Sermon Central
-
The Greatest Gospel: Jesus According To John
Contributed by Jim Butcher on Oct 21, 2020 (message contributor)
- 1
- 2
- Next
-
1. What Jesus Brings Us
Contributed on Oct 21, 2020
This passage early in John gives us important answers to what John did, who Jesus is, and what Jesus brings us.
WHO JOHN THE BAPTIST IS: He is the witness. - John 1:6, 7, 8, 15. a. He was sent from God. - v. 6. b. He was a witness to the light. - v. 7. c. He was not the light. - v. 8. d. He declared Jesus was God Incarnate. - v. 15. WHO JESUS IS: He is God. - John 1:9, 10, 11, 14, 18. a. He ...read more
-
2. How To Avoid Seeing God Move In Your Life
Contributed on Oct 23, 2020
Jesus' healing on an invalid suffering for 38 years provides an interesting example of ways that we sometimes miss out on what God is willing to do in our lives.
HOW TO AVOID SEEING GOD MOVE IN YOUR LIFE: 1. CONSIDER IT TOO LATE. - John 5:5. - Life has a way of beating us down. Especially when we are continually pummeled over many years. - This invalid had been there for nearly four decades. It’s hard not the lose your hope by that point. - Many of ...read more
-
3. The Son’s Connection To The Father
Contributed on Oct 30, 2020
This deep, dense, and challenging passage details the connections between the Son and the Father. What specifics can we learn from it?
EQUAL WITH GOD: The Jews thought Jesus was claiming to be equal with God the Father. - John 5:18. - What exactly is going on in this interaction that the Jews thought Jesus was claiming to be equal with God the Father? a. In v. 16 the Jews persecute Jesus because He violated their rules for the ...read more
-
4. Six Testimonies About Jesus
Contributed on Nov 3, 2020
Jesus says that He's not going to testify about Himself, but He's got an impressive lineup of witnesses to who He is. What can we learn from them?
- v. 31. Six Testimonies about Jesus: 1. The positive testimony of John the Baptist: Jesus is the Perfect Lamb. - John 5:31-35. 2. The positive testimony of the work: Jesus is the Suffering Messiah. - John 5:36. 3. The positive testimony of the Father: Jesus is the Beloved Son. - John ...read more
-
5. When We Don’t Have Enough
Contributed on Nov 10, 2020
The miracle of the feeding of the 5,000 (really, probably the 20,000) is a story about asking God to move in bigger ways that we have the resources to move ourselves.
MORE THAN A MEAL: Jesus was testing His disciples. - John 6:6. - John tells that Jesus is doing this to test the disciples. Obviously, throughout His three years of ministry He was pushing them to grow and learn the lessons of the Kingdom. - Now, He asks them to sort out this difficult ...read more
-
6. Why Jesus Downplayed The Miracles
Contributed on Dec 9, 2020
Jesus does back-to-back miracles: the mass feeding and then walking on water. But He downplays both miracles. Why would He do that?
WHAT JESUS WALKING ON WATER ACCOMPLISHED: Seeing this miracle strengthened the disciples’ faith in Jesus. - John 6:16-21. - Matthew 14:28-33. - The disciples have just seen Jesus multiply the loaves. It is an incredible miracle that they got to see happen up close. - That evening, Jesus sends ...read more
-
7. Why They Turned Down The Bread Of Life
Contributed on Dec 15, 2020
This section is lengthy and confusing. There is a lot going on. This message unpacks it by focusing on five of the key reasons the crowd rejects Jesus here.
- A couple things up front. - First, there is a lot in this passage, yet the passage needs to be taken together. A lot of ideas are brought out, but it’s all a cohesive whole. So we are going to cover a lot of ground this evening. - Second, there is so much in this passage that there are ...read more
-
8. Everyone Has An Opinion About Jesus
Contributed on Dec 22, 2020
This passage gives us the (questionable) opinions of three groups about Jesus. How did Jesus stay focused amid disparate viewpoints?
DISINFORMATION, AGENDAS, FEARS, AND UNCERTAINTY: Everyone has an opinion about Jesus, but most of them are wrong. - John 7:1-14. - We live in a time when people often talk as though all opinions are equally valid. You have your opinion and I have mine and we can both be right. (This is often ...read more
-
9. How Is Jesus’ Way Different From The Law?
Contributed on Jan 8, 2021
This passage highlights how different what Jesus is bringing is from what the religious teachers were offering. How exactly is Jesus' way different?
THE JEWS' PLAN: 1. THEIR SYSTEM WAS THE LAW. - John 7:21-24. - The miracle that is referred to in v. 21 is almost certainly the healing at the pool of Bethesda (John 5:1-15). John records miracles after that, but that was the miracle that brought out the issue of healing on the Sabbath. ...read more
-
10. Why Were The Religious Leaders So Blind About Jesus?
Contributed on Jan 11, 2021
This passage speaks to the ignorant confidence that the religious leaders possessed. How do we avoid their mistake?
