Five pints of ice cream eaten every day for 49 years. A man actually accomplished that, according to Robert Ripley.

A more astounding oddity, however, is that side by side live believers and unbelievers. Think of it. Some enjoying personal fellowship with God, while others are doubting God’s very existence. Some in vital prayer. Others staring into blank unknown.

It was the same when Jesus lived and taught the people.  “The Jews who heard these words were again divided, ” John 10:19. Some actually accused Jesus of having a demon.

“I did tell you, but you do not believe. The works I do in my Father’s name testify about me, but you do not believe because you are not my sheep.,” vss. 25, 26. Then He mentioned His deity and unity with the Father (“I and my Father are one,” verse 30), and they attempted to stone Him.

Jesus nails the lynching party with another searching question. I’ve done many miracles of mercy before you, He points out, why do you kill me?  By now it should have been clear that these wonder works were signs to certify Him as God’s Son.

“Do not believe me unless I do the works of my Father.  But if I do them, even though you do not believe me, believe the works, that you may know and understand that the Father is in me, and I in the Father,” verses 37, 38.

Our text is John 10:38. If you would understand the origin and grand objective of faith, then study this verse! Here you will see that a growing fellowship with God takes place through faith in Jesus Christ by three stages of development.

I.  GOD PRESENTS THE EVIDENCE TO US

This is stage one. It does not begin with feeling but with facts. That phrase, “Believe the works,” really means, believe the evidence. Notice that God is the author of our faith. He initiates it all by showing us certified facts of the Gospel story. We wander and stumble from Him, but He puts the facts and the truth before us to call us back.

Unpile your religious life, and if at the bottom, there is feeling, then your spiritual life is unreal. Even if all rests upon abstract “faith,” it is inadequate. God calls you to trust in and rest on FACTS. Faith is unreal except it be placed in what is true. See Romans 10:14.

Observe now the nature of faith. It is not a surge of feeling arising from shaking visions. Even the miracles of the Gospel accounts were simply to point us to the facts which Jesus taught and revealed. God had the truths about Jesus and about Himself revealed specially in the four Gospels, then enlarged and explained in the books which follow. Finally, He promises that the facts will be proven, not only by the external evidence, but there will be the inner certification as well. In a moment, we shall look at that deep, growing assurance faith can have.

II. WE ACCEPT THE EVIDENCE

The second stage of faith’s development is where man decides and responds to the evidence God’s Spirit places before him. God expects a personal verdict from you.  What do you say about Jesus Christ and the whole Gospel? Decide. Give your life over to Jesus as Lord.

Recall the familiar story of the young boy hesitating to cross the ice. His father calls from the other side assuring him that it is very solid and perfectly safe. He inches out on hands and knees not daring to get far from the edge. Suddenly he is startled noise of a farmer with team and wagon driving across the frozen pond, whistling as he goes. Up jumps the boy to his feet and walks confidently in the wagon tracks to the other side and his father’s arms. Friend, cease doubting and creeping along. There are facts enough and tracks of the millions who have crossed over ahead. See again our text, vs. 38, “Believe the works.”

III. INSIGHTS DEEPEN

Now, a very strange thing takes place in many lives right at this point. They remain in the edges of the frozen lake and never go on with their Father in heaven. Your faith must now enter the third stage of development.

The last part of our text is very interesting. Study a newer translation and you will see that we are promised once we believe we shall “learn and understand” other wondrous truths. We now enter into faith’s grand objective. Said Jesus, You will come to realize more deeply “the Father is in me, and I in the Father.”

Indeed, Jesus explains that this is a life-long process — as we believe in Jesus Christ personally, God enters our lives by His Spirit. “On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you,” John 14:20. Next, study 17:24-26 and you will see that our Lord’s plan is to go on taking us more deeply into the knowledge of God throughout all eternity.

Contrast this with the bitter experience of so many young people who grow up within the church and later turn from it all with the cry, “It seems so unreal!” But none are ever called to live on in unrealness. We may touch God. Christianity is not a long, dark swim in the vast sea of the unknown. Once you decide on the evidence God presents you, and commit yourself with an honest heart to that truth, things will begin to develop. Your spiritual insights will deepen. God will become more real to you – right in your own experience.

So you have been struck by doubts as you studied evolutionary theories? There is no contradiction between God’s word in revelation and His work in creation. However, your real peace of mind will come only when you know the Creator in a personal, saving way – through coming to the Lord Jesus Christ in a prayer of surrender.

Face the basic question:  Who is Jesus Christ?  Our God has really come to us! You may know Him. Consider the witnesses and the records concerning the babe in the manger straw. Reflect on the bloody cross. The emptied grave. That One now in heaven’s glory about to return. Consider the worldwide preaching of the Gospel. Allow the work of the Spirit in your life as you study the Scriptures.

Rest in the sufficiency of the evidence. Know the satisfaction of life with God. Die in peace. Live forever with Jesus Christ.