際際滷

際際滷Share a Scribd company logo

2012 03-04 That You May Believe

Download as PPTX, PDF
P
pastorwillcarter

This document is a summary of a sermon discussing the importance of believers witnessing to others about Jesus and their own faith. Some key points: - The disciples initially did not believe the women who saw Jesus resurrected, but their doubts were removed when they saw Jesus themselves. - Jesus gave the disciples authority to forgive sins on His behalf, and this responsibility was passed on to believers today. - Believers need to seek their own forgiveness and reconciliation with God in order to effectively share the gospel with others and urge them to be reconciled to God as well. - Personal testimony and relationships are more convincing than just referring people to a pastor. Believers must be able to discuss

1 of 78
Download to read offline
That YOU May Believe John 20: 19 31
A few weeks ago I spoke about the fact that sometimes all you have left is what you can remember of the Bible.
When things get rough and you forget some of the nice things you can think of when your wits are with you
Whats left is what lies deep inside your memory, what youve used enough to be second nature, what you really believe.
Thats one of the reasons for reading the Bible and for memorizing things like The Lords Prayer and John 3:16.
Then theres the simple reason that the Bible is a trustworthy record of Gods work in His peoples lives to bring salvation.
With that in mind, lets read todays passage in John 20: 19 31.
OK, theres a lot there, of course, and were not going to touch on all of it, but lets look at what happened first.
The disciples saw Jesus in person and were joyful. Merely hearing the suggestion that He was alive wasnt the same.
Much has been made that women were not considered reliable witnesses in that day, but think about it
If someone told you that something unbelievable had happened, without seeing it yourself, you might not believe it.
Thats the origin of the meaning of the term unbelievable, by the way.
When they saw Jesus, though, they believed and were overjoyed. Then it says Jesus gave them the Holy Spirit.
How we reconcile this with the Luke-Acts account, I dont know, but Im not worried about it, so lets not fuss over it.
The point is that Jesus told the disciples there that they were taking over for Him in the world, and gave them authority.
There are churches that say the authority passes down to people in the present day, and churches that say it doesnt.
We dont really take a hard and fast stand on that, because of various reasons.
Who really would claim apostolic authority like someone who had actually walked with Jesus? Only whackos would do that.
At the same time, it is the Holy Spirit working in us who was working in them, and the church needs that today just like then.
What Jesus gave them authority over specifically was forgiveness of sins, which is needed today, right? So.
Does Jesus give you and me the authority for that just like He did with the disciples then?
Its not just power, either. When Jesus gives you the authority to forgive or not to forgive, what comes to mind to you?
Do you think of revenge on people you dont like, or do you think about what it means to them if you withhold forgiveness?
Did Jesus assign the responsibility over forgiveness to the sinners themselves, or to Jesus own followers?
Does that give you a sense of responsibility on you to get forgiveness to the people who need it?
Howard Macy, who teaches Old Testament at George Fox University, spoke at Western Yearly Meeting years ago
He talked about this and had everyone say to one another, In the name of Jesus, I forgive you. It was neat, if a bit strange.
Its important for people to hear, from a psycho- logical point of view, but forgiveness isnt just psychology, is it?
People need to hear that God and others forgive them, but they also need to know that forgiveness inside to be rid of sin.
Sin is not behavior. You dont sin once here and then sin once there. Sin is in you keeping you from friendship with God.
Sin is the separation between you and God, and forgiveness is the wiping away of that separation.
Forgiveness is like going from people who arent even looking at each other
2012 03-04 That You May Believe
and then reconciling them.
2 Corinthians 5: 19-20 God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting mens sins against them.
2 Corinthians 5: 19-20 and he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christs ambassadors
2 Corinthians 5: 19-20 as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christs behalf: Be reconciled to God.
That is the key thing there. How can we bring forgiveness and reconciliation, unless we have it?
Also, if we arent bringing forgiveness and reconciliation to others, what does that say about whether we have it?
This may be one of those things like faith without works is dead.
Can people who have been reconciled with God and accepted His forgiveness not be bringing that to others around them?
We need to be reaching out to others with the message of the Gospel, but
we also need to be digging deeper into our life with Jesus Christ ourselves to have more to offer others, dont we?
That evening when Jesus first appeared to the disciples in the upper room, Thomas wasnt there.
Thomas was doubtful when the others told him that Jesus came in among them. He wasnt there to see it.
There were 10 men hed lived with for a while who gave him the news, but that wasnt enough for him to believe.
The next week Jesus appeared to him too, and he did believe when he saw Jesus.
Then Jesus says something odd.
John 20: 29 Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.
Sometimes people take this to be a criticism of Thomas, that it took seeing for him to believe.
Really, though, Jesus is just talking about the billions of people who have believed in Him without being there then.
There were 10 men and Mary Magdalene so far weve seen witness Jesus resurrection.
There were hundreds who saw Him during the 40 days He remained on the Earth, but compare a few hundred to a few billion.
500 2,000,000,000 Which group saw Jesus in the flesh, and which needs to hear testimony?
What kind of testimony is going to do it for people, followers of Jesus who are intimate with Him and
feel reconciled with God deep in their hearts and know they are forgiven of all their sins? or
people who know what theyre supposed to think and say, or know how to refer someone to the pastor to tell them?
Im here for you, and if you find yourself talking to someone who has questions you cant answer, call me.
but dont you want to be able to speak to someone with the knowledge and conviction yourself?
Which way will people be better convinced, by a preacher they dont know or by the trusted friend who really believes?
The last line of this passage, and some think it was the end of the original version of this Gospel, too, says:
John 20: 31 these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
That might be how the first draft of the Gospel of John ended, and it sums it all up, doesnt it?
We believe that the Bible has authority over us, that we are to obey what it says.
Thats whats behind this statement, that the Bible tells us that Jesus arose from the dead, and we have salvation through Him
but what authority does the Bible have over the minds of the people we want to reach out to?
what authority does it have with them beyond the relationship we have with them?
You and I form links in a chain reaching all the way back to that day, connect- ing the event in the Bible to people today.
Does your life witness to the resurrection of Jesus Christ, or do you need to seek that forgiveness and reconciliation?
2 Corinthians 5: 19-20 We implore you on Christs behalf: Be reconciled to God.
Whos we there? Who among you is we, imploring others to be reconciled to God?
This isnt the same question at all as, who needs to ask for forgiveness? but I think its just as important.
Im not going to ask you to stand or come up to the railing. How do you need to show that you are Christs ambassador?
There are things you can do here to show that, but dont you think its more what you do outside these walls that does it?
What are you going to do to be Christs ambassador outside these walls?
Point them to me the pastor? or lead them to Christ yourself through your relationship with them and with Him?
Either can work, but which will work better? Which would work best that you may believe if it was you needing Christ?
What do you need to do to be that ambassador of Christ? Do you still need reconciliation with Him? Will you seek it from Him?

