A Matter of Trust

A MATTER OF TRUST
JOHN 8:42-45

42 Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and I am here. I came not of my own accord, but he sent me. 43 Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot bear to hear my word. 44 You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and has nothing to do with the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies. 45 But because I tell the truth, you do not believe me. 46 Which one of you convicts me of sin? If I tell the truth, why do you not believe me? 47 Whoever is of God hears the words of God. The reason why you do not hear them is that you are not of God.”

In the name of Jesus:

Who Do You Trust was an American game show, which aired from 1957 to 1963. It held a prime afternoon time slot, prime in that it was aired when kids got home from school.
Three couples competed on each show, nearly always a man and a woman chosen for their unique backgrounds; the announcer would introduce couples one at a time, and Carson spent more time interviewing the contestants than quizzing them. In the quiz portion, Carson would tell the male contestant the category of the upcoming question; the man would then have to decide whether to answer the question himself or "trust" the woman to do so. Three questions were played per couple, worth $25, $50, and $75; if two or all three couples tied in the cash winnings, they were asked a question involving a numerical answer; the couple coming closest to the correct answer moved on to the bonus game. The couple kept on playing on the succeeding episodes until they were defeated.
In our text for today, Jesus focuses our attention on who we are to trust. Simply put, there are two types of people in the world. There are those who do not trust God, and those who do. There are those who do not belong to God and therefore do not trust God, and those who do belong to God and hence, trust in Him. Jesus tells us the difference in our text.
Those who do not belong to God are those who do not trust in Him. They give evidence of not trusting in Him by the way they live their lives. Just note how Jesus was treated by those who did not believe in Him as Jesus explains in His own words: “It is because you cannot bear to hear my word. 44 You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires.”
Those who did not hear Jesus were the Pharisees of His day and age. The Pharisees did not want to hear God and His Word. Oh, they knew God’s Word, but they didn’t take it to heart. The Jews were very annoyed at Jesus’ preaching. They ridiculed Him, called Him names, such as a Samaritan, (which was the lowest and most vile you could say of anyone) and even said that He was possessed of the devil. To show their animosity toward Jesus, set even set out to kill Him by crucifying Christ.
The same holds true toady, for today people live in the same manner toward Jesus. Many do not want to hear the Word of God. They want nothing to do with God and His Word. They revile God and His Word, curse God, only know God as a curse word, and they despise the church, Godly authority and live as they please. Foolishly these people believe that humans evolved from apes, hence it is no wonder they live like animals, and it is shown in the way they treat God and others.
Jesus warns in our text that the devil himself is at work in these people. Give the devil an inch, he will take a mile. And in their own mind, they think that they are doing right and are virtuous. They will do a beautiful job covering up their ignorance of God and His Word, they allow themselves to think that they are doing right, even they may appear that they are doing right, and in their own right ways, they think that they are serving the greater good. Jesus’ judgment is decisive. You are not of God! He says “43 why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot bear to hear my word. 44 You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and has nothing to do with the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies. 45 But because I tell the truth, you do not believe me. 46 Which one of you convicts me of sin? If I tell the truth, why do you not believe me? 47 Whoever is of God hears the words of God. The reason why you do not hear them is that you are not of God.” Jesus speaks a stern word: You don’t hear Me because you are not of God. Whoever isn’t of God is of the devil, plain and simple.
This is how we were from the moment we were conceived, enemies of God. But God has called you by the Gospel of Jesus Christ; He has given to you the new birth through the waters of your Baptism. You no longer belong to yourself or the devil. You belong to God. To belong to God means that you are of God. This is what Jesus means when He says that you are of God, for God has purchased and won you by the blood shed on His cross. Christ has paid the price to make you His own, He has bought you back, He has redeemed you, you belong to Him.
Jesus says that blessed are those who hear the Word of God and keep it. Those who belong to God love God, love to hear His Word and voice, and desire to keep hearing His voice. If you love someone in life, whether it is your spouse, parent, child, no matter whom, you long to hear their voice. That is the one thing I miss seeing as both of my parents have died, I miss hearing their voices. I treasure those times now I can spend with loved ones. So it is with our relationship with God. To be of God is to treasure His Word. To be of God means that you hear God’s Word of Law spoken and proclaimed, and convicted of your transgressions and sins, you repent. To repent means to turn around, to change. This is done when you confess that you have done wrong, ask for mercy in Jesus Christ, and seek to then give up your evil ways. God has done this for us in our Baptism whereby we have been given a new life and made into new creatures, God’s children through the washing of the water with the Word.
Daily we are called by God to turn from our sins, from the world, from the voice of Satan, and to listen and follow Christ. You have heard me talk about remembering your baptism. Remembering your baptism is simply, daily, confessing your sins to God, asking Him for forgiveness in Christ, and then making that turn in your life to follow Jesus. Baptism is not just a one time act, but it is a continual, daily washing away of your sins so that God then recreates you to be the person He has called you to be in Jesus. Just note what Luther says about Baptism and what it signifies: It, Baptism, signifies that the old Adam within us should by daily contrition and repentance be drowned and die with all sins and evil lusts, all so that a new person, created by the power of the Holy Spirit will rise in our lives to serve God by how we live our lives. We remember our Baptism daily when we confess our sins to God and ask Him for forgiveness. For in confessing our sins we put to death the sin in our lives so that being forgiven by Christ we rise to newness of life.
And yet, in rising to newness of life, we will still face trials and difficulties in our lives. Once we have been placed on God’s side, Satan then becomes our enemy and seeks to drive us away from God. Satan now seeks your destruction. Scripture warns that the Christian needs to remain alert and be vigilant in life for the devil is like a roaring lion seeking those whom He will devour.
This is why Christ urges His children to cling to His Word. To hear His voice, to listen to His voice, and to follow Him so that we might live in peace. If a parent sees a child running into danger, the parent shouts a warning. The child then needs to not only hear that voice, but also heed the warning the follow what has been said. Christ warns sinners of certain death. Jesus calls sinners to turn from sin, from Satan, and from certain death to trust in Christ. Change direction, Jesus says. Repent. God’s Kingdom is at hand.
God has placed you in His Kingdom in the waters of Baptism. He speaks to you in His Word. He tenderly invites you to hear of His mercy, love and forgiveness. Jesus says blessed are they who hear the Word of God and keep it, for when His Good News is treasured and kept in your heart and life then you have what Jesus has promised, namely forgiveness of sins and eternal life.
What then of this life? Jesus promises that there will be trouble and trial and tribulation for those who are of God. Why? Because they have turned their back on Satan and the world. They trust not in the world, but in Christ and His Word. And His Word gives life, forgiveness, and power over sin, Satan and death. Christ has rescued us from death and sin and the devil by His suffering, death, and resurrection. God’s Word is powerful for it gives what it promises. God’s Word produces in our hearts and lives joy; peace that surpasses all understanding, and a quiet confidence in Christ.
If we diligently hold to God and His Word, we will remain His people. If we treasure the Gospel, believe it, allow our lives to be shaped by it, we will be blessed beyond measure, because God has chosen to bless and show mercy in Christ. Jesus and His Word will be our armor and sure defense in times of trouble.
Yet if we forsake God and His Word, there is no greater punishment than for God to say to us: I do not know you, depart from Me you workers of iniquity. So fellow sinner, turn from sin, trust in Christ for forgiveness and life. Daily repent of your sin and turn to Christ. Follow Him, so that you might say as Joshua did in the Old Testament: “As for me, and my house, we will serve the Lord!”
Amen