As our community gathered this Easter, we witnessed something extraordinary: 51 souls embarking on a new journey with Christ. The joy from this celebration was a beacon of hope as I navigated personal sorrow at my aunt's funeral in Alabama, reinforcing the powerful message of eternity we shared over the weekend. This episode is not just a reflection on these life events; it's a deeper exploration of the transformative power of faith and the profound implications for our everyday lives.
Venturing into the heart of the Gospel of John, Chapter 5, we examine a passage that feels like a divine courtroom drama, with Jesus at its center, revealing the path to eternal life. We discuss five key points that challenge us to consider our faith's foundation: Jesus' divine authority, God's invisible testimony, the scriptures pointing to Christ, the call to believe, and the promise of eternal life. This isn't just theology; it's an invitation to live a life that starts now and continues forever, shaping every moment with the promise of what's to come. Join me as we navigate these truths together, seeking a faith that's not just waiting for eternity but is vibrantly alive today.
Episode Transcript
Hey Podcast World.
Before we jump into today'smessage, I just want to pause
and celebrate all that happenedthis past weekend, the week that
I'm recording this.
We just came off Easter weekendrecord attendance over 1,900
people on our campus, notincluding those that just came
for the block party that wethrew on Saturday.
And then, more important thanany of those numbers, 51 people
(01:02):
gave their lives to Christ.
Let me say that again.
51 people filled out cardssaying I'm declaring today that
I'm surrendering my life toChrist, and that is something to
celebrate Now.
On the back end of that, manyof you know that I flew to
Atlanta and then over to Alabamafor a funeral for my aunt and
(01:22):
just had a great time spendingtime with family and honoring
who she was.
But it also was just kind ofreconfirmation of everything we
talked about on Easter and thepassage that we dug into.
So today we're venturing intothe heart of the Gospel of John,
chapter 5, a passage thathonestly invites us to confront
(01:43):
the very foundation of our faith.
Have you ever stood at thecrossroads of belief where the
path you choose could alter notjust your life here and now, but
your eternal destiny?
What guides your choice whenthe stakes are beyond this world
, when what's on the line isyour very soul.
(02:05):
Now picture this an ancient,grand courtroom echoing with the
whispers of centuries, the airis thick with anticipation and
at the center a figure stands,calm and commanding, his eyes
brimming with the wisdom of theages.
(02:26):
Now, this is no ordinary trialand he is no ordinary man.
He's here to make a claim thatwould change the very course of
history, to affirm his identityas the divine son of God, vested
with the ultimate authority togrant eternal life and to judge
the world.
(02:46):
Now, this scene isn't from amovie or a novel.
It's a vivid reality weencounter in John, chapter 5.
Jesus, having just healed a manon the Sabbath, faces backlash,
not just for the act of healing, but for the profound
implication of his words that heis equal with God.
(03:08):
And what begins to unfold is adivine courtroom-type drama
where Jesus presents his casenot to defend himself but to
offer us, the listeners acrossthe ages, including the
Pharisees standing there thatday, a clear path to eternal
life.
(03:28):
I think that's one thing thatgot me with this passage this
week.
I think growing up, I alwaysthought it was Jesus versus the
Pharisees, and while there issome truth in that every time
Jesus met with the Pharisees,his desire was that they know
him.
He wasn't just out to condemnthem, he made sure that they had
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the opportunity that you and Ihave to have faith in who he is
and who he was Now.
First, in this passage we seethe divine authority recognized
that Jesus doesn't just claimauthority, he demonstrates it.
The works that the Father hasgiven me to accomplish, he says,
(04:13):
bear witness about me.
See, each miracle, each healingisn't just an act of compassion
, it's a signpost pointing tohis divine authority, pointing
to his divinity.
Second, there's a witnessbeyond the visible.
(04:34):
Jesus tells us, the Father whosent me has himself borne
witness about me.
It's a call to look beyond thephysical to hear the testimony
of the invisible God about hisvisible son.
Third, we find that thescriptures testify to Christ.
It says you search thescriptures.
(04:55):
It is they that bear witnessabout me.
See, the Bible isn't just abook of history or morals.
It's a living testamentpointing us to Jesus, urging us
to find life in his words.
Fourth, jesus issues a call tobelieve.
He challenges us.
(05:16):
If you do not believe hiswritings, he says, how will you
believe my words?
It's a moment of reckoning.
It's a moment of urging you andI to trust in the divine
testimony given about him, toanchor our faith in the very
authority of God's word.
And fifth, we're presented withthe promise of eternal life
(05:40):
through the Son.
He says whoever hears my wordand believes him, who sent me,
has eternal life.
This isn't just about escapingjudgment.
It's about stepping into a lifethat's eternal, that's
transformative, a life thatbegins now and stretches into
(06:00):
eternity.
Life that begins now andstretches into eternity.
Now, as you and I reflect onthis divine courtroom type drama
, let's ask ourselves on whatfoundation does our faith stand?
Is it the shifting sands ofhuman wisdom or the solid rock
of divine testimony, testimonythat comes from the Father, the
(06:22):
Scriptures and thelife-transforming works of Jesus
Christ Himself?
As I stood in the cemetery thisweek and spoke to a small group
of people that knew my aunt andshared these words from not
only John, chapter 5, butmultiple points of scripture
(06:45):
that point to who Jesus is, Iwas reminded of the stark
reality that everybody has tomake a decision, and so my
prayer for you is as we journeythrough this life, may we find
our faith anchored in theunshakable authority of Christ,
(07:06):
testified by God himself,illuminated in scripture and
evidenced in the transformativepower of his work in our lives.
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