The Witness Stand
Notes
Transcript
INTRO
INTRO
Everyone loves a good court room case
How a normal courtroom functions
Defendant
Prosecutor
Witnesses
Questioning
Jury
Verdict
How Bible Courts functioned
a Judge
a defendant
an accuser
witnesses
if the accuser was false or wrong, the consequences for false accusation were whatever would have been done to the accused
Tonight, we observe a trial of our own; it’s a trial that you are a part of. You must pick a side.
The accuser: the secessionists
The defendant: Jesus
The witnesses
The Judge: TRUTH (aka God, because God IS truth)
Why did people in Jesus’ day accuse Him?
Some couldn’t accept His claims that He is, in fact, God
Some couldn’t accept that God could, in fact, take on human flesh
People want to hold onto their own comfortable beliefs, don’t want to submit to Him as Lord
Let’s see what the witnesses said in response to these accusations...
6 This is he who came by water and blood—Jesus Christ; not by the water only but by the water and the blood. And the Spirit is the one who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth. 7 For there are three that testify: 8 the Spirit and the water and the blood; and these three agree. 9 If we receive the testimony of men, the testimony of God is greater, for this is the testimony of God that he has borne concerning his Son. 10 Whoever believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself. Whoever does not believe God has made him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has borne concerning his Son. 11 And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.
Step 1: the case is presented, the witnesses are called, the evidence is given.
WHAT IS A WITNESS?
Define Testify/Testimony/Witness
martyria - witness, testimony
The word “martyr” comes from this word, (a person who voluntarily suffers death as the penalty of witnessing to and refusing to renounce a religion)
The verbal evidence of a witness by which something is affirmed to be true
originally used of a witness in a court of law
appear mainly in support of Christian beliefs about Jesus
Much of John is structured as a juridicial debate on whether Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God.
Many witnesses throughout the gospel testify to Jesus
Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible Testimony
the Baptist (John 1:7–8), the Samaritan woman (4:39), Scripture (5:39), the Father (5:37; 8:18), Jesus himself (8:18), and Jesus’ works (10:25). The disciples and the Paraclete will continue as witnesses (John 15:26–27; cf. 1 John 5:7) after Jesus departs. The credibility of the Gospel itself depends on the author’s witness (John 19:35; 21:24).
Eyewitness testimony is key in the Acts of the Apostles. The apostles witness to Jesus’ life (Acts 10:39), death (3:15), and, most importantly, his resurrection (1:22; cf. 1 Cor. 15:5–8 and the Gospel accounts of resurrection witnesses, including women). The Holy Spirit (Acts 5:32) and Scripture also witness to Jesus (28:23).
The book of Revelation presents several witnesses who are faithful to Jesus until death (Rev. 2:13; 20:4) and thus anticipates the later technical meaning of “martyr.” Testimony in a strictly legal sense is found in the Synoptic accounts of the trial of Jesus (Mark 14:55–56 par.) and as a rule of order in Matthew’s church (Matt. 18:16; cf. Deut. 19:15).
30 of 37 times this word is used, it’s used by John in reference to Jesus
WHY THREE WITNESSES?
There is a 3-fold testimony regarding Jesus
the water
the blood
the Spirit
6 This is he who came by water and blood—Jesus Christ; not by the water only but by the water and the blood. And the Spirit is the one who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth. 7 For there are three that testify: 8 the Spirit and the water and the blood; and these three agree.
It’s important that there are multiple witnesses
Without multiple witnesses, it’s easy for it to be “he said, she said”
Think of telling a problem to your parents, and your sibling comes at it from the exact opposite angle
Think of the trial of Jesus
The significance in relation to Deuteronomy/Levitical law
15 “A single witness shall not suffice against a person for any crime or for any wrong in connection with any offense that he has committed. Only on the evidence of two witnesses or of three witnesses shall a charge be established. 16 If a malicious witness arises to accuse a person of wrongdoing, 17 then both parties to the dispute shall appear before the Lord, before the priests and the judges who are in office in those days. 18 The judges shall inquire diligently, and if the witness is a false witness and has accused his brother falsely, 19 then you shall do to him as he had meant to do to his brother. So you shall purge the evil from your midst. 20 And the rest shall hear and fear, and shall never again commit any such evil among you.
16 But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses.
19 Do not admit a charge against an elder except on the evidence of two or three witnesses.
1 This is the third time I am coming to you. Every charge must be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses.
The false teachers, the people who “went out from them but were not of them” would pick and choose witnesses, but would discredit at least one witness
You’ll see today, with many people, even many religions, people are very willing to accept one witness, or parts of the testimony of Christ, but they will discredit parts of the testimony of Christ.
