Sometimes major lessons come through minor characters. Philip, a rarely mentioned apostle, shows us that regardless of our doubts, change is possible in the knowledge of Jesus.

Let's study together.

Read

John 14:8-11

8 “Lord,” said Philip, “show us the Father, and that’s enough for us.”

9 Jesus said to him, “Have I been among you all this time and you do not know me, Philip? The one who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? 10 Don’t you believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words I speak to you I do not speak on my own. The Father who lives in me does his works. 11 Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me. Otherwise, believe because of the works themselves.

Some key statements and questions put forward that are important for us to talk about…‍

Examine

"...show us the Father, and that's enough for us."

• Phillip has a prerequisite for his belief in Jesus: show me the Father.

• Do you have any prerequisites for your relationship with Jesus?

• What is something you've been asking God to show you before you'll believe he is enough?

• What does that prerequisite reveal about what may truly be lacking?‍

"Have I been among you all this time and you do not know me, Philip?

• If you believe in Jesus, how long has he "been among you"? When did you first believe?

• What do you know to be true about him?

• What are you still learning about him?

• What are you still uncertain of?

“The Father who lives in me does his works."

• Words and works were a part of how Jesus made himself known to his disciples.

• Why can these things never bring us to belief on their own?

• In what ways have you been deaf (to his words) or blind (to his works) in your own life?

Apply

Do you do what Jesus does? Works are not the only way we work out our belief in Jesus, but they are one metric by which we gauge change. What works have you seen Jesus do in you and through you recently?

Do you know what Jesus knows? Studying God's word and the life of Jesus in the Bible is one way we deepen our belief in him. How well do you know the Bible? Are your study habits a large part of how your belief has been formed?

Do you bring your doubts to Jesus like Phillip did? Phillip didn't pretend he believed things he didn't. Do you have the type of honest relationship with Jesus where you can say "there's not enough bread" and "I'll believe it when I see it"?

Act

Trust is a choice. Say this out loud: I know you are a trustworthy God, help me trust you more.

Belief is not pretending to believe. Say this out loud: Jesus, help me see the areas where I am half-trusting you. Help me close the gap.

I will go where you lead. Say this out loud: I want to be the kind of person who is known for doing things like Jesus does. Help me obey.

Amen.

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