John 20:30-31

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.

John 20:30-

Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book

which are not written in this book

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.

John 21:25 ESV

25 Now there are also many other things that Jesus did. Were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written.

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.

Not

Main Idea: Someone believing is the greatest sign Jesus had ever done from His death, burial, resurrection and appearance.

Introduction

Many today are looking for signs and wonders. And there are many who profess to do them normatively.

And there are many who profess to do them normatively.

Some claimed to have had powerful signs and wonders happen in their churches.

I remember this when someone posted about an event they had.

They posted “powerful signs and wonders.” “The supernatural and miracles.”

I responded asking the question: What signs took place that were powerful and miraculous?

And the response? There was no response. My suspicion was confirmed. It was just “Christianese.” Words loosely used to heighten an event to be more than it was.

Many are looking for signs and claiming signs.

But what really is a miracle? What constitutes an actual, powerful, supernatural event?

What above all else can we see today that could be deemed as powerful and supernatural?

The gospel of John answers that question for us. In fact, it is the very reason for why it was written!

Before The Text

Chapter 20 begins with the resurrection of Christ in Verses 1 - 10.

John 20:1–10 ESV

1 Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. 2 So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.” 3 So Peter went out with the other disciple, and they were going toward the tomb. 4 Both of them were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. 5 And stooping to look in, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in. 6 Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen cloths lying there, 7 and the face cloth, which had been on Jesus’ head, not lying with the linen cloths but folded up in a place by itself. 8 Then the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; 9 for as yet they did not understand the Scripture, that he must rise from the dead. 10 Then the disciples went back to their homes.

Verses 1 -

Then we see that Jesus appeared to the Disciples in the following verses. Afterwards, we see that He then appeared to Thomas in verses 24 - 29.

After we see that He then appeared to Thomas in verses 24 - 29.

John 20:24–29 ESV

24 Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.” 26 Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” 28 Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” 29 Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

Here we see that Thomas wouldn’t take the testimony of the disciples.

Thomas said, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.”

Thomas refused to believe unless he could touch and see Jesus.

Jesus appeared to him. And He told him to touch and see. Then, He charged him to believe and not disbelieve.

He charged him to believe and not disbelieve.

He ends with a profound statement about belief.

John 20:29 ESV

29 Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

Believers who have not seen and yet believe are blessed!

Believers who have not seen are favored by divine grace to believe!

This is an important reminder for us today!

That belief in Jesus Christ is not something we conjure up ourselves (Synergism).

Those of us who believe are blessed. Meaning that we have been favored by God to believe (Monergistic).

This should make us erupt with thanksgiving!

This is what Peter told believers in 1 Peter!

1 Peter 1:8–9 ESV

8 Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, 9 obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

1 Peter 1:7–9 ESV

7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 8 Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, 9 obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

Prior to our text we see the resurrection and the appearance of Jesus Christ! And the importance of faith in Christ. Whether we were there or not.

We believe not out of our own ability but by the grace of God alone! Thus calling us blessed. Because believing was granted to us!

This sets up for us .

Outline

1. The signs not written in the gospel of John.

2. The purpose for the signs recorded in the gospel of John.

3. but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God

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.

3. The result.

Sermon

1. The signs not written in the gospel of John (v.30)

John 20:30 ESV

30 Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book;

Not everything Jesus did was recorded in Holy Scripture. However, this does not mean that the Holy Scriptures are incomplete.

However, this does not mean that the Holy Scriptures are incomplete.

Articles of Faith

1-2. Inspiration is a special act of the Holy Spirit by which He guided the writers of the Scriptures so that their words would convey the thoughts He wished conveyed, would bear a proper relationship to the thoughts of the other inspired books, and would be kept free from error of fact, doctrine, and judgment.

We believe that what we have in the Holy Scriptures is complete and inspired by the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Scriptures are the final authority to our faith and practice.

The Holy Spirit guided the writers so that the Holy Scriptures would guide us and govern our practice today.

We don’t have everything Jesus did. But we have exactly what God wanted us to know about what Jesus did.

Notice that John points out that Jesus did many other signs. Speaking of the resurrection prior to the text as a sign.

Speaking of the resurrection prior to the text as a sign.

In fact the Jews asked Him in John 2:18-22.

John 2:18–22 ESV

18 So the Jews said to him, “What sign do you show us for doing these things?” 19 Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” 20 The Jews then said, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and will you raise it up in three days?” 21 But he was speaking about the temple of his body. 22 When therefore he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this, and they believed the Scripture and the word that Jesus had spoken.

The sign Jesus said He would give them was His resurrection.

Jesus did so many signs. So many that John wrote:

John 21

John 21:25 ESV

25 Now there are also many other things that Jesus did. Were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written.

He did so many signs. But the greatest of them all was that He was resurrected. This is the one that mattered most!

Notes

1 Corinthians 15:12–14 ESV

12 Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. 14 And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain.

John 21:25 ESV

25 Now there are also many other things that Jesus did. Were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written.

Question: Have you become numb to the amazing truth of the resurrection?

Question: When was the last time the reality of the resurrection shook you into wonder and awe? Thanksgiving or praise?

Question: When was the last time the reality of the resurrection brought peace to you? Knowing that if Christ was raised we also shall be raised in glory with Him?

Question: When did you read about it and wept in gratitude and worship?

We may not have everything He did. But we have exactly what God wanted us to know. Namely, that God the Son rose from the dead!

He rose from the dead so that we could believe! Which is the purpose of this account.

2. The purpose for the signs recorded in the gospel of John (v.31a)

English Standard Version Chapter 20

31 but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God,

Here John believed that what was written could cause someone to believe in Jesus.

Meaning That those who would read it could believe as the disciples believed!

