Join us on the International Gospel Hour as we delve into the topic of belief in Jesus, exploring biblical insights from John 12:35-38. We investigate the reasons behind the waning belief in the accuracy of the Bible, despite its historical significance and the foundational values it imparts. Discover how spiritual perception, fear, and misplaced love can obstruct one’s path to faith. This episode highlights the eternal wisdom found in scripture, encouraging listeners to walk in the light and embrace true biblical faith.
I simply cannot imagine one not believing in Jesus. Can you, friends? Let’s address some reasons today, shall we? And that’s our study from the International Gospel Hour. We’ll be back in a moment.
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Hi, this is Jay Webb for International Gospel Hour. Welcome to our broadcast today. For over 90 years, Churches of Christ have proclaimed God’s Word through our broadcasts. Just ahead is another Bible-based lesson with Jeff Archie of International Gospel Hour. Let’s begin.
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Well, thank you always to our J-Web, and greetings to all of you. Always great having our listeners here at International Gospel Hour. Now, let me say this. From time to time, I like to mention this. If you are a new listener… To our broadcast, we have a number of options for your listening pleasure in Bible study. Now, you are currently listening to our daily 15-minute broadcast, and occasionally you may hear our shorter segments, 60 Seconds for the Savior, a couple of minutes for Christ. You may hear those from time to time on the station of which you’re listening. We also have available our weekly 30-minute program, and we are thankful for you tuning in and to the station to which you’re listening. At the end of our broadcast, I always say keep listening. So keep listening at our program right here on this station or platform of your choice. Now, we also have a weekly television broadcast via our YouTube channel. If you go to YouTube and put International Gospel Hour in the search engine, you’ll see our channel. You can subscribe to it free. And we’re also on a number of over-the-air television markets throughout the United States. Well, throughout the world, actually. And you can find our programming options at our website, internationalgospelhour.com. Scroll down just a bit and you’ll see all of our programs, even our Hispanic podcast, Christianos Files, with our friend and brother, Marlon Ratana of SpanishBibleSchool.org. We are thankful for every opportunity to speak the oracles of God as commended in 1 Peter 4.11 and to declare the whole counsel of God, Acts 20 and verse 27. So we want to thank you for joining us and stay right here where you listen to International Gospel Hour. Our text today, John 12, 35-38. Then Jesus said to them, A little while longer the light is with you. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you. He who walks in darkness does not know where he is going. While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light. These things Jesus spoke, and departed, and was hidden from them. But although he had done so many times before them, they did not believe in him. That the word of Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spoke, Lord, who has believed our report? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? So, friends, here is Jesus who is saying, Believe in the light. Believe in Jesus. But you know, although all the things that he did to prove that he was the Christ, there were some that still did not believe him. But the prophet of Isaiah, the prophet Isaiah rather said, Lord who has believed our report. There are those who believe there was one called Jesus. But you know, many individuals fall short believing in him. And if we know why people do not believe Jesus, then we will know what one must overcome for true biblical faith in Christ. And that’s our study today. And we’ll be back with that study in about 30 seconds.
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check out our website and see all that’s available. We have a number of biblical resources. You can also listen to our other broadcasts, view our TV program, request our newsletter, and ask for our Bible study by mail, and so much more. And get this, it’s all free at internationalgospelhour.com Why people do not believe in Jesus.
