Jesus and The Son of God Sermon John 5:17
Jesus and The Son of God Sermon John 5:17Introduction:
1. Jesus’ sermon in John 5 is a response to the healing of the invalid by the Pool of Bethesda. Since John includes this healing in his Gospel, we know that he believed it was unique and important. I think that reason is because of the sermon that follows the healing. Jesus did many miracles to prove He was the son of God and each miracle because it could not be faked, duplicated or explained away by the doubters, defiers and dissenters was proof of Jesus power and Jesus’ power was proof of that Jesus was the son of God, equal with God and God incarnate, God in the flesh.
2. Therefore, following the holy fathers, we all with one accord teach men to acknowledge one and the same Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, at once complete in Godhead and complete in manhood, truly God and truly man, consisting also of a reasonable soul and body; of one substance with the Father as regards His Godhead, and at the same time of one substance with us as regards His manhood; like us in all respects apart from sin; as regards His Godhead, begotten of the Father before the ages, but yet as regards His manhood begotten, for us men and for our salvation… Council at Chalcedon A.D. 451
3. More concisely one may describe the person of Christ incarnate as being full Deity and perfect humanity united without mixture, change, division, or separation in one person forever. Orthodoxy says Jesus has two natures comprising one person or hypostasis forever. - Charles Caldwell Ryrie, Basic Theology, 1999), 284.
5. The Son of God, the second person in the Trinity, being very and eternal God, of one substance and equal with the Father, did, when the fulness of time was come, take upon Him man’s nature, with all the essential properties, and common infirmities thereof, yet without sin; being conceived by the power of the Holy Ghost, in the womb of the virgin Mary, of her substance. So that two whole, perfect, and distinct natures, the Godhead and the manhood, were inseparably joined together in one person, without conversion, composition, or confusion. Which person is very God, and very man, yet one Christ, the only Mediator between God and man. - The Westminster Confession of Faith, (Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1996).
6. That is what our orthodox Christian confessions of faith state. They state that Jesus was fully man and fully God, two natures, one divine and one human but both those natures were united in one person. We believe that is exactly what the Bible teaches, in fact that is what Jesus tells us about Himself in John 5.
7. Satan and his emissaries throughout time and before time have sought to destroy the truth of who Jesus truly and fully is. They have and still are manufacturing insufficient Saviors, malignant Messiahs and counterfeit Christs.
8. We are told how to spot counterfeit money. Let me just grab this hunert dolla bill out of my billfold. Nope, don’t have one of those. I guess LeeOra must of took it. If I had a hunnert in my billfold I could tell you how to spot counterfeit hundred dollar bill, but not by knowing all about the counterfeit, but by knowing the real, genuine, true currency.
9. How to Spot a Fake $100 Bill by knowing a real $100.
10. A real $100 bill has a security thread embedded vertically on the left-hand side of the portrait. It should read 'USA 100' and glow pink under UV light, The thread is visible from both the front and back of the note, says the U.S. Currency Education Program.
11. Tilt the bill to see if the number 100 in the lower right corner changes from copper to green.
12. Be sure that the blue ribbon on the front of the bill features images of bells and 100s that move when you tilt the bill. "When you tilt the note back and forth, the bells and 100s move from side to side. When you tilt the note from side to side, the bells and 100s move up and down. The 3-D Security Ribbon is woven into the paper, not printed on it,"
13. When holding the bill to the light, you should see a faint image of Benjamin Franklin on the right side of the portrait. This watermark can be spotted from the front and back of the note.
14. Finally, Look for small, printed text in various locations, such as 'The United States of America' on Franklin's collar.
15. In John 5 those emissaries of Satan are the scribes and Pharisees. They had manufactured a counterfeit Christ based upon their interpretation of the Mosaic Law. To them Jesus as a sabbath breaker, therefore he was not their Messiah, Jesus, in turn, preached the Son of God sermon, we have before us in our text. This sermon gives us 3 3 point tests of the authenticity of Jesus as Messiah, Savior and most important Son of God and God incarnate. His message following their criticism is intense and overwhelming. It is a sermon we should understand and it is especially gives up proofs of who Jesus is. So, let’s go to John 5.
II. Jesus’ And The Threefold Proofs of Equality – John 5:17-23
John 5:17-23 17 But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work. 18 Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God. 19 Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise. 20 For the Father loveth the Son, and sheweth him all things that himself doeth: and he will shew him greater works than these, that ye may marvel.
