“There is nothing left in your memory of God’s Message because you do not take his Messenger seriously.” ~Jesus

Tags

Act, Jesus, Jesus Sayings, John 5, Listen, Serious

There are many ways we hear about God. As a child in vacation bible school. The few times we actually read the Bible.

But we may have no real memory of God because we don’t listen to Jesus, His Messenger. We don’t take Him seriously.

Jesus challenges, even demands of me, that I take what He says seriously. That is the way to God and the only way to God. God is God. God is in control. Jesus will be taken seriously.

It is God’s goal for me that I listen to Jesus and act on what he says. There is no other way to God. My relationship with Jesus will give me the message of God.

May I  hear His voice. May I do what He says.

“There is nothing left in your memory of God’s Message because you do not take his Messenger seriously.” ~~Jesus

John 5:34-38 (The Message Bible)

Here are the key ideas:

• Have a strong relationship with Jesus, the resurrected Master of the universe.
• Listen to Jesus.
• Take what Jesus says seriously and act on what he tells us to do.

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“These very tasks, as I go about completing them, confirm that the Father, in fact, sent me.” ~Jesus

Tags

Goal, Jesus, Jesus Sayings, John 5, Plan, Task

Jesus is on a mission. His Father has given Him very specific tasks to complete as a part of God’s goal and plan.

Jesus understands the goal, plan and tasks to be completed for God. Everything from the big picture down to the smallest detail. It all fits together in Jesus’ county (aka Kingdom).

Jesus completes all of the tasks that God has given him. That is how we know about Jesus and His relationship with His Father.

Jesus wants us to have the same relationship with His Father. Get on the mission from God. Understand the goal and plan. Complete the tasks. That is what our heavenly Father wants from us.

“These very tasks, as I go about completing them, confirm that the Father, in fact, sent me.” ~~Jesus 

~~ John 5:34-38 (The Message Bible)

“But an independent witness confirms me, the most reliable Witness of all.” ~Jesus

Tags

Jesus, Jesus Sayings, John 5, Obedience, Witness

Jesus is very clear in what he is saying to his disciples.

Jesus knows it is not about Jesus. It is only about God. Jesus knows he doesn’t do anything on his own accord. God is God. There is no way around it. God is in charge.

The main focus of Jesus is to listen to God, to make a decision and then act by carrying out orders. Jesus knows it is not enough to just listen. A big part of obedience is to decide to act on what you’ve heard.

We don’t have to take the word of Jesus on its own. Jesus has witnesses. They are God, the Holy Spirit and John the Baptist. When Jesus was baptized, the moment Jesus came up out of the baptismal waters, the skies opened up and he saw God’s Spirit—it looked like a dove—descending and landing on him. And along with the Spirit, a voice: “This is my Son, chosen and marked by my love, delight of my life.”

“I can’t do a solitary thing on my own: I listen, then I decide. You can trust my decision because I’m not out to get my own way but only to carry out orders. If I were simply speaking on my own account, it would be an empty, self-serving witness. But an independent witness confirms me, the most reliable Witness of all. Furthermore, you all saw and heard John, and he gave expert and reliable testimony about me, didn’t he?”  ~~Jesus

Source: John 5:30-33

“Those who have lived the wrong way, will walk into a resurrection Judgment.” ~~Jesus

Tags

Jesus, Jesus Sayings, John 5, Judgement, Life, Resurrection

Jesus is always clear. There will be a resurrection.

There will also be a  judgement. Those who have lived the right way are going to walk into life. Those who haven’t won’t will walk into judgement.

No confusion here at all. I acknowledge that I am clear about this.

God is God. Jesus is the only Judge. God has also given all judgement over to His son, Jesus the Messiah.

I am clear about that as well. There is a resurrection of life. In Him, we live that kind of life.

May I stay clear about what is before me and live the resurrection life.

“Those who have lived the wrong way, will walk into a resurrection Judgment.” ~~Jesus John 5:28-29 (The Message)

“I came with the authority of my Father, and you either dismiss me or avoid me.” ~~Jesus

Tags

Authority, Avoid, Dismiss, Jesus, Jesus Sayings, John 5

With Jesus I am faced with a choice.

