I did choose thee. Todd's Road Grace Church would
like to invite you to listen to a sermon by our pastor, Todd
Nyberg. We are located at 4137 Todd's
Road, two miles outside of Manowar Boulevard. Sunday services are
at 1030 a.m. and 6 p.m. Bible study is at
945 a.m. Wednesday services are at 7 p.m. Nursery is provided for all services.
For more information, visit our website at toddsroadgracechurch.com. Now here's our pastor, Todd Nybert. In John chapter 8, verse 32,
the Lord Jesus says, and you shall know the truth, and the
truth shall make you free. This is one of the most well-known
and often quoted statements by the Lord, and people have used
this to promote various things. You'll know the truth. That's
the reward. But what did the Lord mean when
he said, you shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free? Well, let's examine the context
in which he said this. In verse 30 of this same chapter,
as he spake these words, many believed on him. That's exciting. Many believed
on him. Then said Jesus to those Jews
which believed on him, If you continue in my word, then are
you my disciples indeed. In fact, in truth, you're genuine,
you're authentic. If you continue in my word, then
are you my disciples indeed. Now we know from this chapter
that these Disciples did not continue in His Word and did
not continue to be disciples. As a matter of fact, at the end
of this chapter, they pick up stones to stone the Lord Jesus
and kill Him and put Him to death. They were so enraged by what
He had said to them. Let me read the last verse after
this message. Then took they up stones to cast
at him. But Jesus hid himself and went
out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed
by. Now these people who believed didn't remain believers because
they did not continue in his word. Now in verse 23 of this
chapter, he said unto these people, you are from beneath. I am from
above. You are of this world. I am not of this world. Now when the Lord says that,
he's speaking of his transcendence as God the Son. I said therefore unto you, verse
24, that you shall die in your sins, for if you believe not
that I am, You shall die in your sins. Now he's taking the name
of God to himself. Remember when God said to Moses,
I am that I am? He's telling these people, if
you believe not that I am, you're going to die in your sins. Verse
25, then say they unto him, who art thou? And I think it's interesting,
Young's literal translation puts it this way. You, who are you? Who are you to make this claim
and take to yourself the title that only God can take? Who are
you? And Jesus said unto them, even
the same that I said unto you from the beginning, in the beginning
was the word of God. And the word was with God, and
the word was God. The same was, eternally was,
in the beginning with God. In John chapter 10, verse 24,
then came the Jews round about and said unto him, how long dost
thou make us to doubt? If thou be the Christ, tell us
plainly. Jesus answered them, I told you. I told you. I'm not gonna say the same thing
again. I told you, and you believe not. The works that I do in my Father's
name, they bear witness of me. There's no excuse for your unbelief.
If I raise the dead, if I create matter, if I control the weather,
you've witnessed these things and there's no excuse for your
unbelief. But you believe not, he says, because you're not of
my sheep, as I said unto you. Did you hear that? He didn't
say, you're not my sheep because you don't believe. He said, you
believe not because you're not of my sheep. As I said unto you,
my sheep hear my voice. I know them and they follow me. My father, which gave them me
is greater than all. And then he says in verse 26
of John chapter eight, I have many things to say unto judge
of you, but he that sent me is true. And this is one of 25 times
the Lord refers to himself as him the father sent. And this
is essential to saving faith. The Lord said in John chapter
six, verse 29, this is the work of God that you believe on him
whom he hath sent. Now, if you believe on him whom
he has sent, there's three things you believe. Number one, you
believe he was before he was sent. You believe He's the eternal
Son of God. He never had a beginning. And
you believe the Father sent Him. That's why He came to this earth.
His Father sent Him. And whatever it was His Father
sent Him to do, He did. He accomplished that which His
Father sent Him to do. The opening page of the New Testament,
Matthew chapter one, thou shalt call His name Jesus, for He shall
save His people from their sins. That's what He did. He saved
His people from their sins. He glorified His Father and saved
His people from their sins. He said, I've glorified thee
on earth. I finished the work thou gavest me to do. They understood, I have many
things to say to judge of you, but he that sent me is true,
and I speak to the world those things which I've heard of him.
