Faith, Miracles, and the Hope of Eternal Life

Devotional

Day 1: Revealing Christ Amid Skepticism

The Gospel of John was crafted with a purpose akin to a well-structured email, aiming to cut through the skepticism of its time by revealing the true identity of Jesus Christ. In an age where doubt often overshadows faith, the Gospel serves as a testament to the Messiah, the Son of God, and affirms His resurrection. This message is as relevant today as it was during John's era, challenging believers to look beyond their doubts and embrace the truth of Jesus' divine nature and His victory over death. The Gospel's intent is not merely to inform but to transform, leading individuals from skepticism to a place of confident belief in Christ as Lord. [02:53]

"But these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name." - John 20:31 ESV

Reflection: How does the purpose of John's Gospel challenge your own skepticism, and how can you share this message with someone who doubts Jesus' identity today?

Day 2: Expecting Miracles in the Mundane

Miracles are not confined to the pages of Scripture or grandiose displays of divine intervention; they are present in the everyday transformations of lives turned from darkness to light. Believers are called to approach worship with an expectancy for God's power to move, not as a transaction but as a genuine encounter with the living God. This anticipation of the miraculous should not be limited to extraordinary events but should also encompass the daily evidence of God's work in and through His people. [06:36]

"And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up serpents with their hands; and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover." - Mark 16:17-18 ESV

Reflection: What is one area in your life where you need to cultivate an expectation for God's miraculous power, and how can you actively look for His work today?

Day 3: Overcoming Unbelief Through Community

Unbelief can stem from various sources: personal disposition, isolation, or life's contradictions. Like Thomas, who doubted the resurrection until he saw Jesus, believers today may struggle with skepticism. However, remaining in a community of faith is crucial for supporting each other and nurturing belief. The shared experiences of fellow believers can help dispel doubts and reinforce the reality of Christ's presence among His people. [13:43]

"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." - Hebrews 10:24-25 ESV

Reflection: Can you identify a time when community helped strengthen your faith, and how can you be that source of encouragement for someone else today?

Day 4: The Life-Giving Power of Faith in Christ

Faith in Jesus Christ as Lord is not a passive belief but a productive and life-giving force. It is essential to discern truth from falsehood, as belief in something false can lead to spiritual harm or even death. The Apostle John's writings underscore the vitality of genuine faith, which brings life and light into the believer's journey. This faith is not only a shield against deception but also a wellspring of hope and purpose. [17:43]

"For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith." - 1 John 5:4 ESV

Reflection: What false narratives have you encountered, and how can you actively guard your faith against such deceptions today?

Day 5: Eternal Life and Value in Jesus

In a society that may seem to drift away from God, Jesus offers eternal life and intrinsic value to every individual. The growing acceptance of practices like euthanasia reflects a devaluation of life, but Jesus' message stands in stark contrast, affirming that every life has worth. He offers hope for restoration and the promise of an eternal presence with God, free from suffering and pain. [22:16]

"For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day." - John 6:40 ESV

Reflection: How does the promise of eternal life with Jesus influence your view of life's value, and how can you communicate this hope to someone facing despair today?

Sermon Summary

In my sermon today, I delved into the Gospel of John, specifically focusing on the purpose of John's Gospel as we find ourselves in John chapter 20, verses 30 and 31. I began by drawing a parallel between the structure of a typical email and the way John composed his Gospel. Just as emails often start with pleasantries before getting to the main point, John's Gospel has a clear mission: to reveal Jesus Christ to the world. I emphasized that John wrote his Gospel to address the skepticism of his time, which is not unlike the skepticism we encounter today.

I then reflected on the numerous signs and miracles Jesus performed, many of which John admits he could not include in his Gospel due to their vast number. This led me to ask the congregation whether they believe in miracles, highlighting that miracles are not just the extraordinary events we often think of but also the daily transformations we witness in people's lives.

I shared my experiences growing up in Brazil, where miracles were expected in every church service, and challenged the congregation to come to church with the same expectation. I cautioned against the skepticism that can creep into our spiritual lives, using the example of Thomas, who doubted Jesus' resurrection until he saw Him with his own eyes. I pointed out that unbelief can come from our disposition, isolation, or contradictions we experience in life.

I then confessed that even as a pastor, I sometimes struggle with unbelief and skepticism, especially when prayers seem to go unanswered. I encouraged the congregation to continue seeking God's will and to be ambassadors of His light, drawing others to Him through our actions and testimonies.

