The Pros and Cons of Believing Jesus

Introduction

Today’s messages is all about the pros and cons of believing in Jesus Christ.

Here is what God wants us to know and understand from today’s text. There are many challenges when it comes to putting faith in Christ. However, there is also great blessings for those who choose to accept Christ and His Word. We see this in exemplified in this account. Let’s begin by noting...

The Challenges of Believing Jesus

John 4:43–45 KJV 1900

43 Now after two days he departed thence, and went into Galilee. 44 For Jesus himself testified, that a prophet hath no honour in his own country. 45 Then when he was come into Galilee, the Galilaeans received him, having seen all the things that he did at Jerusalem at the feast: for they also went unto the feast.

If you recall, the Samaritan pleaded with Christ to spend two days with them. I am sure that they desired that He stay longer. However, as Christ so noted, He came to offer Himself to the Jews first and then the Gentiles. Thus, He was driven to return to His people, Israel, and to resume His ministry among them. Yet, how remarkable it is to see Christ loving both Jew and Gentile throughout His entire ministry.

As returns to Galilee, the welcome is not so great.

John 4:44 KJV 1900

44 For Jesus himself testified, that a prophet hath no honour in his own country.

To full understand this statement, we must turn our attention to the parallel account recorded in Luke 4. However, let me provide you some background. Christ came back to Nazareth. As you might recall, Nazareth is the village in which Christ grew up as a boy. He was born in Bethlehem. After His birth, Joseph and Mary were forced to flee into Egypt due to Herod’s rage. Then, later, they returned to Israel and settled in Nazareth. Now, as Christ begins His earthly ministry, He comes back to Nazareth. He visits the synagogue where He stands and reads Isaiah 60. As you might realize, anytime Christ read Scripture, the Word speaking the Word, it was with great power. Those in His hometown felt that power and were amazed causing them to say...

Luke 4:22 KJV 1900

22 And all bare him witness, and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth. And they said, Is not this Joseph’s son?

It is then that Jesus makes the statement that is also recorded here in John 4.

Luke 4:23–24 KJV 1900

23 And he said unto them, Ye will surely say unto me this proverb, Physician, heal thyself: whatsoever we have heard done in Capernaum, do also here in thy country. 24 And he said, Verily I say unto you, No prophet is accepted in his own country.

Again, the reaction of those in His home village reflects many even today. Note what happens in Luke 4 once again.

Luke 4:28–29 KJV 1900

28 And all they in the synagogue, when they heard these things, were filled with wrath, 29 And rose up, and thrust him out of the city, and led him unto the brow of the hill whereon their city was built, that they might cast him down headlong.

Their reaction was no different than many others in Israel. Indeed, a prophet is without honor in his own country. No truer words have ever been spoken. Yet, their reaction proves one thing. There are many who when confronted with the truth of Christ and the glorious gospel reject it out right. They refuse to believe.

In Christ’s parable of the sower, the seed, representing the Word of God, fell by the way side and was quickly snatched away. As Christ gave the explanation He noted that...

Matthew 13:19 KJV 1900

19 When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side.

Is this not indicative of many today? Currently, we are doing a study of angels on Wednesday evening. Whenever you do such a study it involves consideration of the one very infamous angel. His original name was Lucifer. Today, many people know him as Satan. As Christ explained, whenever we are busy sowing the seed of God’s Word (aka being a witness for Him), the seed falls on all kinds of ground. Unfortunately, much of it falls by the wayside. As soon as it does, Satan, the wicked one, swoops in and snatches it away.

We see this so much in this world today. Everything in society from our education system to our entertainment is tainted with Satan’s influence. He has successfully infiltrated every segment of American society to the point that many people openly claim to be agnostic and even atheist. We just celebrated our Independence. The America of 1776 and the America of 2024 is drastically different. In 1776, the majority of American’s loved God’s Word, celebrated Christ, and were determined to live for Him. Now, there is only a small minority of Americans that attend church on Sundays. Many could care less. Why is that? It is because many people today are just like the Israelis in the day of Christ. They do not believe. Their hearts are hard. Yes, they saw the same miracles performed by Christ as everyone did. Yes, they heard the Word preach and speak the Word with power. Yet, the miracles and words of Christ fell by the wayside. That does not mean His efforts were in vain. That is not the understanding. Instead, it was just strong indictment of man’s true heart. It is one of the many challenge of believing in Christ.

There is also a second challenge illustrated in our text.

John 4:45 KJV 1900

45 Then when he was come into Galilee, the Galilaeans received him, having seen all the things that he did at Jerusalem at the feast: for they also went unto the feast.

Consider again this thought. There were those who outright rejected Christ and even wanted to put Him to death. There is no doubt such people were driven by Satan and were under his control. Only Satan would have wanted Christ’s death. However, this next group is equally disturbing.

