1. Prominence of the word:
The word believe occurs 58 times in the KJV. It occurs in all of it's various forms 101 times
in the book. The word is found in all but 3 chapters of the book. It is the central point of the
book of John. Today we will notice about 75 of those 100 verses.
2. The Purpose of John's writing:
Belief is the purpose of Johns writing. In John 2:20 the Jews come to Jesus and ask, Do you
really believe that you can tear down this temple and rebuild it in 3 days? Surprisingly they may
have asked the key question in the book. Though there are several other questions in this book: What is truth? On this mountain or that one?
Tell us plainly are you really the Christ? Should we believe on you or look for one to come
after you?, etc. But what a question this is-and it is a question for us today. Do we really believe
that Jesus could die and live again? That's why John wrote! That is his singular reason!
"He came to tell people the truth about the Light so that through him all people could hear about
the Light and believe." (John 1:7 NCV)
"But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that
believing ye might have life through his name." (John 20:31 KJV)
So that believing-YOU might have life!
"And he that saw it bare record, and his record is true: and he knoweth that he saith true, that
ye might believe." (John 19:35 KJV)
His miracles had a purpose: "Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the
works that I do in my Father's name, they bear witness of me." (John 10:25 KJV), And John
picks out various miracles to help us believe-and with one overwhelming voice these witnesses
say: BELIEVE!
Even Jesus said of the miracles: "And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent
ye may believe; nevertheless let us go unto him." (John 11:15 KJV)
They accomplished their purpose: "This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee,
and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him." (John 2:11 KJV)
"Then many of the Jews which came to Mary, and had seen the things which Jesus did,
believed on him." (John 11:45 KJV)
"If we let him thus alone, all men will believe on him: and the Romans shall come and take away
both our place and nation." (John 11:48 KJV)
"So the leading priests made plans to kill Lazarus, too." (John 12:10 NCV)
"Because of Lazarus many of the Jews were leaving them and believing in Jesus."
(John 12:11 NCV)
On the night that Jesus was arrested he prayed the longest prayer in all the Bible-and He prayed
about you! "Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through
their word;" (John 17:20 KJV)
That's you and me!
There's another you and me passage in John. "Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast
seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed."
(John 20:29 KJV)
This book was written with you in mind!
3. The priority of belief:
"But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them
that believe on his name:" (John 1:12 KJV)
He gave them power to become sons of God! Power to be more than they were-more than
we are!
But belief in John, to be belief always must have obedience! "So Jesus said to the Jews who
believed in him, "If you continue to obey my teaching, you are truly my followers."
(John 8:31 NCV)
And there were some who saw and believed and didn't follow and Jesus said that it wasn't
really belief! It's not really belief unless there is obedience!
Some folks have a hard time seeing belief as a work! But Jesus didn't. (They say we believe
in a works salvation. No but be believe that true belief produced the work of obedience).
"Jesus answered, "The work God wants you to do is this: Believe the One he sent."
(John 6:29 NCV)
Belief was the starting point:
"That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life."
(John 3:15 KJV)"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that
whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." (John 3:16 KJV)
"He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not
see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him." (John 3:36 KJV)
"I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he,
ye shall die in your sins." (John 8:24 KJV)
4. There are the People of belief:
They are...
Sons of God: (1:12)
They are not judged guilt: (3:18)
They are worshippers: (9:38)
They sometimes have doubts: (10:38)
Have confidence: (11:27) I don't know how but I believe
They are children of light: (12:36)
They will not stay in darkness: (12:46)
They are people of unity: (17:21)
5. There is Pleasantness for believers:
Power:
"But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God,
even to them that believe on his name:" (John 1:12 KJV)
Will see great works:
"Jesus answered and said unto him, Because I said unto thee, I saw thee under the fig tree,
believest thou? thou shalt see greater things than these." (John 1:50 KJV) -Sinners turning to Christ.
They are guiltless:
"People who believe in God's Son are not judged guilty. (John 3:18 NCV)
Will never hunger or thirst:
"And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger;
and he that believeth on me shall never thirst." (John 6:35 KJV)
Will have living water flowing out of them:
"He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living
water." (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the
Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)" (John 7:39 KJV)
Will see God's glory:
"Jesus said to her, "Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the
glory of God?"" (John 11:40 NKJV)
Have God's love:
"The Father himself loves you. He loves you because you loved me and believed that
I came from God." (John 16:27 NCV)
Of course eternal life:
"That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life."
(John 3:15 KJV)"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever
believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." (John 3:16 KJV)
"He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not
see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him." (John 3:36 KJV)
"Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me,
hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life."
(John 5:24 KJV)
""Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me has everlasting life." (John 6:47 NKJV)
"Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me will have life
even if they die." (John 11:25 NCV)
6. The Pictures John paints of those who come to believe:
1:50-a good man
2:11-followers after the water to wine
4:39-42-A woman of interesting background and Samaritans
4:50-53-A man who son was sick to death
5-A man lame for 38 years
6-A multitude who ate fishes and loaves from a small amount
8-a woman caught in adultery
8:30-people who heard him preach
9:18-a man born blind
10:42-many people
11-Those who saw Lazarus raised-the whole world
12-Mary
7. The problem of belief:
Some saw and still didn't believe: 6:36, 12:37
Refused to believe even though there was evidence (9:18)
"Jesus said to him, "You people must see signs and miracles before you will believe in me."
(John 4:48 NCV)
"I have told you about things here on earth, and you do not believe me. So you will not believe
me if I tell you about things of heaven." (John 3:12 NCV)
Haughtiness halts belief: "You try to get praise from each other, but you do not try to get the
praise that comes from the only God. So how can you believe?" (John 5:44 NCV)
Unwillingness to accept scriptures: 5:46
Position hungry-11:48
Live in fear -12:39-42 They ought to 12:48
