Finding True Life in Christ Alone
Summary
In today's reflection on John 5:16-47, we delve into the profound truth that Jesus is both God and the giver of life. As we embark on this new year, we are reminded of the importance of seeking spiritual life in Christ alone. The Jewish leaders of Jesus' time sought life through religious obedience and power, but Jesus challenges us to find life in Him. He emphasizes that true life is not found in our works or religious practices but in coming to Him, the source of eternal life.
Jesus' dialogue with the Jewish leaders reveals His divine identity and mission. He declares that His works are a reflection of the Father's will, emphasizing that He and the Father are one. This unity is not about hierarchy but about fulfilling the Father's will to save humanity. Jesus' works are always redemptive, offering life and salvation to those who believe. He invites us to encounter His work, which is rooted in love and redemption.
The passage also highlights the judgment of Christ. Jesus makes it clear that belief in Him is the difference between spiritual death and life. Without Christ, we are spiritually dead and under God's wrath. However, through faith in Jesus, we are made alive and saved by grace. This judgment is just and righteous, and it calls us to examine where we seek life. Are we looking to Christ, or are we relying on our own efforts and achievements?
Furthermore, Jesus presents witnesses to His divine identity: John the Baptist, God the Father, and the Scriptures. Each of these testifies to Jesus' deity and mission. The Scriptures, in particular, point to Christ as the fulfillment of God's promises. They are not merely texts to be studied but a means to encounter the living Christ. As we engage with the Word, we are called to see Jesus as the center and purpose of all Scripture.
In conclusion, we are invited to come to Jesus, not just for initial salvation but for ongoing spiritual sustenance. He is the fountain of life, offering rest and renewal to all who seek Him. Let us continually turn to Him, recognizing that He alone is the source of true life.
Key Takeaways:
1. Jesus as the Giver of Life: Jesus emphasizes that He is the source of spiritual life, not our religious practices or achievements. We must come to Him to find true life, as He is the one who redeems and restores us. [13:19]
2. Unity with the Father: Jesus' works reflect the Father's will, demonstrating His divine identity. This unity is about fulfilling the mission of salvation, showing that submission does not imply inferiority but a shared purpose in redeeming humanity. [21:43]
3. Judgment and Grace: Belief in Jesus is the key to moving from spiritual death to life. Without Christ, we are under God's wrath, but through faith, we are saved by grace. This calls us to examine where we seek life and to rely on Christ alone. [26:16]
4. Witnesses to Christ's Divinity: John the Baptist, God the Father, and the Scriptures all testify to Jesus' divine identity. The Scriptures, in particular, point to Christ as the fulfillment of God's promises, urging us to see Him as the center of all Scripture. [38:43]
5. Continual Coming to Jesus: We are invited to come to Jesus not just for initial salvation but for ongoing spiritual sustenance. He is the fountain of life, offering rest and renewal to all who seek Him, reminding us to turn to Him daily. [44:41]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:51] - Sermon Series Overview
- [04:19] - Reading John 5:16-47
- [06:32] - Jesus' Divine Authority
- [08:09] - The Source of True Life
- [09:21] - Analyzing Jesus' Dialogue
- [10:39] - Jesus' Testimony and Audience
- [11:59] - Jesus' Works and Identity
- [13:19] - Seeking Life in Christ
- [14:12] - Spiritual Life vs. Physical Life
- [15:12] - Encountering Christ's Work
- [16:16] - Jesus and the Sabbath
- [18:11] - Jesus' Redemptive Works
- [20:47] - The Relationship with the Father
- [22:33] - The Greater Works of Christ
- [23:31] - Salvation and the Cross
- [25:15] - The Judgment of Christ
- [26:16] - Death and Life in Christ
- [28:46] - Good Works and Faith
- [29:39] - Eternal Destinations
- [30:32] - The Reality of Hell
- [31:23] - Finding Life in Christ
- [32:42] - Witnesses to Christ
- [33:40] - John the Baptist's Testimony
- [35:29] - The Father's Testimony
- [38:43] - The Scriptures Testify
- [40:40] - Spiritual Blindness
- [41:38] - Invitation to Find Life in Christ
- [44:41] - Continual Coming to Jesus
- [46:47] - Rest in Christ's Work
- [48:15] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- John 5:16-47
Observation Questions:
1. What reasons did the Jewish leaders have for persecuting Jesus according to John 5:16-18? How did Jesus respond to their accusations? [04:19]
2. In John 5:19-23, how does Jesus describe His relationship with the Father? What does this reveal about His identity? [06:32]
3. What are the three witnesses Jesus mentions that testify to His divine identity in John 5:31-39? How do these witnesses support His claims? [32:42]
4. According to John 5:24, what is the result of hearing Jesus' word and believing in the one who sent Him? [25:15]
