The Mechanics of Belief
by Rev. Kirby Williams
Belief that sharpens our focus heavenward.
Text: John 6:45-47
Date: 01/15/2017, the Traditional service.
Series: "John: Encountering Love" Part 43
Description:
In our text for this message, Jesus continues to tell the Jews in the synagogue in Capernaum about His Father's sovereignty in election and the irresistibility of His grace. This time He turns to Scripture and reveals some of the mechanics of this grace-- belief comes by hearing the Words of the Father and learning from what He says. We will look closely at what He means by "hear" and "learn" and find in them the source of illumination. But Jesus is not just talking about a belief that comes at the time of regeneration and then stagnates; but a living, dynamic faith that grows as our lives as Kingdom-dwellers progress. We will analyze and discuss this ongoing illumination and find in these mechanics of belief a way to live and grow heavenward.
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I. Introduction
II. Exposition of the text, John 6:45-47.
A. Context, John 6:33,35,37,44.
B. The mechanics of illumination.
1. Learning the will of the Father, vs. 45.
a. The word of the prophets, Isa. 54:13, Jer. 31:34.
b. Continuing the discussion of election.
i. Another "all-inclusive exclusive".
ii. Another predestinarian set.
iii. Maintaining the context.
c. Hearing and learning from the Father.
i. The opposite of "seeing and not believing", John 6:36.
ii. Hearing the Father.
¥ Hearing and not hearing, Matt. 13:11,14,16,17; John 3:34, 5:37, 12:49.
¥ Summarizing "hearing" the Father.
ii. Learning from the Father, Matt. 5:17, 9:13, 11:29; Mark 13:28.
d. Coming to Jesus.
4. The source of illumination, vs. 46, John 1:18, Heb. 1:1,2.
5. The glorious fruits of belief, vs. 47.
III. Application
A. Continuous illumination.
B. Continuous belief.
IV. Conclusion
