit (mentioned 8 times in this chapter), vs. 2, 4-5, 8, 16.

1. A progression is seen:

a. Fruit, v. 2; Galatians 5:22-23, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”

b. More fruit, v. 2; Philippians 1:11, “Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.”

c. Much fruit, vs. 5, 8; Colossians 1:9-10, “For this cause we also, since the day we heard it , do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; 10 That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;”

2. The fruit which God desired from Israel was loving obedience, righteousness, and justice, Isaiah 5:7, “For the vineyard of the LORD of hosts is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah his pleasant plant: and he looked for judgment, but behold oppression; for righteousness, but behold a cry.”

a. God looked for Judgment or Justice in Jerusalem, Proverbs 8:20, “I lead in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of judgment:”

b. He found oppression or bloodshed.

c. God looked for righteousness in government, Amos 5:7, “Ye who turn judgment to wormwood, and leave off righteousness in the earth,”

d. He heard a cry of distress.

CONCLUSION:

The fruit that the Lord is looking for in the believer is loving obedience to His commandments. The blessings of God are tied to that obedience. Christians today are not enjoying God’s blessings because of the lack of obedience to His commands.

“I AM” SERIES 

“I AM THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD”

Introduction:

We live in a dark world of violence, distrust, immorality and sin in general because we have left the “Light of the World” out of our lives.

The Word of God gives us everything we need to know right here in this message to set everything straight with God. Consider what Jesus said in these passages as we look to the Word of God.

I. THE WORLD IS IN DARKNESS.

A. Darkness is a symbol of evil. John 3:19, “And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.”

B. Darkness is a symbol of sin and death, Isaiah 9:2, “The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.”

Matthew 4:16, “The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up.”

C. Darkness is a symbol of ignorance. Ephesians 4:18, “Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:”

II. “LIGHT” IN THE BIBLE IS A SYMBOL OF GOD AND HIS HOLINESS.

A. Paul fell on his face before the light of God, Acts 9:3-4, “And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: 4And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?”

B. God is light, 1 John 1:5, “This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.

1. Jesus is the “Light” of God, John 12:46, “I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.”

2. He is the only Light, “the true Light” for the whole world, John 1:9, “That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.”

3. He is the Light to enlighten the Gentiles, Luke 2:32, “A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.”

4. Christ is the Sun of righteousness, Malachi 4:2, “But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall.”

III. HE THAT FOLLOWS ME, AS A TRAVELLER FOLLOWS THE LIGHT IN A DARK NIGHT, SHALL NOT WALK IN DARKNESS.

A. It is our duty to follow his LEADERSHIP, Matthew 16:24, “Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.”

1. Many follow false lights that lead them to destruction; but Christ is the true light, Matthew 24:4-5, “And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. 5For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.”

2. It is not enough to look at this light, and to gaze upon it,

a. But we must follow it,.., 1 Peter 2:21, “For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:”

b. Believe in it, and… John 12:36, “While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light. These things spake Jesus, and departed, and did hide himself from them.”

c. Walk in it, 1 John 1:6, “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.”

d. For it is a light to our feet, not our eyes only, Luke 1:79, “To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.”

CONCLUSION:

John 12:46, “I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.”

Here we have Jesus’ promise. If we walk in His light, we will NOT ABIDE IN DARKNESS. He says, “but shall have the LIGHT OF LIFE.” The “light of life” that He refers to, is ETERNAL LIFE by trusting in Him as your SAVIOR!

I AM THE LIFE

JOHN 14:1-6

Introduction:

In verse 6 of our text the Lord declare that He is “ the way, the truth, and the life.” In previous messages I have dealt with “the way” and with “the truth.” Now we consider the Lord as “the life.” In Matthew 16 the Lord asked the disciples “But whom say ye that I am?” Peter responds in verse 16: “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.” If Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and He is, than He has all power at His disposal and controls our very life. According to our text He is life and gives it to whom He will. Consider the Scriptures.

I. JESUS IS THE LIFE

A. He is the Bread of God, John 6:33-35, “For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world. 34Then said they unto him, Lord, evermore give us this bread. 35And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.”

B. He is the Water of Life, John 4:14, “But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.”

C. He is the Light of Life, John 1:4, “In him was life; and the life was the light of men.” John 8:12, “Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.”

D. Jesus has the “Words of Life,” John 6:67-69, “Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away? 68-Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. 69-And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.”

II. JESUS HAS POWER OVER LIFE

A. To call from the grave…

1. The case of Lazarus, John 11:1-44.

a) Dead four days, John 11:39, “Jesus said, Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto him, Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days.”

b) There is not limit to His power, John 11:40, 43-44, “Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God? 43And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. 44And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go.”

2. The case of the resurrection of the dead, John 5:25, 28-29, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live. 28Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, 29And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.”

B. To call to Life the Spiritually dead, Ephesians 2:1, “And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;”

1. The PURPOSE of His coming was to give life, John 10:10, “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.”

a) We were dead in our sins, Colossians 2:13, “And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;”

b) We were alienated from the life of God, Ephesians 4:18, “Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:”

2. His great love and mercy moved Him to saves us, Ephesians 2:4-5, “But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)”

3. He showed the “exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us,” Ephesians 2:6-7, “And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: 7That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.”

C. He is not only the Giver of life, but the Sustainer of that life, John 10:27-28, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: 28And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.”

1. The life He gives is eternal life, John 3:16, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

a) Our iniquities are forgiven, Romans 4:7-8, “Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. 8Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.”

b) The Unbeliever is under condemnation, John 3:18, “He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”

2. We are secure in His hand, Psalm 37:28, 40, “For the LORD loveth judgment, and forsaketh not his saints; they are preserved for ever: but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off. 40And the LORD shall help them, and deliver them: he shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in him.”

Conclusion:

The conclusion of this matter is that Jesus Christ is the life. Outside of Him there is no life. The last phrase of the verse 6 declares: “no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. Jesus is the only way to Heaven. The next message will deal with that subject.