Weekly Bulletin
Agape: Love
The Struggle to Believe
Pastor Terry Fulks
April 19, 2026
When Jesus had said these things, he departed and hid himself from them. 37 Though he had done so many signs before them, they still did not believe in him, 38 so that the word spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled:
“Lord, who has believed what he heard from us,
and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?”
39 Therefore they could not believe. For again Isaiah said,
40 “He has blinded their eyes
and hardened their heart,
lest they see with their eyes,
and understand with their heart, and turn,
and I would heal them.”
41 Isaiah said these things because he saw his glory and spoke of him. 42 Nevertheless, many even of the authorities believed in him, but for fear of the Pharisees they did not confess it, so that they would not be put out of the synagogue; 43 for they loved the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God.
John 12:36–43 ESV
Here are three observations on our struggle with faith.
1. Jesus hid himself.
2. Jesus was rejected by the religious crowd.
3. Jesus is to be revered more than anyone or anything.
Points to ponder:
- When it comes to Jesus there is usually some confusion.
- God’s glory lasts forever: our glory will fade.
- It is a hard truth that God will eventually wash His hands of someone or a group of people. Especially when there have been numerous chances. (It is never too late for a person or group of people to repent and come to Jesus. Primary example Jonah preaching to Nineveh.)
- Just because someone is religious does not make them a Christian.
- At this moment would you like to place your faith in Christ?
Connection Prayer: Lord, please help me surrender to you and place my faith in you. Give me a hunger and thirst for you. I want to thank you for your light, life, love, and your truth. I now, with what faith I have, confess that you Jesus died on the cross for my sins, were buried, and rose from the dead on the third day. I take you as my Savior, Lord, and Leader. Please forgive me of my sins and thank you for your forgiveness. Help me to follow you all the days of my life. Amen.
Next steps for the new believer:
- If you prayed the connection prayer with me:
- Pick up a new believer pack as you leave.
- Read John 3, three times before you go to bed tonight.
- Read the gospel of John all the way through by reading about ten verses a day.
Next steps for the believer:
- This week review the sermon notes at least twice.
- Read John 12 twice this week.
- Make sure you want God’s blessing rather than this world’s.
- Who can you pray for this week that they would be drawn to Christ.
- If you have placed your faith in Christ then spend this week thanking God for your faith.