THE GOSPEL OF JOHN

THE SPIRIT AT WORK

JOHN 16:5-15

Learning of Jesus’ departure brought depression to the disciples. They were obsessed by their coming personal loss of His immediate physical presence. If they could have understood why He was going and to whom He was going, then they would have rejoiced. Later Jesus predicted that their time of sorrow would be suddenly transformed into great joy, v. 22, “And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.”

I. NOW I AM GOING TO HIM WHO SENT ME

A. Peter had started the question of where the Lord was going, John 13:36, “Simon Peter said unto him, Lord, whither goest thou? Jesus answered him, Whither I go, thou canst not follow me now; but thou shalt follow me afterwards.”

B. But not even Thomas asked Him where He was going as he did before, John 14:5, “Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?”

1. Jesus was leaving on His own accord, John 17:4, “I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do. 13 And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves.”

2. His life had not been extorted from Him, but deposited by Him, John 10:17-18, “Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. 18 No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.”

3. He had told them of the difficulties that they were to suffer, Luke 6:22, “Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man’s sake.”

B. They had not heard “now” because of their own sorrow, v. 6; John 14:27-28, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. 28 Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I.”

1. Christ had said enough to fill them with joy, John15:11, “These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.”

2. They were looking on the side of losing the Lord and not on the promise He had made, John 14:16, “And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;”

3. It was necessary for the Lord to go away, v. 7, “Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.”

a. For you this is profitable, Acts 20:20, “And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you , but have shewed you, and have taught you publickly, and from house to house,”

b. He was coming to abide with them forever, John 14:16, “And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;”

II. NOW THE MINISTRY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT BEGINS

A. His Work:

1. He will teach you all things, John 14:26, “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.”

2. He will convince the world…vs. 8-9…

a. Of SIN BECAUSE THEY BELIEVED NOT ON ME, John 3:18, “He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”

b. Of righteousness, because they thought He was unrighteous, v. 10;Galatians 3:13, “Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:”

c. Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged, v. 11; John 12:31, “Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out.”

1) Jesus had spoiled the power of Satan, Colossians 2:15, “And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.”

2) By Jesus’ death, He defeated the devil, who held “the power of death,” Hebrews 2:14, “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;”

3) The coming judgment of both man and Satan should be considered by every man, Acts 17:30-31, “And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: 31 Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.”

CONCLUSION:

The Comforter, the Spirit of God, will help us through these difficult times. He will guide and teach us what we need to be successful for the glory of our Savior.

THE SHEPHERD

JOHN 10:1-11

This is the parable of the Good Shepherd. “It is borrowed from the custom of the country, in the management of their sheep. Similitudes [parables], used for the illustration of divine truths, should be taken from those things that are most familiar and common, that the things of God be not clouded by that which should clear them.” –Matthew Henry.

Here the Lord is call the “Porter” or “Gate Keeper.” He is the one who opens the gate for the sheep. He is, in fact, “the Shepherd.”

I. THE SHEPHERD

v. 3, “To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.”

A. He opens the door, Revelation 3:7, “And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth;”

B. He calls His sheep, Mark 10:49, “And Jesus stood still, and commanded him to be called. And they call the blind man, saying unto him, Be of good comfort, rise; he calleth thee.”

1. His call is a call of compassion, Psalm 86:15, “But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth.”

2. His call is a call of reconciliation, Hebrews 2:17, “Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.”

3. His call is a call to Salvation, Luke 19:9-10, “And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.”

II. THE SHEEP

A. Hear His voice, v. 3.

1. Those that hear will live, John 5:25, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live.”

2. Those that do not hear His voice are not His sheep, John 10:26, “But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you.”

B. He calls his own sheep by name, v. 3.

1. He knows His sheep, John 10:14, “I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.”

2. He knows them by name, Exodus 33:17, “And the LORD said unto Moses, I will do this thing also that thou hast spoken: for thou hast found grace in my sight, and I know thee by name.”

a. Their names are in the Book of Life, Philippians 4:3, “And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life.”

b. The Lord knows those that are His, 2 Timothy 2:19, “Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.”

C. He leads them out, Psalm 78:52, “But made his own people to go forth like sheep, and guided them in the wilderness like a flock.”

1. He leads us safely, Psalm 78:53, “And he led them on safely, so that they feared not: but the sea overwhelmed their enemies.”