• Will I  dismiss Jesus? I can. I shouldn’t.
• Will I avoid Jesus? That is more likely than completely dismissing Him. Avoidance may seem like a great strategy but it really gets me nowhere.
• Jesus declares to me in a very clear way that He has the authority of God, His Father. There is no level of subtlety in his assertion. I can accept Him. I can reject Him. I can avoid Him. What I can’t do is ignore the fact of who He is.

Jesus greatest desire and passion is that I accept Him and the life he has to offer me.

“I came with the authority of my Father, and you either dismiss me or avoid me.” ~~Jesus (John 5:41-44 The Message)

"Just as the Father has life in himself, he has conferred on the Son life in himself. " ~~Jesus

Tags

Everlasting, Jesus, Jesus Sayings, John 5, Life, Resurrection

Jesus knows that God is all about life. He is our source and it will last forever. Jesus also knows that His Father has given Him the same gift. Jesus gives it to us. All life is ours in our relationship with Jesus.

There is an urgency in understanding that when we know and believe that Jesus is the source of life that he can confer life on us.

Jesus can resurrect us, right now, with the same power that brought Him back to life at the resurrection. Jesus is life!!!

Just as the Father has life in himself, he has conferred on the Son life in himself. ” ~~Jesus  (John 5:25-27 The Message)

"But the witness that really confirms me far exceeds John’s witness. It’s the work the Father gave me to complete." ~~Jesus

Tags

Focus, Jesus, Jesus Sayings, John 5, Obedience

How do we know about Jesus and who He is?

Just look at the totality of what He did and does. He is entirely focused on what His Father, God, wants Him to do. And Jesus does it. And it is amazing.

That is the only witness that Jesus needs. Jesus completed everything God gave him to do. And Jesus is still doing it today.

May we turn to Jesus, obey him and be complete.

But the witness that really confirms me far exceeds John’s witness. It’s the work the Father gave me to complete.” ~~Jesus (John 5:34-38 The Message)

“I am going . . . to prepare a place for you.” ~Jesus

Tags

God is Good, Heaven, Jesus, Jesus Sayings, John 5

Jesus is saving me a seat. It has my name on it. At the great wedding dinner, I have a place all ready for me.

Remember the feeling when someone saves a seat for you at a crowded event. The place is packed but you look over and there they are. They wave and motion you to come over.

Imagine how we we will feel when Jesus does the same thing!!

The music is playing. The room is packed with energy and excitement. I look over and there He is.

Jesus waves to me. He motions me over. He escorts me to my seat. He hugs me and tells me how happy He is to see me.

Oh my. That will be a BIG Whoo Hoo for sure!!!

I am going . . . to prepare a place for you.” ~Jesus (John 14:2)

"And he has given him the authority, simply because he is the Son of Man, to decide and carry out matters of Judgment." ~~Jesus

Tags

Jesus Sayings, John 5, Judgement, Love

Authority of God

Jesus is very clear. I am not to judge others. He is also clear that all judgement has been turned over to Him by His Father.

Why? Because He is God’s Son. He gets to decide and He will carry it out. God has spoken.

If I know that, I need to act like it. I have no authority to judge. My only job is to love. Everything else is up to God and Jesus.

And he has given him the authority, simply because he is the Son of Man, to decide and carry out matters of Judgment.” ~~Jesus  (John 5:25-27 The Message)

"And here I am, standing right before you, and you aren’t willing to receive from me the life you say you want." ~~Jesus

Tags

Jesus, Jesus Sayings, John 5, Life, Now

New Life

We say we want life. OK. Jesus is right in front of us. He wants to give life to us.

Am I willing to receive it right now?

This isn’t did I receive it yesterday. This isn’t do I want it tomorrow. Jesus is in front of us right now.

Do we want it now? We have a choice to make. He is confronting us. What will it be?

May I say, yes Lord, I want life. I want it now.

