“John’s Portrait of Jesus”

John 1:1,2

INTRODUCTION

Let us note first of all that John does not start with the birth or geneology of Jesus Christ.
He starts with describing “The Beginning.” (The beginning of the world)

Who was there? The Word (Jesus) and God
The witness of Christ- John the Baptist
The work of Christ in the saints (Christians, those who believe in Him and receive in Him, they can become the sons of God)

I believe that John probably felt that telling the birth of Christ was not as important as telling the work of Christ in His disciples (Those who follow Him)

I. He is the Son of God

A) In the Beginning

John 1:1…In the beginning was the Word, “the Word” is Jesus Christ.
How do you know that “the Word” is Jesus Christ?
The Word made flesh- Look at John 1:14… And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
The Word seen, looked upon, and handled- I John 1:1… That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life;
Record bearer- I John 5:7…For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.
He is Clothed- Rev 19:13… And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.
He is with God- “..and the Word was with God,

B) The Word was God

He is God- vrs. 1…and the Word was God.

C) God’s only begotten son

John 3:16…For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
The word “begotten” is an English translation of a Greek word… “monogenes.”
The word “monogenes” means…“Pertaining to being the only one of its kind or unique within a specific relationship.
Meaning Jesus was the only virgin born, seed of the Holy Spirit son.
Looking at Hebrews 11:17 when the writer refers to Isaac as Abraham’s “only begotten son.” Abraham had more than one son, but Isaac was the only son he had by Sarah and the only son of the covenant.

II. Son of Man

A) Illustrating His perfect humanity

He attended a wedding- John 2:2..And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage
He feasted with the Jews – John 5
He taught in the temple- John 7
He rode on a donkey- John 12
He acts as a servant to His disciples- John 13
He comforts His disciples with the hope of heaven- John 14
He prays- John 17
He is betrayed in- John 18
All of these things are what we as “humans” do. Thus “humanity.”
“Humanity” means to take on Human characteristics and form.

III. Divine Teacher

A) He teaches Nicodemus how to be “born again”

In this passage of scripture He teaches Nicodemus the necessity of being “born again” (John 3:3,16,20) but note verse 3…Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
vrs. 16…For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Verse 20…For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. ²¹ But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.
Jesus teaching – was not only teaching of doctrine but also of how to act Godly, think Godly, present yourself as Godly, and mostly be God-like!

IV. Divine Soul Winner

A) The setting of soul winning

John 4:1-7…John gives us the setting of what is about to happen.

Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John, so he left Judaea, and departed again into Galilee. Why did Jesus leave? Because Christ never wanted to create a scene or cause upset.
His direction of travel was through Samaria. (No Jew would have thought to go that way because of their feelings towards the Samaritans)
He came to a land that belonged to Joseph
Jacob’s well was there.
Jesus was weary (tired) of traveling.
It was the sixth hour. (12:00 noon; the Jewish morning starts at 6:00 am)
His disciples had gone ahead into the city to get meat for dinner.
A woman of Samaria came to get water at Jacob’s well.

It matters not …

When you witness (In the heat of the day or cold of winter)
Where you witness (at a well, on the street, or which city)
What your excuse may be (Being too tired as Jesus was)
Who you witness to (someone you really don’t like in race, gender, conduct or whatever)

B) Who starts the conversation?

Jesus starts the conversation…vrs. 7 b)… Jesus saith unto her, Give me to drink.

C) Strong remarks of the lost (not saved)

Verse 9…Then saith the woman of Samaria unto him, How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans.
She could be interpreted to say… “You are a Jew and you know the history between our people and yet you have the nerve to ask me to serve you!”
Then again in verse 11 she says…Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep: from whence then hast thou that living water?
She is asking…How are you going to give me this “living water,” when you don’t even have a dipper to fetch it!
Again in verse 12 she continues the jabs with… Art thou greater than our father Jacob, which gave us the well, and drank thereof himself, and his children, and his cattle?
Are you better than Jacob our great ancestor who gave us this well that he fed his children and cattle from.

