“What Do We Do With Jesus?”
John 5:16-47
Sermon Series: “Getting Acquainted With Jesus”
Introduction: One of my greatest frustrations is that I know and say most of the right things about Jesus, but I often do not do what He wants me to do. Do you ever feel that way?
Everybody has a god-even atheists. I believe that whatever we value the most is our god. Based on this test, who is your God? The big issue for us is not intellectual atheism, but it is practical atheism. Practical atheism is claiming to believe in God/Jesus, but denying Him with our lives. I believe that is a rampant problem.
The Jewish religious leaders wanted to kill Jesus for being a blasphemer. However, Jesus said that we are to honor Him as they honor the Father (v. 23). I believe this hits the nail on the head. If Jesus is not God, we should totally reject Him as an imposter. If He is God, we should totally embrace Him and honor Him as our God. However, we should get off the fence and go in one direction or the other. If He is God, there is no room for us to play religious games and fake honoring Him (Matthew 15:1-9).
1. Jesus claims to be God (v. 16-18). Jesus responded to them being upset over Him doing a miracle on the Sabbath by calling God, “My Father.” A Jew of that day and time would never have referred to God in that intimate of a manner. They clearly understand the implication of what He said. He was claiming to be God. To them, this statement was blasphemy, and Jesus deserved to be stoned for saying it. Of course, if He was not God, they were exactly right. However, if He is God…..
2. Jesus demonstrates the characteristics of God (v. 19-30).
He does whatever God does (v. 19-20).
He is the giver of life and the One who resurrects people from the dead (v. 21, 24-29). Jesus is the inherent source of life. He is the creator (v. 26, see also John 1:1-5). He gives us spiritual life through salvation (v. 24). He also is the author of the resurrection-both the resurrection of life and the resurrection of condemnation (v. 29).
He is the judge of the world (v. 22, 26-30). We will all give an account to Jesus some day. Those who know Christ will not be condemned, but our lives will still be evaluated at the Judgment Seat of Christ (1 Corinthians 3:11-15). Those who reject Christ will be condemned at the Great White Throne judgment (Revelation 20:11-15).
3. Jesus shares credible witnesses to prove His claim (John 5:31-47). The Bible teaches that there must be 2 or 3 witnesses in order to prove something. Jesus names four here:
John the Baptist (v. 31-35)
His own works (v. 36)
God the Father (v. 37)
The Word of God (v. 38-47)
Conclusion: I said at the beginning that I believe everyone has a god. These religious leaders had made idols out of their Scripture knowledge, their religious system, and ultimately, themselves. They were seeking the glory that belongs to God. We can hear or read the Scriptures and miss Jesus when:
1. We look to the Scriptures for salvation instead of looking to Jesus (v. 38-39) [see 2 Timothy 3:15].
2. We are unwilling to come to Jesus (v. 40).
3. We are deceived (v. 41-43). People will believe an imposter instead of the real thing.
4. We seek on our glory instead of God’s glory (v. 44).
5. We claim to believe the Word of God and really do not (v. 45-47).
Who is your God? Are you trusting Christ? Are you living to honor yourself or Jesus?
