If we turn back to John chapter
5, we have an opportunity to purchase a nice used baby grand
piano. And if you'd like to help with
this, you can mark your gift accordingly. Conscious of my own inadequacy
in Dealing with this subject, I
will try nonetheless. I've entitled this message, The
Magnificence of Jesus Christ. The Christ you believe will be
equal to the God you believe. Think about that statement. The
Christ you believe will be equal to the God you believe. If you believe in a God that
wants things but can't have them unless you let him, that is the
Christ you will believe. If you believe in an all-powerful
God whose will must be done, That is the Christ you will believe. In verse 16 of our text, And therefore did the Jews persecute
Jesus? and sought to slay him because
he had done these things on the Sabbath day. Now, in their mind,
he worked on the Sabbath day. That is why they were angry.
They demonstrated by this that they didn't have any idea what
the Sabbath meant in the first place. And they wanted to kill
him over this. According to the law, he should
have been stoned. Now, this cries aloud of the
ridiculousness and stupidity of human religion. That's what
was going on here. Men pressing their religion upon
the Son of God. He's working on the Sabbath.
Verse 17, but Jesus answered them, my father worketh hitherto. He's working right now. On what
you consider the Sabbath, he's working right now. And I am too. What he's doing, I'm doing. We're united. What he does, I
do. My father's working on this day
that you have no idea what it means, and I am too. They heard what he was saying.
Look in verse 18. Therefore, the Jews sought the
Moor to kill him, Because not only had he broken the Sabbath,
but said also that God was his father, making himself equal
with God. That's what they deduced from
what he said, and that is exactly what he meant them to hear. equal with God." The magnificence
of Jesus Christ. And here words fail to adequately
express this. This human being, God manifest
in the flesh, was equal with God. And the only way you can be equal
with God is by being God. Jesus Christ is God. My Father worketh hitherto, and
I work while he's saying he's equal with God. I have seven points from our
text that I'm so thankful for the opposition of the Jews at
this time, because through their opposition, the Lord Jesus Christ
identifies himself to us, perhaps in a glorious, more glorious
way than he ever has. equal to God. Now, from this passage of scripture,
I have seven points. Jesus of Nazareth is equal to
God in nature or essence. Jesus Christ is equal to God
in works. Jesus Christ is equal to God
in power. Jesus Christ is equal to God
in sovereignty. Jesus Christ is equal to God
in authority. Jesus Christ is equal to God
in honor. And Jesus Christ is equal to
God in truth. Now let me read this passage
of scripture and keep those things in mind as we read this glorious
description that Jesus Christ gives of himself and allows us
to see something of the magnificence and splendor of his person. Verse 19. Then answered Jesus, and said
unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, the Son can do nothing
of himself, but what he seeth the Father do. For what things
soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise. For the father loveth the son,
and showeth him all things that himself doeth. And he will show
him greater works than these, that you may marvel. For as the
father raises up the dead and quickens them, even so the son
quicketh whom he will. For the Father judgeth no man,
but hath committed all judgment unto the Son, that all men should
honor the Son, even as they honor the Father. He that honoreth
not the Son honoreth not the Father which hath sent him. Verily,
verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth
on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into
condemnation, but is passed from death to life. Verily, verily,
I say unto you, the hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall
hear the voice of the Son of God, and they that hear shall
live. For as the Father hath life in
Himself, so hath He given to the Son to have life in Himself,
and hath given Him authority to execute judgment. Also, because He is the Son of
Man. What a glorious description the
Lord Jesus Christ gives of Himself. Now first, Jesus of Nazareth,
the one born in a manger with the smell of manure in the air. There was no room for him. In
the end, Jesus of Nazareth is equal with God in essence or
attributes. The attributes of God are his
essence. What only he is. The attributes of God are what
makes God, God. Now there are some of his attributes
that his people may have in a lesser degree. I'll give one example,
love. Love. God loves himself. I love saying that. God loves
himself. The three persons of the Godhead,
love themselves and God's people love God too. There is a sharing
from him communicating that attribute to him. But there are many attributes
