A Father Like You. John 5:19-23NKJV
An atheist said to a Quaker, “have you ever seen God?’ ‘Have you ever felt God?’ ‘Have you ever smelled God?’ ‘And you say you have God!” After a long pause, the Quaker replied, “Hast thou ever seen thy Brains?’ ‘Hast thou ever felt thy brains?’ ‘Hast thy ever smelled thy brains?’ ‘And thou sayest thou hast brains!”
One little boy's definition of Father's Day went like this: "Well, it's just like Mother's Day, only you don't spend so much.”
To set this mornings text up, In John 5, Jesus spoke to a man at the pool of Bethesda, he had been afflicted for 38 years. Jesus heals this man! -However, Jesus heals him on the Sabbath. These Jews ask the recent healed man, who healed him? Jesus. Jesus, healed me!
John 5:16-17NKJV For this reason the Jews persecuted Jesus, and sought to kill Him, because He had done these things on the Sabbath. 17 But Jesus answered them, “My Father has been working until now, and I have been working.”
John 5:18NKJV Therefore the Jews sought all the more to kill Him, because He not only broke the Sabbath, but also said that God was His Father, making Himself equal with God.
To a devout Jew the words of Jesus were blasphemy. Making oneself equal with God.
Finally, Jesus reveals a Father like His. How does that sound? -A father like you!
In, John 5:17-24 Jesus makes four unmistakable claims to full equality with the Father: He is equal with the Father 1). In His person (John 5:17–18), 2) In His works (John 5:19–20), 3) In His sovereign power (John 5:21), 4) In His judgment (John 5:22),
Let’s look at it. John 5:19-23NKJV Then Jesus answered and said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner. 20 For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things that He Himself does; and He will show Him greater works than these, that you may marvel. 21 For as the Father raises the dead and gives life to them, even so the Son gives life to whom He will. 22 For the Father judges no one, but has committed all judgment to the Son, 23 that all should honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him.
What Jesus is saying here will ultimately lead to His crucifixion. Jesus was claiming to be the Messiah.
There's no doubt what Jesus was saying. He was making Himself equal to God. The Father had work for Jesus to accomplish: He was to give life. -Fathers give life.
Dr. James Dobson states, "There is no higher calling on earth for men than to be a father. Dads are a dime a dozen, but who will be a Father?”
Several points I want you to receive this morning on Fathers Day:
1. If you desire a gathering of unity submission is key.
John 5:19MSG So Jesus explained himself at length. "I'm telling you this straight. The Son can't independently do a thing, only what he sees the Father doing. What the Father does, the Son does.
Jesus is all about submission. Fathers, be the man, and refuse the final say.
Matthew 26:39AMP And after going a little farther, He fell face down and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it is possible [that is, consistent with Your will], let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as You will.”
Again a little later hear the full submission of Jesus in, Matthew 26:42AMP He went away a second time and prayed, saying, “My Father, if this cannot pass away unless I drink it, Your will be done.”
The Fathers will, and the will of Jesus go hand ’n’ hand. Meaning this, staying alined to their will is the key. -God’s will should be protocol.
Most theologians agree that John 5:19–23, is some of the deepest teachings and thoughts of Jesus.
2. The Father wants to include you in everything He does.
John 5:20MSG The Father loves the Son and includes Him in everything He does.
Mark Twain once said, “When I was a boy of 14 my father was so ignorant I could hardly stand to have the old man around. But when I got to be 21, I was astonished at how much the old man learned in 7 years.”
Here's fascinating news, Your walk with God gives you a front row seat. Father wants to include you in everything.
2 Chronicles 20:20NKJV... Jehoshaphat stood and said, “Hear me, O Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem: Believe in the Lord your God, and you shall be established; believe His prophets, and you shall prosper.”
Believe the gospel, believe His promises, believe His massagers, and you shall prosper!
3. The Father raises the dead, and creates life, so does the Son.
Hear this word- Fathers create life!
John 5:21MSG for in the same way that the Father raises the dead and creates life, so does the Son. The Son gives life to anyone he chooses.
Key question: Got any dead things? What needs life? What needs resuscitating? How about rehab? What needs resurrecting? What needs to be surgically removed?
You might say, how can I create life?
Proverbs 18:21NLT The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences.
What does your tongue sow? Whatever it sows will be the result of what it reaps. -Speak life over everything.
I am reminded of a story circulating among the outdoor types, which goes something like this. In the mountains of the Northwest, a man was sitting beside a campfire while he roasted some kind of bird over the fire with eager anticipation. About this time, a forest ranger came upon the camp and asked the camper what he was preparing for dinner. The camper replied that it was a seagull. A frown came over the ranger’s face as he informed this fellow that it was against the law to kill that particular bird, and that he would have to give him a citation. The camper responded by telling the ranger how he had lost his way and had consumed all of his food. In desperation, he had managed to kill this seagull to maintain his strength. After listening sympathetically, the forest ranger told the fellow he would let him go this time with just a warning, and the camper thanked the ranger profusely. Just as the ranger was about to leave, he asked the camper, “Just out of curiosity, what does seagull taste like?” Thinking for a moment, the camper responded, “Well, I would place it somewhere between a spotted owl and a bald eagle.”
Your words have the ability to offer others life. Your words incriminate, or your words can offer freedom.
Jesus states in, Matthew 12:37 For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned."
Real Father’s speak life. Father-God speaks life. Jesus speaks life. -You speak life!
4. Fathers don’t shut anyone out. Fathers go the extra mile.
John 5:22MSG Neither He nor the Father shuts anyone out. The Father handed all authority to judge over to the Son
Testimony of my father/my dad: Growing up in a retail store taught me many lessons. Almost in every occasion the customer was always right. My dad and mom treated others in the way they wanted to be treated.
Fathers, Jesus is judge, and you are not.
5. Fathers are all about honor. Fathers build up. Fathers make life better.
John 5:23MSG So that the Son will be honored equally with the Father. Anyone who dishonors the Son, dishonors the Father, for it was the Father's decision to put the Son in the place of honor.
“Son/Daughter, prepare your heart to honor your father. -Honor begets honor!
Fathers are all about honor. This paralyzed man of 38 years, picks up his mat and walks.
John 5:8-9MSG Jesus said, “Get up, take your bedroll, start walking.” The man was healed on the spot. He picked up his bedroll and walked off.
Ready to hear his testimony? He cried out in praise, “Jesus healed my legs, I can walk. Praise God I can walk!”
Benediction- Maybe you're here today and you need to experience a father like God, and a Son like Jesus. The Holy presence of God, the Holy Spirit is here to walk with you, and to carry you at times!
