International Gospel Hour

Jeff Archey: I simply cannot imagine one not believing in Jesus. Can you friends? Let’s address some reasons today, shall we? That’s our study from the International Gospel Hour. We’ll be back in a moment.

Jay Webb: 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 Archey of International Gospel Hour. Let’s begin.

Jeff Archey: Thank you always to our Jay Webb and greetings to all of you. It is always great having our listeners here at International Gospel Hour. 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 and Bible study. You are currently listening to our daily 15-minute broadcast and occasionally you may hear our shorter segments, 60 Seconds for the Savior, or a couple of minutes for Christ. You may hear those from time to time on the station to which you are listening.

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Our text today is 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 signs 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?"

Friends, here is Jesus who is saying believe in the light. Believe in Jesus. Although all the things that he did proved that he was the Christ, there were some that still did not believe him. The prophet Isaiah rather said, "Lord, who has believed our report?" There are those who believe there was one called Jesus. Many individuals fall short of believing in him. If we know why people do not believe, then we will know what one must overcome for true biblical faith in Christ. That’s our study today and we’ll be back with that study in about 30 seconds.

Jay Webb: Our website is internationalgospelhour.com. That’s internationalgospelhour.com. 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. It is all free at internationalgospelhour.com.

Jeff Archey: Why people do not believe in Jesus? 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. Among their findings, one-third of America agreed that the Bible is totally accurate in all the principles it presents.

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. That tells me two-thirds of America does not. We note the same in the time of Christ as he walked among them. They could not accept his word. We noted that earlier from John 12, but earlier in John 6:63 it says: "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. 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 12, "Do you also want to go away?" 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."

The 12 changed or they recognized the teaching of the Christ that comes from God. In Psalm 119:11 it says, "Thy word have I hid in my heart that I might not sin against thee." Consider those in Acts 17:10-11. Those in Berea were more noble or fair-minded than those in Thessalonica in that they received the word of God with a readiness of mind and searched the scriptures whether those things were so. An individual can change. 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.

Friends, we talk about when people say, "Well, I believe in Jesus," but if they don’t reflect it in their lives, is that true biblical faith? We submit to you it’s not. Why people do not believe in Jesus? Here’s a second one: what about fear and cowardness? In John 9, we bring to this study the man healed by Jesus who was born blind. 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. 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."

That man was cast out and he went to Jesus. Later in John 12:42-43, 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. They loved the praise of men more than the praise of God. Are there those today who, for fear of losing things, prominence, or jobs, will not stand for Christ? Yet how encouraged they are by the words of Paul from Philippians 3:7. Of the things and the trust in the flesh, he counted loss for Christ and no doubt Paul came out better.

Why do people not believe in Jesus? What about a misplaced love? We already noted John 12:43. They loved the praise of men more than the praise of God. In John 5:42-43, 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." It was a misplaced love then and a misplaced love now. Our dedication should never be to a man, but to the man Christ Jesus. Let us always examine the teaching of men and women in light of God’s word.

Let’s put Second Timothy 3:16-17 to work. 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 First John 4:1. Beloved, test the spirits or try the spirits whether they be of God. A lot of times the misplaced love after man and not for the Christ is why some people do not believe in Jesus.

There is nothing greater than knowing the Christ, knowing God, and knowing what God has done for man. With that being said friends, we want to offer you a free online study. As our friend Jay Webb will simply say, let’s go back to the Bible.

Jay Webb: 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 and 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.

Jeff Archey: Why people do not believe in Jesus? 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 is another; we need to stand bold. There is also misplaced love, where we look upon others more than Christ and his word. 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 the teaching of repentance, of confession, and baptism, all commanded by Jesus.

I am indebted to my friend and 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. We will continue our studies together at another time. Thanks for joining me today on the International Gospel Hour. I’m Jeff Archey and friends, keep listening.

Jay Webb: 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 internationalgospelhour.com. God be with you till we meet again.