Click here to download the sermon as we continue in John 6:1-15.
A recap of the sermon from Sunday, March 18th (John 6:1-15):
1. God uses impossible situations in our lives to build our trust in His ability to meet our needs.
2. God uses impossible situations in our lives to help us see that our resources are not enough.
3. Jesus illustrates the “priesthood of the believer” (see 1 Peter 2:1-10). Even as Jesus involved the disciples in ministry by distributing the bread and fish through them to the people, so He expects us to be involved in meaningful ministry in the lives of others.
4. When we are faced with an overwhelming need or an “unsolvable problem,” we must:
-Realize our inadequacy
-Take our eyes off the little we have and fix our eyes on the great God we have
-Ask first, not “what do I have or can I do,” but “what can God do if I’ll trust Him”
Monday, March 19, 2012
Monday, March 12, 2012
The Sabbath and The Son, Part 3
Click here to download the sermon as we continue in John with the verses of chapter 5:16-47.
Recap of the sermon from March 11, 2012 (John 5:24-47):
1. Jesus asserts His deity following the healing of the paralytic in John 5:1-15. He claims equality with God in essential nature (vv. 16-18); in power (vv. 19-23); and in authority (vv. 24-30).
2. Jesus’ divine authority is seen in that He offers eternal life to those who put their faith in Him. They will not only never face judgment but pass from the realm of death to the realm of life (vs. 24). In addition He has the authority to call the spiritually dead to eternal life and to call the physically dead out of the tomb (as He will do with Lazarus in Ch. 11). Authority over life, death, and judgment are prerogatives of deity alone, thus Jesus is claiming to be equal with God.
3. In 5:31-47 Jesus calls upon five witnesses to the fact of His deity: John the Baptist (vv. 31-35); His own works/miracles (vs. 36); God the Father (vv. 37=38); the Scripture (vv. 39-44); and Moses (vv. 45-47).
-John the Baptist pointed the Jews to Jesus, as the Lamb of God and the Son of God.
-Jesus’ miracles showed that God the Father was at work through Him as He showed power over nature, over sickness, and over death
-God the Father affirmed the deity of Jesus at His baptism, the Transfiguration; and in the Triumphal Entry
-Repeatedly Jesus fulfilled Old Testament prophecies concerning the Messiah, but the Jews had eyes but were blind to the truth, they didn’t lack evidence, but love for God; they exalted themselves while rejecting God.
-Moses (meaning the Pentateuch) spoke of the Redeemer God would send, the Prophet, the seed of Abraham, the Brass Serpent lifted up in the wilderness which saves from all those who looked to it in faith, the Passover, the Manna, the Offerings, the Priesthood. All of which pointed to Jesus Christ and were fulfilled in Him
Recap of the sermon from March 11, 2012 (John 5:24-47):
1. Jesus asserts His deity following the healing of the paralytic in John 5:1-15. He claims equality with God in essential nature (vv. 16-18); in power (vv. 19-23); and in authority (vv. 24-30).
2. Jesus’ divine authority is seen in that He offers eternal life to those who put their faith in Him. They will not only never face judgment but pass from the realm of death to the realm of life (vs. 24). In addition He has the authority to call the spiritually dead to eternal life and to call the physically dead out of the tomb (as He will do with Lazarus in Ch. 11). Authority over life, death, and judgment are prerogatives of deity alone, thus Jesus is claiming to be equal with God.
3. In 5:31-47 Jesus calls upon five witnesses to the fact of His deity: John the Baptist (vv. 31-35); His own works/miracles (vs. 36); God the Father (vv. 37=38); the Scripture (vv. 39-44); and Moses (vv. 45-47).
-John the Baptist pointed the Jews to Jesus, as the Lamb of God and the Son of God.
-Jesus’ miracles showed that God the Father was at work through Him as He showed power over nature, over sickness, and over death
-God the Father affirmed the deity of Jesus at His baptism, the Transfiguration; and in the Triumphal Entry
-Repeatedly Jesus fulfilled Old Testament prophecies concerning the Messiah, but the Jews had eyes but were blind to the truth, they didn’t lack evidence, but love for God; they exalted themselves while rejecting God.
-Moses (meaning the Pentateuch) spoke of the Redeemer God would send, the Prophet, the seed of Abraham, the Brass Serpent lifted up in the wilderness which saves from all those who looked to it in faith, the Passover, the Manna, the Offerings, the Priesthood. All of which pointed to Jesus Christ and were fulfilled in Him
Monday, March 05, 2012
The Sabbath and the Son, Part 2
Click here to download the sermon as we continue in John with the verses of chapter 5:16-23.
Recap of the sermon from March 4, 2012 (John 5:16-23):
1. How does God use suffering in the lives of believers?
-Romans 5:3, suffering produces perseverance, perseverance produces character, and character produces hope
-2 Corinthians 1:3,4 – as we face trials/suffering we receive comfort from God, comfort that we can use in the lives of others to help them in their suffering
-2 Thessalonians 1:3,4 – suffering increases our faith and our love, makes us perseverant
-James 1:2-4, trials test our faith and can produce perseverance and maturity
-1 Peter 1:3-7, trials prove the genuineness of our faith which brings glory to God
-Job 42:5, trials/suffering deepen our relationship with God
2. Jesus uses the occasion of the healing of the paralytic by the Pool of Bethesda to assert His deity. In John 5:16-30 He claims equality with God, and in John 5:31-47 He introduces five witnesses who verify His claim.
