Who is the Lord of your life?

Bible Passage: John 5:19-29

John 5:25–29 ESV

25 “Truly, truly, I say to you, an hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. 26 For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself. 27 And he has given him authority to execute judgment, because he is the Son of Man. 28 Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice 29 and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment.

Summary: In this passage, Jesus emphasizes His role as the Son who is in perfect harmony with the Father, revealing the divine authority to perform miracles, grant life, and judge the world. He articulates a future where all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth, underscoring Jesus’ unique position in the cosmic structure of life and death, and His direct claim to sovereignty over both.

Application: This sermon will encourage Christians to rest in the confidence that Jesus' authority affects all aspects of life, particularly in moments where followers feel powerless or overwhelmed by circumstances. It inspires the community to actively live out their faith, knowing they are under the protection of a sovereign Lord who also deeply cares for them.

Teaching: The teaching focuses on the implications of Christ's authority and how it should shape the behavior and mindset of believers today. Understanding that Christ commands both spiritual life and final judgment encourages a faithful response to His teachings and an earnest pursuit of His will in daily living.

How this passage could point to Christ: This passage connects to the grand narrative of Scripture where Christ is not just a redeemer but the ultimate authority over life and death, consistent with Old Testament prophecies regarding the Messiah’s expected authority. It reveals Jesus as the fulfillment of God's promises and the one who truly embodies divine authority in all of Scripture.

Big Idea: Recognizing Christ's supreme authority compels believers to live lives characterized by faithfulness and obedience, standing firm amid life's trials, knowing they are under the reign of a powerful Savior who will ultimately restore and renew all things.

Recommended Study: I recommend examining the historical context of Jesus' authority, particularly how it challenged existing Jewish structures and beliefs. Utilizing Logos, look at various theological interpretations of the significance of 'life' and 'judgment' in this passage—this will enhance your understanding of the Life-giver's role versus that of a judge, as well as help clarify how both roles impact salvation and eternal security.

1. Perfect Harmony with Heaven

Over and over again lately we have been examining the authority of Jesus

Even in our Wednesday night study this has been the theme in Colossians

This has not been intentional by me but definitely has by the Spirit

God is trying to tell us something

This morning as we look deeper at the Authority of Jesus I want you to think about one Question...

Who is the Lord of your life?

There might be some here going well that’s easy

I challenge you to let this run rampant through your head during the message this morning

Don’t just assume because you’re saved you’ve made Him Lord

Don’t just assume because you have made Him Lord in one way that He is Lord of your life

You see Lord of your life means Lord over everything

We will see examples over and over in these verses of how Jesus is all authoritative

We are to be obedient and allow Him to truly rule as Lord of our lives

Listening to Him when He says to do

I challenge this to you as this is what challenged me this week

As I examined my walk with the Lord

As I asked myself the question I am asking you i heard the Spirit say

When are you going to listen

When are you going to allow me to move

when are you going to allow me to direct your every path

not just your basic paths

but everything

Jesus is the Lord of our life

Jesus is the Shepherd

we do not get to tell the shepherd what to do or say

instead as Psalm 23:1-3 states

Psalm 23:1–3 ESV

1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. 3 He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

John 5:19–21 ESV

19 So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise. 20 For the Father loves the Son and shows him all that he himself is doing. And greater works than these will he show him, so that you may marvel. 21 For as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whom he will.

So now lets look at this authority and we will circle back to this question

Jesus does nothing aside from the Father

Nothing of His own accord

remember back in John 1:1 Jesus is with God and is God

They work the same work

they never disagree because they are both God

John states

Not only does the Son do what the Father does

There will be even greater works to come

and the Son has power of death and life

This is where we see true authority

the one thing inevitable for man is he must die

this is a statstic that is 100%

all who have ever lived have died or will die

this is an inescapable fact

The God who created it all says I have power over that

Not only does He have power over death

He has power over life

He has the ability to provide life

Just as He did in the beginning

John is telling us here

Jesus is similarly capable

He has all authority on Heaven and on earth

over life and over death

This is a peacful trust

Why?

because the all authoritative one we speak of

He is the one who has power over death and life

this same one has given us our salvation

as we are about to find out He is our judge!

He is to be the Lord of our life

So I ask again who is Lord of your life?

You could explore how Jesus describes His actions as perfectly aligned with the will of the Father. At this point, the focus is on modeling such obedience in our lives. Knowing we follow a Savior with divine authority should embolden us to trust Him and emulate His harmony with God's will. This part of the sermon suggests that aligning ourselves with Christ's ways brings peace and purpose, even when worldly circumstances threaten to unhinge us.

