Understanding Unbelief
The Gospel of John • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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· 1 viewThough the Light was in their midst, Israel did not and could not believe. Their unbelief was prophesied by Isaiah. They could not believe because their blindness and hard hearts were the Lord’s will. Jesus came to save, but many would reject Him. his spoken word would lead many to eternal life with the Father while condemning others.
Notes
Transcript
TITLE: Understanding Unbelief
TEXT: John 12.36-50, The Sovereignty of God in Belief and Unbelief
ILLUSTRATION: Phrases of a Wise Man (Robert Earl Beaman)
My grandfather was a brilliant and wise man. I have heard countless stories throughout my life of how truly smart he was. Primarily, these came from others who worked with Him or served with him at Highland Baptist Church in Huntsville. And on occasion, he would remind me himself just how smart he was.
As long as I knew him, he was a man of many different coined phrases. These phrases would reappear at the perfect time to perfectly describe what thought or how he felt in the moment. Of all the phrases, one has always stuck out beyond the rest.
When presented with a matter that he clearly disagreed with, he would gladly interject to ask “You don’t expect me to believe that, do you?”
Now what this really meant was this - I’m not buying it! You have laid our your position or opinion or belief, and I am not convinced.
I offer this illustration up to show a contrast of position for our text this morning. My grandfather’s skepticism was based on the evidence present, but today in our text the covenant people of God (Israel) had more evidence before them than they could have ever wanted… and yet they still did not believe.
LAST WEEK: John 12:20-36, His Hour Had Come
The nations begin to arrive in Jerusalem during Passover asking the disciples “Please bring us to Jesus.” Jesus responds by calling His followers to lay down their lives and die to themselves in order to find eternal life in His name.
Jesus was resolute to the mission given Him by the Father, and He prays:
27 “Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But for this purpose I have come to this hour. 28 Father, glorify your name.” Then a voice came from heaven: “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.”
The Son of Man would remain with the people for a little while longer, and thus He exhorts them to walk in the light while the light remains.
THIS WEEK: John 12.37-50, Understanding Unbelief
Following one of His final invitations to belief in His name and be saved, we enter into today’s text with some difficult questions to answer together based on the Word of God.
How does Jesus define unbelief?
Why did most of Israel remain in their unbelief?
Who is responsible for unbelief?
These are not easy questions for us this morning, but as we dive into the Word of God together this morning to answer these questions, I want to encourage us to let the Word shape your understanding of God.
16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
21 For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
My job and Joe’s job as your pastors is to reveal truth every time we are so blessed to instruct from the Word. That is my aim this morning, so if you have any questions regarding what we cover this morning, please direct all of your questions to Joe (LOL). Only kidding, we are here to love you and serve you in this manner, so reach out to us whenever.
MAIN IDEA:
We must trust in the sovereignty of God and let it lead us into greater proclamation of Jesus and His Gospel to one another, to our neighbors, and to the nations.
Prayer
36 While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light.”
When Jesus had said these things, he departed and hid himself from them. 37 Though he had done so many signs before them, they still did not believe in him, 38 so that the word spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled:
“Lord, who has believed what he heard from us,
and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?”
39 Therefore they could not believe. For again Isaiah said,
40 “He has blinded their eyes
and hardened their heart,
lest they see with their eyes,
and understand with their heart, and turn,
and I would heal them.”
41 Isaiah said these things because he saw his glory and spoke of him. 42 Nevertheless, many even of the authorities believed in him, but for fear of the Pharisees they did not confess it, so that they would not be put out of the synagogue; 43 for they loved the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God.
44 And Jesus cried out and said, “Whoever believes in me, believes not in me but in him who sent me. 45 And whoever sees me sees him who sent me. 46 I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness. 47 If anyone hears my words and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. 48 The one who rejects me and does not receive my words has a judge; the word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day. 49 For I have not spoken on my own authority, but the Father who sent me has himself given me a commandment—what to say and what to speak. 50 And I know that his commandment is eternal life. What I say, therefore, I say as the Father has told me.”