3. Jesus is equal to God in essential nature according to vv. 16-18. Jesus claims a unique relationship with the Father. The Jews understood that He was making Himself equal with God.
-“The Jews understood Him to declare God to be His Father in a sense in which He was not the Father of other men. This is why they said He made ‘Himself equal with God.’ The importance of this is seen in that it contains a direct claim on Jesus’ part to be equal with God, i.e., a claim of absolute Deity. The Jews so regarded His words, and Jesus took no pains to correct that impression; on the contrary, His words that follow are an argument to prove that He was God.” (Dr. Gray)
-“This passage alone is sufficient to dispel foolish notions that Jesus never claimed to be God, or cult contentions that the Son is not very God of very God.” (Dr. Unger)
4. Jesus claimed equality with God in power (vv. 19-23).
Recap of the sermon from March 4, 2012 (John 5:16-23):
1. How does God use suffering in the lives of believers?
-Romans 5:3, suffering produces perseverance, perseverance produces character, and character produces hope
-2 Corinthians 1:3,4 – as we face trials/suffering we receive comfort from God, comfort that we can use in the lives of others to help them in their suffering
-2 Thessalonians 1:3,4 – suffering increases our faith and our love, makes us perseverant
-James 1:2-4, trials test our faith and can produce perseverance and maturity
-1 Peter 1:3-7, trials prove the genuineness of our faith which brings glory to God
-Job 42:5, trials/suffering deepen our relationship with God
2. Jesus uses the occasion of the healing of the paralytic by the Pool of Bethesda to assert His deity. In John 5:16-30 He claims equality with God, and in John 5:31-47 He introduces five witnesses who verify His claim.
3. Jesus is equal to God in essential nature according to vv. 16-18. Jesus claims a unique relationship with the Father. The Jews understood that He was making Himself equal with God.
-“The Jews understood Him to declare God to be His Father in a sense in which He was not the Father of other men. This is why they said He made ‘Himself equal with God.’ The importance of this is seen in that it contains a direct claim on Jesus’ part to be equal with God, i.e., a claim of absolute Deity. The Jews so regarded His words, and Jesus took no pains to correct that impression; on the contrary, His words that follow are an argument to prove that He was God.” (Dr. Gray)
-“This passage alone is sufficient to dispel foolish notions that Jesus never claimed to be God, or cult contentions that the Son is not very God of very God.” (Dr. Unger)
4. Jesus claimed equality with God in power (vv. 19-23).
Monday, February 27, 2012
The Sabbath & The Son
Click here to download the sermon as we continue in John with the verses of chapter 5:12-30.
Recap of the February 26, 2012 sermon (John 5:12-15):
(The source for the following material is the book Come Before Winter by Charles Swindoll)
The Five Suffering Laws (“These ‘laws’ will do more to help the hurting and erase their confusion than perhaps anything else they could read.”)
Law One: There are two classifications of sin. (We are sinners by nature and by practice)
1. Original sin (the inherited sin nature) (Romans 5:12)
2. Personal sins (individual acts of wrong) (Romans 3:23)
Law Two: Original sin introduced suffering, illness, and death to the human race (Romans 5:12) “In the broadest sense of the word, all sickness and suffering today are the result of original sin.”
Law Three: Sometimes there is a direct relationship between personal sins and sickness. (Psalm 32:3-5; 38:3-5; 1 Corinthians 11:27-30)
Law Four: Sometimes there is no relationship between personal sins and sickness. “Some are born with afflictions—suffering before they ever reach the age of committing sins (John 9:1-3; Acts 3:1-2). Others, like Job (1:1-5), are living upright lives when suffering occurs.”
Law Five: It is not God’s will that everyone be healed in this life. Some mistakenly claim that there is healing in the atonement based upon a misinterpretation of passages like Isaiah 53:5b (“by His wounds we are healed”). But this passage is talking about spiritual healing not physical healing. It speaks of healing from transgressions and iniquities.
Recap of the February 26, 2012 sermon (John 5:12-15):
(The source for the following material is the book Come Before Winter by Charles Swindoll)
The Five Suffering Laws (“These ‘laws’ will do more to help the hurting and erase their confusion than perhaps anything else they could read.”)
Law One: There are two classifications of sin. (We are sinners by nature and by practice)
1. Original sin (the inherited sin nature) (Romans 5:12)
2. Personal sins (individual acts of wrong) (Romans 3:23)
Law Two: Original sin introduced suffering, illness, and death to the human race (Romans 5:12) “In the broadest sense of the word, all sickness and suffering today are the result of original sin.”
Law Three: Sometimes there is a direct relationship between personal sins and sickness. (Psalm 32:3-5; 38:3-5; 1 Corinthians 11:27-30)
Law Four: Sometimes there is no relationship between personal sins and sickness. “Some are born with afflictions—suffering before they ever reach the age of committing sins (John 9:1-3; Acts 3:1-2). Others, like Job (1:1-5), are living upright lives when suffering occurs.”