D) Answer the lost with the word of God

When a lost (not saved) person asks questions about your faith, your belief, your doctrines, then show them what God’s word says.
Realize first… That everyone born of woman is searching for happiness and to be satisfied..
Look at how Jesus answered the woman…

Jesus quotes Jeremiah 2:13, John 4:10, 11, and John 7:38… here in John 4: Verse 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. Jesus is saying to her… “ If you knew that salvation is the gift of God, and that I am the Christ, then you would have asked me for the gift of salvation and I would have gave it to you.”
Jesus quotes John 3:16, John 5:24, here in John 4:13…Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: 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. Here Jesus says.. “Whoever believes in me, will never thirst for happiness or satisfaction. Because the Holy Spirit will live in you, and give you that comfort, happiness, joy, etc. that will lead to everlasting life through Christ Jesus.

When on a desert, one searches constantly for water. When walking through life, one searches for happiness, peace, satisfaction, and joy.
The only way for that is by accepting Christ Jesus today!

E) The lost responds

Look at John 4:15…
She responds with a positive answer… “…give me this water” you are talking about.
She did not even know what she was asking for.
Christ planted the seed of salvation, but it landed on shallow ground.

F) Before the Spirit can enter, the lost must be convicted and repent

Note verse 16…Christ asked her a question that would cause her to realize her state of being. What was her “state of being?” She was lost, sinful and needed a savior that would keep her from going to hell!
Verse 17…let us notice that her response this time was very short. Why? Because she was now under conviction. The woman said… “I have no husband”
Her mouth was stopped! The bible tells us in Romans 3:19…Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.
Verse 18…Christ made her realize her sin…. Thou hast well said, I have no husband: ¹⁸ For thou hast had five husbands; and he whom thou now hast is not thy husband: in that saidst thou truly.

Christ reveals to her that she had five husbands.
Jewish or Samaritan law was that you were to be put to death for adultery. But they also believed in divorce (Which is wrong in God’s eyes) for any reason. So therefore, this Samaritan woman had been dismissed by 5 husbands and now she is seeing a sixth.
The man she was courting with now is not her husband.
In verse 19 we will see that she tries to get Jesus off track- She was wanted to discuss the difference between the two religions (Jewish and Samaritan).
Note verse 19…The woman saith unto him, Sir, I perceive that thou art a prophet. ²⁰ Our fathers worshiped in this mountain; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship.
We have always worshiped in this mountain and now you are telling me to worship in Jerusalem only?
Some people really do not know how ignorant they really are.

G) Christ helps her to understand the “New Law”

Read verses 21-24….
21) Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh,
There will be a time that is soon coming when these things will be the “New Law” of God.

when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father. Worship will no longer be limited to the Jewish temple!
Verse 22) Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews. . —Barnes’ Notes on the New Testament said it means …They have the true religion and the true form of worship; and the Messiah, who will bring salvation, is to proceed from them.
Verse 23) But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. The time is come when we will worship Him in our spirit from the heart, not as they did in old times. God is searching for “true” worshippers.
Verse 24) God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

H) Christ reveals who He is

Read verse 25… that speak unto thee am he. When we accept Him as our Saviour, He reveals himself to us and we will know it!

I) When you become saved or repent of your sins, you wish to spread the news to
everyone

Read verses 27-29…Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ?