More Related Content

2012 03-04 That You May Believe

  • 2. A few weeks ago I spoke about the fact that sometimes all you have left is what you can remember of the Bible.
  • 3. When things get rough and you forget some of the nice things you can think of when your wits are with you
  • 4. Whats left is what lies deep inside your memory, what youve used enough to be second nature, what you really believe.
  • 5. Thats one of the reasons for reading the Bible and for memorizing things like The Lords Prayer and John 3:16.
  • 6. Then theres the simple reason that the Bible is a trustworthy record of Gods work in His peoples lives to bring salvation.
  • 7. With that in mind, lets read todays passage in John 20: 19 31.
  • 8. OK, theres a lot there, of course, and were not going to touch on all of it, but lets look at what happened first.
  • 9. The disciples saw Jesus in person and were joyful. Merely hearing the suggestion that He was alive wasnt the same.
  • 10. Much has been made that women were not considered reliable witnesses in that day, but think about it
  • 11. If someone told you that something unbelievable had happened, without seeing it yourself, you might not believe it.
  • 12. Thats the origin of the meaning of the term unbelievable, by the way.
  • 13. When they saw Jesus, though, they believed and were overjoyed. Then it says Jesus gave them the Holy Spirit.
  • 14. How we reconcile this with the Luke-Acts account, I dont know, but Im not worried about it, so lets not fuss over it.
  • 15. The point is that Jesus told the disciples there that they were taking over for Him in the world, and gave them authority.
  • 16. There are churches that say the authority passes down to people in the present day, and churches that say it doesnt.
  • 17. We dont really take a hard and fast stand on that, because of various reasons.
  • 18. Who really would claim apostolic authority like someone who had actually walked with Jesus? Only whackos would do that.
  • 19. At the same time, it is the Holy Spirit working in us who was working in them, and the church needs that today just like then.
  • 20. What Jesus gave them authority over specifically was forgiveness of sins, which is needed today, right? So.
  • 21. Does Jesus give you and me the authority for that just like He did with the disciples then?
  • 22. Its not just power, either. When Jesus gives you the authority to forgive or not to forgive, what comes to mind to you?
  • 23. Do you think of revenge on people you dont like, or do you think about what it means to them if you withhold forgiveness?
  • 24. Did Jesus assign the responsibility over forgiveness to the sinners themselves, or to Jesus own followers?
  • 25. Does that give you a sense of responsibility on you to get forgiveness to the people who need it?
  • 26. Howard Macy, who teaches Old Testament at George Fox University, spoke at Western Yearly Meeting years ago
  • 27. He talked about this and had everyone say to one another, In the name of Jesus, I forgive you. It was neat, if a bit strange.
  • 28. Its important for people to hear, from a psycho- logical point of view, but forgiveness isnt just psychology, is it?
  • 29. People need to hear that God and others forgive them, but they also need to know that forgiveness inside to be rid of sin.
  • 30. Sin is not behavior. You dont sin once here and then sin once there. Sin is in you keeping you from friendship with God.
  • 31. Sin is the separation between you and God, and forgiveness is the wiping away of that separation.
  • 32. Forgiveness is like going from people who arent even looking at each other
  • 35. 2 Corinthians 5: 19-20 God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting mens sins against them.
  • 36. 2 Corinthians 5: 19-20 and he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christs ambassadors
  • 37. 2 Corinthians 5: 19-20 as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christs behalf: Be reconciled to God.
  • 38. That is the key thing there. How can we bring forgiveness and reconciliation, unless we have it?
