Sermon Cloud

AUTHORITY IN YOUR LIFE

Introduction:  What do you think about when you hear the word authority?  I don’t know about you, but I often think of a person or organization that make and enforce rules within the environment where you may live or work.  Often times, people take the wrong perspective about authority, thinking that is abrasive in nature.  Maybe its because authority is so often used in an abusive way upon those who are obligated to it.  Regardless of how we feel about authority, it is an integral part of God’s character (Deut. 5:6-7).  God’s word, the Bible, provides insight as to how God wields His authority in creation.  In fact, the Bible teaches you and me that God is our supreme authority and that when we hear His Word, we are to obey it.  Deuteronomy 6:1 – 12 teaches the Israelites, or, in our case, as believers in Christ, that we are to keep God’s commandments and teach them to our children.  God also teaches children to honor and obey their parents (Deut. 6:16; Col. 3:20).  In other words, children are to submit to the authority of their parents.  God’s authority is even evident in our culture, as He is the one who puts our authorities over us into power (Romans 13:1-7).  I want us to get a bit closer to the issue of authority, or in other words, a bit more personal.  How is authority handled in your life?  Whose authority are you submitting to, or are you the authority in your life?  Last week’s study in John 5 revealed the unity that exists between God the Father and God, His Son.  Today, we will take a closer look at the authority God has given His Son in regards to life.  If you have your Bible, open it to John 5.  We will be studying verses 24 - 29.

Background thought:  Chapter 5 of this gospel reveals a change from Jesus’ wonderful way He touched people’s lives, through miracles, signs, and spoken words, to being persecuted by those under the mindset of unbelief.  The Jews refused to believe that Jesus was the Messiah sent by God.  They didn’t like the fact of Him healing on the Sabbath and to even claim Himself to be co-equal with God, which, in the eyes of the Jews, was blasphemy.  Today’s text brings us into the middle of Jesus’ response to their accusations, to include the potential outcome for those who choose not to believe Him to be who He says He is.  Let’s look at our text for today.

Reading of the text:  John 5:24 – 30

Prayer

CTS:  Today I want to share with you three ways that Christ’s authority over life impacts your past, present, and future.  Look with me at verse 24.

THE LIFE JESUS GIVES IS ETERNAL (VS 24)

Explanation:

            In looking at the first few words, we see a statement made by Jesus that was made a few verses earlier, “Truly, truly, I say unto you…”  Jesus once again is emphasizing to His angry Jewish audience to listen closely to the words Jesus is about to say.  Jesus states that those who “hear” His voice and “…believes Him who sent Me…” has eternal life (NASB & NIV).  The New King James translation uses the words “everlasting life.”  Jesus was identifying the way that man could know for sure where he or she would spend eternity.  Wait a minute!  The Jews had always been taught that their works were the source of salvation, to keep the Law.  Jesus was speaking clarity concerning the Law.  Its significant to note that those who believe would spend eternity with God.  Jesus went on to emphasize that they would no longer have to live as condemned individuals.  They would pass from the state of being spiritually dead to being alive in Christ.

Illustration: 

            One of the remarkable technologies God has given to man is the development and study of an individual’s DNA.  It is one factor within a human being that distinguishes him or her from anyone else.  It is amazing to see how law enforcement can use DNA tests to help in solving crimes.  The DNA of those committing a crime is normally found at the crime scene.  What’s even more exciting is when DNA is used to prove one’s innocence.  I have seen news footage of men who were on death row awaiting execution, and then because of DNA testing, it was determined that they were not the criminal.  Such individuals are set free to try to return to some state of normalcy living in freedom.  No longer were they subject to the physical punishment of death.  The unfortunate thing for every human being is that physical death will come, unless Jesus returns for those who are His.  People who have heard the voice of Jesus calling and have believed don’t have to fear death, for they have been promised eternal life with God.

Application:

            How does this apply to you and me?  If we have not responded to Jesus’ voice, today is the day of salvation.  Our point of application is one of reassurance.  If you know Christ as Savior, or have believed His Words, rest assured that you have an eternity awaiting you with God.  If you don’t, God gives you the opportunity to begin the most exciting experience of your life today!!  Don’t delay!!  This leads us to our next point.  Not only does Jesus give us eternal life with God at the end of our physical life, but this wonderful life began at the moment you believed His Words!  In other words, the life Jesus offers is in the present!! Look with me at verses 25-26.

THE LIFE JESUS GIVES IS IN THE PRESENT (VV 25 – 26)

Explanation:

            Once again, we can see Jesus asserting the truthfulness of His words to his listening audience.  He’s telling the people a profound truth!  Not only will those who hear His voice and believe in the One who sent Jesus have eternal life with God once they die, but their eternal life begins at the moment of conversion.  Jesus tells His audience in John 10:10 that the enemy, Satan, comes to kill and destroy.  Such a statement is the truth.  However, Jesus doesn’t stop there.  He goes on in the second part of 10:10 to state that He has come that the believer may have life and have it more abundantly!!  It is important for us to understand that the word “death” in verse 25 of our text is referring to spiritual death.  The reality is that before you and I responded to God’s beckoning call to enter His kingdom, we were dead in our sins.  Check it out in Ephesians 2:1-5.  Jesus provides a bit more of clarity of the life He is talking about in verse 26.  This life is the same life that God the Father has always possessed, is possessed by God the Son, and is offered to those who respond to God’s call into His kingdom.

