Willing To Believe (John 10:31-42)

The sermon notes from Mark Block for this passage of Scripture are attached. Unfortunately, the audio in our video of the sermon did not work. If you have any questions about the notes, feel free to contact Pastor Mark.   Context: To get an idea of the context for this passage of Scripture, let’s read John 10:24-25 and 10:30. Read John 10:31-32 The Jews, made up of religious leaders and those in the temple, wanted to kill Jesus. They think they finally have sufficient cause for stoning him. Jesus though, aware of their evil and unbelieving heart, asks them “for which good works are they stoning Me?” The good works of Jesus: Casting out demon spirits Preaching in a way that brought the lost back to the Lord Healing the sick; including people at the point of death, the blind, the deaf, the crippled. Performing supernatural miracles like walking on water, water into wine, and multiplying food. Some translations use the term “beautiful works” with the idea being that of moral beauty, their perfection in holiness, in power, in goodness, and in fulfillment of Scripture. Read John 10:33 This refers back to the words of Jesus in 10:30 that, “I and My Father are one.” They are one in will and purpose and also one in power and glory and divinity. They were unwilling to believe his claim and thus seek to kill him. Read John 10:34-37 The Jews seeking to kill him are so caught up in their unbelief that they are in error of the Scripture. Jesus brings them back to the written word of God. He quotes from Psalm 82:6. They accused Jesus of making himself God. Jesus’ point is that there are those that, even in the OT, God used this language about. Would they also accuse God Almighty of blasphemy? Of course not. Psalm 82:6 “You are Gods.” – Gods = Elohiym = Mighty Ones 1. Human Judges         2. Israel as nation       3. Supernatural angelic like beings that at time God spoke though Should we ever refer to ourselves by that title? No. “The general line of Jesus’ argument here is clear. The scripture proves that the word “god” is legitimately used to refer to others other than God Almighty Himself. If there are others whom God can address as “god” and “sons of the most high,” on what biblical basis should anyone object when Jesus says, “I am God’s Son?”” – DA Carson Scripture cannot be broken. There are no inconsistencies. Jesus is whom the Father set apart/sanctified and sent into the world. He is the agent of God’s salvation. He is not walking in blasphemy or disobedience to God the Father, He is doing what the Father desires. Read John 10:38-39 If they don’t believe the words of Jesus, which they should, they should at least believe because of the many works he has done. Works the Father has given Him. See above for the works. Who are the ones truly blaspheming and rejecting God? Not Jesus. They are those who refuse to believe in the One the Father sanctified and sent into the world. Read John 10:40-42 Contrast these beyond the Jordan to the Jews in the temple who took up stones. These people chose to believe Jesus. John the Baptists testimony mattered to them. Your testimony matters in this world. Proclaim Jesus. “Many believed in Him there.”

• Believed His claims were true.
  • “Son of God”
  • “Bread of Life”
  • “The Good Shepherd”
  • The door to salvation
  • The Light of the world who can take you out of darkness
  • The Giver of the Holy Spirit
  • The Anointed One of Israel / Christ/ Messiah
  • The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world
  • The one who scripture directs us toward
• They entrusted their lives to Jesus and to living the way he told them to. They gave allegiance to Jesus.

I want to ask you this morning, “Do you believe Jesus?” The Scripture given to us direct us to follow Jesus. The NT writers were willing to die for their testimony to Jesus. They put their lives on the line. People don’t die for things they believe are lies. It ought to be plain to us. Peter preached this in Acts 2:22 and Acts 2:36-39. If we reject him, we do it to our own detriment, for salvation is only found in the name of Jesus. See Acts 4:12. “Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” If you’re looking for a reason to not follow Jesus; you will create one. But oh, what hope and life there is for those who choose to follow Jesus. Who entrust their lives to Him and do what He commands.