THE GOSPEL OF JOHN

SHOW US THE FATHER- – JOHN 14:1-11

Art Davison THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 0 Comment
SHOW US THE FATHER
JOHN 14:1-11

Introduction:

The Lord had just mentioned that He was going away and that He would prepare a place for every believer. Then He stated that He would return for His people that they might be with Him.

Jesus stated that his disciples knew the way to the Father and proceeded to say in verse 6, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”

Now the Lord makes a statement that the disciples had not considered before for Philip says in verse 8: “Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us.”

I. THE UNIVERSAL DESIRE OF MAN IS TO SEE GOD.

A. Man wants to see God’s glory, Exodus 33:18, “And he said, I beseech thee, shew me thy glory.”

1. Man is insecure and wants to see tangible things rather than live by faith, Romans 1:17, “For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.”

2. Man is justified by faith, Galatians 3:11, “But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.”

3. God does not accept anything less, Hebrews 10:38, “Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.”

B. God wants to see FAITH, Mark 11:22, “And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God.”

1. Faith to believe God’s Word, Romans 10:17, “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”

2. Faith to trust Christ as Savior, Acts 16:30-31, “And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? 31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.”

3. Faith to walk in the Spirit and not in the flesh, Galatians 5:16-17, “This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.”

II. LORD, SHEW US THE FATHER, AND IT SUFFICETH US.

A. Don’t you know me, Philip? v. 9; John 14:20, “At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.”

B. He that sees me…John 12:45, “And he that seeth me seeth him that sent me.”

1. God gives light to see, 2 Corinthians 4:6, “For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.”

2. Light to see Jesus as the image of the invisible God, Colossians 1:15-17, “Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: 16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: 17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.”

3. He is the express image of His glory, Hebrews 1:3, “Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;”

III. WE SHOULD BELIEVE JESUS…

A. Because of His character, John 14:20, “At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.”

B. Because His words are the Father’s words.

1. His doctrine, John 7:16, “Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me.”

2. He did not speak of Himself, John 12:49, “For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak.”

3. The words He spoke were not His, John 14:24, “He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father’s which sent me.

C. Because His miracles revealed God’s working through Him, John 5:36, “But I have greater witness than that of John: for the works which the Father hath given me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent me.”

1. They bore witness of Jesus, John 10:25, 38, “Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father’s name, they bear witness of me. 38 But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him.”

2. Yet many did not believe on Him, John 12:37, “But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him:”

SEPARATED OUT OF THE WORLD- – JOHN 17:6-19

Art Davison THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 0 Comment
SEPARATED OUT OF THE WORLD
JOHN 17:6-19
Introduction:

Jesus prayed for His disciples before He chose them, Luke 6:12, “And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.”

He prayed for them during His ministry, John 6:15, “When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him a king, he departed again into a mountain himself alone.”

Jesus had prayed for them at the end of His ministry, Luke 22:32, “But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.”

He prayed for them here in this text and later interceded for them in Heaven, Romans 8:34, “Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.”

I. THE LITTLE FLOCK GIVEN TO THE SON BY THE FATHER

A. The disciples had been given as a gift to Jesus Christ, John 6:37,“All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.”

1. God had given everything over to the Son, John 3:35, “The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand:”

a. The Father has given all power to Christ, Matthew 28:18, “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.”

b. Power to reveal the Father, Matthew 11:27, “All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.”

c. Power for judgment, John 5:22, “For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son.”

2. God had given Him dominion over everything, Daniel 7:14, “And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.”

B. Jesus had given eternal life to those that the Father gave Him, v. 2.

1. They shall never perish, John 10:28, “And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.”

2. They cannot be separated from Christ, Romans 8:35-39.

C. Jesus prayed for those that the Father had given Him, v. 9; Hebrews 7:25, “Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.”

1. Christ has enter into the very presence of God on our behalf, Hebrews 9:24, “For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:”

2. He is our Advocate before the Father, 1 John 2:1-2, “My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous : 2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.”

II. THEY HAD BEEN SEPARATED OUT OF THE WORLD

A. The Lord took us out of the world, 2 Thessalonians 2:13, “But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:”

1. Jesus “manifested” the name of the Father to us, John 1:18, “No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.”

2. He has given us knowledge of the glory of God, 2 Corinthians 4:6, “For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.”

B. Jesus prayed that those that the Father had given Him that they might be with Him, v. 24; 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. We will see Him face to face, 1 Corinthians 13:12, “For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.”

2. We will behold the brightness of His glory, Hebrews 1:3, “Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;”

3. We will be with Him throughout eternity, 2 Corinthians 5:1, “For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.”

CONCLUSION:

He awaits the time when the Father will send Him to call His own to their heavenly home with Him.

The Lord Jesus continues His ministry seated at the right hand of the Father making intercession for us today.

