More Than a Man!

Introduction

During our Wednesday Bible study this past week, we talked about the importance of truth. We are currently in another presidential election year, and the focus on truth becomes an extremely crucial point of emphasis. Unfortunately, whenever we deal with this world, we end up with more false news, lies, and fabrications than we do truth. Again, this past Wednesday night, we emphasized that we, as believers, are always contending with three enemies. There is Satan, the world, and our flesh. Without a doubt, Satan is at work in this world to deceive and mislead as many people as possible. All this becomes relevant as we get into today’s message.

‌We are still in John 5. Remember that this chapter opened with Christ interacting with the formerly lame man beside the pool at Bethesda. Already, we examined the wondrous miracle that took place as Christ, this man’s only hope, sought him out and healed him. This man’s life was utterly changed. However, it didn’t take long for the legalistic, religious crowd to get involved. They confronted this formerly lame man about him taking his bed on a Sabbath and walking. They completely overlooked and ignored that this man experienced a great miracle. Their concern with their interpretation of the law blinded them to the true spiritual change that Christ brought about in this man’s life. As we know, this man responded that he was obeying the man who brought healing. This was the first test of this man’s new life in Christ. Interestingly, this first test came from the religious crowd. However, this man passed the test with flying colors. He remained obedient to the Lord, not giving in to the pressure of other men.

‌As the story goes, Christ finds this formerly lame man in the temple and encourages him to stay faithful. Later, this man encounters the Jews, the religious leaders of that day, and tells them that Jesus was the one who made him whole. This, as we know, infuriated the Jews, and they determined they would kill Jesus. Jesus responded with this statement.

John 5:17 KJV 1900

17 But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work.

His statement provoked them even more. Note their response.

John 5:18 KJV 1900

18 Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God.

Their intent prompts Christ to give a 28-verse sermon about Himself. This is a long and important sermon. Therefore, we are going to break our examination of it up into two parts. This morning, we are seeking to understand the first part of this wonderful discourse by Christ.

‌Let me state the purpose of this entire sermon by our Lord. Remember earlier when I mentioned the importance of truth? The truth of who Christ is remains as essential today as it did in Christ’s ministry. The main issue and problem with all men in Christ’s day is that they refused to believe that He is God. Now, as I study the Gospels, I find it fascinating that despite all the miracles and teachings that He did, the majority of people did not believe His divinity. It is even more disturbing when you realize that these Jews, the religious leaders, were very learned in Old Testament law and prophecy. Yet, despite all their learning, they were blinded by their sin and pride. Even today, men are blinded to the fact that Christ is God.

‌As I was preparing for this message, I did a little research.

‌People today have varied beliefs about Jesus Christ. Here are some key insights:

‌Historical Figure: A significant majority of Americans (76%) believe that Jesus was a historical person.

‌Spiritual Importance: Regardless of their religious beliefs, most people recognize Jesus as an important spiritual figure. About 84% of Americans agree with this sentiment.

‌Divinity: Opinions on Jesus’ divinity are more divided. A 2020 survey found that 52% of Americans believe Jesus was a great teacher but not God.

‌Did you get all that? Almost 3/4 of Americans today do not accept the fact that Jesus Christ is God. That means for every 10 Americans, only 2-3 will accept that Christ is God. The overwhelming evidence points out that even in a so-called “Christian” nation like ours, there are many who still do not accept the truth of Christ’s divinity.

‌It's crucial to emphasize Christ’s divinity in our time, just as Christ did in His. Understanding the all-important relationship between Christ, the Son of God, and God the Father is key. Why is this important? There are too many misconceptions about Christ generated by Satan in today’s society. Failing to recognize Christ as Divine and understand the significance of His divinity has severe spiritual consequences. Christ came to seek and to save that which is lost. He came to rescue us from the condemnation of an eternal hell. However, to be rescued, a person must embrace His divinity and acknowledge His authority over life and death. This is not just a theological concept, but a practical reality. Our future is uncertain. In other words, no one is sitting here this morning who knows when their life will end. It could be today, tomorrow, or years from now. Yet, the fact remains that life on planet Earth will come to an end. And, as we will see, there is a day when every person will be resurrected. The question is this. Will you acknowledge Christ as God and believe He has all authority over life and death before it is too late?

‌Let’s examine Christ’s message by which He authenticates His divinity. Here is the first point.

More than a Man, He is God

John 5:19–23 KJV 1900

19 Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise. 20 For the Father loveth the Son, and sheweth him all things that himself doeth: and he will shew him greater works than these, that ye may marvel. 21 For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will. 22 For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son: 23 That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him.

These verses have several key statements, and we could spend our entire time examining each. However, if we did, we would not leave here until 7 or 8 p.m. this evening. So, with that in mind, let me give you a quick rundown.

‌In verse 19, Christ emphatically states that He, the Son, “can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he [the Father] doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise.” In other words, the Son of God imitates God the Father.

The fact that a son imitates his father is proven with every generation. We learn from our parents, and we grow up imitating them. Many people kid themselves when they claim they will never be like their parents. However, we find ourselves doing the exact thing they do over time. All it proves is that we come from the same gene pool. In the same way, Christ says He comes from the same spiritual gene pool as the Father. They are one. Thus, His action of imitating His Father proves His divinity. He is God.

‌In verse 20, Christ speaks about the love between He and the Father. The Father “loveth the Son.” The Father’s love is proven by the Father’s willingness to have no secrets between the two. Note that He, the Father, “sheweth him all things that himself doeth.” There are even greater works we have not seen that prove Christ’s divinity. Again, this proves the Divinity of Christ once again.

Think about it this way. Suppose you were to take a child in kindergarten and place them in a university class on mathematics in the fourth dimension. Would that child, unless they were some genius, be able to understand and comprehend the professor’s teaching of math in the fourth dimension? They would not. In the same, we, as fallen men, are entirely incapable of knowing God on the same scale that Christ knows God for His more than just a mere man; he is God Himself. We, as believers, can only learn about God gradually and slowly over time as God’s Spirit teaches us. Even the angels who stand in God's presence do not fully know the things of God.

1 Peter 1:12 KJV 1900

12 Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.

However, Christ has the capacity to apprehend and comprehend everything that the Father does because He is equal with God.

As we move to verse 21, Christ expounds upon His equality with God. In fact, verse 21 takes us back to the miracle that He, the Lord Jesus, just performed. Note again verse 21.

John 5:21 KJV 1900

21 For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will.

The healing of the formerly lame man was a clear object lesson. As this lame man, who, by they way, was completely unable to help himself, lay be the pool, Christ came along and resurrected him. By the same token, as the Father raises the dead and “quickeneth (make them alive) them” so the Son, Jesus Christ, quickens or “makes alive” those whom He will. Thus, it is His will to resurrect, quicken, or make alive all who put their faith in His death, burial, and resurrection. The ability to resurrect belongs to God alone. Thus, Christ and the Father are one. For both have the power to do only what God can do. He is more than a man for He has the power to resurrect the dead.

Verse 22 and 23 bring all this to a summation. God, who is the Great Judge, commits all judgement unto the Son. Why would God the Father take such action? Christ states the reason.

John 5:23 KJV 1900

23 That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him.

The word “honour” here means to respect, to show esteem or honor towards. Thus, God the Father committed all judgment to the Son so that all would honor or respect Him just as they honor and respect the Father. Thus, all honor is given unto Christ for He is more than just a man, He is God. And, by the way, there is coming a day when all men regardless of their belief in Christ will honor Christ as God.

Romans 14:11–12 KJV 1900

11 For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. 12 So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.

Philippians 2:9–11 KJV 1900

9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

But, wait! There is more! Christ is...

More than a Man, He Possesses All Authority

John 5:22 KJV 1900

22 For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son:

John 5:27 KJV 1900

27 And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man.

Christ's judicial power and authority as God is authenticated in these two verses. Verse 27 states that God has “given him authority to execute judgment also.” The word “also” points us back to verse 22, where Christ stated that the Father judges no man. Instead, the Father committed all judgment unto the Son. The word “committed” means to grant a request or allow someone to have what the person has requested. Thus, God granted Christ what was already Christ’s because both are God.

‌As we noted earlier, God the Father did so to honor Christ. In verse 27, we find an additional purpose. Note that Christ was given authority to execute judgment because He IS the Son of man.

The description of Christ as the Son of man is fascinating. It simply is a way of demonstrating that the Son of God clothed Himself with flesh, walked on this earth as a man, and suffered at the hands of wicked men as He disowned His Divine glory. All of this solidifies that it was acceptable that Christ, the Son of man, should also be the Judge on the last great day. The One who men despised is the One who will sit in the place of supreme honor and authority. And, thus, all will be compelled to bow the knee before Him. On that day, Christ will be glorified before the very people who spat, cursed, beat, and rejected Him. His judgment of that day will be rightfully vindicated, emphasizing the inevitability and importance of Christ's judgment.

Ephesians 1:20–23 KJV 1900

20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, 21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: 22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, 23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.

This thought brings us to our last point for today. Christ is...

More than a Man, He Must Be Believed

John 5:24–25 KJV 1900

24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. 25 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live.

John 5:28–29 KJV 1900

28 Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, 29 And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.

Now comes the real issue. There are two things always associated with receiving eternal life. Both are mentioned in verse 24.

John 5:24 KJV 1900

24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

Note that there must be a hearing ear for each person to hear His word. Additionally, there is the believing heart, for each person must believe “on him that sent me.” Those who hear and believe receive everlasting life. They are rescued from the condemnation that they are currently under. They pass from death to life.

‌Remember the words of John 3.

John 3:16–18 KJV 1900

16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

The great news is that Jesus Christ is God.

John 1:1–2 KJV 1900

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 The same was in the beginning with God.

His miracle testify that He is God.

God Himself testified that He is God.

2 Peter 1:17 KJV 1900

17 For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

Christ Himself testified that He is God. However, such testimony must be heard and believed. One of the great passages of Scripture notes...

Hebrews 3:7–13 KJV 1900

7 Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith, To day if ye will hear his voice, 8 Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness: 9 When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my works forty years. 10 Wherefore I was grieved with that generation, and said, They do alway err in their heart; and they have not known my ways. 11 So I sware in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest.) 12 Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. 13 But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.

You see today is the day to believe. Today is the day to accept that fact that Christ is God. And, as God, He gave up the splendors of Heaven and came to this earth. He walk among us. He did great miracles. Yet, even in that day, there was “an evil heart of unbelief” and they departed “from the living God.” However, that does need to be you this morning. For right now, right here, God is exhorting and encouraging to believe today. Do not harden your heart through the deceitfulness of sin. Instead, open your heart. Put your faith Him as God and the Savior of the world. The plea is for now. Do not wait until it is too late. Surely there is coming a moment in time when it will be too late. Note Christ’s warning.

John 5:25 KJV 1900

25 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live.

John 5:28–29 KJV 1900

28 Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, 29 And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.

Those who accept Christ as God and Savior do good. It will only be those who do so that will be resurrected unto life. By that same token, those who reject Christ as God and Savior do evil. They are the ones who will be resurrect unto damnation. The hour is coming. The hour is even now. The urgency of hearing these words and believing is now. Once death is upon us, it will be too late. Once death takes this body, there is only the wait for the coming day of judgment as described in Revelations.

Revelation 20:11–15 KJV 1900

11 And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. 12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. 13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. 14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

On that day, it is already too late. However, you have this moment. You have this chance. Hear and believe.

Conclusion

This morning I have proclaimed to you the very words of Christ. He is truth. There is no truth in this world. All that the world claims to be truth is untrue, erroneous, inaccurate, and delusional. The only truth comes for God and His Word. This morning the very Word of God proclaims the Word which is God. Both stand as testimony that Christ is indeed God. He is more than a man, teacher, religious zealot, or historical character. He is God. He possesses all authority. He must be believed. The choice is yours. Pastor Will preached last week about the three responses to Christ - belief, unbelief, and rejection. I encourage you to believe this morning. Your belief is not just a choice, it is a significant part of Christ's mission. Do not harden your heart with unbelief and reject the undeniable fact that Christ is God. He loves you. He gave His life for you. He desires more than anything to have a very personal relationship with you. He did it all. All He asks is that you open your heart, mind, and soul to Him. Believe!