2. He leads us gently with great care, Isaiah 40:11, “He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.”

3. He leads in path that we have not known before, 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.”

D. He goes before them, v. 4.

1. Let us follow Him, John 12:26, “If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.”

2. He is our example, John 13:15, “For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.”

III. THE SHEPHERD’S VOICE

A. The sheep hear his voice, v. 3.

1. The “other sheep” will hear His voice, v. 16, “And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.”

2. His sheep know his voice, v. 27, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:”

3. His sheep follow Him, v. 27; John 12:26, “If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.”

B. A stranger they will not follow, v. 5, “And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.”

1. Take heed what you hear, Mark 4:24, “And he said unto them, Take heed what ye hear: with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you: and unto you that hear shall more be given.”

a. Don’t listen to words that would cause you to err from the truth, Proverbs 19:27, “Cease, my son, to hear the instruction that causeth to err from the words of knowledge.”

b. Search the Scriptures for the truth, Acts 17:11, “These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

2. Take heed how you hear, Luke 8:18, “Take heed therefore how ye hear: for whosoever hath, to him shall be given; and whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth to have.”

a. Let these things “sink down into your ears,” Luke 9:44, “Let these sayings sink down into your ears: for the Son of man shall be delivered into the hands of men.”

b. Don’t let them slip, Hebrews 2:1, “Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip.”

THE RESURRECTION

JOHN 5:28-29; DANIEL 12:1-2

The resurrection is divided into two groups: The First Resurrection or the RESURRECTION OF THE JUST, is the resurrection of all of those who have put their faith in Jesus Christ during all ages.

The Second Resurrection is that of all those who have not received Christ as their Savior, that is, the RESURRECTION OF THE LOST. These are those who will stand at the Great White Throne judgment of God.

I. THE RESURRECTION OF THE JUST

Luke 14:14, “And thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just.”

A. The Promise of our own resurrection,

1 Corinthians 6:14, “And God hath both raised up the Lord, and will also raise up us by his own power.”

1. God is not the God of the dead, Matthew 22:32, I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.”

2. We shall live because Jesus lives, John 14:19, “Yet a little while and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also.”

3. He will quicken our bodies, Romans 8:11, “But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.”

B. The Hope of our own Resurrection,

1 Corinthians 15:19, “If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.”

1. Job spoke of his hope in a future life,

Job 14:12-15, “So man lieth down, and riseth not: till the heavens be no more, they shall not awake, nor be raised out of their sleep. 13 O that thou wouldest hide me in the grave, that thou wouldest keep me secret, until thy wrath be past, that thou wouldest appoint me a set time, and remember me! 14 If a man die, shall he live again? all the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come. 15 Thou shalt call, and I will answer thee: thou wilt have a desire to the work of thine hands.”

2. Jesus is coming after His saints,

1 Thessalonians 4:14, 16, “For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. 16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:”

C. Christ’s resurrection is a pledge of our resurrection, 1 Corinthians 15:20, “But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.”

1. These corruptible bodies will put on incorruption, 1 Corinthians 15:53, “For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.”

2. He will present us faultless before the throne of God, Jude 24, “Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,”

3. Job knew that he would see God in his flesh, Job 19:25-26, “For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: 26 And though after my skin worms destroy this body , yet in my flesh shall I see God:”

II. THE RESURRECTION OF THE LOST

Revelation 20:11-15, “And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. 12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. 13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.”

A. This is the Resurrection of those who hated the light of the Gospel, John 3:20, “For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.”

1. They hated the Light because their deeds were evil [worthless], John 3:19-20, “And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.”

2. They would not come to the Light for salvation, John 5:40, “And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.”

3. Their own perverseness shall destroy them, Proverbs 11:3, “The integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them.”

B. This Damnation is because of rejection of God’s Son, John 3:36, “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.”

C. This is the Resurrection of the Condemned, John 3:17-18, “For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”

THE RAGE AND ENMITY OF THE JEWS AGAINST JESUS

JOHN 5:15-18

The Lord had just healed a man who had an infirmity for 38 years. He was at the pool of Bethesda, but unable to help himself. Jesus had compassion on him and asked him, “Wilt thou be made whole?” The man related his problem about no one to help. The Lord’s reply was, “Rise, take up thy bed and walk.” The man was made whole immediately and took up his bed.

This was done on the Sabbath and the Jews reacted to what had happened.

I. THE JEWS PERSECUTE JESUS

A. The man that was healed testifies as to who healed him, v. 15, “The man departed, and told the Jews that it was Jesus, which had made him whole.”

1. There was no intention to betray the Lord, but rather TO SHARE his blessing, John 4:29, “Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ?”

2. However, the Jews TOOK ADVANTAGE of the situation, v. 16, “And therefore did the Jews persecute Jesus, and sought to slay him, because he had done these things on the sabbath day.”

a. Jesus was doing these things on the Sabbath:

1) John later recorded the cure of a blind man on the Sabbath, John 9:1-14.

2) The grain picking by His disciples on the Sabbath, Mark 2:23-28.

3) The healing of a shriveled hand, Mark 3:1-5.

4) The curing a woman who had been crippled for 18 years, Luke 13:10-17.

5) The healing a man with dropsy, Luke 14:1-6.

b. Jesus’ theology of the Sabbath DIFFERED from that of His opponents.

c. Jesus’ opponents were PROGRESSIVELY HUMILIATED while the crowds FAVORED Him.

B. They could only see the supposed violation of the Sabbath, Isaiah 42:20, “Seeing many things, but thou observest not; opening the ears, but he heareth not.”

