This Week
Announcements
Baptism Class
Sunday June 2nd at 11:30 am
The Bridge Church Reno – Learning Center
If you are interested in being baptized or just want to know what the scriptures say about baptism, we will be hosting a baptism class on Sunday June 2nd after service. Please sign up using the connection card on The Bridge Church App or by going to https://thebridgereno.com/connect
PILSOS Arts and Craft Fair
Friday June 7th 2-8pm
The Bridge Church Reno – Katie’s Garden
One of our partners: The Pregnancy & Infant Loss Support Organization of the Sierras will be hosting a craft fair in Katie’s garden on the afternoon/evening of Friday, June 7th from 2-8pm. Come out to support them and those that have lost a child too soon. There will be local artists and vendors plus a raffle to enter. Admission is free for all.
Starting Point Class
Sunday June 9th at 11:30am
The Bridge Church Reno – learning center
If you are new to The Bridge Church this is a great place to learn all about our mission and vision and why we believe God has placed us here in this neighborhood. You will learn all about how we are reaching our community and world, you will also have the opportunity to become a member. Please go here (https://thebridgereno.com/startingpoint) to let us know you will be joining us.
Discovering My Ministry Class
Sunday June 9th at 11:30am
The Bridge Church Reno – conference room
If you have said yes to Jesus and have started a relationship with Him then you have been given at least one spiritual gift. This class focuses on discovering that gift as well as how you can use your talents, abilities, and past experiences all together to serve God. In this class we will develop your personal ministry profile and work towards discovering how God has uniquely shaped you to further His Kingdom. Please go here (https://thebridgereno.com/discover) to let us know you will be joining us.
Blood Drive
Sunday June 9th 9 – 11:30am
The Bridge Church Reno
Please consider giving blood. Your blood donation means everything. To the emergency team working around the clock. To the loved ones anxiously waiting for news. To the patient desperate to recover. Be a hero a donate blood. To schedule an appointment visit https://thebridgereno.com/donateblood
Sunday June 2nd at 11:30 am
The Bridge Church Reno – Learning Center
If you are interested in being baptized or just want to know what the scriptures say about baptism, we will be hosting a baptism class on Sunday June 2nd after service. Please sign up using the connection card on The Bridge Church App or by going to https://thebridgereno.com/connect
PILSOS Arts and Craft Fair
Friday June 7th 2-8pm
The Bridge Church Reno – Katie’s Garden
One of our partners: The Pregnancy & Infant Loss Support Organization of the Sierras will be hosting a craft fair in Katie’s garden on the afternoon/evening of Friday, June 7th from 2-8pm. Come out to support them and those that have lost a child too soon. There will be local artists and vendors plus a raffle to enter. Admission is free for all.
Starting Point Class
Sunday June 9th at 11:30am
The Bridge Church Reno – learning center
If you are new to The Bridge Church this is a great place to learn all about our mission and vision and why we believe God has placed us here in this neighborhood. You will learn all about how we are reaching our community and world, you will also have the opportunity to become a member. Please go here (https://thebridgereno.com/startingpoint) to let us know you will be joining us.
Discovering My Ministry Class
Sunday June 9th at 11:30am
The Bridge Church Reno – conference room
If you have said yes to Jesus and have started a relationship with Him then you have been given at least one spiritual gift. This class focuses on discovering that gift as well as how you can use your talents, abilities, and past experiences all together to serve God. In this class we will develop your personal ministry profile and work towards discovering how God has uniquely shaped you to further His Kingdom. Please go here (https://thebridgereno.com/discover) to let us know you will be joining us.
Blood Drive
Sunday June 9th 9 – 11:30am
The Bridge Church Reno
Please consider giving blood. Your blood donation means everything. To the emergency team working around the clock. To the loved ones anxiously waiting for news. To the patient desperate to recover. Be a hero a donate blood. To schedule an appointment visit https://thebridgereno.com/donateblood
Message Notes
Jesus has the Authority
It’s Memorial Day weekend. Which means you probably get the day off of work tomorrow. The reason for that is because men and women have died defending our freedom. We love freedom and we don’t want people telling us what to do.
Freedom is the opposite of authority. We don’t like the idea of authority, because we must obey this authority or there will be consequences. But what about the idea of Jesus being the ultimate authority. Are we willing to obey Him?
Today’s scripture: John 5:16-30
Jesus has just healed a man on the Sabbath. The “authorities” are made at him for breaking their law.
