THE GOSPEL OF JOHN

FATHER, THE WORLD HAS NOT KNOWN YOU- – JOHN 17:25-26

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FATHER, THE WORLD HAS NOT KNOWN YOU
JOHN 17:25-26
Introduction:
The Lord is concluding His prayer to the Father on behalf of His disciples. He declares the UNBELIEF OF THE WORLD, but note that His disciples know the Father for He has revealed the Father to them, v.26, “And I have declared unto them thy name.”
There is much to see in these verses and we will just touch on a few things here.
I. THERE IS NO OTHER GOD
A. The Lord has DECLARED Himself, Isaiah 45:21, “Tell ye, and bring them near; yea, let them take counsel together: who hath declared this from ancient time ? who hath told it from that time? have not I the LORD ? and there is no God else beside me; a just God and a Saviour; there is none beside me.”
1. A just God, Jeremiah 23:5, “Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth.”
2. He will NOT sin, Zephaniah 3:5, “The just LORD is in the midst thereof; he will not do iniquity: every morning doth he bring his judgment to light, he faileth not; but the unjust knoweth no shame.”
B. He is the ONLY SAVIOR, Isaiah 43:3, 11, “For I am the LORD thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour: I gave Egypt for thy ransom, Ethiopia and Seba for thee. 11 I, even I, am the LORD; and beside me there is no saviour.”
1. There is NO OTHER NAME among men that will save, Acts 4:12, “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”
2. Jesus is the GREAT GOD and SAVIOR, Titus 2:13-14, “Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; 14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.”
II. GOD REVEALED HIMSELF THROUGH PREACHING
A. What men consider FOOLISHNESS, 1 Corinthians 1:21, “For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.”
1. Foolishness to the LOST, 1 Corinthians 1:23, “But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;”
2. It is the POWER of God to salvation for the believer, Romans 1:16, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.”
B. The BRILLIANCE of man CANNOT APPRECIATE the plan of God, Isaiah 55:8-9, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. 9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.”
1. God’s ways are BEYOND man’s ways, Romans 11:33-34, “O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God ! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! 34 For who hath known the mind of the Lord ? or who hath been his counsellor?”
2. God’s THOUGHTS are BEYOND man’s thoughts, Psalm 40:5, “Many, O LORD my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done, and thy thoughts which are to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered.”
III. THOSE THAT HAVE RECEIVED THE TESTIMONY OF THE SAVIOR
A. Jesus REMINDS the Father of those who have believed, v. 25b, “and these have known that thou hast sent me.”
1. THESE are the ones Jesus was PRAYING FOR, John 17:9, “I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine.”
2. He was praying for…
a. Their PROTECTION, John 17:11, 15, “And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are. 15 I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.”
b. Their UNITY in the Lord, John 17:21, “That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.”
B. The Lord’s final thought in this chapter was on the NEED that God’s love be in them, v. 26; John 15:9, “As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.”
1. GROUNDED in love, Ephesians 3:17, “That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love.”
a. BUILT on the foundation of Christ, 1 Corinthians 3:10-11, “According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. 11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.”
b. FIRM in the LOVE of Christ, Matthew 7:24-25, “Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock : 25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.”
2. We are COMPLETE in Jesus, Colossians 2:10, “And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:”
CONCLUSION:
Jesus finishes His prayer asking that the love that He and the Father have might be in His disciples; that they might realize that they are COMPLETE IN HIM and LACK NOTHING TO PLEASE THE FATHER.

FALLING IN LOVE WITH THE LORD- – JOHN 14:15-24

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FALLING IN LOVE WITH THE LORD
JOHN 14:15-24

Introduction:

There is no comparison to the love that Jesus manifested when He gave His life for us on the Cross. He loved us in the past and He loves us still, even though we are unlovely because of our sins. I trust that this message will cause you to reevaluate your love for Him.

He is our Friend and Savior, the Lover of our soul. Fall in love with your Savior, Jesus Christ.

I. FULFILL YOUR LOVE

A. Keep my commandments, v. 15, “If ye love me, keep my commandments.”

B. If ye keep my commandments… John 15:10, “If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.”

1. “Ye shall abide in my love.”

2. You joy will be constant, John 15:11, “These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.”

C. What are these commandments?

1. Love the Lord with all of your being, Matthew 22:37-38, “Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38This is the first and great commandment.”

2. Love your neighbor as thyself, Matthew 22:39, “And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.”

3. Love the brethren, John 13:34-35, “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. 35By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. “

4. Love the Church of God, Hebrews 10:25, “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.”

a. Be watching (take heed, be cautious), Matthew 25:13, “Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh”

b. Be sober (calm), 1 Peter 5:8, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 9Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.”