And here I am, standing right before you, and you aren’t willing to receive from me the life you say you want.”” ~~Jesus (John 5:39-40 The Message)

"I’m not interested in crowd approval." ~~Jesus

Tags

God is God, Jesus, Jesus Sayings, John 5, Popularity

God Knows

Jesus isn’t interested popular opinion or what others think about Him. Jesus isn’t running for political office.

Jesus’ only goal is to please His Father. That is His complete focus.

Crowds would show up on a regular basis but sometimes He would say things and they would leave in disgust.

You can count on Jesus to say what God wants to be said. That may not be popular but we need a God like that.

We can count on Jesus.

“I’m not interested in crowd approval. And do you know why? Because I know you and your crowds.” ~~Jesus

Source: John 5:41-44 The Message

"The time has arrived when dead men will hear the voice of the Son of God and will come alive." ~~Jesus

Tags

Hear, Jesus, Jesus Sayings, John 5, Life, Obey

Jesus offers me life. And He offers it now.

I receive it by listening to His voice. Once I hear His voice I must not delay in responding. He expects me to obey.

Jesus can offer life because God has put him in charge of everything. God has given him the authority to act and to give life.

May we hear his voice and come alive. 

“The time has arrived—I mean right now!—when dead men and women will hear the voice of the Son of God and, hearing, will come alive.”

~~Jesus (John 5:25-27 The Message)

"You have your heads in your Bibles constantly. But you miss the forest for the trees." ~~Jesus

Tags

Bible, Eternal Life, Jesus Sayings, John 5, Scripture

Forest for the trees

Jesus demands that I get the point. I need to see Jesus. I need to have a passionate relationship with His Father.

Reading the Bible and missing Him is pointless. Being religious and not in a loving relationship with God is vast waste of time and energy.

I want to get it. I want to be in love with Him.

May I see the forest. The Bible doesn’t give me eternal life. Jesus does.

“You have your heads in your Bibles constantly because you think you’ll find eternal life there. But you miss the forest for the trees. These Scriptures are all about me!” ~~Jesus (John 5:39-40 The Message)

 

"If I were simply speaking on my own account, it would be an empty, self-serving witness." ~~Jesus

Tags

Jesus, Jesus Sayings, John 5, Messiah, Witness

Jesus knows who He is. Jesus knows that God sent him to redeem the world. Jesus knows he will pay the price.

Jesus relies on His Father in everything He does. God Himself gave witness. It is God’s work, that He accomplishes that is Jesus’ additional witness. God, the work God gave Him and the Holy Spirit all bear witness to who Jesus is.

"Those who have lived the right way will walk out into a resurrection Life." ~~Jesus

Tags

Jesus, Jesus Sayings, John 5, Judgment, Life, Master, Messiah, Resurrection

Jesus knows about judgment. His Father has given Him the authority to judge us. God has also demonstrated the power of resurrection in Jesus.

Jesus demands that I know when I live the right way that I will walk right smack into a resurrection life. The right way is live a life with Jesus in charge.

God’s goal for me is to live the right way. Jesus shows me the right way. It is the way of love.

Jesus died and is now resurrected. Jesus shows the way of victory over death. Jesus has given me life. I have it now. Jesus says “The time is now.”

I have Jesus’ full authority. It is a resurrection life now. It isn’t a promise for the future.

But you haven’t seen the half of it yet, for in the same way that the Father raises the dead and creates life, so does the Son. The Son gives life to anyone he chooses. Neither he nor the Father shuts anyone out. The Father handed all authority to judge over to the Son so that the Son will be honored equally with the Father. Anyone who dishonors the Son, dishonors the Father, for it was the Father’s decision to put the Son in the place of honor.

It’s urgent that you listen carefully to this: Anyone here who believes what I am saying right now and aligns himself with the Father, who has in fact put me in charge, has at this very moment the real, lasting life and is no longer condemned to be an outsider. This person has taken a giant step from the world of the dead to the world of the living.

