“Lifted Up” John 8:28,29 Jesus Must Die Source of Knowledge The Great Attraction 1

“Lifted Up” John 8:28,29 Jesus Must Die  John 3:14,15  To be lifted up on the cross in death  This is a reference to the crucifixion  John 12:33 tells us this  “must” shows us divine necessity  True, this is part of God’s plan  More importantly, this is God’s eternal purpose 2

“Lifted Up” John 8:28,29 Jesus Must Die  It was necessary for Christ to die because:  No other person could pay the price for our sins so we might be forgiven and free  Nothing but a crucified Christ can draw men to God or even hear the preaching  As Christ is lifted up, many who hear will believe 3

“Lifted Up” John 8:28,29 Source of Knowledge  John 8:28,29  Emphasis is on the truth of Christ only being known after the crucifixion  The cross is the only basis of true knowledge  “when” gives us the time frame of after 4

“Lifted Up” John 8:28,29 Source of Knowledge  Only at the cross of Christ can the stubborn and rebellious will of man be conquered  Our rebellious will is the major barrier to the reception of God’s truth  Only at the cross can that barrier be removed  Only at the cross is the light of God’s revelation enabled to illuminate the soul  John 7:17 5

“Lifted Up” John 8:28,29 Source of Knowledge  In the glory of the cross we have proof  God’s power is manifested in the resurrection  It is the fullest proof of Christ’s divinity and teaching  "hupsoo” is used – meaning to exalt or elevate  John is thinking of Christ’s glorification even as he is writing of the crucifixion  A sad outcome for the leaders 6

“Lifted Up” John 8:28,29 The Great Attraction  John 12:32  This verse speaks of the drawing power of the uplifted Christ  Jesus is the great attraction  R. A. Torrey’s sermon “The Uplifted Christ”  Our need of a Savior – Romans 3:22,23  God’s love for us – 1 John 3:16; Romans 5:8 7

“Lifted Up” John 8:28,29 Christ lifted up is important for 3 reasons: 1. Because it was absolutely necessary within the eternal plan of God to save sinners 2. Because it is the sure basis for all true knowledge in spiritual things 3. Because of the fact that the uplifted Christ draws sinful, ignorant, and rebellious men and women to him, conquering them by the unimaginable, unfathomable love of the cross 8

“Lifted Up” John 8:28,29 Application Has the love of the uplifted Christ conquered your heart? Has the love of the uplifted Christ conquered your heart? Have you stood at the foot of the cross and surveyed the uplifted Savior to truly see your constant need for His work in your heart and mind? Have you stood at the foot of the cross and surveyed the uplifted Savior to truly see your constant need for His work in your heart and mind? 9