SEEING THE GLORY OF GOD- – JOHN 11:1-4

Art Davison THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 0 Comment
SEEING THE GLORY OF GOD
JOHN 11:1-4

Introduction:

In this passage of Scripture Jesus shows that illness or even death does not necessarily mean that the individual involved is a terrible sinner as is held by some religions. God uses illness in the life of the believer to teach him things in order to bring greater glory to the Lord Jesus Christ.
In Lazarus’ case, his death was to demonstrate the power of God in the live of the Lord Jesus and to glorify the heavenly Father. Now let us consider that…
I. SICKNESS IN OUR LIVES MAY BE FOR THE GLORY OF GOD.

A. Lazarus was a friend of the Lord Jesus Christ, v. 5, “Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus.”

B. The Lord states the purpose for this sickness, v. 4, “When Jesus heard that, he said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby.”

C. Hezekiah’s illness, 2 Kings 20:1, “In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death. And the prophet Isaiah the son of Amoz came to him, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Set thine house in order; for thou shalt die, and not live.”

1. In those days refers to days of the invasion of Jerusalem by Sennacherib that was imminent and Hezakiah knew that Judah would not stand the invasion without good leadership.

2. Hezakiah was driven to prayer after Isaiah related the news of his soon departure from this life, 2 Kings 20:2-3, “Then he turned his face to the wall, and prayed unto the LORD, saying, 3I beseech thee, O LORD, remember now how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight. And Hezekiah wept sore.”

3. God added 15 years to his life, 2 Kings 20:4-6.

II. SICKNESS IS NOT THE CASE OF THE LOST BUT RATHER, HE IS SPIRITUALLY DEAD.

A. When a person is spiritually dead, he does not respond to spiritual things,

1. Spiritually dead, without God in their life, Ephesians 2:12, “That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:”
2. Dead in trespasses and sins, Ephesians 2:1-3, “And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; 2Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: 3Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.”
a. You were dead in trespasses and sins.
b. You walked according to the course of this world.
c. You were a child of disobedience.
d. You were a child of the wrath of God.
B. But having trusted Jesus Christ as your Savior God has made you alive spiritually having forgiven your sin, Colossians 2:13, “And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;”
III. SICKNESS CAN PRODUCE GREATER FAITH TO TRUST GOD’S WISDOM.
A. Paul had a “thorn in the flesh,” 2 Corinthians 12:7, “And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.”
1. Paul was an educated man with many talents and abilities that would exalt the man rather than the Lord Jesus.
2. God allowed this “thorn,” in Paul’s life to cause him to remember where his strength came from, 2 Corinthians 12:8-9, “For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. 9And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”
B. As a result of what God had allowed in Paul’s life he was able to be more effective for the Lord bringing greater glory to his Father in Heaven. In 2 Corinthians 12:10 Paul states: “Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.”
C. While we might not understand why we suffer illnesses, we can understand that God’s wisdom is greater than ours is. Romans 8:28, “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”
1. This is directed to God’s people, that is, those who have trusted Jesus Christ as their personal Savior.
2. What we might suffer is under God’s direction “according to his purpose.”
3. Since we do not know what the future holds for us and the Lord does, He directs our lives in order to bring greater glory to His name by the things that we suffer. Romans 8:18, “For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
4. It is the way we handle our suffering that determines how much glory God receives through us.
a. Some suffer and have irate feelings that God has been unjust to us.
b. Others suffer quietly without complaining, at least before others, and bring greater glory to the Lord.
CONCLUSION:
Real suffering is not to know Jesus Christ as your Savior. He loves you and wants to bless you in many ways, but in order to have these blessings you have trust Him as your Savior and Lord.
Christians are asked to suffer for His honor and glory, but this is a temporary situation that cannot be compared with what He will do in the future for us.

REMEMBER THE WORD…- – JOHN 15:20-27

Art Davison THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 0 Comment
REMEMBER THE WORD…
JOHN 15:20-27

Introduction:

