Choose to Believe

You familiar with the saying don't bury your head in the sand. It is been around how even just sitting back there. I thinking shoot I could have had a picture of an ostrich with its head stuck in the sand, you know, give you that visual image TVs. Don't turn a blind eye to truth. Don't turn a blind eye to truth and so don't live in denial. I don't live in denial and don't close one's eyes to the truth. Man, I hate to be that person that does that. There is moral absolute truth or solid Biblical truth and evidence for that the last part of John 11, we find a picture of how some people turned a blind eye to truth and turned a blind eye to the truth in that Jesus had the power to do something but yet they didn't believe they sat there and they saw Lazarus being raised from the dead. And they left that seen that scenario that miracle that one of many many many many miracles. The John recorded his gospel. He paints a picture and you got to remember some of the setting the backdrop is this is we're coming to the end chapters 13, 14 15 16. He's going to come and he's going to die. At least up to that until all leading up to that. We've been seen and evidence given to us by the Gospel of John about the evidence of who Jesus is but yet Jesus had this power to raise Lazarus from the dead. And in this case the religiously issue bury their head in the sand.

They bury their head in the sand that's amazing and the first part of John 11, Mary and Martha calls for Jesus to come to remember and in the brother. The brother was deathly ill Jesus was a very close friend of the family's and and was on his deathbed that the Citrus I hate when he's he's just a special blessing here in our lives and Sylvester has died and then they bury them. Jesus didn't make it. Miraculously, Jesus calls Lazarus out of the to lose 4 days later that this took place given even more so Credence to Evans to his authority and his power and his deity. The resurrection from the dead Jesus has the power over death and life. And so they're concerned. I believe that our Lord and savior has for not only for us but they had spoken about us those people that don't know him that our loss is their spiritual life are they spiritually dead are they spiritually alive? And we know people that are spiritually dead a man we know. This of course has a significant meaning. It proves that Jesus was the Messiah. So we saw that we have packed that together the Son of God the living living on Earth. Jesus has the power over life and death and defeat this. This curse that came and makes me go back to Genesis where it enters in in the garden and a Disobedience and then all sudden, you know, they're going to have to toil in the death is going to come up on that kind because of this in this I'll be dance. It seems how you see how the scripture just build upon itself at this point. Jesus was it was in his final years of ministry as I stated? He had healed a blind. I had healed here perform many other miracles. a multitude of them at first the religious leaders opposed and opposed and opposed we can have seen that as we unpack the scriptures. Because they were not cuz this they just didn't proof and more proof and more proof. They're giving it they're giving it time and time again over and over again that he was a promise coming Messiah. I love her scriptures for scripture Isaiah 53:3 speaks to this on down and Isaiah 6 at talks about the Messiah. It talks about Jesus being rejected really. But this is going to happen. He's going to come in to be born of a virgin born as a child and then he's going to be rejected by mankind. However, now at the end of this ministry here John record some things the religious leaders opposed him because they couldn't wrap their brains or Hearts were hardened. Imma, go with that one. I think their hearts were really Harden. They are convinced that he is the Messiah some of them the scripture speaks to that some of these Pharisees believe and they took place and they accepted him their anticipation. Some of them however the problem they have with Jesus first in more than just accepting and receiving there's a group that didn't want to do that their concern about some other things in this is what we receive we're going to pack this morning hour. He was a threat what kind of threat was he kind of like when we watch our political stuff go on right there a threat to each other. How are they a threat, but they're a threat. So these religious leaders were worried about their position in their influence who isn't worried about their position in their influence. What what party does not interested in and their influence their their position and what comes from that? The Roman government might come in and destroy us that's this first century thinking this was going on the Roman government of the oppression and they're worried about these things. So some of them had something had to be done about this has really seen Jesus walk amongst them perform these miracles. What will they do with Jesus? Better yet, what would you do with Jesus? That's a good question to ask yourself this morning. What am I doing with Jesus? What is worth says and how does it impact my life?

Father we ask a blessing on your way this morning as we go to John chapter 11 to look at these verses and 45 to on down to 57. May your spirit guide is speaking and move them teaches a new a fresh remind. Is it some truth and courage our hearts challenge our hearts convict our hearts. We pray these things in your son's name. Amen.

