THE GOSPEL OF JOHN

THE COMFORT GIVEN THE DISCIPLES

JOHN 14:1-3

Jesus had revealed many things to His disciples during their training. He encouraged them throughout His ministry here on earth. However, there were things that He said that caused them great concern and “troubled” them. The disciples did not know what was ahead of them, but the Lord did.

In His final hours with His disciples He encouraged them by His words. He said in John 14:27, “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.”

I. THE DISCOURAGEMENT OF THE DISCIPLES

A. Jesus had said He was going away, John 7:33, “Then said Jesus unto them, Yet a little while am I with you, and then I go unto him that sent me.”

1. Jesus had prophesied His departure speaking to the lost Jews, Zechariah 12:10, “And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn.”

2. He said that the unbelieving Jews would look for Him, John 7:34, “Ye shall seek me, and shall not find me: and where I am, thither ye cannot come.”

B. He said one of them would betray Him, John 13:21, “When Jesus had thus said, he was troubled in spirit, and testified, and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me.”

1. Being human, Jesus was troubled over Judas’ soon betrayal of His love and friendship.

2. Being divine, Jesus knew in advance that it would happen, 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.”

3. This greatly troubled the disciples.

C. He said Peter would deny Him three times, John 13:38, “Jesus answered him, Wilt thou lay down thy life for my sake? Verily, verily, I say unto thee, The cock shall not crow, till thou hast denied me thrice.”

1. Peter and the other disciples were shocked by this declaration.

2. Peter had always been outspoken, John 13:37, “Peter said unto him, Lord, why cannot I follow thee now? I will lay down my life for thy sake.”

3. It was an easy thing to leave his boats and nets to follow the Lord, but not so easy to lay down his life.

4. His Master himself struggled physically when it came to his time to die, Luke 22:42-43, “Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done. 43 And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him.

D. Jesus said that Satan was at work against all of them, Luke 22:31-32, “And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: 32 But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.”

E. He said that all the disciples would fall away, Matthew 26:31, “Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad.”

II. THE ENCOURAGEMENT OF THE DISCIPLES

A. Believe in Me, v. 1, “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.”

1. Let not your heart be troubled [stirred, agitated], John 14:27, “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.”

2. I am going to My Father, John 14:28, “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.”

3. You trust in God, Psalm 42:5, 8, “Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance. 8 Yet the LORD will command his lovingkindness in the daytime, and in the night his song shall be with me, and my prayer unto the God of my life.”

4. Now trust Me, Ephesians 3:14-17, “For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, 16 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; 17That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,”

B. I will come back, vs. 2-3, “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. 3 And 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.”

1. This is the promise of the rapture of the Believer, John 17:24, “Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.”

a) We will be with Him, 2 Corinthians 5:8, “We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.”

b) We desire to be with Him, Philippians 1:23, “For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:”

2. This is the promise of His return to the earth, v. 28; John 16:20-21, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy. 21 A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world.”

a) To establish His reign on the earth, Revelation 20:6, “Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.”

b) And He will come quickly, Revelation 22:7, “Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.

THE BIBLE

JOHN 5:39
“Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.”

Introduction:

To know more about the Lord is our greatest need. The Bible is the revelation of God. It is give to us in order that we might know the God of Heaven. Some parts are difficult and require diligent study to understand. Matthew Henry said about parables, “A parable is a shell that keeps good fruit for the diligent, but keeps it from the slothful.”

While studying I came across this quotation: “The Bible—know it in your head; stow it in your heart; show it in your life; sow it in the world.”

I.    KNOW IT IN YOUR HEAD

A. Begin with Prayer, Psalm 119:18, “Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.”

B. It is the Spirit of God who opens our eyes, 1 Corinthians 2:12-14, “Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. 13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. 14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.”

1. The Bible differs from other books in that the Holy Spirit alone can open our minds to understand it, John 16:13, “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.”

2. When God opens your eyes don’t forget what you read, Psalm 119:15-16, “I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways. 16 I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.”

II. STOW IT IN YOUR HEART

A. The Word of God is to be part of us, Jeremiah 15:16, “Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts.”

B. The Word is to be in the heart, Deuteronomy 6:6, “And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart:”

C. That I might not sin against the Lord, Psalm 119:11, “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.”

III. SHOW IT IN YOUR LIFE

A. Man is to live by the Word of God, Matthew 4:4, “But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.”

B. The Word of God works itself out, James 2:18, “Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.”

IV. SOW IT IN THE WORLD

A. The blessing of sowing, Psalm 126:5-6, “They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. 6 He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.”

1. Lord open my lips, Psalm 51:15, “O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise.”

2. That we might speak boldly, Ephesians 6:19, “And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,”

3. Pray for those who preach the Word, Colossians 4:3-4, “Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds: 4 That I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.”

B. The success of sowing, Mark 4:8, “And other fell on good ground, and did yield fruit that sprang up and increased; and brought forth, some thirty, and some sixty, and some an hundred.”