Trust the Lord’s Sovereignty (v.36b-41)
Trust the Lord’s Sovereignty (v.36b-41)
John 12:37–41 “37 Though he had done so many signs before them, they still did not believe in him, 38 so that the word spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: “Lord, who has believed what he heard from us, and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?” 39 Therefore they could not believe. For again Isaiah said, 40 “He has blinded their eyes and hardened their heart, lest they see with their eyes, and understand with their heart, and turn, and I would heal them.” 41 Isaiah said these things because he saw his glory and spoke of him.”
Our text this morning marks the conclusion of the largest portion of John’s Gospel. The apostle open’s His Gospel with the Incarnation of the Son of God (Jn 1.1-18). Next the Son is presented by John the Baptist, presented to John’s Disciples, and His presentation across Galilee, Judea, and Samaria (John 1.19-4.54)
Since John 5, we have been seeing together the people opposition to the Son of God. Our Lord has continuously revealed His glory in his works and words. Some believed, but the vast majority were skeptical at best and remaining in their unbelief.
John 12:36–37 (ESV)
When Jesus had said these things, he departed and hid himself from them. 37 Though he had done so many signs before them, they still did not believe in him,
Our Lord departs from the crowd at the triumphal entry, many who had flocked to His presence shouting “Hosanna!” and honoring Him as the King they wanted instead of the King they needed.
Jesus hides himself from the people. WHY? He leaves them because of their UNBELIEF.
In case you have not noticed, throughout the last year or so, Joe and I keep pointing us back to certain things we have already seen in John’s Gospel, specifically the miraculous works and and “I AM” statements. We keep leaning on these declarations by our Lord because they all have a central, clear purpose.
30 Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; 31 but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
The Peoples’ Unbelief
Why did the people, the covenant people of God, turn their noses up at the words and works of Christ? Was His healing and teaching not miraculous enough? Healing the sick, Renewing the strength of the lame, restoring the sight of the blind, raising the dead… claiming to be One with the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob… these things were common place, right?
NO! Then what gives?
Israel was not lacking information. They were well versed in person (Jesus of Nazareth) and the things he had been doing and teaching at this time. Thus… we cannot attribute their persistent unbelief to lack of knowledge.
What is unbelief?
Expositor’s Bible Commentary - “obstinate refusal”
Exalting Jesus in John (CCE) - “Unbelief is the conscious rejection of God and His Word….it is not due to intellectual deficiency or a lack of knowledge. Unbelief is the response of a heart in rebellion against God.”
The responsibility of their unbelief here is not attributed to Christ and Him somehow not being good enough to convince them. No, If the miracles of God performed among the covenant people of God that abundantly testified to His glory were not enough to convince them concerning Jesus being the Christ, it seems that true belief is not simply found in miraculous or even religious experience.
ILLUSTRATION: The Modern Church Experience
It is becoming very common in the US church to try and draw in the community with expereince, specifically entertainment in some way. Churches are spending untold amounts of money on displays and sets that appeal to what the culture enjoys in order to get them into the doors on Sunday morning.
Life Church in Oklahoma recently turned their lobby into an Arabian-Nights display that featured many different characters from the Alladin movie.
Either the same church or another “Life Church” recently had a Super Mario Bros themed service which included multiple sets, characters, and even the rainbow road to walk on.
The problem with these things is that they elevate expereince over the power that is contained within the Word of God when it is faithfully proclaimed to sinners in need of God’s grace. At the very best, these things over some amount of religious expereince while likely sending people back home still entangled by their sin.
If witnessing the Son of God in the flesh raise the dead was not enough for Israel, who are we kidding that we are going to create some expereince that would convince them to believe?
“so that…”
As we progress further into the text, we learn that the peoples’ unbelief was actually serving a purpose. John tells us that their unbelief actually fulfills the word of the prophet Isaiah from some 700-800 years prior.
v.38 - Quoted from Isaiah 53
38 so that the word spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled:
“Lord, who has believed what he heard from us,
and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?”
v.40 - Quoted From Isaiah 6
10 Make the heart of this people dull,
and their ears heavy,
and blind their eyes;
lest they see with their eyes,
and hear with their ears,
and understand with their hearts,
and turn and be healed.”
Why These References?
For Isaiah 53, this portion of scripture describes the Suffering Servant that would be despised by men, full of sorrow, and yet HE would bear the grief, sorrows, and transgressions of sinners who like sheep had gone astray, turned away from the Lord.
