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Hated For Good
John 10:22-42
Pastor Tom
1-30-11

Introduction – Christ’s public ministry ended here because the Jews hated His truthful answers to their questions.

I. The Right Question – vv. 22-24

• Feast of dedication – Hanukkah
• Judas Maccabaeus delivered Jerusalem from Antiochus Epiphanies, King of Syria – 175B.C. to164 B.C.
• Are You God?

II. The Right Answer – vv. 25-31

• I Am – words and works
• Refuse to believe
• Giver of eternal life and safety
• Hated Him for His goodness and truth

III. The Right Cause – vv. 32-39

• Why do you stone Me? What cause?
• Blasphemy – subjective
• Truth – objective
• The law – Psalms 82:6 – I can be no other

Conclusion – Our choice: either hate or love Christ for His good truth – vv. 40-42

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Living the Good Life
John 10:1-21
Pastor Tom
1-26-11

Introduction – Jesus reveals that those who know Him will have the only life worth living.

I. The Good Shepherd – vv. 1-18

• Provides entrance into fold – door
• Intimate with sheep
• Provides pasture – God’s word
• Gives His life – unites the sheep

II. The false shepherds –Pharisees and anti-christs

• Thief – to steal – take advantage
• Robber – slaughter right in the fold
• Hirelings – care not for the sheep – Titus 1:10-11: 1 Peter 5:2
• Scatters the sheep

III. The great divide – vv. 19-21

• Demonized – rejected The Truth
• The sheep – Hebrews 13:20-21

Conclusion – Jesus commits Himself to those who hear His word and believe His works – The good life – God looking after me.

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One Thing I Know
John 9
Pastor Tom
1-23-11

Introduction – The world’s knowledge doubles every 18 months yet many are blind to the One thing that assures eternal life.

I. So many questions

• Who did sin? – vv.1-5
• Is this the beggar? – vv. 6-9
• How did it happen? – vv. 10-11
• Where is He? – v. 12
• How could He do this? – vv.13-16
• What do you say of Him? – vv. 17-18
• How does your son see? – vv. 19-23
• Again – what did He do? – vv. 24-26
• Are you His disciples? vv. 27-34

II. The right questions

• Do you believe on God’s Son? v. 35
• Who is He? – vv. 36-39
• Are we blind? – vv. 40-41

III. The only answer

• One thing I know – vv. 25, 38
  • Jesus touched his eyes then his soul
• Their blindness led to doom – v. 41

Conclusion – Only washing in the One sent from God can open our spiritual eyes to salvation.

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“The Throw Down – I AM THAT I AM”
John 8:12-59
Special Speaker – Dean Mileto
1-19-11

Introduction – The theme throughout the Gospel of John is the same; surrendering our will and our heart to God’s Christ, is the right choice.

I. The first throw down: I am the Light of the world – vv. 12-20

• Lovin’ the dark – John 1:4-5, John 3:19
• One witness, really?
• I am not alone, My Father is My witness
• His identity is tied to the Father – John 1:14

II. The second throw down: I am He – vv. 21- 47

• I am from above
• His wisdom vs. their wisdom
• Preoccupation with the physical brings horrible consequences
• Powerful words bring powerful results
• Let freedom ring, the truth makes you free
• Still not “getting it”, hearing but not listening – Isaiah 6:9-10
• Devil daddy, you do the deeds of your father

III. The ultimate throw down: “I AM” – vv. 48-59

• Potty mouth theology
• Staying on course and cool as a cucumber
• Do what I say or die forever, your choice
• It’s all about my Deity – Isaiah 29:13-14
• Before Abraham was, I am – Exodus 3:13-14
• Their response: they threw a “Holy Fit” and became “Holy Terrors”

Conclusion – (I John 2:1-2) My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate (intercessor, comforter) with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: And he is the propitiation (suffer punishment for wrongdoings) for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

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Dark Secrets Exposed By the Son
John 7: 53-8:11
Pastor Tom
1-16-11

Introduction – This account dramatically summarizes why some hate Jesus while others love Him.

I. No home – vv. 7: 53-8:2

• His humility/availability – Philippians 2: 5-8

II. The players – vv. 3-7

• Accusers
  • Scribes and Pharisees
• The accused
  • Woman caught in the act
  • ? – No man
• The dilemma
  • To stone her or not!
  • Harmonizing mercy and justice
• The answer
  • only the sinless can judge
  • Deuteronomy 17:7

III. The convicted condemned – vv. 8-9

• Laid bare by truth/wound opened

IV. The convicted forgiven – vv. 10-11

• She too was condemned if not justified by a Redeemer
• Grace position – “I don’t condemn”
• Grace practice – “Go and sin no more”

Conclusion – When sin is exposed, do you run from or to Jesus?

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To Be or Not to Be
John 7: 1-52
Pastor Tom
1-12-10

Introduction – Jesus divided humanity into very clear groups: those who want to be in Christ and those that do not.

I. The timing – vv. 1-13

• Seven month gap teaching disciples
• Revealed His glory in transfiguration
• Discipleship priority
• Not yet time

II. The testing – vv. 14-24

• Willingness to obey
• Humility – selflessness
• His work – their hypocrisy

III. The tragedy – vv. 25-36

• Confusion over His identity
• He cries out against their ignorance
• They mocked Him sarcasm

IV The thirst – vv. 37-52

• A public invitation: thirst, come, drink, pour
• The convinced – hear Him and watch
• The contrary – confused

Conclusion – Christ has revealed Himself clearly – the decision falls upon man to choose.

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Same Story, Different Town
Pastor Tom
1-09-11

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Looking for a Thrill
John 6:1-29
Pastor Tom
1-5-11

Introduction – Many come to Jesus with their own plans and desires then discover Jesus can’t be used!

I. The miracle – vv. 1-15

• Six months to a year gap – work filled
• Looking for a thrill
• Missing faith
• Blessings through obedience
• Used disciples to serve – availability
• Food equals Messiah – a king on their terms

II. True followers – vv. 16-21

• Obedient – told to leave and did – Mark 6
• Desired His presence not just power
• Desired His security – Matthew 14 says they fell and worshipped
• Experienced a sense of humility, sin and fragility

III. False followers – vv. 22-29

• Disobedient – told to leave they showed up – Matthew 14
• Filled with questions – How did you get here?
• Desired free food and power not His presence
• Worshiped themselves – How can I get this?

Conclusion – Christ’s answer is: Stop trusting what you can do, instead believe My word/trust Me.

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Jerusalem Throw-down
John 5:17-47
Pastor Tom
1-2-11

Introduction – Why would Jesus purposely provoke a confrontation?  He came to die.

I. Five jabs to the head – Five ways Christ is equal to God

• His person – vv. 17-18
• His work – vv. 19-20
• His power/resurrection – v.21
• His judgment – v. 22
• His honor – vv. 23-24

II. Two body shots

• Spiritual resurrection – vv. 25-26
• Physical resurrection – vv. 27-29

III. Four knockout punches – Four witnesses seal the victory – vv. 30-32

• John the Baptist – vv. 33-35
• Christ’s own works –v. 36
• Father’s words – vv. 37-38; 1 John 59-10
• Scripture fulfilled

Conclusion – Jesus was either God or a liar; what we decide determines victory or defeat for our soul