A. The Son Is Equal To The Father
1. He is Equal In Works vs. 17, 19-21
2. Equal in Judgment vs. 22
3. Equal in Honor vs. 23
4. More in-depth first, He is equal in works. Jesus states John 5:17-21 17 But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work….19 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise. 20 For the Father loves the Son, and shews him all things that himself doeth: and he will shew him greater works than these, that ye may marvel. 21 For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickens whom he will.
a) Jesus states that He is the Son of God and the Jews fully realized what He was saying for in John 5:18 18 Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God.
b) His proof is that the works He is doing can only be done by and through the power of God. God had given life to lifeless clay when He made Adam and Jesus was giving new life to lifeless souls when people believed on Him. “Even So the son of quickens who He will.”
c) Later Jesus will raise three people during his time on earth, the son of the widow of Nain, Jairus' daughter, and most well-known, Lazarus.
d) Only God can create life, only God can give life and only God can renew life. When Jesus told Nicodemus, “John 3:14-15 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: 15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.”
e) He was saying I and I only can save, renew and give life, even eternal life. That is a statement that only the Son of God, God come to earth, could make and prove and Jesus did exactly that.
5. He Is Equal in Judgment. Next Jesus says that he and the father are equal in judgment. John 5:22 For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son.
a) This is a strong, in your face, you Pharisees, statement. Jesus is saying I stand in the place of God the Father as the judge of all. That would include the Pharisees. You can only wonder how that made them feel. God has committed all judgment to the Son. This makes the Son equal with the Father, for only God can judge a man for his sins.
b) Later Jesus expressed it this way in John 9:39 And Jesus said, For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not might see; and that they which see might be made blind. And in John 15:22 22 If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloke for their sin.
c) Jesus has been given all judgment because His life and death paid the price for redemption and we will be judged by what we did or did not do, when we heard the Gospel. What we believed or refused to believe about Jesus dying for me.
6. Third Proof, He is Equal in honor. The last proof here is in v. 23. Because Jesus has the power to give life and because Jesus is the judge of all mankind then John 5:23 (That) all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him.
a) Again, this is a bold, daring statement. Jesus is directly saying, “If you honor God the Father then give me that same honor! If you do not, then you are dishonoring the Father you claim to love and worship.”
b) Nothing could be more insulting to the Pharisees and scribes and nothing could be more true for you and I. It all comes back to Jesus, God the Son, very God of very God.
c) Paul wrote, “Romans 14:11 11 For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.
d) In Philippians 2:10 10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth.
e) It is better to bow today in willing submission than bow in unwilling subjection when the King returns.
1. The Pharisees seem to be shocked into silence at this point but Jesus is just getting warmed up. Go to vs 24 and lets hear about…
III. Jesus And The Threefold Resurrection – John 5:23-29
John 5:24-29 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. 25 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live. 26 For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself; 27 And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man. 28 Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, 29 And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.
A. Jesus’ Voice Is The Power Of Three Resurrections
1. There are three resurrections here as there were three proofs of equality in the opening passage.
2. First, there is the Resurrection of Spiritually Dead Sinners.
a) Listen closely to what Jesus says in 24. John 5:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth (present tense) my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath (present tense, a present possession) everlasting life, and shall not come (future tense) into condemnation; but is passed (past tense, one and done) from death unto life.
b) If you have been born again, you can’t be unborn. If you have been given everlasting life than you cannot have that changed into “lasting as long as you’re good” life, else it would not be everlasting. Anyone who teaches that the Salvation Jesus gives is dependent after salvation on a person’s goodness or works, is preaching a false gospel. If Jesus said it is everlasting, eternal life, I dare not call Jesus a liar by saying it is not and I can lose my eternal salvation.
c) I don’t dare stay longer here, else we won’t finish the sermon.
3. Second, is the Resurrection unto Eternal life.
a) John 5:28-29 Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, 29 And shall come forth.
b) This is the future resurrection of believers, described in 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
c) and 1 Corinthians 15:52-53 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality..
d) Third, Is The Resurrection of Damnation
(1) John 5:29 And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.).
(2) This is described in Revelation 20:13-15 13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. 14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.
(3) The Resurrection of Damnation takes place just before God makes the new heavens and earth. Only the lost, whose names were not written in the Lamb’s book of Life will stand at The Great White Throne Judgment. All who have rejected Christ will be judged, not to see if they get into heaven, it is already known they will not, but they are judged by their works to determine the degree of punishment they will suffer in hell. Yes there are degrees of punishment in Hell. Jesus told us it was so.
B. Which Resurrection Is Mine?
1. I hope that everyone hearing my voice this morning has experienced the first resurrection that Jesus said was in his power as God the Son. I hope and pray and preach that all of us has heard the voice of Jesus calling us to believe in Him and find everlasting, eternal, never to be lost life. Jesus only gives eternal life, because His death was sufficient for all eternity.
a) I hope we all can say with Paul in Ephesians 2:4-9 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: 7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
b) That is our first resurrection and it is by the power of Jesus, God’s only son.