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Here’s one reason. What about the spiritual perception that one may have? In other words, there is simply no interest in the Word of God that teaches us of Jesus. In October of 2025, the American Bible Society released a report on the state of the Bible in the United States, and among their findings, one-third of America agreed that the Bible is totally accurate in all the principles it presents. You know, friends, that has woefully changed through the years. This nation that declares one nation under God, and even on our currency we read, in God we trust, yet only one-third believe in the accuracy of His Word. And that tells me two-thirds of America does not. We note the same in the time of Christ as He walked among them. And they could not accept His word. We noted that earlier from John 12, but earlier in John 6, verse 63, It is the Spirit who gives life, the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life. But there are some of you who do not believe. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who did not believe, and who would betray Him. And he said, Therefore I have said to you that no one can come to me unless it has been granted to him by my Father. From that time many of his disciples went back and walked with him no more. Then Jesus said to the twelve, Do you also want to go away? But Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. Also we have come to believe and know that you are the Christ, the Son of the living God. You see, the twelve changed, if you will, or they recognized the teaching of the Christ that comes from God. You know, in Psalm 119 and verse 11, Thy word have I hid in my heart, that I might not sin against thee. And what about those in Acts 17, verses 10 and 11, those in Berea that were more noble or fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, and that they received the word of God with the readiness of mind and searched the Scriptures whether those things were soed? You see, an individual can change. But we understand there are those who have no interest in the Word of God, and until they overcome and have that interest and learn of the One called Jesus, they’re not going to believe in Him to the fact that they will change their lives. You see, friends, we talk about when people say, well, I believe in Jesus, but yet if they don’t reflect it in their lives, is that true biblical faith? Well, we submit to you it’s not. Why people do not believe in Jesus? Here’s a second one. What about fear and cowardice? In John 9, we bring to this study of the man healed by Jesus, and he was born blind. Now, do we recall the Jewish rulers summoning his parents, asking them about their own son, who could now see? John 9, 20-23 tells us, His parents answered them and said, We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind. But by what means he now sees we do not know, or who opened his eyes we do not know. He is of age. Ask him, he will speak for himself. His parents said these things because they feared the Jews, for the Jews had agreed already that if anyone confessed that he was Christ, he would be put out of the synagogue. Therefore, his parents said, He is of age, ask him. Of course, that man was cast out, and he went to Jesus. Later in John 12, 42 and 43, Nevertheless, even among the rulers, many believed in him. But because of the Pharisees, they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue. For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God. Are there those today for fear of losing things, losing prominence, losing jobs, if they stand for Christ? Yet how encouraged they are by the words of Paul from Philippians 3 and verse 7, of the things and the trust in the flesh, he counted lost for Christ, and no doubt how Paul came out better. Why people do not believe in Jesus, what about a misplaced love? I mean, we already noted John 12, 43, they love the praise of men more than the praise of God. And in John 5, 42 and 43, Jesus says, But I know you, that you do not have the love of God in you. I have come in my Father’s name, and you do not receive me. If another comes in his own name, him you will receive. A misplaced love then, and a misplaced love now. Friends, our dedication should never be to a man, but the man, Christ Jesus. Let us always examine the teaching of men and women, and teaching of all in light of God’s word. So let’s put 2 Timothy 3, 16 and 17, of all scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for proof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness. that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. Let us use the Scripture for our guideline. To see what is being said and taught and say this is not right according to Scripture or it is. That’s simply doing what we read in 1 John 4 and verse 1. Beloved, test the spirits or try the spirits whether they be of God. And friends, a lot of times the misplaced love after man and not to the Christ. That’s why some people do not believe in Jesus. There’s nothing greater than knowing the Christ, knowing God, knowing what God has done for man. With that being said, friends, we want to offer you a free online study. As our friend J. Will will simply say, let’s go back to the Bible.
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Let’s go back to the Bible, shall we? On International Gospel Hour, we always desire to go back to the Bible for our studies, and now we are delighted to offer a special video series through our friends at World Video Bible School. It’s called Back to the Bible with our friend Rob Whitaker. A simple yet thorough study that deals with authority in religion, the church, and your salvation. It’s free, friends. Call us at 855-444-6988. Tell us your email address, say back to the Bible, and we will send the link to you. It’s that easy. You can go to our website at internationalgospelhour.com, click on the contact tab, leave us your email, type back to the Bible in the message box, and we will send the link right away. We look forward to hearing from you.
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Why people do not believe in Jesus? Well, friends, as we’ve noted today, Some simply have no interest in the Word of God, and please know that one can change. Fear and cowardness, we need to stand bold. And also a misplaced love, that we look upon others more than Christ and His Word. Friends, these are some tragic thoughts, but when an individual believes in Christ… Their faith will move them to change their lives. That’s the beauty of teaching, of repentance, of confession and baptism, all commanded by Jesus. I’m indebted to my friend Brother Lee Cox, our preacher at the Union Grove Church of Christ in Cleveland, Tennessee, for the lesson today, part of our series you’ll hear from time to time, A Sermon I Heard. And we’ll continue our studies together at another time. Thanks for joining me today on the International Gospel Hour. I’m Jeff Archie, and friends, keep listening.
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Thank you for listening to our broadcast today, and we hope you continue onward with your search and study of God’s Word. Please join us next time and visit our website at internationalgospel.org.