You know, I think of my speech. Quite often I speak whatever
first comes to my mind, you know, or I'm in a silence and I'll
start becoming uncomfortable and I'll start saying things
and I usually end up regretting things that I say. The Lord Jesus,
every word he spake was the word of God. He said, my father worketh
hitherto and I work. What the father worked, he worked. What the father said, he said. He said, I and my father are
one. He was equal with God because
he is God. God the Son. Every word I say
is nothing less than the word of God. I'm only speaking that
which I've heard of him. That's why he spake as one having
authority and not as the scribes. Everything he said recommended
itself as nothing short of the word of very God. When they understood not that
he spake to them of the Father, then said Jesus unto them, when
you have lifted up the Son of Man, then shall you know that
I am, and I do nothing of myself, but as my Father hath taught
me, I speak these things." Now, think about this statement, when
you've lifted up the Son of Man. You know, that's the word that
is usually translated, exalted. Wherefore God hath highly exalted
him and given him a name which is above every name. That's the
same word in the original. Him hath God exalted to be a
prince and a savior. Lifted up, exalted, made high. And the Lord says when you have
lifted up, when you've exalted, the Son of Man, then you'll know
that I am, I'm He, I am the God of glory. Now, this word is used
in John 3, verse 14, like this, as Moses lifted up the serpent
in the wilderness. Even so must the Son of Man be
lifted up. Now that's talking about that
story in Numbers 21. where the children of Israel
had murmured against God. God sent serpents to bite the
people. Many people died. They go to
Moses, say, we're sorry, pray to God that he'll take these
snakes away. God told Moses to make a serpent
in the likeness of those serpents that were killing the children
of Israel, put it on a pole, lift it high up, and whoever
looked, all they had to do was look at that serpent. They'd
live, they wouldn't die, they would be healed. Look at the
way he is lifted up there. That's referring to the cross
of the Lord Jesus Christ. Now in John chapter 12, we really
see clearly what is meant by lifted up with these words. The
Lord said in verse 32 of John chapter 12, and I, if I be lifted
up from the earth, will draw all unto me. This he said, signifying
what death he should die. Now the lifting up of Christ
is Jesus Christ being nailed to a cross by his enemies, by
those who hated him and wanted him dead. Now the same word that's
used for the exaltation of Christ is used for the Christ being
nailed to a cross and crucified. The cross of Christ is the exaltation
of Christ. The cross of Christ is the most
God-like thing God ever did. He became obedient to death,
even the death of the cross. Wherefore, God hath highly exalted
him, highly lifted him up. Because he was lifted up on the
cross, God hath highly lifted him up and given him a name which
is above every name. that at the name of Jesus, every
knee should bow. Of things in earth, things in
heaven, things in earth, things under the earth. And that every
tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. To the glory
of God the Father, the lifting up of Christ between heaven and
earth on a cross is the whole counsel of God. Jesus Christ
being nailed to a cross is the reason God created the universe. This is God's eternal purpose. This is the content of gospel
preaching. Paul said in 1 Corinthians 1,
22, The Jews require a sign, the
Greeks seek after wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified. Unto the Jews, this is a stumbling
block. Unto the Greeks, this is foolishness. But unto them which are called,
called by God, called by his irresistible grace, Christ, the
power of God, Christ, the wisdom of God. Now think about what
was said. The Jews require a sign. You know why they require a sign?
Because they don't believe what they've heard. I don't believe
that. I'm going to have to have some
further proof. You see, the truth recommends itself as the truth.
And when somebody doesn't believe the truth, that's a choice they've
made. I don't believe that. You're
going to have to give me some kind of sign to verify this. The Jews require
sign. The Greeks seek after wisdom.
