Examining the Depth of True Faith in Christ

 

Summary

In the Gospel of John, chapter 2, verses 23-25, we find a profound insight into the nature of belief and the discernment of Jesus. During His time in Jerusalem at the Passover, many believed in Jesus because of the miracles they witnessed. However, Jesus did not commit Himself to them because He knew the true nature of their hearts. This passage challenges us to examine the depth and authenticity of our faith.

The essence of true faith is not merely in witnessing miracles or being captivated by the extraordinary. True faith is rooted in the Word of God and a genuine understanding of who Jesus is. The people in Jerusalem were drawn to Jesus for the signs He performed, yet their belief was superficial. They were intrigued by His authority and the novelty of His teachings, but they failed to grasp the fullness of His identity and mission.

This passage warns us against a faith that is based solely on external wonders or emotional excitement. Such faith is often shallow and temporary, lacking the depth that comes from a true understanding of Jesus' person and work. True faith involves the whole person—mind, heart, and will—and leads to a life transformed by the grace and truth of Christ.

The challenge for us today is to ensure that our faith is not merely an intellectual assent or an emotional response, but a deep, abiding trust in Jesus as Lord and Savior. We must examine ourselves to see if our belief is genuine, rooted in the truth of the Gospel, and evidenced by a life of obedience and humility.

Key Takeaways:

- True Faith vs. Superficial Belief: True faith is founded on God's Word, not on wonders. It involves a deep understanding of who Jesus is and what He has done, rather than being captivated by miracles or signs. This distinction is crucial for a genuine relationship with Christ. [14:18]

- The Danger of Credulity: Credulity is a readiness to believe anything new or exciting without discernment. It contrasts with true faith, which is grounded in the truth of the Gospel and leads to a transformed life. We must guard against being swayed by mere novelty or emotional excitement. [27:58]

- The Whole Person in Faith: Genuine faith engages the entire person—mind, heart, and will. It is not enough to have intellectual knowledge or emotional experiences; true faith results in a life of obedience and transformation. [39:30]

- Understanding Jesus' Identity: Many people are interested in Jesus for what He can do for them, rather than who He is. True faith recognizes Jesus as the Messiah, the Son of God, and responds with worship and submission to His Lordship. [42:23]

- Self-Examination and Humility: We must examine our motives and the authenticity of our faith. True believers are marked by humility, recognizing their need for a Savior and submitting to His will. This self-examination is vital to ensure that our faith is genuine and not merely superficial. [46:14]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:13] - Introduction to John 2:23-25
- [01:20] - Jesus at the Passover
- [02:13] - The Significance of Signs
- [03:19] - The Purpose of Christian Salvation
- [04:46] - The Enemy's Opposition
- [05:26] - Different Reactions to Jesus
- [07:26] - The Problem of Superficial Belief
- [09:09] - True Faith vs. False Profession
- [11:00] - The Role of Signs in Belief
- [13:41] - The Balance of Faith and Signs
- [14:18] - Faith Founded on God's Word
- [16:42] - The Nature of True Belief
- [21:35] - Characteristics of Temporary Believers
- [27:45] - Credulity vs. True Faith
- [39:30] - Engaging the Whole Person in Faith
- [46:14] - The Importance of Humility and Self-Examination

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- John 2:23-25
- Matthew 7:21-23
- Romans 6:17

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Observation Questions:

1. What was the reaction of the people in Jerusalem to the miracles Jesus performed during the Passover? How did Jesus respond to their belief? [00:13]

2. How does the sermon describe the difference between the Jewish leaders' reaction to Jesus' actions in the temple and the crowd's reaction to His miracles? [05:26]

3. What does the sermon suggest about the nature of the belief of those who were attracted to Jesus because of His miracles? [07:26]

4. According to the sermon, what is the significance of Jesus not committing Himself to those who believed in Him because of the signs? [08:35]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the sermon explain the difference between believing in Jesus' name and believing on Jesus for salvation? What implications does this have for understanding true faith? [17:03]

2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that credulity differs from true faith? How can this distinction impact a person's spiritual journey? [27:58]