C. Then the joy of serving the Lord comes…

1. In Heaven, Luke 15:7, “I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.”

2. In our lives, 1 Thessalonians 2:19-20, “For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming? 20 For ye are our glory and joy.”

THE THREE RESURRECTIONS

JOHN 5:21-30

The Bible speaks of three (3) resurrections. Each one is different from the others. Two of those resurrections will be for rejoicing of those that participate in them. However, the third or last resurrection is the resurrection of lost sinners, those that have rejected the Savior. That will be a time of great sadness.

I. THE RESURRECTION OF DEAD SINNERS

A. Sinners dead in trespasses and sins, Ephesians 2:1-5, “And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;”

1. Sin entered by one man, Adam, Romans 5:12, “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:”

2. Sin brought death, Romans 6:23, “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

3. The soul that sins, Ezekiel 18:4, “Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die.”

B. But sinners that will hear His voice shall 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.”

1. “He that heareth my words,” John 5:24, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.”

2. “And believe,” John 11:26, “And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?”

3. “Shall not come into condemnation,” John 10:27-28, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: 28And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.”

II. THE RESURRECTION UNTO LIFE

A. This is the FIRST resurrection, Revelation 20:4-5, “And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. 5But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.”

1. This is for those that have served the Lord, 2 Samuel 7:4, “Then the children of Israel did put away Baalim and Ashtaroth, and served the LORD only.”

2. These are those who have become a living sacrifice for the Lord, Romans 12:1-2, “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. 2And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”

B. Those that participate in the First Resurrection will reign with the Lord, 2 Timothy 2:12, “If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:”

C. We will reign with Him as kings, Revelation 5:10, “And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.”

D. Blessed are those who have part in the First Resurrection, Revelation 20:6, “Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.”

III. THE RESURRECTION UNTO DEATH

A. This is the Second Resurrection, Revelation 20:11-12, “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. 12And 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.”

B. This resurrection is for those who reject Jesus Christ as their Savior.

1. These are those that stand before God to be judged out of the books, Revelation 20:12, “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.”

2. These are those whose names are NOT written in the Lamb’s book of life, Revelation 20:15, “And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.”

3. These shall be tormented for their sins, Revelation 14:9, “The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb:”

CONCLUSION:

Three resurrections are taught in the Word of God. The resurrection from death because of our sins is by trusting Jesus Christ as Savior. John 5:24 says, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.”

The key words are “heareth,” and “believeth.” If you will hear the Word of God and Believe on Jesus Christ, God promises that you are “passed from death unto life.”

STILL IN THE LAND OF MERCY
JOHN 7:37

“In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, if any man thirst, let him come unto me and drink.”

Introduction:

Patience is one of the great virtues of our Lord. The Lord had pleaded with the Jews throughout His ministry to accept the truth that He was the promised Messiah, but we read in John 1:11, “He came unto his own, and his own received him not.” It is admirable that the Lord Jesus bears with us year after year. His love is without doubt very deep even to the point of tears on our behalf. He waits patiently for the sinner to repent and come to Him in faith as his Redeemer.

I. HIS PITY IS EXPRESSED IN TENDER TONES

A. He invites us to be reconciled, 2 Corinthians 5:20, “Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.”

1. Christ has PREACHED PEACE to all men, Ephesians 2:17, “And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.”

2. The preaching of the Word was based on what JESUS WOULD ACCOMPLISH, Ephesians 2:16, “And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby.”

B. He calls with TENDER WORDS rather than threats, 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. Blind Bartimaeus had heard the Word of God, Mark 10:47, “And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out, and say, Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me.”

2. Even with the OPPOSITION of the crowd he wanted to know the Savior, Mark 10:48, “And many charged him that he should hold his peace: but he cried the more a great deal, Thou Son of David, have mercy on me.”

3. Bartimaeus ACCEPTS the Lord’s CALL and TRUSTS Christ as his Savior, Mark 10:50, “And he, casting away his garment, rose, and came to Jesus.”

4. Jesus healed him and he faithfully FOLLOWED the Lord, 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 [saved thee] thee whole. And immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way.”

II. HIS PROVISION IS MADE TO QUENCH OUR THIRST

A. All is provided to quench the sinner’s thirst, John 4:10, “Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.”

1. To the CONSCIENCE salvation brings PEACE to the sinner, John 14:27, “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.”

2. To the sinner’s UNDERSTANDING the gospel brings the RICHEST INSTRUCTION, Colossians 2:2, “That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ;”

3. To the heart the person of Jesus Christ becomes the OBJECT of his love, Matthew 22:37, “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.”

B. He supplies the water of life FREELY, Revelation 22:17, “And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.”

1. The thirst is terrible, but Jesus can QUENCH it, John 4:14, “But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.”

2. The soul may be FAMISHED because of IGNORANCE, Isaiah 5:13, “Therefore my people are gone into captivity, because they have no knowledge: and their honourable men are famished, and their multitude dried up with thirst.”

