John 5:33-47

A Trustworthy Witness

In this passage, the word testify or testimony is repeated 7X.

What is the meaning of the word testify?

testify - to give testimony, to give evidence - the work and purpose of every believer (to testify about the truth)

truth -a dependable and trustworthy statement - the Gospel of Jesus

The trustworthy witnesses that testifies about Jesus being GOD and Savior of the World.

I. John the Baptist (vv.33-35)

John’s testimony is like a lamp that gives light and rejoicing (hope) to the people. They have been cleansed by water, they have heard the preaching of repentance, they were pointed to Jesus, the lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.

Sins to confess:

A. Failure to testify to the truth.

B. Seeking personal glory rather than God’s glory.

II. Work of Christ (v.36)

Jesus’s testimony is greater than John - Jesus is the greater light! (lamp vs Sun),

Miracles of changing water into wine, healing the sick, exorcising demons, raising dead people...

The greatest miracle - spiritually dead person becoming alive!

Jesus cleanses us with his blood and we have heard the preaching of repentance, and we are reconciled to the Father through Him.

III. God the Father (vv.37-39)

The possibilities include: (1) at Jesus’ baptism (Matt. 3:17), (2) at the transfiguration (Matt. 17:5), (3) at the Triumphal Entry (John 12:28), (4) in Jesus’ works (3:2), (5) in people’s minds or hearts.

The Father sent Jesus for people to receive eternal life.

IV. The Scriptures (vv.39-47)

People believed in Scriptures but they don not acknowledge and love Jesus. They have rejected Jesus!

They have set their hope in the wrong person - Moses over Jesus (religion over Jesus, family over Jesus, self over Jesus)

They have missed the person that the Scriptures is pointing to - Moses wrote about the Messiah - Jesus Christ! (Jesus is the Passover lamb, The Manna, The Bronze serpent)

Sins to confess: Reading the Bible for the seek of reading and acquiring knowledge rather than love for God and for heart transformation (Christlikeness)

What is a trustworthy witness?

A. A trustworthy witness tells the truth (John / Father / Jesus / Scriptures

B. A trustworthy witness lives in the truth (John / Jesus)

C. A trustworthy witness confirms the truth (Works/ Miracles

Scriptures)

Proper Response:

Be honest and tell the truth. Make it your lifestyle (natural) to tell the truth because you are to be the bearer of light (like John).

Philippians 4:8 NASB95

8 Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.

2. Let the light of Jesus shine in your life so that others will rejoice! Tell them about the gospel and live out the gospel.