YOUTH STS LESSON 143 THE SOURCE OF TRUE FREEDOM.docx

TEXT: John 8:1-59

MEMORY VERSE: “If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed” (John 8:36).

n the previous chapter, Jesus encountered great opposition from the chief priests and Pharisees. “And early in the morning, he came again into the temple, and all the people came unto him; and he sat down, and taught them” (John 8:2). Jesus is our perfect Example in all matters. He rose up early to pray, teach and preach the gospel (Mark 1:35). As Christian youths, we should rise up early in the morning to observe our Quiet Time. This will help us to renew our spiritual strength. Our lesson today deals with how Jesus forgave a woman that was condemned by the Pharisees for adultery. Adultery is an act of immorality and it is a great sin against fellow human beings and God. Today, God still warns youths against acts of immorality. Though the society may approve of it, Christian youths should know that God will punish those who engage in it. The only remedy is salvation through Christ.

The text under consideration also contains controversies, which Christ had with His hearers as He taught the truth about Himself. Christ made some specific claims about Himself, which annoyed the Pharisees. Obviously, they accepted Him as a great teacher, but they did not acknowledge and accept Him as their Saviour. To them: “Art thou greater than our father Abraham, which is dead? and the prophets are dead: whom makest thou thyself?” (John 8:53). “And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God” (John 6:69).

DIVINE SOURCE OF TRUE CONVERSION (John 8:1-11; Exodus 20:14; Leviticus 20:10-21; Numbers 25:1-9; Proverbs 7:23-27; Colossians 3:5,6; Hebrews 13:4; Revelation 21:8; Ephesians 5:3-7)

“And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst❞ (John 8:3). Both the Old and New Testaments condemn immorality. Before the Law, God disapproved of adultery (Genesis 35:22; 49:3,4). During the time of the law, God specifically gave a command against immorality. “Do not prostitute thy daughter, to cause her to be a whore; lest the land fall to whoredom, and the land become full of wickedness” (Leviticus 19:29). Also during the kings and the prophets, God’s commandment remained the same (2 Samuel 11:2-5; 12:7).

In the Gospels, Christ was greatly outspoken against immorality in all its forms. “Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart” (Matthew 5:27,28). In the Epistles, God did not permit it (1 Corinthians 6:15, 16; James 4:4). He also frowned at it in the last book of the Bible; that is, the book of Revelation (Revelation 2:20- 23). Therefore, let all youths know that God’s word remains the same.

Question 1: Distinguish between adultery and fornication?

Adultery is extramarital relationship between a married person and a person who is not his or her spouse (husband or wife), while fornication is immoral relationship between unmarried person (boyfriend/girlfriend relationship). Immorality is of various shapes and forms. It includes adultery, fornication, uncleanness, homosexuality, etc. The Bible describes the sinning youths as “Having eyes full of adultery“, filled with “the lust of the flesh“, “giving themselves over to fornication“, with “the works of the flesh”, and who are “filled with all unrighteousness“, and who “defile the temple of God” (2 Peter 2:14; 1 John 2:15; Jude 7; Galatians 5:19; Romans 1:29; 1 Corinthians 3:17). “They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act” (John 8:4).

The Pharisees were not sincere in their actions. They should have brought both the man and the woman if they wanted to act in accordance with the laws of Moses. “If a man be found lying with a woman married to an husband, then they shall both of them die, both the man that lay with the woman, and the woman: so shalt thou put away evil from Israel” (Deuteronomy 22:22). Therefore, the Pharisees’ action was out of hatred against Jesus. This they did, “tempting him that they might have to accuse him” (John 8:6).

There is punishment for all sins both here on earth and in eternity. However, there is a heavy punishment on those who commit immorality. In the Old Testament, those who committed immorality were stoned to death (Leviticus 20:10). It is not only married people who committed immorality that were punished by God but also the unmarried who did the same. “And the daughter of any priest, if she profane herself by playing the whore, she profaneth her father: she shall be burnt with fire” (Leviticus 21:9).

Question 2: What are the consequences of committing immorality?

“Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge” (Hebrews 13:4). In the teaching of Scriptures, all forms of immorality is sin against God, self and others. The consequences of immorality affect the person who committed the sin now and in eternity if there is no repentance. Sometimes, the marks of the sin remain with the individual even after repentance. Some of the consequences of immorality include conflict in the family (Genesis 16:1-3,11,12; 2 Samuel 11:2-5; 12:7-12), confusion in the society (Genesis 19:30- 38), curse from God (Genesis 49:3,4), premature death (Numbers 25:1-9; 1 Samuel 2:22; 4:11; 2 Samuel 13:11-14,28-30) and eternal damnation in hell (Matthew 5:27-30). Immorality also results in Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) which are common and contagious today.