It’s urgent that you get this right: The time has arrived—I mean right now!—when dead men and women will hear the voice of the Son of God and, hearing, will come alive. Just as the Father has life in himself, he has conferred on the Son life in himself. And he has given him the authority, simply because he is the Son of Man, to decide and carry out matters of Judgment.

Don’t act so surprised at all this. The time is coming when everyone dead and buried will hear his voice. Those who have lived the right way will walk out into a resurrection Life; those who have lived the wrong way, into a resurrection Judgment.

~~Jesus (The Message John 5:28-29)

"It’s urgent that you listen carefully to this." ~Jesus (3 Radical things to do)

Tags

Alignment, Faith, Jesus, Jesus Sayings, John 5, Life, Listen, Master

New Life

We all want to live. Before Jesus, I was in the world of the dead. I knew it then and I fully understand that now.

Jesus shows me how to live in the world of the living. He puts it to me simply. These are all radical and demand my full devotion.

1. I must believe what Jesus says. It starts with my faith. Do I believe Jesus or not. If I don’t, I can move on.
2. I must align myself with the Father. God put Jesus in charge. To be in alignment with God means that I must accept Jesus.
3. I must put Jesus in charge. Jesus the head of the government in God’s world. Jesus is in control and I am not. Jesus must become my Master.

It’s urgent that you listen carefully to this: Anyone here who believes what I am saying right now and aligns himself with the Father, who has in fact put me in charge, has at this very moment the real, lasting life and is no longer condemned to be an outsider. This person has taken a giant step from the world of the dead to the world of the living.

~~Jesus (John 5:24 The Message)

"Neither he (the Son) nor the Father shuts anyone out." ~~Jesus

Tags

God is Good, Good News, Jesus, Jesus Sayings, John 5

Radical Sayings of Jesus

Jesus demands radical obedience from us but also brings good news. No one is shut out from God.

All are welcome.

Jesus doesn’t shut anyone out. God doesn’t do it either.

No one is shut out, ever.

“Neither he (the Son) nor the Father shuts anyone out.” ~~Jesus  (John 5:23)

“You miss the forest for the trees. These Scriptures are all about me!” ~Jesus

Tags

Jesus, Jesus Sayings, John 5, Life, Messiah

The peace of Jesus

Jesus had a lot to say to the religious scholars of His day. He still does.

Do we really think reading the Bible constantly saves us? Is that where our life comes from? Are we missing the forest for the trees?

Jesus is standing right in front of us. He is giving us life right now. Jesus, the Messiah, is the Son of God. As God, he gives life. That is his mission and goal. Will we miss it by being too religious?

You have your heads in your Bibles constantly because you think you’ll find eternal life there. But you miss the forest for the trees. These Scriptures are all about me! And here I am, standing right before you, and you aren’t willing to receive from me the life you say you want. John 5:39-40 (The Message)

“I do nothing without consulting the Father.” ~Jesus

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Consult, Heavenly Father, Jesus, Jesus Sayings, John 5, Messiah, Pious, Pray

Even Jesus the Messiah – God the Son – consulted with God the Father before doing anything. How much more should we consult with him before any action?

How much do I need to budget for groceries? Let me consult with my Father.

Should I go to the party I was invited to after church? Let me consult with my Father.

Should I work in this ministry or serve in that way? Let me consult with my Father.

I do nothing without consulting the Father…… John 5:30a

"You look wonderful! You’re well!" ~~Jesus

Tags

Healing, Jesus, Jesus Sayings, John 5, Messiah

Jesus healing a man

He had been crippled for 38 years. Now that is a long time. Jesus, the Messiah, healed him. Not a problem. Jesus is perfectly aligned with His Father.

Jesus has a new plan. It is a new agreement. And when Jesus heals us, we look wonderful.

And, it is Good News all the time. God has a goal for us. We should listen to Jesus and not miss it. Who knows what could happen.

