Belief vs. Unbelief: The Eternal Divide
Summary
In the year 1955, we find ourselves reflecting on the one who divides history into BC and AD, the one whose presence in the world is the only thing that truly matters. The crux of our existence hinges on whether we believe in Him or not. This belief or unbelief is not just a matter of immediate happiness but determines our eternal future and welfare. As we delve into the characteristics of belief and unbelief, we see that unbelief, despite its intellectual pretensions, is ultimately futile and self-canceling. The Sadducees and Pharisees, though seemingly distinct in their beliefs, both rejected Christ—one because of His resurrection and the other because of His death. Their divisions, while appearing significant, ultimately nullify each other, revealing the absurdity of unbelief.
Unbelief is characterized by its reliance on prejudices and its refusal to accept facts. It is a waste of time, as it constantly cancels itself out, arguing against itself and never finding satisfaction. This is evident in the modern world, where unbelievers, despite their differences, share a common rejection of Christ. They are governed by their prejudices, willing to go to great lengths to prove their points, even if it means being dishonest or ignoring the scriptures. They are equally blind to spiritual truths, regardless of their intellectual prowess or lack thereof.
In contrast, belief is rooted in facts. It starts with the historical reality of Christ and His works, not with feelings or prejudices. Believers accept all the facts about Him, even those they do not fully understand, because they are presented in the revelation of scripture. This belief is logical and comprehensive, embracing the miraculous and the divine nature of Christ. It acknowledges His death and resurrection as the foundation of our salvation and eternal life. Belief is not about self-salvation but about resting in the finished work of Christ, who is the light of the world. In Him, we find our hope and salvation, looking forward to His glorious return.
Key Takeaways:
- Unbelief is ultimately futile and self-canceling, as seen in the divisions between the Sadducees and Pharisees, which nullify each other. Despite their differences, they share a common rejection of Christ, highlighting the absurdity of unbelief. [26:16]
- Unbelief is characterized by its reliance on prejudices and refusal to accept facts. It is a waste of time, constantly arguing against itself and never finding satisfaction, as seen in the modern world where unbelievers share a common rejection of Christ. [30:39]
- Belief is rooted in facts, starting with the historical reality of Christ and His works, not with feelings or prejudices. Believers accept all the facts about Him, even those they do not fully understand, because they are presented in the revelation of scripture. [40:09]
- Belief is logical and comprehensive, embracing the miraculous and the divine nature of Christ. It acknowledges His death and resurrection as the foundation of our salvation and eternal life, not about self-salvation but resting in the finished work of Christ. [43:04]
- In Christ, we find our hope and salvation, looking forward to His glorious return. He is the light of the world, and in Him, we are not left to ourselves but are saved by His grace and love. [46:37]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[19:03] - The Importance of Belief
[19:36] - Characteristics of Unbelief
[20:00] - The Futility of Life Without Christ
[21:15] - Sadducees vs. Pharisees
[22:41] - Rejection of Christ
[26:16] - Unbelief's Self-Cancellation
[27:24] - The Absurdity of Unbelief
[30:39] - Modern Unbelief
[31:12] - Prejudice and Unbelief
[33:12] - The Dishonesty of Unbelief
[36:07] - Ignorance of the Scriptures
[38:16] - Rejection of Facts
[39:51] - Characteristics of Belief
[40:09] - Belief Starts with Facts
[43:04] - Comprehensive Belief
[46:37] - Hope in Christ
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. John 3:16 - "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."
2. Acts 23:6-8 - "But when Paul perceived that one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, 'Men and brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee; concerning the hope and resurrection of the dead I am being judged!' And when he had said this, a dissension arose between the Pharisees and the Sadducees; and the assembly was divided. For Sadducees say that there is no resurrection—and no angel or spirit; but the Pharisees confess both."
