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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