Why Some Do Not Believe
Life In His Name
September 28, 2025
Rev. Tim Sharpe
John 12 shows that many did not believe despite Jesus' signs because of willful rejection of God's glory, so our task is persistent prayer, presenting Christ as beautiful and good, and proclaiming his glory together—culminating in practices like the Lord's Supper that both taste and declare his saving work.
Summary
As John 12 opens, Jesus' many signs failed to produce belief, fulfilling Isaiah's pattern of prophetic rejection and revealing a deeper reality: people are not neutral but choose the world's glory over God's because of sin; this irrational rebellion calls us first to pray, trusting God's sovereign Spirit to work, while also sharing the gospel attractively by showing Christ's beauty and goodness rather than merely arguing for truth. Evangelism is not only about individual decisions but about drawing people into a redeemed community that celebrates God's glory, and the Lord's Supper serves as a tangible taste and reminder of Jesus' greatest glory—his death for us—while calling us to discern the body and live worthily.
Key Points
- John 12:37–41: many saw Jesus' signs yet did not believe, fulfilling Isaiah's prophecy of rejection
- The root of unbelief is willful rebellion: people choose worldly glory and sin over God's glory
- The most effective response is prayer: trust God's sovereignty and the Spirit to open hearts
- Present Christ as beautiful and good, not merely factual, so people see his attractiveness
- Evangelism aims at community transformation and celebration, not only private decisions
- The Lord's Supper is a sign and taste of Christ's glory and a reminder of his death for us
- Paul’s warning about eating unworthily calls the church to discern the body and live in repentance
- Persist in sharing and praying even when visible results are lacking, trusting that God uses our efforts for his purposes
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