Like Father, Like Son – John 5:16-47 - February 18, 2007

Sunday school Lesson – Like Father, Like Son – February 18, 2007

This is lesson three (3) in our series, “Christianity is CHRIST.”

Our scripture background is John 5: 16-47.

This lesson, to me, reveals the very heart of the relationship that GOD wants us to have with HIM through CHRIST via the HOLY SPIRIT. I will quickly add that Christians cannot achieve such a relationship in their own strength.

We as humans and as Christians try to reach up to GOD by much activity but GOD has already reached down to us through HIS ONLY SON JESUS. JESUS revealed the FATHER to us. JESUS revealed the relationship the FATHER and the SON have. It is a relationship of total and complete obedience of the SON to the FATHER.

Christians try to do something for GOD. We work very hard doing activities for GOD thinking that much activity will please GOD. The question is, "Are we doing the activity GOD wants us to do?" Our model is the relationship between GOD, the FATHER and JESUS, the SON. The key is the SON only does what the FATHER shows or reveals to HIM to do.

So how can we be completely obedient to what GOD wants us to do? It is all about our relationship with GOD through CHRIST. Our natural reaction is to immediately think, “What can I do to have this relationship?” Notice the word “I”. This is where we go wrong. The first thing is to be willing to do what GOD reveals to us to do. And that first thing may be to spend time with HIM and to really get to know HIM. But GOD through the HOLY SPIRIT must reveal to each individual what needs to be done to have the best possible relationship with HIM.

So how do we get to know a person and build an intimate loving relationship with that person?

When we love someone we want to spend time with that person. When we want to get to know CHRIST, first of all we must have a personal relationship with CHRIST. We ask CHRIST to forgive us of our sins and to come into our lives. Becoming a Christian gives the opportunity to build a relationship with CHRIST.

Compare building a relationship with CHRIST to marriage. Every marriage gives the opportunity to build a loving, lifelong relationship between husband and wife. Becoming a Christian provides the opportunity for us to learn of CHRIST and build a relationship with HIM. Marriage is each partner giving 100% through a lifetime of experiences. Dealing with a variety of circumstances in an honest relationship builds trust and confidence with each other.

For many of us our relationship with CHRIST began early in our lives. Over the years we have been exposed to many sermons, Bible studies, good and bad examples of people claiming to be Christian’s and various teachings about CHRIST. As a result we have formed our opinions about who CHRIST is, what HE should or should not do, who GOD is and many other notions about GOD, JESUS and the HOLY SPIRIT. These teachings, studies and opinions have helped us shape our opinion of GOD, CHRIST and the HOLY SPIRIT. We have made GOD, CHRIST and the HOLY SPIRIT into our own image. When HE does not perform like we think HE should we become discouraged.

This is why we must ask the LORD to reveal to us any false notions or opinions we have formed about HIM and to confirm the revealed truth about HIM with HIS Word. This is foundational in order to build any relationship.

The book of John, which we are studying over the next few months, is an excellent book to ground us in truth. As we study the Book of John pray and ask HIM to reveal any thing in our lives which prevents us from having the best possible relationship with HIM.

Let’s read John 5:16-23: The Jews are building their case against CHRIST. They are so focused on the law and their traditions that they are missing what they have been seeking most of their lives.

Honoring the Father and the Son
16 Therefore, the Jews began persecuting Jesus[5] Other mss add and trying to kill Him because He was doing these things on the Sabbath. 17 But Jesus responded to them, “My Father is still working, and I am working also.” 18 This is why the Jews began trying all the more to kill Him: not only was He breaking the Sabbath, but He was even calling God His own Father, making Himself equal with God. 19 Then Jesus replied, “• I assure you: The Son is not able to do anything on His own, but only what He sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father[6] Lit whatever that One does, the Son also does these things in the same way. 20 For the Father loves the Son and shows Him everything He is doing, and He will show Him greater works than these so that you will be amazed. 21 And just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so the Son also gives life to anyone He wants to. 22 The Father, in fact, judges no one but has given all judgment to the Son, 23 so that all people will honor the Son just as they honor the Father. Anyone who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him.