So here the prophecy of Isaiah describes the unbelief to come concerning Christ.
Next with Isaiah 6, in a vision the prophet sees the Lord in His glory upon His throne. Here the prophet is commissioned by God to speak to a people who would not receive him or his Word from the Lord.
Isaiah would announce a message that would only harden the hearts of those who heard him.
How do we understand v.39?
39 Therefore they could not believe. For again Isaiah said,
We must conclude the following:
1. The unbelief of Israel in John 12 is a continued fulfillment of the prophecy of Isaiah. They did not believe because God foretold through the prophet that they would not believe. Instead the hearts of the people were hardened by His Word and works.
1 These are the words of the covenant that the Lord commanded Moses to make with the people of Israel in the land of Moab, besides the covenant that he had made with them at Horeb.
2 And Moses summoned all Israel and said to them: “You have seen all that the Lord did before your eyes in the land of Egypt, to Pharaoh and to all his servants and to all his land, 3 the great trials that your eyes saw, the signs, and those great wonders. 4 But to this day the Lord has not given you a heart to understand or eyes to see or ears to hear.
2. Belief is impossible with man alone and must be initiated by God. They did not believe in Christ because the Lord did not open their eyes. Our memory verse right now in Romans 3 says this well.
Romans 3:23–24 “23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,”
19 And I will give them one heart, and a new spirit I will put within them. I will remove the heart of stone from their flesh and give them a heart of flesh, 20 that they may walk in my statutes and keep my rules and obey them. And they shall be my people, and I will be their God. 21 But as for those whose heart goes after their detestable things and their abominations, I will bring their deeds upon their own heads, declares the Lord God.”
The natural questions here become: Is the Lord then responsible for their unbelief? He could have opened their eyes, and He didn’t. Isn’t that unloving?
The problem with this perspective is that we are pivoting the blame from mankind (who is responsible for sin) to God. Secondly, we are elevating ourselves to a position where we really feel like we can make a better plan or determination than God. Recount Paul’s words from Romans 9 with me.
14 What shall we say then? Is there injustice on God’s part? By no means! 15 For he says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” 16 So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy. 17 For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, “For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I might show my power in you, and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.” 18 So then he has mercy on whomever he wills, and he hardens whomever he wills.
19 You will say to me then, “Why does he still find fault? For who can resist his will?”
When we find ourselves in a position where we are questioning the God of the universe in a way that is absent of pursuing truth, but instead we are seeking to question the manner in which He extends mercy and judgment, I would caution us. He does not need our counsel.
33 Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!
34 “For who has known the mind of the Lord,
or who has been his counselor?”
35 “Or who has given a gift to him
that he might be repaid?”
36 For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.
Instead, we trust in His sovereignty. His wisdom and knowledge are perfect in every way, so high and so far above our own. We praise Him for His goodness and recognize that our ability to understand His plan of redemption is limited.
We trust the Scriptures, which are from the Lord, and acknowledge that the Sovereignty of God and the Responsibility of Man are somehow both upheld.
(v.41)
Isaiah spoke these things concerning the Lord because He had seen the glory of God. Isaiah speaks the f Him when beholding His glory! At his commission in Isaiah 6:1, He sees the Lord Jesus sitting on His throne and the seraphim singing “Holy, holy, holy… the whole earth is full of His glory.”
APPLICATION: What is the purpose in my evangelism?
This is a common objection when considering this topic, but trusting in the Sovereignty of God does not stifle the mission of the church, but instead in fuels it. God’s infinite knowledge does not cancel out the mission He has given His church - Go, Make Disciples of All Nations, Baptize them in His Holy name, and teach them all He has commanded.
This passage in John 12 is not an excuse to be lazy in our Gospel proclamation or persist in not sharing Christ at all. That would be sinful.
Instead, we share confidently knowing that it is His church to build! He opens eyes! He transforms hearts and renews sinners into saints. We pursue faithfulness and leave the rest into His hands.
10 “For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven
and do not return there but water the earth,
making it bring forth and sprout,
giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater,
11 so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth;
it shall not return to me empty,
but it shall accomplish that which I purpose,
and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.