Now that's not talking about the wisdom of God. The Greeks,
they're seeking the wisdom to make this world a better place,
to put an end to poverty, to give everyone the opportunity
of education, to make a better healthcare system, to have a
better economy, to make life better. They're seeking wisdom
to make this world a better place. Paul says, but we preach Christ
crucified. That is our message. Jesus Christ,
God's Son, nailed to a cross. That is how God can be just and
justify the ungodly. That's the wisdom of God. That's
the power of God. He nailed His Son to a cross
to put away sin, to take His righteousness and give His righteousness
to His people. The substitutionary atonement
of the Lord Jesus Christ. We preach Christ crucified. Now to the Jews, that's a stumbling
block. To the religious fellows, you're
going to tell me that my works count for nothing? And you're
not giving me a motive for good works? You mean the only way
I can be saved is if Jesus Christ died for me and put away my sins
and my works have no bearing in salvation? I'm offended by
that. I stumble at that. You're not
giving me a reason to Have good works or to live a life that
glorifies God. They can't see the glory of that.
The Greeks, well, that's foolishness. How's that gonna make this world
a better place? How's this going to improve education or the economy
or the healthcare system? But to them which are called.
both Jews and Greeks. He calls both. Christ, the power
of God. Christ, the wisdom of God. You know, the entire character
of God is seen in the lifting up of Jesus Christ on the cross.
His justice, His holiness, His purpose, His sovereignty, His
love, His power, every attribute of God is displayed in Christ
crucified. Oh, that's our message. We preach
Christ crucified. Now, when you see the connection
between the cross of Christ and the exaltation of Christ, That's
when you shall know, the Lord says, that I am. And that every word that comes
out of my mouth is what he taught me to say. I and my Father are
one. One in essence, one in purpose,
one in words, one in work. My words are his words. My works are his works. Verse 29. and he that sent me
is with me. The father has not left me alone,
for I do always those things that please him." What a word
the Lord could say with regard to every second of his life. I do always those things that
please The father looked at the son for those 33 years and he
said, this is my beloved son in whom I am well pleased. Hear ye him. And as he spake these words,
Many believed on him. Now, I've already pointed out
that they didn't continue to believe because they would end
up picking up stones and try to murder him. They said, we're
not going to have this anymore. But at this time, as he spake these words, many
believed on him. Verse 31, Then said Jesus to
those Jews which believed on him, if you continue in my word,
then are you my disciples indeed, in truth, in fact. Now what is the evidence of saving
faith? What is the evidence of God really
doing a work of grace in my heart and in your heart? What is the
evidence of salvation continuing in His Word? In Colossians 1, Paul said, because
of the blood of Christ, because of the blood of His cross, every
believer is holy, unblameable, and unreprovable in His sight. Do you hear that? If you're someone
that Jesus Christ died for, if you're someone who trusts Him
as all in your salvation, Here's your state before God. And if
it's your state before God, it's your actual state. Holy, Colossians
1.22. Holy, unblameable, and unreprovable
in the very sight of God. But then in verse 23, he uses
this word, if. You're holy, unblameable, and
unreprovable in his sight, if you continue in the faith, grounded
and settled, and be not moved from the hope of the gospel. Now, perseverance in the faith
is not remaining religious. Perseverance in the faith is
perseverance in looking to Christ always as all that you have that
would make you accepted before God. It's believing that His
righteousness is the only righteousness you have, and you die believing
that. You never get past that. You
never graduate from that. That never becomes less important
to you. You really believe that the blood of Jesus Christ is
the only way your sins can be atoned for. You can't make up
for anything. You can't make up for your sin and make it go
away. Only the blood of Christ does. And you continue looking
to Christ only. The writer to the Hebrews said,
we're made partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our
confidence. What was the beginning of my
confidence? All I had was Christ. My only hope was that He died
for me. My only hope was that His righteousness is given to
me. I don't have any other hopes. I don't look to my experience.
