Helps and Hindrances to our Faith
Gospel of John • Sermon • Submitted
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· 212 viewsJesus and the wide variety of people surrounding him in John 12 give us examples of the many things that can help us in our faith and faithfulness, as well as many things that hinder us.
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
Introduction
In , we find John’s purpose in writing his gospel, to produce the type of faith in Jesus Christ that will result in eternal life.
And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.
The gospel is full of both the actions and teachings of Jesus, the subject of that faith, and examples of how people who came into contact with Him responded to the most unique and central person ever to walk on earth.
In , we see a variety of eight individuals and distinct groups. Each of them are either acting in faith or faithlessness. Each of them is an example of how our faith is helped or hindered by the circumstances around us and our response to them.
If we want growing, active faith, we can profit from examining what helped or hindered the faith and faithfulness of each one we meet in .
Faith is believing in God and in His Son who He sent into the world and believing their words.
Faithfulness is acting as though what we believe is true. In Bible language, there is no difference between faith and faithfulness. The Bible doesn’t really contemplate faith that is not acted upon and lived out. So what increases our faith also increases our faithfulness and vice versa. What diminishes one also diminishes the other.
So it is very important for us to observe faith and faithfulness in action and notice what helps and hinders faith.
The Contrast between Mary and Judas - v. 1-8
The Contrast between Mary and Judas - v. 1-8
Mary
Mary
3
Then, six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus was who had been dead, whom He had raised from the dead. There they made Him a supper; and Martha served, but Lazarus was one of those who sat at the table with Him. Then Mary took a pound of very costly oil of spikenard, anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped His feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil.
Helps
sitting at Jesus' feet
enduring ridicule for faith
losing loved ones and remaining faithful
gaining loved ones and remaining faithful
making great sacrifices for Jesus
Mary performs a supreme act of devotion and faithfulness to Jesus the Son of God
Judas
Judas
But one of His disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, who would betray Him, said, “Why was this fragrant oil not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?” This he said, not that he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief, and had the money box; and he used to take what was put in it.
Judas had many of the same advantages that Mary had.
Judas had many of the same advantages that Mary had.
Hindrances
- the drive for financial gain - Judas
- prioritizing the poor over serving Jesus
Jesus - v. 7-8
Jesus - v. 7-8
But Jesus said, “Let her alone; she has kept this for the day of My burial.
But Jesus said, “Let her alone; she has kept this for the day of My burial. For the poor you have with you always, but Me you do not have always.”
She has done what she could. She has come beforehand to anoint My body for burial. Assuredly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be told as a memorial to her.”
Mark
The people - v. 9
The people - v. 9
Throughout this chapter, John gives us a feel for what the crowds were saying, thinking and doing. We can learn much about what can help or hinder our faith from their response to Jesus.
Now a great many of the Jews knew that He was there; and they came, not for Jesus’ sake only, but that they might also see Lazarus, whom He had raised from the dead.
Helps
Curiosity
Reports of Jesus’ miracles
Reports of Jesus’ fame
Seeing some who has been raised from the dead [spiritual resurrection]
The influence of others who are fervently seeking Jesus
Jesus’ Enemies - v.10-11
Jesus’ Enemies - v.10-11
One primary group of Jesus’ enemies is described here as the chief priests
But the chief priests plotted to put Lazarus to death also,
But the chief priests plotted to put Lazarus to death also, because on account of him many of the Jews went away and believed in Jesus.
Hindrance
Fixed determination that Jesus must be stopped - Chief priests / Pharisees
But some of them went away to the Pharisees and told them the things Jesus did. Then the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered a council and said, “What shall we do? For this Man works many signs. If we let Him alone like this, everyone will believe in Him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and nation.”
And one of them, Caiaphas, being high priest that year, said to them, “You know nothing at all, nor do you consider that it is expedient for us that one man should die for the people, and not that the whole nation should perish.” Now this he did not say on his own authority; but being high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation, and not for that nation only, but also that He would gather together in one the children of God who were scattered abroad.
Then, from that day on, they plotted to put Him to death. Therefore Jesus no longer walked openly among the Jews, but went from there into the country near the wilderness, to a city called Ephraim, and there remained with His disciples.
John 11:46-
Willingness the murder to stop Jesus - Chief priests
John 11:
Now both the chief priests and the Pharisees had given a command, that if anyone knew where He was, he should report it, that they might seize Him.