of God that are non-communicable that only he has. Only he is
sovereign. Only he is eternal. Only he is omnipotent. Only he is omniscient. These are not attributes communicated
to the creature. Only he is omnipresent. He's not bound the way you and
I are by space or time. Only he is immutable. He cannot change. Only he is independent. Did you notice in that reading
for in verse 26, for as the father hath life in himself, he has
no needs. He doesn't need you. Amen. You need him, but he has no needs. He has life in himself. You and
I were dependent on breathing his air, eating his food, being
in his space. He has no needs. So has he given
to the son to have life in himself. Just as the father is independent,
the son is independent. Self-existent. Transcendent. Jesus Christ has all those attributes
in His person because He is God. When they said, you're making
yourself equal with God, you know what He didn't do? He didn't
deny it. This is the absolute truth. Jesus Christ is God. What they accused him of he did
not deny. Turn to John chapter eight, verse 57. Then said the Jews unto him,
thou art not yet 50 years old, and hast thou seen Abraham? Abraham had been dead for centuries,
1,400, 1,500 years. Jesus said unto them, Verily,
verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am. Then took they up stones to cast
at him. John chapter 10. 30, I and my father are one. Then the Jews took up stones
again to stone him. Jesus answered them, many good
works have I showed you from my father, for which of these
works do you stone me? The Jews answered him, saying,
for a good work we stone thee not, but for blasphemy, and because
thou, being a man, makest thyself God. Jesus Christ, Jesus of Nazareth,
has all the attributes of God. Colossians chapter two, verse
nine, in him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. Jesus of Nazareth is equal to
God in works. He's equal to God in his essence.
He is God. He's equal to God in his works. Look back in our text, verse
17. My father worketh hitherto and
I work verse 19, John chapter five, verse 19. Then answered
Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, the Son
can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do.
For what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise. Jesus of Nazareth is equal with
God in his works. Look in verse 20. The father
loveth the son. Amen. The father loveth the son
and showeth him all things that himself doeth. And he will show
him greater works than these that you may marvel. If we say, God gave his son because
he loved men, we err. God does love men. God so loved
the world that he gave his only begotten son. But God gave men
to his son as a gift to be his bride, to save them
so he could glorify the Father. Now understand this, what's behind
everything God does? The Father loveth the Son. God's works. My Father worketh
hitherto and I work. Now, the works of God can be
divided into three aspects, his works of creation, or his work
of creation, his work of providence, and his work of salvation. Now turn with me, hold your finger
in John five, and turn with me to Hebrews chapter one. This will demonstrate how God
the Son is equal to God the Father in his work of creation, of providence,
and of salvation. Verse one. God. I love the way this book starts.
No explanation. No attempts at proof. God's above
that. God. who at sundry times and
in divers manners spake in times past unto the fathers by the
prophets, hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son,
whom he hath appointed heir of all things. That space you're
sitting in belongs to him. That breath you just took belongs
to him. You're in his hands. The earth
is the Lord's and the fullness thereof. The world and they that
dwell therein. By whom also he made Jesus Christ
made the worlds. Jesus of Nazareth is the creator
of the universe. And I say that without apology. Who being the brightness of His
glory and the express image of His person, Jesus Christ is not like God. Jesus Christ is God. The express image of his person,
all you'll ever see of God is Jesus Christ, the Lord. Look what it says next about
him. Upholding all things by the word of his power. Everything
that's taken place this morning, everything that took place yesterday,
everything that takes place tomorrow, all things, He upholds, He orders
by the word of His power. He controls providence. Isn't
that a blessed thing to know? Everything that's happening is
His will being done. He's the Lord. We see he is equal to the father
as creator. He's equal to the father as the
ruler of providence. You know when it says not a sparrow
falls to the ground without your father? Not a sparrow falls to
the ground without Jesus Christ. And he is most especially equal
to the father in salvation. Look what verse three goes on
to say. when he had by himself. No help from me or you. No contribution. He's by himself. He didn't have
help from the angels. At this time, he didn't even
have help from his father. His father had forsaken him.