Note that some of the Galileans “received him.” In other words, they welcome Him. They embraced Him. However, it must also be noted that they “recieved him, having seen all the things that He did at Jerusalem at the feast.”

We see not the fickleness of people. Remember these people, the people of Galilee, were already familiar with Jesus. They were not like the Samaritans who had no idea who He was until He sat with the woman at the well. No, these people lived alongside of Joseph, Mary, and Jesus. Many of them witnessed Him grow up into a man. Yet, for some twenty odd years, they lived blinded to the fact that God’s Son was living among them. Now, I understand that Christ did not fully reveal Himself until His earthly ministry was ready to commence. I also understand all these things were determined by God the Father. However, we must also understand that even as a child, Christ exemplified the perfect child. He was meek. He was obedient. He honored His earthly parents. And, even though He did not perform miracles as a child, He was filled with this amazing understanding of the law and prophets. Even the religious leaders in the Temple were flabbergasted by His knowledge and ability to communicate God’s Word. Consequently, if any of these people possessed an ounce of spiritual discernment, they would have recognized the Messiah even as a child. There were several that did. Yet, they did not. Now, here is Christ, one of their own, doing some amazing things. He turns water into wine. He heals those who are lame, blind, and sickly. All of sudden, these Galileans are welcoming Him.

Why now? What changed? Remember a prophet is without honor in his own country until that prophet becomes famous. Then, all of sudden, everyone claims the prophet. These people were not believing because they genuinely accept Christ as the Messiah. No, these people were believing Christ simply because of what they were getting it out of it for their own personal gain.

Think about it.

At first, they rejected Christ and even determined to kill him. Christ then begins to perform miracles and suddenly He is the most famous person across the entire nation. Now, these Galileans are enjoying the benefits. Their loved ones are being healed. Galilee now becomes a hotspot as multitudes flock to that region to see and hear Christ. Money is flowing in. Everyone is benefitting. Now, fast forward, Christ is on trial before the Sanhedrin. He is condemned to die on a cruel cross. What are the crowds now saying? Crucify Him! Where are all those that “received Him” now? They are no longer around. Instead, their fickle nature of what can you do for me now has changed once again because their is no benefit for them.

Unfortunately, we see this same attitude today. I cannot begin to tell you the number of people I have known over my life time that reflect this same attitude. I have witnessed in this community as well as the other side of the world those who claim to have “received him.” For a while they enjoyed the “benefits” of Christ only to abandon Him whenever it was no longer convenient for them. They accepted Him and then traded Him for houses, land, entertainment, and whatever made them feel good.

Again, I turn to the parable of the sower. Christ noted this same attitude in that parable. He said...

Matthew 13:20–21 KJV 1900

20 But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it; 21 Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.

Such people become a great disservice to the cause of Christ. They talk about how much the love the Lord. Yet, when the going gets tough, they, without hesitation, abandon their faith and return to living as if Christ never existed. This is the person who says they attend church and, perhaps they do, but then the rest of week the act like world, talk like the world, and show no signs of a true believer. They do a great disservice for they then become the poster child of what others think Christianity is all about. They are the ones that many say whenever we witness to them if that is a Christian then I am okay. For, in their minds, their so-called “Christian” friend talks and acts just like them so they must be a Christian as well. Such “believers” only serve Christ whenever it is convenient. I have come to the same conclusion that Christ did which is they “have no root.” In other words, it is quite possible they never did genuinely believe. They only believe so they could get what they wanted out of it. They believed thinking that they could have all that Christ offered and still enjoy the things that satisfy the flesh.

May I say to you this morning that you cannot serve Christ and mammon (wealth). In fact, Christ Himself taught this very thing.

Matthew 6:24 KJV 1900

24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

Now, let’s bring this full circle.

Christ noted that we, as believers, must be busy sowing and watering the seed. We are to spread the message of His death, burial, and resurrection far and wide. We are to sow and as we do it will fall on kinds of ground.

Some will fall by the wayside. There are many who will outright reject Christ. Satan will ensure it happens. Some seed will fall on stony ground. Some people will believe only for what they think they are going to get out of it. However, when the trials and tribulations come, their lack of genuine belief will be revealed. They will abandon the faith and walk away.

Does this mean we stop sowing knowing that many will reject and many will abandon Him? No, for the promise is...

Matthew 13:23 KJV 1900

23 But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.

Yes, there are challenges, but there is also...

The Blessings of Believing Jesus

The rest of this account in today’s text is all about the blessings. Christ comes to Galilee. He notes that a prophet is without honor in his own country. The Holy Spirit gives us this picture of many Galileans “receiving him, having seen all the things that he did.” And, then, on cue, enters a nobleman whose son is deathly sick. As noted, this nobleman hears that Jesus is in Galilee and hurries to meet Him.

