The Testimony About Jesus Series

The Testimony about Jesus

John 5:31-47

Introduction

- The gospel of John screams of the faith that we should have in Christ

-- It is the clearest example of living life FOR the one who redeemed you and I

- On Sunday Mike preached about the authority of Christ

• Jesus always has been God (He was)

• Jesus offers salvation today (He is)

• Jesus will be God in the future and will judge sin (He will be)

- Tonight we will examine the testimony of Jesus as he corrects the Jews

-- Re: These are people who say they know God, and know what His word says

-- Yet, they are outed before everyone within ear shot about their belief and faith

- Read John 5:31-47 / Pray

∆ Point 1 – The Testimony about Jesus

- The Jews are asking an interesting question about Jesus

-- Re: Everything in these times was based on testimony: someone had to say …

-- Their thoughts are always looking for the answer: Who testifies about you?

-- So, He knows what’s in their hearts so he gives them an answer

- But what he does is give them examples (testimony) to corroborate His story

-- To them, they miss the importance of the answer; but we cannot …

- First testimony:

-- There is another (v32) who testifies … this is the Father; the One who knows

-- God already knows what Christ is doing, and will do – they are together

- APP: Consider: If Jesus takes the Father at His word, why do we need more?

-- The call of the Christian is to obey; to trust; and to lean fully on the Lord

-- If we continue to try to figure this out ourselves, we will fail (make lousy God’s)

- Second testimony:

-- We have the testimony of John the Baptist, who the Jews regarded highly

-- The Jews in turn were happy to hear about a coming Messiah, but not who it is

- They do not want to repent and turn to Christ; but they still hope for a promise

-- APP: More than likely Jesus did not fit their mold … so He is rejected

- Third testimony:

-- The works that Jesus is performing (v36) gives weight to who He is

-- Fact: Jesus has come to do things greater than the word John is proclaiming

-- He has come to do what God asked Him to finish (the redemption of creation)

-- Re: Only the creator can redeem what rightfully belongs to Him

- Fourth testimony:

-- However, in rejecting the Christ, they reject the Father as well (v37-38)

-- God Himself testified that a redeemer would come, but they’ve rejected it

- They refuse to believe all that they know is right before their eyes

-- So in rejecting the Son, they are in earnest rejecting the Father! (v38)

-- If they do not believe Jesus, then they can’t/mustn’t believe the Son!

- Fifth testimony:

-- Finally, Jesus refers them to what we have in our hands as well (v39-40)

-- He essentially says: You call yourselves bible scholars, but you’re clueless!

-- You know what you need to do to gain eternal life, but you refuse to believe it

-- APP: Since you refuse that I am the Messiah … you refuse the life that I bring

- APP: It is the doubt of humanity that causes us to reject the Word before us

-- We choose to turn away and deny that Jesus is Lord (to our own detriment)

-- Jesus gives this rebuke so that they would know why they don’t have life

-- However, it is also the same many may hear in eternity: “Depart from me …”

- TRANS: So what will you and I believe about this testimony?

∆ Point 2 – Who will we believe?

- Now, we have a heavy piece of scripture that we have to tackle together

-- It’s my prayer that I will do well in explaining this, but also draw us closer

- Jesus now turns to accuse and condemn those who refuse to believe who He is

-- Re: These are “scholars” of God’s word, yet they have no grasp of the truth

-- From Moses to the Messiah they clung to it, but never accepted what it says

-- Without the love of God in their hearts, they totally miss/refuse Christ’s offer

- (v41-42) Jesus tells them that He does not need human approval/praise

-- This is not what drives Him and not what He seeks as validation

- Re-read John 2:24-25 …

-- Jesus’ knowledge of their true faith is what is represented here in v24

-- His motive is clear: He knows what their heart condition is; not fooled by it