When he had by himself purged our sins. He sat down at the
right hand of the majesty on high. Jesus of Nazareth is equal with
God in power. Back to our text. Look at verse 21. John chapter five, verse 21.
For as the father raises up the dead and quickeneth them, even
so the son quickeneth whom he will. Now, power, omnipotence. The father is able to give life
from the dead. What power, omnipotence, the father gives life. I asked Siri, here's how much AI can do for us. I asked Siri,
what is the origin of life? Here's AI's answer. The natural process by which
life has arisen from non-living matter. Siri, how stupid. That's crazy. Life has arisen from non-living
matter. God is the source, is the origin
of life. Jesus Christ is the source, is
the origin of life. Only omnipotence can cause life. As the Father raises the dead
and quickens them, gives them life, even so, The son quickeneth
whom he will. Now this arises from verse 26,
for as the father hath life in himself, he's not dependent like
you and I are. He has no needs. So hath he given to the son to
have life in him. The Lord said, all power is given
to me. All power. He's equal with God in power
and how clearly he demonstrated this in his life. When there's
a storm, waves cease, be still." There was a great calm. The disciples
said, what manner of man is this that even the winds and the seas
obey him? He's equal to God in power. You
know, when they came to arrest him, I love thinking about this. I love seeing it. A big band
of people, some have estimated it could have been as many as
500 people came out with swords and staves to arrest him. And
he said, whom seek ye? They said, Jesus of Nazareth.
He said, I am. And from the omnipotence of his
voice, they were driven backward. They were made to see, you're
not in control of this situation. I am. I'm no victim. You're in my hand, and you're
only doing my will. He was letting them know that
in no uncertain terms. Jesus of Nazareth is equal with
God in sovereignty. Look once again at verse 21.
For as the father raises up the dead and quickens them, even
so the son quickens. What are those next three words?
Whom he will. Whom he will. Jesus of Nazareth
is equal to God in sovereignty." Now, once again, if He's equal
in nature, if He's equal in works, if He's equal in power, it's
obvious that He is equal in sovereignty. The Son quickens whom He will. Now, the way we use the word
sovereignty is generally with regard to nations. The United
States of America is a sovereign nation. Nobody governs us. We don't submit to another nation's
authority. We're sovereign. Guess what? There are 195 sovereign nations. You know what that means? There really aren't any sovereign
nations. There's one sovereign. He doeth according to his will. in the armies of heaven and down
here among those 195 nations. And none can stay his hand or
say unto him, what doest thou? Listen to me, the son quickens,
the son gives life to whom he will. It's absolutely up to him
as to whether or not you'll be saved. You really don't have
any control. That's a good thing. That's a
good thing. Don't look at that as negative,
that's glorious. The Son quickens, gives life
to whom He will. Now everyone who knew and knows
Jesus of Nazareth knows that what I'm saying is so. What about
that Roman centurion, remember? He said, Lord, speak the word
only, that's all it takes. Speak the word only, simply will
it, and my servant shall be healed. The leper understood this clearly.
If you will, you can make me clean. I hope every one of us
prays that right now. Lord, if you will. You can. Make me clean. Oh, the thief
knew this. Lord, remember me when you come
into your kingdom. The only hope I have is you remembering
me. Jesus Christ, Jesus of Nazareth,
is equal to the Father in sovereignty. Fifth, Jesus of Nazareth is equal
With God in judgment, look in verse 22. For the Father judgeth
no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son. Now, if you go into a courtroom, who has authority? The lawyer? The defendant? No, there's one
person who has authority. And the judge doesn't say, well,
it's up to you. You can be justified or you can
be condemned. What's your choice? You say,
well, that's ridiculous. I know it is. You are what the
judge declares you to be. Jesus Christ is the judge. He makes the judgment. You remember
that publican in the temple who beat on his breast, crying, God,
be merciful to me, the sinner. He said, I tell you, he's the
judge. Somebody says, I don't agree
with that. I don't care whether you agree with it or not. If he says it,
that's the way it is. I say unto you, this man went down to his
house justified, cleared of all guilt, declared by Christ himself
to have never sinned. That's what justification is.
