INTERNET BIBLE STUDIES

John – Lesson 9  -  John Chapter 5:25-47

 

Introduction:

In the first part of Chapter 5, we saw Jesus perform another miracles as he heals the man at the pool of Bethesda. This man had suffered with his infirmity for 38 years before Jesus healed him. We see that the Jews were enraged that Jesus would heal on the sabbath. What they did not know was that Jesus was God, and he was Lord of the Sabbath. To do good is lawful any day of the week.

 

I. Christ is the Life, the Hope, the Resurrected One

John 5:25 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.

John 5:26 For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself;

John 5:27 And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man.

We mentioned last week that God had give many sovereign gifts to Jesus Christ. We talked about how that all things that were created were made by Him. Jesus shall be given divine honor when he returns to the earth and sits on the throne of David. That was prophesied, and Jesus lived with the Jews for 33 ½ years, but He has not yet taken the throne of David, and that will come at the end of the seven years of tribulation when the millennial kingdom is set up. When the dead hear the voice of the Lord, at the sound of the trumpet, the dead will rise first, and then we that remain will be caught up in the air with the Lord.

 

1 Cor 15:51 Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,

1 Cor 15:52 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.

1 Cor 15:53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.

1 Cor 15:54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.

1 Cor 15:55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?

1 Cor 15:56 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.

1 Cor 15:57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

As we mentioned last week, Jesus came during His earthly ministry as the Savior of the World. And He still is that loving, caring Savior today while we are in the time of the Gentiles. But as verse 27 points out, God has placed the authority and power in Christ’s hands to be the Righteous Judge. When Jesus returns to earth this second time, He comes as the perfect and Righteous Judge.

 

Jude 1:14 And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints,

Jude 1:15 To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him.

 

II. Jesus returns for the Saints

John 5:28 Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,

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.

We read those verses earlier there in I Corinthians about how Jesus will come again in the clouds. It may seem almost impossible at times to believe, but if Jesus could rise from the dead, He certainly will and can come again to receive his own.

Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

Acts 1:9 And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.

Acts 1:10 And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;

Acts 1:11 Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.

 

While it is so great to speak of the love of God (and the book of John is perhaps the greatest book ever written on the love of our Lord to his children), it is wrong to only speak of the grace of God and never to speak of the judgement of God. Many pulpits today will be silent on sin, pacifying the ears of those who sit in the congregation. But if there is a heaven for those who find Christ as Savior and walk the good life pleasing God, there is certainly a place of torment for those who reject Christ. Hell is a real place. Men may mock at us for preaching about it, but it is real, and it a place of horrible torments. And while Jesus spoke on love many times, he spoke on the coming judgement many times more than he spoke of the grace and the love. And when you realize what the lost must face, how much greater should we praise God for giving us salvation, so wonderful and free. The bible is clear on the Hell and the torments of all who come into it.

 

Mat 10:28 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

… Mat 10:32 Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.

Mat 10:33 But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.

 

Mark 9:43 And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched:

Mark 9:44 Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.

Mark 9:45 And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched:

Mark 9:46 Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.

Mark 9:47 And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire:

Mark 9:48 Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.

Mark 9:49 For every one shall be salted with fire, and every sacrifice shall be salted with salt.

What a horrible place of torment.. where the worm dies not, and the fire is not quenched. I believe if we could look inside this horrible pit today, our eyes would be opened to the seriousness of the challenge before us. God help us to care about others, and to go out and reach others for Jesus. An eternal soul hangs in the balance. Most teach that almost everyone will be in Heaven. But the Word of God says just the opposite.

 

Mat 7:13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:

Mat 7:14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

 

III. The Fourfold Witness to Jesus

John 5:30 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.

What Jesus did and said was directly from the Father. The Holy Trinity are always together on all things. Jesus’ goal was to do the very Will of the Father. What is your goal today? Make it through another day. Go to work on Monday, and make a living. All of this may be needful, but if we search our hearts, I think God has special things He would have each of us to do. Look around. There are people sick who need to be visited and encouraged. There may be a child looking to you as an example on how to live. Your time in that young life can make a big difference. Maybe there are lost people who live next door, and you’ve never told them about Jesus. Maybe relatives that are hard to talk to, but they may not hear the Gospel if we don’t speak out. As Jesus set out to do the Father’s Will, you and I need to examine our hearts. I have truly been touched by the life of the Catholic Nun, Sister Teresa. The more I read about that woman, the more I see the love of God showing forth. Some might doubt that she heard the Gospel clearly in her church, and perhaps never come to a point of salvation. In her case, I would have to argue that only God could make someone so determined and forceful in her service to mankind. I wish time would allow me to tell some of the stories I have read recently, but it does not. The bible says we can not tell who is lost or saved, only God knows that. But it does say that we can know true Christians by their fruits. I hope I can do a little small amount for those in need compared to what this woman did. One of her greatest attributes was that when asked what she wanted, she would always say "I have no needs. God provides for me. But I know some children who could use some clothes." That is living the life that Jesus exemplified. Not worrying about self, but what we can do to help others.

 

Mark 10:42 But Jesus called them to him, and saith unto them, Ye know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and their great ones exercise authority upon them.

Mark 10:43 But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister:

Mark 10:44 And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all.

Mark 10:45 For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

John 5:31 If I bear witness of myself, my witness is not true.

John 5:32 There is another that beareth witness of me; and I know that the witness which he witnesseth of me is true.

Christ was saying that His witness was not independent of the Father. God put the stamp of approval upon the Lord several times. When He was baptized by John, we remember the voice from Heaven. And on the Mount of Transfiguration, once again God spoke of how He loved Jesus.