Law Five: It is not God’s will that everyone be healed in this life. Some mistakenly claim that there is healing in the atonement based upon a misinterpretation of passages like Isaiah 53:5b (“by His wounds we are healed”). But this passage is talking about spiritual healing not physical healing. It speaks of healing from transgressions and iniquities.
Thursday, February 23, 2012
13,879 Days
Click here to download the sermon as we continue in John 5:7-15.
Recap of February 19, 2012 (John 5:7-11):
1. The characteristics of Jesus’ healing ministry (source: Charismatic Chaos by Dr. John MacArthur):
-Jesus healed with a word or a touch
“There were no theatrics, no special environment.”
-Jesus healed instantaneously
“Jesus never did ‘progressive’ healing. If Jesus had not healed instantly, there would have been no miraculous element sufficient to demonstrate His deity. His critics could easily have said the healing was just a natural process.”
-Jesus healed totally – no recuperation period was necessary
-Jesus healed everybody
“Unlike healers today, Jesus did not leave long lines of disappointed people who had to return home in their wheelchairs. He did not have healing services or programs that ended at a certain time because of airline or television schedules. Luke 4:40 tells us, ‘And while the sun was setting, all who had any sick with various diseases brought them to Him; and laying His hands on every one of them, He was healing them’ [emphasis added]. Luke 9:11 records a similar example.”
-Jesus healed organic disease
“Jesus did not go up and down Palestine healing lower back pain, heart palpitations, headaches, and other invisible ailments. He healed the most obvious kinds of organic disease—crippled legs, withered hands, blind eyes, palsy—all healing that were undeniably miraculous.”
-Jesus raised the dead
Recap of February 19, 2012 (John 5:7-11):
1. The characteristics of Jesus’ healing ministry (source: Charismatic Chaos by Dr. John MacArthur):
-Jesus healed with a word or a touch
“There were no theatrics, no special environment.”
-Jesus healed instantaneously
“Jesus never did ‘progressive’ healing. If Jesus had not healed instantly, there would have been no miraculous element sufficient to demonstrate His deity. His critics could easily have said the healing was just a natural process.”
-Jesus healed totally – no recuperation period was necessary
-Jesus healed everybody
“Unlike healers today, Jesus did not leave long lines of disappointed people who had to return home in their wheelchairs. He did not have healing services or programs that ended at a certain time because of airline or television schedules. Luke 4:40 tells us, ‘And while the sun was setting, all who had any sick with various diseases brought them to Him; and laying His hands on every one of them, He was healing them’ [emphasis added]. Luke 9:11 records a similar example.”
-Jesus healed organic disease
“Jesus did not go up and down Palestine healing lower back pain, heart palpitations, headaches, and other invisible ailments. He healed the most obvious kinds of organic disease—crippled legs, withered hands, blind eyes, palsy—all healing that were undeniably miraculous.”
-Jesus raised the dead
Monday, February 13, 2012
One Who Heals Hopelessness
Click here to download the sermon as we continue in the study of the Gospel of John.
Recap of the sermon from February 12 (John 5:1-6):
1. Jesus encountered a world ravaged by disease, decay, despair and death all brought about by the entrance of sin into the world, a world which He created (in conjunction with the Father and the Holy Spirit) and which was deemed “very good” (Genesis 1:31). Adam and Eve’s sin in the Garden (a sin we somehow participated in according to Romans 5:12) brought about the fall which through God’s promised judgment ruined man, woman, the serpent, and even the Creation (Romans 8:19-22) and brought about the promise of a Redeemer.
2. Why would God allow Adam and Eve to fall ushering sin into the world, why did God allow the possibility of evil? Consider the following thoughts:
- “A universe in which no evil were possible would have required a creation in which no one except God had the power of choice. But God desired the companionship of a creature with the power of choice (Genesis 1:26-27; 3:6-13). This involved the possibility of such a creature making a wrong choice. Otherwise, men would have been like robots. An automobile will obey every desire of its owner, but most men prefer the companionship of a wife even though she does not always respond to her husband’s wishes.” (Robert J. Little)
-“Love inevitably involves choice, and choice without results (consequences) would be of no significance. Evil is the result of man’s wrong choice. For God to wipe out the results of choice would be to rob choice of any meaning. Thus, love, choice, and result are integrally bound up with the presence of evil in the world. God in love gave man the choice to obey or disobey Him with the result that man’s disobedience brought evil into what was, according to God, a “very good” creation.” (David A. DeWitt)
Recap of the sermon from February 12 (John 5:1-6):
1. Jesus encountered a world ravaged by disease, decay, despair and death all brought about by the entrance of sin into the world, a world which He created (in conjunction with the Father and the Holy Spirit) and which was deemed “very good” (Genesis 1:31). Adam and Eve’s sin in the Garden (a sin we somehow participated in according to Romans 5:12) brought about the fall which through God’s promised judgment ruined man, woman, the serpent, and even the Creation (Romans 8:19-22) and brought about the promise of a Redeemer.
