Witnesses for Jesus

Previous text = healing on the Sabbath
with Jews' challenge and Jesus' claims of authority to:
1)  give life
2)  raise the dead
3)  judge man
These being the prerogative of GOD ALONE!!    John 5:18 
The Jews understood Jesus' claims as claim to Deity!!

NOW - Jesus defends His claims by witnesses to testify.  Deut. 19:15 - 2 or three witnesses

Witnesses for Jesus - John 5:31-47

#1.  John 5:33 - John the Baptist - recognized as a prophet and accepted as such.  1st. on in 400 years.
John 5:35 - accepted for a while.  until????  the problem was not with John's message.  Problem was with John's Messiah!!  The message was fine as long as it was about the Messiah they wanted and expected.

#2.  John 5:36 - Jesus' works. 
Especially the miracles - John 10:24-25 - the miracles speak on His behalf.  Validation of message and messenger.  Miracles could never be worked by man alone.

#3.  John 5:37 - The Father (God)
His testimony found - 1) in His works - John 3:1-2
                                 2) in His Word(s) - fulfilled prophecy - John 5:39
                                 3)  in His Presence - convicting, calling, the Voice

#4.  Jesus Himself - on one hand IF His testimony stood alone...?!   However, it doesn't stand alone!

NOTE:  These testimonies still stand.
(IF valid then in AD 30 - then Still valid today in 21st. century)  - the truth doesn't change

But, TODAY we have additional witnesses, testimonies.  The weight is heavier on us than on those in 1st. century.

Today we have the witness/testimony of:

#5.  The Resurrection - the pinnacle piece of evidence that Jesus was who He said He was.
Which is more than He rose from death.  He rose glorified!! - Rom. 1:4

#6.  The Word of the Apostles
example:  1 John 1:1-3 - "seen & heard" - we SAW the Risen Christ!!!

#7.  The many Martyrs - (martyrs - person who testified, witnessed) - The Word then and now  - Acts 1:8
All Christians are called to testify and witness to the risen Lord. 
Example:  G. K. Chesterton's "democracy of the dead" - previous 20 centuries - Question:  Do these people's voices not matter?

NOTE:  these witnesses are Convincing , but NOT compelling - ie:  they are not irresistible, but do not FORCE belief.
Why is there NOT more compelling evidence?  - Scripture - because God WANTS THOSE WHO WANT HIM!!!

BUT - 3 witnesses still to come --- which WILL BE compelling!!
(unfortunately, then it will be too late!!!)

#8:  The Demons - on one hand, they have already testified - Mark 1:23-24
                But, they WILL do so openly for all to see - "every knee" - most of us have not seen this yet.

#9.  The Doomed - (damned) - Rev. 20:11-13

#10.  Death - 1 Cor. 15:24-26 - we succumb to death.  It is the last enemy to be destroyed!!

One more verse:  John 5:34 - loose paraphrase:  "I don't need their testimony.  Mine stands on its own...
BUT ... I mention, point to, call attention to these .. "that you might be saved!"
In the end it is Your decision, Your choice, Your call.

His LORDSHIP stands without any testimony!  He's either LORD or He's not.  There's no third option!!!