FOCUS ON & FOCUS OFF

TEXT JOHN 6: http://www.biblica.com/bible/verse/?q=John5&niv=yes

PARAPHRASE JOHN 6:1-15

Some time after reviewing the testimonies to his being the Son of God, Jesus crossed to the other side of the Sea of Galilee near the time of the Passover, followed by many people who had witnessed his miraculous healings.

Seeing how many people were present as he ascended a mountainside with his disciples, Jesus tested Philip’s faith by asking him where they could get enough food for the people to eat. Philip responded by telling Jesus how costly it would be to purchase enough bread for everyone present to get a single bite. Pointing to the only food available, a boy with five small loaves of bread and two fish, Andrew questioned Jesus about the value of such meager resources when there were so many hungry people present.

Telling his disciples to prepare everyone to eat by having them sit down in the grass, Jesus took the boy’s bread and fish, gave thanks to God and gave everyone as much to eat as they wanted. Telling his disciples to collect all the leftovers so nothing would be wasted, they filled twelve baskets with the food that remained after everyone had eaten.

Witnessing Jesus miraculous feeding of everyone, the people confessed him as the prophesized Messiah, but knowing they thought this meant he had come to be their earthly king he left them to be alone on a mountain.

PRINCIPLES John 5:1-15

I. 1st Century Readers

A. (CIT) John told his first century readers that Jesus’ disciples lacked faith in his ability to feed the people.

B. (INT) Why did Jesus’ disciples lack faith in his ability to feed the people?

C. (ANS) Jesus’ disciples lacked faith in his ability to feed the people because they focused:

1. On
A. The People (The Number) vv. 2, 5, 10
B. The Impossible (The Money) vv. 5-7
C. The Improbable (The Resources) vv. 8-9

2. Off
A. His Purpose (Not an Earthy King) vv. 14-15
B. His Identity (The Son of God) vv. 1-3
C. His Father (His Provision) vv. 4, 10-13


II. Readers Today

A. (CIT) John tells us that Jesus’ disciples lack faith today in his ability to feed the people.

B. (INT) Why do Jesus’ disciples lack faith today in his ability to feed the people?

C. (ANS) Jesus’ disciples lack faith today in his ability to feed the people because they focus:

1. On
A. The Numbers (The People) vv. 2, 5, 10
B. The Money (The Impossible) vv. 5-7
C. The Resources (The Improbable) vv. 8-9

2. Off
A. His Kingship (His Purpose) vv. 14-15
B. His Sonship (His Identity) vv. 1-3
C. His Provision (His Father) vv. 4, 10-13


PRAYER

Our Father, forgive us when we focus on the Numbers –Ourselves.

Our Father, forgive us when we don’t focus on Your Kingship -Your Purpose.

Our Father, forgive us when we focus on the Money –The Impossible.

Our Father, forgive us when we don’t focus on Your Sonship - Your Identity.

Our Father, forgive us when we focus on the Resources - The Improbable.

Our Father, forgive us when we don’t focus on Your Provision – You.

We ask all of this in the Name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen.



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CONFIRMATION

TEXT JOHN 5:31-47 http://www.biblica.com/bible/verse/?q=John5&niv=yes

PARAPHRASE JOHN 5:31-47

Jesus tells the Jews he understands his self-testimony that he is the Son of God carries no weight with them but that other testimonies to this fact should carry weight with them including that of John the Baptist, the ultimate reason he has been sent, God Himself, and even their favorite prophet Moses.

Jesus tells them that when their religious leaders went out to the wilderness to check out John the Baptist he testified to the truth of who he is. Jesus tells them John’s revelation, prophesized by Malachi, that he is the Son of God was not only true, but something that would save them if they believed it.

Jesus tells them that even as he speaks he is in the midst of completing the decisive act that will make it possible for sinners to be reconciled to God which by itself is proof positive of who he is. Jesus tells them that God Himself has spoken through the Scriptures that as His Son he is the way to eternal life– a testimony they fail to believe because they have outsmarted themselves by thinking they are saved because of their great intellectual understanding of Scripture.

Jesus tells them that unlike him they are concerned with receiving human praise instead of praise from God because of their cold hearts. He tells them by not seeking out God’s praise by believing in His Son they are rejecting God’s Love.

Finally, Jesus tells them that despite the hope they place in Moses, he will charge them before God with failing to believe in His Son because of what he wrote in the Scriptures about him. He tells them their failure to believe what Moses wrote about the Son of God makes it impossible for them to believe what he has told them about who he is.

PRINCIPLES John 5:31-47

I. 1st Century Readers

A. (CIT) John told his first century readers that the Jews failed to believe Jesus was the Son God sent to save them despite the testimonies that confirmed it.

