Message Notes

SUNDAY SCHOOL SPECIAL 12 JUNE 2022

Text: John 12:42-50

Subject: The Problem of a Fearful Faith II

INTRODUCTION

1. A fearful faith has become quite common

2. Many of us have a less-than-ideal faith!

3. Our challenge must be to cultivate a strong and vibrant faith

APPRECIATING THE WORD OF THE LORD JESUS

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 12:42-50

1. A reference to those who do not believe in the word of the Lord Jesus

a) People may hear

b) But not all would believe

c) But the Lord Jesus would not judge those who do not believe in Him

d) The 1^st Coming of the Lord Jesus

i) He did not come to judge

ii) He came to save the world

iii) He will not judge those who do not immediately believe

iv) The Lord Jesus exercised much grace and mercy 

2. A reference to those who reject the word of the Lord Jesus

a) Rejection is not quite the same as not believing

b) A person may begin with unbelief but may yet come to faith in the Lord

c) A person who rejects the word of the Lord Jesus; that is a different matter

d) In the 2^nd Coming

i) The word of the Lord Jesus will judge the individual who rejects

ii) In the 2^nd Coming, the focus is not salvation but judgment

3. Understanding the Person of the Lord Jesus and His word

a) The Authority of the word of the Lord Jesus

i) This authority was given by the LORD God

ii) This authority extended to cover healing of people

iii) It was also extended to cast out demons

iv) It was further extended to cover all the Lord Jesus would teach

²⁸ And so it was, when Jesus had ended these sayings, that the people were astonished at His teaching,

²⁹ for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. Matthew 7:28-29

4. The personal understanding of the Lord Jesus concerning His teaching

And I know that His command is everlasting life. Therefore, whatever I speak, just as the Father has told Me, so I speak. John 12:50

a) The word of the Father is “a command”

b) God’s word (“command”) is everlasting life

i) It gives life

ii) It gives everlasting life

iii) The word of God is alive (Hebrews 4:12)

c) He teaches most consciously

i) He works very closely with the Father

ii) His Father gives Him the words to speak

CONCLUSION 

1. The negative things of life must be dealt with

a) Doubts

b) Unbelief

c) Uncertainty

2. The Challenge

a) To appreciate afresh

i) The Lord Jesus Christ

ii) His teachings

b) To appropriate 

i) A courageous faith

ii) A deep and keen faith