2. If you have experienced the first resurrection, and only you can know that, but yes you can and must absolutely know it. If you have experienced the first resurrection, then we look forward to the day when the grave shall open at the voice of Jesus and the sound of the Angel’s trumpet and we shall rise.
a) How did Chris Tomlin write it?
"I Will Rise" by Chris Tomlin
There's a peace I've come to know
Though my heart and flesh may fail
There's an anchor for my soul
I can say "It is well"
Jesus has overcome
And the grave is overwhelmed
The victory is won
He is risen from the dead
[Chorus:]
And I will rise when He calls my name
No more sorrow, no more pain
I will rise on eagles' wings
Before my God fall on my knees
And rise
I will rise
3. And as much as I pray, hope and preach that all would know the joy of that resurrection I am also praying, hoping and preaching that none would ever know the eternal suffering of the last resurrection, the resurrection of the damned.
a) But just as I know all who hear my voice aren’t saved, I also know that means you are going to be in that resurrection of damnation.
b) And it is for the same power and authority of the first two resurrections, the power of Jesus the Son of God. What did you do about Jesus? When the heavens are rolled back like a scroll and Jesus descends to defeat the armies of the world and take his right place as King of the Earth, it will be too late to realize what could have been everlasting life has now become everlasting death.
1. The Pharisees and their cohorts are now reeling in their indignation and before they can say “Prove it” Jesus tells them there are three witness to prove who I am.
2. Jesus transitions to this next part of His message by saying, “John 5:30-31 I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me. 31 If I bear witness of myself, my witness is not true.”
IV. Jesus and The Threefold Witness John 5:32-47
32 There is another that beareth witness of me; and I know that the witness which he witnesseth of me is true. 33 Ye sent unto John, and he bare witness unto the truth. 34 But I receive not testimony from man: but these things I say, that ye might be saved. 35 He was a burning and a shining light: and ye were willing for a season to rejoice in his light.
A. There Are Three witnesses to Jesus’ Deity
1. The first witness was John the Baptist
a) John 5:32-35 There is another that beareth witness of me; and I know that the witness which he witnesseth of me is true. 33 Ye sent unto John, and he bare witness unto the truth. 34 But I receive not testimony from man: but these things I say, that ye might be saved. 35 He was a burning and a shining light: and ye were willing for a season to rejoice in his light.
b) While John the Baptist preached people listened, even the scribe and Pharisees. And John when he saw Jesus said, “Behold, The Lamb of God, that taketh away the sin of the world.”
c) Jesus is telling them, “Listen to the testimony of John. He was a burning and shining light and he lit the way to me.”
2. The next witness was Jesus’ own works
a) John 5:36 But I have greater witness than that of John: for the works which the Father hath given me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent me.
b) When Phillip asked Jesus to “Show us the Father” Jesus’ response was cutting, John 14:9-11 Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father? 10 Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works. 11 Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works' sake.
c) Nicodemus came to Jesus because, John 3:2 no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.
d) Jesus is now telling the scribes and Pharisees, “My works are the works of God and they are a witness to who I am, the son of God.:
3. The final witness was Jesus’ Father Through Scripture. 5:37–47
a) John 5:37-39 And the Father himself, which hath sent me, hath borne witness of me. Ye have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his shape. 38 And ye have not his word abiding in you: for whom he hath sent, him ye believe not. 39 Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.
4. The OT Scriptures are the Father’s word, His testimony to His Son, Jesus.
a) The Old Testament contains over 300 prophecies that reveal the coming Messiah. They foretold the time, the place, the ministry, his death, his resurrection and His purpose. It was all there.
b) The Jews however searched the Scriptures, thinking that their much knowledge of the Law would save them, but they missed the Messiah the One who was sent to save them. c) Jesus said, here is the witness for me and against you, “John 5:38 And ye have not his word abiding in you: for whom he hath sent, him ye believe not.
d) Now instead of the Pharisees condemning Jesus, He condemns them, John 5:40-43 “40 And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life. 41 I receive not honour from men. 42 But I know you, that ye have not the love of God in you. 43 I am come in my Father's name, and ye receive me not:”
e) His final proof of His deity and their destiny reads like the curse that it is. John 5:45-47 Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father: there is one that accuseth you, even Moses, in whom ye trust. 46 For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me. 47 But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words?
f) They refused to see, hear or understand the Words of Moses, the Word of God, they would not come to Jesus; they had no love for God; they would not receive Jesus or the eternal life and resurrection he offered. All that was left to them was the judgment of God and the curse of damnation.
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