JESUS was healing people on the Sabbath. Imagine JESUS is working on the Sabbath and calling GOD HIS own FATHER. It is obvious the religious leaders are not getting the fact that JESUS is the promised Messiah. JESUS attempts to give them a very big clue. JESUS attempted to get them to make the connection between HIM, WHO HE was representing and the fact that only such power could come from one source, GOD. They had drawn a conclusion that HIS power came from Satan and not GOD.

When we try to earn our way to GOD, we often become performance oriented. This is what happened to the Jews. They are so caught up in tradition and performing that they have failed to associate the very miracles GOD is performing through JESUS with the coming Messiah. Could it also be that the religious leaders were jealous of JESUS? After all how could a commoner, such as JESUS, be the promised Messiah? Often the religious leaders of our day get caught up in their piousness and think that only miracles and revelations can come through them. See how notions and preconceived notions can blind us to the truth. GOD will not be placed in a box, after all HE is GOD.

Notice JESUS always points to the FATHER, never to Himself. JESUS never makes any claims about HIS abilities or HIS power. All is about the FATHER. CHRIST’S mission is to represent and glorify the FATHER. It is the FATHER WHO has the power to heal the blind, heal the sick, move the mountain and to raise the dead back to life. JESUS says HE has the power to give life to anyone HE chooses.

John 3:16-18 tells us:

16 “For God loved the world in this way: He gave His • One and Only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.[10] 1 Jn 4:9–10 17 For God did not send His Son into the world that He might condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. 18 Anyone who believes in Him is not condemned, but anyone who does not believe is already condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the • One and Only Son of God.

GOD’S desire is for the entire world to be saved from sin and death. But the choice is always left to each individual.
Do you know JESUS as the SON of GOD? Is HE your SAVIOR?

Let’s read John 5:24-30:

Life and Judgment
24 “I assure you: Anyone who hears My word and believes Him who sent Me has eternal life and will not come under judgment but has passed from death to life. 25 “I assure you: An hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. 26 For just as the Father has life in Himself, so also He has granted to the Son to have life in Himself. 27 And He has granted Him the right to pass judgment, because He is the • Son of Man. 28 Do not be amazed at this, because a time is coming when all who are in the graves will hear His voice 29 and come out—those who have done good things, to the resurrection of life, but those who have done wicked things, to the resurrection of judgment. 30 “I can do nothing on My own. I judge only as I hear, and My judgment is righteous, because I do not seek My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.

Verse 24 is the good news of the gospel of CHRIST. Our part is to believe in CHRIST. HIS part is to forgive all who believe in HIM. GOD has given the authority to CHRIST to judge. Since GOD has given CHRIST the authority to judge, HE has determined that all who believe in HIM will not be judged and will pass from death into life. Is this good news? I think so. I like a sure thing as long as it is true and you can count on it. Is CHRIST who HE says HE is? Can HE deliver what HE says HE can deliver?

The resurrection is physical proof and the HOLY SPIRIT in the heart of every believer is spiritual confirmation of the truth.

Verse 25 reveals that the spiritually dead will hear HIS voice and receive eternal life. Then verse 28 reveals that those physically dead will also hear HIS voice. We know after the death of CHRIST, HE visits the place of the dead and reveals that HE is the promised Messiah.

1 Peter 3:19:

19 In that state[31] Or In whom, or At that time, or In which He also went and made a proclamation to the spirits in prison[32] The spirits in prison are most likely fallen supernatural beings or angels; see 2 Pt 2:4; Jd 6.
Verse 30 is critical. JESUS is totally and completely obedient to the FATHER. This is the relationship GOD wants us to have with HIM. Often our main problem is that we spring into action before GOD shows us what HE wants us to do. We think the activities we do for GOD are acceptable to GOD. We need to first concentrate on our relationship with HIM. When we have the proper relationship with HIM, we are always in the center of HIS will. It is here that we gain confidence and trust in HIM. As we get to know HIM, HE will give us opportunities to join HIM in the work HE has in progress. When HE reveals HIS work to us this is our opportunity to join HIM in that activity. So what do we do until GOD reveals HIS work to us? HE is preparing and equipping us to join HIM in the work HE has planned for us.