B. (INT) What were the testimonies that confirmed Jesus was the Son God sent to save the Jews?

C. (ANS) The testimonies that confirmed Jesus was the Son God sent to save the Jews were those of:

1. John the Baptist (Mal 4:5; Isa 40:3)

2. His Decisive Act of Salvation (Isa 53:11; Jn 3:17)

3. God’s Word - The Scriptures (Deuteronomy 4:12; Isaiah 26:10)

4. Moses’ Words – The Pentateuch (Gen 3:15, 49:10; Ex 12:21; Lev 16:5; Nu 24:17; Dt 18:15)


II. Readers Today

A. (CIT) John tells us today that people fail to believe Jesus is the Son God sent to save them despite testimonies confirming it.

B. (INT) What are the testimonies confirming Jesus is the Son God sent to save us?

C. (ANS) The testimonies confirming Jesus is the Son God sent to save us are those of:

1. John the Baptist’s Words - Mal 4:5; Isa 40:3

2. His Act - Isa 53:11; Jn 3:17

3. God’s Word (Scripture) - Deuteronomy 4:12; Isaiah 26:10

4. Moses’ Words (Pentateuch) - Gen 3:15, 49:10; Ex 12:21; Lev 16:5; Nu 24:17; Dt 18:15


PRAYER

Our Father, we thank You for Your Word testifying Jesus is Your Son.

Our Father, we praise You for John the Baptist’s preparation for Your Lamb.

Our Father, we lift You on High for Moses Words testifying to Your Son.

Our Father, we give You glory for Your Son’s Sacrificial Act of Salvation.

Our Father, forgive our unbelief and for failing to testify about Your Son.

We ask all of this in the Name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen.

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THE SON OF GOD'S AUTHORITY & POWER TO RESURRECT

WORSHIP THRU THE WORD

TEXT JOHN 5:16-30 http://www.biblica.com/bible/verse/?q=John5&niv=yes

PARAPHRASE JOHN 5:16-30

Because the Jews believed that Jesus broke the Fourth Commandment by healing at Bethesda on the Sabbath they persecuted him. And, when he called God his Father and said his relationship with God gave him the authority to preserve the creation by healing whenever necessary, the Jews plotted to kill him because they believed he had blasphemed.

Jesus answered the Jews’ charges by telling them his authority to do whatever God does resides in his relationship to God, who as His beloved Son has full knowledge of God’s purposes and plans which will be revealed through his doing much greater things than healing an invalid on the Sabbath. And, Jesus tells the Jews if they do not honor him as they do his Father when he does even greater things - like raising the dead and judging them at the end of time - they will be dishonoring God as well.

Jesus tells the Jews that the truth about eternal life is that it will come to whoever accepts that he is who he says – the Son of God sent into the world to save those who believe from the damnation of eternal death that otherwise awaits them as sinners. Jesus tells them that when those who are otherwise dead in their sin have accepted him as the Son of God they will receive eternal life because the Son, as God, is life itself and the Son, as Man, has been given the authority to judge whether he has been believed or not. Because of this, Jesus tells them they shouldn’t be surprised when the time comes for the resurrection of the dead that those believing he is the Son of God will arise to eternal life and those not believing he is the Son of God will arise to eternal damnation.

PRINCIPLES John 5:16-30

I. 1st Century Readers

A. (CIT) John told his first century readers that those who believe Jesus is the Son of God will be resurrected to eternal life and those who don’t will be resurrected to eternal damnation.

B. (INT) How did John tell his first century readers that Jesus would resurrect them to eternal life if they believed he was the Son of God?

C. (ANS) John told his first century readers that Jesus would resurrect them to eternal life if they believed he was the Son of God (v 18) because he had been given:

1. God's Authority -
A. to Heal vv 16-17
B. to Know. vv 19-20
C. to Judge vv 22, 27 & 30

2. God's Power -
A. of Life. v 21
B. of Salvation. vv 23-26
C. of Resurrection. vv 28-29


II. Readers Today

A. A. (CIT) John tells us today that those who believe Jesus is the Son of God will be resurrected to eternal life and those who don’t will be resurrected to eternal damnation.

B. (INT) How does John tell us today that Jesus will resurrect us to eternal life if we believe he is the Son of God?

C. (ANS) John tells us today that Jesus will resurrect us to eternal life if we believe he is the Son of God (v 18) because he has:

1. God's Authority -
A. to Heal vv 16-17
B. to Know. vv 19-20
C. to Judge vv 22, 27 & 30

2. God's Power -
A. of Life. v 21
B. of Salvation. vv 23-26
C. of Resurrection. vv 28-29



PRAYER

Our Father, we thank You for Sending Your Son into the world.

Our Father, we thank You for giving Your Son the Authority to Heal, Know & Judge.

Our Father, we praise You for Loving Your Son.

Our Father, we thank You for giving Your Son the Power of Life, Salvation & Resurrection.

Our Father, we praise You for Honoring Your Son.

Our Father, we glorify You for who You are and what You have done!

We ask all of this in the Name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen.


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