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does Jesus' claim of unity with the Father challenge the religious leaders' understanding of God and the law? What implications does this have for their beliefs? [11:59]
2. In what ways does Jesus' role as the giver of life contrast with the religious leaders' reliance on their own works and obedience? [13:19]
3. How do the witnesses Jesus presents (John the Baptist, God the Father, and the Scriptures) provide a comprehensive testimony to His identity and mission? [32:42]
4. What does Jesus mean when He says that the Scriptures testify about Him, and how should this influence the way we read and understand the Bible? [38:43]
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your own life: Are there areas where you are seeking spiritual life through your own efforts or religious practices rather than coming to Jesus? How can you shift your focus to rely on Him more fully? [13:19]
2. Jesus emphasizes the importance of coming to Him for ongoing spiritual sustenance. What practical steps can you take to ensure you are continually turning to Jesus for renewal and rest? [44:41]
3. Consider the witnesses to Jesus' divinity mentioned in the sermon. How can you incorporate the testimony of Scripture, the example of John the Baptist, and the affirmation of God the Father into your own faith journey? [32:42]
4. The sermon highlights the judgment of Christ and the importance of belief in Him. How does this understanding of judgment and grace impact your view of salvation and your relationship with God? [26:16]
5. Jesus' works are described as redemptive and life-giving. How can you participate in Christ's redemptive work in your community or personal relationships? [19:31]
6. The sermon invites us to find life in Christ rather than in worldly achievements or status. What specific distractions or pursuits might be hindering your spiritual growth, and how can you address them this week? [31:23]
7. How can you be a witness to Christ's identity and mission in your daily life, similar to the witnesses mentioned in the sermon? What opportunities do you have to share your faith with others? [48:15]
Devotional
Day 1: Jesus as the Source of Spiritual Life
Jesus emphasizes that He is the source of spiritual life, not our religious practices or achievements. In John 5:16-47, Jesus challenges the Jewish leaders who sought life through religious obedience and power, urging them to find life in Him instead. He declares that true life is not found in our works or religious practices but in coming to Him, the source of eternal life. This profound truth invites us to seek spiritual life in Christ alone, recognizing that He is the one who redeems and restores us. As we embark on this journey, we are reminded that our spiritual vitality is rooted in our relationship with Jesus, who offers us life and salvation through His love and redemption. [13:19]
John 10:10 (ESV): "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly."
Reflection: In what ways have you been relying on your own efforts or religious practices to find life? How can you intentionally seek spiritual life in Christ today?
Day 2: Unity with the Father
Jesus' works reflect the Father's will, demonstrating His divine identity. In His dialogue with the Jewish leaders, Jesus emphasizes that He and the Father are one, not in hierarchy but in fulfilling the mission of salvation. This unity is about a shared purpose in redeeming humanity, showing that submission does not imply inferiority. Jesus' works are always redemptive, offering life and salvation to those who believe. As we reflect on this unity, we are called to recognize the divine identity of Jesus and His mission to save humanity, inviting us to encounter His work rooted in love and redemption. [21:43]
John 14:10-11 (ESV): "Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own authority, but the Father who dwells in me does his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else believe on account of the works themselves."
Reflection: How does understanding the unity between Jesus and the Father change your perspective on Jesus' mission? How can you align your life with the Father's will today?
Day 3: Judgment and Grace
Belief in Jesus is the key to moving from spiritual death to life. Without Christ, we are spiritually dead and under God's wrath, but through faith, we are saved by grace. Jesus makes it clear that belief in Him is the difference between spiritual death and life, calling us to examine where we seek life. This judgment is just and righteous, urging us to rely on Christ alone for our salvation. As we reflect on this truth, we are reminded of the grace that saves us and the importance of placing our faith in Jesus, who offers us life and salvation. [26:16]
Ephesians 2:4-5 (ESV): "But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved."
Reflection: Where are you currently seeking life outside of Christ? How can you shift your focus to rely on Jesus and His grace for your spiritual vitality?
