What Exactly Do We Believe In?

Some say they only believe in themselves, not knowing what they truly believe in. Today, we must know what we believe in: Jesus Christ, the Son of God who rose from the dead, the only one who conquered death. Jesus is both God and man, representing us in overcoming death, which is crucial. We believe in Jesus. If someone says, Jesus is God, but we are not God, then what do you believe in?

We must believe that Jesus Christ became flesh. What Jesus could do, we can absolutely do. Today, we must begin to know that those who believe in the Son of God have life. So, what do we believe in? We believe that Jesus Christ rose from the dead. If Jesus Christ rose from the dead, what else is impossible? If man can rise from the dead, then nothing else is impossible. Therefore, today we must know what we believe in.

In the Bible, it is recorded that Jesus said three times that He would go to Jerusalem to be crucified and rise from the dead. When they saw the empty tomb, His disciples did not react, not knowing that He had risen from the dead, utterly unable to accept the fact because Jesus' resurrection exceeded their imagination. Even those who followed Jesus, having seen Lazarus, who had been dead for four days, come out of the tomb, and knowing that Jesus Christ is Lord, after seeing Jesus crucified and placed in the tomb, many disciples thought the story had ended.

Not believing that Jesus Christ rose from the dead is a serious issue. If it is what we believe, we can accept it; if it is not what we believe, hearing it a hundred times will not make us accept it. I guarantee that even if the disciples heard Jesus say a hundred times, I will be crucified and rise on the third day, when some saw the empty tomb, they would still not believe because they did not believe in the first place.

What is not believed in is as good as not heard. I encourage everyone to start with a believing heart. Have you noticed that you only accept what you believe in? Towards what you do not believe in, it is as if you have not heard it? Ponder this yourself. Those of us who minister know that if you talk to someone for a long time and they do not react, it is often because they do not believe. Should we have an open mind to believe in Jesus today? When you have a very open mind to believe in Jesus, many wonderful things will happen.

As the days of my belief in the Lord increase, I become more open-minded. The phrase impossible is almost gone from my mind. I believe that nothing is impossible, anything is possible, and Jesus' resurrection is possible! When you accept new things with such a mindset, you will experience miracles and wonders. So, signs and wonders will accompany those who believe, and believers are open-minded, their minds not so rigid.

Some often say that is impossible, thinking they are the world's standard: what I cannot do, no one can do. Many people have such thoughts. We must have an open mind. If you know that our Jesus Christ has risen from the dead, what is impossible? It is just that we hear some things that do not fit our logic, and we automatically reject them, which is a foolish mindset.

Many of us need work. Do not rely on your ability to find a job; rely on faith to find a job. When you walk before the interviewer with faith, your whole body exudes confidence. Interviews actually test faith. How much can be known in a half-hour conversation? With faith, anything is possible; without faith, even the possible becomes impossible.

On Sunday, Sister Lily walked in happily. What people did not know was that the day before, she had twisted her ankle, and after prayer, the pain subsided; her foot was swollen, and after prayer, the swelling also subsided. But after sitting down, her calf started to ache severely. I saw some brothers and sisters ministering to her. Later, I went over and laid hands on her leg to pray, but no matter how I prayed, the pain did not subside. I knew it was a spiritual matter, but I wondered where this demon was dwelling. I pressed an acupoint, and in ten seconds, she was completely freed, which was truly miraculous. What kind of person can do such a thing? A person who has an open mind and tries everything! Because faith is put into practice.

What kind of person can have signs and wonders accompany them? A person with faith. What is a person with faith? It means that in their heart, there is no such thing as impossible. You say it takes a hundred days for a bone to heal, that is man's word. In Jesus Christ, because He rose from the dead, nothing is impossible. If you go for a job interview, tell yourself that whether you get the job is up to God, not the interviewer. So, you can walk in full of confidence.

Our Lord is Jesus Christ who conquered death. In Him, there are infinite possibilities. Jesus said He could rebuild the temple in three days. What is impossible about that? The Pharisees' minds were filled with impossibilities. This temple was built by Herod over forty-six years. How could you build it in three days? As a result, they killed Jesus, who could truly rebuild it in three days, and on the third day, Jesus rose from the dead. They originally wanted to use death to imprison Jesus Christ, but they could not imprison Him. This is what we believe in. If you believe in Jesus Christ and still often say this is impossible, and that is impossible, then what do you believe in?

