- Life Through the Son - Today's topic will be Life through the Son and we will be reading John 5:16-30. This will be a little more challenging compared to previous readings we have done. Please do not hesitate to stop me as ask questions along the way. John 5:16-30 16Therefore the Jews started persecuting Jesus, because he was doing such things on the sabbath. [STOP] Can anyone tell me what the sabbath is? * Day of rest. 17 But Jesus answered them, ‘My Father is still working, and I also am working.’ [STOP] Can anyone give me an example of how Jesus is working? * Saving souls. * Getting people away from sin. * Forgiving people. * Showing the importance of faith. How do we know that Jesus is still working today? * Raised from the dead. * Holy Spirit is within us today. 18For this reason the Jews were seeking all the more to kill him, because he was not only breaking the sabbath, but was also calling God his own Father, thereby making himself equal to God. [STOP] The jews never believed that Jesus was the son of God. It says here that Jesus was calling God His Father, making Himself equal to God. Can anyone tell me how we know that Jesus is equal to God? * John 1:1 - 1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. [STOP] 19Jesus said to them, ‘Very truly, I tell you, the Son can do nothing on his own, but only what he sees the Father doing; for whatever the Father does, the Son does likewise. 20The Father loves the Son and shows him all that he himself is doing; and he will show him greater works than these, so that you will be astonished. [STOP] Can anyone give me an example of what greater works God will do for us to be astonished? * God raised Jesus from the dead. * We now have the holy spirit of Jesus in our hearts today. 21Indeed, just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whomever he wishes. 22The Father judges no one but has given all judgment to the Son, [STOP] At time of judgement, who will judge us? * Jesus 23so that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. Anyone who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him. 24Very truly, I tell you, anyone who hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life, and does not come under judgment, but has passed from death to life. [STOP] How do we have eternal life? * Hearing God's Word (The Bible) and believing in God. Can anyone tell me what it means to pass from death to life? * After we die here on earth, we will have eternal life in heaven. 25‘Very truly, I tell you, the 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. [STOP] Who are the dead? * People who are physically living, but spiritually dead. How will they live? * By hearing the Word of God * Being spiritually awakened. 26For just as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself; 27and he has given him authority to execute judgment, because he is the Son of Man. [STOP] The Father (God) and Jesus have life where? * In himself Who has authority to execute judgement? * Jesus How again do we not come upon judgement? * Hearing God's Word (The Bible) and believing in God. 28Do not be astonished at this; for the hour is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice 29and will come out - those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation. [STOP] All who are in their graves would be the spiritually dead people. 30‘I can do nothing on my own. As I hear, I judge; and my judgment is just, because I seek to do not my own will but the will of him who sent me. [STOP] Who's will does Jesus seek to do? * God Any questions? Work Cited: OBB Bible Browser http://www.oremus.org/bible/ The New Revised Standard Version