3. Romans 10:9 - "That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved."
Observation Questions:
1. What were the main reasons the Sadducees and Pharisees rejected Christ, according to the sermon? [22:15]
2. How does the sermon describe the nature of unbelief in the modern world? [30:39]
3. What does the sermon suggest is the starting point for belief? [40:09]
4. How are the Sadducees and Pharisees described as being similar despite their differences? [26:16]
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the sermon illustrate the futility of unbelief through the example of the Sadducees and Pharisees? [26:16]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that belief is rooted in facts rather than feelings or prejudices? [40:09]
3. How does the sermon explain the role of Christ's death and resurrection in the foundation of belief? [45:18]
4. What does the sermon imply about the importance of accepting all facts about Christ, even those we do not fully understand? [43:04]
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you relied on prejudices rather than facts in your spiritual journey. How can you shift your focus to be more fact-based in your belief? [40:09]
2. The sermon describes unbelief as self-canceling and futile. Are there areas in your life where you find yourself in a cycle of doubt? How can you break free from this cycle? [26:16]
3. How can you ensure that your belief in Christ is comprehensive, embracing both His death and resurrection as the foundation of your faith? [45:18]
4. Consider the modern examples of unbelief mentioned in the sermon. How can you engage with those who hold different beliefs in a way that is respectful and rooted in truth? [30:39]
5. The sermon emphasizes the importance of looking forward to Christ's return. How can you cultivate a sense of hope and anticipation in your daily life? [46:37]
6. Identify a specific prejudice or preconceived notion you hold that might be hindering your spiritual growth. What steps can you take to address and overcome it? [32:53]
7. How can you rest more fully in the finished work of Christ, rather than striving for self-salvation? What practical steps can you take to remind yourself of His grace and love? [45:53]
Devotional
Day 1: The Futility of Unbelief
Unbelief, despite its intellectual facade, is ultimately futile and self-canceling. The Sadducees and Pharisees, though differing in their beliefs, both rejected Christ, highlighting the absurdity of unbelief. Their divisions, while appearing significant, nullify each other, revealing that unbelief is a waste of time. In the modern world, unbelievers, despite their differences, share a common rejection of Christ, governed by prejudices and a refusal to accept facts. This shared rejection underscores the futility of unbelief, as it constantly argues against itself and never finds satisfaction. [26:16]
Hebrews 3:12-13 (ESV): "Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called 'today,' that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin."
Reflection: Consider an area in your life where you might be holding onto unbelief. How can you seek truth and let go of prejudices that may be hindering your faith?
Day 2: The Prejudices of Unbelief
Unbelief is characterized by its reliance on prejudices and refusal to accept facts. It is a waste of time, constantly arguing against itself and never finding satisfaction. In the modern world, unbelievers share a common rejection of Christ, governed by their prejudices. They are willing to go to great lengths to prove their points, even if it means being dishonest or ignoring the scriptures. This shared rejection highlights the absurdity of unbelief, as it blinds individuals to spiritual truths, regardless of their intellectual prowess or lack thereof. [30:39]
2 Corinthians 4:4 (ESV): "In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God."
Reflection: Identify a prejudice or bias you hold that might be preventing you from fully embracing the truth of the Gospel. How can you actively work to overcome this bias today?
Day 3: The Foundation of Belief
Belief is rooted in facts, starting with the historical reality of Christ and His works, not with feelings or prejudices. Believers accept all the facts about Him, even those they do not fully understand, because they are presented in the revelation of scripture. This belief is logical and comprehensive, embracing the miraculous and the divine nature of Christ. It acknowledges His death and resurrection as the foundation of our salvation and eternal life. Belief is not about self-salvation but about resting in the finished work of Christ. [40:09]
1 Corinthians 15:3-4 (ESV): "For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures."
Reflection: Reflect on the historical reality of Christ's death and resurrection. How does this foundation of belief impact your daily life and decisions?
Day 4: The Logic of Comprehensive Belief
Belief is logical and comprehensive, embracing the miraculous and the divine nature of Christ. It acknowledges His death and resurrection as the foundation of our salvation and eternal life. This belief is not about self-salvation but about resting in the finished work of Christ. In Him, we find our hope and salvation, looking forward to His glorious return. Believers are not left to themselves but are saved by His grace and love, finding light and guidance in Christ, who is the light of the world. [43:04]
Colossians 2:6-7 (ESV): "Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving."
Reflection: In what ways can you deepen your understanding of the comprehensive nature of your faith? How can you walk more fully in the light of Christ today?
Day 5: Hope in Christ's Return
In Christ, we find our hope and salvation, looking forward to His glorious return. He is the light of the world, and in Him, we are not left to ourselves but are saved by His grace and love. This hope is not just for the future but impacts our present, guiding us in our daily lives. As believers, we are called to live in anticipation of His return, allowing this hope to shape our actions, thoughts, and relationships. [46:37]
1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 (ESV): "For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore encourage one another with these words."
Reflection: How does the hope of Christ's return influence your daily life? What changes can you make today to live more fully in anticipation of His coming?