What Is Terrible Is Not Death, But Not Believing in Jesus Christ

Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the tomb. So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.” So Peter and the other disciple went out and made for the tomb. Both were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. And stooping to look in, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in. Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen cloths lying there, and the face cloth, which had been on Jesus' head, not lying with the linen cloths but folded up in a place by itself. Then the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; for as yet they did not understand the Scripture, that he must rise from the dead. Then the disciples went back to their homes. (John 20:1-10)

This chapter records the disciples' experiences. They buried the Lord Jesus, and after the Passover, after one day, two days, on the third day, the disciples rushed to the tomb and found that the stone had been removed. They ran to Peter and John, the disciple whom Jesus loved, and said to them, They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him. Do you see this person's reaction? Did Jesus tell them that He would rise from the dead? Yes. The two disciples went to the tomb and saw the cloth that had been wrapped around Jesus' head and the linen cloths, one placed here and one there. The disciple who reached the tomb first also went inside and saw and believed. Believed in what? Not that Jesus rose from the dead, but only that someone had taken Jesus' body away. They still did not understand the Scripture, that Jesus must rise from the dead. Then the two disciples went back to their homes, believing too slowly.

But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb. And she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and one at the feet. They said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.” Having said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.” Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned and said to him in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means Teacher). Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” (John 20:11-17)

It turns out that after Jesus Christ's resurrection, He wanted to do one thing: His Father is also our Father, His God is also our God, to prove one thing to us------that the spiritual world is real. Our God is a Spirit in essence. At this time, Jesus Christ rose from the dead and used this resurrection to prove to us that the spiritual world is very real. When He was alive, before He was crucified, He performed many, many miracles.

Why use miracles to prove it? Because miracles can prove the reality of the spiritual realm. Natural means cannot prove that He is God. So, today we must know that building a church with God's presence must be a church that performs miracles. Mary ran to tell the disciples that she had seen the Lord. The Bible does not record their reaction. I believe their reaction was quite negative: can you imagine? I went to the tomb and did not see the Lord Jesus, and we left. You say you saw the Lord Jesus. Who believes that?

On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” (John 20:19)

How did Jesus come in? He passed through the wall. Do you believe that Jesus Christ can pass through walls? This is too contrary to natural science. We cannot think of the resurrection so simply. Jesus Christ rose from the dead, and we will also rise from the dead in the future. If we also rise from the dead, we will be like Jesus Christ's resurrection, able to pass through walls, from a perishable body to an imperishable one; from a physical body to a spiritual one; from a body without glory to a glorious body.

The Testimony of Jesus' Resurrection: A Glimpse of a Glorious Life

Many Christians today do not believe in miracles or in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. But if one believes in the resurrection of Jesus Christ, one should believe in miracles. Believing in miracles should mean believing that these miracles come from the resurrected Jesus Christ, because signs and wonders will accompany those who believe. Do you believe that Jesus Christ rose from the dead? If you do, do you also believe that you can perform miracles? If you feel this is somewhat difficult, you immediately separate yourself from God. In reality, God's salvation is to restore us to the beautiful, glorious image He created us in at the beginning.

Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen: And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not. For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. (1 Corinthians 15:12-19)

Do you know what Paul is saying? I believe that Christ rose from the dead. You might say, Because Christ is God, and I am human. But that creates a problem. Jesus Christ is God incarnate, a man with the same body as you and I. He also experienced temptations, but He overcame them. He felt pain and hardship when He was crucified, but He resurrected. If you do not believe in Christ's resurrection, then there is no resurrection for man; if there is no resurrection for man, then God did not raise Christ. What does this mean? It means Jesus Christ is just a person. Our faith must return to the fundamental truth of Jesus Christ's resurrection, which brings us infinite hope.

A woman on her deathbed called her three sons to her side. To the first, she said, Good night. To the second, Good night. To the third, Goodbye. The third son asked, Why do they get 'good night,' but I get 'goodbye'? The woman replied, Because I will be separated from you forever. Your brothers and I will be resurrected in heaven, and we will meet again. Our separation is only temporary. After hearing this, the third son said, I don't want to be separated from you forever either. I want to accept Jesus Christ as my Lord.

Today, we must realize that death is not frightening; what is frightening is unbelief. Not believing that Jesus Christ rose from the dead is a terrible thing. Life cannot be confined by death. Jesus Christ died and truly descended into Hades, but He triumphed, overcoming the spirits of Hades and death. His soul returned to His body, and He resurrected. This also confirms what the New Testament says: It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. (John 6:63) While you are alive, prepare well for the spiritual life, for those who work for eternal effectiveness are blessed. Life cannot be confined by death; this is the true meaning of Jesus Christ's resurrection. The resurrected life is a glorious life.

