Called to the Witness Stand
The Gospel of John • Sermon • Submitted
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Introduction
Introduction
Introduction
Introduction
John chapter five opens with Jesus entering Jerusalem for one of the Jewish feasts where he heals a man who had been paralyzed for 38 years.
16 So, because Jesus was doing these things on the Sabbath, the Jewish leaders began to persecute him. 17 In his defense Jesus said to them, “My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I too am working.” 18 For this reason they tried all the more to kill him; not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God.
jn 5.
Jesus continues his argument (vs. 19-30) by making amazing claims about himself. He claims to be "the Son of God," "the One sent by the Father," "the Source of all life" (physical and spiritual), "the Judge of all the world" (all history is heading toward a confrontation with him), and "the Raiser of the dead," the One who one day will empty all the cemeteries of the earth.
Knowing their heart, Jesus’ argument then continues as he shapes it in the form of a court trial. Under Jewish law it was necessary to have 2 or 3 witnesses
15 One witness is not enough to convict anyone accused of any crime or offense they may have committed. A matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.
deut
“Witness” is a common word in John’s writings. (Gospel 47, Epistles 17, ) The verb occurs 33 times in this Gospel. Jesus gives 5 specific sources of testimony about himself. Today I’d like to present to you those five testimonies in a message entitled “Called to the Witness Stand”
The Bible Knowledge Commentary 5:31–32
Number of Occurrences of “Testimony” and “Testify” (in Gr.) in John’s Writings
Gospel
Epistles
Revelation
Total
Total Occurrences in the NT
Noun
14
7
9
30
60
Verb
33
10
4
47
76
Totals
47
17
13
77
136
The verb occurs 33 times. Jesus gives 5 specific sources of testimony about himself. Today I’d like to present to you those five testimonies in a message entitled “Called to the Witness Stand”
31 “If I were to testify on my own behalf, my testimony would not be valid.
“Witness” is a common word in this Gospel. The verb martyreo occurs 33 times. Jesus gives 5 specific sources of testimony about himself.
Under Jewish law it is necessary to have 2 or 3 witnesses
31 “If I testify about myself, my testimony is not true. 32 There is another who testifies in my favor, and I know that his testimony about me is true.
33 “You have sent to John and he has testified to the truth. 34 Not that I accept human testimony; but I mention it that you may be saved. 35 John was a lamp that burned and gave light, and you chose for a time to enjoy his light.
36 “I have testimony weightier than that of John. For the works that the Father has given me to finish—the very works that I am doing—testify that the Father has sent me. 37 And the Father who sent me has himself testified concerning me. You have never heard his voice nor seen his form, 38 nor does his word dwell in you, for you do not believe the one he sent. 39 You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me, 40 yet you refuse to come to me to have life.
41 “I do not accept glory from human beings, 42 but I know you. I know that you do not have the love of God in your hearts. 43 I have come in my Father’s name, and you do not accept me; but if someone else comes in his own name, you will accept him. 44 How can you believe since you accept glory from one another but do not seek the glory that comes from the only God?
45 “But do not think I will accuse you before the Father. Your accuser is Moses, on whom your hopes are set. 46 If you believed Moses, you would believe me, for he wrote about me. 47 But since you do not believe what he wrote, how are you going to believe what I say?”
John 5.
1st Witness is Jesus
1st Witness is Jesus
31 “If I testify about myself, my testimony is not true.
When Jesus says that his testimony “is not true” he doesn’t not mean that he’s bearing false witness. Under Jewish law a man could not testify on his own behalf.
31 “If I were to testify on my own behalf, my testimony would not be valid.
When you acknowledge Jesus as Lord, His testimony is more than enough.
jn 5.31
14 Jesus answered, “Even if I testify on my own behalf, my testimony is valid, for I know where I came from and where I am going. But you have no idea where I come from or where I am going.
jn 8
- Jesus’ point was that if He bore witness to Himself, it would not be accepted by the Jewish authorities.
Under Jewish law a man could not testify on his own behalf.
- Jesus’ point here is that self - exaltation is perfectly valid because an individual is the only one who knows his own full experience. Jesus affirmed who He was.
People need to come to know who Jesus is!
“Know Jesus, know peace! No Jesus, no peace!
“Know Jesus, know peace! No Jesus, no peace!
People can hear the same truth preached right out of scripture for years and years and never believe it, but because of God’s great mercy he provides more testimony …
2nd Witness is John
2nd Witness is John
31 “If I testify about myself, my testimony is not true. 32 There is another who testifies in my favor, and I know that his testimony about me is true. 33 “You have sent to John and he has testified to the truth.
John’s credentials
jn 5.31-
6 There was a man sent from God whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. 8 He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.
John’s humility (He pointed his own disciples to Jesus)
29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!
