Finding Jesus

Public Faith PART IX
Dr. Timothy Keller
24 November 2013

John 5:31-47
31"If I testify about myself, my testimony is not true.  32There is another who testifies in my favor, and I know that his testimony about me is true.

33"You have sent to John and he has testified to the truth.  34Not that I accept human testimony; but I mention it that you may be saved.  35John was a lamp that burned and gave light, and you chose for a time to enjoy his light.

36"I have testimony weightier than that of John.  For the works that the Father has given me to finish--the very works that I am doing--testify that the Father has sent me.  37And the Father who sent me has himself testified concerning me.  You have never heard his voice nor seen his form, nor does the word dwell in you, for you do not believe the one he sent.  39You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life.  These are the very Scriptures that testify about me, 40yet you refuse to come to me to have life.

41"I do not accept glory from human beings, 42but I know you.  I know that you do not have the love of God in your hearts.  43I have come in my Father's name, and you do not accept me; but if someone else comes in his own name, you will accept him.  44How can you believe since you accept glory from one another but do not seek the glory that comes only from God?

45"But do not think I will accuse you before the Father.  Your accuser is Moses, on whom your hopes are set.  46If you believed Moses, you would believe me, for he wrote about me.  47But since you do not believe what he wrote, how are you going to believe what I say?"

Testimonials (v.31) - Jewish tradition requires 2-3 corroborating testimonies; Jesus recognizes this and lists other testimonies.
1) John the Baptist
2) Jesus's own testimonies through the works of God.
3) Scripture (Old Testament) as testimony.

AUTHORITY OF BIBLE
--v.37 - the word of God.
--Matthew 5:18
--smallest letter, least stroke of a pen means every single Biblical author is God's word.
--Every time Satan assaults Jesus, he responds by "It is written!"
--Bible was the operating principle of Jesus's life.
--People that pick and choose what to believe in the Bible are following their own rules.
--Hebrews 12:5
--The Bible should argue with you and challenge your beliefs--some times, it's a struggle.

UNITY OF BIBLE
--v.46 Moses speaks and points to Jesus.
--"Lamb of God" who takes away the sins of the world.
--Lambs were Old Testament sacrifices--Jesus as lamb takes away the sins of the world.
--John 2 - ran out of ceremonial clean water; Jesus fills it with wine, and thus, his blood cleanses us.
--Tearing the temple down and rebuilt in three days - Jesus is that temple.

VITALITY OF THE BIBLE
--v39-40
--Getting eternal life through Scripture; main message is not obeying the Bible but that it points to Jesus Christ who incarnates our salvation.
--Obeying the Bible out of love for God because we are saved by grace.
--Christianity is personal - helps to be surrounded by Christians.
--Christianity is empirical - evidenced in the life of Jesus.
--Christianity is scriptural not as a means to an end but pointing to our salvation through Jesus Christ.