I spoke about the importance of faith, using the Apostle John's writings to illustrate that believing in Jesus Christ as Lord is the foundation of our faith. I warned against believing in false narratives, comparing them to dangerous remedies that were circulated during the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to people's deaths because they believed in something harmful.

I concluded by reiterating the eternal life that comes through faith in Jesus Christ, contrasting the hopelessness of a society that increasingly embraces euthanasia with the value and purpose Jesus gives to our lives. I reminded everyone that despite the pain and struggles we face in this life, we have the hope of eternal life with God, where there will be no more suffering.

Key Takeaways

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Observation Questions

What is the stated purpose of the Gospel of John according to John 20:30-31?
How does the sermon describe the skepticism faced by early Christians and how it parallels today's skepticism? [02:53]
What examples of miracles did the pastor mention that are not typically considered extraordinary? [05:42]
How did the pastor describe his personal struggle with unbelief and skepticism? [10:50]

Interpretation Questions

Why does John emphasize the importance of believing that Jesus is the Messiah and the Son of God in John 20:30-31?
How can daily transformations in people's lives be considered miracles, according to the sermon? [05:42]
What are some reasons the pastor gave for why people might struggle with unbelief, and how can these be addressed within a faith community? [13:43]
How does the pastor's comparison of false beliefs during the COVID-19 pandemic relate to the importance of genuine faith in Jesus Christ? [17:43]

Application Questions

The pastor mentioned that miracles should be expected in our daily lives and church services. How can you cultivate an expectation for miracles in your own life and in your church community? [06:36]
Reflect on a time when you struggled with unbelief or skepticism. What were the circumstances, and how did you overcome it, or how are you still working through it? [10:50]
The sermon highlighted the importance of community in overcoming unbelief. How can you be more present and supportive in your faith community to help others who might be struggling? [13:43]
The pastor warned against believing in false narratives. What are some "false remedies" or harmful beliefs you have encountered, and how did you discern the truth? [17:43]
Considering the growing acceptance of euthanasia and the devaluation of life in society, how can you affirm the value and purpose of life in your interactions with others? [22:16]
The pastor encouraged the congregation to be ambassadors of God's light. Identify one person in your life who needs encouragement or support. How can you be a light to them this week? [26:26]
The sermon concluded with a call to look for signs and miracles in our world today. What specific steps can you take to be more aware of God's work around you and to share these experiences with others? [23:52]

Sermon Clips

"Do you believe? I do. And you will say, well, I prayed for somebody ten years ago. It didn't happen. Nothing happened. Well, guess what? How about today? How about this week? Right? Continuously seek that which God wants you to do. We ought to be the ambassadors. We ought to be the light of those around us. And when we do that, and by doing so, others will be drawn to him." [26:26]( | | )

"Having faith, like the Apostle John wrote here, you believe that Jesus Christ is Lord. That is faith. And whatever you believe, and many times believe and faith intertwine in our language, but we must know that. We must know that having faith and believing in something that is real is productive. Having faith or believing in something that is not good, even though you're genuine, can many times lead you to problems or even death." [16:19]( | | )

"When you're hurt, or when you're overwhelmed, what you probably want to do is isolate yourself, right? We saw this happening during COVID all the time. People isolating themselves because they just did not want to deal with what was going on around them. Thomas here, he wasn't present. The importance of us being present, the importance of us gathering, and not to live in isolation." [13:43]( | | )

"living in his presence forever and ever and ever. How good is that? Where there will be no sin, no sorrow, no pain, no tear. We will be with our loved ones worshipping God. Yes, the pain, the hurt, the death, separation is something that we live with for the rest of our lives. But we also know that one day we will be reunited. And we will be reunited because of what Jesus Christ said." [23:18]( | | )

"Who? First of all, second, I don't think so. We are the people that should be eagerly expecting miracles. Expecting, waiting, looking for, and rejoicing every miracle that we see around us. And John here, he's saying, listen, these miracles, this was all written so that you know that Jesus Christ is Lord. He is the Savior. He is the Messiah. And there is no one else but him." [09:01]( | | )

"Because if they were, this would be a very long letter. Which brings us to today. Do you believe in miracles? It is so common for us to not believe in miracles because you don't see them. But many times we fail to see that miracles happen in our lives. Daily. To me, the biggest miracle of all is someone coming from the darkness into the light." [05:42]( | | )

"Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. John says everything that I've been talking to up to this point. It is to show that he is the Messiah. He is the true Son of God." [04:31]( | | )

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