Sermon nugget Mon March 31, 2008
Theme- Evidence for truth
John 5:30-35
By myself I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear, and my judgment is just, for I seek not to please myself but him who sent me. If I testify about myself, my testimony is not valid.
There is another who testifies in my favor, and I know that his testimony about me is valid.
You have sent to John and he has testified to the truth. Not that I accept human testimony; but I mention it that you may be saved. John was a lamp that burned and gave light, and you chose for a time to enjoy his light.
The Prophet
We had looked at the influence of testimonies from people whose lives have been changed because of Jesus. He had met a Samaritan woman who listened to His words and accepted him as Messiah. Other Samaritans believed because they went to investigate further, heard him and told others of their experience.
Then Jesus makes some remarkable claims. He told the disciples that his only goal in this life on earth was to do the will of the Father and it was the Father’s will that he die to save people from eternal death. When he came back to Jewish land, an official traveled several miles to pled for His son’s healing. He but spoke the word and several miles away the boy was healed. Next we saw Jesus going into Jerusalem and at the pool of Siloah and a crippled man for most of his life got up and walked.
When the leaders challenged him regarding his work on the Sabbath, He taught them that he was equal with God, He would raise from the dead, He gives life, physical as well as spiritual, that He will judge all men, He is to receive the same honor and glory as the Father, that He was coming again and all the people will come to life again who trust in Christ. Fantastic claims. How do we know it is true?
Jesus handled His defense as a lawyer argues his case. He presented his claim, supported his claim, called on witnesses and then gave a conclusion and summary. Lets look at the witnesses he pointed to of the fact that He is the Son of God.
Many people accepted the fact that John the Baptist was from God by his word, life and pointing to the passages about the coming Messiah. When John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.” Some in the audience were probably there when they witnessed the Spirit of God coming down from heaven as a dove upon Jesus at his baptism. Some heard the voice of God say “This is my Son with whom I am well pleased.” John says, “I have seen and testify that this is the Son of God.”
Now from Jesus perspective He is not the Son of God because John says so, however Jesus does admit that many will listen to John and therefore be saved, but Jesus doesn’t need human testimony. I John 5:9 “We accept man’s testimony, but God’s testimony is greater because it is the testimony of God, which he has given about his Son.”
Many people have come to faith in Christ because of his servants. Although many have rejected the message of Billy Graham, his influence worldwide is remarkable. That is something that cannot be denied. Yet many had looked at Jesus because they had come to believe he is a man of God. The prophet from God, John the Baptist, kept pointing people to Jesus and said, “Follow Him.”
A person’s life does cause some to look more closely at their testimony.
Pastor Dale
