Message Notes

Focus: Every reason to believe

Message Outline:

A. The problem of not believing

1. Understanding the problem

a. Some can’t believe

i. Tradition

ii. Race

iii. No knowledge of sin and life

b. Some won’t believe

i. An issue of the heart

ii. Not willing

2. Contrast of the Samaritan woman (John 4) and the Jews (John 5)

a. Samaritan woman

i. Did not have the same religious traditions

ii. Was not of Jewish descent – God’s chosen people

iii. Came to believe

b. Jews

i. Strong religious traditions and scripture passed down

ii. God’s chosen people

iii. Yet did not believe

B. Recognizing that Jesus is the Christ

1. Believing in Jesus Christ

a. By understanding who He really is

2. He is Son – John 5:17

a. The Father works He works

b. He does not do anything of Himself

c. What He sees the Father does, He does likewise

d. The Father loves the Son and shows Him all things

3. He is Sent

a. One who gives life – John 5:21

i. Healing

ii. Raising of dead

b. One who judges – John 5:22

i. Forgiveness of sins

c. One who seeks the will of the Father who sent – John 5:30

C. The challenge to believe

1. Every reason to believe

a. Testified by John the Baptist

b. Testified by His Works

c. Testified by God

d. Testified by the Scriptures

2. Our part

a. To recognize Jesus as the Christ

b. To discover a personal faith in Jesus Christ

c. To reaffirm / strengthen our faith in Jesus Christ