Willingness the murder to stop Jesus - Chief priests
Willingness the murder to stop Jesus - Chief priests
Now Lazarus is also on the list of people they are willing to kill to prevent faith in Jesus!
The people - v. 12-13
The people - v. 12-13
The next day a great multitude that had come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, took branches of palm trees and went out to meet Him, and cried out:
“Hosanna!
‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’
The King of Israel!”
Helps:
the influence of others who are fervently seeking Jesus
Worshipping God
Making great sacrifices to worship God
Arriving early to worship services
And the Passover of the Jews was near, and many went from the country up to Jerusalem before the Passover, to purify themselves.
John 12:
Knew Scripture and applied it to what they saw and heard
Save now, I pray, O Lord;
O Lord, I pray, send now prosperity.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!
We have blessed you from the house of the Lord.
Ps
Jesus’ Disciples - v. 14-16
Jesus’ Disciples - v. 14-16
Then Jesus, when He had found a young donkey, sat on it; as it is written:
“Fear not, daughter of Zion;
Behold, your King is coming,
Sitting on a donkey’s colt.”
His disciples did not understand these things at first; but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things were written about Him and that they had done these things to Him.
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Helps:
The messianic prophecies of the OT
Knowledge of scripture
Willingness to apply scripture to present circumstances
Reflection on past events and their spiritual significance
Seeing God keeping His promises
“Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion!
Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem!
Behold, your King is coming to you;
He is just and having salvation,
Lowly and riding on a donkey,
A colt, the foal of a donkey.
The people - v. 17-18
The people - v. 17-18
Therefore the people, who were with Him when He called Lazarus out of his tomb and raised him from the dead, bore witness. For this reason the people also met Him, because they heard that He had done this sign.
Helps:
the testimony of those who personally witnessed Jesus' miracles
Seeing some
Jesus’ enemies - v. 19
Jesus’ enemies - v. 19
The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, “You see that you are accomplishing nothing. Look, the world has gone after Him!”
Hindrance:
Fixed determination that Jesus must be stopped
Stubbornness and resentment in the face of others’ faith and faithfulness
Greek worshippers - v. 20-22
Greek worshippers - v. 20-22
Now there were certain Greeks among those who came up to worship at the feast. Then they came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida of Galilee, and asked him, saying, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.”
Philip came and told Andrew, and in turn Andrew and Philip told Jesus.
Helps:
Willingness to endure humiliation and discrimination to worship God
Willingness to abandon home, family and false religion for the truth
Willingness to diligently and humbly ask, seek and knock to see Jesus
Jesus - v. 23-33
Jesus - v. 23-33
23 But Jesus answered them, saying, “The hour has come that the Son of Man should be glorified. 24 Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain. 25 He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26 If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor.
27 “Now My soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save Me from this hour’? But for this purpose I came to this hour. 28 Father, glorify Your name.”
Then a voice came from heaven, saying, “I have both glorified it and will glorify it again.”
29 Therefore the people who stood by and heard it said that it had thundered. Others said, “An angel has spoken to Him.”
30 Jesus answered and said, “This voice did not come because of Me, but for your sake. 31 Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out. 32 And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself.” 33 This He said, signifying by what death He would die.
23 But Jesus answered them, saying, “The hour has come that the Son of Man should be glorified. 24 Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain. 25 He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26 If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor.
John 12:
Help:
Willingness to die, if necessary, to accomplish the Father’s purposes
Hindrance:
Loving physical life more than eternal life
Help:
a determination to serve Jesus
a determination to follow Jesus
a determination to be with Jesus
a desire for honor from the Father
27 “Now My soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save Me from this hour’? But for this purpose I came to this hour. 28 Father, glorify Your name.”
Then a voice came from heaven, saying, “I have both glorified it and will glorify it again.”
John 12:27
Hindrance:
A troubled soul
Fear of coming suffering, pain, rejection and death
Help:
A fixed purpose from God
Desire to see the Father glorified
29 Therefore the people who stood by and heard it said that it had thundered. Others said, “An angel has spoken to Him.”
30 Jesus answered and said, “This voice did not come because of Me, but for your sake. 31 Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out. 32 And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself.” 33 This He said, signifying by what death He would die.
John 12:
Help:
Confidence that this world and its ruler will be judged and cast out
Confidence that our sacrifices for the Father will draw others to Jesus
The people - v. 34
The people - v. 34
34 The people answered Him, “We have heard from the law that the Christ remains forever; and how can You say, ‘The Son of Man must be lifted up’? Who is this Son of Man?”