Mat 3:16 And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:

Mat 3:17 And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

Mark 9:2 And after six days Jesus taketh with him Peter, and James, and John, and leadeth them up into an high mountain apart by themselves: and he was transfigured before them.

Mark 9:3 And his raiment became shining, exceeding white as snow; so as no fuller on earth can white them.

Mark 9:4 And there appeared unto them Elias with Moses: and they were talking with Jesus.

Mark 9:5 And Peter answered and said to Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias.

Mark 9:6 For he wist not what to say; for they were sore afraid.

Mark 9:7 And there was a cloud that overshadowed them: and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him.

Mark 9:8 And suddenly, when they had looked round about, they saw no man any more, save Jesus only with themselves.

John 5:33 Ye sent unto John, and he bare witness unto the truth.

John 5:34 But I receive not testimony from man: but these things I say, that ye might be saved.

John was sent as the forerunner of Jesus Christ. He came to warn others that judgment was coming, and that one greater than He would soon come on the scene. You and I need to be telling others this same thing today.

John 10:41 And many resorted unto him, and said, John did no miracle: but all things that John spake of this man were true.

John 10:42 And many believed on him there.

John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

John 1:2 The same was in the beginning with God.

John 1:3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

John 1:4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men.

John 1:5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.

John 1:6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.

John 1:7 The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.

John 1:8 He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.

John 1:9 That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.

John 1:10 He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.

John 1:11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not.

 

John 5:35 He was a burning and a shining light: and ye were willing for a season to rejoice in his light.

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.

And besides the testimony and witness of God, and of John the Baptist, we have a sure witness in the works of Christ. Who ever accomplished in a lifetime what Jesus did? What ten men or women ever accomplished ½ of what Jesus did in his 3 ½ years of earthly ministry. There were many things that could be questioned, but even the Pharisees and Saducees never questioned the miracles and great works He performed. Sure, they may have claimed he did it by the power of the Devil, but the works could not be denied. What did Jesus tell John’s disciples when they questioned whether he was the one whom they were seeking.

 

Luke 7:20 When the men were come unto him, they said, John Baptist hath sent us unto thee, saying, Art thou he that should come? or look we for another?

Luke 7:21 And in that same hour he cured many of their infirmities and plagues, and of evil spirits; and unto many that were blind he gave sight.

Luke 7:22 Then Jesus answering said unto them, Go your way, and tell John what things ye have seen and heard; how that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the poor the gospel is preached.

Luke 7:23 And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.

 

 

John 5:37 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.

John 5:38 And ye have not his word abiding in you: for whom he hath sent, him ye believe not.

These were harsh words to the Jews. John Calvin made these comments on verses 37 and 38 that I want to share with you. "You have never heard his voice." Following his complaint about not being received by them, Christ uses even stronger language against their blindness. He uses the metaphorical expressions "You have never heard his voice nor seen his shape" to make the general statement that they are completely cut off from the knowledge of God. Just as men are known through their appearance and their speech, so God uses "His voice" when he speaks to us through the voice of the prophets; and in the sacraments God’s voice takes, as it were a visible "form" in which he can be known according to our small capacity. But anyone who does not recognize God in his living image clearly shows that he only worships the deity of his own imagination. This why Paul says of the Jews, "a veil covers their hearts" (2 Corinthians 3:15), so that they cannot perceive the glory of God in the face of Christ. "Nor Does his word dwell in you." We really benefit when God’s Word takes root in us, so that it is engraved on our hearts as it takes a firm hold there. Christ says that the heavenly teaching has no place among the Jews because they do not receive the Son of God, whom it proclaims everywhere; and so his reproach on them is just. God did not speak through Moses and the prophets for nothing. All that Moses wanted to do was to invite everyone to go straight to Christ. So, clearly everyone who rejects Christ is no follower of Moses. Moreover, how can people have God’s Word living in them when they drive away life itself? How can anyone obey the law’s teaching when he destroys the soul of the law as much as he can? Without Christ the law is empty and feeble. So people know Christ depending on their progress is in the Word of God.

 

John 5:39 Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.

John 5:40 And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.

The final authority in all things are the scriptures. And the whole Bible is about Jesus Christ. The Old Testament set up the law and showed how futile man’s efforts were in living under the law attempting to please the Lord. But the prophets foretold of the One who would come and take away sin. Those blood offerings typified the shed blood of Christ, but they never took away one sin.

Heb 10:1 For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect.

Heb 10:2 For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins.

Heb 10:3 But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year.

Heb 10:4 For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.

Heb 10:5 Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me:

Heb 10:6 In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure.

Heb 10:7 Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God.

Heb 10:8 Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law;

Heb 10:9 Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second.

Heb 10:10 By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

Heb 10:11 And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins:

Heb 10:12 But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;

Heb 10:13 From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool.

Heb 10:14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.

 

IV. Christ’s Witness against the Jews

John 5:41 I receive not honour from men.

John 5:42 But I know you, that ye have not the love of God in you.

John 5:43 I am come in my Father's name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive.

The Jews would not accept Jesus as the Savior of the world. And the one and only way to the Father is through Jesus Christ. Christ said they would not receive Him, but would another. That other one they will receive is the Anti-Christ. Christ knew that they were wrapped up in the traditions of man, and had not the love of God inside them. By our love one for another we can tell that we are the children of the Lord.

 

John 5:44 How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only?

John 5:45 Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father: there is one that accuseth you, even Moses, in whom ye trust.

John 5:46 For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me.

John 5:47 But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words?

Jesus declares that Moses wrote of Him. If they did not believe Moses’ writings, then how in the world would they believe Jesus?

 

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Prov 4:18 But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.

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