TURNING NEGATIVES INTO POSITIVES   Jn 5:39-47

Background

Verses 19-47 narrate a discussion Jesus had with religious leaders

He gives five distinct witnesses of His being

V. 33 John the Baptist

V. 36 His works

V. 37 His Father

V. 39 Scripture

V. 46 Moses’ Writings

Their Response

They were negative in their responses

Jesus indicted them for their attitudes

They would not come (40)

They would not love  (42)

They would not receive (43)

They would not seek (44)

They would not believe Him (47)

They would not come

1. He’s from Nazareth                   2. He’s just a carpenter’s son

3. He dines with sinners                4. He associates with the poor

5. He’s not one of us                    6. He’s critical of our system

7. How could He be from God?

They do not come

What keeps people from coming to the Lord today?

1. Bad experience with believers                 2. Lack of empirical evidence

3. Morally justified in their minds              4. Self-righteous in their hearts

5. See no need to change                           6. I’m okay. You’re okay

They would not love

Loved the creature, not the Creator

1. Lovers of self, not souls                        2. Lovers of pleasure, not prophets

3. Lovers of money, not of man     4. Lovers of the rituals, not righteousness

5. Lovers of the Temple, not of God          

6. Lovers of Scripture, but not the Savior

They would not receive

It isn’t that the religious leaders weren’t looking for a Messiah  Just not this One

There had been other messiahs, but they were false.

Jesus was the only one who fulfilled all the scriptures as foretold for thousands of years.  But He just didn’t fit their idea of a Messiah

They would not seek

Jesus follows his indictment by telling them they were quick to honor someone who had no honor, rather than honoring Him whom God has sent.

   Looking for honor in all the wrong places.

   How many times have our actions showed we placed more honor on things and other people rather than God?

They would not believe

Jesus reminded them that Moses’ writings alone were enough to condemn them for their unbelief.

   Religious leaders revered Moses, but he could not bring them the honor Christ could.

   Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.                                       John 5:39

TURNING NEGATIVES INTO POSITIVES

How do we make a negative positive?

Jesus instructed them to “not do not”

Not “not come” means coming

Not “not loving” means to love

Not “not receiving” means receiving

Not “not seeking” means to seek

Not “not believe” means to believe

So what about us?

Are we like the religious leaders who “did not”

Come .. Love .. Receive ..Seek .. Believe ?

What are some things we should “not” do not?

Church attendance .. Tithe .. Honor God .. Fellowship?

What are areas that need to be addressed?

Priorities .. Desires .. Habits .. Satisfaction

WILL YOU LET GOD TURN YOUR NEGATIVES INTO POSITIVES?