3. Jesus can RESTORE the famished soul, Luke 4:18, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,”

III. HIS PROCLAMATION IS MADE OPENLY

A. The Gospel was preached FOR ALL to hear, Acts 26:26, “For the king knoweth of these things, before whom also I speak freely: for I am persuaded that none of these things are hidden from him; for this thing was not done in a corner.”

B. The invitation is “COME” to Jesus for salvation, Matthew 11:28, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”

1. Our goodness does not bring us to God, Titus 3:5, “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;”

2. We are God’s children by faith, Galatians 3:26, “For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.”

IV. HIS PREPERATION IS COMPLETE

A. The ACT of faith is “drinking of the water of life,” John 7:37, “In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.”

B. The qualification is “WHOSOEVER DRINKETH,” John 4:14, “But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.”

CONCLUSION:

GOD PATIENTLY WAITS FOR YOU to come and drink the water of life by faith in Christ. For those who have already trusted Christ as Savior HE WAIT FOR OUR OBEDIENCE in following the Lord in BAPTISM and complete trust in doing His will in our lives.

His will is the key to happiness and success in life.

SHOW YOURSELF TO THE WORLD

JOHN 7:1-13

Introduction:

Jesus is again in Galilee after His discourse in John 6. In Jerusalem the Jews sought to kill Him, but here in Galilee He had safety and rest for a time. Matthew 10:23, “But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come.”

Galilee was His home where His brethren lived. You will remember that Jesus was not accepted as the Messiah here. Even His brethren did not believe on Him at this time.

I. “AFTER THESE THINGS…”

A. After the events recorded in chapter 6.

1. That was shortly before the Passover, that is in April, John 6:4, “And the passover, a feast of the Jews, was nigh.”

2. The Feast of Tabernacles was near (six months later in October), v. 2, “Now the Jews’ feast of tabernacles was at hand.”

B. The Feast of Tabernacles was one of the three great Jewish feasts.

1. Josephus, the great Hebrew historian, called it their holiest and greatest feast.

2. This feast, also called the Feast of Ingathering, was a time of thanksgiving for harvest, Deuteronomy 16:13, “Thou shalt observe the feast of tabernacles seven days, after that thou hast gathered in thy corn and thy wine:”

a. It was a happy time, Leviticus 23:40, “And ye shall take you on the first day the boughs of goodly trees, branches of palm trees, and the boughs of thick trees, and willows of the brook; and ye shall rejoice before the LORD your God seven days.”

b. This is one of three times that the males of Israel had to appear before the Lord, Deuteronomy 16:16, “Three times in a year shall all thy males appear before the LORD thy God in the place which he shall choose; in the feast of unleavened bread, and in the feast of weeks, and in the feast of tabernacles: and they shall not appear before the LORD empty:”

3. It was at this feast at the end of every seven years that the Law was read, Deuteronomy 31:10-11, “And Moses commanded them, saying, At the end of every seven years, in the solemnity of the year of release, in the feast of tabernacles, 11 When all Israel is come to appear before the LORD thy God in the place which he shall choose, thou shalt read this law before all Israel in their hearing.”

II. JESUS’ BRETHREN DID NOT BELIEVE AT THAT TIME

A. “IF” you do these things, show yourself to the world, vs. 4-5, “For there is no man that doeth any thing in secret, and he himself seeketh to be known openly. If thou do these things, shew thyself to the world. 5For neither did his brethren believe in him.”

1. Go into Judaea, that your disciples may see the works that you do, Jeremiah 12:6, “For even thy brethren, and the house of thy father, even they have dealt treacherously with thee; yea, they have called a multitude after thee: believe them not, though they speak fair words unto thee.”

2. No man does these things in secret, Matthew 4:6, “And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.”

B. Jesus’ brethren did not believe that He was the Messiah, v. 5, “For neither did his brethren believe in him.”

1. Jesus came unto His own, John 1:11, “He came unto his own, and his own received him not.”

2. He was not received in His own country, Matthew 13:57, “And they were offended in him. But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, save in his own country, and in his own house.”

3. However, Jesus was received by some, John 1:12-13, “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: 13Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.”

III. MY TIME IS NOT YET COME

A. The Lord’s brethren did not have spiritual discernment because of their unbelief, 1 Corinthians 2:15-16, “But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. 16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.”

B. “The world cannot hate you; but me it hateth,” v. 7, “The world cannot hate you; but me it hateth, because I testify of it, that the works thereof are evil.”

1. He revealed the problem, John 3:19, “And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.”

2. Jesus became the enemy of man because He told him the truth, Galatians 4:16, “Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?”

CONCLUSION:

Jesus went to the feast, but not openly. Too many sought to kill Him, v. 25, “Then said some of them of Jerusalem, Is not this he, whom they seek to kill?”

Even the people would not talk openly about Jesus for fear of the religious leaders who would put them out of the synagogue, v. 13, “Howbeit no man spake openly of him for fear of the Jews.”