2. Why would God allow Adam and Eve to fall ushering sin into the world, why did God allow the possibility of evil? Consider the following thoughts:
- “A universe in which no evil were possible would have required a creation in which no one except God had the power of choice. But God desired the companionship of a creature with the power of choice (Genesis 1:26-27; 3:6-13). This involved the possibility of such a creature making a wrong choice. Otherwise, men would have been like robots. An automobile will obey every desire of its owner, but most men prefer the companionship of a wife even though she does not always respond to her husband’s wishes.” (Robert J. Little)
-“Love inevitably involves choice, and choice without results (consequences) would be of no significance. Evil is the result of man’s wrong choice. For God to wipe out the results of choice would be to rob choice of any meaning. Thus, love, choice, and result are integrally bound up with the presence of evil in the world. God in love gave man the choice to obey or disobey Him with the result that man’s disobedience brought evil into what was, according to God, a “very good” creation.” (David A. DeWitt)
Monday, February 06, 2012
The Word That Never Fails
Click here to download the sermon as we continue in the study of the Gospel of John.
Recap of the sermon from February 5, 2012 (John 4:43-54):
1. John calls the healing of the royal official’s son a “miraculous sign” (vs. 54). John records seven such signs in his gospel account. A sign, as John uses it, is “a mighty work or miracle which symbolizes spiritual truth” (Merrill F. Unger). The miraculous signs show that Jesus has power over matter, nature, sickness, and death. The world is in desperate need, because He is the God-man, Jesus can answer that need. The signs were designed to bring unbelievers to faith and to strengthen and grow the faith of believers.
2. The official’s son was on his deathbed and no one had been able to help him, so the official traveled to Cana to seek Jesus’ help. He apparently was aware of Jesus’ power displayed in Jerusalem. Sometimes God allows illnesses, afflictions, burdens, difficulties, suffering to bring people to Himself. He may use these things in the lives of the unsaved friends and family for whom we are praying to cause them to seek Him.
3. By challenging the man’s motives Jesus seeks to drive him deeper to faith. The man’s greater need was commitment to Jesus. “[Jesus] desired belief characterized by dedication rather than amazement…His aim was to inculcate a genuine commitment rather than merely to perform a cure.” (Merrill C. Tenney)
4. The boy is healed by the word of Christ from long distance (20-25 miles away). John establishes Jesus power over disease and the power of His word.
5. A good prayer for us to consider is: “God, Your commanding voice in Jesus stilled storms in Galilee and quieted hurricane fears in disciple’s hearts. Now train me in trust so that I may put aside my timidity and embrace Your mighty Word with robust faith. Amen. (Eugene Peterson)
Recap of the sermon from February 5, 2012 (John 4:43-54):
1. John calls the healing of the royal official’s son a “miraculous sign” (vs. 54). John records seven such signs in his gospel account. A sign, as John uses it, is “a mighty work or miracle which symbolizes spiritual truth” (Merrill F. Unger). The miraculous signs show that Jesus has power over matter, nature, sickness, and death. The world is in desperate need, because He is the God-man, Jesus can answer that need. The signs were designed to bring unbelievers to faith and to strengthen and grow the faith of believers.
2. The official’s son was on his deathbed and no one had been able to help him, so the official traveled to Cana to seek Jesus’ help. He apparently was aware of Jesus’ power displayed in Jerusalem. Sometimes God allows illnesses, afflictions, burdens, difficulties, suffering to bring people to Himself. He may use these things in the lives of the unsaved friends and family for whom we are praying to cause them to seek Him.
3. By challenging the man’s motives Jesus seeks to drive him deeper to faith. The man’s greater need was commitment to Jesus. “[Jesus] desired belief characterized by dedication rather than amazement…His aim was to inculcate a genuine commitment rather than merely to perform a cure.” (Merrill C. Tenney)
4. The boy is healed by the word of Christ from long distance (20-25 miles away). John establishes Jesus power over disease and the power of His word.
5. A good prayer for us to consider is: “God, Your commanding voice in Jesus stilled storms in Galilee and quieted hurricane fears in disciple’s hearts. Now train me in trust so that I may put aside my timidity and embrace Your mighty Word with robust faith. Amen. (Eugene Peterson)
Monday, January 30, 2012
The One Who Satisfies
Click here to download the sermon as we continue in the study of the Gospel of John.
Recap of the sermon from January 29th (John 4:1-42):
1. In John 4 Jesus has a divine appointment with the Samaritan woman at the well. Jews had no dealings with Samaritans because of their mixed heritage and aberrant religion. One writer expressed it this way: “Samaria, a territory to be avoided if possible by Jews, became the scene of a spiritual triumph: a well, a woman, a witness, the winning of a harvest of Samaritans to faith. Samaritanism as well as Judaism needed the corrective of Christ; it needed to be replaced by new creation life.” (Dr. Everett F. Harrison)
2. Jesus uses the woman’s physical thirst to show her her spiritual need. In the words of Dr. John Mitchell: “My friend, the world has many wells of water, but none will ever satisfy your heart and soul. The world is running hither and yon trying everything under heaven. They are like bees going from flower to flower, trying to find enough honey to be satisfied. Whoever drinks of this water shall thirst again….’If only I had money,’ you say. If you had money, you wouldn’t be satisfied. Instead, you would be more dissatisfied than you are today. ‘If I only had a place of honor,’ you say. Even that wouldn’t satisfy you. ‘If I only had all the pleasure I want….’ Still you wouldn’t be satisfied. ‘He that drinketh of this water shall thirst again.’ You can’t find satisfaction outside of yourself, or produce it within yourself. ‘But if you drink of the water I’ll give you [i.e. the Holy Spirit who regenerates those who put their trust in Christ], you will never thirst again. It will be in you a well of water.’”
