Can I Get a Witness?
Notes
Transcript
ILLUST: Play along, bulletin - letter e
Jesus Calls His Witnesses
Jesus Calls His Witnesses
He could defend Himself (though He was sensitive to the legal issue)
V. 32, likely referring to God, the Father, and He’ll get back to this...
1) John (the Baptizer/Witness)
1) John (the Baptizer/Witness)
People sought him out, he had developed a following
Sounded good, liked what he said
Yes, he was the messenger to point to Messiah, should believe him
Wait…he expected change (repentance)
And he expected people to follow Jesus
John’s preaching was effective, reached a wide audience, prepared them for someone greater to follow
ASIDE: our salvation is not dependent simply on human testimony
It’s good to tell people what God has done for you
But nobody else can latch on to that and be saved
So…Jesus moves on to something more significant
2) Works/Miracles
2) Works/Miracles
He is using works to testify that He has been sent from the Father, from above, you know, the place where you are to be born “from”?
He was on a mission
What you do - shows your skill, competence, interests, moral standards
Jesus’ works - showed some compassion, care, etc., but primarily His superhuman divinity
His works were in cooperation with the Father - to try to show the compassion of the Father
REM - God loved the world, sent Jesus, who loved the world, because the Father loved the world
Signs of His greatness, divinity (water/wine, healing, etc.)
Yes, He’s Messiah
Like the signs? Good! Love Him!
Loving Him means more than feeling good about Him
But they liked the entertainment, not so much the message
The healing was great, not so much the message
Imagine if we promoted a physical healing service, promising healing
Or say we promoted a free giveaway for everything people needed - food, money, etc.
People need food, and they DO NOT miss their appointment at the Master’s Hand, or the times when others are open
People treated Jesus as “what’s in it for me, right now?”
People treat church - “what’s in it for me, right now?”
Yeah, they liked the entertainment, the “feel good” stuff, not so much the message - too personal
Well, the Son came from the Father, His message, and He expected change
Oh, yeah, change. That’s not good
3) The Father
3) The Father
This witness Implies direct access to God
Hard concept to grasp
People would have liked to hear a voice from Heaven (three times in Gospels this occurs, two were public)
It had been 400 years since Malachi, prior to JTB
The crowds were confused by what they heard, what they saw, this man sent by the Father, not their idea of a conquering king
They didn’t believe Jesus, so it didn’t matter Who sent Him
They couldn’t receive the truth, because they were not open to believing the Father’s plan; their mind wasn’t open to some belief that didn’t fit their own ideas
Jesus was emphasizing a relationship with God
People were stuck in religion
They were very reluctant to let Jesus work - God needed to abide in them.
They had Moses, they had what they knew, they did not feel like they needed anything new
Stuck in a rut, didn’t even know it
Comfort zone, anyone?
“I’m fine doing church MY way”
“I’m fine believing in God MY way”
Once your mind is made up, it’s not changing
That’s a dangerous place to be spiritually
Jesus calls His final witness
4) The Word
4) The Word
In case you don’t listen to John
In case you ignore what Jesus has done
In case you ignore Father (Creation)
For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.
The Witness of The SCRIPTURES
Jesus turns to what they feel is their foundation
The rabbis spent their time poring over the Torah, studying the Scriptures
History - temple is destroyed in 586
So they substituted Scripture for temple rituals
They thought this study would bring them life (v. 40 makes reference to Him knowing their pursuit)
What they were seeking (life) was now right in front of them - The WORD Himself
ILLUST? - Ever look really hard for something, it’s so clear to others, but you just don’t get it?
Had they paid attention:
Law, Prophets, Psalms - all bear witness to the Messiah, to Jesus
The Word - Jesus Himself - His Word
For the Jews - Keep the word/Torah, find favor with God - human effort for self
Jesus’ message - Keep the Word, trust Jesus, now human effort points glory to Jesus
It truly, truly takes a mindset change
If you are in it for you, you will never really get it
Many people do things for them, talk about God along the way - feel good, but are really empty
You want life? He came to bring life - His way!
People today, when times get challenging, will open their Bible, looking for peace, and then close it, not feeling any better
“Well, that didn’t work”
CLOSE - True life starts and ends with Jesus
Jesus counters His opponents - application for us
Wedding experience - “might need help from God at some point”
Starting off feeling like “we’ll do life our way, we’ll keep God in mind just in case we “need” Him.
TRUTH - most people around here live that way
“I know all I need to know about God, I’m good...”
IF you do not read the Bible regularly, then this part makes no sense to you
IF you do (and only 1 of 3 do so), why do you do so? What are you looking for?
If you don’t because you think it’s too hard, or it doesn’t make sense, then listen...
People love motivational speakers - people will believe what people say, and people manipulate you to get your attention
v. 43, people like that will be received (religious, political, business)
But Jesus will not be
People then knew Scriptures, and rejected Messiah
People today say they know the Bible, and reject Messiah
Then they really don’t know the Bible - knowing what Jesus’ Word says is not the same as knowing Jesus
That’s Jesus’ point in vv 41-47
“Oh, I love God” - Really? You don’t follow His Word
Have a conversation with Him about that.
Sad truth, most people in the church today do not know the Bible - it’s where they need to start - current events?
YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH SCRIPTURE SPEAKS OF YOUR RELATIONSHIP TO THE FATHER
Here’s the amazing thing about God’s Word
When you read it, you are to recognize and acknowledge God’s glory
Jesus’ opponents failed to make that connection
If you are wanting to be in Scriptures
Don’t start in Revelation
Start in John, Genesis 1-11, read them over and over, and let God connect with you
Reading the Word, over and over, and over and over, is how you begin to mature
If I read you something from God, and you make a change, that’s good
If YOU read it, hearing it from God, and make a change, that’s abiding in Jesus
All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.
Belief in Jesus starts with belief in His Word
IF, big IF, you want to be equipped to do the Work of Jesus, then His Word MUST be your primary guide - to believe in Him you MUST believe His Word
If you are neglecting His Word, then you will struggle spiritually, or you just won’t care
The one neglecting His Word is self-centered
Neglect Word, Reject Jesus, and when this trial is over, He will not be there to stand up for you - rather, His Word stands against you
If you are abiding in Him through His Word, then...
You are Jesus-centered
Embrace Word, draw close to the Father through Jesus and His Word, and when this trial is over, that very Word will be right next to you
Because you have a relationship with Him
It’s the difference between knowing about him, and knowing Him