II. FAITHFUL LOVE

A. “I will not leave you comfortless:” John 14:18, “I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.”

1. “Another Comforter,” v. 16, “And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;”

2. The Spirit of Truth whom you know, v. 17, “Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.”

B. How faithful is our love for Him?

1. Have we kept his Word? Psalm 119:87, “They had almost consumed me upon earth; but I forsook not thy precepts.”

2. Have we been faithful ambassadors? Proverbs 13:17, “A wicked messenger falleth into mischief: but a faithful ambassador is health.”

III. FAULTLESS LOVE

A. His love for us is perfect.

1. He will never leave us, Hebrews 13:5, “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.”

2. He will come for us, John 14:1-3, “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. 2-In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.”
B. Is our love for Him divided, Matthew 6:24, “No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.” (riches) Matthew 6:21, “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”

CONCLUSION:

The Bible says, “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. 14Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.” John 15:13.

No one has ever loved you more or given more to save your life. Yet many times we treat Jesus as if he is a stranger.

What would you think if your spouse, who says that he or she loves you, treated you like you treat the Lord Jesus Christ? “I love you, but I just don’t have time for you.”

DOES THIS OFFEND YOU?- – JOHN 6:53-71

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DOES THIS OFFEND YOU?
JOHN 6:53-71
Introduction:
The Lord had declared Himself to be the Bread of Life. His “disciples” had declared that Moses had given them bread from heaven, but the Lord challenged that statement. It was God the Father who had given them the “true bread” from heaven.
Then Jesus had declared “Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you. (v. 53). This seemed to offend them.
Jesus, the Son of God, had become a partaker of flesh and blood as we are. Hebrews 2:14 tells us, “Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;” These Jews had a hard time with what he was saying to them.
I. THIS IS A HARD SAYING
A. These “disciples” began to murmur among themselves.
1. These were the “frequent hearer,” and those that followed him in public for the material blessings, John 6:26, “Jesus answered them and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled.”
2. Their murmuring seems to be the history of Israel.
a. Israel began murmuring soon after they left bondage in Egypt, Exodus 15:24, “And the people murmured against Moses, saying, What shall we drink?”
b. They murmured later because they missed the flesh pots of Egypt, Exodus 16:2, “And the whole congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness:”
c. They murmured accusing the Lord of trying to destroy them, Numbers 14:2, “And all the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron: and the whole congregation said unto them, Would God that we had died in the land of Egypt! or would God we had died in this wilderness! 3 And wherefore hath the LORD brought us unto this land, to fall by the sword, that our wives and our children should be a prey? were it not better for us to return into Egypt?”
B. Jesus’ declaration was a conflict for them.
1. Moses taught them not to drink blood, Leviticus 3:17, “It shall be a perpetual statute for your generations throughout all your dwellings, that ye eat neither fat nor blood.”
2. It was the practice of the heathen down through the ages.
II. THE JEWS WERE MISSING THE POINT
A. Does this offend you? John 6:61, “When Jesus knew in himself that his disciples murmured at it, he said unto them, Doth this offend you?”
1. The Lord knew their thoughts, John 2:24-25, “But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all men, 25 And needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man.”
2. Paul wrote that the crucified Messiah was a “stumbling block” to the Jews, 1 Corinthians 1:23, “But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;”
B. These Jews DID NOT KNOW Jesus as the SAVIOR, John 6:64, “But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him.”
C. Jesus knew them as UNBELIEVERS.
1. These, it seems, were not drawn by the Father, John 6:44, “No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.”
2. From that time these professed disciples walk no longer with Jesus, John 6:66, “From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.”
III. WILL YOU GO AWAY ALSO?
John 6:67, “Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away?”
A. Jesus framed this question to encourage their weak faith and Peter responses, John 6:68, “Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. 69 And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.”
B. Peter spoke for the twelve of whom the Lord knew that one would betray Him, John 6:70-71, “Jesus answered them, Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil? 71 He spake of Judas Iscariot the son of Simon: for he it was that should betray him, being one of the twelve.”
C. The Lord knew those who loved Him, for He had chosen them, Mark3:13-19.
D. He also knew who it was that was a devil, John 13:2, “And supper being ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him; 27And after the sop Satan entered into him. Then said Jesus unto him, That thou doest, do quickly.”
CONCLUSION:
The Gospel of Jesus Christ is an offense to some people. In our day it seems to be an offense to the majority, however, every man needs that Good News. Jesus know those that are His and make no mistake about it. However, He has given us the commission, saying, “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” Mark 16:15. The greatest blessing that a Christian can know is seeing someone come to know Jesus Christ as his or her Savior.