John chapter 11 through would be to copy of the word of God and and follow along verse 45 on down many of the Jews there for that come with Mary and had seen what he did believe him. But some of them went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done. So the chief priests in the Pharisees got at the council said what are we to do for this band performs many signs if we if we let him go on like this everyone will believe in him and the Romans will come and take away and I would highlight this our place and our nation. But one of them cephas it was a high priest that you are said to them, you know nothing at all. Nor do you understand that this is better for you. That one man should die for the people obviously they've been talking about it before not that the whole relationship Parish, you know, I say this for his own accord, but being a high priest a year, he prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation and not for the nation only but also to gather into one the children of God who are scattered abroad so from that day on and they plan to put him to death Jesus. Therefore said Jesus therefore no longer walk openly among the Jews but went from there to region near the Wilderness to a town called Ephraim. Very stay with the disciples and the Passover the Jews was a hand and then he went up from the country to do something before the Passover to purify themselves. There are looking for Jesus and saying to one another as they stood in the temple. What do you think? That it will not come to the Feast at all. Now the chief Priests of the Pharisees had given orders that if anyone knew where he was he should let them know so that they might arrest. The question that were wanting to Grapple with with you together is what do we learn from? The story this event that took place? Who witnessed the resurrection of lasses? What can we walk away with that? Well, just a little Sino John included these verses to show us why and how people believe in Jesus Christ. I believe firmly that he wants us to see how lie and there's different types of belief really. We fall under the ladder. You'll see that here this morning. There are two different reactions to Lazarus resurrection. And that's pretty clear in the pages of scripture hear the first group of people at the resurrection believe in Jesus Christ. They receive eternal life. They had a new life in Christ. And that's reassuring it. It says this a 45 on down many of the Jews there for good come with Mary and haven't had seen what he did believe. You are the Messiah you are who you say you are but some of them went to the Pharisees and told them that she's just had what Jesus had done. Well, we don't have a clear picture as to whether they believe it or not, but they told the Pharisees of religious leaders was going on.

When a dead man came walking out of the Grave alive and still in burial wrappings is undeniable proof that Jesus has authority over death that he is the Son of God. He is who he says he is.

However, what is crazy that in the same verse basically a 46 it says only some believed with a lot going on there right now. Obviously, there's an openness and heart that's opening God calling those unto himself and there was that other half heart hearts and closed hearts. It means that the others in the crowd did not believe they went to tell the religious leaders. I believe some of them wear them. Maybe not all of them but a good chunk of them. Those who believe realize that this wasn't an impressive work who God. And this wasn't the first time that Jesus raised he did it to other times. Yet question some of the facts about him maybe. They're going through your mind and their hearts how they had seen this miracle for themselves. Now that they seen this miracle. It's kind of hard to deny it, right.

They put their trust in Jesus and said that he was a Son of God that he is who he says he is they surrendered their heart their life to him. And the sad thing is as you and I know people and have had those conversations. Where we know that there is a heart that is harder than theirs unbelief. They want you to prove it explain this and give an answer for that.

This is not the best illustration but a year ago we went to Kentucky and Noah's Ark. we saw the replication of Noah's Ark and when you see it up close and personal and you walked through it and you look at all the details in reality of it is the whole it's a whole different level you can I get to experience something. Can they do a great job cuz they have these little walk around areas and they impact you know, the Ice Age and this thing is that they have pack a lot so you can't do it in one day really you need to get up multiple pass ticket and then go to the Institute as well. But here's the point the reality of Jesus dad was a whole different love with those in the crowd that day. I mean, they are experiencing something that was just incredible. They're seeing it firsthand. We're hearing about it. We're reading about it. We're studying this. But they're seeing it firsthand when Lazarus can walking out of that grave is unquestionable that Jesus was God in human form. And so is it something that they had to wrestle with? The version of stated that everyone who saw this believed but it doesn't say that they received and accepted in and they believe and they were all in but it doesn't say that. We see the true hardness of someone's heart. That we see the true deception of the enemy and the weakness of the flash. We see it some that day turned a blind eye to the truth. Play Just Like Fire.

