Credible Witnesses: Discovering Life in Christ

Devotional

Day 1: The Testimony of John the Baptist Points to Jesus

John the Baptist was not the light himself, but a burning and shining lamp whose entire mission was to point others to Jesus, the true source of life. He called people to repentance and made it clear that he was not the Christ, but the one preparing the way for Him. Even though people admired John and respected his ministry, his greatness was in his refusal to take the spotlight for himself—he continually directed attention to Jesus, saying, “He must increase, I must decrease.” The challenge for us is to consider whether our lives point others to ourselves or to Christ, remembering that the messenger is never the goal—Jesus is. [13:28]

John 5:31-35 (ESV)
“If I alone bear witness about myself, my testimony is not true. There is another who bears witness about me, and I know that the testimony that he bears about me is true. You sent to John, and he has borne witness to the truth. Not that the testimony that I receive is from man, but I say these things so that you may be saved. He was a burning and shining lamp, and you were willing to rejoice for a while in his light.”

Reflection: In what specific ways can you redirect the attention and admiration you receive this week so that others are pointed to Jesus rather than to yourself?

Day 2: The Works of Jesus Prove His Divine Authority

The miracles and mighty works of Jesus were not just displays of power, but divine credentials that confirmed His identity as the Son of God sent by the Father. Each miracle—whether turning water into wine, healing the paralyzed, or multiplying bread—was a sign pointing beyond itself to reveal who Jesus truly is. These works demand a response; it is possible to witness God’s power and still harden your heart. The question is not whether Jesus has given enough evidence, but whether you will trust Him today, knowing that His power and compassion remain unchanged. [19:27]

John 5:36 (ESV)
“But the testimony that I have is greater than that of John. For the works that the Father has given me to accomplish, the very works that I am doing, bear witness about me that the Father has sent me.”

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to trust Jesus’ power and compassion today, rather than just admiring what He did in the past?

Day 3: The Father Himself Testifies to Jesus

God the Father’s testimony about Jesus carries the highest authority, as He declared at Jesus’ baptism and transfiguration, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” Yet, the tragedy for the religious leaders was that, though they had the Scriptures in their hands, they did not have God’s Word abiding in their hearts, and so they missed the One whom God sent. True knowledge of God cannot be separated from Christ, and to ignore Jesus is to reject God Himself. The challenge is to let God’s Word dwell in you, shaping your faith and leading you to Jesus, not just remaining as information on the surface. [25:45]

John 5:37-38 (ESV)
“And the Father who sent me has himself borne witness about me. His voice you have never heard, his form you have never seen, and you do not have his word abiding in you, for you do not believe the one whom he has sent.”

Reflection: How can you intentionally allow God’s Word to shape your thinking and decisions this week, so that it truly abides in your heart and leads you to Jesus?

Day 4: The Scriptures Point Us to Christ, Not Just Knowledge

The Scriptures are not the source of life in themselves, but are like a treasure map pointing to the true treasure—Jesus Himself. The religious leaders were meticulous in their study and preservation of the Scriptures, yet missed the main point because they stopped at knowledge and did not come to Christ for life. Every page of the Bible is meant to bring us face to face with Jesus, and Bible study is never meant to stop with information but to lead us into relationship with Him. The challenge is to let every encounter with God’s Word draw you closer to Christ, not just fill your mind with facts. [34:37]

John 5:39 (ESV)
“You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me.”

Reflection: The next time you read the Bible, how can you intentionally seek to encounter Jesus Himself, rather than just gaining more knowledge or information?

Day 5: Come to Jesus and Find Life

God has provided every witness we need—John the Baptist, Jesus’ works, the Father’s voice, and the Scriptures—all united in declaring that Jesus is the Son of God and the only source of eternal life. It is not enough to know about Jesus or to admire the messengers and miracles; we must come to Him personally, trust Him, love Him, and follow Him. The good news is that Jesus lived the perfect life we could not, died for our sins, rose again, and offers us life if we will believe in Him. The evidence has been verified; now the invitation is to come to Jesus and find life. [41:34]

John 5:40 (ESV)
“Yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life.”

Reflection: What is one step you can take today to move from simply knowing about Jesus to truly coming to Him and finding life in Him?

