Internal Healing
Audio Recording
Sermon Outline
Speaker: Rev. Scott Strickman
Sermon Series: John 1-12: Come, See, Live!
John 5:18-47 (ESV)
18 This was why the Jews were seeking all the more to kill him, because not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God.
19 So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise. 20 For the Father loves the Son and shows him all that he himself is doing. And greater works than these will he show him, so that you may marvel. 21 For as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whom he will. 22 For the Father judges no one, but has given all judgment to the Son, 23 that all may honor the Son, just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him. 24 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.
25 “Truly, truly, I say to 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 as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself. 27 And he has given him authority to execute judgment, because he is the Son of Man. 28 Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice 29 and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment.
30 “I can do nothing on my own. As I hear, I judge, and my judgment is just, because I seek not my own will but the will of him who sent me.31 If I alone bear witness about myself, my testimony is not true.32 There is another who bears witness about me, and I know that the testimony that he bears about me is true.33 You sent to John, and he has borne witness to the truth.34 Not that the testimony that I receive is from man, but I say these things so that you may be saved.35 He was a burning and shining lamp, and you were willing to rejoice for a while in his light.36 But the testimony that I have is greater than that of John. For the works that the Father has given me to accomplish, the very works that I am doing, bear witness about me that the Father has sent me.37 And the Father who sent me has himself borne witness about me. His voice you have never heard, his form you have never seen,38 and you do not have his word abiding in you, for you do not believe the one whom he has sent.39 You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me,40 yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life.41 I do not receive glory from people.42 But I know that you do not have the love of God within you.43 I have come in my Father's name, and you do not receive me. If another comes in his own name, you will receive him.44 How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the only God?45 Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father. There is one who accuses you: Moses, on whom you have set your hope.46 For if you believed Moses, you would believe me; for he wrote of me.47 But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe my words?”
Sermon Outline
When we receive the life Jesus offers healing begins.
1. Disconnected Confusion
v39 You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life… yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life.
v43-44 How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another…?
v38 you do not have his word abiding in you…
v42 I know that you do not have the love of God within you
2. Persistent Generosity
vv33-34 You sent to John…but I say these things so that you may be saved.
v36 …the testimony that I have is greater… the works that the Father has given me… bear witness about me that the Father has sent me.
vv37-41 …the Father who sent me has himself borne witness about me… the Scriptures… bear witness about me…
3. Internal Healing
vv20-21 greater works than these will he show him, so that you may marvel. For as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whom he will.
v25 the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. (v28)
vv24 whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life.
Prayer of Confession
Our persistently generous Father, you love, you give, you provide all the help we need. We confess our stubbornness. We acknowledge our blindness. We have kept you out of our lives without awareness, as well as intentionally. Forgive our sins. Forgive us for conforming to the ways and opinions of people, and for failing to humbly listen to and understand you. Forgive us for not receiving or expressing your love. Grant us grace and heal our troubled souls. We look with faith to Jesus. Amen.
Questions for Reflection
Do you feel connected with God?
How can you know if you are connected with God?
Do you find it easier to connect with God or people? Is there something else you more easily connect with? Why?
In what ways are you looking for “life”? Where are you looking?
What is most convincing for you of the three ways God points us to Jesus: living people, the works Jesus did, or the Bible? Which is least convincing? What would be more convincing? Why?
What kind of devotional life pays attention to God, and let’s God reveal Himself? How can we make sure we are letting God be God and we are not shaping Him as we want or dismissing what we don’t like or understand?
In what ways is God’s word powerful? Do you believe that Jesus has the power to call the dead to life?
What does it mean to receive Jesus into your life? What kind of faith connects with God in the way Jesus invites us?
What can you do during periods where you don’t feel connected to God, or feel weak in your faith? What does faith look like in those times?