Scripture Reading: John 12:42-50

Jesus is Proof There is a God

Intro.

1. Why do you believe in God? (1 Pet. 3:15)

2. How do you convince someone that God is real, that the Bible is His word, & that Jesus of Nazareth is the Son of God?

3. The answer lies in the evidence that supports the conclusion.

a. Evidence is on display & must be assessed.

b. Can’t force anyone to believe; can urge them to consider & accept the evidence.

4. How one assesses the evidence about God provides an assessment of himself. Who says there is no God? (Fool, Psa. 14:1; wicked, Psa. 10:4)

5. Will you be persuaded there is a God? One line of evidence is Jesus.

I. FAITH THAT GOD EXISTS IS BASED ON EVIDENCE – Heb. 11:6, 1.

A. The Evidence of the Material World – Heb. 11:3; Rom. 1:20.

1. God provides evidence for us to assess – Isa. 40:25-26.

2. “Things that are made” (nothing comes from nothing, Psa. 19:1).

B. The Evidence of Jesus – Jno. 17:1-4.

II. JESUS IS EVIDENCE THAT GOD IS REAL – Jno. 14:9-11.

A. To Believe in Jesus One Must Believe in God – Jno. 12:44-45.

1. In a very real & substantial sense, Jesus is the evidence & reason to believe in God.

2. When it is established that Jesus is the Son of God then the existence of God is immediately established (Jno. 1:1-2).

3. Have not seen God; Revealed by Jesus, Jno. 1:18 (Col. 1:15; Heb. 1:3)

4. In a very real & substantial sense, Jesus is the evidence & reason to believe in God – Jno. 12:44-45 (cf. Matt. 1:21).

B. There is Evidence that Jesus is the Son of God – Matt. 16:13-17.

1. Father has given evidence that Jesus is His Son – Jno. 5:37; 8:18.

2. Peter had correctly assessed the evidence – Matt. 16:16-17.

3. We must assess the evidence – Jno. 7:51.

C. The Evidence that Jesus is the Son of God (Jno. 5:18; 10:30-36).

1. Works of Jesus (Jno. 5:17; 3:2; 5:36; 10:37; 20:30-31).

a. Enemies did not deny his miracles, but attributed them to devil – Jno. 11:47-48 (Matt. 12:22-24).

b. If they were fraudulent, why didn’t they attack the works?

c. Instead, they killed Jesus – Jno. 11:49-50, 53.

2. Words of Jesus (Jno. 10:37-38; 8:13-14; cf. 7:46, 18). (Matt. 7:28-29)

3. The sinless life of Jesus – Jno. 8:46.

a. He claimed to be God – (Jno. 8:58).

b. Yet, it took liars to convict him! (Matt. 26:59)

D. If Jesus is the Son of God, then there is a God – Cf. Jno. 8:19; 14:6-11

1. A non-existent God has no Son!

2. The evidence is valid: Jesus really is the Son of God, & God is real!

3. Example of one who considered the evidence & drew conclusion – Matt. 27:54.

4. Can you judge what is right? Lk. 12:54-57

III. WHY DO PEOPLE REJECT THE EVIDENCE THAT JESUS IS THE SON OF GOD? (Jno. 12:37)

A. It Does Not Agree with Human Wisdom – 1 Cor. 1:21-25.

1. Pride – Psa. 10:4.

2. God is excluded from consideration (Rom. 1:22, 28).

B. It Means there is an Objective Standard of Truth & Morality (Jno. 18:37) – Jno. 14:6 (1:1, 14).

1. Jesus is definite, absolute truth – Jno. 12:46.

2. Many love darkness of sin rather than light of truth – Jno. 3:19-21.

C. Some are Unwillingness to Do What He Says – Jno. 7:16-17.

1. Jesus demands a decision of conscience from all who encounter Him (words & works) & the evidence about Him.

2. You cannot remain neutral about Jesus! Matt. 12:30

3. Will you have faith built on evidence, or will you deny Him?

D. It is Not What Some Have Always Believed – Jno. 1:45-46.

1. Unwilling to come to the truth because it admits past error.

2. Jesus calls on everyone to do that to be saved! (Repent – Lk. 13:5)

E. It Means Loved Ones Who Do Not Believe in Jesus are Lost in Sin – Jno. 3:16-18.

1. Truth about Jesus does not make anyone a sinner (Rom. 5:12).

2. Jesus is the way of salvation for all (you & loved ones).

3. If you reject the truth about Jesus, you are in sin, too! (Jno. 3:18)

F. Because of what Others will Say or Do – Jno. 12:42-43.

Conclusion

What will you do with Jesus? What will He do with you? (Jno. 12:38, 47-50)