Sermons on Belief
The Promise of Heaven
The Promise of Heaven – John’s Gospel chapter 14 verses 1 to 4 Sad and troubled disciples: one was a betrayer, all the rest would abandon Him, and He was leaving. Faith began to waver. Embarrassment, confusion, sadness. The Command: Trust Me ‘Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. John 14:1 Not a distant command. He was weighed down himself. But He cares for them. You can trust me because of who…
The Day the Light Went Out
The Day the Light Went Out – John’s gospel chapter 12, verses 36 and 44 to 50 The day the light went out. No, not Y2K! Jesus’ life marked more by rejection more than by belief. Jesus, the God-Revealer Then Jesus cried out, ‘Whoever believes in me does not believe in me only, but in the one who sent me. 45 The one who looks at me is seeing the one who sent me. John 12:44-45 To believe in God is…
Lazarus Raised, Jesus Rejected
Lazarus Raised, Jesus Rejected – John’s Gospel chapter 11 verses 45 to 57 Seeing is not always believing Miracles confirm the truth, but don’t always convert people (even raising a man 4 days dead). Some believed in Jesus, that He is God’s Son, the Messiah, but others rejected him. Therefore many of the Jews who had come to visit Mary, and had seen what Jesus did, believed in him. 46 But some of them went to the Pharisees and told them…
The Jesus You Can Trust
The Jesus You Can Trust – John’s Gospel chapter 10, verses 31-42 The Jesus you can trust. He is the good Shepherd, who gave himself for us, Who can and will keep His promise to keep us safe forever. Why should we trust in Him? A violent response to Jesus’ words. 31 Again his Jewish opponents picked up stones to stone him, 32 but Jesus said to them, ‘I have shown you many good works from the Father. For which of these…
Believing is Seeing
Believing is Seeing – John’s Gospel, chapter 9, verses 35 to 41 Light – revealing AND blinding Just like car headlights: They reveal much on a dark night, but someone else’s high beam can also blind us. Blindness that sees 35 Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, and when he found him, he said, ‘Do you believe in the Son of Man?’ 36 ‘Who is he, sir?’ the man asked. ‘Tell me so that I may believe in him.’ 37 Jesus…
True and False Disciples
True and False Disciples – John’s Gospel chapter 6 verses 60 to 61 Before there was mass enthusiasm “Jesus gives us political security, universal health care and economic security. Make him King!” Jesus’ focus is different – “I am the bread of life.” So there is grumbling and unbelief from the religious leaders. Now the disciples are at a crossroads. The offence of Jesus: 60 On hearing it, many of his disciples said, ‘This is a hard teaching. Who can accept…
Do You Have True Satisfaction?
Do You Have True Satisfaction? – John’s Gospel, chapter 6, verses 22 to 40 So much, yet so little satisfaction. All of us are still needy. All seeking something to satisfy the need. Work, substance abuse and unsurprisingly, some to Jesus. Here is the sequel to the feeding of the 5000. They are seeking more bread. Seeking his gifts. But the gift of bread was meant to direct then to something better. What kind of bread are you seeking? Enthusiastic…
Hope for the Desperate
Hope for the Desperate – John’s Gospel chapter 4 verses 43 to 54 Hope for the desperate. The twin themes of desperation and faith. The superficial faith of the curious crowd They were there to see His miracles. 43 After the two days he left for Galilee. 44 (Now Jesus himself had pointed out that a prophet has no honour in his own country.) 45 When he arrived in Galilee, the Galileans welcomed him. They had seen all that he had done in…
The Greatest Expression of Love
The Greatest Expression of Love – John’s Gospel chapter 3 verses 16 to 21 16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not…
How Does a Person Become a Christian?
How Does a Person Become a Christian? John’s Gospel 2:23 to 3:15 Jesus know the heart of Man 23 Now while he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Festival, many people saw the signs he was performing and believed in his name.24 But Jesus would not entrust himself to them, for he knew all people. 25 He did not need any testimony about mankind, for he knew what was in each person. John 2:23-25 A Q&A between Jesus and a Religious Teacher Jesus…
Come and See!
Come and See! – John’s Gospel chapter 1 verses 43 to 51 Jesus calls Philip and Nathaniel Jesus finds Philip, verses 41-44 43 The next day Jesus decided to leave for Galilee. Finding Philip, he said to him, ‘Follow me.’ 44 Philip, like Andrew and Peter, was from the town of Bethsaida. John 1:43-44 Philip finds Nathaniel, verses 45-46 45 Philip found Nathanael and told him, ‘We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also…
Jesus’ First Disciples
Jesus’ First Disciples – John’s Gospel, chapter 1 verses 35 to 42 Here is the very first beginning of the Christian church. Two people are prompted to see, hear and follow Jesus 35 The next day John [the Baptist] was there again with two of his disciples. 36 When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, ‘Look, the Lamb of God!’ 37 When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus. They are invited to come 38 Turning round, Jesus saw them…