The Book of John (Page 3)
As we read through John, look for evidence that Jesus is the Divine Savior. John’s Gospel is very helpful for strengthening your faith against religions and cults who deny the Trinity or the deity of Christ. In evangelism, tell others to read the Gospel of John first. The Gospel of John was written to foster saving faith in Jesus Christ.
A Christian Response to Persecution (John 15:26-27)
Jesus has been discussing His upcoming betrayal, death, resurrection, and ascension. He has been telling His disciples about the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. He has told them how the Holy Spirit will flow through them producing fruitfulness and love. Because of this love, we will be hated and persecuted. The tendency is to seek comfort or escape Our natural tendency is to seek comfort. We want a long life of leisure, pleasure, and comfort. Because of this we naturally…
Hatred: Evidence of True Conversion (John 15:18-25)
True followers of Christ will be hated If the world hated Jesus so much that they killed Him, what will they do to those who follow Him? We will receive the same treatment. We know that the world hated and persecuted Jesus, so we can expect that the closer we follow Him the more we will be hated and persecuted. If we were like the world they would love us; if we are like Jesus they will hate us. We…
The Fruit of the Spirit is Love (John 15:9-17)
Love flows through the Vine The Father loves Christ, and Christ loves His Church. As branches abiding in Christ we are continuing in His love. The love of the Father flows through Christ, and the love of Christ flows through us. This is why the defining characteristic of a Christian is love (John 13:35.) Love is the first fruit of the Spirit. Love is keeping Christ’s commandments God’s Law teaches us how to love Him and how to love each…
Power for Fruitfulness (John 15:1-8)
As the disciples are on the way to the Garden, Jesus talks about vines and fruit. Christ is our life We are branches whose only life comes from the vine. Separated from Christ, we are unable to do anything. It is only the life of Christ within us that enables us to bear fruit and conform to His image. As we stay attached to the vine we will produce more and more fruit. The Father prunes us As we grow…
God is the Only Circumstance (John 14:27-31)
We continue today looking at Jesus’ teachings on peace and comfort. Worldly peace This world offers us peace. This peace is primarily in a change of circumstances. Peace in the home is found by divorce, a child moving out, our spouse changing, etc. Financial peace is found in us winning the lottery, getting a new job, inheriting money, etc. The world’s view of peace is the absence of problems through a change of circumstances. Jesus offers something different Throughout His…
The Only Source of Comfort (John 14:22-26)
Jesus has been teaching the disciples about the special relationship that they enjoy with Him through faith in Him. Judas (also called Thaddeus) asks Him why He will not reveal Himself to the rest of the world. The disciples are envisioning a Savior who will show the Roman Empire His power and overthrow them ushering in an era of Jewish rule. We view the problem as outside of us All people are discontented, discomforted, and struggling. We naturally view this…
Receiving the Truth (John 14:16-21)
The disciples are troubled that Jesus is going to be leaving them. Jesus’ response has been to talk about heaven and how to get to the Father. He has shown them that He is the only Way and that there is a new life for those who believe in Him. This new life will be characterized by following in Jesus’ footsteps. The Holy Spirit is our Comforter In all of our troubles, trials, and suffering God sends His Holy Spirit.…
A Changed Heart (John 14:15)
How does the Law of God relate to the Grace of God? Man believes that he loves God One constant among human beings is that we all believe we love God and are right with God. If you look around our culture here in the South virtually everyone “believes in God,” “loves God,” and is “going to heaven when they die.” However, when confronted with the Law of God, men usually turn to one of two things, legalism or license.…
Greater Works (John 14:11-14)
Jesus now speaks of those who believe in Him doing greater works than what He has done. True believers will live like Jesus The word “works” is not referring exclusively to miracles; the Greek word actually refers to “deeds” or “labors.” Although this would include miracles this is not the exclusive meaning. Jesus is saying that those who believe in Him will live and act the way He lived and acted. The word for “greater” does not mean “more miraculous”…
Which Jesus Do You Believe In? (John 14:6-11)
Jesus continues to explain to His disciples that He is not just the only way to the Father, but that to see Jesus is to see the Father. Jesus is clear Jesus is very clear that He is one with God the Father; He is God in the flesh. The mystery of the Trinity is clearly taught here by Jesus Christ. Jesus is a separate being than God the Father, yet He is God the Father. There is no ambiguity…
Christians Don’t Want Mansions (John 14:1-6)
The disciples are upset because Jesus has told them that He is leaving them and they cannot come where He is going. Faith in Jesus overcomes our troubles Jesus tells the disciples to not be troubled about what all is going to transpire. This is easier said than done, so Jesus gives them the cure to a troubled heart, faith in Him. If we trust Jesus, He will give us a peace that goes beyond the human ability to reason.…
Peter’s Pride (John 13:36-38)
In the various Gospel accounts we can piece together a good understanding of Peter’s pride and denial of Christ. Peter claims a superior moral ground In the other Gospel accounts Jesus says that all the disciples will forsake Him that evening. Peter says that even if everyone else forsakes Christ, he will remain faithful. In John 21 we can see Jesus addressing this pride issue when He asks Peter if he loves Him more than these. Peter was convinced that…