Introduction. (John 6:35-40) Note: “Everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day.” This morning let’s talk about this what this verse teaches us about how a we can have what Jesus promises: “everlasting life.”

I. “Everyone Who Sees the Son”

1. How do we “see the Son”? (John 20:25-31) It is possible to “have life” without having seen Jesus. This is talking about seeing Jesus in the flesh, while on earth.
2. We can “look unto Jesus” by considering His life (Hebrews 12:1-3). This involves:
   • Thinking about what He went through
   • Thinking about how He lived as a model for how we must live.
3. We see Jesus by considering who He is (Hebrews 2:5-9). This involves:
   • Thinking about His nature and authority.
   • Thinking about the reason for His coming and what it accomplishes for us.
4. What did Jesus say when some wished to see Him? (John 12:20-26). Note: He declares:
   • One must “hate” his life to keep it for eternal life.
   • One must “follow” Jesus.
   • One must “serve” Jesus.
   
        Note: The text does not record that Jesus saw them. It may be that they, like us, had to do these things without seeing Him in the flesh. Whatever the case, it is clear that in the sense that Jesus uses in John 6:40 one cannot be saved without “seeing Jesus” in the ways we have discussed.

II. “And Believes In Him”

1. This cannot mean faith alone, because it says ”AND believes.” One must ”see the Son.” This helps define belief—believing is not just knowing that something exists. This also shows that belief is not exclusive.
2. Some say that eternal life comes by faith alone. This is largely in reaction to the doctrine that baptism is necessary for salvation and faithfulness is necessary to abide in Christ. They often appeal to (Ephesians 2:4-10). Clearly, salvation is by grace, but the argument is, if salvation is “not of works”—it must be “by faith alone.” There are two problems with this theory:
   1. Scripture describes “faith” as a work (I Thessalonians 1:2-3; John 6:28,29).
   2. Many passages teach that other things must accompany faith if we are to accept God’s grace.
      • Confession (Romans 10:5-11). Note: Confession ”unto salvation.”
      • Repentance (Acts 11:15-18). Note: They believed—”repentance to life.”
      • Baptism (Mark 16:16). Note: Believe & be baptized.
      • Faithfulness (Hebrews 3:12-14). Note: Hold steadfast.
3. This “faith only” doctrine grew out of a “works only” environment. Martin Luther, a German Roman Catholic monk, lived at a time in which the Catholic church of his day emphasized deeds almost exclusively.
   • In his day, a man named Tezel traveled around Europe, at the behest of the Vatican selling certificates granting forgiveness of sins (past, present and future) to the purchaser in order to fund building projects.
   • In his day it was taught that you could take an unbeliever and force them to be “sprinkled” (which they called ”baptism”) and this would save his soul.
   
        In such an environment we can understand why many, in seeing the teaching of Scriptures such as Ephesians two went to the other extreme and said—”No, salvation is by faith only!” Does the Bible ever teach that?
4. Only one Scripture uses the phrase “faith only”—(James 2:14-24) Note: Here the point is justification is not by “faith only.” So the Bible says eternal life is not by “faith alone.”

III. “May Have Eternal Life”

1. This is a conditional statement. “May have” Gr. exo meaning “to have.” It is in a form (or in grammatical terms what they call a “mood”) known as the subjunctive. Dana & Mantey in their Manual Grammar of the Greek New Testament define this as follows: “The subjunctive mood is the mood of mild contingency; the mood of probability. While the indicative assumes reality, the subjunctive assumes unreality. It is the first step away from what is actual in the direction of what is only conceivable, and, therefore, properly leads the list of potential moods” (p. 170). What is the conditional about this?
   1. Not belief—although it is true that not all will believe, it doesn’t say “may believe.”
   2. Not “seeing the Son”—although it is also true that not all will see Jesus by focusing on His life, it doesn’t say “may see the Son.”
   
        The conditional aspect is that some who “see the Son” and “believe in Him” may not receive eternal life. This isn’t partiality on God’s part (Acts 10:34,35). Note: All—everywhere, can be accepted if they “fear Him” and “work” righteousness. The condition of eternal life is that we continue in faith and continue to ”look to Jesus.” If we don’t eternal life is not ours. Note the gift that is offered:
2. Eternal life. All have an eternal spirit (Ecclesiastes 12:7)—this is life with God.

IV. “And I Will Raise Him Up At the Last Day”

1. All will be raised (John 5:25; Acts 24:15)—this is resurrection unto life with God.
2. There will be a “Last Day.” Time on this earth is not unending. Personally we will all die. But this world itself will not go on forever. This end will not come by “global warming.” It will not be a nuclear war. It will not be a meteor. It will come when Christ returns (Hebrews 9:27-28).
3. This “rasing up” and granting “eternal life” is done by Jesus—One will be received by Jesus. The question to answer is Have I seen the Son? Not in the flesh but in consideration of what the Bible teaches and a focus on following Him. Do I believe in Him? If so, have you met the conditions of faithful obedience to Him so that you ”may have eternal life”? Why not make this morning the day you can answer that question—“Yes”?