John emphasizes that you must hear and accept the full testimony regarding Jesus Christ.
To accept parts of the testimony of Christ, while discrediting, others means you are not seeing the full picture
It means that you are making a partial, biased verdict about Jesus Christ while choosing to ignore the other parts.
This trial, this court case, has the greatest implications for your life, don’t ignore evidence, witnesses, and testimonies...
1. Listen to the full testimony regarding Jesus Christ (vv. 6-8).
1. Listen to the full testimony regarding Jesus Christ (vv. 6-8).
So if you are going to listen to these witnesses that testify, and if you are going to receive all of them (all three), you better hear what they’re saying...
The Three Witnesses
Water - the message/ministry (Jesus’ Baptism and "endowment for ministry”)
What is the testimony?
13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him. 14 John would have prevented him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” 15 But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he consented. 16 And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; 17 and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”
29 The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! 30 This is he of whom I said, ‘After me comes a man who ranks before me, because he was before me.’ 31 I myself did not know him, but for this purpose I came baptizing with water, that he might be revealed to Israel.” 32 And John bore witness: “I saw the Spirit descend from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. 33 I myself did not know him, but he who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, this is he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ 34 And I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God.”
Why was this a big deal?
Jesus, in His baptism, was living the righteous, holy life that none of us could live.
He was fulfilling the role of the “second Adam” as our Mediator
God affirmed Jesus’ ministry, Jesus’ teachings, Jesus’ righteous life of obedience and holiness
Secessionists’ affirmation:
They believed that Jesus was simply a man up until His baptism
Once He was endowed with the Spirit, THAT is when he became joined to Christ
They would agree that Jesus’ earthly ministry started at His baptism, and they would agree with His teachings, signs, and wonders during that time.
The problem:
They don’t believe that Jesus was fully God and fully man until the baptism
They believe that the Spirit left Jesus at (before) His death
Jesus had to be fully God and fully man (fully pre-existent God, and fully taking on humanity from childbirth)
Present Day problems:
Mormons say that Jesus is a god, but less than Father God
Islam says that Jesus was a prophet, a teacher, but not God
Catholics say that Jesus is God, but (as we’ll get into later), his sacrifice wasn’t sufficient
Blood - the sacrifice (Jesus’ Sacrifice, Death, Atonement)
45 Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour. 46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” 47 And some of the bystanders, hearing it, said, “This man is calling Elijah.” 48 And one of them at once ran and took a sponge, filled it with sour wine, and put it on a reed and gave it to him to drink. 49 But the others said, “Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to save him.” 50 And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and yielded up his spirit. 51 And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And the earth shook, and the rocks were split. 52 The tombs also were opened. And many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised, 53 and coming out of the tombs after his resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many. 54 When the centurion and those who were with him, keeping watch over Jesus, saw the earthquake and what took place, they were filled with awe and said, “Truly this was the Son of God!”
The darkness from noon-3pm (brightest point of the day)
(symbolizing being forsaken by God, bearing our sins, suffering the wrath of God)
The earth shaking/Rocks were split in too
Creation reacting to its Creator’s death
The tombs were opened, dead came out of their tombs, experienced resurrection
Christ’s death brought about life and resurrection for His own
The veil in the temple was split in too
We now can have access to the Father again
Jesus yielded up His spirit
Jesus voluntarily laid down His life
This is a divine testimony/witness, recognition of Jesus’ death and its significance.
Spirit - divine seal/affirmation (God Himself)
What is the testimony?
Father bears witness about the Son through the Spirit
This was a past AND ongoing testimony
PAST TESTIMONY
At Baptism (already looked at it)
At Transfiguration
During Passion Week
27 “Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But for this purpose I have come to this hour. 28 Father, glorify your name.” Then a voice came from heaven: “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.” 29 The crowd that stood there and heard it said that it had thundered. Others said, “An angel has spoken to him.” 30 Jesus answered, “This voice has come for your sake, not mine.
PRESENT TESTIMONY
26 “But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me.
13 In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.
1 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be uninformed. 2 You know that when you were pagans you were led astray to mute idols, however you were led. 3 Therefore I want you to understand that no one speaking in the Spirit of God ever says “Jesus is accursed!” and no one can say “Jesus is Lord” except in the Holy Spirit.
THIS IS SIGNIFICANT.
Jesus claims to be equal with God, claims to be God
Jesus claims authority, as in, you better follow what He’s saying
Jesus claims to be the representative for mankind, the only way to God
Jesus claims to be Lord over all creation.
ALL THREE WITNESSES OF JESUS AGREE ABOUT WHO HE IS AND WHAT HE DOES.
Why does it matter? Why do people ignore the testimonies/witnesses or parts of it?