THE DESIGN OF JESUS’ DEATH- – JOHN 10:1-10

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THE DESIGN OF JESUS’ DEATH
JOHN 10:1-10
Key verse: v. 10, “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.”
Introduction:
This chapter of John continues the discourse of the Good Shepherd. Comparing people to a shepherd and his sheep was common in the Middle East. Kings and priests called themselves shepherds and their subjects, sheep. Many of the great men of the Old Testament were shepherds (Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, David). As national leaders, Moses and David were both “shepherds” over Israel.
Jesus is the Good Shepherd who has a particular purpose or design in mind for His sheep. That design was life for those who would receive it by faith in Jesus We shall explore this design in the Scriptures today.
I. THE MINISTRY OF THE GREAT SHEPHERD
A. To give life to the world, John 3:17, “For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.”
1. He came to find the lost, Luke 19:10, “For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.”
2. Jesus came to save the lost, Matthew 18:11, “For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost.”
B. To be a ransom for those enslaved in sin, Matthew 20:28, “Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.”
C. To take away the sin of the world, John 1:29, “The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.”
1. To remit (forgive or pardon) those sins, Matthew 26:28, “For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.”
2. To forgive those sins by laying down His own life for them, John 15:13, “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”
II. THE DESIGN OF THE GREAT SHEPHERD
A. To be the Light of the world, John 8:12, “Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.”
B. To be a light to Jew and Gentile, Acts 26:23, “That Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should shew light unto the people, and to the Gentiles.”
1. To the Jew first, Romans 1:16, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.”
2. To the Gentile also, Isaiah 42:1, “Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles.”
C. To introduce the Grace of God through redemption in Jesus Christ, Romans 3:24-25, “Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: 25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;”
1. Grace and truth came by Jesus Christ, John 1:17, “For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.”
2. We are saved by His grace, Ephesians 2:8-9, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.”
a. This grace has appeared to all men, Titus 2:11, “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,”
b. The Gospel of Christ has been preached to the world, 1 Timothy 2:4-6, “Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; 6 Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.”
3. We are justified through His grace, Romans 3:24, “Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:”
a. We have peace with God, Romans 5:1, “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:”
b. He was delivered for our sins, Romans 4:25, “Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.”
c. We have been justified in the name of Jesus, 1 Corinthians 6:11, “And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.”
CONCLUSION:
The design of the Lord was to die for the sins of the world and save those that would believe on Jesus Christ as their Savior. God’s people continue to preach the Gospel though out the world to every creature.
God has no changed His mind and continues to saved those that will come unto Him for salvation.

DARKNESS 3- – JOHN 12:44-50

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DARKNESS 3
JOHN 12:44-50
Introduction:
The Lord brought man out of darkness according to the psalmist: Psalm 107:14-16, “He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and brake their bands in sunder. 15 Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! 16 For he hath broken the gates of brass, and cut the bars of iron in sunder.”
Jesus did that on Calvary’s Cross when He gave His life to save men from Hell. However, there is much darkness in this world yet.
I. DARKNESS IS A SYMBOL OF DEATH
A. The shadow of death, Job 10:21, “Before I go whence I shall not return, even to the land of darkness and the shadow of death;”
B. The grave, Job 17:13, “If I wait, the grave is mine house: I have made my bed in the darkness.”
1. In death there is no remembrance of God, Psalm 6:5, “For in death there is no remembrance of thee: in the grave who shall give thee thanks?”
2. There is sorrow in death, Psalm 18:4-5, “The sorrows of death compassed me, and the floods of ungodly men made me afraid. 5 The sorrows of hell compassed me about: the snares of death prevented me.”
3. The Lord Jesus was brought to the “dust of death” to save us from hell, Psalm 22:15-18, “My strength is dried up like a potsherd; and my tongue cleaveth to my jaws; and thou hast brought me into the dust of death. 16 For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet. 17 I may tell all my bones: they look and stare upon me. 18 They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture.”
II. JESUS CHRIST BROUGHT LIGHT OUT OF DARKNESS
A. He opened the blind eyes, Isaiah 42:7, “To open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house.”
1. He brought the blind by a way they knew not, Isaiah 42:16, “And I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not; I will lead them in paths that they have not known: I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them.”
2. Then their eyes shall be opened, Isaiah 35:5, “Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped.”
3. They shall be like blind Bartimaeus, Mark 10:51-52, “And Jesus answered and said unto him, What wilt thou that I should do unto thee? The blind man said unto him, Lord, that I might receive my sight. 52 And Jesus said unto him, Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole. And immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way.”
4. Jesus will never forsake His people, Hebrews 13:5, “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
a. The righteous will not be forsaken, Psalm 37:25, “I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.”
b. The Lord preserves the saints, Psalm 37:28, “For the LORD loveth judgment, and forsaketh not his saints; they are preserved for ever: but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off,”
c. There is no need to fear, Isaiah 41:10, “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.”
B. Jesus is the Light of the world, John 8:12, “Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.”
1. He is the True Light, John 1:9, “That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.”
2. The darkness is past, 1 John 2:8, “Again, a new commandment I write unto you, which thing is true in him and in you: because the darkness is past, and the true light now shineth.”
CONCLUSION:
The darkness is past and the True Light shines now. There is no reason why men should go to hell without Jesus Christ as Savior. The Apostle Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 5:21, “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” The darkness is past forever.