Seeds 4 Sermons » Belief

Luke 7:22-23

Sammie Barnes — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 02:43:26 +0000

Luke 7:22-23
To Be(lieve) or Not to Be(lieve): That Was John’s Question

Jesus Knew His Great Results Could Be Considered Unbelievable

Blind Given Sight
Lame Made to Walk
Lepers Made Clean
Deaf Given Hearing
Dead Restored to Life

All Good News for the Poor … in Spirit, Health, and Hope

So he replied to the messengers, “Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor. Blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of me.”

Jesus’ Report Card Was (and Is) Impressive

John 5:37-38

Sammie Barnes — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 15:01:58 +0000

John 5:37-38
God’s Testimony Can Be Ignored through Unbelief in Jesus as Messiah

Never Hear the Father’s Voice
Never See the Father’s Form
Absence of Indwelling of God’s Word

And the Father who sent me has himself testified concerning me. You have never heard his voice nor seen his form, nor does his word dwell in you, for you do not believe the one he sent. NIV

Unbelief Makes for a Lot of Nothing

John 19:35

Sammie Barnes — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 04:18:22 +0000

John 19:35
From Eye-Witness to You-Witness

Saw Testimony
Gave Testimony
Affirmed Testimony

The man who saw it has given testimony, and his testimony is true. He knows that he tells the truth, and he testifies so that you also may believe. NIV

He Saw It and Wrote it, so We Could Read It and Believe [in] Him

John 20:25, 27

Sammie Barnes — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 04:57:12 +0000

John 20:25, 27
Thomas’ Definition of Verifiable Evidence

Eyes (See Nail Marks)
Finger (Touch Nail Injuries)
Hand (Confirm Size/Depth of Spear Injury)

Jesus’ Recommendation to Practice Scientifically-Reliable Forensics: Put an End to Doubts

Touch (Fine Detail)
See (Direct Observation)
Repeatable Verification (Finger AND Hand Testing)

So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it.” [...] Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.”

Suggestions Which Can Be Considered Orders from the Head of CSI: Jerusalem (Who is also Assigned Duties as Head of the Universe)