Confess the Truth Unashamedly (v.42-43)
Confess the Truth Unashamedly (v.42-43)
John 12:42–43 “42 Nevertheless, many even of the authorities believed in him, but for fear of the Pharisees they did not confess it, so that they would not be put out of the synagogue; 43 for they loved the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God.”
Though the prophecy of Isaiah was fulfilled in the partial hardening of Israel, it seems that some were softening to the Truth proclaimed. Our text says “Nevertheless” ….meaning But yet…. Most hearts were hardened but some began to stir, considering what was proclaimed concerning Jesus.
Here it says in v42 that many of the “authorities” believed in Him. The Greek term here means leaders or rulers and the verb for “believe” here is the same verb we have come across many time through John’s gospel, meaning an entrusting of yourself to something based on its truthfulness and reliability.
This is good news! Jewish leaders or rules, those who are known and likely influential within the Jewish community are turning to Christ. Such leaders could have a great influence over the people!
Paul actually writes to Timothy concerning a similar idea: Prayers of intercession for Kings and leaders knowing the influence and authority they have over the people.
1 First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, 2 for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. 3 This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
It is good for us to consider and not forget our leaders and the effects of their leadership over us. But… the apostle then expresses a concern regarding the authorities.
42 Nevertheless, many even of the authorities believed in him, but for fear of the Pharisees they did not confess it, so that they would not be put out of the synagogue;
The apostle tells us that these leaders feared the response of the Pharisees, the Jewish religious leaders who were consistently seeking to put Jesus to death. This is not the first time we have see in John’s gospel the people fearing the response of the Pharisees.
John 7:13, the Jewish people at the Feast of Booths speak in hushed verses concerning Jesus fearing how the “Jews” or Jewish leaders would respond.
John 9.21-23, the parents of the man born blind (whose sight was restored by our Lord) were fearful when asked how their son now sees.
22 (His parents said these things because they feared the Jews, for the Jews had already agreed that if anyone should confess Jesus to be Christ, he was to be put out of the synagogue.
Much like the people they are leading, these authorities shy away from a confident confession of Jesus as Lord. At some level, they believed what His miracles and His teachings revealed - The uniqueness of His personage and authority, something the people had already begun to see.
The Conclusion of the Sermon on the Mount
28 And when Jesus finished these sayings, the crowds were astonished at his teaching, 29 for he was teaching them as one who had authority, and not as their scribes.
They feared the backlash concerning their trust in Jesus, so in their fear the remained quiet. Much like the parents of John 9, they feared the loss of their reputation and possibly even their social status, so they remained quiet.
This was not a mere difference in personality, as if only the introverted authorities believed. No… they cowered at the cost of being found out even though they know Christ to be the Messiah.
Furthermore, John reveals the true concerns of their hearts - themselves.
43 for they loved the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God.
In some ways, this reminds me of the apostle Peter before he recieved the promised Holy Spirit who denied our Lord three times (as prophesied) for the FEAR that was before him. He saw the brutality of their treatment of Jesus, and his cowardice led him to curse his accusers before the rooster crowed.
Back to John 12 - Was their faith genuine? Were their hearts transformed by the Holy Spirit?
This is difficult because I could hear out an opinion for both sides. We could easily say they were new in the faith but not yet discipled. Regardless, I’d like us to highlight some things that are certain together this morning.
When God saves a sinner, their salvation is full, complete, and secure.
13 I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life.
31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? 33 Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?
2. Accompanied with genuine faith is the desire or compelling need to speak at some level concerning Jesus and His gospel.
From a personality perspective, not everyone is the same, nor do we receive the same spiritual gifts in Christ’s church. That said, we should never cling to an unwillingness to speak of Jesus and how He has transformed your heart.
This church family, this community, and the nations needs your proclamation of Christ and Him crucified for the forgiveness of sins for all who would believe.
Peter was transformed from a liar into the man that preached at Pentecost and according to Clement and Eusebius, Peter was crucified upside down.
Paul was transformed from a murderer and persecutor of the Church into a mighty orator, undershepherd, and discipler of the Early Church.
***Are you thinking: “But I’m not Peter or Paul!***
Exactly! You’re not and I’m not. But we were purposed to live at this point in history for the glory of Christ. In themselves, they were not enough. Far from it… but Christ was all they needed.
32 So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, 33 but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven.