If Jesus is who he says He is, then that has serious implications for your life
So either you believe and follow
OR you twist the evidence, ignore witnesses so that Jesus is someone else and thus you can do something else
So, what are you supposed to do with these testimonies, this witness?
2. Receive this full testimony as truth and life (vv. 9-10).
2. Receive this full testimony as truth and life (vv. 9-10).
Step 2 in the case: the verdict is given, and the included parties must accept the verdict.
9 If we receive the testimony of men, the testimony of God is greater, for this is the testimony of God that he has borne concerning his Son. 10 Whoever believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself. Whoever does not believe God has made him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has borne concerning his Son. 11 And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.
Receive the testimony.
literally, take hold of, grab onto, come to believe
This testimony, these witnesses, literally God himself testifying, this should move you to respond by receiving the testimony.
“God’s testimony is permanent and final, not to be set aside or altered by neglect or human tampering.”
Yarbrough, R. W. (2008). 1–3 John (p. 286). Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic.
Think of the most credible person you know, you trust anything they say.
let’s say someone comes to tell you that...
your parents give a command
the doctor diagnoses you
the coach says to do something
your teacher says a fact
God is testifying, that is far greater!!
God is testifying, that is far greater!!
PLEASE LISTEN!!!
6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
Embrace Jesus as your Savior, your Lord, and your Life.
Savior (blood)
The only way to find life
Believe in Jesus as the only worthy sacrifice for your sin
You’re a sinner
You need a Savior
Jesus is that Savior
WHAT THIS IS NOT
Relying on your own works
Looking to other saviors
Thinking you’re good, you’re not in need of a savior
Lord (water)
The only way to live life
You’re a disciple/follower
You need someone to follow, someone to set the standard
Jesus is the one to follow, Jesus is the standard
WHAT THIS IS NOT
living your own way
living for your own mission/goals
continuing your old way of life
WHAT THIS IS
you submit to and obey God’s commands (they aren’t burdensome)
you pursue holy living and glorifying God
Life (Spirit)
The only purpose for your life
You were created for love, relationship, fellowship
God is the one you were created to love, fellowship with, and know
Jesus modeled that relationship
WHAT THIS IS NOT
Jesus AND something else
Jesus is the only one
everything else is from, through, to, and for Him
Confess
Repent
Trust
Follow
Abide
Let’s return to the courtroom analogy
Let’s consider, the verdict has been reached with a mafia member.
How you respond to the verdict has consequences for you...
Flesh out the analogy
How you respond to the witnesses, verdict, evidence of Christ has consequences for you...
3. Understand the consequences for accepting or rejecting this testimony (vv. 10-12).
3. Understand the consequences for accepting or rejecting this testimony (vv. 10-12).
Step 3 in the case: consequences and rewards are given to the respective parties.
9 If we receive the testimony of men, the testimony of God is greater, for this is the testimony of God that he has borne concerning his Son. 10 Whoever believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself. Whoever does not believe God has made him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has borne concerning his Son. 11 And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.
To deny the truth has serious implications
Know that there are detrimental implications for not receiving this testimony
Accusing God of lying
Accusing God of not giving us eternal life
Claiming that eternal life is not found in Jesus Christ
Saying that Jesus is not the way, the truth, the life
Saying that Jesus isn’t the perfect sacrifice
Saying that Jesus didn’t live the perfect life for us
Saying that life and joy, purpose are not found in Jesus
BY NOT BELIEVING, whether you like it or not, you’re saying these things.
Functionally, your actions show what you choose to believe.
To accept the truth has serious implications
Agreeing that Jesus is God
Admitting that you are helpless on your own
Relying on Christ as your sacrifice
Submitting to Christ as your Lord and way of life
Committing to life everlasting for God and with God
Be Warned:
44 And Jesus cried out and said, “Whoever believes in me, believes not in me but in him who sent me. 45 And whoever sees me sees him who sent me. 46 I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness. 47 If anyone hears my words and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. 48 The one who rejects me and does not receive my words has a judge; the word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day. 49 For I have not spoken on my own authority, but the Father who sent me has himself given me a commandment—what to say and what to speak. 50 And I know that his commandment is eternal life. What I say, therefore, I say as the Father has told me.”
For those who believe the testimony: they are given the Spirit who gives greater assurance, inward confidence of believing in the testimony
For those who don’t believe: not only are you opposing God and His ways, you’re calling Him the liar, the one in the wrong
CLOSING
CLOSING
Why do people today accuse Jesus?
They don’t want to admit their sin, depravity, and need (blood)
They don’t want to follow His ways (water)
They don’t want fellowship with God (Spirit)
With whom will you choose to align yourself?