3. Jesus’ approach to evangelism was to: ask for something (vs. 7); to provoke her thinking (vs. 10); to create a desire for spiritual things (vv. 13-15); to bring her to recognition of her desperate need (vv. 16-18); he answers her questions, deepens her understanding, taking from what she knows to what she needs to know (vv. 22-24); and He reveals Who He is (vs. 26).
Recap of the sermon from January 29th (John 4:1-42):
1. In John 4 Jesus has a divine appointment with the Samaritan woman at the well. Jews had no dealings with Samaritans because of their mixed heritage and aberrant religion. One writer expressed it this way: “Samaria, a territory to be avoided if possible by Jews, became the scene of a spiritual triumph: a well, a woman, a witness, the winning of a harvest of Samaritans to faith. Samaritanism as well as Judaism needed the corrective of Christ; it needed to be replaced by new creation life.” (Dr. Everett F. Harrison)
2. Jesus uses the woman’s physical thirst to show her her spiritual need. In the words of Dr. John Mitchell: “My friend, the world has many wells of water, but none will ever satisfy your heart and soul. The world is running hither and yon trying everything under heaven. They are like bees going from flower to flower, trying to find enough honey to be satisfied. Whoever drinks of this water shall thirst again….’If only I had money,’ you say. If you had money, you wouldn’t be satisfied. Instead, you would be more dissatisfied than you are today. ‘If I only had a place of honor,’ you say. Even that wouldn’t satisfy you. ‘If I only had all the pleasure I want….’ Still you wouldn’t be satisfied. ‘He that drinketh of this water shall thirst again.’ You can’t find satisfaction outside of yourself, or produce it within yourself. ‘But if you drink of the water I’ll give you [i.e. the Holy Spirit who regenerates those who put their trust in Christ], you will never thirst again. It will be in you a well of water.’”
3. Jesus’ approach to evangelism was to: ask for something (vs. 7); to provoke her thinking (vs. 10); to create a desire for spiritual things (vv. 13-15); to bring her to recognition of her desperate need (vv. 16-18); he answers her questions, deepens her understanding, taking from what she knows to what she needs to know (vv. 22-24); and He reveals Who He is (vs. 26).
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
The Incredible Shrinking Man
Click here to download the sermon as we continue in the study of the Gospel of John.
Recap of the sermon from January 22, 2012 (John 3:22-36):
1. “…John replies with deep and characteristic humility that the different tasks in life, and all apparent degrees of greatness, must be explained as the expression of the will of God…and that he is satisfied [even] rejoices in the part assigned to him in relation to the work and ministry of Christ.” (Dr. Charles Erdman) John 3:22-36 is a study in jealousy, humility, and in what makes Jesus superior, not only to John the Baptist, but to all other religious leaders and teachers.
2. John was able to have an attitude of humility, seen in his willingness to be supplanted by Jesus in importance, because:
-He had a sense of God’s sovereignty over his life and ministry.
-He was focused on God, not other people.
-His thoughts were not consumed with comparisons with others.
-Because he was content with who he was, he was free to be supportive of the lives and ministries of others, rather than having a spirit of competition with them.
-He was content to take a back seat to Jesus because he understood who he was, and who Jesus was (as seen in vv. 31-36)
-His sense of purpose in leadership allowed him to be a good follower when the situation called for it.
3. John 3:31-36 enumerates what it is that sets Jesus apart and makes Him pre-eminent. He is heavenly in origin, teaches that which could be known in no other way, is loved by the Father, filled with the fullness of the Spirit, and is the dividing point of every life. Those who put their trust in Him have eternal life, those who do not remain condemned.
Recap of the sermon from January 22, 2012 (John 3:22-36):
1. “…John replies with deep and characteristic humility that the different tasks in life, and all apparent degrees of greatness, must be explained as the expression of the will of God…and that he is satisfied [even] rejoices in the part assigned to him in relation to the work and ministry of Christ.” (Dr. Charles Erdman) John 3:22-36 is a study in jealousy, humility, and in what makes Jesus superior, not only to John the Baptist, but to all other religious leaders and teachers.
2. John was able to have an attitude of humility, seen in his willingness to be supplanted by Jesus in importance, because:
-He had a sense of God’s sovereignty over his life and ministry.
-He was focused on God, not other people.
-His thoughts were not consumed with comparisons with others.
-Because he was content with who he was, he was free to be supportive of the lives and ministries of others, rather than having a spirit of competition with them.
-He was content to take a back seat to Jesus because he understood who he was, and who Jesus was (as seen in vv. 31-36)
-His sense of purpose in leadership allowed him to be a good follower when the situation called for it.
