True Renewal Begins with Jesus

John 5:31–47

Introduction: Longing for Revival

A long-standing prayer of the Church: Revival and Renewal

The recent memorial for Charlie Kirk drew an amazing turnout (nearly 100K), showing a hunger for meaning, truth, and renewal in people’s lives.

Many opportunities arose for the gospel to be proclaimed, and I rejoice that many have come to faith because of the witness God used through Charlie Kirk.

Caution - often revival can be misdirected - centered around emotional manipulation, political agendas, personality cults, or religious busyness…

The Asbury Outpouring of 2023 - 16 days of worship

The Religious Right Movement of the 80-90’s

In all fairness, the Jewish leaders in Jesus’ day were similarly motivated, they longed for revival, for restoration of Israel, and for the blessing of God’s people, they longed for national restoration, moral and religious purity, and freedom from oppression, they wanted God to act and to see His people flourish..

The Problem: their conception of revival was tied to law-keeping, national expectations, and visible success. Their criticism of Jesus; he was proclaiming a kingdom radically different than what they expected. When the Messiah came, He did not fit their expectations. They missed the One to whom all witnesses pointed.

Jesus’ warning in John 5 reminds us that revival and life are not found in movements, even good ones, if they do not lead people to faith in Him; true renewal begins with Jesus.

The Jews’ Longing and the Witnesses

Jesus shows how the things they appealed to pointed to him, and if they couldn’t see that, they would never see the revival they longed for.

John the Baptist (vv.33–35)

His testimony: He was a burning and shining lamp pointing to Christ. People came from all over to hear him, and to be baptized by him.

What was John doing?

John called out sin and called people to repentance. Many responded because they were aware of their own brokenness.

He criticized the elite, the hypocritical, and the powerful—drawing admiration then and now.

We often admire prophetic boldness for entertainment value—watching someone speak truth to power—without letting it transform our hearts.

If John’s ministry does not lead us to repent and look to the Lamb of God who takes away our sin, we have missed the point.

True renewal begins with Jesus, not merely with the spectacle of bold confrontation. We are thrilled to hear someone speaking the truth in a world of lies, except for when it speaks to our own hearts and calls us to repent.

The Works of Jesus (v.36)

Jesus’ miracles and signs demonstrated divine authority and the Father’s sending.

People were drawn to wonders, power, and spectacle. Many wanted a Messiah who would overthrow Rome and restore Israel’s prominence.

Today, we are attracted to success, celebrity, or dramatic acts of service—things that impress, inspire, or entertain—without necessarily submitting to the One behind them.

This is the appeal of the Faith Healing movement, the Prosperity Gospel, and much of the “worshiptainment” industry - a draw upon our hunger for that which is new, exciting, and emotionally charged

Admiring signs without trusting the Giver leaves the heart unchanged. If Jesus’ works don’t lead us to faith in Him as Lord and Savior, we have missed the point. True renewal begins with Jesus, not just the wonders we see.

The Father Himself (vv.37–38)

God Himself confirms the Son through authority and approval.

At Jesus’ baptism: “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased” (Matt. 3:17).

At the Transfiguration: “This is my beloved Son… listen to him” (Matt. 17:5).

Jesus’ miracles and works were themselves given by the Father as testimony (Jn 10:37–38; Jn 14:10–11).

Though the Father’s testimony was clear, Jesus says to these leaders: “His voice you have never heard, his form you have never seen, and you do not have his word abiding in you” (vv. 37–38). In other words, the issue wasn’t the lack of divine witness but the lack of a receptive heart.

We often respond to clear authority or endorsement, especially from someone who is ultimate in power or influence. We seek endorsements from leaders, institutions, or influencers. We trust credentials, reputation, or authority, but may not respond to the personal call to Christ.

Even the clearest word from God Himself does not save unless it leads us to faith in His Son.

“This is his commandment, that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ” (1 Jn 3:23).

True renewal begins with Jesus, not merely the approval of authority, even the highest authority.

The Scriptures and Moses (vv.39–47)

Jesus says, “You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me” (v. 39).

The Law shows us our need for a perfect law-keeper (Gal. 3:24).

The Prophets pointed to the coming Christ who would bring God’s salvation (Luke 24:27).

Moses himself wrote of Him (Deut. 18:15).

For the Jews, Scripture became an end in itself, knowledge, rules, traditions, systems, rather than a pointer to the Messiah. Today, many look to Scripture or “biblical values” as a program for moral reform, cultural renewal, or political power. We admire the wisdom of biblical teaching, the purity of moral rigor, and the clarity of moral order, and believe that if we legislate morality or restore “Christian culture,” revival will come. But we must ask, “do we want revival through moral reform, or through Christ who alone gives new life?”

Studying Scripture or embracing morality without Christ leaves the heart unchanged. Moses, whom they trusted, would stand as their accuser (vv. 45–46). The very law they relied on condemned them because it pointed beyond itself to Jesus.

True renewal begins not in moral effort, cultural reform, or even diligent Bible study for its own sake—but in the One to whom Scripture points. The Bible leads us to Christ. If we miss Him, we miss everything.

Where Real Revival Resides

Personal Transformation

Revival begins in the heart: humility, repentance, forgiveness, and joy in Christ.

If you want revival in your life, remember: true renewal begins with Jesus. Seek Jesus: not signs, personalities, or Scripture knowledge alone. Only by coming to Him in faith do we find life, renewal, and restoration. True renewal begins with Jesus.

Overflow into Community

Transformed lives shape families, churches, neighborhoods, and society. Revival flows outward as a consequence of Christ-centered change, not as the primary goal.

The work of renewal in our homes, communities, and even our nation starts here: renewal begins with Jesus.

Conclusion: Meeting Christ, Not Just the Vision

Just as the memorial for Charlie Kirk drew thousands and highlighted a hunger for truth, people long for revival and renewal today. God uses faithful witnesses, sometimes even imperfect ones, to bring people to Himself and spark moments of awakening.

But the question remains: are we stopping at the witnesses, or are we coming to the source of life Himself? Revival that does not lead to Jesus is incomplete and ultimately empty. Crowds may gather, movements may rise, causes may stir the heart—but if they do not lead us to Jesus, they are only shadows without substance. True renewal begins with Jesus.

True revival, real transformation, and lasting renewal are found only in Him. The lamp, the works, the Father’s testimony, the Scriptures, all point to Jesus. We must not miss Him: True renewal begins with Jesus.