WHAT'S THE HEART OF THIS PASSAGE? The religious leaders had all that knowledge and yet they didn’t know God. - John 7:28d – “You do not know Him” - The religious leaders, of course, thought they were the epitome of knowledge and understanding. They loved the status they had among the people. ...read more
-
11. What Is Having The Spirit Supposed To Look Like?
Contributed on Jan 15, 2021
Jesus cries out on the last day of the Feast. This is a big message and He gives us insight into what will happen when He is glorified: streams of living water flowing from His believers through the Spirit. But, sadly, we today are not experiencing that the way that we should.
INTRO: - This is a climactic moment. We’ve been talking the last few weeks about this extended scene that happens at the Feast of Tabernacles. There have been debates and discussions. There have been misunderstandings and confusion. Now we come to a moment when Jesus has something to shout ...read more
-
12. Shouldn’t I Trust What The Preacher Says?
Contributed on Jan 27, 2021
This passage showcases the myriad of problems created when you have self-confident religious leaders. How do we avoid that problem with today's preachers?
OF COURSE I SHOULD: If the preacher is God’s messenger, shouldn’t I trust what he says? - Many presume that they should just trust everything that the preacher says. - This passage is a reminder to us in a myriad of ways that religious leaders aren’t always on point. SO MANY MISTAKES IN THIS ...read more
-
13. What Jesus’ Light Helps Us See
Contributed on Feb 2, 2021
This passage is complicated and challenging. This sermon attempts to cut it down to the four interactions and what is going in each. What's the key to seeing Jesus' light?
- This is a very challenging passage. There is a lot going on here in general. There are questions and answers that don’t always flow from one another. There are a lot of theological statements that are not easily processed. - When you add it all up, there’s a lot to handle here. I struggled ...read more
-
14. Experiencing The Freedom Christ Gives
Contributed on Feb 3, 2021
This passage gives us a nice roadmap to moving from our spiritual slavery to the freedom that Christ offers.
- I’m going to take these verses in an order that allow me to make an argument from where we are to where we can be. There are a lot of important ideas in here. 1. WE ARE SLAVES TO SIN. - John 8:34. - We are all slaves to sin. We can’t overcome it. - Romans 6:6. - This, of course, is an ...read more
-
15. The Test Of Whether God Is Your Father
Contributed on Feb 5, 2021
The religious leaders were proud of their heritage as children of Abraham, but that kept them from receiving what Jesus was offering. This message looks at the test of whether God or Satan is our father as well as four danger signs that we are heading in the wrong direction.
THE TEST OF WHETHER GOD IS YOUR FATHER: The answer is found in what you do with Jesus. - John 8:42. - John 8:39b, 44. - Many focus on a generic God. - The teaching of the Kingdom is not a generic morality. - We each need to make a decision for or against Jesus. DANGER SIGNS: 1. Counting on ...read more
-
16. If Only People Understood What Jesus Was Offering
Contributed on Feb 9, 2021
The problem here is not so much that the religious leaders didn't understand Jesus. It's more that they actually do understand Him. What's He saying that is so provocative?
THE CLIMAX OF THE CONVERSATION: The more they understood Jesus, the more they thought He was crazy. - John 8:48, 52a, 55-57, 59. - This is the climax of a long conversation in John 8 that we’ve handled in several sermons because there is so much content there. The further the conversation went, ...read more
-
17. When Your Theology Bumps Into The Facts
Contributed on Feb 16, 2021
A lengthy story about a man born blind provides a clear picture of what happens when your theology bumps into inconvenient facts. Will you reach for God or cling to your predetermined ideas?
SEEING THE LIGHT: The man was blind but saw by believing and obeying Jesus. - John 9:1-7. a. We’ll get more into the confusion in a moment, but the disciples echo the prevailing theology of the time and presume that someone must have sinned for him to be blind. - vv. 1-2. - It was a theology ...read more
-
18. Three Questions About Our Good Shepherd
Contributed on Feb 24, 2021
There is a lot in this passage. This message tries to boil it down to the big truths by asking three questions about our "good shepherd."
- At one level, this is a simple passage: Jesus is the Good Shepherd. - At another level, this passage is not simply understood. There is conflicting imagery (how is Jesus the shepherd and the gate?). It is difficult to get all the pieces to fit cleanly. - I echo a little the sentiment of v. 6 ...read more
-
19. Why Does The Bible Say, ‘you Are Gods’?
Contributed on Mar 9, 2021
This is one of the most challenging passages in the New Testament. Why does Jesus say, "You are gods"?
- This is a difficult passage that needs to be unpacked carefully. And so we are going to walk through it step-by-step and verse-by-verse to see if we can make it all add up. - Also, bonus question as we start: can anyone name the gospel passage that happens at Hanukkah? No? Well, let’s see ...read more
-
20. Where Can I Feel Safe?
Contributed on Mar 12, 2021
We want to feel safe. But Jesus has other goals in mind.
