John 5:30-47

[30] “I can do nothing on my own. I judge only as I hear, and my judgment is just, because I do not seek my own will, but the will of him who sent me. [31] “If I testify about myself, my testimony is not true. [32] There is another who testifies about me, and I know that the testimony he gives about me is true. [33] You sent messengers to John, and he testified to the truth. [34] I don’t receive human testimony, but I say these things so that you may be saved. [35] John was a burning and shining lamp, and you were willing to rejoice for a while in his light. [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. [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 residing in you, because you don’t believe the one he sent. [39] You pore over the Scriptures because you think you have eternal life in them, and yet they testify about me. [40] But you are not willing to come to me so that you may have life. [41] “I do not accept glory from people, [42] but I know you-that you have no love for God within you. [43] I have come in my Father’s name, and yet you don’t accept me. If someone else comes in his own name, you will accept him. [44] How can you believe, since you accept glory from one another but 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 what he wrote, how will you believe my words?” …

The Trial (5:30-31)

From Judge to Defendant

“If I testify about myself, my testimony is not true…”

The Testimonies (5:32-39)

PERSONAL

You sent messengers to John, and he testified to the truth.

Are you a radiant light?

EVIDENTIAL

These very works I am doing testify about me that the Father has sent me.

SCRIPTURAL

The Father who sent me has himself testified about me.

John 5:39

You pore over the Scriptures because you think you have eternal life in them, and yet they testify about me.

John 5:46

For if you believed Moses, you would believe me, because he wrote about me.

Turning The Tables (5:37-47)

Posture & Purpose

Are you over or under the Word of God?

Do you want a relationship with God?

The Bible has to be able to contradict the reader, and God has to be able to contradict our views. If he can’t do that, we’re not in a real relationship with him.

–Stephen Um

Is the Bible about God or from God?

Search. Submit. See.

2 Corinthians 4:6

For God who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of God’s glory in the face of Jesus Christ.