Power is Closely Related to the Holy Spirit

So also is the resurrection of the dead. The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body. (1 Corinthians 15:42-44)

The resurrection of the Lord Jesus proves to us what a glorious body is like—a different form. The spiritual world transcends the limitations of the physical body. The appearance of the glorious body and our future resurrected form are difficult to describe. When we read Revelation, we see a New Jerusalem descending from heaven, 4,000 kilometers wide, 4,000 kilometers long, and 4,000 kilometers high. Every stone in the New Jerusalem is a living stone, and every stone is a jewel. Do you know what that means? Each of us is an individual, yet we are also an organic whole—something difficult for us to imagine. The entire New Jerusalem is built by us. Not built with stones, but built with our bodies. In other words, the state after resurrection is beyond our comprehension.

The Bible says, On earth as it is in heaven. In fact, the principles of operation in the spiritual realm far exceed what we experience today. What we experience today is merely a drop in the ocean. Jesus came and said, Receive the Holy Spirit. At this time, they had not yet received the Holy Spirit. Jesus only said, Receive the Holy Spirit. Many traditional churches interpret this as already receiving the Holy Spirit. But when we connect the entire Bible, we see the Holy Spirit descending at Pentecost. Because the Holy Spirit will come upon us, and we will receive power. Receiving power means the Holy Spirit has descended upon you, and you will be witnesses for Jesus Christ. Power is closely related to the Holy Spirit.

When did Jesus say you would receive the Holy Spirit? At Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit descended. What happens after receiving the Holy Spirit? If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven (John 20:23). What does this mean? After receiving the Holy Spirit, the great power of Jesus Christ's resurrection is in our lives. After the Holy Spirit dwells in us, we represent God in exercising His authority on earth. If you and I have received the Holy Spirit on earth, we then represent God in exercising His authority in heaven on earth. What is this called? Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. (Matthew 6:10)

We begin to enter into a relationship of unity with God. We have the Holy Spirit within us, we dwell in God, and God dwells in us. That is called unity. When we reach a state of unity, if we forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if we do not forgive them, they are not forgiven. We begin to realize that we have a remarkable identity. This remarkable identity determines one thing: that we represent God in exercising His authority on earth. Jesus' resurrection from the dead and ascension brought the Holy Spirit.

Blessed are Those Who Have Not Seen and Yet Have Believed

Jesus said to him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” (John 20:29)

Do you and I want to be blessed, or do we want to be those who need to see to believe? Even seeing and believing does not guarantee blessings. You know that there were five hundred disciples with Jesus on the Mount of Olives. Do you know what happened? Those five hundred disciples watched Jesus ascend into the clouds, but only one hundred and twenty were praying there when the Holy Spirit descended at Pentecost. Where did the other three hundred and eighty go? They went home to farm!

Today, I want to give you a concept: Why are those who have not seen and yet have believed blessed? Because signs and wonders follow those who have not seen and yet have believed. Because you do not rely on sight. If you see and still do not believe, there is no greater regret! Even if great miracles happen to those people, even if they themselves are the protagonists of miracles, they may still not believe. In the future, what will happen to those who see and still do not believe? They will receive a heavy judgment.

When Jesus lived in Capernaum, He said, If in the days of Sodom and Gomorrah, they had seen what I did and still not repented, you will receive a heavier judgment. Thomas had to touch Jesus' side and the nail marks on His hands before he would believe. Do you know how Peter followed Jesus? Not because Peter had leprosy and Jesus healed him, or because Peter had cancer and was dying and Jesus healed him, that he followed Jesus. He had nothing wrong with him; he was just fishing every day, feeling that living was only about eating and drinking, which was meaningless. He followed Jesus because Peter had a Mingding Destiny.

Conclusion

I affirm, brethren, by the boasting in you which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily. If, in the manner of men, I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what does it profit me? If the dead do not rise, “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die!” (1 Corinthians 15:31-32)

Those who believe in the Son of God have life. If you believe that Jesus Christ rose from the dead, nothing is impossible with Him. Today, as we begin to walk this path, do not rely on sight, but rely on the eyes of faith, and let signs and wonders follow us. Let us believe that He is the Son of God, that our hope is not on earth, and that death can no longer confine us.