Equality.

recap

John 5:17–31 NKJV

But Jesus answered them, “My Father has been working until now, and I have been working.” Therefore the Jews sought all the more to kill Him, because He not only broke the Sabbath, but also said that God was His Father, making Himself equal with God. Then Jesus answered and said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner. For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things that He Himself does; and He will show Him greater works than these, that you may marvel. For as the Father raises the dead and gives life to them, even so the Son gives life to whom He will. For the Father judges no one, but has committed all judgment to the Son, that all should honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him. “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life. Most assuredly, I say to you, the hour is coming, and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God; and those who hear will live. For as the Father has life in Himself, so He has granted the Son to have life in Himself, and has given Him authority to execute judgment also, because He is the Son of Man. Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth—those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation. I can of Myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is righteous, because I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me. “If I bear witness of Myself, My witness is not true.

Pray...

Here we see lots of Red Letters, JC is about to unleash some knowledge...

John 5:17–45 NKJV

But Jesus answered them, “My Father has been working until now, and I have been working.” Therefore the Jews sought all the more to kill Him, because He not only broke the Sabbath, but also said that God was His Father, making Himself equal with God. Then Jesus answered and said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner. For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things that He Himself does; and He will show Him greater works than these, that you may marvel. For as the Father raises the dead and gives life to them, even so the Son gives life to whom He will. For the Father judges no one, but has committed all judgment to the Son, that all should honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him. “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life. Most assuredly, I say to you, the hour is coming, and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God; and those who hear will live. For as the Father has life in Himself, so He has granted the Son to have life in Himself, and has given Him authority to execute judgment also, because He is the Son of Man. Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth—those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation. I can of Myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is righteous, because I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me. “If I bear witness of Myself, My witness is not true. There is another who bears witness of Me, and I know that the witness which He witnesses of Me is true. You have sent to John, and he has borne witness to the truth. Yet I do not receive testimony from man, but I say these things that you may be saved. He was the burning and shining lamp, and you were willing for a time to rejoice in his light. But I have a greater witness than John’s; for the works which the Father has given Me to finish—the very works that I do—bear witness of Me, that the Father has sent Me. And the Father Himself, who sent Me, has testified of Me. You have neither heard His voice at any time, nor seen His form. But you do not have His word abiding in you, because whom He sent, Him you do not believe. You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me. But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life. “I do not receive honor from men. But I know you, that you do not have the love of God in you. I have come in My Father’s name, and you do not receive Me; if another comes in his own name, him you will receive. How can you believe, who receive honor from one another, and do not seek the honor that comes from the only God? Do not think that I shall accuse you to the Father; there is one who accuses you—Moses, in whom you trust.

The New American Commentary: John 1–11 (3) The Sabbath, the Man’s Defense, and the Rise of Conflict (5:9b–29)

Carson notes that there is an interesting presuppositional agreement between the rabbis and Jesus. Both recognize the sense of God’s constant working in the world (defined by Christian theologians as the doctrine of providence). It is assumed that God continues to work on the Sabbath or the world would collapse.24 Yet the issue for the rabbis revolved around the fact that humans are not God and therefore must not try to act like God. But here is the point the evangelist was making. The working of Jesus is precisely the Johannine proclamation: Jesus is the Son of God and therefore the representative of God (cf. 20:28). So (a) if God can continue to work positively in creation on the Sabbath and not totally rest, and (b) if one can recognize that the works of Jesus are the works of God, then the question follows: Why are not the works of Jesus on the Sabbath legitimate?

Today we examine Five ways He is equal with God

v.17

Jesus says something about YHWH, and in so doing something about himself...

1- Equality in Purpose

Jesus claims to be equal with God in purpose

What Jesus said about Himself makes Him a nut basket, a liar, or it reveals His true identity as God

The Jews hated that He continually claimed to be equal with God (see ; )

Five ways He is equal with God

In purpose

Jewish understanding of YHWH is his uniqueness amidst the bene-ha-elohim

Psalm 121:4 NKJV

Behold, He who keeps Israel Shall neither slumber nor sleep.

Psalm 121:4If God is working while we are resting, why should we be worrying?He claimed He could forgive sins (see )Only God can forgive sins, so He must be God

If God is working while we are resting, why should we be worrying?

He claimed He could forgive sins (see )Only God can forgive sins, so He must be God

Jewish understanding of YHWH is his uniqueness amidst the bene-ha-elohim

2nd Judaism...

Jesus saying equal in purpose is the same as saying equal in Person

The Jews knew what he was saying...

(disputes about JCs divinity claims today…)

but his enemies knew exactly what He was saying...

A nice point here is Jesus’ statement about working...

-While we rest He is at work...

While we are resting, God is working

Psalm 121:4 NKJV

Behold, He who keeps Israel Shall neither slumber nor sleep.

If God is working while we are resting, why should we be worrying?

He claimed He could forgive sins (see )Only God can forgive sins, so He must be God

v.19-21

Jesus begins to make some bold claims...

DA Carson says he is either God or completely insane...

2- Equality in Performance

(WHAT IS GOD DOING)

(HOW DO WE SEE GOD’S NATURE)

3- Equality in Power

{MORE EXAMPLES}

God can raise people from the dead

No one takes His life from Him (see )

4- Equality in Position

life giver, DANIEL/EZEKIEL picture of SON of MAN, Cloud Rider...

5- Equality in Proclamation

Judgement

All people will be judged

Believers will be judged (see )

Rewarded for the faithful things we do

Or not rewarded because we did not do what we were called to

Based on what we do after we are saved

Bema seat of Christ

Béma = an elevated place ascended by steps; a throne, tribunal

A raised platform where rewards and edicts were given

Unbelievers will be judgedGreat white throne judgment (see )

Unbelievers who have died will be raised and sent to face judgment in hell forever

If you want to know what God is like, you just have to look at Jesus

When we are talking to the Lord in Jesus' name, we are dealing with someone who left heaven to come to earth

He experienced the same hurt and trials that we face, and He understands (see )

He has all the resources of heaven

He is the God-Man

John 5:25–36 NKJV

Most assuredly, I say to you, the hour is coming, and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God; and those who hear will live. For as the Father has life in Himself, so He has granted the Son to have life in Himself, and has given Him authority to execute judgment also, because He is the Son of Man. Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth—those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation. I can of Myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is righteous, because I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me. “If I bear witness of Myself, My witness is not true. There is another who bears witness of Me, and I know that the witness which He witnesses of Me is true. You have sent to John, and he has borne witness to the truth. Yet I do not receive testimony from man, but I say these things that you may be saved. He was the burning and shining lamp, and you were willing for a time to rejoice in his light. But I have a greater witness than John’s; for the works which the Father has given Me to finish—the very works that I do—bear witness of Me, that the Father has sent Me.

John 5:25-36For believers, judgment is past tensePassed from death to lifeJudgment was taken out on Jesus on the cross (see )We will only be judged on what we did or did not do for ChristFor unbelievers, judgment is in the future

For believers, judgment is past tense

Passed from death to life

Judgment was taken out on Jesus on the cross (see )

We will only be judged on what we did or did not do for Christ

For unbelievers, judgment is in the future

Worship Team back up...

BONUS- Equality in Praise

Altar response...