Believe It Or Not

Believe it or not.

John 11:21-27

Introduction

Last week I mentioned the term, “Cafeteria Christianity.” A religion where people walk into church and pick and choose what they believe may benefit them, rather than what will benefit the body of Christ.

I remember in Hawaii, a young couple coming into church, visiting for the first time. They were a happy family, two young children, secure jobs, secure future, and a secure home. As I talked with them I determined that, prior to their visit to our church, it seemed that they had sat down and had figured everything all out. They had a mental checklist of what they wanted in a church. They already prepared a list of what they thought the church should be offering them. And, if, at the end of their investigation, the church didn’t have all of those items, they would move on. I asked them plainly how many churches they had visited. They said they already been to 15 different churches.

Baptist, Southern Baptist, Independent Baptist, Assemblies of God, Word of Life…nothing fit the list.

That’s sad because, while they were so busy looking for things that would benefit them, they didn’t get to hear the message. It’s tragic because, while they were so busy checking off pre-requisites, they missed the fellowship with the people, they missed letting the Holy Spirit minister to them through others.

But, no, they had their checklist. Needless to say, they moved on, because we didn’t offer what they wanted. No church could. No church would.

1st Timothy 4:

1 The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. 2 Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron.

The last days are not looming any longer, they are here. The end times are not on the horizon any longer, we have entered into them and the question being asked is the same that has been asked for 2000 years, “Do you believe this?”

At Jacob’s well near the town of Sychar, in Samaria, Jesus ministered to a young woman who had had five husbands and He told her:

(John 4:26) …I who speak to you am he.

Jesus was referring to her previous statement about how the Christ, when He comes, will explain everything to her people. He said, simply,

"I who speak to you am he."

Here’s the information lady, what are you going to do with it? She promptly left her pots at the well and went back and brought others, so that they could put their faith in Jesus, like she did.

“Believe it or not”

That’s the title of today’s message. Believe it or not!

We’re looking at the scripture in John 11, verses 21 – 27.

21 "Lord," Martha said to Jesus, "if you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask." 23 Jesus said to her, "Your brother will rise again." 24 Martha answered, "I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day." 25 Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; 26 and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?" 27 "Yes, Lord," she told him, "I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who was to come into the world."

What’s His Relationship to You?

Martha makes a very distinct remark here. She doesn’t call Him Jesus, or Rabbi., she calls Him Lord. She calls Him master. She’s out in the front to meet Jesus.

Now, I want to call your attention to the reverse of what had happened earlier.

When Jesus had visited Martha and Mary before, over in Luke, chapter 10, Mary was the one that was sitting at Jesus’ feet and listening to His teaching.

38 As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. 39 She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. 40 But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, "Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!" 41 "Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, 42 but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."

At that time, Mary chose to listen to Jesus, but now she chooses to stay home and not go out to meet Him. Is there any implication in the fact that she stayed home? I don’t think so. She was probably still overcome with grief at losing her brother. However, look at how far Martha has come. Look at how mature Martha has become. Before, she was doing something else and complaining about not getting any help. But