Faith and Unbelief

Leif Enger said, “Real miracles bother people, like strange sudden pains unknown in medical literature. It’s true: They rebut every rule all we good citizens take comfort in… a miracle contradicts the will of the earth.”

This quote sums up why there is some discomfort and mystery around a miracle. Christ did the unthinkable when he healed people, transformed the people around him and even raised the dead back to life; even in the midst of miracles we have the choice to see God at work or excuse it away. We can either be for God or against Him; there is no neutral. There is a spiritual battle ranging challenging your faith and tempting you into unbelief and trying to scientifically explain away God’s power and presence in this world.

Let us Pray

John 11:45–57

I. THE POWER—vv. 45–48 - 45 Many of the Jews therefore, who had come with Mary and had seen what he did, believed in him, 46 but some of them went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done. 47 So the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered the council and said, “What are we to do? For this man performs many signs. 48 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.”

A. Faith—v. 45. Many of the Jews who saw Lazarus raised from the dead now believed in Christ. They knew He had to be God’s Son to perform these miracles. Note Nicodemus’s words, “for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.” John 3:2

B. Fear—vv. 46–48. The Jewish leaders were afraid. They feared all the Jews would believe in Him, and their nation would be under His control. WHY DOESN’T MAN ACCEPT CHRIST? Here are some reasons:

1. Pride. Too proud to admit they are sinners.

2. Power. They want to remain in control

3. People. Fearful what people may think and do.

4. Persecution. This keeps people away, and causes others to backslide.

How could Rome take power away from the Messiah? – Only take away their power!

Keep Religious hierarchy – more important that God Himself

Caiaphas, an unlikely prophet indeed, prophesied that Jesus would die for sinners (v. 51). What a promise! What a hope! But only for those who know Jesus and trust in him.

II. THE PROPHECY—vv. 49–52 49 But one of them, Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, said to them, “You know nothing at all. 50 Nor do you understand that it is better for you that one man should die for the people, not that the whole nation should perish.” 51 He did not say this of his own accord, but being high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation, 52 and not for the nation only, but also to gather into one the children of God who are scattered abroad.

Caiaphas, not realizing it, prophesied of Christ’s death. Compare with John 18:14 It was Caiaphas who had advised the Jews that it would be expedient that one man should die for the people.

Here are some predictions of Christ’s death:

A. The Pentateuch (first five books of the Bible)—Genesis 3:15: The promised Redeemer to come and destroy Satan.

B. The Psalms—Psalm 22:1, 16-18, 22 “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning? For dogs encompass me; a company of evildoers encircles me; they have pierced my hands and feet—I can count all my bones—they stare and gloat over me; they divide my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots. I will tell of your name to my brothers; in the midst of the congregation I will praise you.”

Psalm 118:22-24 “The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes. This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.”

C. The prophets—Isaiah 53. Isaiah speaks often of Christ’s birth, suffering, and death. Many of the prophets spoke of His coming.

He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely, he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned— every one—to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth. By oppression and judgment, he was taken away; and as for his generation, who considered that he was cut off out of the land of the living, stricken for the transgression of my people? And they made his grave with the wicked and with a rich man in his death, although he had done no violence, and there was no deceit in his mouth. Yet it was the will of the Lord to crush him; he has put him to grief; when his soul makes an offering for guilt, he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days; the will of the Lord shall prosper in his hand. Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied; by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant, make many to be accounted righteous, and he shall bear their iniquities. Therefore, I will divide him a portion with the many, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong, because he poured out his soul to death and was numbered with the transgressors; yet he bore the sin of many, and makes intercession for the transgressors.”

The New Testament Scriptures are a fulfillment of the Old Testament, showing us that God’s Word is inspired. Many of the Old Testament prophecies came true in the New. The remainder will come true.

Verse 50 – it is better for you that one man should die for his people.

III. THE PRIVATION—vv. 53–54 - 53 So from that day on they made plans to put him to death. 54 Jesus therefore no longer walked openly among the Jews, but went from there to the region near the wilderness, to a town called Ephraim, and there he stayed with the disciples.

A. Plan—v. 53. The Jews again plan to kill Christ. This was the ninth time they sought to take His life.

B. Privation—v. 54. Christ escaped those seeking to kill Him. If he had been killed before the cross, man would have no hope. The prophecy of Isaiah 53 would be untrue. Many other Scriptures, including the words of Christ, would be untrue.

Satan tried to destroy Christ many times. Before He entered the ministry He was tempted for 40 days and nights. Through the Jewish people, Satan attempted to destroy Christ.

If satan cant destroy it from the outside in – he will come in and destroy it from the inside out

IV. THE PLAN—vv. 55–57

A. The Passover—v. 55. The Passover started as “The Lord’s Passover.”—Exodus 12:11 - In this manner you shall eat it: with your belt fastened, your sandals on your feet, and your staff in your hand. And you shall eat it in haste. It is the Lord's Passover.

a. Exodus 12:27 - you shall say, ‘It is the sacrifice of the Lord's Passover, for he passed over the houses of the people of Israel in Egypt, when he struck the Egyptians but spared our houses.’” And the people bowed their heads and worshiped.

b. Leviticus 23:5 In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month at twilight, is the Lord's Passover.

c. Numbers 28:16 – l On the fourteenth day of the first month is the Lord's Passover,

d. Through Ezekiel its referred to as the Lord’s Passover or just The Passover - Now it had become “The Jewish Passover.” Man’s opinions are often added, destroying God’s Word.

B. The plan—vv. 56–57. If any saw Jesus, they were to report it.

Not much has changed with society – the enemy has convinced people to still attack Jesus – report believers to authorities – sue Christians for their beliefs but all others are ok –

Last week we talked about the difference between Mary and Martha – who do identify more with?

Is seeing believing or is believing seeing?

We talked about the 4 P’s that prevent people from accepting Christ but the enemy can use the same ones to stop your growth -

How has Pride held back your growth as a believer?

How has having power or the fear of losing power in any area of your life – career – family – etc paused your deepening?

How has the fear of people hindered your growth?

How has the concept of persecution stunted your growth? People are being beheaded, buried alive, tortured and murdered and raped because they are Christians – what real persecution do we have to be afraid of here in the US? Colorado? Kit Carson County?

What have you taken of God and taken control of and made it yours?

Let us pray.