The Egyptians believed, but didn’t trust.
a. They heard the word.
b. They believed the word.
c. They looked for destruction to come.
d. They believed Moses was from God.
e. They believed the plagues were only the "finger of God".
f. The action they decided on was a compromise.
Judas Iscariot believed, but didn’t trust.
The believers in John 8 believed, but didn’t trust.
Hebrews 4:2 – "For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as
unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with
faith in them that heard it." Real belief involves action, not
just an acknowledgement of the truth.
Hebrews 11:1 – "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for,
the evidence of things not seen."
Romans 10:8-10 – "But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even
in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; 9
That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in
thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10
For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth
confession is made unto salvation."
Romans 10:17 – "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing
by the word of God." NOT faith comes by hearing the Word of God.
The word of God (Jesus Christ) is who gives us the gift of spiritual hearing.
John 10:3 – "To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his
voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out."
John 10:27 – "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they
follow me:"
I. There is a believing in Christ without trusting in Christ.
A. Believing without trusting in Christ is no different than the belief
of the devil and the demons.
1. Matthew 8:29 – The demons believe Jesus is the Christ, but they do
not trust him.
2. They believe he is the righteous judge, but they do not confess
their sins to him.
3.
B. What is the difference in believing in Christ and believing in Christ
that contains trust?
1. It is possible to believe all the facts about Christ, the prophecies
concerning him, without trusting Christ for anything.
2. True believing comes because a person realizes (by the leadership of
the Holy Spirit of God) that they are a sinner and they can’t help
themselves, therefore they must trust Christ to take care of their sins
because they can’t take care of them by themselves.
a. False believing if like saying "Maybe God will do …",
or "if God does…".
b. True believing is like saying "When God does …".
C. This is the first time Pharaoh’s servants give him any advice that
the Bible records.
D. The Egyptians all believe what will happen, but they don’t trust
God.
1. They see the evidence of the past.
a. There have been seven plagues that preceded the plague that is
coming – the plague of locust.
b. Every time Moses says there will be a plague, there is a plague.
2. Egypt is destroyed, just like Pharaoh’s advisors declare.
E. Instead of submitting themselves to God Almighty, they offer a
compromise – let the men go (without their families is implied).
1. Verse 9 – Moses declares, "And Moses said, We will go with
our young and with our old, with our sons and with our daughters, with our
flocks and with our herds will we go; for we must hold a feast unto the
LORD."
2. There is no compromise with God.
II. Judas Iscariot believed, but didn’t trust Christ at all.
A. Matthew 27:3-5 – "Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when
he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty
pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, 4 Saying, I have sinned in
that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us?
see thou to that. 5 And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and
departed, and went and hanged himself."
1. Matthew 26:75 – Peter also denied Christ, wept bitterly, was
forgiven and continued to be more faithful in the future than he was in the
past. "And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him,
Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept
bitterly."
2. Peter was saved – that is he believed what Christ said about sin –
about his personal sin – about his personal condemnation to an eternal
hell – and he repented that he was a sinner – turned all his sins over
to Christ, and Christ forgave him – Peter trusted Christ – which is what
real belief is all about.
B. There is a believing without repentance and faith.
1. It is a believing that retains a fear of the future, and what God
will do.
2. True believing is without fear.
3. II Timothy 1:7 – "For God hath not given us the spirit of
fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind."
4. I John 4:18 – "There is no fear in love; but perfect love
casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made
perfect in love."
III. John 8:30 – "As he spake these words, many believed on
him."
1. These believed Christ could save them, but they would never admit they
were lost.
2. See verse 59 - Before this chapter ends, these people who believe
without trusting Christ attempt to kill him.