Sunday Morning Bible Study

January 17, 2010

Introduction

Do people see Jesus? Is the gospel preached? Does it speak to the broken hearted? Does it build up the church? Milk – Meat – Manna Preach for a decision

Jesus was in Jerusalem for one of the Jewish ritual feasts.

While there, He stopped by a pool called Bethesda, where He met a man who had been sick for 38 years. (Play Bethesda Healing video)

Because Jesus healed the man on the Sabbath, and because He told the man to pick up his bed, Jesus got into major trouble for working and making this man work on the Sabbath.

And as He tried to explain Himself, He makes it clear that He is God's Son, in fact, He makes Himself to be equal with God.

That made things even worse.

:30 I can of Myself do nothing.

Even though John has already clearly established that Jesus was, is, and claims to be God, we’ve seen that while He was in His earthly body, He limited Himself, being completely dependent upon God the Father for everything.

When we see Jesus doing great things, when we see Him acting with extraordinary grace, compassion, and love, we ought to be encouraged. If Jesus did these things while being completely dependent upon God, perhaps we could too?

(Jn 14:12 NKJV) —12 “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father.

:30 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.

:30 judgment –  krisis –  a separating; selection; judgment

:30 righteous – dikaios – upright, virtuous, keeping the commands of God; innocent, faultless

Lesson

Good Decisions

I have to admit that sometimes I just HATE making decisions.

Sometimes even the easiest of decisions can be difficult and then backfire and blow up in your face.

One of the key verses in my life is:

(Jn 7:24 NKJV) Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment.”

I want to learn to make decisions not based upon outward appearance, but with true, righteous judgment.

Illustration

The Lawsuit

A big city lawyer was called in on a case between a farmer and a large railroad company. The farmer noticed that his prize cow was missing from the field through which the railroad passed. He filed suit against the railroad company for the value of the cow. The case was to be tried before the justice of the peace in the back room of the general store. The attorney immediately cornered the farmer and tried to get him to settle out of court. The lawyer did his best selling job, and the farmer finally agreed to take half of what he was claiming to settle the case. After the farmer signed the release and took the check, the young lawyer couldn’t help but gloat a little over his success. He said to the farmer, “You know, I hate to tell you this but I put one over on you in there. I couldn’t have won the case. The engineer was asleep and the fireman was in the caboose when the train went through your farm that morning. I didn’t have one witness to put on the stand.” The old farmer replied, “Well, I’ll tell you, young feller, I was a little worried about winning that case myself when that cow came home this morning!”

Things aren’t always as they seem. It’s easy to make decisions (judgments) based on the wrong things instead of what is right.

Jesus gives one clue as to what makes judgment “righteous”: Putting God’s will ahead of my own.

Sometimes it’s easy to know what God’s will is.

If there is something in the Scriptures that talk about God’s will, then it’s very clear. For example:

(1 Th 4:3–5 NKJV) —3 For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality; 4 that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, 5 not in passion of lust, like the Gentiles who do not know God;

In other words, God’s will is that we treat our bodies with respect, and that means not having sex outside the boundaries of marriage.

Where I face difficulty is when my “will” is different from God’s.

I have to make a choice – God’s will or my will.

In order to make the right choice, I have to have the mindset of a disciple, a follower of Jesus.

(Mt 16:24 NKJV) Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.

Sometimes choosing to do God’s will involves choosing NOT to do my will.

Sometimes I want to punch someone in the face. But that’s not God’s way:

(Mt 5:44 NKJV) —44 But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you,

At the end of His life, Jesus faced a series of choices. One of those choices involved with going ahead with God’s plan of Him dying on the cross to pay for our sins. In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus prayed,

(Lk 22:42 NKJV) saying, “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.”

God help us to grow in making “good decisions”.

:31-47 The Witnesses

Keep in mind the context as we move on.

As Jesus is explaining why He didn’t mind breaking the Jewish Sabbath traditions, He made it clear that He was God’s Son.

The Jews felt Jesus was committing blasphemy, claiming to be equal with God.

They also felt that Jesus guilty of tooting His own horn, He was simply making up a story, “testifying” of Himself.

Anybody can claim to be equal with God. The real question is, is there any other proof that you are who you say you are?

Jesus will now proceed to line up His star “witnesses” as to just who He is. The Greek word that appears over and over in this passage is:

witness – martureo – to be a witness

We get our English word “martyr” from this word.

There’s nothing complicated about this word, it’s simply making a statement about what you know.

Play “Perry Mason” clip.

A “witness” isn’t the one who makes the judgment. A “witness” simply tells what they know – what they’ve seen or heard.

:31 “If I bear witness of Myself, My witness is not true.

According to Jewish tradition, it wasn’t valid for a person to be the only witness on their own behalf.

They had to have another person testify in addition to themselves.

:32 There is another who bears witness of Me, and I know that the witness which He witnesses of Me is true.

:33 You have sent to John, and he has borne witness to the truth.

:34 Yet I do not receive testimony from man, but I say these things that you may be saved.

