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Peace from Jesus
John 16:16-33
Pastor Tom
3-30-11

Introduction – Christ alone answers man’s existential questions and needs.

I. From sorrow to joy – vv. 16-24

• He seems confused
• Jesus continues to comfort them with the promise of His Spirit – John 16:7; Romans 8:9
• Childbirth: pain then joy/the cross – Romans 8:28
• Confirmation: answered prayer – communion

II. Needing love – vv. 25-27

• Parables – unveiled statement
• “Time Cometh” – Pentecost – John 16:12-13
• Direct access to Father God
• Basis of life – God loves you

III. Something to believe – vv. 27-32

• That Jesus is God/Deity
• Believing God is revealed in Jesus
• Faith has content!
• Spiritual strength: self-distrust plus humility

IV. Hope for life – v. 33

• Broke Satan’s hold on us
• Resurrection hope – overcome the world

Conclusion – Christ gives the peace that passes understanding.

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Truth Serum
Pastor Tom
3-27-11

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Friend or Foe?
John 15:12-25
Pastor Tom
3-23-11

Introduction – We are identified in life by two groups of people: our friends and our enemies.

I. The friends of Jesus revealed – vv. 12-16

• They love each other – v. 12
  • Sacrificial in nature – v. 13
• They know the truth – vv. 14-15
  • Slaves only know what you want; friends know your plan, heart, purpose and details
• They are specifically chosen – v. 16a
  • Saved and selected to go – v. 16b
• They have remaining fruit – v. 16c
  • Christ-likeness – 2 Corinthians 5:17
• They experience answered prayer – v. 16d
  • Fervently, effectually and without ceasing

II. The friends of Jesus are hated

• They are not like the world – vv. 18-19
  • Our life and words must be contrary to false religion
• They hate our Lord Jesus Christ – v. 20
  • We accept hate then radiate love – Philippians 3:10
• They don’t know God – vv. 21-25
  • False religion is demonic and willful – Romans 1:21; 28
• Christ revealed everything man needed to believe in God – He was hated without cause.

Conclusion – We will be hated for our friendship with Christ – A small price to pay for a friend like Him.

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‘FOR-REAL’ CHRISTIANITY
John 15:4-11
Pastor Tom
3-20-11

Introduction – Jesus explains in detail that the key to living as true disciples is simply abiding in Him.

I. What abiding means

• Abiding is commanded – show your faith – vv. 4,8-10
• Consistency and fruit evidence – Colossians 1:27-29
• Staying attached is essential – Galatians 1:6; Galatians 3:3
• Allowing His words to be life – v. 7

II. The blessing of abiding

• Fruit – v. 5
  • What fruit is not – success, experiences (copycat)
  • What fruit is – Christ-likeness – Galatians 5:22-26
• Answered prayer – v. 7
• God’s glory – v.8
• Full Joy – v.11

III. The devastation of not abiding – v. 6

• False disciple – John 6:37
• Forever judgment – Matthew 13:30

Conclusion – Independence equals suffering, dependence equals abundance.

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The DiVine Connection
John 15:1-3
Roger Cook
3-16-11

Introduction – We come today to another of the great “I Am” passages in John.

I. The Vine – v.1

• God’s vine in the Old Testament – Israel
  • Israel was God’s vine – Isaiah 5:1-7
  • An empty vine – failed to bear fruit
• God’s vine in the New Testament – Jesus Christ
  • Jesus is the new vine – for anyone to know life, they must be connected to the “True Vine”
  • Israel was the type, Christ is the reality
• The world’s vine – self, materialism, systems

II. The Husbandman (Vine-dresser)

• He planted the vine
• He prunes the vine (2 kinds of pruning)
  • Get rid of the non-fruit bearing branches
  • He cut back the fruit bearing branches

III. The Vine Branches – v. 2

• The non-fruit bearing branches – apostates, hypocrites
• The fruit bearing branches – true believers
  • His pruning cleans us – sometimes it hurts – Hebrews 12:7,10

IV. The pruning knife is the Word of God – v.3

Conclusion – Where are you today? Are you really connected to the True Vine? Are you willing for God to prune your life so you can bear ‘more’ and ‘the much fruit’?

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Jesus’ Parting Gifts
John 14:25-31
Jack Smith
3-13-11

Introduction: Christ’s parting gifts to believers can transform and sustain their lives until we are reunited with Him.

