August 2020
Joy and Peace Due to Christ’s Work (John 16:16-33)
Introduction
Christians should be characterized by joy and peace. Would those be the two emotions or states of being that you would use to characterize yourself as of late? Joy and peace? How about depression, bitterness, and anger? Maybe that would better summarize the emotions you feel.
Just in case you are sitting here this morning feeling all chipper, let me remind you of a few things. (1) In case the myriad of other catastrophes has drawn your attention, I remind you of the las…
July 2020
The Spirit Convicts the World (John 16:5-11)
Introduction
Let me ease your troubled mind. You are not responsible for convincing the world of their sinfulness or repudiating their wrongly crafted man-made righteousness. Let me offer an additional pastoral caution. You are not capable of convincing the world of their sinfulness or repudiating their perception of righteousness and morality.
Yet, this does not let us off the hook. We have a role to play, just maybe not the role we often think or take upon ourselves.
June 2020
The High Cost of Discipleship (Jn 15:18-16:4)
Introduction
Hang on. It’s going to be a bumpy ride!
As with anything in life, when we need to make a decision, we typically weigh the positives and negatives. What type of job to get. The placement and neighborhood of a new home. The amenities, size, and cost of a home. A choice of schooling or college. Who to be friends with. And the list goes on.
Let me offer you a rather benign example. In high school I joined the wrestling team. There were some really unpleasant cost invol…
We are Friends of Christ (John 15:12-17)
There are expectations for friends of Christ.
We are to obey His commands.
It is important at this point to remember a few other verses. “If you love me, you will keep my commandments. . . . 21 Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by m…
Fruit Leading to Joy (John 15:8-11)
Introduction
Purpose statement. Let me propose a bold statement. If there is little joy in your life it is because there is little fruit in your life.
Context. (1) The upper room discourse. (2) Judas has been dismissed to betray Jesus. (3) Jesus is preparing his true disciples for His future death and departure. (4) In chapter 15 John introduces the final “I AM” statement, “I am the vine.” (5) In this context we see three participants. The Fathe…
May 2020
Privileged People Motivated to Precious Praise (1 Peter 2:9-11)
Overview of 1 Peter
You possess a precious salvation, a salvation into which prophets made careful searches and inquiries, a salvation that the apostles proclaimed, a salvation that the Holy Spirit divinely inspired, a salvation that angels long to observe. Believers in Christ possess that salvation. Therefore:
- fix your hope on future grace (1:13)
- be holy in all your conduct . . . for I am holy (1:15)
- conduct yourselves in a state of reverence (1:17…
Abiding in Christ (John 15:4-5)
If you are destroyed because you don’t bear fruit (15:2,6), and the only way to bear fruit is to abide in the vine (15:4), you better abide in the vine (15:4). Therefore, we need to understand what it means to abide.
We read, in John 15:4, “abide in me.” John uses meno, which is the underlying Greek word that is translated as abide in this passage (ESV). The New Testament authors use this word 118 times. The synoptic authors employ this word twelve times. Paul uses thi…
Obedience, Evidence of Love & Indwelling Spirit (John 14:15-25)
Introduction
Our dog, Piper, loves to eat, whether the meal available is the scrunchy sitting on the floor or the gravel that had come off the shingles and meandered down the roof, down the rain spout and into the rock bed in front of the house. Whenever I walk into the kitchen, she follows me with the hopes that she might get a little scrap of whatever I’m eating. It doesn’t even matter what I’m eating. She wants some. She just sits there staring – patiently I might add. All o…
Greater Works Than Jesus (John 14:12-14)
Introduction
Bookends. Let not your heart be troubled. The purpose of the whole chapter is to encourage the disciples. This must be remembered especially as we consider the ideas of obedience and love.
The encouragement throughout the chapter:
- Be encouraged. I’m going to prepare a place for you (14:1-11).
- Be encouraged. Those who believe will do amazing works (14:12-14).
- Be encouraged. Your obedience evidences your love of Jesus (14:15…
April 2020
Know Jesus, Know the Father (Jn 14:7-11)
Introduction
What prompts Philip’s statement? We are going to answer that question shortly, but before we do, let’s rehearse the conversation going on in John 13 & 14.
Jesus: I’m leaving, so make sure to love each other (13:31-35).
Peter: Where are you going? (13:36-38)
Jesus: I am going to the Father to prepare a place for you, and then I…
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