“You look wonderful! You’re well! Don’t return to a life of missing God’s goal (sin) or something worse might happen.” ~~Jesus (John 5:14 The Message)

"I know that love, especially God’s love, is not on your working agenda. " ~~Jesus

Tags

Agenda, Jesus, Jesus Sayings, John, John 5, Love, Messiah

King Jesus, the anointed Messiah, is direct with us. He can do nothing but say what He hears His Father say. He knows God’s agenda. His only desire is to do exactly what God wants Him to. He is  speaking to us this way so that we will be saved.

Jesus challenges us to love. We must love completely and with our whole heart. This quote is actually from  a very long rant that Jesus gave to the religious (Jews) in church (The Temple) one day. To get it in context read all of John 5.

We need to be careful. Going to church may make us feel good but it won’t “save us”. May Jesus never say this of us what he said to the religious people of His day.

“I know that love, especially God’s love, is not on your working agenda. ” ~~Jesus (John 5:41-44 The Message)

"The Son gives life to anyone He chooses to." ~~Jesus

Tags

Choice, Jesus Sayings, John 5, Life, Messiah

Jesus makes it clear he has authority, even to give life. King Jesus, the Messiah, challenges us to understand this. It is core to the new agreement we have with God through Him.

No one is making Jesus do it. Jesus does it because He wants to.

Jesus doesn’t shut anyone out. God handed all authority to judge over to Jesus. Anyone who dishonors Jesus, dishonors God, for it was God’s decision to put Jesus in the place of honor.

Jesus chooses to give us life. That is the good news we have today and forever.

“The Son gives life to anyone He chooses to.” ~~Jesus (John 5:20-23 The Message)

"The Father loves the Son and includes him in everything he is doing." ~~Jesus

Tags

God is Good, Jesus, Jesus Sayings, John, John 5, Love, Messiah

As mothers and fathers, we understand the love that we have for our children. Magnify that by a factor of billions and that is the love that our heavenly Father has for His son Jesus, the Messiah. And that is the kind of love He also has for us.

Jesus is included in everything God has in mind for us. When Jesus speaks, he knows what He is saying. His Father has told Him everything. We can trust it. God is good and in a good mood. God wants the best for us. Nothing else will satisfy God.

“The Father loves the Son and includes him in everything he is doing.” ~~Jesus (John 5:19-20 The Message)

"Get up, take your bedroll, start walking." ~~Jesus

Tags

Healing, Jesus, Jesus Sayings, John 5, Miracle

Jesus has the authority to heal. And He does. When He says something, you can take it to the bank. His first question is “Do you want to get well?”

For this man, who was crippled and couldn’t walk, it was a simple get up and start walking. The man took action on what Jesus said. His belief and action did it. He was healed. He got up, picked up his bedroll and walked off. Stunning!

God is great. Jesus has all authority given to him by God our Father.

Soon another Feast came around and Jesus was back in Jerusalem. Near the Sheep Gate in Jerusalem there was a pool, in Hebrew called Bethesda, with five alcoves. Hundreds of sick people—blind, crippled, paralyzed—were in these alcoves. One man had been an invalid there for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him stretched out by the pool and knew how long he had been there, he said, “Do you want to get well?”

 The sick man said, “Sir, when the water is stirred, I don’t have anybody to put me in the pool. By the time I get there, somebody else is already in.”

Jesus said, “Get up, take your bedroll, start walking.” The man was healed on the spot. He picked up his bedroll and walked off.

(John 5:1-9 The Message)

"I can’t do a solitary thing on my own: I listen, then I decide to act." ~~Jesus

Tags

Act, Decide, Jesus, Jesus Sayings, John 5, Listen, Obedience

Jesus only does what he hears the Father say to do. That is His standard for us as well. We are living in Jesus’ new government if we do what God asks us to do.

Jesus knows the source of his power and life. The life of a disciple of Jesus is one all about listening to God and deciding to act on what God wants us to do. That is the source of power in God’s world.

Notice the sequence.