  • 39. Also, if we arent bringing forgiveness and reconciliation to others, what does that say about whether we have it?
  • 40. This may be one of those things like faith without works is dead.
  • 41. Can people who have been reconciled with God and accepted His forgiveness not be bringing that to others around them?
  • 42. We need to be reaching out to others with the message of the Gospel, but
  • 43. we also need to be digging deeper into our life with Jesus Christ ourselves to have more to offer others, dont we?
  • 44. That evening when Jesus first appeared to the disciples in the upper room, Thomas wasnt there.
  • 45. Thomas was doubtful when the others told him that Jesus came in among them. He wasnt there to see it.
  • 46. There were 10 men hed lived with for a while who gave him the news, but that wasnt enough for him to believe.
  • 47. The next week Jesus appeared to him too, and he did believe when he saw Jesus.
  • 49. John 20: 29 Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.
  • 50. Sometimes people take this to be a criticism of Thomas, that it took seeing for him to believe.
  • 51. Really, though, Jesus is just talking about the billions of people who have believed in Him without being there then.
  • 52. There were 10 men and Mary Magdalene so far weve seen witness Jesus resurrection.
  • 53. There were hundreds who saw Him during the 40 days He remained on the Earth, but compare a few hundred to a few billion.
  • 54. 500 2,000,000,000 Which group saw Jesus in the flesh, and which needs to hear testimony?
  • 55. What kind of testimony is going to do it for people, followers of Jesus who are intimate with Him and
  • 56. feel reconciled with God deep in their hearts and know they are forgiven of all their sins? or
  • 57. people who know what theyre supposed to think and say, or know how to refer someone to the pastor to tell them?
  • 58. Im here for you, and if you find yourself talking to someone who has questions you cant answer, call me.
  • 59. but dont you want to be able to speak to someone with the knowledge and conviction yourself?
  • 60. Which way will people be better convinced, by a preacher they dont know or by the trusted friend who really believes?
  • 61. The last line of this passage, and some think it was the end of the original version of this Gospel, too, says:
  • 62. John 20: 31 these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
  • 63. That might be how the first draft of the Gospel of John ended, and it sums it all up, doesnt it?
  • 64. We believe that the Bible has authority over us, that we are to obey what it says.
  • 65. Thats whats behind this statement, that the Bible tells us that Jesus arose from the dead, and we have salvation through Him
  • 66. but what authority does the Bible have over the minds of the people we want to reach out to?
  • 67. what authority does it have with them beyond the relationship we have with them?
  • 68. You and I form links in a chain reaching all the way back to that day, connect- ing the event in the Bible to people today.
  • 69. Does your life witness to the resurrection of Jesus Christ, or do you need to seek that forgiveness and reconciliation?
  • 70. 2 Corinthians 5: 19-20 We implore you on Christs behalf: Be reconciled to God.
  • 71. Whos we there? Who among you is we, imploring others to be reconciled to God?
  • 72. This isnt the same question at all as, who needs to ask for forgiveness? but I think its just as important.
  • 73. Im not going to ask you to stand or come up to the railing. How do you need to show that you are Christs ambassador?
  • 74. There are things you can do here to show that, but dont you think its more what you do outside these walls that does it?
  • 75. What are you going to do to be Christs ambassador outside these walls?
  • 76. Point them to me the pastor? or lead them to Christ yourself through your relationship with them and with Him?
  • 77. Either can work, but which will work better? Which would work best that you may believe if it was you needing Christ?
  • 78. What do you need to do to be that ambassador of Christ? Do you still need reconciliation with Him? Will you seek it from Him?