Sermon: Believing is Seeing
Scripture: John 12: 44-50

A wife opening the mail said to her husband, “The bank says that this is our last notice. Isn’t it wonderful that they’re not going to bother us anymore?”

It’s never wise to ignore final notices! That’s true of bill collectors, but it’s especially true if you ignore God’s final notice. So when God sends a final notice, it’s best to pay attention!

We UNDERSTAND what the Bible is telling us but can we can SEE that as happening and we are OK with that? But do we BELIEVE?

Jesus said it well when He said, Luke 12:34 – 34 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

Part of Jesus’ summary statement is God’s Provision.
46 I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in Me should stay in darkness.
47 “As for the person who hears My words but does not keep them, I do not judge him. For I did not come to judge the world, but to save it. 48 There is a judge for the one who rejects Me and does not accept My words; that very word which I spoke will condemn him at the last day.
He says, “I have come into the world as a light.”

Jesus gave us these last words to live by and believe without seeing in person!

Last words are powerful, because last words leave a lasting impression.
Some of my favorite last words come from John Newton, the author of Amazing Grace, who just before he died said, “Although my memory’s fading, I remember two things very clearly: I am a great sinner and Christ is a great Savior.”

How many have heard or used the term….”seeing is believing”

If you stake everything upon him, and like the prophet Elijah, and believe that the unseen is for you, you will see a pattern, a true purpose in your own life.
If you look at the book of Kings – and the prophet Elijah-
Many who don’t find it valuable have turned from God to self and have restricted their horizons. This weakness has gotten into so many areas of life. We need the sanctuary where we can find time to reflect on the miracles God has provided to each and every one of us.

God intended us for great things should we follow him… and should we believe.

GA Studdert Kennedy, priest and poet might have summed it up best:
“I believe that by God’s grace we can achieve great things and mount higher and higher until above the clouds we stand and stare God in the face. That is the faith needed to keep us hopeful, and God in Christ has given us this faith.”

In Romans 12:2 it says: “Do not conform to the pattern of the world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

The person who is the true believer really sees WHAT God is doing for us daily.