John believed this because of what Jesus said in

John 20:29 ESV

29 Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

Question: How does one believe? By grace! By being blessed. Which means by grace!

The purpose of the gospel of John is that we would believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God.

1. Belief in Jesus as the Christ

When John calls Jesus the Christ, he is speaking of Jesus as the Messiah. Which in calling Him the Christ, he is considering what the Old Testament had already revealed.

The purpose of the gospel of John is that we would believe that Jesus is the Christ. The One promised from the Old Testament.

There are many in the gospels that attest to this. But I will point out a few from the gospel of John.

In , we see Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem. Prophesied about in .

From , we see the prophecy being fulfilled in . Speaking His garments being divided.

spoke of His bones never being broken. Fulfilled in .

Jesus is the Christ. He is the anointed One from the Father. Who came to give His life as an offering!

This is what the whole Old Testament was pointing to!

John wanted his readers to believe that Jesus was and is the Messiah. The One promised from the Old Testament.

Allen C. Myers, The Eerdmans Bible Dictionary (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1987), 207.

Genuine belief in this proves our faith.

This was written so that we would believe that Jesus is the Christ.

2. Belief in Jesus as the Son of God

This is speaking of His deity!

English Standard Version

7 I will tell of the decree:

7 I will tell of the decree:The LORD said to me, “You are my Son; today I have begotten you.

The LORD said to me, “You are my Son;

today I have begotten you.

John 5:18 ESV

18 This was why the Jews were seeking all the more to kill him, because not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God.

27 All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.

English Standard Version Psalm 2

Psalm 2:7

7 I will tell of the decree:

The LORD said to me, “You are my Son;

today I have begotten you.

Matthew 11:27

27 All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.

Luke 1:31–35

34 And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?”

35 And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God.

Romans 1:3–4

3 concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh 4 and was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord,

Galatians 4:3–7

3 In the same way we also, when we were children, were enslaved to the elementary principles of the world. 4 But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. 6 And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” 7 So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.

31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” 34 And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?” 35 And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God.

34 And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?”

John wanted His readers to believe that Jesus was the Son of God. Equal with God the Father.

35 And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God.

We are to believe that Jesus is the Christ. The One promised of in the Old Testament Scriptures.

And we are to believe that Jesus is the Son of God. Which makes Jesus Christ equal with God. Meaning that we believe that Jesus is God.

So, I have to ask the question. What does your belief in Jesus as the Christ and as the Son of God look like?

Remember

John 3:36 ESV

36 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.

When we remember that belief in Jesus as the Christ; the Son of God, we have to remember that this is only possible by grace!

We went from the wrath of God remaining on us to belief in the Son giving us eternal life. Which causes us to obey Him.

We went from not seeing life to being given eternal life. All because of belief in the Son.

The purpose of the gospel of John is so that you may believe. The work of God is to grant you belief.

The work of God is that you would come to believe.

When asking “What does your belief in Jesus as the Christ and as the Son of God look like?” Just think of our worship time today.

Question: Were you preoccupied with how worship sounded today or what it should have sounded like versus being in awe and being thankful for His work in your life? Remembering to worship because of who He is and what He has done in Christ?

Question: Were you thinking about how long the corporate reading was or were you remembering how precious it is to hear the very word of God?

Belief in Jesus as the Christ, the Son of God; must produce worship, awe, thanksgiving, repentance, prayer, a yearning for His word and a desire for His glory in all things.

It cannot produce boredom over His word and a preoccupation with performance over genuine worship, prayer and the reading of His word.

This book that we are about to begin together is not meant to call someone to boredom.

This was written so that we would believe that Jesus is the Son of God! This is to make alive them that were dead!

It is meant to cause belief! It is meant to cause someone to have life in His name! Which is the result of true genuine faith in Jesus as the Christ, the Son of God!

This was written so that we would believe that Jesus is the Son of God! This is to make alive them that were dead!

3. The result (v.31b)

John 20:

John 20:31 ESV

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.

Question: Have you had life from believing in Jesus Christ, the Son of God?

Though you have not seen him do you love him?

Though you do not now see him, do you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory?

Have you forgotten the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls?

We should have life in his name because of faith in Jesus the Christ! The Son of God!

That is the result of genuine faith.

Remember what Jesus said about Himself in ?

John 10:10 ESV

10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.

We live in a time where many profess Jesus Christ. But the many only profess. Many do not believe. Because they do not find life in the name of Jesus Christ.

We are not called to be nominal, name only Christians.

We are called by grace to remember that Jesus is:

the cause of our faith

the object of our faith

the means of our faith

and the end goal of our faith

Belief in Jesus will bring life in His name.

That is why I believe Jesus is the gospel!

He is the reason for my faith

He is the reward for my faith

He is the sustainer of my faith

Which He will complete at the day of redemption.

We must not settle with right information about Jesus.

We must remember that there is life in His name.

We must see life in His name!

We must remember that there is life in His name.

We must remember who He is!

John 11:17–27 ESV

17 Now when Jesus came, he found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb four days. 18 Bethany was near Jerusalem, about two miles off, 19 and many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to console them concerning their brother. 20 So when Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went and met him, but Mary remained seated in the house. 21 Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 But even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you.” 23 Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” 24 Martha said to him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.” 25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, 26 and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” 27 She said to him, “Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world.”

Many are looking for signs and claiming signs. But what really is a miracle? What constitutes an actual powerful, supernatural event?

What above all else can we see that would rise far above all other signs as a result of the ministry of Christ?

2. The purpose for the signs recorded in the gospel of John.

3. The result.

The gospel of John answered that question for us.

The greatest miracle ever done was to make us believe!

Making a heart of stone into a heart of flesh. To make us who were dead in our sins alive in Christ!

May God bring salvation to those in need of saving and may He give life in His name to His people!