The Lord admonishes the disciples that they need to keep in mind some things that the Lord had said about being associated with Him.
Several things were mentioned. He referred to persecution as a result of their faith in Christ and at the end of His discussion He mentions the “Comforter” who the Father would sent to help the believer cope with these difficulties and others.
I. THE SERVANT IS NO GREATER THAN HIS LORD
A. We as His servants are not greater than our master, John 13:16, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him.”
B. They will persecute you, Matthew 10:24, “The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord.”
C. If they keep my sayings, they will keep yours also, Isaiah 53:1-2, “Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed? 2 For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.”
1. Some people followed and obeyed Jesus’ teaching, but some did not, Ezekiel 3:7,“But the house of Israel will not hearken unto thee; for they will not hearken unto me: for all the house of Israel are impudent and hardhearted.”
2. Those that believed Jesus also responded to the apostles’ message, 1 Corinthians 3:5, Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man?”
II. THEY DO THESE THINGS UNTO YOU FOR MY NAME’S SAKE
A. The root cause of the world’s hatred against the disciples is their identification with Jesus, Matthew 10:22, “And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.”
B. They hate Jesus because they are ignorant of God, the One who sent Him, v. 23; John 8:40-42, “But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard of God: this did not Abraham. 41 Ye do the deeds of your father. Then said they to him, We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God. 42 Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me.”
C. They hated the Lord Jesus because He told them of their sin, v. 22.
1. They knew that there had been a prophet among them, Ezekiel 2:5, “And they, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear, (for they are a rebellious house,) yet shall know that there hath been a prophet among them.”
2. Now they have no cloak for their sin, Romans 2:1, “Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things.”
D. They hated both Jesus and His Father, vs. 23-25; 1John 2:23, “Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: (but) he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also.”
1. They hated both the Son and the Father because they did not know them, 2 John 9, “Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son,”
2. This fulfilled the Scriptures, v. 25; Psalm 35:19, “Let not them that are mine enemies wrongfully rejoice over me: neither let them wink with the eye that hate me without a cause.”
III. THE COMFORTER COMES FROM THE FATHER
A. He is the Spirit of Truth, v. 26; John 14:16-17, “And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; 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.”
1. He will guide you into all truth, 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. How we know the Spirit of Truth, 1 John 4:6, “We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.”
B. He shall testify of Me, John 16:14-15, “He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. 15 All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you.”
C. You also will testify of Me, v. 27; John 21:24, “This is the disciple which testifieth of these things, and wrote these things: and we know that his testimony is true.”

PERSECUTION OF THE SAINTS- – JOHN 16:1-4

Art Davison THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 0 Comment
PERSECUTION OF THE SAINTS
JOHN 16:1-4
Introduction:
Here the Lord gives the disciples some “wounding words in the notice he gives them of the troubles that were before them.” Here are also healing words in the comforts he gives to them for their support under the forth coming troubles, They were going to be persecuted, perhaps even killed for the cause of Christ.
I. WHY WAS THE LORD TELLING THE DISCIPLES ABOUT THE WORLD’S HATRED AND PERSECUTION?
A. To be forewarned is to be ready for the offence, v. 1; Matthew 11:6, “And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.”
1. They would be put out of the synagogue, v. 2; John 9:22, “These words spake his parents, because they feared the Jews: for the Jews had agreed already, that if any man did confess that he was Christ, he should be put out of the synagogue.”
2. They would be killed for the Lord’s sake, Matthew 24:9, “Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake.”
B. The Lord’s warning was designed to take off the terror of persecution, v. 4; Luke 21:12, “But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name’s sake.”
1. At first, they scourged them in their synagogues as a scorner of the law, Matthew 10:17, “But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues;”
2. Then they would be cast out as Samaritans, as heathen men and publicans,
3. Then they would kill some the Believers:
a. Stephen, Acts 7:59, “And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.”
b. James, Acts 12:2, “And he killed James the brother of John with the sword.”
c. And others, Acts 9:1-4, “And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, 2 And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem. 3 And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: 4 And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?”
C. They think they are offering a service to God, Romans 10:2, “For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.”
II. THE WORLD WILL PERSECUTE THE LORD’S FOLLOWERS BECAUSE THEY DO NOT KNOW JESUS
A. Many have knowledge of God, but not saving knowledge, Psalm 95:8-10, “Harden not your heart, as in the provocation, and as in the day of temptation in the wilderness: 9 When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my work. 10 Forty years long was I grieved with this generation, and said, It is a people that do err in their heart, and they have not known my ways:”
1. The Jews had murmured against Moses at Rephidim, Exodus 17:2, “Wherefore the people did chide with Moses, and said, Give us water that we may drink. And Moses said unto them, Why chide ye with me? wherefore do ye tempt the LORD?”
2. The incident at Meribah (strife) where Moses was to speak to the rock, Psalm 106:32, “They angered him also at the waters of strife, so that it went ill with Moses for their sakes:”
B. The knowledge that the disciples would be persecuted for their trust in the Lord strengthened them, Acts 5:41, “And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.”
1. The apostles were honored to be suffering disgrace for the name of Christ, 1 Peter 4:14, “If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye ; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.”
2. Peter encouraged Christians to “rejoice” when they would “participate” in sufferings on behalf of Christ, 1 Peter 4:13, “But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.”
c. Sharing in the sufferings of Christ results in joy with Christ, 1 Peter 1:6, “Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:”
d. Sharing in the sufferings of Christ results in fellowship with Him, Philippians 3:10, “That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;”
e. Sharing in the sufferings of Christ results in being glorified with Him, Romans 8:17, “And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.”
f. Sharing in the sufferings of Christ results in reigning with Him, 2 Timothy 2:12, “If we suffer, we shall also reign with him : if we deny him , he also will deny us:”
CONCLUSION:
The Lord warned His disciple in order to prepare them for the future. That preparation gave that first church the determination to do God’s will. They rejoiced that they were worthy to suffer for Him.
While persecution is relatively light here in America, it isn’t in our countries. If God chooses to have us suffer, will we be as determined to do God’s will as the early disciples were?