I believe that there's a takeaway for us at the more these people saw Jesus the more reason they had to believe who you was so you can't just take this Story of Lazarus and and just separate from everything else in scripture this I can't you've done so many other things along the way walking on wire raising people from the dead healing people here helping the blind to see feeding them. It is so many other other things at that car around, you know, what these festivals happened stories were told what happens when you go and hang out with you while you tell your story right now, I just experienced it so hard about this week, right? But anyways in the more people saw Jesus the more reason they had to believe who you was and so so the more reason to have a love for him. You know the more you and I taken read God's word and we ask the holy spirit to guide us lead us direct us as we unpack these truths with the pages of scripture. The more he gives me a reason to be excited about who he is and I love him even more until he comes I wake up and I this morning one of these I woke up with it. Look, okay. You gave me the other day the preacher word. Go before me got to be your words. Not mine. The Lord there's someone that needs to hear this truth. Maybe it's me Lord. I don't know teach me show me this day. I love you. Thank you for giving this day off as he cares because somebody doesn't know him and he wants someone to come to him cuz he has to come get him an right pretty easily. The movies and we had to love him to confide in him to know him to walk with him the more reason. So every time you wake up, hopefully you're feeling like the new day and guys going to reason and now I got to live for him and you go to his word and you read about him in and you pray over it and you meditate on it. If the decision to place your trust is a you start the place Jesus had a great position like he's on the throne and life is not about me. I think myself off the throne is about who God is and what he desires all that I have all that I am is his something that's hard to live in it really is. I watch time and time again struggles go on. I watch it in my own heart's a x don't like what I see. Your heart transform 20 to truth about him is important. One of our big fights is Romans 12:1 and Tuesday being there for transformed by the renewing of his heart one will and desires. It needs to be renewed.

I need it today just like you one or two states this court. Will you be truly a follower of Jesus means that your priorities shift? This is a common little statement. But first you focus on Jesus on God basically second you focus on others are your family. That's what's important. Right? I mean my focus is truly on family. I pray for my grandkids. quite often pray for my children are raising those grandkids. That's the others. Third you focus on yourself that you draw near to him and walking clothes with a guy another promise found in John 20:29 estates. This Jesus said to have you believed have you believed because you seen me.

Let that sink and have you believe cuz you see me, obviously, this is first century language. He's talking with the people there. He's talking with their religious leaders. He's talking with close friends his disciples. Do you believe do you believe because you see me? What does that mean? I could meet a lot of things head that you seen what I've done. That I really am who I say I am. It goes on to say blessed. Are those who have not seen yet believe. What's exciting about that part of the verse really are that thought that concept even Jesus was making a statement about you and me. He was strongly making a statement there. Who believed in and have never seen his miracles? I haven't seen his miracles in the first three Miracles it on I'm talking about the first century was going on as he lived amongst them.

I read about it. Yeah, God dusting supernaturally around me today. I'm talking about then and end with Jesus they're in their presents. Said you were blessed because of it. That's a good take away right? I'm blessed cuz I'm sitting here and I'm believing these truce. But I'm preaching about and hopefully you are to even greater Faith to trust him without seeing him. Yeah.

The next thing we see about this witness at Lazarus Resurrection is this the second group of people did not believe in Jesus Christ. They would not accept the truth of Jesus deity. I'm so their hearts were hardened to the truth. And that's not a good place that they remain a stubborn in their Rebellion. I haven't and I don't have enough evidence to you know, I was liking to you really need to have it is his faith is Grace is Faith how you got your not going to see it for say although you can if you really look in your heart open. The Rebellion turn to a devastating stem and it noticed John 11:46, but some of them referring to those who did not believe it is when do the Pharisees and told them I told them what Jesus had done to the chief priests in the Pharisees gather. The council said, what are we to do for this map reports of many signs if we let him go on like this everyone will believe in him and the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation so they were concerned about some things. And it's safe to say that they weren't concerned about the right things, right? So here's what's interesting. You have two different groups of religious leaders. And I'm having to come to terms with something that's understand these two groups for a moment. Okay, you get the Pharisees they believed in Miracles. They believe in the resurrection. They believe in life after death. They believe the spirits and demons they believed in all of the Old Testament in the authority that a Holt. Please Pharisees believe these things. It's attributed to them. It's document historically. Secondly, you have the chief priests who belong to the sanhedrin's. That's a whole different group of people. They may have come up as a Pharisee, but they became this. Track that said he'd resent and they they believe these they are religious liberals if you will. We have those today don't we a lot of liberals? And they are religious once and that's not a good thing. They weren't really religious. They are kind of going through the motions and and they were more political. They had the wrong age in De so they want to appease wrong. Pretty prairie scripture so they could remain in their wealthy positions their power The Prestige the the the things that come with that position. These were the Sanhedrin so they didn't believe in the resurrection. They didn't believe in the Supernatural World. They didn't believe in a life after death and they didn't believe in the inerrancy of the Bible. So so they were more of a bauble figurehead.

