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AfterThoughts: November 2, 2025

November 2, 2025
By Whose Authority?
John 5:16–29

This week, Dr. David Eldridge continued the series from the Gospel of John. In these verses, he expanded on three points:

  • Jesus Works In Perfect Unity With God The Father
  • Jesus Receives Honor Only God The Father Deserves
  • Jesus Has Power Only God The Father Can Claim

GOING DEEPER:

  • In this passage, the religious gatekeepers of Jesus’ day confronted Him with the question, “Who do you think you are?” Here we discover one of the clearest statements of the identity and authority of Jesus, the Son of God. As you read verses 19–29, what do you notice? What biblical truths do you hear?
     
  • Pastor David shared that this passage teaches us that Jesus works in perfect unity with God the Father (verses19–21). Jesus is perfectly in sync with His Father, and He and the Father are one. The Nicene Creeds states this truth this way: We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father, through him all things were made. How do these words that the church has agreed upon across centuries and continents help you understand this essential doctrine of the faith? What beauty do you see in these deep things of God?
     
  • Pastor David also shared that Jesus receives the honor only God the Father deserves (verses 23–24). If you do not submit to Jesus’ authority, you are not submitting to the authority of God. You can’t honor God with your life and reject the claims and teachings of Jesus. The only way to honor God is to embrace the gifts of mercy and forgiveness won for you on the cross; there is no other way. Why is honor, admiration, and respect for Jesus not enough? Why is He not just one among many ways to God?
     
  • We also see from this passage that Jesus has the power only God the Father can claim (verses 25–29). God alone is the source of life, and Jesus said He shared that same divine life and power. Every human being who has ever lived will stand before Him. Either you will meet Jesus as the One who died for your sins or you will meet Jesus as the One who judges your sin; there is no third option. Jesus is either your merciful Savior or your just Judge. What is Jesus’ warning in verses 28–29? How have you heeded Jesus’ warning, which is always made out of love for you and always for your good and His glory?

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES: 

  • To view past sermons, please click here.

The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace. Numbers 6:24–26

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