V. Great Physician

A) The setting of the story

Read John 5:1-5…

1a) After this there was a feast of the Jews; –This was one of the three feasts 1) the Passover, 2) Pentecost, or 3) Tabernacles. Most believe it was the “Passover feast.”
1b) …and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. -Jesus had just performed His second miracle on a young boy without even seeing him in chapter 4. He was coming to Jerusalem to worship and feast on the Sabbath day when He gets detained.
Verse 2) Now, there is at Jerusalem by the sheep market a pool, which is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda, having five porches. The “sheep market” is assumed to be the market where folks who did not raise sheep but yet needed one to offer for a sacrifice would purchase one. Near it was this “pool” called Bethesda for its healing.
Verse 3) In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water. “impotent folk” are those that cannot have children. Many of the churches taught that if you cannot have children, then you were cursed of God and cannot go to heaven. “halt” means lame, or crippled. “withered” means palsy, weak muscles, like muscular dystrophy.
Verse 4) For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had. Can you imagine how many were waiting to be “first” to get into the pool?
Verse 5) And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years. “infirmity” means a weakness, or disease. Obviously it was one that left him crippled enough to not have the ability to move at all. Some believe that he may have been paralyzed.

B) A physician must have compassion

Read verse 6) When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole?

When a doctor sees someone in need of his talent, or skill as a doctor, he needs to use it.
It may be important to note also that this man was not asking for help, he had learned to live with his disability for 38 years.
Jesus asks the man… Do you wish to be a whole person again?

C) Everyone else’s needs are more important than yours

Read verse 7…The impotent man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me.
The man does tell Jesus of his frustration in being brought down to the pool but everyone is more concerned for themselves first and step in front of him for their own healing.

“when the water is troubled” refers to the water having a bubbling affect to it at certain times. In verse 4, it stated that an angel went down at certain season to trouble the water. Season could mean time of day or season such as fall or spring.
People today are very much like the people here when they want to be the first to be healed so they can get their life back to normal.
You go to a hospital today and wait in the waiting room to see others patiently waiting, except when a more critical patient comes in, they all seem to get excited because they see that their needs are not met “right now!”
God made our bodies to heal themselves over common colds, headaches and other ailments, but we are too impatient to wait for our healing and therefore resort to medication.

D) The great physician goes to work

Verse 8…Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk. 9) And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked: and on the same day was the sabbath.
Note that Jesus healed the man with “His words.” He spoke and it was done.
This reminds us of the “power of God” as it was in “The Beginning” Genesis 1:3…And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. ⁹ And God said, Let the waters under the heaven be gathered together unto one place, and let the dry land appear: and it was so. ¹⁴ And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; ²⁰ And God said, Let the waters bring forth abundantly the moving creature that hath life,
He spoke and the world became whole, He spoke and the boy’s body became whole, brethren that same Jesus can speak today and make you whole!
Are you crippled in your spiritual life?
Is your spiritual walk with Christ lame?
Let the great physician help you with whatever problems you may have today!

VI. Bread of Life

A) The “true” Bread

John 6:32…Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven;
Yes the manna came from God, but it was not the “true bread.” The manna only filled the stomachs of the Israelites. It fills you up for a short time then you are hungry again, and you need more.
Look at it this way… There is store “bought bread” that is not considered to be the true bread. But then there is the “home made bread”, Now That’s The “True Bread.”
“..but my Father giveth you the true bread from heaven.

The true bread.

The true or real support which is needed to keep the soul from death. Christ is called bread, because, as bread supports life, so his doctrine supports, preserves, and saves the soul from death.
It is not false, deceitful, or perishing.
He supplies our temporal wants (food, clothings, place to live, etc.) such as Moses furnished, but also supplies our spiritual needs in opposition to all false religion which deceives and destroys the soul.

B) He giveth life

Look into verse 33…For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world.
You see, the world is “dead. (Spiritually)”
If Jesus was not in the world then there would be no love, no forgiveness, no hope, and more importantly… no salvation.

C) A desire for the bread

Read verse 34… Then said they unto him, Lord, evermore give us this bread. 35) And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.
When they placed an interest in getting the bread that Jesus had to offer, Jesus then gave them a promise of a quenched thirst forever.

D) Many do not believe

Look at verse 36… But I said unto you, That ye also have seen me, and believe not.
Let us make something perfectly clear…

Just because you come to church, does not mean that you believe in Jesus.
Just because you read and understand His Word, His laws, and commandments does not mean that you believe.
Just because you pray to God when you need His help mean that you believe.

