Sunday, May 23, 1999   

     The Greek word for believe that John most used in the Gospel of John in pisteuo meaning, "to be persuaded of, to trust, to rely upon." To believe on the Lord Jesus Christ is to be persuaded that He died for your sins, was buried and rose again the third day.

     To believe in Jesus means to trust the risen and absolutely nothing else for salvation, it is not:

     Works and Christ
     Baptism and Christ
     Church membership and Christ

     Salvation is by faith in the risen Christ alone.

I. Verse 31, BELIEVING MEANS TRUSTING IN THE ONE WHO IS ABOVE ALL

    A. Christ is from above and therefore is above all, higher than all.

        1. Christ speaks heavenly things - he is from above.

        2. He is above John the Baptist, that voice crying in the wilderness.

        3. He is above Moses who stood at the foot of the burning bush.

        4. He is above Abraham, the father of the faithful.

        5. He is above the angels who sing in heaven.

        6. Jesus Christ, the Son of God is:

             a. King of Kings

             b. Lord of Lords

    B. John the Baptist is like you and I earthly, weak and imperfect.

        1. Although a great man, John the Baptist, was a sinner saved by grace, and thus weak as earthly creatures are.

        2. The Bible teaches that:

            a. "All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all." (Isaiah 53:5).

            b. "There is none righteous no not one..." (Romans 3:10).

            c. "For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God." (Romans 3:23).

        3. Because of our sin nature, we all fell in Adam, we naturally mind earthly things. Even those who love God at times, fall into the dust and hanker for the things of the world and speak worldly things.

    C. Once again John says, "He that cometh from above is above all."

        1. He, Jesus, is above sin. The only way you and I can live above sin is to live above a Honky Tonk.

            a. Jesus, is above sin. He is the sinless lamb of God who came down to earth so you and I can go up to heaven (I Peter 1:18-21).

            b. For you and I to be saved there had to be a sinless substitute, He is the Son of God come from heaven to take our place, to pay our penalty. He was crucified so you and I could be saved (2 Corinthians 5:21).

            c. Jesus is the only one to believe in for salvation (John 14:6).

II. Verses 32-35, BELIEVING MEANS TO RECEIVE THE TESTIMONY OF CHRIST

    A. Verse 32, Jesus came down from heaven and His testimony is a perfect one. What Jesus says about salvation and the way to heaven is absolute truth.

        1. The words, "no man receiveth his testimony" anticipate his rejection.

        2. On the whole, men do not believe the testimony of Jesus Christ.

            a. Jesus says, "I am the way..." Man says, " I don't believe that, I will try another road." Friend's, the other road leads to hell. Yes, there is a way that seems right to man but it is the wrong way.

            b. Jesus says, " I am come that they might have life and have it more abundantly" (John 10:10). Man believes that he can find abundant life without Christ and all he finds is emptiness and misery.

                1) Some claim they are good enough and do not need a Savior.

                2) To be saved you must see yourself as spiritually bankrupt and an empty handed beggar in need of God's gift of eternal life. The scriptures declare "all of our righteousness' are as filthy rags."

    B. Verse 33, When we believe on Jesus, when you believe the Gospel, you are saying God is real.

        1. A seal is attached to a document to confirm it, to attest it. Those who accept him as Saviour certify, ratify, or "set to his seal". That is God's seal.

        2. The believer accepts God's word concerning salvation (John 3:15,18).

            a. To truly believe means that the doubts are settled, the burden is lifted and there is peace.

            b. "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus..."

    C. Verse 34, Jesus Christ was sent to earth by God the Father.

        1. Jesus came to seek and to save the lost (Luke 19:10).

        2. Jesus spoke only the words of God (John 5:30).

        3. "...God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him."

            a. In Him the fullness of the God-head was pleased to dwell.

            b. There is no way to measure His power, He is omnipotent.

    D. Verse 35, On several occasions we hear the Father say of the Son, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased..." He is God the Son, the incarnate one who died on the cross crying. "It is finished" thus he is made heir to all things.

III. Verse 36, BELIEVING IS RECEIVING

    A. Those that believe on Jesus Christ have everlasting live. It does not say may have or could have but "hath everlasting life." He is saved, when a sinner is saved he is saved from something.

        1. Saved means, "to rescue from danger."

        2. The moment of belief in Christ, the believer is rescued form hell and is passed from death to life (John 5:24).

    B. The unbeliever faces God's wrath for all eternity. While he lives he is as good as in hell because..

        a. He has rejected God's great gift of salvation purchased at such a great price - the sacrificial blood of His beloved Son.

        2. Have you rejected Christ?

Conclusion: To be saved you must believe the Gospel, trusting Christ alone for salvation (John 3:18a).