3. John 3:31-36 enumerates what it is that sets Jesus apart and makes Him pre-eminent. He is heavenly in origin, teaches that which could be known in no other way, is loved by the Father, filled with the fullness of the Spirit, and is the dividing point of every life. Those who put their trust in Him have eternal life, those who do not remain condemned.
Monday, January 16, 2012
Two Paths
Click here to download the sermon from our expositional study of the Gospel of John.
A recap of the sermon from January 15, 2012 (John 3:16-21):
1. Jesus’ teaching in John 3 is that all people need a supernatural rebirth to enter God’s kingdom. That can’t be achieved on their own by human effort or merit; it comes from God, produced by the Holy Spirit. The new birth happens in response to placing faith in Jesus Christ, looking to the One who was lifted up on Calvary’s cross, and in resurrection and ascension.
2. Jesus talked about two paths which all humanity is on; the path of loss, condemnation, and darkness or the path of life, salvation, and light.
3. Unbelievers walk in darkness so that their worthless deeds will not be exposed. “Unbelievers have no ultimate meaning of life, no worthy motivation, no adequate goal, and a destiny of doom. He fears that if he comes to the light his deeds will be seen as worthless, and he would need to turn from them.” (Dr. Edwin Blum)
4. Believers, on the other hand, should have a worthy purpose, motivation and goals in life. Rick Warren in The Purpose Driven Life suggests the following 5 purposes: “You were planned for God’s pleasure; you were formed for God’s family; you were created to become like Christ; you were shaped for serving God; and you were made for a mission.
A recap of the sermon from January 15, 2012 (John 3:16-21):
1. Jesus’ teaching in John 3 is that all people need a supernatural rebirth to enter God’s kingdom. That can’t be achieved on their own by human effort or merit; it comes from God, produced by the Holy Spirit. The new birth happens in response to placing faith in Jesus Christ, looking to the One who was lifted up on Calvary’s cross, and in resurrection and ascension.
2. Jesus talked about two paths which all humanity is on; the path of loss, condemnation, and darkness or the path of life, salvation, and light.
3. Unbelievers walk in darkness so that their worthless deeds will not be exposed. “Unbelievers have no ultimate meaning of life, no worthy motivation, no adequate goal, and a destiny of doom. He fears that if he comes to the light his deeds will be seen as worthless, and he would need to turn from them.” (Dr. Edwin Blum)
4. Believers, on the other hand, should have a worthy purpose, motivation and goals in life. Rick Warren in The Purpose Driven Life suggests the following 5 purposes: “You were planned for God’s pleasure; you were formed for God’s family; you were created to become like Christ; you were shaped for serving God; and you were made for a mission.
Monday, January 09, 2012
Can A Good Person Be Saved?
Click here to download the sermon.
Recap of the sermon from January 8th (John 3:1-15):
Of Jesus’ teaching to Nicodemus that one must be born again (from above) to enter God’s kingdom the following writers comment:
-“How difficult it is for men to take a spiritual view of life, and to understand that the kingdom of God can never be brought in by political expedients and social reforms and natural processes; but that the first great need is a renewal of the heart and a divine transformation of each individual…” (Dr. Charles Erdman)
-“Man’s condition demands that he be born again if he is going to see or enter the kingdom of God. This is not a popular doctrine. Most people don’t believe it. Instead, they believe that if a person does something of merit, he or she will qualify to enter God’s kingdom. The problem, however, is that all of us are born with an old sin nature, and there is nothing we can do to change it.” (Dr. John G.Mitchell)
-“In our first birth we are ‘born of flesh’ and ‘born of water’; but in our second birth we are ‘born from above [again]’ and ‘born of the Spirit.’ Our first birth leads to death, but our second birth brings eternal life. The new birth is a new beginning that results in ‘newness of life.’ (Romans 6:4). (Dr. Warren Wiersbe)
Recap of the sermon from January 8th (John 3:1-15):
Of Jesus’ teaching to Nicodemus that one must be born again (from above) to enter God’s kingdom the following writers comment:
-“How difficult it is for men to take a spiritual view of life, and to understand that the kingdom of God can never be brought in by political expedients and social reforms and natural processes; but that the first great need is a renewal of the heart and a divine transformation of each individual…” (Dr. Charles Erdman)
-“Man’s condition demands that he be born again if he is going to see or enter the kingdom of God. This is not a popular doctrine. Most people don’t believe it. Instead, they believe that if a person does something of merit, he or she will qualify to enter God’s kingdom. The problem, however, is that all of us are born with an old sin nature, and there is nothing we can do to change it.” (Dr. John G.Mitchell)
-“In our first birth we are ‘born of flesh’ and ‘born of water’; but in our second birth we are ‘born from above [again]’ and ‘born of the Spirit.’ Our first birth leads to death, but our second birth brings eternal life. The new birth is a new beginning that results in ‘newness of life.’ (Romans 6:4). (Dr. Warren Wiersbe)
Tuesday, January 03, 2012
Thoughts For a New Year
Click here to download the sermon.
