SF025 - THE DEITY OF CHRIST - THREEFOLD WITNESS TO IT (John 5 31-47)
The Deity of Christ: Threefold Witness to It
January 6, 2002
John 5:31-47
Introduction
The fifth chapter of John is concerned almost entirely with the question of how an individual can know God. The first part of the chapter deals with the means by which one can know God; that is through Jesus Christ. The second part deals with the verification of these means. In other words, can these means be trusted?
Jesus presents in our text three witnesses to His Deity, the witness of John the Baptist, the witness of His own works (specifically His miracles) and the witness of the Scriptures.
In 5:31-32, Jesus refers to “another witness.” In verse 32, the Greek word allos, is translated “another.” It literally means another of the same kind. Therefore, the witness Jesus refers to is none other than God, the Father. It is God who is bearing witness to Jesus through John, the miracles, and the Scriptures. God is the origin of the witness.
1A. The Witness of John the Baptist (5:33-35)
John testified to the truth of who Jesus is. (5:33)
Jesus is the Lamb of God. (John 1:29-32)
Jesus is the Christ. (John 3:26-30)
John’s testimony did not originate with him. (5:34)
God is the source of John’s testimony. (John 1:33-34)
1 John 5:9 If we receive the testimony of men, the testimony of God is greater; for the testimony of God is this, that He has testified concerning His Son.
John was a lamp that pointed men to the true Light. (5:35; John 1:6-13)
2A. The Witness of Jesus’ Works (5:36)
The works Jesus refers to are the miracles He performed. The Greek word translated “miracle” is the word semeia, which literally means a sign or a pointer. The miracles of Christ point to His glory and His deity.
John records for us seven significant miracles which reveal the Lord’s character and nature to us.
The changing of the water to wine; He is the answer to man’s discouragement. (2:1-11)
The healing of the nobleman’s son; He is the cure for man’s doubt. (4:46-54)
The healing of the disabled man; He overcomes man’s disabilities. (5:1-18)
The feeding of the five thousand; He fulfills man’s desires. (6:1-14)
The walking upon the water; He overcomes man’s despair. (6:16-21)
The healing of the man born blind; He is God’s answer to man’s darkness (9:1-41)
The raising of Lazarus from the dead; He is God’s answer to death. (11:1-46)
3A. The Witness of God’s Word (5:37-47)
1B. God’s Word is how God speaks to man. (5:37-38)
Luke 24:27 Then beginning with Moses and with all the prophets, He explained to them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures.
2B. God’s Word reveals Christ. (5:39-40)
We are to “search” the Scriptures for Christ.
“Search” from ereunao, means to seek out to hunt.
We are to “come” to the Christ that the Scriptures reveal.
Matthew 11:28-30 “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
Revelation 22:17 The Spirit and the bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who wishes take the water of life without cost.
3B. God’s Word reveals and condemns man. (5:41-47)
God’s Word reveals man’s selfish heart. (5:41-44)
Ø Man is self-loving and self-gratifying.
God’s Word reveals man’s self-reliance. (5:43-44)
Ø Man rejects the true Christ but receives a false Christ. (5:43)
Matthew 24:5 For many will come in My name, saying, “I am the Christ,” and will mislead many.
2 Timothy 4:3-4 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths.
Ø Man refuses to seek God’s glory; rather he seeks to glorify himself. (5:44)
God’s Word reveals man’s sin. (5:45-47)
Ø God’s Word reveals the reality of man’s sin. (5:45)
Ø God’s Word reveals the result of man’s sin. (5:46-47)
Application
God bears testimony to Christ through the witness of John, the miracles of Christ and the Scriptures. Have you believed His witness? Have you repented of your sins and placed your faith in Christ? If not, would you seek Him now?
Preparing for Next Week
1. Read John 6:1-13.
2. What do the opening words of verse 1 denote?
3. In what respect is verse 2 repeated today?
4. What is the significance of verse 4 coming just before the feeding of the multitude?
5. How may we apply to ourselves Christ’s questions in verse 5?
6. How do Philip and Andrew represent us? (6:7-9)
7. What are the spiritual lessons suggested by verse 11?