John 5:39-47 "Bring on the Witnesses; The Scriptures & Moses." (Part Two) with Pastor Michael Petit

Oct 04, 2026

Devotional

Day 1: Shaking the Apple Tree of Scripture

The Scriptures are alive, demanding more than passive reading. Like shaking an apple tree to gather ripe fruit, engaging God’s Word requires active curiosity and humility. Jesus rebuked religious leaders for clinging to Moses’ law while missing the Messiah it foretold. Today, believers are called to dig deeply, allowing Scripture to confront, correct, and redirect their lives. Every verse points to Christ, the living hope who fulfills what mere rules cannot. Spiritual hunger grows when we approach the Bible not as scholars but as seekers ready to be transformed. [16:22]

“And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.” (Luke 24:27, ESV)

Reflection: Where have you settled for surface-level understanding of Scripture? What “apples” might fall if you shook the branches of a challenging passage this week?

Day 2: Glory from God, Not Back Patting

Human approval is a fragile substitute for divine affirmation. Jesus exposed the Pharisees’ obsession with mutual flattery, warning that craving human glory blinds us to God’s truth. Modern culture—even church culture—tempts us to prioritize likability over faithfulness. Yet the approval that matters comes only from the One who sees the heart. To live for Christ is to risk rejection, knowing His “well done” outweighs every earthly accolade. [07:13]

“For they loved the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God.” (John 12:43, ESV)

Reflection: When have you withheld truth to avoid conflict? What step can you take today to prioritize God’s approval over others’ opinions?

Day 3: Antichrists and the Art of Discernment

Deception wears many masks. Just as Satan plants counterfeits in every age, false teachings today mimic truth while distorting Christ’s supremacy. The antichrist spirit thrives where Scripture is ignored or twisted—whether in cults, political movements, or progressive theology. Believers must anchor to God’s Word, testing every claim against the Jesus of the Gospels. Vigilance isn’t fear; it’s love protecting the flock. [03:41]

“Children, it is the last hour, and as you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come.” (1 John 2:18, ESV)

Reflection: What cultural or spiritual idea have you tolerated that contradicts Scripture? How can you cultivate discernment without becoming cynical?

Day 4: Moses’ Accusation and Misplaced Hope

Even good things become idols when they replace Christ. The Pharisees clung to Moses’ law yet rejected the Messiah it promised. Today, believers risk similar idolatry—elevating traditions, politics, or moralism above Jesus. Moses’ writings ultimately accuse us, revealing our need for grace. True hope rests not in systems or symbols, but in the living God who fulfills every prophecy. [09:29]

“For if you believed Moses, you would believe me; for he wrote of me.” (John 5:46, ESV)

Reflection: What “good” thing (ministry, doctrine, cause) might you be trusting more than Christ Himself? How does the gospel recenter your hope today?

Day 5: Fiery Serpents and Uncomfortable Obedience

Salvation demands action. Just as the Israelites had to look at Moses’ bronze serpent to live, we must point others to Christ crucified—even when it’s awkward. Sharing the gospel risks rejection, but withholding it is true cruelty. Like the fisherman disciples, believers need no elite training to proclaim, “We found Him!” Faithfulness means entering hard spaces, armed with truth and compassion. [15:30]

“And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.” (John 3:14–15, ESV)

Reflection: Who in your life needs to hear your story of encountering Christ? What fear holds you back from speaking, and how does the cross overcome it?

Sermon Summary

Christ comes in the Father’s name, and the call now goes out for His people to go in Christ’s name. The greatest exercise of love is sharing the gospel, calling sinners not merely by their sin but calling them to repentance and salvation in Jesus Christ. Christ may be hated and rejected in that work, but God’s Word is still the loving thing people need.

Christ warns that those who refuse the One sent in the Father’s name can be ready to receive another who comes in his own name. The antichrist will come with Satan’s power, false signs, wonders, deception, and a peace that will eventually demand worship. Satan’s whole game has always been worship, because Satan wanted to be God. Scripture calls believers to test everything by the Word, not to chase guesses about who the antichrist might be, because many antichrists and false christs have already gone out.

