THE BATTLE BETWEEN GLORY AND UNBELIEF
John 12.37-43
What Is NEXT For First Baptist? – Part 2 of 4
v. 37 “Though he had done so many signs before them, they still did not believe in him …” (esv)
WE KNOW THAT PERVASIVE UNBELIEF …
NEVER SUPPLANTS God’s Sovereignty
v. 38 “This was to fulfill the word of Isaiah the prophet … ‘Lord, who has believed our message? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?’” (csb)
ALWAYS MAKES True Belief Costly
v. 42 “… many even among the leaders believed in him. But … they would not confess their faith for fear they would be put out of the synagogue …” (niv)
Matthew 13.20–21 “… the seed that fell on rocky places is the man who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. But since he has no root, he lasts only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, he quickly falls away.” (niv)
v. 43 “… they loved the approval of men rather than the approval of God.”(nas)
2 Timothy 4.10 “For Demas, in love with this present world, has deserted me …” (esv)
CAN VANISH Upon Seeing God’s Glory
v. 43 “… they loved the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God.” (esv)
v. 41 “Isaiah said these things because he saw his glory and spoke of him.”
Isaiah 6
Hebrews 11.27 “By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the king’s anger; he persevered because he saw him who is invisible.” (niv)