Bystander

Speaker: Andy Stanley
Length: 8 Parts

As a follower of Jesus, John was a bystander to the miracles, the crucifixion, and the resurrection of a man he concluded was the Son of God. Late in life, John compiled his account of Jesus’ life, purposely including stories and details to convince those of us who would come generations later—who couldn’t be eyewitnesses like he was—to reach the same conclusion. Which leaves us with a question: Do we?

Part 1: “Gotta Have Faith”

Two words we understand clearly in everyday life are often confused—even misused—in the context of Christianity. And when they are, the results can be disastrous.

Part 2: “Momma Says”

John wrote his account of Jesus’ life with a specific purpose: to convince us—two thousand years later—to believe that Jesus was the Son of God. He starts by documenting a miracle most of us think of as a neat party trick. John explains why it was so much more.

Part 3: “Living As If”

The second sign John documents as proof that Jesus was the Son of God comes in the midst of a heartbreaking circumstance. Few of us are likely to face this exact situation, but all of us will face something similar. And when we do, we’ll have a life-changing choice to make.

Part 4: “Carry On!”

With two words, Jesus changed the life of a man who had been unable to walk for 38 years. And what Jesus said next could change your life.

Part 5: “Lunch and Learn”

One of the most famous signs Jesus performed was totally misunderstood by those who followed him. Many of us, two thousand years later, have built (and lost) our faith with the same misunderstanding.

Part 6: “Open Eyes”

The fifth sign John documents is for any of us who have resisted religion or doubted the details in the Bible. The man at the center of the story is sure of just one thing. That one thing was enough for him, and it might be enough for you too.

Part 7: “Coexistence”

Many of us have wondered, Why would a good God allow bad things to happen? As we see in the story of something bad happening to Jesus’ closest friends, the only satisfying answer to that question comes from asking a different question altogether.

Part 8: “Invitation to Believe”

The final sign John documents as proof that Jesus was the Son of God is the central event in Christianity: Jesus rose from the dead. John was convinced that Jesus was who he said he was. Are you?