Don't Doubt It!

Alba 5-19-2024

DON'T DOUBT IT!

I John 1:1-4

The following statements were taken from official documents, newspapers and magazines widely read during their day. Listen to what the "authorities" had to say:

1840 - "Anyone traveling at the speed of thirty miles per hour would surely suffocate."

1878 - "Electric lights are unworthy of serious attention."

1901 - "No possible combination can be united into a practical machine by which men shall fly."

1926 - (from a scientist) "This foolish idea of shooting at the moon is basically impossible."

1930 - (another scientist) "To harness the energy locked up in matter is impossible."

All of the people who said these things were proven wrong. They were proven wrong because reality set in. Once people experienced and survived fast speeds, electric light, airplanes, space flights and saw the power of nuclear fission, everything changed. The experience proved what before was thought to be impossible could actually be true.

But it can be hard to convince some people. Like doubting Thomas, they say, “I won't believe it until I see it!” Even then you can't convince some people. As they say, “A man convinced against his will is of the same opinion still.” The scribes and Pharisees had Jesus right in front of them, but they would not believe that He was the Messiah.

Except for Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea, the doubters didn't take the time or the effort to examine the evidence as to the reality of Jesus' claim to be the “I Am”. That's why the apostle John, nearly 60 years after Jesus walked on this earth, wrote his letter to the churches. He wanted to give witness to the truth about Jesus. And he provides all we need and more to put to rest any false ideas about who Jesus is. John doesn't want anyone to have doubts about the person and deity of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

So I John 1:1-4 says this: “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life— the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us— that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. And these things we write to you that your joy may be full.”

In the original Greek language, these four verses are contained in one sentence. There is what seems to be some repetition in these verses, but John wants to drive home his message so that no one could mistake or misrepresent what he is saying. That Jesus is real. He walked on this earth. He gave Himself as a sacrifice for our sins.

1.Don't doubt it! Because, he says: We Heard Him

John is saying that he was there as Jesus spoke to the multitudes and in the personal conversations Jesus had with the apostles. They heard Him speak! They did not get the word second hand. They didn’t read His words in a book. They heard Him speak with their own ears and hearts! They heard Him say to the questioning Jews, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.”

They heard Him say to Nicodemus “Unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” They heard Him say “Lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest!” They heard Him say, “The hour is coming when all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth, the good to the resurrection of life and the evil to the resurrection of condemnation.”

They heard Him say, “The bread of God is He who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” They heard Him say, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” They heard Him say, “For if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins.” They heard Him say, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed.” They heard Him say, “I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.”

They heard Him say, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.” They heard Him say, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.” They heard Him say, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.”