Sermon Summary

In John chapter five, Jesus does not ask for blind faith. Instead, God provides every witness we need to be certain about who Jesus is. Four distinct voices—John the Baptist, the miraculous works of Jesus, the testimony of the Father, and the Scriptures themselves—all unite to declare that Jesus is the Son of God, the one who gives eternal life. John the Baptist, a prophet after centuries of silence, pointed away from himself and toward Christ, urging people to prepare their hearts for the coming Savior. His humility and clarity remind us that our lives, too, should point others to Jesus, not to ourselves.

The works of Jesus—his miracles and signs—are not just displays of power but divine credentials. Each miracle reveals something about his identity and mission, confirming that he is sent by the Father. These works demand a response; it is possible to witness God’s power and still harden our hearts if we do not move from admiration to trust.

The Father’s own voice, heard at Jesus’ baptism and transfiguration, carries the highest authority. Yet, the tragedy is that the religious leaders, though experts in Scripture, did not have God’s word abiding in their hearts. They missed the living God standing before them because their knowledge remained at the surface, never transforming their hearts.

The Scriptures, meticulously preserved and revered, are not the source of life in themselves. They are a treasure map, pointing to the true treasure—Jesus himself. To stop at Bible knowledge without coming to Christ is to miss the very life the Scriptures promise. Every page, every story, every promise finds its fulfillment in him.

God has given us every witness we need. The evidence is clear and verified. The question is not whether there is enough proof, but whether we will come to Jesus and find life. It is not enough to know about him; we must trust, love, and follow him, letting the witnesses lead us to the only source of eternal life.

Key Takeaways

1. True faith is not blind; God provides multiple, credible witnesses to Jesus’ identity. John the Baptist, Jesus’ works, the Father’s voice, and the Scriptures all converge to confirm that Jesus is the Son of God. This means our faith rests on solid ground, not wishful thinking or hearsay. [02:52]
2. The humility of John the Baptist challenges us to examine whether our lives point others to Christ or to ourselves. John’s greatness was in his refusal to take the spotlight, insisting, “He must increase, I must decrease.” Our calling is to be signposts, not destinations, always directing attention to Jesus rather than seeking admiration for ourselves. [13:28]
3. Miracles and signs are not just wonders to be admired but divine credentials that demand a response. The religious leaders saw the same miracles but did not believe, showing that seeing God’s power is not enough if our hearts remain closed. We are called to trust Jesus not only for what he did in the past but for his living power today. [18:51]
4. It is possible to know Scripture deeply and yet miss the God of Scripture if his word does not abide in us. The religious leaders had the Scriptures in their hands but not in their hearts, missing the one to whom all Scripture points. True knowledge of God is inseparable from a living relationship with Christ, shaped and guided by his word dwelling within us. [25:10]
5. Bible study is meant to lead us to Christ, not just to knowledge. The Scriptures are a treasure map, but the treasure is Jesus himself. If we stop at information and never come to him for life, we miss the point entirely. Every time we open God’s Word, we must ask how it brings us face to face with Christ and whether we are coming to him for life. [33:48]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:39] - Trust, But Verify: The Importance of Evidence
[01:27] - Jesus’ Bold Claims and the Need for Witnesses
[02:25] - Four Witnesses to Jesus’ Identity
[05:50] - The Testimony of John the Baptist
[07:12] - Why Jesus Needed Witnesses
[09:16] - John’s Mission: Preparing the Way
[11:01] - God’s Heart: Winning People, Not Arguments
[12:17] - The Danger of Admiring the Messenger
[14:04] - The Testimony of Jesus’ Works
[15:25] - Miracles as Divine Credentials
[18:51] - The Challenge of Responding to Jesus’ Works
[19:52] - The Testimony of the Father
[21:08] - The Father’s Voice and Its Authority
[23:41] - The Danger of Surface-Level Scripture Knowledge
[26:27] - The Testimony of the Scriptures
[28:25] - The Reverence and Tragedy of Scripture Study
[32:33] - The Treasure Map: Scripture Points to Jesus
[35:15] - Recap and Personal Challenges
[41:34] - The Good News: Who Jesus Is
[43:08] - Jesus, the Only Source of Life
[43:47] - Closing Prayer

