29 March 2020 Sunday [Lockdown]
Punjab, India
Bible Reading, Studying (Questions and
Answers), Application from John 11:45:57
Theme: “Just Believe Christ, because
Unbelief is Dangerous!”
I don’t need to remind you again that we are
doing this because of this coronavirus pandemic. How we wish to get rid of this
virus, don’t we? If someone from different planet shows up and eradicate this
virus, and all kind of sickness and suffering and economic inequalities, would
it not be great? Actually, John 11:45:57 is about such miracles, actually
greater than what we have just imagined. A man Lazarus was dead, and lots of
people were deeply sad and crying. Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead.
But the people weren’t responding as we
imagine. V.45-53 says some people wanted to kill Jesus for doing such a great
miracle. What insanity (stupidity), right? This passage is telling us how Unbelief
in Christ leads one to stupidity. And in v54-57 we see Jesus withdrawing
(abandoning) those people because of their unbelief and stupidity (wickedness).
John 11:45-57 is teaching us that Unbelief leads one (not only) to
stupidity, but (it also) makes one more deprived (hopeless), because
Jesus is the only way, the only truth, and the only life, the real solution for
all our problems, and if we will not believe in Him, He will reject us too. John
11:45:57 is teaching us in one line: “Just Believe Christ, because Unbelief is Dangerous!”
The whole book of gospel John is written that we may believe Christ, and by
believing that we may have eternal life (John 20:31).
Let’s go deeper into our studies by
considering these questions.
UNBELIEF LEADS TO
INSANITY (STUPIDITY)
Q1.
Who was dead and for how many days was he buried (v.38-44)? Who raised him up
from the dead (v.38-44)? How long do you think will it take for the dead to
rot and stink? Have you heard of
anyone raising the dead?
Q2.
If Jesus raised Lazarus, what is your estimation of Him? (refer John 11:25;
14:16). And if you believe in this Jesus, what does it make you feel?
Q3. In verse v45 some people believed
Jesus but in v46, some refused to believe why? (v45-53)
Q4.
Surely it was not the lack of evidence (proof), but because their hearts were
wicked, what were they clinging to (v47)? In light of this, why do you think
some people deny the existence of God? As you reflect this truth, is there
anything you cannot give up for Christ? (think through Mark 8:34-37, also read
this promise Mark 10:28-30)
Q5.
Who decided (prophesied) to kill Jesus and who else decided to join him (v.45-53)?
What was the reason for killing Jesus? [Hints v48] Is it justifiable? Would you kill an innocent man for 1
million dollars? Why is it wrong? Think!
Q6.
Verse 49-52 is puzzling. Prophecy is of God, so actually, God ordained that
Jesus would be crucified (killed). In that sense, Jesus was not killed by the
Jews or the Romans, who killed Jesus Christ and why? (refer John10:18; also
think through John 3:14-16)
UNBELIEF MAKES
ONE MORE DEPRIVED (HOPELESS)
Q7.
Why did Jesus hide (no longer walked openly) from the Jews? Was He afraid of
the Jews? (Refer John 7:30, 44; 8:20; Luke 4:29-30) When did Jesus appear again
and what happened to Him when he reappeared? (refer John 12:23; Matthew 26:45) In
light of this truth, who is in charge of history and time?
Q.8
In v54-57, we see Jesus withdrawing His presence, do you remember any passage
or story of the Bible that God gave up (rejected/abandon) His people? (Genesis
6:3; Judges 16:20; 1Samuel 15:20). Why does God do that? STIFFNECKED.
OPPOSITION. DELIBERATE REJECTION. What does that teach us?
Q9.
The Chief priests and Pharisees sought Jesus Christ to kill Him, but never
found Him. Jesus did come out again and so they killed Him. Why did Jesus show
up again? (v55, 12:1; Luke22:14-20; John 6:51)
May the Spirit help you find
the answers and apply them to your life to the glory of God!
Preaching/Teaching
Outline for John 11:45-57
INTRO . . . .
THEME: “JUST BELIEVE BECAUSE UNBELIEF
IS DANGEROUS”
You might ask, where does that command to
believe come from? John wrote this gospel that you may believe. The narrative
style of this passage exposed the dangerous side of unbelief, therefore we
should believe. Moreover, the theological interpretation of Apostle John
in v51-52 embedded in this passage is implying ‘to believe’ that He is the
Christ the savior of the world.
John 11:45-57 has two major scenes which give
us two dangerous sides of Unbelief: The first danger of Unbelief is it leads to
insanity (45-53). The second danger of Unbelief is it makes one more deprived
(54-57). I do believe there are other dangers of Unbelief but these are the two
things we find in this passage according to the narration of Apostle John.
TWO DANGEROUS OUTCOMES
OF UNBELIEF:
1.
UNBELIEF LEADS TO INSANITY (Frederick Nietzsche)
A. NOT LACK OF EVIDENCE (45-47)
miracles 7th. Romans 1. Lazarus rich.
B. FOR WORLDLINESS (48-50) Pilate,
Morality Heresy. Political Correct.
C. PROFESSING WISE FOOLS! (51-53)
Sovereignty – Judas, Philistine
2.
UNBELIEF MAKES ONE MORE DEPRIVED (Israel, Jesus)
A. JESUS WITHDREW (54) Parable,
miracles,
B. ONLY JESUS’ WILLS TO SHOW UP (55-57)
Garden, lay down, Calvinistic
CONCLUSION:
. . . How do I believe? Pray like the man of Mark 9: “Help my unbelief!”
. . .
FOR
THE ANSWERS TO THE 9 QUESTIONS ABOVE, YOU MAY DOWNLOAD FROM THIS LINK ANSWER_Unbelief