Text: John 5:30-40
INTRODUCTION:
As a man Jesus chose to do nothing independently of the Father’s will, v30. He told those Jews that if He had no other witness other than Himself, that He was God, then they had no obligation to believe Him. v31.
    A. The law did not admit a man to testify in his own case, but required TWO witnesses,  Deut. 17:6. At the mouth of two
         witnesses, or three witnesses, shall he that is worthy of death be put to death; but at the mouth of one witness he shall
         not be put to death.
    B. What Jesus said was TRUE yet he admitted it was not sufficient testimony LONE to claim their belief.
    C. They had a right to expect that his statement that he came from God would be confirmed by other evidence. Jn.8:13, 17
         It is also written in your law, that the testimony of two men is true.
    D. The first witness Jesus calls forth is…
I. JOHN THE BAPTIST.  33-35
John 1:7  "There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.  The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the
Light, that all men through him might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light."
    A. He identified Jesus as the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world. . Jn. 1:29
    B. He identified Jesus as the One who would baptize with the Holy Ghost and with fire. Matt. 3:11-12
    C. Jesus said that John was a burning and shining light. V 35
        1. Many were attracted to the brightness of his ministry, like moths to a lamp.
        2. They were stirred by his preaching but were unwilling to receive his testimony concerning Jesus.
        3. Many are like that today, they are moved by the preaching of the Truth, but they are unwilling to acknowledge their
            personal guilt of sin and trust Jesus as Savior.
        4. This is one of the greatest of all human tragedies.
    D. Many of the Jews thought they were accepted of God because they were descendants of Abraham.
        1. Many today still share that belief.
        2. They think they don’t need to be saved because they go to church regularly, they are honest, they are good to their
            families and they live by a higher moral standard than many church members.
        3.  Jesus said, John 8:24 “that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.
II.  A GREATER WITNESS THAN JOHN, HIS WORKS. v36  "But I have greater witness than that of John: for the works which the Father hath given me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent me."
    A. This does not belittle John’s testimony of Jesus, but Jesus had a testimony that was greater than that of John. Matt
         11:4-5   "Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and
         see: The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up,
         and the poor have the gospel preached to them.
    B. The works of Christ were emblematic of that work of salvation which he effects in the souls of men.
        1. Sinners are blind; their understanding is so darkened by sin that they cannot see the way of truth and salvation.
        2. They are lame-- not able to walk in the path of righteousness.
        3. They are leprous, their souls are defiled with sin, the most loathsome  disease; deepening, in themselves, and infecting
            others.
        4. They are deaf to the voice of God, his word, and their own conscience.
        5. They are dead in trespasses and sins; being separated from God by iniquity.
    C. Nothing less than the power of Christ can redeem from all this;
III.  THE WITNESS OF THE FATHER v 37 "And the Father himself, which hath sent me, hath borne witness of me."
    A. By the miracles which Jesus had performed.
    B. At the baptism of Jesus, where he said, "This is my beloved Son," Matt. 3:17.
    C. At His transfiguration, Matt. 17:1-5. “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye Him.”
    D. The Father witnesses in the hearts of believers. I John 5:9-10
IV. THE WITNESS OF THE WORD. v 39  "Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me."
    A. The Old Testament Scriptures witnessed of His virgin  birth. Isa.7:14 "Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign;
         Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel."
    B. The Old Testament Scriptures witnessed of His death, burial and resurrection. I Cor. 15:1-4
    C. (You are searching the Scriptures, because you think in searching them you will have eternal life).
        1. It’s possible for one to read every word in the Bible and still die and spend eternity in hell.
        2. The way of salvation is not reading or memorizing Scripture passages.
        3. It is applying Scripture principles to the heart that brings salvation.
             a.  Repentance toward God and faith in Jesus Christ.
CONCLUSION:
John 5:40  And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.
    A. Many today hear the gospel message, they feel the conviction of the Holy Spirit.
        1. But they choose to reject the gospel witness and refuse to come to Christ for salvation
        2. Your  lost condition is the result of your own choice.