Believe in the Son Completely (v.44-50)
Believe in the Son Completely (v.44-50)
John 12:44–50 “44 And Jesus cried out and said, “Whoever believes in me, believes not in me but in him who sent me. 45 And whoever sees me sees him who sent me. 46 I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness. 47 If anyone hears my words and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. 48 The one who rejects me and does not receive my words has a judge; the word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day. 49 For I have not spoken on my own authority, but the Father who sent me has himself given me a commandment—what to say and what to speak. 50 And I know that his commandment is eternal life. What I say, therefore, I say as the Father has told me.””
In a loud voice, our LORD cries out to the crowd that remained. This does not seem to be a simple pronouncement but instead a scream or shout. Not out of anger, but a final plea for the crowd to see and believe.
“Whoever believes in me…” (v.44). This statement here and the connections that follow are exclusive, meaning that Jesus is declaring things that are belong to Him alone.
Solely from these short verses, we see these mind blowing declarations:
To trust in Jesus is to trust in God.
To behold Jesus is to behold God.
He is the light that eradicates the darkness of sin (see Lexham Theological Workbook)
To listen to Jesus is to listen to God.
Jesus was sent to save.
ILLUSTRATION: Continual Distortions of Truth
The most dangerous deceptions in this world (in my opinion) are not those that are so polar to Christianity, but those that use the same words (Jesus, God, salvation, grace, faith) but mean entirely different things.
I do not understand distorted versions of Christianity or other religions that claim Jesus to simply be a good moral teacher or even just a prophet. They all do the same thing for the same reason - The strip our Lord of His deity and/or even His humanity… and they do so simply because they are largely unfamiliar with the Jesus of the Bible… whom He is and what He claimed in His earthly ministry.
Test the Spirits
1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2 By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God,
For Jesus, to make such claims in such a setting was ludicrous. It was Passover week in Jerusalem where thousands have gathered to celebrate the grace of God in His deliverance of His people from Egypt, more specifically His faithfulness of His word to receive the sacrificial lamb of each Israelite home that believed.
Jesus tells them - To believe in HIM is to believe in the same God whom you are celebrating this week. Like the pillar of fire that led His people in the wilderness at night, the Light has come into the world to lead them out of the spiritual darkness that dwells in their hearts.
Jesus came to save (Luke 19:10). His first advent was not one of judgment, but instead it was a rescue mission to save His people (John 4.42). Considering the “I Am” statements of John’s Gospel, Jesus’ words concerning Himself are exclusive.
In identifying Himself with the God of Exodus 3:14 (burning bush), His primary message is this - I (Jesus) am all you need. Me alone, nothing else.
Behold the Judgment Carefully (v.47-50)
Now… here comes the other side of the coin. The Good News that is the Gospel is only Good because of the bad news that accompanies it. Yes, Jesus came to save the world! But this begs the question… from what do we need saving?
This is the unpopular and often unwelcome part of the church’s primary declaration, which is exactly why this portion of the Gospel message is disappearing from pulpits all over this country.
The Progressive “Church” movement declares loudly that “Jesus is love” which is all we need to know. Jesus loves everyone just the way they are and how dare anyone come along to say otherwise.
According to the words of Jesus here, JUDGMENT awaits those who reject the Son and His Word. Jesus (aka the Word) has spoken with the Father’s authority, therefore the Word is all that is needed to either save eternally or condemn. Nothing further is needed.
When considering our Lord’s second coming (which is as sure as the sun rising in the morning), we should not be looking for security or hope in the words of men or established institutions that claim they hold the keys to heaven… or membership or baptism under their leadership leads to eternal life… NO.
To reject Jesus and His word leads to judgment.
To reject the authority of Jesus and His word leads to judgment
But…..To receive the Word is to receive eternal life.
18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
All authority has been given to the Son. According to His Word, where do you stand today? Are you secure in His grace or does His condemnation presently sit upon you? Are you held fast in His love or is the love of the world still keeping you captive?
GOSPEL
The day of salvation is today. Do not remain in your unbelief, but come to the Lord today and find rest for your soul.
MAIN IDEA:
We must trust in the sovereignty of God and let it lead us into greater proclamation of Jesus and His Gospel to one another, to our neighbors, and to the nations.