3. How does the sermon use the example of Simon Magus to illustrate the dangers of being captivated by signs and wonders? What lessons can be drawn from this example? [30:07]

4. What does the sermon imply about the role of self-examination and humility in developing a genuine faith? How does this relate to the concept of being a true disciple of Jesus? [46:14]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your own faith journey. Have there been times when your belief was more about the excitement of the extraordinary rather than a deep understanding of who Jesus is? How can you shift your focus to a more genuine faith? [14:18]

2. The sermon warns against credulity and being swayed by novelty. Are there areas in your life where you find yourself easily captivated by new or exciting things without discernment? How can you cultivate a more grounded faith? [27:58]

3. Consider the role of the whole person—mind, heart, and will—in your faith. Are there aspects of your faith that are more developed than others? How can you work towards a more balanced and holistic faith experience? [39:30]

4. The sermon emphasizes the importance of understanding Jesus' identity. How well do you feel you understand who Jesus is and His mission? What steps can you take to deepen your understanding and relationship with Him? [42:23]

5. Self-examination and humility are highlighted as vital for genuine faith. How often do you take time to reflect on the authenticity of your faith? What practices can you incorporate into your life to ensure your faith is genuine and not superficial? [46:14]

6. Think about a time when you were drawn to Jesus for what He could do for you rather than who He is. How can you cultivate a heart of worship and submission to His Lordship? [42:23]

7. The sermon challenges us to examine our motives in following Jesus. What are some practical ways you can ensure your motives are aligned with a true understanding of the Gospel? [46:14]

Devotional

Day 1: True Faith is Rooted in Understanding

True faith is not about being dazzled by miracles or signs; it is about a deep understanding of who Jesus is and what He has done. In John 2:23-25, many believed in Jesus because of the miracles they saw, but Jesus did not entrust Himself to them because He knew their belief was superficial. They were drawn to the extraordinary, but their faith lacked depth and understanding. True faith is founded on the Word of God and involves a genuine comprehension of Jesus' identity and mission. It is not enough to be captivated by the extraordinary; our faith must be rooted in the truth of the Gospel and a personal relationship with Christ. [14:18]

John 6:26-27 (ESV): "Jesus answered them, 'Truly, truly, I say to you, you are seeking me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For on him God the Father has set his seal.'"

Reflection: In what ways have you been seeking Jesus for what He can do for you, rather than for who He is? How can you deepen your understanding of His identity and mission today?


Day 2: Discernment Over Credulity

Credulity is the tendency to believe anything new or exciting without discernment, which contrasts with true faith grounded in the Gospel. The people in Jerusalem were easily swayed by the novelty of Jesus' miracles, but their belief was shallow and temporary. True faith requires discernment and a commitment to the truth of the Gospel, leading to a transformed life. We must guard against being swayed by mere novelty or emotional excitement and instead seek a faith that is deeply rooted in the truth of God's Word. [27:58]

1 John 4:1 (ESV): "Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world."

Reflection: Are there areas in your life where you have been too quick to believe without discernment? How can you practice discernment in your faith journey today?


Day 3: Engaging the Whole Person in Faith

Genuine faith engages the entire person—mind, heart, and will. It is not enough to have intellectual knowledge or emotional experiences; true faith results in a life of obedience and transformation. The people in Jerusalem were intrigued by Jesus' authority and teachings, but their belief was superficial. True faith involves a deep, abiding trust in Jesus as Lord and Savior, leading to a life transformed by His grace and truth. We must ensure that our faith is not merely an intellectual assent or an emotional response, but a holistic commitment to Christ. [39:30]

James 2:17-18 (ESV): "So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, 'You have faith and I have works.' Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works."

Reflection: How can you engage your mind, heart, and will in your faith journey today? What practical steps can you take to live out your faith in obedience and transformation?