John 4:47 KJV 1900

47 When he heard that Jesus was come out of Judaea into Galilee, he went unto him, and besought him that he would come down, and heal his son: for he was at the point of death.

Jesus responds with an interesting statement.

John 4:48 KJV 1900

48 Then said Jesus unto him, Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will not believe.

Personally, I believe Christ said this for the benefit of all who were there and not just the nobleman. Far too many people want visible evidence before they will believe. That is not what God expects of us. He wants us to have faith.

Hebrews 11:1 KJV 1900

1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

The danger of signs and miracles is that our belief becomes dependent upon the act and the One performing the act. Thus, when there are not signs and miracles, we abandon Christ simply because Christ is not doing what we expected Him to do. True faith sees the God of the miracles long before there are any signs or miracles.

Christ’s response was a challenge. Essentially, Christ was seeking to reveal the true heart of the nobleman. Was this nobleman seeking Christ simply because of the signs and miracles? Or, was this nobleman willing to genuinely put his faith in Christ as the Messiah, as God? Was the noblemen different than the multitudes around him who were following Christ for their gain and profit and not because they truly believed?

John 4:49–50 KJV 1900

49 The nobleman saith unto him, Sir, come down ere my child die. 50 Jesus saith unto him, Go thy way; thy son liveth. And the man believed the word that Jesus had spoken unto him, and he went his way.

Now came the true test. Christ says to the nobleman, “Go thy way; thy son liveth.” The nobleman reacted by believing “the word that Jesus had spoken unto him, and he went his way.” Remember this. The nobleman’s son was far away at home. This man was not there to see or know if his son was truly healed. And, also note that the nobleman did not respond with any objections, reasonings, or additional response. He simply “believed” and then acted upon that believe. He turn around and started back home. There were no signs. Nothing happened and, to be honest, of all Christ’s miracles, this was one of the most anticlimactic of them all. I have to wonder what the reaction was the all those standing around at that moment.

This father, this nobleman, did only one thing. He believed. In doing so, he becomes a great example of Romans 10:17

Romans 10:17 KJV 1900

17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

He, the father of this sick child, heard the Word speak the Word and faith came. He did not raise any objections. He asked no questions. He with complete confidence in what Christ spoke, believed, and went his way.

This, my friend, is the way of salvation. For all the things said and preached about salvation, it all comes down to this simple truth. Any person who takes God at His word is the person who receives the blessings of salvation. All God requires is that acknowledge your position before Him, repent of your sinful state, and accept by faith that He died and rose again for you. It does not require anything more. That is all. Yes, it seems simple. In fact, it seems so simple that many refuse to do it thinking they must do more. However, all God asks is that you do the same as this nobleman. Hear God’s Word, believe, and then take action. The action taken by the nobleman was he turned around and began the long journey home. However, unlike the journey to see Christ which was filled with worry and fear, the journey home was filled with hope, belief, and faith that his son was healed. In fact, I want you to see something interesting hidden in this story.

John 4:51–52 KJV 1900

51 And as he was now going down, his servants met him, and told him, saying, Thy son liveth. 52 Then inquired he of them the hour when he began to amend. And they said unto him, Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him.

Here is what is hidden. He asked them what hour his son was healed. They responded, “YESTERDAY at the seventh hour the fever left him.” Please note the word “yesterday.” What many people do not realize is that it only takes four hours walking to reach Cana from Capernaum. The seventh hour is one hour past noon. This nobleman who hurried in haste to find Jesus and was so desperate to see his son healed is now taking his lesiurly time to return home. He stopped and got some dinner. He then spent the night getting some rest. He woke up the next morning and ate a good breakfast. He then started his walk taking the road to home. As he does, his servants finally catch up with him. Perhaps, when they do they find him singing, “God is so good, God is so good, He is so good to me!” It is quite possible that someone, before the servants arrived, might have asked him, “How he knew his son was now well?” His reply might be, “Because I have the word of Christ-what more do I need?”

Here is my point.

There is great blessing when a person puts their faith in Christ.

Romans 15:13 KJV 1900

13 Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.

Believing Jesus brings joy and peace that beyond compare. Believing Jesus drives out worry, fear, and tension. In its place comes...

Philippians 4:7 KJV 1900

7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

1 Peter 1:8 KJV 1900

8 Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:

Yes, there are challenges when it comes to believing Jesus. However, let me say that the blessings of believing far outweigh the challenges.

Look again at our story and see the many blessings.

John 4:53–54 KJV 1900

53 So the father knew that it was at the same hour, in the which Jesus said unto him, Thy son liveth: and himself believed, and his whole house. 54 This is again the second miracle that Jesus did, when he was come out of Judaea into Galilee.

Conclusion