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He “Imitates” the Father. John 5:16-30 p. 982. Today’s outline. W orking for the World I mitation from Intimacy L ife for the Lost L iving for the Lord. 1. W orking for the World. Jesus heals a paralytic On the Sabbath !!! Jesus’ answer: The workings of the Trinity
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He “Imitates” the Father John 5:16-30 p. 982
Today’s outline W orking for the World I mitation from Intimacy L ife for the Lost L iving for the Lord
1. W orking for the World • Jesus heals a paralytic • On the Sabbath !!! • Jesus’ answer: The workings of the Trinity • How it makes sense in a monotheistic belief system • Speaks to how we should relate to God
1. W orking for the World ... • Jesus “working” on the Sabbath (10 commandments, Dt 5:12 ) • Jewish Dilemma: Is God “working” on Sabbath sustaining the universe? • Breaking his own commandment • Jesus confirms God is “always at work” (v 17) • Uses this to justify that he too is working • Offends the Jews: • Calls God “MY Father” • equates himself with God. • Outrageous Blasphemy in their eyes.
2. I mitation from Intimacy • If Jesus is “equal” with God – there are TWO Gods • Contradicts the “shema”. Deut 6:4 “Yhwh is our God, Yhwh is ONE” • Jesus’ answer: • The Son can do “nothing from himself” (v 19) • Jesus is in complete unity and oneness with the One True God. • Not “another” God !!!
2. I mitation from Intimacy ... • Four parallel statements: • FOR ... whatever the Father does the Son also does (v 19) • FOR ... the Father loves the Son and shows him all he does (v 20) • FOR ... just as the Father gives life, so also the Son gives life (v 21) • FOR ... the Father has entrusted all judgment to the Son (v 22) • The constant unified co-activity of Father & Son is based in the unity of perfect Love.
2. Imitation from Intimacy ... • Are there TWO Gods? NO !!! • Supremacy in the Godhead belongs to the Father. • Their “equality” is in their unity and complete intimacy & trust. • They differ in their station. • Jesus is so in unity with the Father, he perfectly reveals him • “Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father” (14:9) • Based first not on love for us, but mutual love between Father & Son.
3. L ife for the Lost • The Father has entrusted judgment to the Son • Who will have Life • Son came not to judge (condemn) but to save (3:17) • World is condemned already – all the defilement cannot go on forever • Jesus came on a rescue Mission! • Everyone is “dead” (v 25) • All who “hear” and “believe” have “crossed over from death to life” (v 24)
3. L ife for the Lost ... • The one on the Throne is the “son of Man” (v 27, cf Dan 7:13-14) • Three strands come together: • Jesus as “Son of Man” is given an eternal kingdom to rule • Jesus is just in judging because he has been a human being • He is the one who perfectly revealed the Father to us • There is no excuse left – we must “hear” and “believe” !
4. L iving for the Lord • In the same way ... • Our love for God is intimately reflected in our faithful obedience • Through this “imitation” we grow in our knowledge of Him. • This causes our love for Him to grow. • This also, through faithfulness, reveal him to others. • Loving faithfulness is more precious than silver.
4. L iving for the Lord Faithfully loving God will allow us to know God more intimately and to reveal Him to others