A witness based mainly on public approval

A witness that comes from Jesus' own reputation

That John's ministry was the final standard

That Jesus acted on his own, apart from the Father

That the works are only for impressing onlookers

Do the good work God gives you and let it point beyond yourself to Jesus

Do the work mainly so people notice your devotion

Prefer saying the right things and let visible service be someone else's job

Wait until you can do something impressive before serving at all

If you would like to receive Jesus, pray this with me: Lord Jesus, I admit that I have sinned and gone my own way. I need your mercy and I cannot save myself. I believe you died for my sins and rose again. I turn from my sin and trust you as the one the Father sent to rescue me. I confess you as my Lord and open my life to you. Amen.

Receive the One the Father Sent

Lord, revive your Church so that our lives bear clear witness to Jesus. Wake us from empty words, make us faithful to the work you give us, and help us finish it with humility and courage. Let our deeds point beyond ourselves to the Son you sent, and let many come to know him through that witness, in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Renew the Church's Witness

Thank God for: the works of Jesus that make his identity visible; the Father who sends and confirms the Son; the mercy of being given evidence that can lead to trust.

Thankful for Clear Witness

Father, give me the work you want me to do, and help me finish it well. Keep me from doing good things for my own praise, and let what I do point people to Jesus rather than to me, in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Help Me Finish What You Give

Name one task you believe God has placed in front of you. Ask him for strength to complete it, ask him to purify your motives, and ask that the result would bear witness to Jesus.

Pray Over the Work in Front of You

Pray for: people who are skeptical about Jesus; believers whose daily actions can point others to the Son; leaders and servants who need grace to finish the works God has given them.

For People Watching Our Lives

Ἐγὼ{e-GO###eh-GOH###I} δὲ{de###deh###but} ἔχω{E-kho###EH-khoh###I have} τὴν{TEEN###TEEN###(the)} μαρτυρίαν{mar-ty-REE-an###mahr-ty-REE-ah(n)###testimony} μείζω{MEE-zoh###MEE-zoh###greater} τοῦ{TOO###TOO###than (the)} Ἰωάννου,{ee-o-AN-noo###ee-oh-AHN-noo###John} τὰ{TA###TA###(the)} γὰρ{GAR###GAHR###for} ἔργα{ER-ga###EHR-gah###works} ἃ{HA###HA###which} δέδωκέν{de-DO-KEN###de-DOH-KEN###(He) has given} μοι{mee###mee###to me} ὁ{ho###ho###(the)} πατὴρ{PA-TEER###PA-TEER###Father} ἵνα{HI-na###HEE-nah###so that} τελειώσω{te-lee-O-so###teh-lee-OH-soh###I may complete} αὐτά,{af-TA###ahf-TAH###them} αὐτὰ{af-TA###ahf-TAH###same} τὰ{TA###TA###(the)} ἔργα{ER-ga###EHR-gah###works} ἃ{HA###HA###which} ποιῶ{pee-O###pee-OH###I do} μαρτυρεῖ{mar-ty-REE###mahr-ty-REE###(They) bear witness} περὶ{pe-REE###peh-REE###concerning} ἐμοῦ{e-MOO###eh-MOO###me} ὅτι{HO-ti###HOH-tee###that} ὁ{ho###ho###(the)} πατήρ{PA-TEER###PA-TEER###Father} με{me###meh###me} ἀπέσταλκεν.{a-PES-tal-KEN###ah-PES-tahl-KEN###(He) has sent}

John 5:36 — FormalTAB

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