I don't look to my works. I don't look to the things I've
done. I don't look to the things I've stopped doing. I look to
Christ alone as everything in my salvation. That's the beginning
of my confidence. And I'll hold that steadfast
to the end. Listen to this. We start at the finish line and
we continue there all the days of our life. If you continue
in my word, then are you my disciples. Indeed. And then he makes this
statement, and you shall know the truth. And the truth shall
make you free. Now, the only way the truth is
actually known is by continuing in his word. And if you continue
in his word, if I continue in his word, we'll know the truth.
And the truth shall make us free. I want to read a passage of scripture
from 2 Thessalonians 1. Paul had been speaking of the
coming of Antichrist. And he says in verse 8, And then
shall that wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with
the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness
of his coming, even him whose coming is after the working of
Satan. with all power and signs and lying wonders. He'll come
across very believable with this power and signs and these lying
wonders. And with all deceivableness of
unrighteousness. And in the parish, because they
received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. For this cause, because they
didn't receive the love of the truth. Do you love the truth? Do you love the truth of who
God is, his true character? Do you love the truth of how
he saved sinners by his electing grace and his redeeming blood
and the life-giving power and grace of the Holy Spirit? Do
you love that? They didn't because they received
not the love of the truth. The only reason you won't receive
it in the love of it is you really don't need it. If you need it,
you'll love it. For this cause God shall send
them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie, that they
all might be damned, who believe not the truth, but had pleasure
in unrighteousness. But we are bound to give thanks
always to God for you, brethren, beloved of the Lord, because
God hath from the beginning chosen you. to salvation through sanctification
of the Spirit and belief of the truth. These two things are so
closely wedded, where you have one, it's the evidence of the
other. Sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth. Salvation is called in 1 Timothy
2.14, coming to the knowledge of the truth. Faith is called
in Titus 1.1, the faith of God's elect, the acknowledging of the
truth, which is after godliness. Repentance is called, if God
perventure will grant them repentance to the acknowledgement of the
truth. Now I want to close by looking
at a passage in John 18 with regard to the truth. You shall
know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. Now, it's
not your knowledge of the truth that makes you free, it's the
truth himself. The truth is a person. The Lord said, I am the truth. It's the truth who shall make
you free, if the Son shall make you free. You're free. Indeed,
it's not your knowledge of the truth. It's not your cognitive
ability to grasp and comprehend the truth. It's the truth himself
who makes you free. Now, in John chapter 18, Pilate is speaking with the Lord. Verse 33, then Pilate entered
into the judgment hall again and called Jesus and said unto
him, Art thou the king of the Jews? Jesus answered him, Sayest
thou this thing of thyself? Or did others tell it thee of
me? Pilate answered him, I do? Thine
own nation and the chief priests have delivered thee unto me.
What hast thou done? Jesus answered, My kingdom is
not of this world. What does that say about all
the political activism in the name of Christ? It's wrong. That's all you can call it. It's
false. The Lord tells us clearly, my
kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world,
then would my servants fight that I'd not be delivered to
the Jews, but now is my kingdom not from hence. Pilate therefore
said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest,
I am king. To this end was I born. And for this cause came I into
the world that I should bear witness unto the truth. Jesus Christ, nailed to a tree,
is him bearing witness to the truth of God's true character. You will not know the true character
of God apart from the cross. It's the true character of man.
The only way you're gonna see your true character is not by
looking at the things you've done or looking within your heart.
You and I are guilty of murdering the Son of God. Somebody says,
I wouldn't have done it. Yeah, you would have. If you
were there, you would have been right there calling for his death. And the cross tells us the truth
of how God saves sinners. By that glorious action of the
Lord Jesus Christ on the cross, when he bowed his head and said,
it is finished, the salvation of everybody he died for was
accomplished. He said, I came to bear witness
to the truth. And when he went to that cross
to be nailed to that cross, there we have him bearing witness to
the truth. And he said, you shall know the
truth and the truth concerning who God is, who you are, and
how he saves. The truth will make you free,
free before God. This is Todd Nibbert praying
that God will be pleased to make Himself known to you.