The two different groups of l i e religious I say that loosely.

And the fact they hated each other and the interesting thing is that they're coming together. They gather together. They called a meeting.

And they agreed on how they how much they disagree. Yeah, but they don't know how much they hated Jesus when he was doing because it impacted who they were better yet their position. They're their wealth that they got their livelihood if you will nobody likes their livelihood threatened, right? I'm so they agreed on how much they hated Jesus and and what to do with him next. They had two serious problems with Jesus first. They are now convinced that Jesus is the Messiah cuz these Miracle says some of them not really knew the scriptures their hearts were so hard and they believe and they received. They needed Jesus have Supernatural power. They knew Jesus Works were phenomenal. And they were from God not from the devil, even though some of them accused of the other. He was from the Devil. They do his miracles pointed to something significant. Is one day Reign and rule in his conquering of death? But they bury their head in the sand.

That's why you said it was chasing you and me get your head buried in the sand. They turned a blind eye. If you will. They are terrified to face the truth of who Jesus was and really there's nothing to be fearful of a just a great peace and joy when one receives Jesus, And so here's the crazy part of their Highly Educated man in scriptures. I'm not surprised that why I thought I told you about Noah's Ark I watched Ken Ham debated other guy at 80s guy and they were walking through the ark and they're having this conversation. I don't know if you guys see that clip. I couldn't think of the guy's name, but the conversation was going on. This guy was trying to disprove everything that he had put into this that proved God's creation and how it works in and the guy just did his heart was hardened. And so it was sad. These religious people memorize scripture. They do God what scent would send one day a messiah. They knew this to be true that's in this world and that he was going to be one of the baby this that would be raised up and grow up and die for mankind for their sins. They do that God's promise was unfolding before their very eyes. They're make a choice. They had to make a choice. So many times were faced with having to make choices and let's choices aren't always easy choices. Can I tell you one thing as a young man? I made a choice and I'm glad I made that choice.

They knew God's promises were unfolding still that choice had to be made in either. They would break down their walls of a hard heart take the blinders off if you will. What's going on? And every penny of that Jesus for who he says he was. The one that redeems has ever propitiation that forgiveness to the washing the cleansing and they would accept this two are they would remain in their stubbornness? hard hard the blenders on the head in the sand there do one of those things the result was that they chose to reveal that group chose to reveal that religious group a l

The second problem they had was Jesus was really this they fear the loss of influence. And we already talked about security, you know, well that was security the income that they would get from their roles that they played. Jesus actions would now affect their lifestyle and people are afraid of that honesty. I can't go do my thing you young people one of the hardest things for Young's piece of person decided a very young age on into their teenage and adult years is to be a student of a faithful follower of Jesus Christ. It's hard. It's extremely hard and when you live life a little bit you're looking back on things you're thinking now, it's not that hard. But when you're young ass hard, Cuz I got to give up what the world offers. I got to give up to you do I got to do some of these things that are in my mind black and white and make it they can't be greater than my life. So it's it's a tough thing. If everyone believed in Jesus, they would be sidelined in their their their their unbelief would take them not closer to Christ but away from Christ this problem needed to be eliminated. So here's a here's I believe a takeaway.

Will you decisions are not based on biblical standards? I love the clear biblical standards. We've been studying it with the young people who discovered it Wednesday night of the Ten Commandments. This is a good biblical standards. And I one of the students while he's not here. He's over it until it starts right now, but he said it. Well, it goes the first for about this and he did that. I think I knew someone taught you well good job dad and the other six are about this. So what this means is about God you shall have no other gods before me should I bow down and then you should not work with them for I am the Lord your God. I'm not jealous guy. I know it was about his honor your mom and dad and don't give me the murder and stealing and cutting it. And so, you know, that's a good good example to get standards.