Illustration: 

            The concept of credit is an amazing idea.  When I was growing up, I was taught that if you wanted something, you had to save your money.  Cash seemed to be the normal means of purchase.  I can remember working my first job, saving twenty dollars out of each paycheck to make payment on a stereo system on layaway at a local department store.  Finally, the day came when I took the stereo home and began to enjoy it.  What if I had the privilege of a credit card at that time of my life?  Well, I wouldn’t have to wait until it was paid for to enjoy its entertainment!  I could take it home the day I chose to buy it, and make payments later.  The idea of recognizing your need for Christ and choosing to allow Him to move into your heart has some similarity to the credit process.  You don’t have to wait until you die to enjoy the life God offers you for eternity.  Its already been paid for.  Christ took care of the payment at the cross.  The beauty of knowing God personally through Christ is that eternal life privileges are extended to you and me at the moment of salvation, not after we die.

Application:

            God offers you and me the experience of His life today.  If you don’t know God personally through Christ, the way to apply this text to your life is by your hearing His voice calling and choosing to allow Him to save you.  If you know Christ as Savior, acknowledge that life for you is not to be one of misery.  You and I have to choose to trust in God for all things we experience, good or bad.  We have the full and abundant life in our possession.  Our application is to cling to the basics, an intimate prayer life, reading the Bible daily, and striving to live for Jesus.  Such a life serves as a profound witness to the lost as well as believers!

THE LIFE JESUS GIVES IS COMPLETE (VV 27-30)

Explanation:

            As we look at verse twenty seven, we see additional evidence of the life the Father has given His Son, a life which carries the privilege of judging on behalf of His Father at the end of time.  This helps us to understand Jesus’ statement in verses 21-22.  Jesus has the Spirit of life within Him as His Father, a life that will not end, but will last for eternity.  Ultimately, when time will end, as we know it, Jesus, Who is now seated at the right hand of His Father, will complete His Father’s will by carrying out judgment upon mankind and assuming His rightful place as the Son of man described in Daniel 7:13-14.  The beauty of this moment is that all who belong to Christ do not have to fear this Day of Judgment.  Jesus tells His listening audience that there will be two judgments made on that day, one group of people will be resurrected to a state of righteousness, totally freed from the curse of sin, and the other group to be condemned, separated from God forever in torment.  Notice in verses 28-29 that the calling is similar to the callings made earlier in our text for today.  The earlier callings emphasized a decision process.  Those who heard and believed passed from condemnation to new life.  However, the difference in this calling is that Jesus’ calling will not offer a choice on the Day of Judgment.  Those who made the choice before His coming to believe in Him, who, because of their choice, sought to live for Christ, will receive glorified bodies to reign with Christ forever.  My limited understanding of God’s Word tells me our salvation will be made complete.  Those who did not choose to believe will be handled according to the state of condemnation they were in the day they were offered the choice to choose Christ, yet resisted God’s call.  The issue of deeds that we see in these two verses pertains not to the false idea that works will win our way into heaven.  The works are a result of the choice we made whether to follow Christ or not!  Oh, let it not be the case for evil deeds for you and me.

            Jesus makes it clear that this judgment the Father has given Him is one that is not done on Christ’s initiative, but in total compliance with the Father’s will.  This judgment is also not one awaiting us at the Day of Judgment.  This judgment is present before us now.  Christ judges as He hears from His Father.  Therefore, He judges without partiality, totally in accordance with the Father’s will.  When He hears the voice of acceptance for the salvation He offers, He judges the person righteous for the Day of Judgment.  When He hears the voice of rejection in regards to a person choosing not to recognize Him as the Son of God, and thereby rejecting the offer of salvation, He acknowledges their decision and leaves them in their present state of condemnation for the Day of Judgment.  The Day of Judgment, in a sense, is the sentencing of the decisions we made when we were given the opportunity of life.

Illustration:

            There were a number of times that I had to appear in the proceedings of justice.  The appointed judge was trying to determine whether the person accused was guilty of the crime committed, and if so, what type of circumstances may have influenced the person to commit the crime.  Additionally, the judge would also try to determine how the accused loved ones would be affected by the sentence rendered.  It was always a difficult process, sometimes, allowing the criminal to go free due to lack of evidence.  Such will not be the case on the Day of Judgment.

Application:

            Fortunately, for the believer, you and I can be encouraged, because God has judged us righteous already because of our choice to follow Him.  However, in application, we must assess where we stand with our fruits of righteousness.  Are your deeds matching with your choice?  Its wonderful to know that we have been forgiven for our sins, but God calls for you and me to confess them as we realize their continual presence in our lives.  Sin should call us to beg God to enable us to overcome such behavior.  Part of that process involves you and me choosing to be about bearing the fruits of righteousness He has given us to bare.  The scripture is plain for those that haven’t chosen to believe in Christ.  Scripture identifies you as being in a condemned state already.  God loves you and calls once again for those who hear His Words to obey.  Won’t you choose Him today?

Conclusion: 

            As God has shown you and me in His text today, Christ is calling for you and me to hear and obey His Words.  In doing so, God gives us everlasting life with Him and it begins the moment you choose to follow Him.  Additionally, God has a plan to reunite you with your glorified body on the Day of Judgment, making you complete in Him.

            If you don’t know Christ as your Savior, you can know Him today.  Salvation does not involve you physically doing anything.  It involves making some choices from your heart.  You must admit and confess that you, as I once was, are separated from God because of your sin (Romans 3:23), acknowledge what God has done about your sin (John 3:16, Romans 5:8), realize the opportunity you have to have a personal relationship with God (Romans 6:23), make the decision from the heart to believe what Christ has done for you, asking for God’s forgiveness, and confess Him as Lord (Romans 10:9-10, 13)

            If you are a believer in Christ, confess your sins to God right now (1 John 1:9)!  Ask Him for the gift of repentance, remembering that it is Christ who is working within you through His grace to live the Christian life.  Ask Him to empower you to live for Him from this day forward, enabling you to depart from any doubt in believing His promises for you, both now and in the future!