John 8:21-30 | "What Happens If You Don’t Believe in Jesus?"

 
 
John 8:21-30 | "What Happens If You Don’t Believe in Jesus?"
Pastor Will Stern

What is the most important “what if” question you could ever ask? What happens if you don’t believe in Jesus?

In John 8:21–30, Jesus gives a sobering warning to those who refuse to believe in Him. Apart from Christ, we remain in our sins, face the coming judgment, and will ultimately be separated from Him forever. These are difficult truths, but they make the good news of the gospel all the more precious.

There are only two ways to die: in our sins or in the Lord. Those who repent and put their trust in Jesus are united to Him, justified by His righteousness, and given the promise of eternal life. The call is urgent: flee to Christ for mercy while there is still time!

Sermon Outline

I. You Will Die in Your Sin

  • Sin separates us from a holy God.

  • Apart from Christ, our sin defines us and leaves us under the judgment of death.

  • In Christ, our sins are forgiven and His righteousness is counted to us.

II. You Will Appear Before the Judgment Seat of Christ

  • Everyone will one day stand before Christ.

  • Those who reject Him will face a terrible day of reckoning.

  • Those who trust in Christ will stand justified, clothed in His righteousness.

III. You Will Be Separated from Christ Forever

  • God is the source of true joy, life, peace, and happiness.

  • Those who reject Christ will be separated from His glorious presence.

  • Those who believe in Christ will enjoy eternal fellowship with God.

Study and Discussion Questions

  1. Why does Jesus say that those who do not believe in Him will die in their sins? What does it mean to be dead in sin?

  2. How does the Bible’s understanding of sin differ from the idea that our good deeds can outweigh our bad deeds?

  3. What does it mean to be united to Christ? How are our sins counted to Him and His righteousness counted to us?

  4. Why is the coming judgment such a sobering reality for those who reject Christ? How should the certainty of judgment affect the way we live today?

  5. What does it mean to stand before the judgment seat of Christ clothed in His righteousness? How does this change the way believers should think about the final judgment?

  6. Jesus warns that those who reject Him will be separated from Him forever. Why is separation from God itself a terrible judgment?

  7. What do justification, adoption, sanctification, and glorification teach us about the blessings of believing in Jesus?

  8. Why do we need to be born again in order to believe? What does this teach us about our dependence upon the Holy Spirit?

  9. The sermon emphasizes that today it is not too late to flee to Christ. How should this urgency shape our evangelism and our concern for those who do not yet believe?

Scripture Passages Cited

Primary Text

  • John 8:21–30

Additional Passages

  • John 3:3

  • John 3:16

  • John 3:18

  • John 8:21, 23–24, 28

  • Ephesians 2:1

  • Romans 5:12

  • Revelation 14:13

  • Matthew 25:11–13

  • Matthew 26:63–64

  • Revelation 6:15

  • 2 Corinthians 5:10

  • Philippians 2:10–11

  • 2 Thessalonians 1:9–10