Jesus doesn’t need a human witness to who He is. But He is going to remind them of John’s testimony about Him in order to give these people as many chances as possible to rethink their ideas, to believe in Jesus, and to be saved because of their belief.

:35 He was the burning and shining lamp, and you were willing for a time to rejoice in his light.

The court is in session. The first witness may take the stand…

Lesson

#1 – John’s Witness

John had a testimony about who Jesus was:

(Jn 1:29–34 NKJV) —29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! 30 This is He of whom I said, ‘After me comes a Man who is preferred before me, for He was before me.’ 31 I did not know Him; but that He should be revealed to Israel, therefore I came baptizing with water.” 32 And John bore witness, saying, “I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and He remained upon Him. 33 I did not know Him, but He who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘Upon whom you see the Spirit descending, and remaining on Him, this is He who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ 34 And I have seen and testified that this is the Son of God.”

John was pretty clear about who Jesus was. It was John’s testimony that Jesus was the Son of God.

burning – kaio –to set on fire, light, burning

You could say that John was “on fire” for God.

Lesson

Our Witness

We too have a testimony. We too are “lights” and “lamps”

(Mt 5:14–16 NKJV) —14 “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

Even though Jesus probably doesn’t need us to be witnesses, the truth is that this is God’s favorite way to work – through people.

Do you have something to say about Jesus? If you’ve come to trust in Him, then you have something to say.

We too ought to be “on fire” for God.

I’m not sure that the real “power” in sharing your faith is having all the answers to tough questions or learning all the methods of witnessing.

I think the real “power” is in being on fire with the Holy Spirit.

Jesus said,

(Ac 1:8 NKJV) —8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

Sheldon VanAuken in A Severe Mercy, wrote,

“The best argument for Christianity is Christians—their joy, their certainty, their completeness. But the strongest argument against Christianity is also Christians—when they’re self-righteous and smug in complacent consecration. When they’re narrow and repressive, then Christianity dies a thousand deaths.”

:36 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.

Lesson

#2 –Works Witness

The miracles that Jesus has been doing are a pretty good witness of just who He is. We’ve seen Jesus …

Turn water into wine (John 2)

Heal the nobleman’s son (John 4)

Heal the man paralyzed for 38 years (John 5)

The apostle John handpicked which works, which “signs” he would write about concerning Jesus.

(Jn 20:30–31 NKJV) —30 And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; 31 but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.

These miracles are part of what screams that Jesus is the Messiah.

There was a time coming when John would be imprisoned by Herod. It seems that even John the Baptist began to question what God was doing. If Jesus was the Messiah, then why was he, John, sitting in prison? John sent a message to Jesus, wondering if he had it right in thinking that Jesus was the promised Messiah.

(Mt 11:4–5 NKJV) —4 Jesus answered and said to them, “Go and tell John the things which you hear and see: 5 The blind see and the lame walk; the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear; the dead are raised up and the poor have the gospel preached to them.

What was Jesus’ response to John? Look at the works. Look at the miracles. Look at the things that Jesus was doing.

In our lives, there is a witness as to what kind of faith we have, what kind of Christian we are. James writes,

(Jas 2:18–20 NLT) —18 Now someone may argue, “Some people have faith; others have good deeds.” But I say, “How can you show me your faith if you don’t have good deeds? I will show you my faith by my good deeds.”19 You say you have faith, for you believe that there is one God. Good for you! Even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror.20 How foolish! Can’t you see that faith without good deeds is useless?

It’s one thing to say that you “believe” in Jesus. But it’s far more important for people to “see” that you believe in Jesus by the kind of life that you live.

Your “works” testify about who you are and what you believe.

:37 And the Father Himself, who sent Me, has testified of Me. You have neither heard His voice at any time, nor seen His form.

:38 But you do not have His word abiding in you, because whom He sent, Him you do not believe.

Lesson

#3 – God’s Witness

God Himself has actually spoken up concerning Jesus at His baptism.

(Mt 3:16–17 NKJV) —16 When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him. 17 And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”

You can tell whether a person is really paying attention to God in their life by how they respond to God’s witness about Jesus:

(1 Jn 5:9–10 NKJV) —9 If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater; for this is the witness of God which He has testified of His Son. 10 He who believes in the Son of God has the witness in himself; he who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed the testimony that God has given of His Son.

When you believe in the Son of God, God puts His “witness” inside you.

(Ro 8:15–16 NKJV) —15 For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” 16 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,

Belief in Jesus leads to the work of the Holy Spirit in us, a work of intimacy, learning that we have a heavenly “Papa”, a witness in our hearts that we indeed the children of God.

:39 You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me.

The Jewish people were very proud, and rightfully so, that they were the ones entrusted with the sacred Scriptures. But they felt that just having the Scriptures gave them the right to eternal life.

After reading the Scriptures on the Sabbath day, the reader would say,

“Blessed is he who hath given us his law, the law of truth, and has planted “eternal life” in the midst of us.”