Quotes
the one who came into the world and who's coming as made us call this year 1955 the one who divides his book into BC and AD there he remains and I say only one thing matters whether we believe in him or whether we don't believe in him belief or unbelief and because this is such a vital metal because not only our immediate happiness but our eternal future and our eternal bliss and welfare penned upon a relationship to him and our belief in him it's because of that I would plead with you to consider with me the picture that we are given here in this incident of the characteristics of unbelief and the characteristics of belief it's the only thing that matters [00:18:48]
the Sadducees did not believe in him and rejected him because of this claim that he had risen from the dead that was the main ground for rejecting him they said that we will not believe this person we will not believe the truth concerning him because his followers claim that he arose from the dead no they said that is impossible because nobody can rise from the dead such a thing is impossible and because it's impossible it hasn't happened and therefore if their whole faith is based upon the statement that it has happened it must be wrong therefore we are not Christians and it's such logic that you can't find a flaw in it it seems perfectly established [00:21:58]
the story tells us that these divisions and distinctions always cancel one another out don't forget my major principle which is this that unbelief is always fatuous that unbelief is always ridiculous that unbelief is always a waste of time and here it is it appears to be imposing and wonderful based on arguments and understanding and intellect but you see that in reality it cancelled itself out its divisions negative and nullified one another now this is always true of unbelief had you ever realized that I wonder here it is to perfection the so deities and Pharisees cancel one another out completely they didn't know that but its effect [00:26:12]
take all the unbelievers in the world tonight take the people to whom this Easter Sunday means nothing at all and or other things that they're tremendously superior because they don't believe in such folklore and such nonsense look at the greatness of unbelievers now you realize don't you they're not all the same there are some spending their evening in public houses tonight just drinking and getting drunk and perhaps making jokes about it yes but there are others who are members of very learned societies and are doing the same thing in a different way but you see they cancel one another in the most extraordinary manner [00:28:26]
they're all equally governed by their own theories and by their own prejudices a Pharisee son of a Pharisee brought up in the Pharisee amongst the Pharisees teaching of the Pharisees you start with it you're free and accepted Judas the other male cell you see belongs to the other party and each norm is absolutely governed by his prejudice by his own theory and by his own idea that's true of every believer in the world tonight he starts with the prejudice and he holds on to it they're all the same they're all prejudiced whatever amend of the world may say against the Christian there is one thing he can never say against him [00:31:33]
they're all equally guilty of the scriptures these men were the religious leaders these men were the men who knew the Old Testament and was supposed to read it and to expound it to the people but they were all equally blind with respect to it and its message the Old Testament taught the mere regulus he taught the doctrine of spirits and it taught the doctrine of angels it prophesied and predicted that the Messiah would be killed and would rise again if all their and they were ignorant of it our Lord accused them of the same thing on that occasion you remember when the Sadducees came to him about this very question of resurrection and put the case of the woman who married the seven brothers [00:35:51]
belief always starts with the facts the others as I've been showing you always start with prejudices and refuse facts belief starts with facts I do want to emphasize that you know I cannot accept the statement that belief starts with healing belief leads the feeling if people come to me and say they've experienced something wonderful and when I ask them what it is they can't tell me I am not satisfied to call such people Christian Christianity is based on fact it starts with faith this is an historical faith and religion the Christian starts for the fact [00:40:05]
belief believes all the facts about him you've got to be logical to be a Christian I say you must believe all the facts you look at these Pharisees you see the problem with them is that they were lying upon the fact that they were partly right they did believe in the miraculous they did believe in spirits and they believed in angels yes but they simply believe the facts that they liked and they rejected the others you can't be a Christian like that let me put it as bluntly and the simply and as plainly as I can Christian is a man who believes the facts in this book as they are he doesn't seem to understand them all but he believes them because their effects and because they are presented to him in the revelation [00:43:02]
I believe that Jesus of Nazareth turned the water into wine I believe that he cleansed the letters give sight to the blind and raised vector and corn the stolen see I believe it all and I find it no difficulty to do so because believing in God with whom all things are possible miracles are not difficult indeed I would go further I would expect miracles when the Son of God comes on earth and I find them no that is no reason for believing them I believe them because they confront me they are facts they're a part of him the testimony concerning him and so I believe when I'm told that he went deliberately to his death on the cross because he had said the son of man is not come to be ministered unto but to minister and to give his life a ransom for many [00:44:48]
he died our death he has risen again for our justification he has gone into heaven to prepare a place for us that is the message the world cannot be better it is mastered by this darkness the darkness of the devil and of Hell and there is only one light that can set us free from it and show us the way to God he is the one he doesn't tell you to save yourself he tells you that he saves you it isn't his teaching it's what he's done I and I alone am the light he's taken to your nature he's taken your sin he's taking your punishment he's been buried in your grave he's risen he's interceding for you he the Christ Himself not slogans not philosophy not teaching not ideas I and I alone the person and the light of the world [00:45:33]
are you following him are you walking in his light are you looking only unto Him and resting upon him and his finished work and are you looking for his blessed his glorious appearing and the final glorious consummation thank God we are not left to ourselves we are not after men however great and Noble and wonderful God is interested God loves the world God has so loved it that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life have you got it turn to the light look to him and be ye saved amen [00:46:37]
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