These notes accompany the sermon found here.

³⁰ Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; ³¹ 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 20:30-31 ESV)

(John 20:30-31, Greek Text, Nestle-Aland 28th edition.) 

These Are Written

• The purpose of John’s Gospel is found in John 20:31.
• The Word of God is His chosen vehicle for the saving truth of Jesus Christ, and training of the people of God. See John 5:39, 17:20; 2 Timothy 3:14-17; 1 John 5:9-13; Acts 10:43; Romans 10:17; Isaiah 55:11.

That You May Believe

• Believing and faith: In the New Testament, believe and faith come from words that have the same root [verb – πιστεύω (pisteuo); noun – πίστις (pistis).  They come across in English as forms of believe (verb) and faith (noun) because English does not have a verb form for faith.
• Notice the parallel between Thomas’ response and John’s statement concerning faith:
  • “My Lord and my God” John 20:28.
  • “Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God” John 20:31.
• The Christ. John 20:31; Matthew 1:1; Mark 8:29.
• The Son of God. John 20:31; Matthew 14:33.

And You May Have Life in His Name

• Believing (having faith) is the singular condition for salvation in Jesus Christ. Repentance, confession, baptism, and all other forms of obedience are the necessary results of that faith.  John 3:14-18, 36; James 2:14-17.  Not obeying = Not believing.
• See also Matthew 7:24-27; Philippians 2:12, 3:13-14; John 6:27-29, 4:13-14.

Encouragements

• For some of us, it’s time to get serious about finding out who this Jesus is.
• For some of us, it’s time to cut the ropes. Acts 27:30-32; 1 John 5:9-15.

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