• Listen
• Decide
• Act

“I can’t do a solitary thing on my own: I listen, then I decide to act.” ~~Jesus (John 5:30-33 The Message)

"You can trust my decision because I’m not out to get my own way but only to carry out orders." ~~Jesus

Tags

Jesus, Jesus Sayings, John 5, Messiah, Obedience, Trust

Jesus can be trusted. Jesus doesn’t have a self serving bone in His body. Jesus only does what He sees the Father doing. That is it. Jesus is all about loving God. Jesus always realizes God’s goal. Jesus is the perfect Son.

Jesus challenges us to live the same way with the same power of God’s Holy Spirit. We can trust Jesus. Jesus is looking out for our best interests.

Obedience becomes the central issue. Will we carry out orders? Will we obey God?

“You can trust my decision because I’m not out to get my own way but only to carry out orders.” ~~Jesus (John 5:30-33 The Message)

"But my purpose is not to get your vote. I’m speaking to you this way so that you will be saved." ~~Jesus

Tags

Jesus, Jesus Sayings, John, John 5, Salvation

Jesus has a focus. He isn’t trying to be popular. He wants us to be saved from a life of not meeting God’s goal for our life. That is his focus.

Jesus is direct to challenge us come to God.  He shows us with supernatural miracles what God wants to do. Jesus shows us God’s heart. Jesus shows us God’s love and kindness.

Do we hear what He is saying? Will we be saved?

“But my purpose is not to get your vote, and not to appeal to mere human testimony. I’m speaking to you this way so that you will be saved.” ~~Jesus (John 5:34-38 The Message)

“Whatever the Father does the Son also does.” ~Jesus

Tags

Christian, God the Father, God's Will, Holy Spirit, Jesus, Jesus Sayings, John 5

Jesus promises that I will do even greater things than He did.

So … how is this possible? Well, I must follow the way Jesus did it. Jesus emptied Himself. He only did what He saw His Father doing. Jesus power wasn’t in who He was. Jesus power is in who His Father is.

So the age old question; “Half empty or half full?” is actually a false question. The answer is: completely empty. That is the answer to the question not asked. I must be filled with His HOLY Spirit.

That is what I must do. What is my Father doing? That is what I should do. God’s will be done. Here in my house as it is in heaven.

I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does. John 5:19

"What the Father does, the Son does." ~~Jesus

Tags

God's Will, Jesus, Jesus Sayings, John 5, Prayer

Jesus is perfectly aligned with His Father, God. That is the source of His power.

Jesus challenges us. Become aligned with God our Father. Pray, “On earth as it is in Heaven.”

How is it in Heaven? What is God doing? Answer that and do that is what Jesus demands.

Pray, “Your will be done.”  What does God want to happen right now? Answer that and pray for that. Do that.

Jesus challenges us “to do” what God is doing. That is His way.

“What the Father does, the Son does.” ~~Jesus  (John 5:19-20 The Message)

"Do you want to get well?" ~~Jesus

Tags

Healing, Jesus, Jesus Sayings, John 5, Miracle, Questions

Jesus can ask us direct and stunning questions. Imagine you have been an invalid and crippled for 38 years. Now it is not like you don’t believe in miracles because every day you go to place where miracles occur. You believe for sure.

Jesus comes up to you but He doesn’t ask “Can I drive you to the Doctor?”, or “Can I get you some crutches?” or “Can I pray for you?”. There were lots of questions that Jesus could have asked.

What he did ask is “Do you want to get well?”

It was a pretty direct question. It seems almost harsh but I don’t think He asked it harshly. The man didn’t answer yes or no. Many times when Jesus asks us a question, we don’t answer directly either.  The man simply explained that he had a problem. Jesus knew that.

Jesus isn’t about the problem. Jesus is the solution.

So, no offer of going to the Doctor or crutches or prayer. Just a command to get up and walk. The man, acting in faith, did just that. The man believed Jesus and acted.  Jesus healed him. It all started with a stunning question.

“Do you want to get well?” ~~Jesus (John 5:6 The Message)

"Anyone who dishonors the Son, dishonors the Father, for it was the Father’s decision to put the Son in the place of honor." ~~Jesus

Tags

Honor, Jesus, Jesus Sayings, John 5

God the Father and Jesus the Son are the same. Dishonor one and you dishonor the other. Jesus said this to religious people and challenged them to believe Him.