John’s message
32 Then John gave this testimony: “I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him. 33 And I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’ 34 I have seen and I testify that this is God’s Chosen One.”
John was only a lamp, not the true Light. The Jews were stirred for a short time, but there excitement lessoned over time. It’s not a dynamic speaker or the next great event that’s going to change people’s lives!
3rd Witness is Jesus’ Own Miracles
3rd Witness is Jesus’ Own Miracles
36 “I have testimony weightier than that of John. For the works that the Father has given me to finish—the very works that I am doing—testify that the Father has sent me.
Jesus’ works was proof that God was with Him and worked through Him.
Nicodemus’ words
2 He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.”
jn
You can’t argue with the miracle working power of Jesus Christ, yet many still do!
The Lesson from the ex-blind man
30 The man answered, “Now that is remarkable! You don’t know where he comes from, yet he opened my eyes. 31 We know that God does not listen to sinners. He listens to the godly person who does his will. 32 Nobody has ever heard of opening the eyes of a man born blind. 33 If this man were not from God, he could do nothing.”
john 9.30-
4th Witness is God the Father
4th Witness is God the Father
37 And the Father who sent me has himself testified concerning me. You have never heard his voice nor seen his form, 38 nor does his word dwell in you, for you do not believe the one he sent.
When or how does the Father give this witness?
Jesus’ baptism
17 And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”
The mount of transfiguration
5 While he was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!”
The Triumphal Entry
28 Father, glorify your name!” Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it, and will glorify it again.”
Although it would be wonderful to hear the audible voice of God, most likely Jesus was referring to the inner work of God in which He impresses on people’s hearts that Jesus is the Truth!
9 We accept human testimony, but God’s testimony is greater because it is the testimony of God, which he has given about his Son. 10 Whoever believes in the Son of God accepts this testimony. Whoever does not believe God has made him out to be a liar, because they have not believed the testimony God has given about his Son. 11 And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.
- The “word” or “logic” for everything!
5th Witness is The Word
5th Witness is The Word
You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me,
jn 5.
The Bible Knowledge Commentary 5:39–40
The Jewish religious leaders studied the Old Testament with great diligence. They believed that if one could comprehend the words of the text, he would gain a share in the world to come. They considered those ignorant of the Law to be under a curse (7:49).
The Bible Knowledge Commentary 5:39–40
Similarly many people today think Bible study is an end in itself rather than a function leading to the knowledge of God and godliness.
Similarly many people today thing Bible study is an end in itself rather than a
10 reasons Americans go to church -- and 9 reasons they don't
10 reasons Americans go to church -- and 9 reasons they don't
5th Witness is Moses
5th Witness is Moses
(CNN & Pew Research Center)
“If American religion were traded at a stock exchange, your broker might be advising you to sell. The trend lines don't look great and haven't for quite some time.”
10 Reasons Americans Go To Church
1. To become closer to God. (81%)
2. So their children will have a moral foundation. (69%)
3. To become a better person. (68%)
4. For comfort in times of trouble or sorrow. (66%)
5. They find the sermons valuable. (59%)
6. To be part of a faith community. (57%)
7. To continue their family's religious traditions. (37%)
8. They feel obligated to go. (31%)
9. To meet new people or socialize. (19%)
10. To please their family, spouse or partner. (16%)
9 Reason They Don’t Attend
1. They practice their faith in "other ways." (37%)
2. They are not believers. (28%)
3. No reason is "very important." (26%)
4. They haven't found a house of worship they like. (23%)
5. They don't like the sermons. (18%)
6. They don't feel welcome. (14%)
7. They don't have the time. (12%)
8. Poor health or mobility. (9%)
9. No house of worship in their area. (7%)
Of those who believe in religion but don't regularly attend religious services, nearly 7 in 10 still identify with a particular tradition, including 6 in 10 who say they are Christian.
But this study suggests that there is an under-served group of believers who seem like they'd actually like to go to religious services -- if only someone could help get them there and welcome them when they arrive.
Many have said that we live in a Post Christian world here in America. Statistically a larger portion of Americans still consider themselves to be Christians, but it does not translate into church attendance or involvement.
6th Witness is YOU!
6th Witness is YOU!
*Live out the Word!
22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.
23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror
Forgive, serve one another, encourage, Love God & Love People!
*Love People!
34 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
*Pray for the Holy Spirit’s Empowerment
8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
Closing
Closing
Example: Pastor Tony Cruz - Freedom Life Church in Lewisburg, PA (August 9, 2018 @ 2:55 PM) His interaction with a Walmart employee in the paint department that was having a tough day
“If American religion were traded at a stock exchange, your broker might be advising you to sell.”
If Jesus treaded His church as business that can be bought and sold, CNN is forgetting one thing. Jesus has the greatest commodity on the face of the Earth = YOU! The power of a changed life.
One thing