Family matters - John 8:12-59

This is a sermon by Peter Birnie from the Riverside Church service on 2nd November 2025.

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Today’s sermon: John 8v12-59 “Family Matters”

Intro: Lost in the caves

 

  • Following Jesus is how we know the Father (v12-20)

    • What is the link between light and knowing God?

    • Sin leaves us in darkness

     

    • Sin cuts us off from God

     

    Jesus is the light, Jesus is how we know God

     

  • Following Jesus is how we get to the Father (v21-30)

    • Praise God he is not like us!

     

    “You will die in your sin”

    • We can only get to God through Jesus
    • Our deepest longing is to be with God

     

    “Even as he spoke, many believed in him.”

     

  • Following Jesus is how we become children of God (v31-47)

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    Amazing so far but maybe most amazing – children of God!!!

     

    • Children of the devil, what a frightening warning

     

    • Children of God, what an amazing invitation

     

     

    What does it mean to be a child of God?

     

    • V48-59 Recognise Jesus’ identity

     

    • V12 “Whoever follows me.”

     

    • V31 “If you hold to my teaching.”

     

    • V47 “Whoever belongs to God hears what God says.”

     

    • V51 “Whoever obeys my word will never see death.”

     

     

    Memory verse: John 7 v 27-38

    “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.”

     

     

    My own questions for later:

     

    Questions to think more about:

  • Read verses 1-9. What is Jesus’ explanation for the different responses to his identity? How does this help you?
  • Read verses 10-36. What different truths does Jesus reveal about his identity here? Why do we so often judge wrongly?
  • Read verses 37-52. How does the context of the feast of tabernacles highlight what Jesus is claiming here? Why should these amazing claims get rid of our apathy?
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