GOD IS AT WORK

John 5:17-19

17Jesus said to them, "My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I, too, am working." 18For this reason the Jews tried all the harder to kill him; not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God.

19Jesus gave them this answer: "I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does.

INTRODUCTION

God is constantly at work to bring people back to Him. In the Old Testaments, God used the Kings, priests and prophets to do his will. In the New Testament, God used Jesus and the early disciples, followed by the church to do his work up until this day.

GOD IS WORKING EVERYDAY

17Jesus said to them, "My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I, too, am working." 18For this reason the Jews tried all the harder to kill him; not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God. (John 5:17-18)

Jesus healed an invalid man on the Sabbath (John 5:8-9). He justified His action among the Jews by saying His Father is working everyday (John 5:17). The Jews tried to kill Jesus because He broke the law of the Sabbath and called God as his Father (John 5:18). Jesus faced opposition from the Jews as He did God’s work.

God is at work everyday reconciling mankind back to Himself.

God has been doing his work of reconciliation since the fall of man in the Garden of Eden. He brought Jesus into the world to bring His message of reconciliation, eternal life and deliverance from bondages. As a local church, we are called to continue the work of Jesus on earth. Let us avail ourselves to God to touch people who are in need and help him reconcile them back to God.

People with emotional, physical and spiritual needs constantly sought after Jesus. The royal official went looking for Jesus to heal his dying son (John 4:47). His son has a fever (John 4:52). When he found Jesus, he begged Jesus to heal his son (John 4:47, 49). Jesus saw his faith and told him to go home and his son will live (John 4:50).

WE NEED TO WORK WITH GOD

19Jesus gave them this answer: "I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does. (John 5:19)

Jesus had a close relationship with God on earth. He only did the will of His Father in Heaven (John 5:19). He lived a life of dependency on and obedience to God.

"We need to depend on God through the Holy Spirit in ministry".

We need to have a close relationship with God and do his will in order to extend His kingdom on earth. God has given us the Holy Spirit to empower us to do his will. Therefore, we need to cooperate with the Holy Spirit.

CONCLUSION

Jesus served God’s purposes on earth by doing the work of God. We need to continue the work of God on earth until the gospel is permeating throughout our nation and every nation of the world.

Questions to Ponder.

What ministries is God calling you in to?

What are the challenges of serving God? E.g. time, resources, gifting.