Recap of the January 1 sermon (Psalm 90:12; Philippians 3:12-16):
1. Principles for living wisely, prudently, each day:
-realize how brief life is, Psalm 90:12; James 4:13,14-“We are always complaining that our days are few and acting as though there would be no end to them.” (Seneca)
-make spiritual commitment a priority, especially in your youth, Ecclesiastes 12:1
-understand the priority of the eternal over the temporal, we must live for the eternal rather than the passing, 1 Corinthians 7:29-31
-we must not waste time on the old way of living, but live wisely and speak wisely, Ephesians 5:15,16; Colossians 4:5,6
2. Paul was a man of one passion, one purpose, one ambition to be like Christ, Philippians 3:12-16.
3. He faced obstacles to fulfilling that ambition
-the past; past successes & achievements, past hurts, past failures, past sins.
-taking his eye off the goal; instead he kept his attention on what was before him, like a runner keeps their eye on the finish line.
-“’… forgetting those things which are behind’ does not suggest an impossible feat of mental and psychological gymnastics by which we try to erase the sins and mistakes of the past. It simply means that we break the power of the past by living for the future. Too many Christians are shackled by regrets of the past. They are trying to run the race by looking backward! No wonder they stumble and fall…’” (Warren Wiersbe)
Recap of the January 1 sermon (Psalm 90:12; Philippians 3:12-16):
1. Principles for living wisely, prudently, each day:
-realize how brief life is, Psalm 90:12; James 4:13,14-“We are always complaining that our days are few and acting as though there would be no end to them.” (Seneca)
-make spiritual commitment a priority, especially in your youth, Ecclesiastes 12:1
-understand the priority of the eternal over the temporal, we must live for the eternal rather than the passing, 1 Corinthians 7:29-31
-we must not waste time on the old way of living, but live wisely and speak wisely, Ephesians 5:15,16; Colossians 4:5,6
2. Paul was a man of one passion, one purpose, one ambition to be like Christ, Philippians 3:12-16.
3. He faced obstacles to fulfilling that ambition
-the past; past successes & achievements, past hurts, past failures, past sins.
-taking his eye off the goal; instead he kept his attention on what was before him, like a runner keeps their eye on the finish line.
-“’… forgetting those things which are behind’ does not suggest an impossible feat of mental and psychological gymnastics by which we try to erase the sins and mistakes of the past. It simply means that we break the power of the past by living for the future. Too many Christians are shackled by regrets of the past. They are trying to run the race by looking backward! No wonder they stumble and fall…’” (Warren Wiersbe)
Monday, December 19, 2011
Religion as Commerce
Our study in the Book of John continues.
Click here to download the sermon.
Recap of the sermon from December 18, 2011 (John 2:12-25):
1. “It is noticeable that Jesus began His ministry with an act of holiness rather than of power. He wished to teach the nation that the supreme need was their spiritual cleansing…” (Dr. Charles Erdman)
2. Cleansing the Temple of the sellers of animals and exchangers of money was a symbolic act of judgment to declare His Messiahship and to deal with the corruption of worship caused by a commercial spirit in a place meant for worship, sacrifice and prayer.
3. Four threats to worship:
-going through the motions (Malachi 1)
-treating God as a “good-luck charm” (1 Samuel 4:1ff)
-worshipping without obedience to God’s revelation (1 Samuel 13:1-14; 2 Samuel 6:1ff)
-worshipping the wrong things (the creation/created things rather than the Creator) (Psalm 135:15ff)
4. Four pre-requisites to worship (from: The Ultimate Priority by John MacArthur):
-“we must be yielded to the Holy Spirit”
-“our thoughts must be centered on God”
-“we must have an undivided heart”
-“we must be repentant” (we must deal with sin in our lives)
Click here to download the sermon.
Recap of the sermon from December 18, 2011 (John 2:12-25):
1. “It is noticeable that Jesus began His ministry with an act of holiness rather than of power. He wished to teach the nation that the supreme need was their spiritual cleansing…” (Dr. Charles Erdman)
2. Cleansing the Temple of the sellers of animals and exchangers of money was a symbolic act of judgment to declare His Messiahship and to deal with the corruption of worship caused by a commercial spirit in a place meant for worship, sacrifice and prayer.
3. Four threats to worship:
-going through the motions (Malachi 1)
-treating God as a “good-luck charm” (1 Samuel 4:1ff)
-worshipping without obedience to God’s revelation (1 Samuel 13:1-14; 2 Samuel 6:1ff)
-worshipping the wrong things (the creation/created things rather than the Creator) (Psalm 135:15ff)
4. Four pre-requisites to worship (from: The Ultimate Priority by John MacArthur):
-“we must be yielded to the Holy Spirit”
-“our thoughts must be centered on God”
-“we must have an undivided heart”
-“we must be repentant” (we must deal with sin in our lives)
Monday, December 12, 2011
Saving the Best 'Til Last
Our study in the Book of John continues.
Click here to download the sermon.
Recap of the sermon from December 11th (John 2:1-11):
Lessons at a wedding:
-Jesus brings joy: “…, it is most significant, therefore, that [Jesus] first miracle, which was an index to His whole ministry, was so related to the joy of a wedding feast. It rebukes the foolish fear that religion robs life of its happiness, or that loyalty to Christ is inconsistent with exuberant spirits and innocent pleasure. It corrects the false impression that sourness is a sign of sainthood, or that gloom is a condition of godliness. It indicates the transforming, enabling, transfiguring power of Christ, and shows how He came that we ‘may have life, and may have it abundantly.” (Dr. Charles Erdman)
-The new replaces the old: Judaism had become empty and bankrupt of meaning through its emphasis on ritual and externals while neglecting true spiritual matters. Jesus was the best that was saved till last.