2. Powerful Judge of Justice

John 5:22–23 ESV

22 For the Father judges no one, but has given all judgment to the Son, 23 that all may honor the Son, just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him.

Next we dive into Jesus as judge

He is the one who stands at the end of time

The one who determines life and death

not based off of works but based off of grace

those who accepted have life those who rejected do not

thus their works are unrighteous leaving them choosing eternal punishment

You see God doesn’t send to hell

God gives us a choice of where to go

Jesus tells us

the Son has all judgment

the one who saves is the judge

Why is it this way

well those who honor the Son honor the Father

The ones who Jesus sees favor are those who honor Him

those who have believed in Him

those who have trusted in Him

As the Lord of their life

This is the judge

He is just

No one gets away with anything

Everyone is given the judgment of which they have chosen

This is the one of authority!

The one who has the final say

there will be no room for talking your way out of it

What He says goes

He has identified Himself as the one in authority and in charge

The one above all creation

this cannot be stressed enough

The church has left the authority of God

They have sought judgment from the world

they have allowed the world to judge them and change their ways

they have allowed others to take that place

This is not the call of Scripture

Jesus is the judge

it is His authority we are to submit to no one else's

The only authority I have to submit to in all of everything is Jesus

I have to submit to the rules of government because Jesus told me to do so unless it contradicts Him

This is the final say

1 Peter 2:13–17 ESV

13 Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, 14 or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. 15 For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. 16 Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. 17 Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.

Here Peter Reminds us of this authority

honor the emperor

Fear God

God is the one we ultimately respond to

we do not listen to man if He tells us to break God’s law

that is the exception to government authority

the only exception

Perhaps you can highlight the shift in this scripture whereby Jesus explains His unique authority as Judge. This underscores the significance of honoring the Son as we honor the Father. Here, contrast the human tendency to seek judgment from others with the assurance that Jesus, as a righteous judge, offers fair and loving judgment. This sermon point underlines the importance of honoring Christ, who sets our spiritual destinies and provides final justice.

3. Promise of Resurrection

John 5:24–29 ESV

24 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life. 25 “Truly, truly, I say to you, an hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. 26 For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself. 27 And he has given him authority to execute judgment, because he is the Son of Man. 28 Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice 29 and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment.

Then we get to a great promise

A promise of resurrection

the light of life

the greatest gift ever given

God has made Jesus the judge of all

He has laid out the message of Salvation

He has identified the right way

Those who believe do not come unto judgment

because our name is in the Lamb’s Book of Life

This has taken our sin and hidden it behind the Sacrifice of the judge!

Jesus gives a stark warning here

A warning of urgency

a warning of preparation

a warning of precaution

there is a day coming

a day of the call of the Lord

The life of eternity rests in the arms of the Judge

Yet again reminded of Jesus authority as judge

He is the one that will Resurrect

I love this song in describing the true nature of Jesus’ authority

From the highest of heights to the depths of the sea Creation's revealing Your majesty From the colors of fall to the fragrance of spring Every creature unique in the song that it sings All exclaiming Indescribable, uncontainable, You placed the stars in the sky and You know them by name. You are amazing God All powerful, untameable, Awestruck we fall to our knees as we humbly proclaim You are amazing God Who has told every lightning bolt where it should go Or seen heavenly storehouses laden with snow Who imagined the sun and gives source to its light Yet conceals it to bring us the coolness of night None can fathom Indescribable, uncontainable, You placed the stars in the sky and You know them by name You are amazing God All powerful, untameable, Awestruck we fall to our knees as we humbly proclaim You are amazing God You are amazing God

The all powerful God

Creator of the universe

Jesus in one

He is our judge

So i ask you concerning your obedience

Who is Lord of your life?

You see we can see who is Lord over our life based off of our obedience

Who we are obedient to is who rules us

For some the Lord of their life could be a number of things

Sports

spouses

pastors

church members

friends

neighbors

presidents

kings

creation

other gods

ourselves even

The reality is we are to be obedient to one

the King of Kings and Lord of Lords

In no one else are we to trust Acts 5:29

Acts 5:29 ESV

29 But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men.

God is the one in charge

So after looking at a few examples

after examining your life throughout this message I ask you again

Who is the Lord of your life?

In all honesty with self

please answer this question

your obedience says it all

the works of your faith or the lack thereof say it all

your ability to listen to the spirit say it all

who is the Lord of your life?

You might illuminate the hope and promise Jesus provides as He speaks of life and resurrection, granting life to believers. Known for His power to bring life and enact judgment, Jesus offers an opportunity to reflect on His future voice calling forth those in the graves. This sermon point suggests believers should live assured and encouraged knowing they have eternal life in Christ, whose authority extends beyond human trials to eternal victory and restoration.