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“Most assuredly, I say to you, the hour is coming, and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God; and those who hear will live.” John 5:25

In John 5, Jesus performs an amazing miracle as He heals a lame man. However, this angers the Jewish religious leaders because He did so on the Sabbath day, and furthermore, He “said that God was His Father, making Himself equal with God” (5:18). Jesus, therefore, explains to them that as the Son of God, He has indeed been granted authority by God the Father: the authority to grant life. Jesus speaks of His life-giving authority in John 5:25 (above). Let’s consider this wonderful promise of life by asking a series of questions.

Question: When is this “hour” of which Jesus speaks? Answer: This hour had come even as Jesus was speaking these words 2000 years ago, and it continues until our time today. Thus, for us, the hour is now!

Question: Who are the “dead”? Answer: Anyone who is not looking to Christ for salvation, for Scripture says that those who have not come to know the salvation that is in Christ are spiritually “dead in sin”.

And finally… Question: What does it mean to “hear the voice of the Son of God”? Answer: Jesus calls to all with the gospel message. And the gospel message is that Christ died on the cross, taking my sin upon Himself there and bearing my punishment. He then rose from the grave, conquering death. And therefore, all who will place their faith and trust in Him for salvation—that is, all who hear—WILL LIVE!

Pastor Craig Montgomery, Cranbrook Fellowship Baptist

www.cranbrookfellowshipbaptist.ca  YouTube sermon channel: “Pastor Craig Montgomery”

 

Pastor Craig publishes  "A Word from God's Word" weekly in the "Kootenay News Advertiser".