-Jesus transforms: Even as He turned the water into wine, Jesus transforms sinners into saints. Jesus ministry is a ministry of transformation (regeneration) not renovation.
-Faith is not a static thing, it grows: The Disciples’ initial faith in Jesus grew and developed as they observed the ministry and power of Jesus.
Click here to download the sermon.
Recap of the sermon from December 11th (John 2:1-11):
Lessons at a wedding:
-Jesus brings joy: “…, it is most significant, therefore, that [Jesus] first miracle, which was an index to His whole ministry, was so related to the joy of a wedding feast. It rebukes the foolish fear that religion robs life of its happiness, or that loyalty to Christ is inconsistent with exuberant spirits and innocent pleasure. It corrects the false impression that sourness is a sign of sainthood, or that gloom is a condition of godliness. It indicates the transforming, enabling, transfiguring power of Christ, and shows how He came that we ‘may have life, and may have it abundantly.” (Dr. Charles Erdman)
-The new replaces the old: Judaism had become empty and bankrupt of meaning through its emphasis on ritual and externals while neglecting true spiritual matters. Jesus was the best that was saved till last.
-Jesus transforms: Even as He turned the water into wine, Jesus transforms sinners into saints. Jesus ministry is a ministry of transformation (regeneration) not renovation.
-Faith is not a static thing, it grows: The Disciples’ initial faith in Jesus grew and developed as they observed the ministry and power of Jesus.
Monday, December 05, 2011
Discipleship 101
Our study in the Book of John continues.
Click here to download the sermon.
Here's the recap from this sermon:
(John 1:40-51):
Characteristics of a Disciple (What should a disciple learn?)
1. A disciple is learning to put Christ first in their lives. Matthew 6:19-34
2. A disciple is learning to put everything under the control of Christ: money, time, family, marriage, friendships, work. 1 Peter 3:15
3. A disciple is learning to die to self, to come alive to Christ and the Holy Spirit within. Mark 8:34
4. A disciple is learning about proper goals in life. Philippians 3:12-14
5. A disciple is one who is learning to love Christ. Matthew 22:34-40
6. A disciple is one who is learning to keep His commandments in all areas of life: purity, relationships, right and wrong, ethics, integrity. John 14:15
7. A disciple is learning to take everything to Christ, even the smallest things in their lives, day to day incidences and concerns, "haphazard circumstances" (Oswald Chambers) Philippians 4:6,7
8. A disciple is learning to be obedient to the will of God. Colossians 1:9
9. A disciple is one who is learning to please God in every way. Colossians 1:10
10. A disciple is one who is learning to speak to God in prayer, learning to bring all their needs before God. Matthew 6:9-13
11. A disciple is one who is learning to love God's Word. 1 Peter 2:2; Hebrews 5:11-14
12. A disciple is one who is learning to bring every thought into the captivity of Christ, bringing their thoughts and attitudes in line with the Word of God whether about marriage, family, politics, etc. 2 Corinthians 10:3-5
13. A disciple is one who is learning to care for others. Philippians 2:4
14. A disciple is one who is learning to serve others. Luke 22:26-27
15. A disciple is one who is learning to let God's Spirit dominate his life. Ephesians 5:18
Click here to download the sermon.
Here's the recap from this sermon:
(John 1:40-51):
Characteristics of a Disciple (What should a disciple learn?)
1. A disciple is learning to put Christ first in their lives. Matthew 6:19-34
2. A disciple is learning to put everything under the control of Christ: money, time, family, marriage, friendships, work. 1 Peter 3:15
3. A disciple is learning to die to self, to come alive to Christ and the Holy Spirit within. Mark 8:34
4. A disciple is learning about proper goals in life. Philippians 3:12-14
5. A disciple is one who is learning to love Christ. Matthew 22:34-40
6. A disciple is one who is learning to keep His commandments in all areas of life: purity, relationships, right and wrong, ethics, integrity. John 14:15
7. A disciple is learning to take everything to Christ, even the smallest things in their lives, day to day incidences and concerns, "haphazard circumstances" (Oswald Chambers) Philippians 4:6,7
8. A disciple is learning to be obedient to the will of God. Colossians 1:9
9. A disciple is one who is learning to please God in every way. Colossians 1:10
10. A disciple is one who is learning to speak to God in prayer, learning to bring all their needs before God. Matthew 6:9-13
11. A disciple is one who is learning to love God's Word. 1 Peter 2:2; Hebrews 5:11-14
12. A disciple is one who is learning to bring every thought into the captivity of Christ, bringing their thoughts and attitudes in line with the Word of God whether about marriage, family, politics, etc. 2 Corinthians 10:3-5
13. A disciple is one who is learning to care for others. Philippians 2:4
14. A disciple is one who is learning to serve others. Luke 22:26-27
15. A disciple is one who is learning to let God's Spirit dominate his life. Ephesians 5:18
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