Examining the Jews’ Rejection of Jesus
Series: The Word Became Flesh 2
John 5:27-47
April 12, 2015
Pastor Brian Erickson
The Jews see Jesus as an imposter
Matthew 27:63
Jesus Christ said He is man’s final Judge
John 5:27-31
Jesus gives us four witnesses who agree with Him about His divinity...
1. John the Baptist
John 5:32-35; 2 Peter 1:19
2. Miracles
John 5:36
3. The Father
John 5:37
4. The Scriptures
John 5:37-38; Romans 3:1-2; Luke 24:27; Matthew 5:17-18
Why didn’t the Jews receive Him?
1. They made a mistake in their thinking
John 5:39; Luke 10:25-29; Romans 10:1-4; Romans 3:20
2. Their pride got in the way
John 5:40-44; Matthew 23:6-7
3. They were accused
John 5:45-47; 2 Corinthians 3:15-16; Isaiah 53:5-6; Deuteronomy 18:18-19
Today’s sermon can be heard online or downloaded at lakewoodfc.com. CD recordings can be
ordered at the sign-up counter located on the wall to the left of the Information Desk.
Life Application Questions
QUICK REVIEW
Looking back at your notes from this week’s teaching, was there anything that
particularly caught your attention, challenged or confused you?
MY STORY
1. Prior to trusting Christ, what were some of the reasons you rejected Christ?
2. 1 Peter 3:15 says “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who
asks you to give a reason for the hope that you have.” When you talk about
Christ with non-Christians, what are some reasons you give them for the
hope that you have?
DIGGING DEEPER
1. Jesus did miracles; showing His power over disease, demons, and nature.
Read the following verses and identify the purposes of Jesus’ miracles.
John 10:25
Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe. The works that
I do in my Father’s name bear witness about me,”
John 10:37-38
37 “
If I am not doing the works of my Father, then do not believe in me;
38
but if I do them, even though you do not believe me, believe the works,
that you may know and understand that the Father is in me and I am in the
Father.”
John 3:2
This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you
are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do
unless God is with him.”
John 9:16
Some of the Pharisees said, “This man is not from God, for he does not keep
the Sabbath.” But others said, “How can a man who is a sinner do such
signs?” And there was a division among them.
It would seem like Jesus’ miracles should be enough for everyone to believe
in Him. But why weren’t they enough?
When people hear of the healing that can come to their life through having
their sin forgiven by the shed blood of Christ on the cross, why might they
resist that healing?
2. Brian mentioned that the Jews “reworked” the Law of God by setting up a
“system” that made God’s holiness attainable. But Jesus said (Matthew 5:17)
“I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.” How do the following
verses describe the fulfillment of the Law?
Romans 3:21
But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law,
although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it—
Romans 10:4
For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.
Romans 13:8
Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves
another has fulfilled the law.
Galatians 3:24
So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might
be justified by faith.
Were there any “rules” that you were taught growing up that you thought
were biblical, but later found out they weren’t? Explain.
Can you think of any “non-biblical rules” that you adhere to right now?
How do those “rules” help you in your walk with Christ?
3. When the lawyer asked Jesus “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus
had him answer his own question (Luke 10:27) “You shall love the Lord your God
with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all
your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” Jesus affirmed his answer, but then
the lawyer wanted to justify himself so he said (Luke 10:29) “and who is my
neighbor?” Read these verses and describe what it means to love others.
1 John 4:7-8
7
Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves
has been born of God and knows God. 8 Anyone who does not love does not
know God, because God is love.
1 John 4:11-12
11
Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12 No one
has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is
perfected in us.
1 John 4:19-20
19
We love because he first loved us. 20 If anyone says, “I love God,” and
hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he
has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen.
Why is it easier to love God completely than it is to love your neighbor?
Who are the toughest people for you to love? Why? What is one loving
thing you could do or say to show love to that person this week?
4. When you don’t know Christ, you cannot understand the Scriptures. “But
when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed.” (1 Cor. 3:16) Now the
Scriptures start to make sense. What do the following verses say about what it
takes for a non-Christian to turn to the Lord?
Ezekiel 36:25
I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean from all your
uncleanness, and from all your idols I will cleanse you.
Romans 15:21
But as it is written, “Those who have never been told of him will see, and
those who have never heard will understand.”
Romans 16:25
Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the
preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that
was kept secret for long ages.
Prior to turning to the Lord, was there a “veil” over your heart which kept
you from understanding the Bible? Explain.
If you don’t understand something in the Bible, does that mean you might
not be a Christian? Why or why not?
TAKING IT HOME
Based on this week’s sermon and homework, what is the most important thing
for you to remember and why?