“I Always Do Those Things That Please Him”

Introduction. (John 8:21-29). This morning let’s take a look at the statements that Jesus makes in these last two verses and consider some important points that He makes. We will particullarly look at the example that Jesus offers to us.

I. John 8:28.

  1. “When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He.” The crucifixion & resurrection served as a final identification of who Jesus was.
    1. The Christ had to suffer. (Luke 24:13-32; Acts 17:1-3).
    2. The crucifixion draws men to Christ. (John 12:31-33).
  2. “I do nothing of Myself.” Everything that Jesus did, was done taking into consideration what God the Father wanted Him to do. What an example for us.
    1. If the Lord wills. (James 4:13-15).
    2. Speak for your servant hears. (I Samuel 3:1-10).
  3. “But as My Father taught Me, I speak these things.” Jesus spoke what had been given to Him by the Father. We should speak those things that God has taught us through His word.
    1. Speak as the oracles of God. (I Peter 4:10,11). This is a stewardship which we are given.
    2. Not the word of man. (I Thessalonians 2:13). We like Paul & like Jesus must make our speech more than just “the word of man.”

II. John 8:29.

  1. “And He who sent Me is with Me.” Jesus was send on a mission from God. I John 4 tells us three things that He was sent to be: 1. Savior (vs. 14), 2. Propitiation for our sins (vs. 10), and 3. That we might live through Him (4:9).
    1. So I send you. (John 20:19,20). We are not sent to be saviors or the propitiation -- but we are sent to fulfil what Christ was sent to do. I.e. We can help others “live through Him.”
  2. “The Father has not left Me alone.”
    1. I am with you. (Matthew 28:18-20). Jesus didn’t try to do this alone. Neither must we.
  3. “I always do those things that please Him.” This is a phenomenal statement! I heard a preacher joke once about what a good child he was -- I am certain he couldn’t make this statement. We should aspire to do the same.
    1. Fully pleasing Him. (Colossians 1:9-11). We must never allow ourselves to be content “partial obedience.” E.g. I have a preacher friend who told me about his dog, Myra, that her “Obedience is effected by her energy level.” Partial obedience is disobedience.
    2. Things pleasing in His sight. (I John 3:22). Jesus could be sure that God the Father was with Him because He “always” did what pleased God. Here we see that our confidence in prayer rests on the same thing.

Conclusion. (I John 2:6) Jesus is our example in all things. The very attitudes we have seen demonstrated in His word in John 8:28,29 set for us wonderful examples which we should follow.