The problem is not in having the Bible, but in refusing to believe what it says.

Lesson

#4 – The Scriptures

The next witness Jesus brings to the stand is the Scriptures themselves.

There were over 300 specific prophecies that Jesus fulfilled in His first coming, all of which were fulfilled.  Hundreds and thousands of years before He came, the Scriptures were saying things like:

(Is 53:5–6 NKJV) —5 But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed. 6 All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way; And the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.

Jesus is amazed that these people had such pride in the Scriptures, but missed the very message in front of them.

:40 But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life.

:41 “I do not receive honor from men.

:42 But I know you, that you do not have the love of God in you.

:43 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.

I think Jesus is talking about more than just the general tendency of the Jews to follow the wrong person.  Jesus is hinting at a person yet to come, the antichrist.

(2 Th 2:9–12 NLT) —9 This man will come to do the work of Satan with counterfeit power and signs and miracles.10 He will use every kind of evil deception to fool those on their way to destruction, because they refuse to love and accept the truth that would save them.11 So God will cause them to be greatly deceived, and they will believe these lies.12 Then they will be condemned for enjoying evil rather than believing the truth.

:44 How can you believe, who receive honor from one another, and do not seek the honor that comes from the only God?

:44 honor – doxa – opinion; in the NT always a good opinion; honor; glory

Jesus is telling these people that they are more concerned about people’s opinions than they are God’s opinion.

Lesson

The Right Opinion

We are taught in this world to pay attention to the opinions that people have.

Politicians are constantly taking polls to see what the people think they ought to do.

That’s not all that bad – they are elected to represent the people.

But sometimes the issue shouldn’t be what the people want, but what is right and what is wrong.

Fashions change as people are told what is cool to wear and what isn’t.

Kids in school sometimes get themselves into trouble when they are paying too much attention to the opinions of the wrong people.

At work, sometimes we can fall into trouble by paying more attention to what the boss is demanding instead of doing what is right.

You might get a raise or a promotion for selling the most widgets, but you will also stand before God one day and have to explain why you ripped off your customers to do it.

Paul wrote,

(Col 3:22–24 NKJV) —22 Bondservants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh, not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing God. 23 And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.

Jesus is saying that these people can never do or believe in the right thing when it’s people they look to instead of looking to God.

Are you looking for the “at-a-boy” from some person that’s important to you, or are you looking for the “Well done thou good and faithful servant” from Jesus?

Some of you might be reluctant to follow Jesus because you’re afraid of what some of your friends might think.

How are you going to navigate through life?

One of the oldest tools of navigation, dating back some 2,000 years, is the magnetic compass.

Because the earth has a magnetic field, the magnetized needle on a compass can show you which direction is north.

But if you put a magnet close to a compass, you can throw off the reading.

You lose your way.

When we begin to look to people and their opinion, they become like the magnet, throwing us off course, making it harder to navigate.

Keep Jesus at the place where we find direction.

:45 Do not think that I shall accuse you to the Father; there is one who accuses you—Moses, in whom you trust.

:46 For if you believed Moses, you would believe Me; for he wrote about Me.

:47 But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe My words?”

Jesus now calls the last witness to the stand, Moses.

The Jews in Jesus’ day fell into several different categories.

The Pharisees were the orthodox, fundamental believers.  They believed that the entire Old Testament was inspired by God.

The Sadducees were the liberals, and most of the priests fell in this category.  They only believed the first five books, the books of Moses, were inspired by God.

The Pharisees would be convicted by the testimony of the Scriptures.

The Sadducees would be convicted by Moses.

Lesson

#5 - Moses

The Jews prided themselves on being the followers of Moses.

The Jews have been claiming that Jesus has broken the Law of Moses.

Yet Moses spoke of the coming Messiah.

Moses wrote that the Messiah would come through a woman:

(Ge 3:15 NKJV) —15 And I will put enmity Between you and the woman, And between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, And you shall bruise His heel.”

Moses wrote things like the Messiah being a descendant of Abraham:

(Ge 12:3 NKJV) I will bless those who bless you, And I will curse him who curses you; And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”

God spoke to Moses and warned the Israelites that they ought to pay attention to this coming Savior:

(Dt 18:18–19 NLT) —18 I will raise up a prophet like you from among their fellow Israelites. I will put my words in his mouth, and he will tell the people everything I command him.19 I will personally deal with anyone who will not listen to the messages the prophet proclaims on my behalf.

Lesson

Your Verdict?

Let me challenge you.  You are on a jury.  You’ve heard the testimony of each witness. You now have to make a decision.  What will you do with all the evidence?  What will you do with all these witnesses?

John the Baptist said Jesus was the Messiah.

Jesus’ own miracles show that He is unique.

God testified that Jesus was His Son.

The Scriptures gave ample proof of the coming Messiah.

Moses himself pointed to Jesus.

What will you do with the evidence?  Jesus said you’re for Him or against Him.

Will you choose to believe and follow Jesus?