Read john 5:18-29
18 This was why the Jews were seeking all the more to kill him, because not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God. 19 So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise. 20 For the Father loves the Son and shows him all that he himself is doing. And greater works than these will he show him, so that you may marvel. 21 For as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whom he will. 22 For the Father judges no one, but has given all judgment to the Son, 23 that all may honor the Son, just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him. 24 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.
25 “Truly, truly, I say to you, an hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. 26 For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself. 27 And he has given him authority to execute judgment, because he is the Son of Man. 28 Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice 29 and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment.
PONDER
This passage mentions “life” eight times. What do we learn about where life comes from, and how to get it? What is the connection between life and belief, and life and revelation?
Ponder Jesus’ authority; He is equal with God. He sees all that the Father is doing, He does what the Father does. He gives life, He judges, He is deserving of honor. We serve the God who has all authority. Let this reality lead you to worship.
PRAY
- Father, you have all authority over all creation. When you speak, light appears, mountains are moved, the sick are healed, and the dead are brought to life.
- Father, open our eyes that we may see you as you have revealed yourself to be, and that we may see ourselves as you see us.
- Father, lead us to submit to your authority. Help our trust in you to deepen.
- Father, as we study your Word, may we believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and by believing, may we have life in His name.
- Father, prepare me to gather with my church and worship you. You are worthy! To you be the glory!
Sing: Listen to this week’s songs on Spotify
PRactice
Gather! 9:30 or 11:00am. Purpose your heart to read, sing, pray, and give to worship the Lord and spur on your brothers and sisters in Christ.
This Sunday we will take the Lord’s Supper to remember and rejoice in Christ’s sacrifice on our behalf. Take a moment before the gathering to prepare your heart to partake of the bread and the cup by confessing sin in your life. If you have children, have a conversation with them about the elements they will see in the gathering. Read 1 Corinthians 11:17-29 together. If your children are not believers, explain why they should not yet partake in the Lord’s Supper. If your children are believers, use this as an opportunity to praise God for his work in their lives.
5 Practices for Gathering Well:
- Be Present – The first step to gathering well: Gather!
- Be Early – Prioritize the gathering with your time. Don’t be late. The practical discipleship of this priority can be profound for you and your family.
- Be Prepared – Ponder, pray, sing, fast, and praise are all good ways to prepare.
- Be Uncomfortable – Sit with different people. Sing loud. Challenge routines. Gather on mission.
- Be Responsive – Don’t just be hearers of the Word, be doers. Pray. Ponder. Practice. Too often we gather to affirm what we already hold, rather than be taught, rebuked, corrected, or trained in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16). Gather to be transformed.
- Get help and accountability in Prepare Sundays at either 9:30 or 11:00 downstairs in the adult hall. Prepare is a Go Study Group aimed to help us grow as doers of the Word by working through the next steps required to faithfully apply the biblical text we’re reading and preaching through at TCBC.