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

John 5:31-39 (ESV) — 31 If I alone bear witness about myself, my testimony is not true.
32 There is another who bears witness about me, and I know that the testimony that he bears about me is true.
33 You sent to John, and he has borne witness to the truth.
34 Not that the testimony that I receive is from man, but I say these things so that you may be saved.
35 He was a burning and shining lamp, and you were willing to rejoice for a while in his light.
36 But the testimony that I have is greater than that of John. For the works that the Father has given me to accomplish, the very works that I am doing, bear witness about me that the Father has sent me.
37 And the Father who sent me has himself borne witness about me. His voice you have never heard, his form you have never seen,
38 and you do not have his word abiding in you, for you do not believe the one whom he has sent.
39 You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me.

Observation Questions

According to Jesus in John 5:31-39, who are the four witnesses that testify about who he is?
What does Jesus say about the religious leaders’ relationship to the Scriptures in verse 39?
How does Jesus describe John the Baptist’s role in verses 33-35?
In the sermon, what is the difference between admiring the messenger and following the one the messenger points to? [[12:51]]

Interpretation Questions

Why does Jesus say that his own testimony alone is not enough, and why does he point to other witnesses? What does this reveal about the nature of faith in Jesus? [[07:47]]
The sermon says that the miracles of Jesus are “divine credentials.” What does it mean for a miracle to be a credential, and why did some people still not believe even after seeing them? [[18:51]]
The religious leaders searched the Scriptures but missed the one the Scriptures pointed to. What does this suggest about the difference between knowing about God and actually knowing God? [[23:41]]
The Father’s voice is described as the highest authority. What does it mean for God’s word to “abide” in someone, and how can someone have the Scriptures in their hands but not in their hearts? [[25:10]]

Application Questions

John the Baptist’s humility meant he pointed people to Jesus, not himself. In your daily life, are there ways you tend to draw attention to yourself rather than to Christ? What would it look like for you to be a “signpost” to Jesus this week? [[13:28]]
The sermon warns about admiring Christian leaders or teachers but stopping short of following Jesus. Are there people, books, or podcasts you admire that might distract you from actually coming to Christ? How can you make sure your focus stays on Jesus? [[12:51]]
Jesus’ miracles were not just for admiration but to call for trust. Is there an area in your life where you are waiting for more “proof” from God before you trust him? What would it look like to move from admiration to trust in that area? [[18:51]]
The religious leaders knew the Scriptures well but missed Jesus. When you read the Bible, do you find yourself stopping at information, or do you let it lead you to a deeper relationship with Christ? What could you do differently in your Bible reading this week? [[33:48]]
The sermon asks if God’s word is “abiding” in us—shaping our thinking, guiding our decisions, and filling our hearts. Is there a specific way you want to let God’s word shape your actions or decisions this week? [[25:10]]
The evidence for Jesus is described as clear and verified. What is one step you can take this week to respond to the witnesses God has given—whether it’s coming to Jesus for the first time, renewing your trust, or sharing your faith with someone else? [[41:10]]
The Scriptures are called a “treasure map” that points to Jesus. How can you make your personal or family Bible reading more focused on finding Jesus, not just gaining knowledge? [[33:48]]

Sermon Clips

God has given us every witness, every witness we need so that we. So we must not just know him or about Him. We must come to him and find life. [00:03:02]

Jesus isn't collecting witnesses because he needs approval. He doesn't need John's testimony to validate who he is. He already has the Father's approval. He's doing this for them. He's saying, I want you to believe. I want you to see the truth about me, about who I am, so that you will be saved. That tells us something vital about the heart of God. He doesn't just win arguments, and that's not his goal. He's already right. No, he's not winning an argument. He's winning people. Every witness Jesus calls in this passage is not to boost his own reputation, but to give them and us every possible reason to trust him. His goal isn't self promotion. His goal is our salvation. [00:10:24]

The messenger is never the goal. Jesus is the goal. So here's the question for us. When people look at my life, do I point them to myself or do I point them to Jesus? John's greatness was that he refused to take the spotlight. He said, he must increase, I must decrease. That's the posture we're called to take. [00:13:09]

