John, Part 21
Series: The Messiah’s Confirmation, Part 6
John 5:39-47
- Continue our series: “The Messiah’s Confirmation” (part 6, final msg of series)
-- Ch 5 is a look into the 2nd year ministry events of Jesus; pilgrimage feast time
-- Prob. Feast of Tabernacles: 7-day remembrance of Israel’s 40 yrs in wilderness
- Last week, celebrated Christmas through the revelation of His testimony
-- How? What began with His Word is the only Truth we can depend on
-- CH: If it is not true … what is? What can remain constant for us?
- Consider this our “New Year” message; hope to prepare us for 2026
-- Many are busy creating needless resolutions which will always fail … why?
-- Because they are based on human emotions, desires, and effort! (re: go to gym)
- Jesus calls us to depend on Him, to trust in the words & promises of God alone
-- This is why Jesus’s words are so precious here … and why we should lean in
-- What He says is our challenge: (UND) it is a contradiction to our human wants
Read John 5:39-47 / Pray One Theme: The Messiah’s Mission
- Note takers: Examine 5 truths on why people say no to Jesus …
1. People refuse to give up control
- Why? It’s simple: They don’t want to! (APP: don’t overcomplicate this)
-- We believe that we have everything in hand so there’s no reason to change!
-- Yet, it is our own sin that constantly blinds us to what we are trapped in
- This is why Jesus said they (we) “refuse to come to…” v40 Him (for life)
-- We want to be known for our wisdom because we want it for our own desires
- We’ve covered this many times in last few yrs: “we” make lousy “gods” …
• We are terrible at judging (don’t do it justly – talked 2 weeks ago: see v30)
• We fail at being loving to everyone we encounter (we want to be #1)
• We have no ability to discern our ego from how grace should be given
2. People do not sincerely love God
- Consider who Jesus is talking with v42: this is the professed “religious”
-- They profess to worship faithfully, knew the Scriptures, were always praying
-- But everything revealed a deeper problem: a selfishness in their heart!
- APP: If they truly loved God, they would have an earnest love for God’s Son!
-- So Jesus said that God knows them … and He knows you too! Job 34:21-22
- We might fool everyone - but cannot fool God when it comes to how we live
-- These did not really love God, but instead they worship “a god” they created
-- A kinder, gentler, affirming, accepting “deity” that approved of their life choices
-- APP: We see this today: “… but God loves me, He would not judge me …”
3. People willingly accept “false messiahs”
- Look at what Jesus says: He comes in God’s name and they reject Him! v43
-- However, when they come in their own name we flock to them in droves!
-- Consider those men/women who have huge followings on social media
-- What is it about them that draws such a crowd? Aren’t they sinful humans too?
- False messiah’s are clowns looking for a circus: they are ridiculous; easy to spot
-- But, you must know what you are looking for; comes from the Truth in you
-- KEY: Not “your truth”; but truth of a relationship with God, through Jesus
- FACT: People want to escape from reality so they look for easy replacements
-- Look for things that will give them comfort, prosperity, power, easy road, etc.
-- HARD: We look for where we’ll find no accountability; it’s easy to blend in
-- IMP: Jesus tells them what they REALLY need: Look up at John 5:19; 21; 24
- A false messiah is nothing more than a fraud who desires unearned loyalty
-- They are sent to deceive, sent to distract you, sent to give you an “easier life”
-- Jesus plainly told us that life is hard – YET we CAN come to HIM for rest
-- CHALL: There is NO other religious or societal impact that offers you “rest”
4. People want the approval of other people
- THINK: Every day we see more examples of people desiring others approval
-- Whether it’s on the job, in the home, on the internet, in the friend group, etc.
-- CH: We prefer to get one another’s approval vs. the approval of a merciful God
- SEE: Jesus said in v44, “No wonder you can’t believe!”
-- Orig. Greek text: “Pós dunamai su pisteuó doxa para allelon lambanó?”
-- Implied Confusion: “How are you able to believe glory from one another?”
- Heart Check: As you go about your daily life, who’s approval do you seek?
• EX: Do we live hoping people will think we are “good”?
• EX: Do we pray hoping people will think we are “so spiritual”?
• EX: Do we serve/give wanting our community to think we are “holy”?
-- This is the challenge Jesus presents: WE always want more: Galatians 6:3
- Now watch how Jesus ties this together: Unbiased wisdom (the big why)
5. People reject God’s word as the truth
- Re-Read 45-47 Identifying our own hypocrisy is the first step to repentance!
- These are probably the harshest words here; but the most challenging – WHY?
• They didn’t believe what Moses taught them; 10 Commandments
• They chose to live a life that exposed their hypocrisy to a righteous God
• Therefore, they would be condemned by the one they allegedly “praised”!
-- REM: Moses told them what was coming: Deuteronomy 18:15-19
- SEE: In all of their “religious living”, they refused to see the most imp. truth:
• They did not believe the prophecies about a coming Messiah
• They called Moses honorable - but treated his teachings as optional
• How? They created laws to satisfy their wants & bring people to themselves
-- CHALL: If they’d do that, why would they believe Jesus is the Messiah?
BIG IDEA
- Same prob. exists today: How many call Jesus good but refuse Him as Lord?
-- See ourselves in these 5 items – how many of us choose “something” over Him?
-- How many of us are willing to compromise and hope God isn’t watching?
-- This is the place where that can come to end … where you CAN be changed!
-- CH: When will you stop making Jesus your hobby and receive Him as Lord?
- Pray