I said they're based on your own comfort and convenience at times. You're in the same boat as the religious leaders and having to make a decision on a day-to-day basis so that the challenge may be encouraging his watch out. Be careful being on guard. Be aware. They're devastating consequences and I can't say it any plainer. It's either way. Her was not was. It's Eternal separation or turn tea with God is kind of that. Simple question to ask. Is this are you keeping God's truth at a distance? That makes sense, or do you try to avoid hearing it? And some people do that. They they avoid it because it might affect you and maybe the decisions that you're making. So this is a slippery slope of denial and we don't want to be on that slippery slope. So notice the religious leader is slippery slope of didn't have them fold. The one of them and this is Steve. Is that had dog at the time. He was a high priest that year said to them, you know, nothing at all or do you understand that is better for you. That one should die for the people not the whole nation should perish he did not say this of his own accord but being high priests that you are you prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation and not for the nation only but also together into one of the children of God who are scattered abroad. So from that day on in May plans to put him to death. So Steve is here as a high priest and a Jew presided over the spiritual counsel and he's so he's the head like that house of law. If you will just roll with similar to the the Speaker of the House in Congress. For him to attend a meeting of the sanhedrin's pretty significant here. It meant that something big need to be addressed. to see this was also corrupt leader is pretty clear on the decision and what he's pushing and what he pushes through out the pages of scripture. But when he heard the debate regarding Jesus, he was Cutthroat rude and really cold-hearted and this speak to his character Cutthroat rude and cold hearted. He was not a genuine man of God. And so this is important he was it was driven by self-centeredness. He's motiv8 motiv8 of the nation by fear in this world. So who cares what the world says it does. Give me the decision based upon the circumstances. So don't see what he says is better for you. That one man referring to Jesus prophesied ear and should die for the people not that the whole nation should perish. You're funny reading this isn't again. I wouldn't let it happen one way or the other because God is in control and his sovereign. Music Control you even this circumstances? Your Gods used an ungodly leader. Did yeah, if you give a clear prediction of Jesus substitutionary death, that's what he did with him. I tried Judas. What was Judas whole thing, you know denying Christ. Yeah, one of the 12 one of the closest what diseases do your hear about it later on. Jesus takes up a towel in a bowl. And who does the lowliest? Hello wash his feet. Wow. So here got uses this ungodly L and and Death on the cross and see if his didn't know that he was predicting Jesus death. He didn't realize what he's doing, but he was doing that very thing. He didn't know there was a big purpose here. And so so so as we unpack this God used him to remind the people and he reminds even us that the crucifixion of Jesus is set in motion here and it's for you and I this needed to be fulfilled. This is prophecy unpacked. Here's a point. The religious leaders. Wanted to kill an innocent man. Give me a really heavy, you know some of the stories we're going to get into him later on but, you know six different trials. Three by the Romans and three by the other religious leaders. Innocent man, cuz it it fit their agenda.

Man that they had to have a reason to justify it. So the end in the end. She first was very convincing and he compels the argument that Jesus must be put to death so that the whole nation may not suffer.

Inverse 54 said that Jesus avoided the religious leaders. It wasn't his time at that moment. Really? That's how you can read into that one. Right? There is that it wasn't quite as time. It's not it's not man's will be done. But God's Will and it's not man's timing, but it's his timing cuz it was not yet the time for his death.

The Book of John made it very clear some of the people believed in Jesus and others did not

I don't know where you're at. I just tell me your stories. The baby you're one of those that don't quite believe you had the first of all those who saw Jesus Americas believed who he said he was the truth was up close and personal and who wouldn't I mean are you looking through the Bible for those reasons to believe who Jesus is? Now that's a study in itself then.

Maybe some of that the resurrection of Lazarus did not believe the truth of Jesus terrify them. Maybe it would cramp their lifestyle. So they chose to run from him not to him.

They missed out on all the freedom that comes with that. All the freedom that they could have in him. That's the part that a lot of people just don't understand. That there's freedom in being in Christ. Jesus is our freedom and doing what is right. Maybe there's true that you have been resisting. That's really the point. Maybe there's some truth about who God says he is in the pages of scripture that you're pushing back in a little bit. Maybe you know that Christ is pursuing you and you just keep running from him you nor the inner voice though and that I would call you see the Holy Spirit. compelling 1

there's a point know that God's grace is extravagant. We stop running. He Embraces you with open arms.

Choosing choosing Romans 5:8 but God showed his love for us that while we were still sinners Christ died for us that spray. Father thank you for the truth of the pages of scripture. Thank you for this reminder from your word. Oh how powerful it is. Board of there's someone here that doesn't know you hasn't received you made your hearts be open to your spirit pour out into their lives. They have that piece that passes all understanding. Give me the faith to believe for those of you that I was going to walk with you you paste people are lies that we love dearly and we want to see them come to Faith give words of wisdom to those today bless them as they go forth in your name plus your service at pregnant says they mean in the standings. service