We love to speak of God. Do we love to say the name of Jesus the same way?

Does Jesus have the same place of honor in our lives as God does?

Here are the key ideas:

1. God decided that his son Jesus would have a place of honor.
2. God’s goal is for us to recognize the place of honor that Jesus has in the world.
3. God is God and can do whatever he wants to do. This is one of them.

“Anyone who dishonors the Son, dishonors the Father,  for it was the Father’s decision to put the Son in the place of honor.” ~~Jesus (John 5:23 The Message)

The Son can’t independently do a thing, only what he sees the Father doing.” ~~Jesus

Tags

Heavenly Father, Jesus Sayings, John 5, Son of God, Will of God

Jesus is perfectly aligned with God. He knows He can’t doing anything without God. Jesus is determined to follow God’s plan all the way and everyday for eternity. And that is a very long time.

How does he operate? He looks to see what God is doing and He does it. Jesus has no desire to do his own thing. He doesn’t know what that means.

Jesus only knows that he must do what he sees his Father doing. That is all. That is it. That is the main thing about the main thing.

He challenges us to do the same. We must take on God’s own nature. God’s go for us is that we must do what we see God doing. That is all. That is it.

Here are the key ideas:

1. Jesus sets to pattern for us about doing God’s will. That is the only thing that is important.
2. God’s goal for us is be completely dependent on him.
3. God is completely in charge.

“I’m telling you this straight. The Son can’t independently do a thing, only what he sees the Father doing.” ~~Jesus (John 5:19 The Message)

"Don’t act so surprised at all this." ~~Jesus

Tags

Jesus, Jesus Sayings, John 5, Love, New plan, Plan, Surprise

Jesus tells us everything we need to know. We know God’s plan. We know what God wants.

If nothing else, we know God wants us to love. So we can find someone to love right now. Jesus makes everything clear. There are no surprises with God.

God gives the plan to men of God way in advance. God makes it well know. There shouldn’t be any surprises at all.

Here are the key ideas:

1. We need to focus on what God wants us to do. Jesus has commanded that we love. That shouldn’t be a surprise.
2. God’s goal for us is that we live the right way.
3. It is God’s choice what happens. God is God. God will be the judge of our life.
4. God wants us to walk in a resurrection life.
5. God is all powerful. God gives us the strength and wisdom on how to live the right way.

Don’t act so surprised at all this. The time is coming when everyone dead and buried will hear his voice. Those who have lived the right way will walk out into a resurrection Life; those who have lived the wrong way, into a resurrection Judgment. (John 5:28-29 The Message)

"My Father is working straight through, even on the Sabbath. So am I." ~~Jesus

Tags

Jesus, Jesus Sayings, John 5, Religious Leaders, Sabbath, Work

Jesus rattles the religious leaders. He does it all the time. It is intentional. No, I didn’t mean to do that kind of world with our Master.

One day, a Sunday, He healed someone. The religious leaders criticized Him. “The Law” didn’t allow for that. No work. Period!!

It didn’t stop Jesus. All Jesus does is what He sees the Father do. Jesus sees God working 24/7. He does the same. His mission is be obedient to what God wants Him to do. It doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks. Jesus understands that God’s goal is one of obedience. No wiggle room. Be obedient. That is it.

Jesus challenges us to see what God is doing and do it. We are His ambassadors. That may get us in trouble with the religious leaders. So be it. Obedience is more important than sacrifice.

“My Father is working straight through, even on the Sabbath. So am I.”  ~~Jesus (John 5:17 The Message)

"But don’t think I’m going to accuse you before my Father." ~~Jesus

Tags

Belief, Faith, Jesus Sayings, John 5

Bold Faith

Jesus is clear about His role. He is the one who saves us from missing God’s goal for our life. He is the one gives us this great gift of life that will never end.

