Introduction:

Theme: Three words that summarize the world’s disposition toward Christ so you will be prepared for the opposition it brings.
18 “ If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you.

19 If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you.

20 Remember the word that I said to you, ‘ A slave is not greater than his master. ’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they kept My word, they will keep yours also.

21 But all these things they will do to you for My name’s sake, because they do not know the One who sent Me.

22 If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin.

23 He who hates Me hates My Father also.

24 If I had not done among them the works which no one else did, they would not have sin; but now they have both seen and hated Me and My Father as well.

25 But they have done this to fulfill the word that is written in their Law, ‘ They hated ME without A cause
(John 15:18-25 NASB)

Review:

I. Hatred: The attitude of the world toward us is the same as it was toward Christ vv. 18-19

A. We must recognize the hatred of the world for us and Christ v. 18

B. We must remember that Christ has chosen us out of the world v. 19

II. Persecution: The treatment of the world toward us is commensurate with the treatment of Christ vv. 20-21

A. The equating of the slave with the master v. 20a

B. The treatment of the world is persecution v. 20b

C. The reason for this treatment is a lack of knowing God v. 21

III. Culpable: The guilt of the world for their hatred of Christ makes it inexcusable vv. 22-25

A. Two reasons for this culpability vv. 22-24

1. The words Jesus had spoken to them v. 22

2. The works Jesus had performed for them v. 24

B. The Biblical support for this culpability v. 25

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

Introduction:
12 “This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you.

13 Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.

14 You are My friends if you do what I command you.

15 No longer do I call you slaves, for the slave does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you.

16 You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give to you.

17 This I command you, that you love one another
(John 15:12-17 NASB)
Review:

Theme: Three crucial provisos for friendship with Jesus so you will rightly respond to Him

I. Jesus commands us how to relate vv. 12-13, 17

A. The command to love one another vv. 12, 17

B. The illustration of the command v. 13

II. Jesus calls us His friends vv. 14-15

The Parameters of the friendship
1. A conditional friendship v. 14
2. An antithetical friendship v. 15a
3. A revelatory friendship v. 15b

III. Jesus chose us for this relationship v. 16

A. The initiative for this friendship is taken by Jesus v. 16a

B. The purpose for this friendship is reproduction v. 16b

C. The benefit of this friendship is answered prayer v. 16c

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

Introduction:

1 “ I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser.
2 Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit.
3 You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you.
4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me.
5 I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.
6 If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch and dries up; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire and they are burned.
7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.
8 My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples.
9 Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love.
10 If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.
11 These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full
(John 15:1-11 NASB)

Theme: Six facets of abiding in Christ which you must recognize so you will enjoy a proper relationship with Him.

Word of Caution: The two possible actions of the Father in response to the branch vv. 2-3

I. The command to abide v. 4a

II. The result of abiding or not vv. 4b-5

III. The danger of not abiding v. 6

IV. The privilege of abiding v. 7

V. The goal of abiding v. 8

VI. The means to abiding vv. 9-10

Concluding Explanation:

The purpose of His instruction is joy v. 11

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

15 “ If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.

16 I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever;

17 that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you and will be in you.

18 “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.

19 After a little while the world will no longer see Me, but you will see Me; because I live, you will live also.

20 In that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you.

21 He who has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me; and he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and will disclose Myself to him.”

22 Judas (not Iscariot) *said to Him, “Lord, what then has happened that You are going to disclose Yourself to us and not to the world?”

23 Jesus answered and said to him, “ If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our abode with him.

24 He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine, but the Father’s who sent Me
(John 14:15-24 NASB)
Introduction:

Theme: Four incredible benefits to Jesus’ followers so you will be motivated to live more faithful for Him.

Review:

I. The evidence Jesus offers that you are His follower vs. 15

II. The request Jesus makes of the Father for His followers vv. 16-17

III. The announcement Jesus makes to His followers vv. 18-20

IV. The certainty Jesus promises His followers they receive vv. 21-2

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

Psalm 16:7-11

7 I will bless the Lord who has counseled me; Indeed, my mind instructs me in the night.

8 I have set the Lord continually before me; Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.

9 Therefore my heart is glad and my glory rejoices; My flesh also will dwell securely.

10 For You will not abandon my soul to Sheol; Nor will You allow Your Holy One to undergo decay.

11 You will make known to me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; In Your right hand there are pleasures forever.

Introduction:

Theme: Three reasons why you should trust in the Lord’s goodness so you will rest in His care.

I. The Lord gives you His counsel vs. 7

David’s praise for the LORD’s precepts

II. The Lord rewards your confidence in Him vv. 8-10

David’s unwavering confidence in the LORD’s preservation

A. The assertion of his confidence in the LORD vs. 8

B. The accumulative blessings of his confidence in the LORD vv. 9-10

III. The Lord Himself will be your eternal companion vs. 11

David’s joy in the LORD’s presence

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS