Following The Word 11

The Word Of Authority

Jesus’ words are life giving

Text: John 5:24-47

Introduction

I want to repeat something that I mentioned last week—Those who read the life of Christ are faced with one unavoidable question—was Jesus God? Part of any reasonable conclusion has to include the fact that he did claim to be God. We have no other choice but to agree or disagree with his claim. Eternal life is at stake in the choice. Life Application Bible Notes (Tyndale, 2007), 1761.

Jesus has already established that it in impossible for the Father in Heaven to be honored when rejecting the Son. The only ones the Father will receive as His children are those who have themselves received the Son as the Christ, their Savior, and follow Him as Lord.

To repeat one more unavoidable truth—Remember, the One we are talking about here has already risen from the dead and seen by hundreds of eye witnesses. His words carry all the weight they need.

Jesus will continue to assert His divine nature of equality with the Father. He will teach us with whom life dwells, at what point does someone receive everlasting life, His words must be received by the unbeliever, His words will bring forth the dead to judgement, and a head knowledge of the scriptures is not equal to trusting in Him for salvation.

1) Don’t Reject His Words

VERSES 24-30

A. Eternal life, condemnation, and death weigh in the balance (v24)

Jesus is emphasizing that there must be a belief that is centered on a redemption that is connected to both Father and Son.

This was due to the original audience. Remember, the Jews (primarily the religious leaders) thought they could honor God and be welcomed into heaven on the basis of worshiping the Father alone.

Many in the western world is not too different than those Jews of the first century (even many of the 21st century).

There are many today who think they are honoring God within their religion.

Illustration: Our current president is currently confused about how one attains eternal life. Franklin Graham had to come in behind him to clear it up.

“Goodness” is not something you “do,” it is a position you are placed in the moment you put your faith in the Person who did the work you could not do for yourself.

At the moment of accepting Jesus, the transaction of eternal life is a “completed” transaction!

2 Corinthians 5:17 “17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”

B. His words are filled with life your dead soul needs (v25-26)

a) The spiritually dead will hear the voice of Jesus

While Jesus is going to mention the time when there will be a bodily resurrection, that is not the topic in consideration here.

“The hour is coming, and now is” gives us the understanding that Jesus is speaking of a “spiritual” resurrection.

When did the “spiritual resurrection” actually begin?

It began at the start of Jesus’ public ministry.

The book of Revelation mentions the “first resurrection” which speaks to an ongoing resurrection from the time of Jesus’ ministry.

Who are those whom Jesus is describing as “dead?”

Every human being born into this world fits within this category.

“Dead” speaks to a separation from God, someone who is not in active pursuit of God, someone who has no interest in God, who has no will to repent and place their faith in Jesus Christ.

HERE IS THE EXCITING PART…the dead has the ABILITY hear!

This brings hope to all of humanity.

While the dead is running in the opposite direction, the voice of Jesus breaks through the barrier and reveals three things: 1) Their real spiritual state; 2) There is hope in Jesus Christ; 3) They must repent and believe

b) Remember, Jesus is described as the “Living Word.”

The Father has, “given to the Son to have life in Himself.”

Each time Jesus raised someone from the dead, HE SPOKE THE WORD.

(Luke 7) There was a mother’s only son.

(Luke 8) There was a father’s daughter.

(John 11) There was his friend Lazarus.

Hebrews 4:12 “12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”

His words of life are “ETERNAL.”

Romans 8:1 “1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”

This also speaks to the resurrection of Jesus Himself — John 10:17–18 “17 Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. 18 No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.”

C. His words will speak the final words of judgment over everyone (v28)

The book of Revelation describes for us the fact that no one escapes standing before Judge Jesus!

Notice how the description of Jesus changes from “Son of God” to “Son of man.” (used 12 times in John & over 80 times in the Gospels)

The Jews knew this reference from Daniel 7:13-14.

By this, Jesus was claiming to be the Messiah and Judge.

There are two different kinds of resurrections that are futuristic:

Some will be resurrected to a celebratory judgement where rewards are dispersed to those of His children who have lovingly labored for Him.

Others will resurrect to a final sentencing of guilt and damnation.

(v29) Both resurrections are based on works.

Resurrection of life — Based upon the vicarious work of Jesus through His life, death, and resurrection.

Resurrection of condemnation — Based upon the only works an unbeliever has…THEIR OWN.

While you will still face physical death, one soon coming day, Jesus is going to call up your deceased body and change it to a glorious body of His own design.

1 Corinthians 15:50–53 “50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. 51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.”

1 Corinthians 15:38 “38 But God giveth it a body as it hath pleased him, and to every seed his own body.”

2) Don’t Reject His Witnesses

A. The Witness of John the Baptist

a) What did John declare about Jesus?

John preached a message of repentance.

John described Jesus as the “Lamb who came to take away the sin of the world.”

John emphasized Jesus lofty deity.

b) The Jewish leaders could not escape the witness of John

They could not say, “We never heard of John let alone what he preached.

They had interrogated John carefully.

John 8:12 “12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.”

c) Some saw John as some kind of celebrity, but never heeded his message.

He wasn’t preaching as a celebrity, but as a harrald of repentance.

Sadly, we have many in the church even today; they follow a man and not the message.

B. The witness of Jesus’ works

John 9:16 “16 Therefore said some of the Pharisees, This man is not of God, because he keepeth not the sabbath day. Others said, How can a man that is a sinner do such miracles? And there was a division among them.”

John 10:38 “38 But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him.”

Remember what Nicodemus admitted? — John 3:2 “2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.”

Jesus was both on a divine timetable and following a divine agenda — John 17:4 “4 I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.”

C. The witness of the words from God the Father

(v38) Jesus points out that if they truly had the truth from the “scriptures” in their heart, they would have received Jesus as who He claimed to be.

As I have said, “You will behave according to what you believe.”

The Jewish leaders claimed to have followed the “scriptures”

John 9:24-29 (speaking of them following Moses in effort to honor God)

Quote: “The Jewish scribes sought to know the Word of God, but they did not know the God of the Word! They counted the very letters of the text, but they missed the spiritual truths that the text contained.” Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary, vol. 1 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1996), 308.

Even today, every religious circle that claims they fall under the umbrella of “Christianity,” however, they don’t align with the full counsel of scripture.

Not only was the scriptures not found in the hearts, but the “love of God” was missing also. (v42)

Your attitude toward God’s Word will shape your attitude toward God Himself.

They would one day accept a false messiah!

If you don’t accept who is true, you will ultimately accept which is false.

Conclusion

Now, before you sit here today and say, “I can’t believe those Jewish leaders were so defiant,” you need consider your own resistance to Jesus.

Are you here today just to check off a religious check box so you can feel a little bit better about yourself this week, or are you hear to follow the real Jesus?

Christian, are you so involved in studying your Bible that you fail to see the Jesus Christ within the Word?

Does your Bible study give you intellectual arrogance or a burning heart to follow Jesus Christ?