Knowledge of Scripture
Desire to understand and apply what has been revealed
35 Once I have sworn by My holiness;
I will not lie to David:
36 His seed shall endure forever,
And his throne as the sun before Me;
37 It shall be established forever like the moon,
Even like the faithful witness in the sky.”
Selah
4 You have commanded us
To keep Your precepts diligently.
4 The Lord has sworn
And will not relent,
“You are a priest forever
According to the order of Melchizedek.”
0
6 For unto us a Child is born,
Unto us a Son is given;
And the government will be upon His shoulder.
And His name will be called
Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7 Of the increase of His government and peace
There will be no end,
Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom,
To order it and establish it with judgment and justice
From that time forward, even forever.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.
Jesus
Jesus
35 Then Jesus said to them, “A little while longer the light is with you. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you; he who walks in darkness does not know where he is going. 36 While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light.” These things Jesus spoke, and departed, and was hidden from them.
Helps:
light
walking in the light
believing in the light
becoming a son of light
recognizing Jesus as the light of the world
12 Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”
Hindrances:
Walking in darkness
Jesus being hidden from us
The people
The people
37 But although He had done so many signs before them, they did not believe in Him, 38 that the word of Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spoke:
“Lord, who has believed our report?
And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?”
39 Therefore they could not believe, because Isaiah said again:
40 “He has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts,
Lest they should see with their eyes,
Lest they should understand with their hearts and turn,
So that I should heal them.”
41 These things Isaiah said when he saw His glory and spoke of Him.
John
Hindrances:
Others’ disbelief
God’s blinding
God’s hardening
18 Therefore He has mercy on whom He wills, and whom He wills He hardens.
19 You will say to me then, “Why does He still find fault? For who has resisted His will?”
How does God harden? Three main ways
By not immediately punishing us for our wickedness
By demanding our obedience to His will
By allowing Satan to deceive the world
Who does God harden?
Those who do not love the truth
Those who do not believe the truth
Those who have pleasure in unrighteousness
9 The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, 10 and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11 And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, 12 that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
Helps:
the recognition that even unbelief is the fulfillment of prophecy
maintaining clear sight and a tender heart
understanding
turning
receiving God's healing
Rulers
Rulers
42 Nevertheless even among the rulers many believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue; 43 for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.
Hindrances:
failure to confess our faith
fear of men
loving human praise more than God's praise
Jesus - v. 44-50
Jesus - v. 44-50
44 Then Jesus cried out and said, “He who believes in Me, believes not in Me but in Him who sent Me. 45 And he who sees Me sees Him who sent Me. 46 I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness. 47 And if anyone hears My words and does not believe, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. 48 He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him—the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day. 49 For I have not spoken on My own authority; but the Father who sent Me gave Me a command, what I should say and what I should speak. 50 And I know that His command is everlasting life. Therefore, whatever I speak, just as the Father has told Me, so I speak.”
John 12:44-4
44 Then Jesus cried out and said, “He who believes in Me, believes not in Me but in Him who sent Me. 45 And he who sees Me sees Him who sent Me. 46 I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness.
- connecting Jesus and his mission with the Father who sent Him
- recognizing Jesus as te light of the world
47 And if anyone hears My words and does not believe, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. 48 He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him—the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day.
John 12:47-
- Connecting the commands of the father with everlasting life
- Hearing and believenig Jesus' words
- Receiving and submitting to Jesus words
49 For I have not spoken on My own authority; but the Father who sent Me gave Me a command, what I should say and what I should speak. 50 And I know that His command is everlasting life. Therefore, whatever I speak, just as the Father has told Me, so I speak.”
Connecting Jesus’ words with the Fathers’
Connecting Jesus’ authority with the Fathers’
Conclusion
Conclusion
In , we see some people exercising great faith and faithfulness, and others showing great unfaithfulness. We also see many people who are in between.
We’ve noted over 50 circumstances and attitudes from this text that help faith and nearly 20 that hinder faith.
I hope as we have been studying this text you have been noting things that help YOUR faithfulness so that you can make sure you get more of those things in your life.
And I hope you have been noting things that hinder YOUR faithfulness, so you can reduce and counteract those road blocks to increased faith in your life.
Because faith is so important. It is the difference between eternal life and eternal death.
30 And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; 31 but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.
Do you believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God? Are acting like Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God?
What actions will you take this week to grow your faith and your faithfulness?
Do you have saving faith?
15 And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.