John 12:12-26 The Coming Of The King

This Lord’s Day is often called Palm Sunday, the day that Jesus entered Jerusalem mounted on a donkey to the shouts and praises of Jerusalem. This final entry into Jerusalem began the last days before Jesus’ arrest, trial, crucifixion, and resurrection. This Sunday, we will look at what is often called “The Triumphal Entry” from John 12:12-26. If you had been in Jerusalem that day, it would have been a scene of victory and glory for Jesus. You would have assumed that Christ had finally reached the pinnacle of his ministry, and this messiah was now bringing the Kingdom promises to God’s people. You would have thought that Jesus was about to be proclaimed King and rule from Jerusalem, inaugurating God’s reign over the oppressing nations. Jesus had just raised Lazarus from the dead, which this crowd knew (v. 17-18), and now they saw the fulfillment of prophecy as Jesus rode into the city mounted on a donkey (Zech. 9:9). Yet, no one in the crowd understood the kind of king Jesus had come to be. His disciples didn’t understand He had come to die (v. 16). Within several days, the crowds who hailed him as king cried, “Crucify Him” before Pilate, and even the Pharisees thought he had come to reign (v. 19). Everyone in this scene understood Jesus based on their own expectations rather than who He really was. Yet, before entering the city, Jesus Himself tells them how all must respond to this King. As Greeks desire to see Him, Jesus explains that He would be glorified in His death (v. 23-24) so that His people would be with Him. Then, He tells them the requirement of this King (v. 25-26). Before we come to Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Sunday, we must ask if we have rightly responded to this King of kings for who He is.

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John 1:14-18 The Glory Of Christmas

This year, our Christmas Eve Service will be at 10 am on Sunday. I look forward to celebrating our Savior's birth as we sing praises to our King, observe the Lord's Supper, and open God's Word together. Last Sunday, Cameron preached from John 1:6- 13, showing us the light of Christmas. On Christmas Eve, we will continue that passage and examine the glory of Christmas. "The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth" (John 1:14). Although John 1 is one of the most familiar passages in the Bible, it should still amaze us that God would take upon Himself a human nature to bring salvation to sinners. The Son, the radiance of God's glory and the exact imprint of His nature, who upholds the universe by the word of His power (Heb. 1:3), became a man so that He might be the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. For His birth in Bethlehem, myriads upon myriads of angels filled the skies, singing glorious praises to God. They celebrated this wondrous act of our gracious God, who humbled Himself to redeem us. This Lord's Day, which is also Christmas Eve, let us join their celebration and marvel at the Savior, who is God with us.

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John 21:1-14 Fishing Lessons

Jesus uses a fishing trip to illustrate how the disciples will live on mission as they serve the now risen Christ. This fishing trip will remind Peter, John, and James of the day that Jesus first called them to follow Him and become fishers of people. They will be forced to face the reality, and practically apply Jesus’ words, "without me you can do nothing." In this event, we will also come to see more fully that Jesus alone is the provider and the nourisher of his weary and hurting servants.

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John 20:24-31 The Mission And A Doubting Thomas

In verses 24-31, the disciples will hit their first roadblock. They will come face to face with the impossibility of living on mission in their own power. One of their own, Thomas, refuses to believe their testimony. How could they ever hope to convince anyone else when one of the 12 won’t even listen? John gives us the answer as He shows us the power of the risen Christ. Only an encounter with Jesus changes hearts. Sunday we examine Thomas’ encounter and see how John himself (in v. 30-31) connects Thomas’ experience with ours today. Our calling to make disciples is a supernatural one accomplished by the word of the gospel, as the Spirit moves upon it. Even in a drastically changing world, we have a mandate from the King of kings who is with us as we fulfill it - even to the end of the age!

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John 20:19-23 The "Sent" Life

Jesus sends His disciples just as He was sent. They are given Peace, power, and authority to engage in the mission of making disciples.

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John 20:1-18 Because He Lives

Mary discovers the empty tomb and in this section we see what the resurrection means for us. The empty tomb is evidence that the grave has been forever conquered. Because He lives we also have a hope that conquers despair. Mary is called out of her despair when she realizes Jesus is alive. And finally, like Mary, we are given a mission and a message to carry in this world.

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John 19:31-42 The Testimony Of His Burial

Jesus not only died and entered into the tomb, He did so as our covenant head. He went before us, into death itself, to conquer the grave itself on behalf of those who trust in Him. The testimony of this burial still echos with power today. The evidence shows He truly died, He is truly divine, and He truly transforms His disciples

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John 19:16-30 It Is Finished

John 19:16-30 shows us the fulfillment of all of Scripture and God’s purposes in the salvation of sinners. Sunday, we examine the crucifixion of Jesus. Up to this point, John has gone to great lengths to show us Jesus’ control of the situation. He has chosen to allow His arrest, His various trials, and now He freely gives His life on the cross as a substitute for sinners. 

