Do You Believe This? (PM)

By:  Dennis Pierce

Scripture Reading:  John 11:25-26

Introduction:

I.  This is the question of Jesus to his friend Martha. (John 11:26)

A.  Some feel uncomfortable when asked about their beliefs.

1.  Many people are not receptive to any inquiry about religion or faith.

B.  Jesus often questioned people about their faith. (Matthew 9:28; Luke 8:25; Luke 18:8; John 8:46)

II.  The answer we give to the question Martha heard, makes all the difference in life.

A.  Martha was asked if she believed in several statements Jesus had made:

1.  I am the resurrection and the life.

2.  Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live.

3.  Everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die.

III.  Everyone needs to answer this question with an unequivocal, “YES.”

A.  Martha’s answer, “Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world,” is the most important confession we will ever make in life.

IV.  Faith in Jesus as the resurrection and the life makes all things work out.

A.  Our world is on a moral decline that is gaining momentum all the time.

1.  God is needed in our country, perhaps more than ever.

2.  People in our community and loved ones in our families need to confess that Jesus is the Son of God.

3.  The world needs to see the church teaching that Jesus truly is the resurrection and the life. 

B.  The greatest of life’s problems can be resolved because of believing this.

1.  Family problems, workplace problems, financial burdens, disagreement among brethren and even sickness and death can be endured through this faith.

2.  The setting in which this question is asked, is during the loss of a brother and a friend.

V.  John 11 has everything needed to compel us, to remind us, and to excite us to answer, “Yes, Lord, I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who is come into the world.”

A.  The miracle of the resurrection of Lazarus from the dead reveals several things about Jesus and his friends mentioned here.

1.  We see a loving and well known family that has a very close relationship with Jesus.

2.  There is a crowd of witnesses to this miracle. It is undeniable.

3.  Both the compassion and the power of Jesus are noticed.

B.  There are so many reasons to answer the same as Martha.

1.  The following lyrics are from the song, “I dreamed a dream:”

I dreamed a dream in time gone by

When hope was high and life worth living

I dreamed that love would never die

I dreamed that God would be forgiving

2. These are dreams that most of us have, but the beauty of believing in Jesus as the Christ, the Son of God, makes all of these become a reality.

3.  With Jesus, hope is high, life is worth living, love will never die and God is forgiving.

C. We will look at three reasons to answer yes to the question, “Do you believe this.”

Discussion:

I.  Because of Love

A.  The power of love is seen all around us.

1.  There are several kinds of love and each can be a powerful force.

2.  Romantic love is most often written about but it’s power is seen among family and friends just as much. (John 19:26-27; Luke 15; John 15:13)

a.  There is no greater example of a father’s love than the one recorded in Luke 15 about the prodigal son.

b.  It is doubtful that a mother’s love for a child is equaled by any other force on earth.

3.  Love is perfectly defined in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8.

Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth.  Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.  Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away.

B.  Love is seen throughout much of John 11. (vs 3,5,11,16,19,20,29,35,36)

1.  The compassion of Jesus for those He loves is clearly seen and provides a compelling reason to answer, “Yes” to who He is.

II.  Because of the Message

A.  I am the resurrection and the life. (25-26)

1.  Is there anything greater than eternal life? (Matthew 16:26)

For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?

B.  If you believe you will see the glory of God. (vs. 40)

III.  Because of the Power of Christ

A. Lazarus come forth.

1.  This is not the first-time Jesus had resurrected someone from the dead, but this time Lazarus had been dead four days.

2.  Everyone watching and aware of the amount of decay the body has experienced will be astonished. This is power!

B.  Many of the Jews believed on Him. (vs 45)    

C.  Paul wanted to know the power of His resurrection. (Philippians 3:10)

D.  It is why he would write in Romans 1:16, “I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ for it is the power of God unto salvation.”                        

Conclusion:

Everyday living can have a diminishing effect upon the power of the resurrection in our life. Silently repeat to yourself, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the son of God.” Jesus said in Matt. 10:32, “Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.”

Do you believe this?