Let’s read John 5:31-47:

Four Witnesses to Jesus
31 “If I testify about Myself, My testimony is not valid.[7] Or not true

If JESUS validates Himself, the religious leaders would have a right to question HIS authority. JESUS gives them something to ponder.
If JESUS toots HIS own horn, so-to-speak, then we as humans have grounds to question HIS authority. Today we have the complete story about JESUS. We know that JESUS died on the cross, was buried, GOD raised HIM from the dead as proof that HE fulfilled HIS mission. As a result HE has complete authority to give all who believe in HIM eternal life through the miracle of rebirth. In the next scripture, Jesus speaks to WHO validates HIS mission and authority.

32 There is Another who testifies about Me, and I know that the testimony He gives about Me is valid.[8] Or true 33 You have sent [messengers]* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. to John, and he has testified to the truth. 34 I don’t receive man’s testimony, but I say these things so that you may be saved. 35 John[9] Lit That man was a burning and shining lamp, and for a time you were willing to enjoy his light.

GOD testifies about JESUS and John the Baptist testified about JESUS. John the Baptist’s mission was to herald and be the forerunner to the Messiah. JESUS tells the religious leaders that they were eager to go to the desert to hear what John the Baptist had to say about the coming Messiah, but, if they will remove their spiritual blinders they will see WHO John was talking about. Their hope was in the coming Messiah. And guess what, the Messiah has arrived.

36 “But I have a greater testimony than John’s because of the works that the Father has given Me to accomplish. These very works I am doing testify about Me that the Father has sent Me.

JESUS is trying to get them to wake up. HE is asking them in essence, “Have you seen any of the miracles that I have performed? Do you wonder where the power comes from when you see the sick being healed, the lame walk, the lepers cleansed, the blind healed, the dead raised and much more? Don’t you think GOD is at work among you?”

37 The Father who sent Me has Himself testified about Me. You have not heard His voice at any time, and you haven’t seen His form. 38 You don’t have His word living in you, because you don’t believe the One He sent.

The religious leaders have already made up their minds about JESUS because they were spiritually dead. Their hearts are hard and they are spiritually blind.

39 You pore over[10] In Gk this could be a command: Pore over . . . the Scriptures because you think you have eternal life in them, yet they testify about Me.

The religious leaders were earning their way to heaven. They prided themselves in knowing the scriptures but they are blind to the obvious.

40 And you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life. 41 “I do not accept glory from men, 42 but I know you—that you have no love for God within you. 43 I have come in My Father’s name, yet you don’t accept Me. If someone else comes in his own name, you will accept him. 44 How can you believe? While accepting glory from one another, you don’t seek the glory that comes from the only God. 45 Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father. Your accuser is Moses, on whom you have set your hope. 46 For if you believed Moses, you would believe Me, because he wrote about Me. 47 But if you don’t believe his writings, how will you believe My words?”

JESUS knew that they had hardened their hearts to HIS message. They were looking for the Messiah in all the wrong places. They are eager to run to this one and that one rather than seeking the true ONE.

Does this ring a bell? Have you seen people seeking to have a deeper walk with our LORD, run to this meeting or a certain spiritual leader? This is not to say we should not seek truth as the people of GOD present the truth. However, we cannot get a deeper walk by riding on the spiritual coat tails of others. Others can share what GOD has done in their lives and share what GOD has revealed to them. Sharing can inspire us but we must have our own encounter with GOD.

Ask GOD to reveal to you how you can build the best possible intimate loving relationship with HIM. Tell HIM that you seek HIM and that you want to know HIM, to really know HIM and not to just know about HIM. HE already knows you because HE knit you in your mother’s womb. HE chose you before HE made the world. HE knows the numbers of hairs on your head. Let GOD reveal to you what you need to do to have the most intimate loving relationship possible as you read HIS word and pray. The HOLY SPIRIT reveals.

GOD made the world a day at the time. What HE created on day one (1) was to prepare for what HE would create on day two (2). What HE created on day two (2) was in preparation for what HE was planning for day (3), etc. This is how HE works in our lives. HE builds into our lives that which will be needed for the next step HE is planning in our lives. It is an awesome journey to yield our will to our LORD and experience HIM as we build together an intimate relationship.