Title: Keep On Believing
Bible Book: John 20 : 30-31
Author: William R. Shively
Subject: Faith; Trust; Belief
Objective:
Introduction
C.S. Lewis once said, “You never know how much you really believe anything until its truth or falsehood becomes a matter of life and death to you.” It is too late to take seriously the matter of salvation at the moment of death. John’s heart was for people to know who Jesus is and to believe in Him for the forgiveness of sin and for eternal life.
I. BELIEF IN THE SCRIPTURE
A. RELIABLE WITNESSES.
We can believe in the Scripture because the disciples were reliable witnesses to Christ's life, death and resurrection. They lived with Christ for three years. The disciples saw the Lord and talked to Him after His resurrection. The disciples touched Him. They ate with Him and witnessed His ascension back to heaven.
“Our belief in God is not blind faith. Belief is having a firm conviction something is true, not hoping it’s true.” (Max Lucado)
B. RECORDED WORKS. "these are written"
The disciples recorded some of the many works of Christ. John wrote in 21:25: "And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen." (John 21:25 KJV)
Peter would later write in Acts 10:38, "How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the oly Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil."
II. BELIEF IN THE SIGNS
A. PURPOSE OF CHRIST'S MIRACLES. "ye might believe"
The word "sign" describes a miracle with a message. John used the word "sign" because each miracle Jesus performed had a purpose and was not a performance to impress the crowd. John recorded seven of the many miracles Jesus performed.
Someone has said that "John uses believe ninety-seven times in his gospel." Some have called the gospel of John the "Gospel of Belief." John's stated purpose in recording these miracles of Christ is to produce faith in those who would read of the life of Christ in his gospel.
B. PROOF OF CHRIST'S DEITY. "Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God"
John began his gospel with a clear statement that Jesus is God. "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ... And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth." (John 1:1, 14 KJV)
John recorded seven signs (miracles) that Jesus performed. Each sign gave proof that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. John was present at each of the miracles Jesus performed. He saw the power of Jesus, and he believed Jesus was indeed "the Son of God."
C. PERFORMING OF CHRIST'S MIRACLES.
In the first eleven chapters, John selected seven miracles to help us know Christ.
1. Miracle of turning water into wine. (John 2:1-1) The first miracle that Jesus performed was at a wedding in Cana of Galilee where Jesus turned water into water. The master of the banquet ran out of wine at the wedding. Jesus had the jars filled with water. He turned the water into a superior wine compared to the other wine. This miracle represents the power of Christ to change a sinner's life into a new creation. (2 Cor. 5:17) John stated the reason for this miracle. "This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him." (John 2:11 KJV)
2. Miracle of healing the official's son. (John 4:43-54).
Jesus performed this miracle of grace in healing the nobleman's son. Jesus spoke the word of healing and the man believed Jesus. While the nobleman was on his way home, he received word that his son was healed. This healing occurred at the very moment Jesus had prayed for his son. The result of this miracle is stated in verse 53, the nobleman believed, and "his whole house." Salvation came to this man and his family. Jesus proved He was able to heal the sick from a distance.
3. Miracle of healing the paralyzed man. (John 5:1-9).
This man had been crippled for 38 years and Jesus healed him. Sinners are paralyzed by sin and cannot heal themselves. Only Jesus can make us whole.
Jesus healed this man on the Sabbath day. The Jews persecuted Jesus and wanted to slay Him because He had done this on the Sabbath. Jesus responded to the Jews by saying, "My Father worketh hitherto, and I work." (5:17) The Jews understood that Jesus was "making Himself equal with God." (John 5:18)
4. Miracle of feeding the 5,000 (John 6:1-5).
This miracle is recorded in all four gospels. A multitude of people had followed Jesus up into a mountain. The Bible states there were 5,000 men besides the women and children. They were hungry and were without food. Jesus used this as a test for the disciples. Among the multitude was a young boy who had five small barley loaves and two small fish. In this miracle, Jesus fed everyone with enough food left over to fill 12 baskets.