Day 4: Recognizing Jesus' True Identity

Many people are interested in Jesus for what He can do for them, rather than who He is. True faith recognizes Jesus as the Messiah, the Son of God, and responds with worship and submission to His Lordship. The people in Jerusalem were drawn to Jesus for the signs He performed, but they failed to grasp the fullness of His identity and mission. We must ensure that our faith is not based solely on external wonders or emotional excitement, but on a genuine understanding of who Jesus is and a commitment to follow Him as Lord. [42:23]

Matthew 16:15-16 (ESV): "He said to them, 'But who do you say that I am?' Simon Peter replied, 'You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.'"

Reflection: How do you perceive Jesus in your life? Are you more focused on what He can do for you, or on who He is? How can you deepen your worship and submission to His Lordship today?


Day 5: The Importance of Self-Examination and Humility

We must examine our motives and the authenticity of our faith. True believers are marked by humility, recognizing their need for a Savior and submitting to His will. This self-examination is vital to ensure that our faith is genuine and not merely superficial. The people in Jerusalem believed in Jesus because of the miracles they witnessed, but their faith was shallow. We must be willing to look inward and assess whether our belief is rooted in the truth of the Gospel and evidenced by a life of obedience and humility. [46:14]

2 Corinthians 13:5 (ESV): "Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test!"

Reflection: What are your motives for following Jesus? Are there areas in your life where you need to practice humility and submit to His will? How can you engage in self-examination to ensure your faith is genuine today?

Quotes


True faith is founded on God's Word, not on wonders. Now, but we've got to work this out together. Then I put it in the form of a general principle. The Jews we were dealing with now Sunday under condemnation for not realizing who he is because of what he's just done in the temple. [00:14:21]

The signs should lead us to believe in him, but if we believe in him only because of the silence, we are in this defective position. Now, one of the early fathers of the church, it seems to me, has put this very well when he said true faith is founded on God's Word, not on wonder. [00:14:18]

Credulity is the kind of thing I have been describing to you. It is this mentality, this condition, which is ready in a sense to believe anything whatsoever. It's open to anything new or novel or interesting or exciting, and it always becomes a victim to it, as we say it falls for it. [00:27:58]

There are some people who believe in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ with their heads only. They've got a theoretical knowing, they've got an intellectual belief, they've got a philosophical approach straight, but their hearts have never been touched, they've never been moved, they've never been melted, and their wills have not been touched. [00:37:30]

The true believer is a man who's heard him say something like this: If any man would be my disciple, let him deny himself, no self-interest, no self-caste or confidence. Let him deny himself, take up the cross, and follow me, not a life of reckless excitement and thrill. [00:46:14]

These people have completely misunderstood him completely, and you'll find many examples of that as you go through the Gospels. They think they have, but they haven't. You're the people interested in him as a miracle worker. You remember the people we read about in John 6. [00:42:23]

The essence of true faith is not merely in witnessing miracles or being captivated by the extraordinary. True faith is rooted in the Word of God and a genuine understanding of who Jesus is. The people in Jerusalem were drawn to Jesus for the signs He performed, yet their belief was superficial. [00:14:18]

The challenge for us today is to ensure that our faith is not merely an intellectual assent or an emotional response, but a deep, abiding trust in Jesus as Lord and Savior. We must examine ourselves to see if our belief is genuine, rooted in the truth of the Gospel. [00:46:14]

The whole purpose of all the students is that they are rendered inexcusable for their unbelief because of the silence which he has worked, as if the argument were, well, there are the signs, surely you must accept them and believe it is through them that you believe. [00:12:46]

The people in Jerusalem were drawn to Jesus for the signs He performed, yet their belief was superficial. They were intrigued by His authority and the novelty of His teachings, but they failed to grasp the fullness of His identity and mission. [00:14:18]

True faith involves the whole person—mind, heart, and will—and leads to a life transformed by the grace and truth of Christ. The challenge for us today is to ensure that our faith is not merely an intellectual assent or an emotional response, but a deep, abiding trust in Jesus as Lord and Savior. [00:39:30]

We must examine ourselves to see if our belief is genuine, rooted in the truth of the Gospel, and evidenced by a life of obedience and humility. This self-examination is vital to ensure that our faith is genuine and not merely superficial. [00:46:14]

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Transcript
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