I. The Gift of the Holy Spirit (John 14:25-26)

• What the Gift Does
  • Provokes the Believer
    • Reveals hidden sin
    • To do good works
  • Empowers the Believer
    • He ministers through temptations, witnessing opportunities, and teaches truth
• What the Gift Reveals
  • We need it
    • Fleshes out our faith
    • Reminds us of scripture (truth)
  • God’s Intentions with Mankind
    • He desires intimacy
    • We were made for His glory

II. The Gift of True Peace (John 14:27-28)

• In Salvation
  • False salvation offers no peace
    • Earned and dependant on man
  • True salvation brings true peace
    • Unearned, undeserved, and freely given
• In Everyday Life
  • Enables us to trust God with our daily needs
  • Enables us to endure hardship, even death

III. The Gift of Jesus’ Victory (John 14:29-31)

• He Stands over His Enemies
  • Sin
  • Death
  • Satan
• He Stands Equal to God
  • In His Royal Authority
  • In His Judicial Authority

Conclusion: Gifts are only good if they are desired or meet a need. Are we allowing God to meet our true needs with these gifts or have we turned them into unused consolation prizes?

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The Love Helper
John 14:15-24
Pastor Tom
3-9-11

Introduction – Love is demonstrated by obedience to God’s commands.  We need an insider to make obedience possible.

I. Who is the Comforter? – vv.15-17

• Parakeltos (Greek) – Helper
• Allos (Greek) – Of identical kind
• He stays forever – within – 1 Corinthians 3:16
• Guides us with Truth – John 16:13

II. The Promise of Life – vv. 18-19

• Will not leave us as orphans
• The mystery of the Trinity – God in us 1Corinthians 6:19
• Resurrection life through sweet fellowship

III. The Supernatural Union – vv. 20-24

• What we have in Christ – 1Corinthians 2:9, Ephesians 1:17-18
• All believers one with the God-head Trinity -
  • “At that day” – Galatians 2:20
• The world refuses Him, His words and love.
• What happens when we love (obey)?

Conclusion – Let us not waste our special union with God in Christ through the Holy Spirit of truth. – Hebrews 12:1

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No Worries
John 14:1-14
Pastor Tom
3-6-11

Introduction- Jesus cautions against worry. He desires us to replace it with belief in Him, His words and His works.

I. Trusting Him – vv. 1-6

• His presence proves the future
• Marriage example – attached living
• Our knowledge ends at death – how do we get there?-Return-John 17:24
• Jesus is everything – The Way, Truth and Life

II. Trusting His words – vv. 7-10

• Failed to see Jesus as fully God – Hebrews 1:3
• They wanted sight instead of faith
• Walk by faith, not by sight – Believe My words – Luke 17:5

III. Trusting His works – vv. 11-14

• Greater in extent not in power – Ephesians 3:20
• Greater physical and spiritual work
• Apostolic power belonged to Apostles
• Our power is in prayer – Gap removed
• Praying consistent with Christ

Conclusion – Jesus is God and will do everything we ask according to His glory.

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Reflecting Christ
John 13:31-38
Pastor Tom
3-2-11

Introduction- With Jesus about to leave, His witness in this world becomes dependent upon His disciples – The Proper Reflection.

I. Jesus is glorified – vv.31-33

• Our motive, theme, and goal in everything
• The cross glorified Christ
  • Salvation, sin and Satan’s destruction, justice, sacrifice and satisfaction
• The cross glorified God the Father
  • God’s power, justice , holiness, faithfulness and love
• Glorified again (future)
  • Resurrection, ascension, exaltation and return(second coming) – Philippians 2:9
• Glorified by separation
  • Unbelievers – John 8:21, 24 can’t come
  • Believers – can’t come now

II. Love for brothers – vv. 34-35

• Love replaces law – Romans 13:8-10
• This love requires humility – Philippians 2:1-4

III. Loyalty to the Master – vv. 36-38

• Peter lacked a tested loyalty
• Boasted on himself – Luke 22:33
• Lacked prayer – Luke 22:40
• Responded quickly – Luke 22:50
• Followed too far off – Luke 22:54b

Conclusion – To properly be a witness of Christ requires a life lived for others.