C. They took no notice of the fact that this man had been healed by God’s Word, Isaiah 28:14, “Wherefore hear the word of the LORD, ye scornful men, that rule this people which is in Jerusalem.”

II. JESUS RESPONDS TO THE JEWS

A. “MY FATHER worketh hitherto,” Isaiah 40:25-26, “To whom then will ye liken me, or shall I be equal? saith the Holy One. 26Lift up your eyes on high, and behold who hath created these things, that bringeth out their host by number: he calleth them all by names by the greatness of his might, for that he is strong in power; not one faileth.”

B. “And I work.”

1. Jesus is Lord of the Sabbath, Matthew 12:8, “For the Son of man is Lord even of the sabbath day.”

2. Jesus had the Father’s authority to work.

a. He taught with authority, Matthew 7:29, “For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.”

b. He healed with authority, Mark 1:27, “And they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among themselves, saying, What thing is this? what new doctrine is this? for with authority commandeth he even the unclean spirits, and they do obey him.”

1) This was NOT a new doctrine, but rather the Christ at Work.

2) With authority He COMMANDED unclean spirits, sickness, and even death to obey Him, Mark 7:37, “And were beyond measure astonished, saying, He hath done all things well: he maketh both the deaf to hear, and the dumb to speak.”

III. THE JEWS REACTION TO HIS STATEMENT

A. They sought to kill the Lord, v. 18.

1. Because He has BROKEN the Sabbath, Mark 2:27-28, “And he said unto them, The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath: 28Therefore the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath.”

2. Because He MADE God His Father, John 8:54, “Jesus answered, If I honour myself, my honour is nothing: it is my Father that honoureth me; of whom ye say, that he is your God:”

3. Because He made Himself EQUAL with God, John 10:30, 33, “I and my Father are one. 33The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God.”

B. The main reason for their hatred of Christ was that their position was threatened, John 11:47-48, “Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, What do we? for this man doeth many miracles. 48If we let him thus alone, all men will believe on him: and the Romans shall come and take away both our place and nation.”

1. Their fear was that all men would believe on Jesus, John 1:7, “The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.”

2. The Jews feared that they would lose their position, Matthew 21:40-41, “When the lord therefore of the vineyard cometh, what will he do unto those husbandmen? 41They say unto him, He will miserably destroy those wicked men, and will let out his vineyard unto other husbandmen, which shall render him the fruits in their seasons.”

CONCLUSION:

The Jews continued to persecute Jesus to the very end. While He healed many on the Sabbath, as Lord of the Sabbath He saved many people from hell as well as healed their bodies. Jesus like His Father, continued to work.

THE PARABLE TO THE EYE

JOHN 13:12-17

Introduction:

Jesus did something here that the disciples did not understand at the first. “Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter.” John 13:7.

Jesus showed them the humble heart of a servant. He lowered Himself to wash their feet. Peter did not understand the purpose of the washing and thought he needed to be washed completely. However, the Lord was demonstrating a principle and not establishing an ordinance.

I. JESUS HUMBLY CONDESCENDED

A. Jesus is on a higher level than we are.

1. Master, Teacher, John 3:2, “The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.”

2. Lord of lords, Revelation 17:14, “These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.”

B. Yet He had done a humble service for His disciples.

1. An inner humility was manifested as that of a widowed believer, 1 Timothy 5:10, “Well reported of for good works; if she have brought up children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints’ feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every good work.”

2. The foot washing was a pattern, v. 15; Hebrews 8:5, “Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount.”

3. He was meeting the needs of others in a self-sacrificially way, Romans 12:1, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.”

C. No servant is greater than his master, John 12:26, “If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.”

1. Not to follow the example of Jesus is to exalt oneself above Him, Proverbs 29:23, “A man’s pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit.”

2. The example of Jesus was to minister to others, 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.”

a. To serve the Lord you must become a servant of all, Mark 9:35, “And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all.”

b. God gives more grace to the humble, James 4:6, “But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.”

c. Before honor is humility, Proverbs 18:12, “Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility.”

3. The Lord always sought to help others, 1 Corinthians 10:24, “Let no man seek his own, but every man another’s wealth.”

4. God takes note of those who minister to the saints, Hebrews 6:10, “For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.”

II. WE SHOULD FOLLOW HIS EXAMPLE

A. Because of His love for us, John 13:1, “Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end.”

B. Because of our love for Him, 1 John 4:19, “We love him, because he first loved us.”

1. Our love is based on forgiveness of our sin, Luke 7:47, “Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little.”

2. His love is based on His nature, 2 Corinthians 5:14-15, “For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: 15 And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.”

C. Therefore, humble yourselves, James 4:10, “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.”

CONCLUSION:

Foot washing is not an ordinance, but we should be willing to do that in order to serve God with honor. Until we are willing to humble ourselves before the Lord we will never to a good servant.