Today we begin a new teaching series called “The Untold Jesus Stories.”

Throughout this series we will be looking into stories that are not, literally “untold,” but some of the lesser known or lesser understood accounts that we find in the gospels.

This series will simply focus on some stories that perhaps we haven’t paused to consider very often before.

Paul wrote to Timothy with the instruction: "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."

Our “untold” or lesser-known story today is found in John 20:30-31

Jesus has been crucified, buried, and resurrected and is now appearing to his disciples in his resurrected and glorious body. After the famous appearing to “Doubting” Thomas and in turn, Thomas’ declaration of Jesus as Lord, we find this seemingly obscure little note.

After these two verses, John goes on to finish telling the story of the disciples going back to Galilee to fish. That’s where Jesus asks Peter 3 times if he loves him. Then Jesus commissions Peter into ministry with the simple words “Feed my sheep.”

With such an amazing story before and after these two verses, it’s easy to see why we read right by it. But why did John add this in? Why did he think it was important to interrupt the story with these two almost throwaway verses?

It's generally recognize that John has included 7 specific signs in his gospel.

John has captured these amazing stories of Jesus. Displays of his supernatural power, of his Lordship, and His authority over death. These weren’t just magic tricks to draw a crowd, these signs literally revealed who Jesus really was. The messiah savior, the Son of God.

In our text today, John says: “Look, there’s a lot more than this, folks. Jesus did MANY more things which I haven’t recorded here.”

This little obscure verse at the end of Johns letter makes it perfectly clear why he wrote- That we might believe in Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, and know eternal life.

John doesn’t say “I have written these things so that you may believe Jesus was 5’ 11” with olive skin, brown hair, and dark brown eyes.”

John didn’t say: “I wrote so that you would have the historical facts you need to debate your atheist co-workers.” “I wrote these things so that you would have the perfect theology and be able to debate with the church down the street about who is right.” John didn’t even say “I wrote so that you would believe Jesus exists.” No… that’s not it.

He very specifically states that he wrote down these signs and stories so that we would believe in Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God.

There is a difference between a knowledge or awareness of Jesus, and a belief in Jesus as Messiah and Lord. And the difference is a matter of life and death.

People that knew all the facts about Jesus, had heard the stories about his miracles, his teaching, they faced a choice- Would they move from knowing about him, as the boy next door, James and Joseph’s brother- would they be willing to move beyond knowing about him to embracing him as their Lord and savior? Would they receive Jesus as their Messiah, their savior, and Lord?

Scripture says: And they took offense at him.

Because they were unwilling to receive Jesus as Lord, they missed out on the blessing and life that he offered.

Friends, to receive the Life Jesus came to give, to receive the life that John wrote about- we must believe in Jesus as LORD.

That’s the belief John is talking about in our primary text. Nothing less than that.