Jesus exposes another reason people cannot believe: they receive glory from one another instead of seeking the glory that comes from the only God. The praise of man can become a trap, even in the church, when serving God gets mixed up with wanting people to pat somebody on the back. God looks for inward faith, a heart changed by the Spirit, and praise that comes from Him rather than man.

Moses becomes the final witness against the religious leaders because Moses wrote about Christ. The law was never meant to be the living hope; the law was a guardian until Christ came. Moses cannot give eternal life, but Moses points straight to the One who can. Genesis, the bronze serpent in Numbers, the promised Prophet in Deuteronomy, the Psalms, and the prophets all lead to Jesus.

Scripture remains living and active because God keeps using the same Word to speak freshly to finite people. The fishermen saw what religious experts missed because humble hearts received what Moses and the prophets said. The apple tree must be shaken: believers gather the fruit that is easy to see, keep digging into the branches, and let Scripture direct life, family, holiness, righteousness, and reverence for God. The fear of God must become greater than the fear of man, and faith in Christ must move believers out of comfort and into a generation that needs living hope.

Key Takeaways

1. Sharing the gospel is real love The gospel gives people more than temporary relief or moral advice; it gives them the Word of God and the Savior they need. Christ’s followers may be rejected when they call sin what it is, but rejection does not make faithful witness unloving. Love refuses to leave people without the call to repent and be saved. [00:31]
2. False peace can demand worship The antichrist’s deception will not look obviously evil at first, because false peace and impressive signs can draw people in. Satan’s desire has always been worship, and every false christ finally directs glory away from Jesus. Scripture must test every spiritual claim, personality, and movement. [02:35]
3. God’s approval matters more than man’s The hunger for human praise can make faith shallow, even when religious activity looks impressive. Jesus identifies the problem clearly: people cannot truly believe while they are busy giving one another glory. God seeks hearts that want His approval more than applause from others. [06:43]
4. Moses points to Christ, not himself The law cannot provide eternal life, because the law was meant to lead sinners to Christ. Moses wrote of the coming Messiah in promise, prophecy, and picture, from the serpent lifted up to the Prophet greater than Moses. Hope belongs in the living God, not in religious knowledge or law-keeping. [10:03]
5. Humble Bible reading bears fruit Scripture continues to give fresh light because God is infinite and His people are finite. The image of shaking an apple tree calls believers to read carefully, search deeply, and keep gathering what God reveals. Obedience must follow discovery, as the Word directs holiness, righteousness, and reverence for God.

## [16:22]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:31] - Sharing the Gospel as Love
[01:23] - Christ and the Antichrist
[02:35] - Satan’s Deception and False Peace
[03:41] - Many Antichrists in Every Age
[06:01] - Seeking God’s Glory, Not Man’s
[08:09] - Moses as the Final Witness
[09:29] - The Law Cannot Give Eternal Life
[11:04] - Moses Wrote About Jesus
[13:06] - Scripture Is Living and Active
[15:04] - Bringing Living Hope to the Next Generation
[16:22] - Shaking the Tree of Scripture
[17:06] - Pursuing Holiness and Fearing God
[18:31] - Looking Back at John Chapter Five

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

John 5:39-47
“You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me, yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life. I do not receive glory from people. But I know that you do not have the love of God within you. I have come in my Father's name, and you do not receive me. If another comes in his own name, you will receive him. How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the only God? Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father. There is one who accuses you: Moses, on whom you have set your hope. For if you believed Moses, you would believe me; for he wrote of me. But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe my words?” [01:18]

2 Thessalonians 2:8-10
“And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will kill with the breath of his mouth and bring to nothing by the appearance of his coming. The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders, and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved.” [02:15]

Galatians 3:23-25
“Now before faith came, we were held captive under the law, imprisoned until the coming faith would be revealed. So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian.” [09:53]