In his defense Jesus said to them, “My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I too am working.” For this reason they tried all the more 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)
Some people would argue today that Jesus never claimed to be God. That he was just a “good teacher,” a moral man. This scripture comes completely sideways to that theory. The religious leaders tried to kill him for saying this. You don’t kill someone for being a “good teacher.” Jesus was claiming to be equal to God, and they knew it.
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. (John 5:23)
Christianity is exclusive in some respect. Jesus is telling these people, if you don’t accept me, If you don’t believe in me, if you don’t believe I came from the Father. You can’t please God. There is no other way.
“Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life. (John 5:24)
This is a key verse in the book of John. It teaches that if you have believed in Jesus words and believed that he is God’s only son than you now possess eternal life, RIGHT NOW! You have already crossed over from the realm of sin and death and you are living eternal life.
By myself I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear, and my judgment is just, for I seek not to please myself but him who sent me. (John 5:30)
God has given Jesus the authority to Judge but Jesus wasn’t motivated by popularity, or power, or fame. His focus was on doing the will of the Father. Where is your focus this morning.
What authority do you allow Jesus to have in your life? Is pleasing Jesus how you base your decisions. Does pleasing Jesus make up the greatest desire of your life? Is pleasing Jesus how you spend your time.
A life yielded to His authority is a life that points others to his grace.
Freedom is the opposite of authority. We don’t like the idea of authority, because we must obey this authority or there will be consequences. But what about the idea of Jesus being the ultimate authority. Are we willing to obey Him?
Today’s scripture: John 5:16-30
Jesus has just healed a man on the Sabbath. The “authorities” are made at him for breaking their law.
In his defense Jesus said to them, “My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I too am working.” For this reason they tried all the more 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)
Some people would argue today that Jesus never claimed to be God. That he was just a “good teacher,” a moral man. This scripture comes completely sideways to that theory. The religious leaders tried to kill him for saying this. You don’t kill someone for being a “good teacher.” Jesus was claiming to be equal to God, and they knew it.
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. (John 5:23)
Christianity is exclusive in some respect. Jesus is telling these people, if you don’t accept me, If you don’t believe in me, if you don’t believe I came from the Father. You can’t please God. There is no other way.
“Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life. (John 5:24)
This is a key verse in the book of John. It teaches that if you have believed in Jesus words and believed that he is God’s only son than you now possess eternal life, RIGHT NOW! You have already crossed over from the realm of sin and death and you are living eternal life.
By myself I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear, and my judgment is just, for I seek not to please myself but him who sent me. (John 5:30)
God has given Jesus the authority to Judge but Jesus wasn’t motivated by popularity, or power, or fame. His focus was on doing the will of the Father. Where is your focus this morning.
What authority do you allow Jesus to have in your life? Is pleasing Jesus how you base your decisions. Does pleasing Jesus make up the greatest desire of your life? Is pleasing Jesus how you spend your time.
A life yielded to His authority is a life that points others to his grace.
Small Groups Talk About It
Discussion Questions
1 Has someone ever questioned your authority, or have you ever questioned someone else’s authority? Share that story.
2 What authorities do you answer to in life right now?
3 Read John 5:16-23 What do you think Jesus mean by “My Father is always at work?” Why were the Jews trying to kill Jesus? What was his crime?
4 Why is the Son so reliant on God the Father? Isn’t Jesus also God? Why does He just do the things He sees the Father doing? What are the roles of the Father and Son?
5 Why doesn’t God the Father judge people? How can we escape this judgment?
6 Read John 5:24-30 What does it mean that the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and those who hear will live? How do we know that the Son has authority? Where does it come from?
7 Who will be resurrected? What will they face after resurrection? Read Revelation 20
8 In what ways do you respond to Jesus’ authority? In what areas do you have trouble yielding to Jesus’ authority?
1 Has someone ever questioned your authority, or have you ever questioned someone else’s authority? Share that story.
2 What authorities do you answer to in life right now?
3 Read John 5:16-23 What do you think Jesus mean by “My Father is always at work?” Why were the Jews trying to kill Jesus? What was his crime?
4 Why is the Son so reliant on God the Father? Isn’t Jesus also God? Why does He just do the things He sees the Father doing? What are the roles of the Father and Son?
5 Why doesn’t God the Father judge people? How can we escape this judgment?
6 Read John 5:24-30 What does it mean that the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and those who hear will live? How do we know that the Son has authority? Where does it come from?
7 Who will be resurrected? What will they face after resurrection? Read Revelation 20
8 In what ways do you respond to Jesus’ authority? In what areas do you have trouble yielding to Jesus’ authority?