At every point in this text, we are made aware that even the tiniest details have been foretold and are fulfilling the purposes of the Father. Even on the darkest day in human history, there is absolutely nothing out of God’s control. Each detail is a fulfillment of the Scriptures, meticulously accomplishing God’s plan of salvation for us. As we examine the perfect Lamb sacrificed for our salvation, we are also repeatedly shown that God’s Word is faithful and true in all things. His Word was true on the day when all hope seemed lost, and His Word is still true today in all that we face. Believer, His Word will be true after all the stars burn out and we have spent ten billion years in His presence. His word will be true throughout eternity. Therefore, if God is for us - today - who can be against us?

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John 19:1-16 Behold Your King

Here we see the coronation of the King. It is not the kind of coronation that you expect. It isn’t a picture of majesty and honor. Instead, this king’s coronation is a brutal mockery. Those crowning this king mean to bring Him shame and humiliation. But in this wicked scene, we see the reason the eternal Son came. Jesus stands completely alone before Pilate and the crowd. He has been beaten and utterly humiliated. Now, in the face of one who looks like the most pitiable soul in the world, those who stand before Him will choose whom they will serve…as will we. Joshua said, “Choose this day whom you will serve.” (Josh. 24:15)

As Pilate presents Jesus saying, “Behold your king,” we who are purchased by His blood and shame must say, “Yes! There He is. There is the one who is altogether lovely. There He is, the one who took away my sin.” And as we see the Father’s (not Pilate’s) presentation of His Son, we find the one in whom all our hopes are placed…and we glimpse the suffering which was necessary for our salvation.

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John 18:28-40 What Is Truth?

Jesus defines THE truth and describes His authority in the face of hostile powers vying for authority. Important worldview questions are at stake - and God provides His passover Lamb

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John 18:12-27 Take Heed Lest You Fall

During the events of Jesus’ arrest, we witnessed His power, His care for His disciples, and His resolve to drink the cup the Father had given Him. As we move into John 18:12-27, we will once again see these attributes displayed in the questioning of Jesus, but in this section the focus shifts to another interrogation. While Jesus is being questioned inside, Peter is being questioned outside. The contrast between these two interrogations couldn’t be more obvious. Peter fails miserably and denies the Lord he promised to follow even unto death. This Sunday, we won’t be hearing a "don’t be like Peter" sermon. The problem is that we already are like Peter in so many ways. Yet Jesus stood firm for Peter knowing that at that moment Peter was outside denying Him. Instead of simply saying, "Let’s do better than Peter," we will examine why Peter (who clearly loved Jesus) failed so badly. As we diagnose his disease from Scripture, we find insight into our own life of standing for Christ in an ungodly world. We will see not just that we must stand and confess Jesus, but how we are able to do so - and in this we find the source of our Christian walk.

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John 18:1-12 In The Presence of The "I Am"

Having completed His teaching and prayer for the disciples, the hour of Jesus has come. He is arrested in the garden. Yet Jesus is in control of this situation. He is the almighty God, the Good Shepherd, and The Obedient Son.

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John 17:20-26 United Together In Christ

Jesus prays for the church through the ages who would believe through the Apostles' word. He prays here for us, and His prayer is that we would be one just as the Father and Son are one - and that we would be one IN the Father and Son.

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John 17:6-19 In The World Not Of It

Jesus prays for His disciples before going to the cross. He affirms them before the Father and prays for what He knows they will need - It is the same things we need to live out this mission in the hostile world.

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John 17:1-5 For The Glory Of The Father

Jesus finished his final instructions to the disciples. Now he turns his eyes and voice to His Father as He prays for Himself, the disciples, and those who would believe in the future. In the first 5 verses Jesus' focus and priority is that the Triune God would be glorified.

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John 16:28-33 Strength Found In Weakness

The disciples proclaim they finally understand what Jesus is telling them. They declare this is why they believe. Jesus immediately points out their weakness and shows that the source of their salvation and their peace is found in Him. Maturing Christians are growing in their dependence upon Him.

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John 16:16-27 Sorrow Turned To Joy

Jesus desires joy for His disciples even as their hearts are overcome with sorrow. He shows how this joy comes and what is its source

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John 16:8-15 The Ministry Of The Holy Spirit

Jesus shows the disciples how they will be able to stand against the hatred and persecution of the world. The Spirit Himself will convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment. He will guide the disciples and glorify Jesus by revealing more of Him to the disciples.

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John 16:1-7 Bearing Witness When It Hurts

Jesus continues to prepare His disciples for their mission. He expects them to bear witness even in the face of persecution. The only way they are able to do this is with a heart of faith and by the power of the Holy Spirit.

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John 15:18-27 Hated By The World

Jesus prepares His disciples for the mission to come. He warns them that they will be hated by the world and persecuted. The world will hate Jesus' followers because of their identity in Him, because they do not know God, and because Jesus always exposes sin. The same holds true today.

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