Observation questions

In John 5:39–47, what reasons does Jesus give for why the religious leaders refuse to come to Him for life?
What contrast does Jesus make between coming in the Father’s name and another coming in his own name? [01:50]
According to 2 Thessalonians 2:8–10, what tools of deception are connected with the lawless one?
In Galatians 3:23–25, what role did the law serve before faith in Christ was revealed? [09:53]

Interpretation questions

Why does Jesus say that receiving glory from one another keeps people from believing? What does this reveal about the connection between pride, people-pleasing, and faith? [06:17]
Jesus says that Moses will accuse those who place their hope in Moses but reject Christ. How can religious knowledge, moral effort, or church activity become a substitute for trusting Jesus? [08:09]
Why would false peace, impressive signs, and powerful personalities make deception attractive to people? How does the desire for worship expose the real goal of Satan’s work? [02:28]
If Moses and the whole Old Testament point toward Christ, what should believers be looking for when they read Scripture beyond simply finding rules to follow? [11:04]

Application questions

Sharing the gospel is an act of love because it calls people to repentance and salvation in Christ. Who in your life needs more than encouragement or moral advice and needs to hear the hope of Jesus? What would it look like to speak with both truth and love? [00:31]
Where are you most tempted to seek approval from people—at church, work, home, online, or among friends? How might that desire for praise affect the way you serve God? [06:56]
What voices, messages, personalities, or movements are you tempted to trust because they sound peaceful, spiritual, or confident? What practical habits can help you test them by Scripture rather than by feelings or popularity? [05:10]
Is there any area where you have quietly placed your hope in something other than the living God—such as your good behavior, knowledge of the Bible, family, finances, or political outcomes? What would it look like to set your hope more firmly on Christ? [10:38]
When have you read a familiar part of the Bible and later noticed something you had previously missed? How can you make room this week to read humbly, carefully, and with a desire to see Christ? [13:11]
Scripture is meant to direct life, family, holiness, righteousness, and reverence for God. What is one clear area where you already know God’s Word is calling you to obedience? What may be keeping you from taking that next step? [17:06]

Sermon Clips

26s

#LivingWord

“You ever open the word of God and you go, man, I read this last year, and how did I miss that? It's it's because that's what God is using to speak to your heart today. It's living. It's active. There's always something for you to learn why you're finite. He's infinite. there's always something for you to learn.”

40s

#ShareTheGospel

“His son is coming in his father's name. Now you're called to go out in his name. And you know what the greatest exercise of love is? Sharing the gospel. That's what they need. Sharing the gospel, that's what that's what's needed. You know, that shows more about you loving them than anything that you could ever do. It's giving them God's word and sharing that Jesus Christ came to save them. They may hate you for it. They may reject you, but you're you're doing nothing but loving them.”

38s

#JesusIsTheMessiah

“And, yes, Moses wrote about him, and they refused to accept him. There were over 300 Messianic prophecies that were fulfilled just by Jesus. And so, again, not only did the Torah, Moses' law, right, not only did the Psalms, but also the prophets all pointed to Christ, and they missed it. They put all of their hope in Moses. We have to be very careful the things that we put our hope in. Your hope should be set in the living the living hope, Jesus Christ.”

45s

#HopeInJesus

“Now where to set your hope is actually, in the perfect tense, and so it signifies that their their conclusion was that everything that they needed, the Torah, the law, everything that they got, their hope was in Moses, not the Messiah that was to come. Although Moses wrote about the Messiah that was to come, they had they had followed the law, and they they loved the law. And their hope was not in the living hope. It was in in Moses. And guess what? Moses can't provide them eternal life, neither can the law.”

38s

#GloryToGod

“When you serve the Lord, you need to be very careful not to seek the glory that comes from man. Unfortunately, we we see a lot of that today in the church. We see a lot of people seeking glory from man and not from God. And so that's a a rhetorical question that Jesus hits them with. It's like the reason why y'all can't, you know, you don't seek the glory that comes from God. It's like because you're too busy patting each other on the back.”

50s

#SpreadTheHope

“It requires us to to get uncomfortable, to be willing to say, you know what? I'm gonna go to high school even though I don't even... Like, Enrique would look like a teacher now. So you think you're young until you walk into that high school and then you realize I'm I'm getting old. I look like a retired superintendent. I don't even look like I belong to the school district at all. But you know what? I I love... I'm gonna go. Because this generation needs us. And if there's anything that I can impart some living hope to them, Jesus Christ, the word of God, I wanna do that all day long because I believe the words, and I believe in Christ.”

45s

#AntichristWarning

“There has to be an antichrist for every age, for every age. Why? Because Satan is not all knowing. So he has to have one for every age. And don't, please, you know, don't follow false teachings that, oh, this is who the antichrist is. They don't know. Okay? Satan knows. And you'll see, like, a whole teachings. Oh, Trump is the antichrist. Oh, Obama is the antichrist. Oh, George Soros is anti... You know, like, all these things that nobody knows. Right? He'll let you know when he's... You won't... Hopefully, the rapture happens. You ain't here.”

30s

#EndTimes

“Unfortunately, there will be, a great deception that won't be had, and many will follow the antichrist. And there'll be a peace like never before. And then and then guess what? At that moment of peace, then the antichrist will be want... He'll want you to worship him. And I can tell you what the the fun part about this is you see there's a movement towards a one world religion.”

43s

#HolyTrinity

“And so you'll have the Unitarians who actually don't believe in the Trinity, which I don't get how they get there because there's too much too much of the scriptures that back that up. we we see time and time again where the Holy Spirit, where we see God the Father, God, the Son, and God the Spirit there. And and so, unfortunately, there's a false teaching that comes out of that verse in verse 43. But he says if if another comes in his own name, you will receive him. And he's speaking here about the antichrist.”

37s

#VoteBiblically

“God's got it. No. God's put you here and given you the opportunity. I mean, do you wanna practice Sharia law? Because that's what will happen. If you just go, I'm not gonna vote. It's not my thing. It's whatever. You must vote, and you must vote biblically. We're to pursue holiness, pursue righteousness, and pursue a reverence for God and not fear man more than we we fear the Lord.”

35s

#KeepGodFirst

“Europe in such a disarray right now. They've removed God from everything. And if we're not careful, we're doing the same thing. We're doing the same thing. And they're using words like Islamic phobia and all this other stuff where you can't talk about that because it hurts people's feelings. It's God's word. And we believe in Jesus Christ, and we believe his words.”

32s

#StayVigilant

“And I can tell you what the the fun part about this is you see there's a movement towards a one world religion. Right? And you see the the Catholics and Islam, oh, we can we can get along together. And it's like, oh, yeah. Not not until the antichrist comes, and then he ain't going, none of you Islamic people and none of you Catholic. You gotta worship him. You've all been deceived. And so you have to be very careful what you follow.”

40s

#PursueHoliness

“You should be in God's word and and and happy to be in it and seeking Christ through the scriptures. As you humbly open God's word, you're you're shaking the tree for this... The scriptures to, direct your life and direct your family. And then after you get done shaking the tree, it's time for you to be obedient to God's word, to seek first the kingdom of God, to pursue holiness and pursue righteousness and have a reverence for God. You should fear God more than you fear man.”

48s

#JesusFulfillment

“And so, again, they're they're charging the religious leaders for their assumption of him. Like, they they're... I don't have to accuse you because Moses will accuse you because Moses wrote about me. So the one that you love, the one who gave you the law that you cling to so desperately, he wrote about me that I was coming. And I'm the one and you're missing it, and I'm right in front of you. And so I don't have to accuse you. He will. He's the witness that that that will accuse you. He will judge you because you rejected the the father's son.”

54s

#BibleStudy

“Chapter five is an amazing chapter. We've learned about the the intimate relationship with the father and the son. We learned about the divine commission and the dignity of the son. We learned about the privileges of the man who believes. Right? Remember the man that was paralyzed for thirty eight years, and and now he's he's he's following the Lord. We see what happens to the spiritual dead. The judgment that comes, the resurrection of the body, the value of miracles, the scriptures, the corruption of man's will. What happens when a man's love grows cold, and the importance of the writings of Moses, all in chapter five.”

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