1. Studying the Gospel of John will greatly help us to grow in the knowledge of Christ as we are instructed in 2 Peter 3:18. a. By examining statements made by people who interacted with the Lord we can learn much about His identity (ex. John 1:40-41, 45, 49). b. By examining the Lord's conversations with people we can learn His will on many important subjects (ex. John 3:3, 5). c. By examining the Lord's miracles we can be assured that He is "the Christ, the Son of God" (John 20:30-31). d. By examining the various places that the Lord visited we can know the details of His travels during His ministry (ex. John 4:3-5, 40, 43). 2. In this lesson we are studying the information recorded in John 5:19-47. 3. Previously, we covered John 5:1-18. a. (vs.1-9) Jesus healed a man who could not walk at the pool of Bethesda in Jerusalem. b. (vs.10-13) The Jews criticized and interrogated the man who was healed. c. (vs.14-15) Jesus identified Himself to the man who then informed the Jews that the Lord had healed him. d. (vs.16-18) The Jews wanted to kill Jesus. 1) (vs.16) They wanted to kill Jesus because He healed the man on the Sabbath. 2) (vs.17) Jesus gave a brief response to the Jews. 3) (vs.18) The Jews also wanted to kill Jesus for identifying God as His Father, thus making Himself equal with God. 4. As he began his Gospel John introduced the Lord as a member of the eternal Godhead who came to earth in the flesh (John 1:1-3, 14). 5. While the Jews claimed to be the people of God, many of them rejected Jesus as God's divine Son. 6. In a more lengthy response to the Jews in vs.19-47, Jesus talked in more detail about His relationship with the Father, showing that He is equal with the Father. Discussion: I. (John 5:19-21) JESUS EXPLAINED THAT HE IS EQUAL WITH THE FATHER IN "WORKS"
A. He mentioned this earlier in His brief response in vs.17. B. He showed how He and the Father did the same works. C. Nicodemus understood how the Lord's works illustrate how He came from God (John 3:2). D. One particular work is raising the dead [Jesus discussed this in more detail in vs.25, 28-29a]. II. (John 5:22-30) JESUS EXPLAINED THAT HE IS EQUAL WITH THE FATHER IN "JUDGMENT"
A. The Father has committed all judgment to Jesus. B. The Lord's judgment is the Father's judgment. C. Judgment will occur at the resurrection, and the sentence will either be "life" or "condemnation." III. (John 5:31-47) JESUS PRESENTED WITNESSES THAT AFFIRM HIS EQUALITY WITH THE FATHER
A. (vs.31) He first explained why these witnesses are necessary. B. (vs.32-35) John bore witness of Jesus (John 1:6-8, 15, 29-34, 35-36). C. (vs.36) The Lord's works bore witness of Him (John 2:23). D. (vs.37-38) The Father bore witness of Jesus (Matthew 3:16-17; 17:5). E. (vs.39-47) The Scriptures bear witness of Jesus (Deuteronomy 18:15-19; Isaiah 9:6).