Guiltless before God. He is the judge. Turn with me for a moment to
Matthew chapter 25. Verse 31, I love the majesty
of this. When the son of man shall come
in his glory and all the holy angels with him, then shall he
sit upon the throne of his glory and before him shall be gathered
all nations, every man and woman to ever live And he shall separate
them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. And he shall set the sheep on
his right hand, but the goats on his left. Who is completely
controlling judgment day? Jesus Christ, the Lord. I love the way he says to the
sheep, Come, ye blessed of my Father,
inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of
the world. And he says to the goats, depart
ye cursed into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his
angels. Jesus Christ is the judge. God shall judge the secrets of
men by Jesus Christ. He is the judge. Six, Jesus of Nazareth is equal
to the Father in honor. Read verse 23, John chapter 5,
verse 23. that all should honor the Son
even as they honor the Father. He that honoreth not the Son
honoreth not the Father which hath sent him. What does it mean to honor the
Son? It means to give him the same
honor you give the father. And if you don't honor the son,
you are not honoring the father. Jesus Christ has the same honor
that his father has. He said in John 14, nine, he
that hath seen me hath seen the Father. And to us a child is born, and
to us a son is given, and the government shall be upon his
shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor,
the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace. Turn to John chapter 8, please. Verse 45. John chapter 8, verse
45. Because I tell you the truth,
you believe me not. What's that say? That's an amazing
statement. Because I tell you the truth,
you believe me not. You know, if I told you you lie,
you'd believe me. But if I tell you the truth, you believe me
not. Which of you convinces me of
sin? And I say, and if I say the truth, why do you not believe
me? He that's of God, heareth God's word. You therefore hear
them not because you're not of God. Then answered the Jews and
said unto him, say we not well that thou art a Samaritan and
hast a devil? Jesus answered, I have not a
devil. I have not a devil. Pretty strong
implication there, isn't there? I have not a devil. But I honor
my father. and you dishonor me." Jesus Christ
is equal to the Father in honor and to fail to see that is to
dishonor God. And my last point is Jesus of
Nazareth is equal to God in truth. Verse 24 of our text, John chapter
5. Verily, verily. That's unique to John's gospel.
Truly, truly, amen, amen. The Lord's not using hyperbole.
He's saying something of immense, infinite importance. Verily,
verily, I say unto you. In the Sermon on the Mount, Six
times the Lord says, you've heard it being said of them of old. And then he quotes an Old Testament
scripture. You've heard it said by them
of old. Six different Old Testament scriptures.
But I say unto you, The Lord never said, thus saith
the Lord. He is the Lord. I say unto you. Truly, truly. I say unto you,
he that heareth my word and believeth on him that sent me. Now you know what you'll do when
you believe his word? You'll believe on him who sent
him. This is the work of God that
you believe. on him whom he hath sent." Jesus
Christ is the sent one. And you believe that he did what
the Father sent him to do. You can't believe who he is and
believe he failed in his intentions. He did what the Father sent Him
to do. Thou shalt call His name Jesus,
for He shall save His people from their sins. And He did it. He is equal to the Father in
truth, I say unto you. Verily, verily, I say unto you. Now I'm thankful for the Pharisee's
malice toward Christ. And here's why. We learn from
this event that he is equal with God. That's his magnificence. He thought it not robbery. to
be equal with God, equal with God in essence or nature, equal
with God in works, equal with God in power, equal with God
in sovereignty, equal with God in judgment, equal to God in
honor, And equal with God in truth. Now, this is the Savior
we're called upon to trust. What does this make of the word
believe? That's God's command to you.
Don't try to ask yourself, is this for me? Yes, it is. This
is God's command. This command for you. Don't try
to figure out whether or not Christ died for you. No, don't
forget that. This is God's command to you.
Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved. Let's pray. Lord, save us from looking to
ourselves, save us from everything about us, and cause us to believe
on Him who is your equal, your fellow. The glorious Son of God,
enable us to trust Him as all that's needed to make us perfect
in your sight. Deliver us from looking anywhere.
but Him alone. In His name we pray, amen.