Believe and Live
Series: Good News to Believe
May 07, 2023
Frank Foreman
John 21:25, Now there are also many other things that Jesus did. Were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. ---------- Belief in Jesus Christ is not conceptual. We cannot assume to simply assert that we intellectually accept that Jesus existed. True, biblical belief calls for a conviction based on that fundamental belief that not only did Jesus exist, but that He was born of a virgin, died on the cross for our sins, was resurrected on the third day, ascended to heaven and will return again one day. ---------- Unless that is the whole truth and nothing but the truth, it becomes meaningless. If Jesus is not the Son of God and not God the Son, then our belief is more "human-based" and not heaven-based. That conviction we should have must find its faith foundation in the divinity of Christ. As a wise man once said, "You say you have faith, for you believe that there is one God. Good for you! Even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror." [James 2:19] ---------- We do God nothing for God by simply accepting that He exists. He has no confusion over that. What truly matters is when our belief is tied directly to our faith and that faith produces a conviction that affirms our commitment to Him.
Episode Notes
(Journal) John 21:25, Now there are also many other things that Jesus did. Were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written.
(Journal) John 20:30-31, Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
Big Idea: Place your life & eternity in the loving hands of Jesus Christ.
1. Believe that Jesus Christ is God in flesh.
(Journal) John 1:1; 14, In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God…. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen His glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
Philippians 2:5-8, Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though He was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
2. Believe that Jesus Christ takes away sin.
(Journal) John 1:29, The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”
1st Peter 1:18-21, ….knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you who through Him are believers in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.
3. Believe that Jesus Christ raised from the dead.
(Journal) John 11:25-26, Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in Me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?”
1st Corinthians 15:17-19, And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied.
Next Step: Believe & Live.
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