Day 4: Witnesses to Christ's Divinity
John the Baptist, God the Father, and the Scriptures all testify to Jesus' divine identity. The Scriptures, in particular, point to Christ as the fulfillment of God's promises, urging us to see Him as the center of all Scripture. These witnesses affirm Jesus' deity and mission, inviting us to encounter the living Christ through the Word. As we engage with the Scriptures, we are called to see Jesus as the fulfillment of God's promises and the center and purpose of all Scripture, deepening our understanding of His divine identity and mission. [38:43]
John 1:32-34 (ESV): "And John bore witness: 'I saw the Spirit descend from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. I myself did not know him, but he who sent me to baptize with water said to me, "He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, this is he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit." And I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God.'"
Reflection: How can you engage with the Scriptures in a way that helps you encounter the living Christ? What steps can you take to see Jesus as the center of all Scripture in your daily study?
Day 5: Continual Coming to Jesus
We are invited to come to Jesus not just for initial salvation but for ongoing spiritual sustenance. He is the fountain of life, offering rest and renewal to all who seek Him. As we continually turn to Him, we recognize that He alone is the source of true life. This invitation calls us to seek Jesus daily, finding rest and renewal in His presence. As we embark on this journey, we are reminded of the importance of continually coming to Jesus, who offers us life and sustenance through His love and grace. [44:41]
Matthew 11:28-29 (ESV): "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls."
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to seek Jesus for ongoing spiritual sustenance? How can you make coming to Jesus a daily habit to find rest and renewal in His presence?
Quotes
Therefore the Jews began persecuting Jesus because he was doing these things on the Sabbath. Jesus responded to them, my father is still working and I am working also. This is why the Jews began trying all the more to kill him. Not only was he breaking the Sabbath, he was even calling God his own father, making himself equal to God. [00:05:28]
Truly I tell you, anyone who hears my word and believes him who sent me on eternal life, it will not come under judgment, but is cast from death to life. Truly I tell you that our words coming is not here when the dead will hear the voice of God, not the son of God. And those who hear will live. [00:06:24]
The father in fact judges no one, but has given all judgment to the son, so that all people may honor the son just as they honor the father. Anyone who does not honor the son does not honor the father who sent him. [00:06:12]
John was a burning and shining lamp, and you were willing to rejoice for a while in his life. But I have a greater testimony than John because of the work that the father has given me to accomplish. These very works I am doing testify about me that the father has sent me. [00:07:29]
The Jewish leaders were doing everything they could to try and find life apart from going to Jesus. They were trying to find life in their religious obedience. So, where we may take a sip of water and say, oh, that's life -giving, they would say, ah, I followed Chisora perfectly today. That's life -giving. [00:12:35]
Jesus gives us the key to life. Come to Him. You are not willing to come to me to find life. So where do we find life? We find life in Christ. So that's the main point. Because we find life in Christ, we must go to Him. Fairly simple. Because we find life in Christ, we must go to Him. [00:15:00]
The works of Christ are always redemptive. He's continually working to redeem the people. And so, he describes his work, because I don't act on my own, but only on what the Father is doing, and what he sees the Father to do. So, how can Jesus do this? He's working to save lives. He's working to redeem the people. [00:19:44]
The Son is always submissive to the Father. He does what pleases the Father and honors the Father. So D .A. Carson said this, the Father initiates, sends, commands, commissions, and grants. The Son responds, obeys, performs the Father's will, and receives authority. What I want you to see is this does not make Jesus any less divine. [00:21:04]
Belief that Jesus is the Son of God is what makes the difference between death and life. Here's to this. Paul describes that in Ephesians 2, right? Ephesians 2, 1 to 5, you were dead in your trespasses, and when you previously walked according to the way, you were dead. You were dead in the world, according to the ruler of the power of the air, the spirit now working in the disobedient. [00:26:16]
This means that those who are not in Christ, I believe, will experience eternal, constant form in a real place called hell. This is the just wrath of God being poured out on those who did not believe in Christ as Savior. This is just an aside, okay? But hell is not the absence of God. [00:30:10]
So, like I said, these guys were professional Bible readers. They knew the Scriptures, they knew the prophets, they knew the history, they knew the psalm, they knew the Torah. And he sees, Jesus says, yeah, you stir up the Scripture, you pour over them. And then look, there's this writing called the Mishnah, that was kind of a commentary on the Old Testament written by rabbis, and this is what it says about the study of the law. [00:38:11]
So Jesus brings forward three witnesses. John the Baptist, God the Father and the Bible itself. And all of them pointed and testified to his work as the Son of God, to his divinity, to him being the long -lived Messiah. God in the flesh. He is presenting his opponents with all the evidence they needed and he has presented us with the same. [00:41:10]
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