Pointing to the Father
Chasing Jesus • Sermon • Submitted
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· 9 viewsJesus reinforces the central purpose of His coming, to bring testimony to God and bring praise to God. Man was designed and created with the purpose of seeking and serving the Father. To do anything else is to operate apart from our design. Jesus points us to this as He seeks the praise of the Father above all. Our aim is to please the Father and not one another.
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The Fault in Our Judgment
The Fault in Our Judgment
John 5:31-
“If I testify about myself, my testimony is not true. There is another who testifies in my favor, and I know that his testimony about me is true.
“You have sent to John and he has testified to the truth. Not that I accept human testimony; but I mention it that you may be saved. John was a lamp that burned and gave light, and you chose for a time to enjoy his light.
The religious leaders of the day struggled with the truth of Jesus. The truth of Christ challenged their views and practices. When our views and practices are challenged, we become conflicted for what is truly better. We seek proof. Jesus in His love meets us where we are at and reveals to our hearts the truth.
The law of the day did not accept the testimony of another without the collaboration of witnesses. Jesus begins by pointing them to the testimony of John the Baptist. In the beginning of this gospel, John the writer reminds the readers of how the Jewish leaders held John in high esteem. His teaching and baptizing had captured the attention of the leaders. They even came out to ask John if He was the Messiah.
Jesus has the testimony of John, but He does not allow this testimony to truly define who He is. He has the testimony that matters.
The Testimony that Matters
The Testimony that Matters
“I have testimony weightier than that of John. For the works that the Father has given me to finish—the very works that I am doing—testify that the Father has sent me. And the Father who sent me has himself testified concerning me. You have never heard his voice nor seen his form, nor does his word dwell in you, for you do not believe the one he sent. You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life.
Jesus gives those who question the truth that He gives by pointing them to the One who has the greatest testimony, God the Father. God has glorified the son and given to the son the work of the Father.
God has been testifying of the son since the beginning. has been testifying of the One that sees in fulfillment.
The Scriptures cry out about the son. Every promise, Christ fulfilled. Every misconception, Christ set straight. The Scriptures are alive because of Christ. The Scriptures are true because of Christ. They teach of Him and because of Him, they have life.
We miss who Christ is because we miss God. We don’t hear His voice because we do not listen for His voice. The testimony of the world dictates the pursuit of our heart. In Jesus’ day, the law dictated who they were and the testimony that would define who they were. They missed Christ because they were listening for the law and not the Father.
Who We Are to the Father
Who We Are to the Father
“I do not accept glory from human beings, but I know you. I know that you do not have the love of God in your hearts. I have come in my Father’s name, and you do not accept me; but if someone else comes in his own name, you will accept him. How can you believe since you accept glory from one another but do not seek the glory that comes from the only God?
“But do not think I will accuse you before the Father. Your accuser is Moses, on whom your hopes are set. If you believed Moses, you would believe me, for he wrote about me. But since you do not believe what he wrote, how are you going to believe what I say?”
Jesus clearly understood whose opinion mattered, God’s alone. What man thought of Jesus did not move or sway Him. His decisions were not based on the people around Him or even His own desires. God alone was His aim.
In the same manner, We are to be defined by God alone. His opinion of us should be the only one that matters. In Him alone, we find glory, life and relationship. If we are more concerned with the thoughts of others, we will miss God.
When we miss God, we stand guilty of who or what it is that stood as our authority. We can not have it both ways, the mercy of God and the opinion of the world.
Are you being pointed to the Father? Is He your aim? Are you pointing others to Him?