WARM AND SAFE: It’s a human instinct to want to feel safe. - There is a part of all of us that wants to feel safe. - We get anxious and concerned when we feel unsafe. - In fact, for many of us, feeling safe becomes the goal. We take out all kinds of insurance to keep our financial status ...read more
-
21. Jesus Face-To-Face With Death
Contributed on Mar 23, 2021
What can we learn from Jesus' resurrection of Lazarus?
THE MOST IMPORTANT SIGN: Jesus has definitive power over death. - John 11:17, 25-26, 47. a. This is a sign. - v. 47. - Throughout John we see Jesus doing miracles as signs. This is not just a sign, but the most important sign. - John 11 is the high point of the gospel, in a literary sense. ...read more
-
22. Why Power Blinds Us
Contributed on Apr 9, 2021
The Pharisees desire for power blinds them to the point where they acknowledge Jesus is doing miracles but still want to kill Him! What can we learn from their lust for power?
THE PHARISEES WANT TO KILL THE GUY DOING MIRACLES: Power creates blind spots. - John 11:47-48, 53. - The connection between v. 47 and v. 53 is almost unbelievable. - In v. 47, the Pharisees admit that Jesus is doing many miraculous signs. - Yet in v. 53 they plot to take Jesus’ life. - What in ...read more
-
23. Sold Out To Jesus Or A Sell-Out To Jesus?
Contributed on Apr 28, 2021
A stark contrast between Mary and Judas sets the stage for the beginning of the of Jesus' ministry.
THE END IS NIGH: Amid many unanswered questions, everything in this passage makes it clear that Jesus will be gone soon. - John 12:1-11. - Some of the unanswered questions: a. Why anoint six days early? b. Why did no one notice that Judas was stealing? c. How ridiculous is it to think that ...read more
-
24. Lessons From The Triumphal Entry Prophecies
Contributed on May 18, 2021
This sermon on a familiar passage takes a different approach, looking at the prophetic quotes within the Triumphal Entry story.
OUR FOCUS IN THIS MESSAGE: This Triumphal Entry story pauses to note its Old Testament roots. - John 12:16. - This is easily overlooked, but it is important that it is inserted here. What do the prophetic pieces of this passage have to tell us? - Preaching on the Triumphal Entry normally either ...read more
-
25. Rising Popularity And The Upside-Down Kingdom
Contributed on May 25, 2021
A golden opportunity for increased popularity presents itself, but Jesus uses the occasion to talk about what glory looks like in His "upside-down" kingdom.
THE MOST POPULAR GUY IN TOWN? Jesus’ popularity reaches a new level when even the Greeks are interested in Him. - John 12:20-22. A RELATED IDEA? Jesus’ response is focused on glory. - John 12:23. - Is Jesus interested in glory the way that everyone else is or is He pointing them toward ...read more
-
26. Washing Feet And A Kingdom Of Power
Contributed on Jun 22, 2021
This passage gives us the dynamic example of Jesus washing feet. How can Jesus lay aside the traditional power structures to be able to live like that? The answer is in this passage.
PETER'S EMPHATIC "NO": Peter was deeply offended by Christ’s offer because he was still thinking of a traditional power structure. - John 13:6-10a. - The disciples were still expecting the inaugural of a traditional kingdom. - Rome was going to be overthrown, the Jewish nation was ...read more
-
27. What Does It Mean To Be A Friend Of Jesus?
Contributed on Jul 27, 2021
This passage mentions multiple times that we are Jesus' friends. What does that mean exactly?
- “Refrigerator rights.” The idea that you become good enough friends that when you’re at their house you don’t have to ask to get something out of the refrigerator. THE PROOFS OF THE FRIENDSHIP: 1. His proof of friendship is His sacrifice. - John 15:13. 2. Our proof of friendship is our ...read more
-
28. Why Are Christians Hated By The World?
Contributed on Aug 27, 2021
Jesus warned His disciples that they would be hated by the world. Why? And how do we respond?
WHAT DOES THE WORLD THINK OF JESUS? It hates Him. - John 15:18, 21, 22, 23, 24. 1. It’s easy to think of Jesus as a Mr. Rogers’ kind of guy and not think about the fact that they killed Him. He was not eminently likeable. - He called His enemies “vipers” and the “blind leading the blind.” - ...read more
-
29. The Problem With A Religion Of Rules
Contributed on Jan 11, 2022
Two Sabbath stories bring out some key dangers of a rules-based religion.
- We have two stories here that both look into the rules the religious leaders had back in Jesus’ day concerning the Sabbath. THE PROBLEM WITH A RELIGION OF RULES: 1. WE ARE SELECTIVE ABOUT WHICH RULES WE PAY ATTENTION TO. - Matthew 12:1-5, 9-11. - The Pharisees considered themselves to be the ...read more
-
30. What Jesus Said The Holy Spirit’s Job Was
Contributed on Mar 23, 2022
In this passage Jesus teaches us several key truths about what the Holy Spirit will do for us after Jesus leaves.
- While this is not an exhaustive study of the role of the Holy Spirit, this is a key moment. Jesus will soon be leaving, as He reminds His disciples within the passage. In this larger passage, He has several big subjects He wants to cover with His disciples before He leaves. One of those is who He ...read more