However, Jesus handled the matter wisely. He knew their intention. They quoted the law of Moses to Him but Jesus did not focus on it because He came to fulfil the law by bringing mercy to those that are willing to repent (Matthew 5:17). Jesus told them that those without sin should cast the first stone. They all shamefully left because they were convicted of their own guilts. They were not totally free from sins (Hebrews 4:12). Total freedom can only come from Christ (John 8:36). All youths should know that total freedom from sin is only found in Christ (Acts 4:12).

Question 3: What are the practical steps sinful and immoral youths should take to receive mercy from God?

“For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more” (Hebrews 8:12). Unclean youths can be free through these steps:

One, accept your sinfulness before the Lord.

Two, repent from all known sins with all your heart.

Three, believe on the Lord Jesus Christ with all your heart.

Four, destroy all materials that could bring immoral thoughts and influence on you.

Five, keep away from all objects of temptation. “Abstain from all appearance of evil” (1 Thessalonians 5:22; John 8:11).

After receiving forgiveness from the past sins, you are to live in holiness and righteousness all the days of your life. In this study, there is a call to self-examination: are you free from all forms of immorality both in the private and public? “But whoso committeth adultery with a woman lacketh understanding: he that doeth it destroyeth his own soul” (Proverbs 6:32). Today, the mercy of God is still available for all who are ready to repent and turn away from their sins.

CHRIST THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD (John 8:12-29; 1:1- 12,14,16,18; 9:1-7; 2 Corinthians 4:3,4; Isaiah 55:6,7)

“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” (John 8:12). Christ revealed Himself as the source of hope in darkest hours. Darkness can be in forms of sin or trials. As the light of the world, Jesus will always be there for those that follow Him.

 Question 4: What are the significance of Christ being the Light of the world?

“In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not” (John 1:4,5). Christ, being the Light of the world, has some implications.

One, Christ drives away darkness (Ephesians 5:8).

Two, He is the only source of true righteousness (Malachi 4:2). He is the hope of eternal life.

Three, God sent Him to translate us from the kingdom of darkness to the kingdom of light. Unfortunately, some rejected Christ – the Light of the world. That was the true light which lighteth every man that cometh into the world” (John 1:9). Their religious leaders wilfully disbelieved Christ’s testimony and rejected His record (John 8:13). Consequently, their house was left to them desolate (Matthew 23:37, 38). They missed their day of divine visitation. “Then said Jesus again unto them, I go my way, and ye shall seek me, and shall die in your sins: whither I go, ye cannot come” (verse 21).

Question 5: What destiny awaits sinful youths who reject the gospel light?

“He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him” (John 3:36). Christ’s response towards rejecters of the gospel is weighty. The Pharisees were abandoned to their fate because of their wilful and persistent rejections of all possible means to show them the light. They rejected Christ and His truths. Eventually, they damned their souls in hell.

DIVINE SUCCOUR THROUGH CHRIST (John 8: 30-57; 10: 10; 1 John 3:7-10 Daniel 7:13,14; Isaiah 9:6; Proverbs 8:22-30; Micah 5:2; Revelation 22:12,13)

“Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed in him, if ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed” (John 8:31). Christ’s words brought conviction upon the hearts of some of His hearers. As He spoke, they believed on Him. In response to their decision, He revealed the condition of true discipleship. A moment of decision for and acceptance of Christ brings salvation and relationship with God. To remain in that relationship, one needs to continue in the truth of the Word of God. This will lead into Christ’s unlimited riches and treasures. “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (verse 32).

Unfortunately, those Jews still missed the point. They were rather thinking of political freedom, whereas, Christ was talking about spiritual freedom.

Question 6: How do some youths, though religious, contradict their privileged positions in the church and family?

Like those Jews, some youths claim to come from Christian homes, or are children of Christian leaders, but live contrary to the beliefs and stand of the families they represent. There are those who claim membership of a Bible Church, but fail to live according to the Bible stand of the Church they claim. To those Jews, Jesus revealed the truth even if they were Abraham’s natural seed; “Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him, when he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own; for he is a liar, and the father of it.” (verse 44). Christ’s statement here is thought-provoking. Being the child of a good Christian father, mother or leader does not give salvation. Membership in a good church has no value in the sight of God if you are still manifesting the deeds of the devil. This is the solemn truth. Sinning youths cannot live above sin because the lusts of their father (satan) they will do. They do not have the power or grace to say “NO” to satan. As the devil cannot abide in the truth, in like manner, sinning youths cannot abide in the truth. Murderers, including youths who commit abortion and liars of whatever kind, are spiritually related to the devil.