Jesus can supply our physical need but our greatest need is spiritual. This is what Jesus meant when He said; "I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst." (John 6:35 KJV)
5. Miracle of walking on the water. (John 6:16-25)
The disciples had labored all night long to row only about half way across the Sea of Galilee. This would be about 3 miles. They saw the Lord walking on the water toward them. Jesus calmed their fear during a storm. Once Jesus was with them in the boat, they were immediately at the other side. Jesus demonstrated His power over nature. The lesson is that when we struggle in life, Jesus is present with us. Jesus calms our fears during the storms of life.
6. Miracle of healing the man born blind. (John 9:1-41)
A man had been blind from his birth. Jesus made some mud, put it on the man’s eyes and told him to go wash it off. When the man did as Jesus instructed, he was healed. Obedience brings blessings. The religious leaders became angry at Jesus for healing on the Sabbath. They were more concerned about their religion than for a man to have his eyes healed. Sadly, the religious leaders were still spiritually blind. The religious leaders thrust the man out of the synagogue. Sometime later, Jesus found the man and asked him, "Dost thou believe on the Son of God?" The man answered, "Who is he, Lord, that I might believe on him?" Jesus said, "it is he that talketh with thee." The man responded, "Lord, I believe. And he worshipped Him."
Sinners are spiritually blind. Jesus opens the eyes of sinners so they can see the truth that He is Lord.
7. Miracle of raising Lazarus from the dead. (John 11:1-44)
This is the last miracle John recorded before the Lord's own death and resurrection. Lazarus had been sick and his sisters, Martha and Mary, called for Jesus. On hearing the news, Jesus said to His disciples, "This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby." (John 11:4 KJV) Jesus waited until Lazarus was dead four days before He came to the sisters. The reason Jesus waited was so He could raise Lazarus from the dead. Jesus performed this miracle as a sign for His disciples that they might believe. (John 11:15)
This sign teaches us the power of Jesus over death. All who believe in Him will be raised from their graves. Jesus said to Martha, "I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die." Jesus then addressed Martha directly, “Believest thou this? She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world." (John 11:4, 25-27 KJV)
III. BELIEF IN THE SAVIOR
A. PERSONAL FAITH.
John wrote his gospel so that people might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. Personal faith in Jesus as the Son of God is required to be saved. A person becomes a child of God through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
"He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God." (John 3:18 KJV)
"Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God." (1 John 4:15)
The Bible states that "faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." (Rom. 10:17) A person who believes has been persuaded that Jesus is the Son of God. Like Thomas, they confess, "My Lord and my God."
Paul said, "I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day." (2 Timothy 1:12)
We must know what we believe; but it is even more important to know whom we believe. Paul had confessed Christ as his Lord, and he gave his life to Jesus. (Acts 9:1-15) Paul knew Jesus was fully able to keep it!
John stated in 1 John 5:13: "These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God." Our assurance of salvation comes from our confidence in the apostles' confession (John 6:69) and their writings.
Thomas saw the risen Lord and believed. (20:28) Jesus said "blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed." Salvation is not by seeing but by believing in Jesus. Sinners are not saved by miracles either, but by believing. Miracles only confirm who Jesus is so sinners can believe on Him as their Savior and Lord.
B. PREVAILING FAITH
The moment you believe on Jesus, you are born again. John said "that believing ye might have life through His name." The gospel of Christ was given that we might have life! Our faith in Christ prevails over sin, Satan, death, and the world. In Christ, sin has been removed, Satan has been defeated, death has been destroyed and we have overcome the world. "Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?" (1 John 5:5 KJV)
LESSONS FOR LIFE:
1. The greatest of all signs was the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
2. John wrote these truths so we will keep on believing. The meaning of "that ye might believe" is that you may continue to believe.
3. The crucial question for all of us is whether we have truly come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. Are you truly saved?
