Do You Believe?

Do you believe when Persecutions Arise? vs 1-16 **8,16

The disciples witnessed the Jewish leaders threats to stone Jesus. (John 10:22-40 )

John 10:22–40 NASB 2020

22 At that time the Feast of the Dedication took place in Jerusalem; 23 it was winter, and Jesus was walking in the temple area, in the portico of Solomon. 24 The Jews then surrounded Him and began saying to Him, “How long will You keep us in suspense? If You are the Christ, tell us plainly.” 25 Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe; the works that I do in My Father’s name, these testify of Me. 26 But you do not believe, because you are not of My sheep. 27 My sheep listen to My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; 28 and I give them eternal life, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. 30 I and the Father are one.” 31 The Jews picked up stones again to stone Him. 32 Jesus replied to them, “I showed you many good works from the Father; for which of them are you stoning Me?” 33 The Jews answered Him, “We are not stoning You for a good work, but for blasphemy; and because You, being a man, make Yourself out to be God.” 34 Jesus answered them, “Has it not been written in your Law: ‘I said, you are gods’? 35 If he called them gods, to whom the word of God came (and the Scripture cannot be nullified), 36 are you saying of Him whom the Father sanctified and sent into the world, ‘You are blaspheming,’ because I said, ‘I am the Son of God’? 37 “If I do not do the works of My Father, do not believe Me; 38 but if I do them, even though you do not believe Me, believe the works, so that you may know and understand that the Father is in Me, and I in the Father.” 39 Therefore they were seeking again to arrest Him, and He eluded their grasp. 40 And He went away again beyond the Jordan to the place where John was first baptizing, and He stayed there.

Jesus was out of harms way because of being arrested too soon of HIS appointed journey to cavalry.

In HIS waiting he learned through a messenger Lazarus was ill through his sister

Jesus delayed returning for additional days until He was ready to return

Though spoken with sarcasm, this threat of blasphemy being judged and addressed included all who believed. This brings to mind that the other disciples shared this fear too.

Because they are associated with Jesus as a disciple my connection to HIM means my life is threaten. This remains true today!

Do you believe when we must be Proactive In The Faith when confronted (By Christ/About Christ)? vs 17-27 **25-27

Lord, If you had been here…This would not have happened.

Forgetting the person and nature of God because of our circumstance (vs 21) John 11:21

John 11:21 (NASB 2020)

21 Martha then said to Jesus, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.

Then the next to try to educate/correct God is counter-productive to the faith John 11:24

John 11:24–25 (NASB 2020)

24 Martha said to Him, “I know that he will rise in the resurrection on the last day.” 25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life; the one who believes in Me will live, even if he dies,

God has no problem with reintroducing HIMSELF to our weakened faith.

(Martha) Confession on His deity: An act of conversion/worship/relationship

Do you believe when Prolonged Delays in times of great distress? vs 28-40 **39

Regardless of how long it takes for God to respond, when HE responds GET UP!

She ran at HIS feet in a posture of worship (Pay ATTENTION)

Frustrated with God for not being there to prevent things from happening.

Like her sister Mary questioned God, but she postured herself differently. Sometimes your position changes they response from God.

The profound questions of Christ “Where have you laid him?”

The profound emotion of Jesus. He wept!

The profound question of removing the obstacles that are a faith blocker. “Remove the stone.”

Still complaining. (he smells by now As if that was some a deterrent)

Do you believe when The Power of God is Displayed in your presence? vs 41-44

Jesus prayed for God to respond when glory is needed to be lifted up.

Jesus demonstration of authority over death

Jesus gives a visual to his point and then commands loose him.

When God delivers us from the things that we see as final…do you believe he is able.

Do you believe when The Pressure of The Culture ?(Among religious/political views are more important than Christ) vs 45-46

Some people need to see God at work and believe in the person of Christ

Some people are spectators in the person of Jesus and prefer him not be around.

The cultural influence or political influence has more value to them than Jesus. Woke Culture, Spiritualism, Movements of every identity and etc.