The Authority of the Son » Pastor Hooks

John presents an impotent man who could not reach the water and an omnipotent Savior who came to him. Jesus healed him, but the religious leaders answered the miracle with accusations about the Sabbath. When Jesus declared that he worked in concert with his Father, their anger turned murderous. His claim was plain: the Son is equal with God, not only in activity, but also in authority.

The Father has committed all judgment to the Son. The men accusing Jesus had set themselves up as his judges, but Jesus is the Judge of all humanity. His authority calls for honor, reverence, and submission. No one can honor the Father while rejecting the Son. Neither personal opinions nor popular preferences can take the place of his Word. Neglecting Scripture, forsaking worship, silencing a Christian witness, and harboring bitterness all dishonor the One who has authority to order human lives.

Yet the Judge may be appeased because the Judge himself paid the penalty. Humanity stands guilty and spiritually dead, unable to rescue itself, just like the helpless man at the pool. Christ came into that helplessness, died for sinners, and gives everlasting life to those who hear his Word and believe. Eternal life is not merely a possession waiting in the future. The believer has already passed from death unto life.

The Judge will also appear. As the Son of Man, Jesus knows human weakness, sorrow, temptation, and pain, yet without sin. His judgment will be righteous, inevitable, universal, and eternal. His voice will raise the dead, some to life and others to damnation. Believers will give account for their opportunities and service, while those who reject Christ face everlasting punishment. The present opportunity for mercy therefore carries eternal weight: the appointed Judge is also the Savior who died and rose again to give life.

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Key Takeaways

• 1. Christ’s Authority Calls For Real Honor. The religious leaders accused Jesus as though he stood beneath their judgment, but the Father had appointed him Judge of all humanity. Honoring the Son means more than speaking respectfully about him; it means yielding to his right to order a life. Personal opinions must be molded by his Word, including the parts that are uncomfortable or unfashionable. [16:20]
• 2. Ordinary Neglect Can Dishonor The Son. Disregarding Scripture gives practical preference to other voices over the voice of Christ. The same dishonor appears when worship is neglected, a witness turns silent, or bitterness is allowed to remain in the heart. Reverence becomes visible in the ordinary decisions that give Christ’s commands their rightful place. [19:29]
• 3. Everlasting Life Is A Present Possession. Spiritual death is not cured by physical vitality or personal effort. Those who hear Christ’s Word and believe have already passed from death unto life because the life of God now dwells within them. Physical death does not cancel that gift; believers who leave the body are present with the Lord. [26:18]
• 4. The Judge Himself Paid The Penalty. Christ did not wait for sinners to clean themselves up before coming to their rescue. The Judge suffered the judgment, paid the fine, and stands as the advocate of those who believe. Mercy rests on his death and righteous record, not on a guilty person’s ability to make a better case. [27:51]
• 5. Coming Judgment Makes Present Mercy Urgent. Christ’s judgment is inevitable, universal, and eternal, so rejection of him cannot be treated as a temporary disagreement. The Son of Man knows human life from the inside and will judge without injustice. The present opportunity to receive mercy must not be confused with an opportunity that remains open forever. [33:57]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [01:18] - A Miracle Meets Religious Opposition
• [03:50] - The Authority Of The Son
• [08:25] - The Judge Has Been Appointed
• [11:28] - Honoring The Supreme Judge
• [16:20] - Christ’s Word Above Human Opinions
• [19:29] - Everyday Ways Of Dishonoring Christ
• [22:11] - The Judge May Be Appeased
• [24:52] - Passing From Death Unto Life
• [27:09] - The Judge Pays The Penalty
• [30:21] - The Judge Will Appear
• [35:28] - Resurrection And The Judgments To Come
• [41:28] - The Great White Throne
• [43:26] - Present Mercy And A Call To Honor

Bible Reading

John 5:22-30
“For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son: 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. 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. 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. For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself; And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man. Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, 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. 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.” [04:23]

John 5:24
“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.” [25:01]

Revelation 20:11-15
“And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. 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. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” [41:28]

Observation questions

1. In John 5:22–23, what authority has the Father given the Son, and how should people respond to that authority? [06:24]
2. In John 5:24, what response to Jesus’ Word is connected with everlasting life? What changes have already taken place for the person who believes? [25:01]
3. How does Jesus distinguish the spiritual life being given now from the resurrection that is still coming in John 5:25–29? [31:20]
4. In Revelation 20:11–15, who stands before the throne, and what part do the books and the book of life play in the judgment? [42:09]

Interpretation questions

1. Why is it impossible for someone to honor the Father while rejecting the Son? How does John 5:23 challenge the idea that Jesus is merely a helpful religious teacher? [06:39]
2. How does neglecting Scripture or placing personal preferences above it become a matter of dishonoring Christ, rather than simply a matter of poor habits? [20:35]
3. How does Christ’s payment for sin explain the promise of freedom from condemnation in John 5:24? Why can a guilty person’s hope rest on Christ rather than on efforts to become good enough? [27:51]
4. In John 5:27–30, how do Jesus’ identity as the Son of Man and his commitment to the Father’s will give confidence that his judgment will be just? [32:15]

Application questions

1. Where do you find it hardest to let Christ’s Word shape your opinions—especially when it challenges something comfortable or widely accepted? What might yielding to his authority look like in that area this week? [17:35]
2. Thinking about the past week, which voices have had the greatest influence on your decisions? What practical change could help you give Scripture its rightful place without treating Bible reading as merely another task? [20:52]
3. Honoring Christ includes worshiping with his people. What has helped or hindered your participation in worship lately, and what might a faithful next step look like in your circumstances? [21:28]
4. Is there a relationship where bitterness or unforgiveness has been taking root in your heart? Without sharing more than you are comfortable sharing, what first step toward forgiveness could you take? [21:52]
5. When guilt returns, do you tend to rest in Christ’s payment for sin or try to prove yourself worthy of acceptance? How could his finished work shape the way you respond the next time you fail? [28:25]
6. Everlasting life begins when a person hears Christ’s Word and believes. How does that promise speak to your own confidence about death and judgment? What questions or uncertainties would you like to talk through with the group? [26:47]
7. Coming judgment gives present opportunities to show mercy and speak of Christ eternal importance. Who is someone you could pray for and seek a gentle opportunity to speak with about Jesus? What might that conversation begin with? [43:26]