When Belief Isn’t Belief: Seeing Jesus Beyond the Signs

This sermon by Pastor Mark discusses the theme of true belief versus false belief through the lens of two narratives from the Book of John (John 4:43-5:18). The first story involves an official whose belief in Jesus starts with seeking Jesus’ power to heal his dying son but grows into recognizing Jesus’ authority and identity. The second story centers on an invalid man at the Pool of Bethesda who places his faith in a superstition rather than in Jesus. Pastor Mark emphasizes the necessity of moving from belief in what Jesus can do to who Jesus is. He also discusses the Pharisees’ legalistic mindset, which leads them to miss the mercy and grace of God. The sermon concludes with a call for true belief in Jesus as the living water and a critique of how desperation and convenience can reveal the depth of one's faith.

00:00 Scripture Reading

03:27 Reflections on the Guatemala Trip

07:46 Eddie's Vision and the Well

15:28 Desperation and True Belief

25:38 False Belief vs. True Belief

27:40 The Pool of Bethesda: A Story of Desperation

30:32 Jesus Challenges Superstition

31:53 Do You Really Want to Be Healed?

37:51 The Pharisees' Misguided Zeal

46:28 The True Work of Jesus

48:55 A Modern Miracle: Eddie's Story

51:32 A Call for True Belief and Transformation