We don't follow Jesus because of empty claims or nice teaching. We follow him because he backed up his words with with works that no one else could do. But here's the challenge. The religious leaders saw these same miracles. They couldn't refute the miracles, but they still didn't believe. That means it's possible to see God's power at work and still harden your heart. The works of Jesus demand a response. [00:18:33]

Are you trusting Jesus because of who he is and what he's done? Or are you still waiting for more proof? God has already given us more than enough. In Christ. His works testify clearly he is the one sent from the Father. The question is, will we believe Him? [00:19:17]

This shows us something sobering. It's possible to know the words of Scripture, but not know the God of Scripture. The word Abide here comes from the Greek meaning to remain, to stay, to dwell. God's word wasn't dwelling in them. It wasn't at home in their heart. [00:23:38]

If God the Father has testified to Jesus, then to ignore Jesus is to reject God himself. You can't claim to honor God while rejecting His Son. True knowledge of God can never be separated from Christ. [00:24:59]

Jesus is saying, you can know every verse by heart. You can copy every letter perfectly. You can spend your whole life debating over the details, but if you miss me, you miss life. [00:30:33]

The Scriptures were never meant to be the source of life in themselves, but to point to the source of life, to point to Jesus. Here's the challenge for us. Bible study is never meant to stop with knowledge. It's meant to lead us to Christ. [00:33:52]

Bible study is never meant to stop with knowledge. It's meant to lead us to Christ. If we treat the Bible just as a book of facts, rules, or history, we can end up just like the religious leaders, knowing a lot about God, but not actually knowing Him. The Scriptures are living and active because they reveal a person. Every page, every story, every promise finds its fulfillment in Jesus. To study the Bible rightly is. Is to come face to face with Him. [00:34:09]

John the Baptist pointed to Jesus as the Lamb of God. The works of Jesus proved his power and mission. God the Father himself declared Jesus as His Son, and the Scriptures pointed forward to Christ as the one who gives life. These aren't random voices. They are united in showing us who Jesus is. Every one of these voices says the same thing. Jesus is the Son of God, the Savior that we need. [00:35:53]

Don't settle for just thinking. A preacher, a church service, or a spiritual leader is where it all ends. Don't stop at the lamp. Make sure you're following the one that the lamp points to. Jesus himself. It's not enough to admire a messenger. We must embrace the Savior. [00:36:53]

Some of you may be carrying heavy burdens right now. Fear, sickness, struggles with sin, broken relationships. The works of Jesus remind us he is able and he is worthy of our trust. Don't just admire what he did in the past. Trust him today. Lean on him now. [00:37:55]

The Father has already spoken. This is my beloved Son. To ignore Jesus is to ignore God Himself. The challenge is to make sure that your heart is open to the Father's voice through His Word. [00:39:01]

You can know a lot of verses, you can win Bible trivia games, but if you miss Christ, you've missed the point. Every time we open God's Word, we must ask, how does this passage point me to Jesus, and am I coming to him for life? [00:39:43]

God has already given us the evidence about Jesus. John the Baptist pointed to him. His works confirmed him, the Father declared him, and the Scriptures testify about him. The evidence has been verified. Now the question is, what will you do with it? Will you stop at hearing the witnesses, or will you believe in Jesus and come to him for life? [00:40:29]

God has given us every witness. We need to believe in Jesus. So we must not just know about Him. We must come to him and find life. [00:41:10]

He is the eternal Son of God, the second Person of the Trinity. He came to earth through a virgin's womb. He lived a perfect, sinless life that none of us could ever even come close, close to. We just pile up sin and debt and death. But he lived life, the perfect life. And then he went to the cross. And he didn't go to the cross, obviously, for his own sin. Then why did he go to the cross? He went to the cross first. Our sin. Paying the debt of sin is to pay with death. That's why Jesus died. He did it for us. And three days later, he rose from the dead, victorious over sin and death. And one day, he is coming again to make all things right. This is the Jesus the witnesses point to. That's the Jesus you must believe in and not just know about, but to trust, to love and to follow. [00:41:34]

From the start of this series in John, we've seen Jesus revealed again and again. He is the word flesh, the Lamb of God, the living water, the healer of the broken. And now we see him standing before us as the only source of life. The message has been consistent. Look to Jesus, follow Jesus, trust Jesus. [00:43:02]

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