Jesus is also clear that others may accuse us. He was talking to the religious leaders of His day. The believed what Moses said, but they didn’t believe Jesus. Do we believe what Joel Osteen says but not Jesus? Do we believe Rick Warren but not Jesus?

The essence is that we must believe Jesus. May I do that always.

“I’m not interested in crowd approval. And do you know why? Because I know you and your crowds. I know that love, especially God’s love, is not on your working agenda. I came with the authority of my Father, and you either dismiss me or avoid me. If another came, acting self-important, you would welcome him with open arms. How do you expect to get anywhere with God when you spend all your time jockeying for position with each other, ranking your rivals and ignoring God?

 “But don’t think I’m going to accuse you before my Father. Moses, in whom you put so much stock, is your accuser. If you believed, really believed, what Moses said, you would believe me. He wrote of me. If you won’t take seriously what he wrote, how can I expect you to take seriously what I speak?” John 5:41 – 47

 

“How do you expect to get anywhere with God when you spend all your time jockeying for position with each other.” ~Jesus

Tags

Competition, Jesus Sayings, John 5, Love, Ranking

This is how competing looks to God

Jesus challenges us to stop being competitive. We are always comparing ourselves with others. It is a serious problem. It makes us feel better that we are better off than someone else.

We have all fallen short of what God has in mind for us. We miss the mark. Worrying about how we compare to others has us ignoring God.

God’s goal for us is that we spend time on the right things. The first thing is to love God. The second thing is to love everyone. That will get us somewhere with God. Jesus knew this.

We can’t ignore God.

“How do you expect to get anywhere with God when you spend all your time jockeying for position with each other, ranking your rivals and ignoring God?” ~~Jesus (John 5)

"If you won’t take seriously what Moses wrote, how can I expect you to take seriously what I speak?" ~~Jesus

Tags

Bible, Jesus, Jesus Sayings, John 5, Law, Moses, Scripture

Moses and the ten commandments

The religious scholars and the average Jewish person of Jesus time on earth thought they took “the Law”, what Moses wrote, very seriously. Jesus knew that Moses wrote about Him. He also knew they didn’t take that seriously and so discounted much of what Jesus had to say.

We read the Bible but do we always take it seriously? Jesus demands that we take the Bible and what He says seriously. It is a matter of life and death. God has a goal for us. We must take God seriously. God is God. His Word stands true for all time.

“If you won’t take seriously what Moses wrote, how can I expect you to take seriously what I speak?” ~~Jesus John 5:45-47

"The Father who sent me, confirmed me. And you missed it. You never heard his voice, you never saw his appearance." ~~Jesus

Tags

God's Voice, Jesus Sayings, John 5, Listen

Hear Jesus Voice

God sent Jesus. Jesus is His plan. There is danger in missing all of this. Jesus warns us. God’s goal for us is to hear His son’s voice. We need to be careful not to miss what God is saying to us.

We must listen for God. We must see His appearance. He sends Jesus.

“The Father who sent me, confirmed me. And you missed it. You never heard his voice, you never saw his appearance.” ~~Jesus John 5:34-38

"The time is coming when everyone dead and buried will hear his voice." ~~Jesus

Tags

Easter, God's Voice, Hear, Jesus Sayings, John 5, Now, Resurrection, Time

Jesus lives. He is resurrected. God is a God of resurrection. We live a resurrected life with Him. That is His promise to us.

Jesus didn’t come to make bad people good. He came to make dead people live! And live we do. He is the resurrection and the life. When we believe in Him, we are buried in Him and resurrected in Him.

He also clues us in there will those who live a resurrected life of judgement. We need to choose Jesus. Jesus give life to anyone He chooses. He chooses us. Jesus doesn’t shut anyone out. Neither does God. They are both in a very good mood. God has handed authority over to Jesus. This is a fact. We can believe it. God is God. He is good. He has a goal for us. We must choose to live it out every day. That is the resurrection life.

We must choose to hear His voice today.

“The time is coming when everyone dead and buried will hear his voice.” ~~Jesus  John 5:28-29 (The Message Bible)