These men were asking for something that apparently Christ did not feel they “believed.
When you believe in something, you will give it all you have with no reserve (no holding back).
This is why very few deaf churches are being born today. Many deaf do not believe in Jesus. Why do I say that? Okay, let me ask you…

1. 1. How many deaf here today give your full tithe? (If not, you don’t believe)
  2. How many deaf here, are members of a church in good standing? (If not, you don’t believe)
  3. How many deaf here, Go on visitation weekly? (If not, you don’t believe)
  4. How many deaf here today have led one soul to Christ this year, or even last year? (If not, then you do not believe.)
  5. How many deaf here today go to every church activity, revivals, missions conference, or meetings of any kind? (if not, you don’t believe)

You have to believe to receive! Believe his promises

His promises of blessings poured out to you if you tithe! Mal 3:10… Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.
The “body of Christ” which is the church is not one person, but many members… I Cor. 12:14… For the body is not one member, but many. You join a church to become part of a particular body of Christ.
Going on visitation is both soul winning and restoring the fellowship of those who do not come faithfully. Galatians 6:1.. ¶ Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.
We are to follow His example in seeking the lost (unsaved). Luke 19:10.. For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.
Forsake not our getting together as a group of church members. Heb 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.

E) “A Promise” for those who believe

Look now into John 6: (our text) 37) All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. 38) For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. 39) And this is the Father’s will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. 40) And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day. AMEN!
What are the promises that he gave us in these verses?

Vrs. 37 – Everyone that God gives to Christ, He will not send them to hell.
Vrs. 38 – Jesus came to earth to follow His Father’s orders, (to die for sinners)
Vrs. 39 – Everyone that God gives to Jesus will be raised up in a rapture of the souls when God gives the command on the last days of earth.
Vrs. 40 – Jesus will redeem everyone that believeth in Him.

IN REVIEW

He Is The Son of God
He Is The Son of Man
He Is A Divine Teacher
He Is A Divine Soul Winner
He A Great Physician
He Is The Bread of Life

-NOW-

VII. Water of Life

A) In the “last day”

John 7:37-44…
“..the last day” here in John 7:37…is referring to the eighth day of the feast of Tabernacles.

On the seven days they offered sacrifices for the seventy nations of the earth (heathen nations, those that did not worship God as a whole.
On the eighth day they offered sacrifices for Israel
It was a day solemn (humble and quiet) assembly (Lev. 23:36)
It was a day in which no work was to be done. (Lev. 23:39)
On this day they finished the reading of “The Law.”
On this day Some believe that the ceremony of “drawing water from the pool of Siloam” was performed. On the last day of the feast it was customary to perform a solemn ceremony in this manner:

The priest filled a golden vial with water from the fount of Siloam (John 9:7)
Which started with great Humble a quiet worship.
It also included the playing of trumpets
All of this took place as they entered through the gate of the temple, and being mixed with wine, was poured on the sacrifice on the altar.

B) Jesus stood and cried saying

Note verse 37…
“Jesus stood” Where did He stand? In the temple, in the midst of thousands of the people.
“..and cried, saying,” He was not crying tears. This word “cried has several meanings.

C) If any man thirst

“..if any man thirst” Spiritually.
In other words… if any man feels his need of salvation.
Look at John 4:13…Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: 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.
Matthew 5:6…Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
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.
The invitation is full and free to all.

D) Let him come unto me,

“…let him come unto me” Christ does not “come unto you”
He does not force anyone to do anything! It is a “Freedom of Choice”
Remember the song “Come unto me” … I will give you rest, take my yoke upon you, hear me and be blessed. I am weak and heavy laden, come and trust my might, come my yoke is easy, and my burden light!

E) He that believeth on me

“He that believeth on me…” meaning….He that acknowledges me as the Messiah, and trusts in me for salvation.
Believe is an “Action Word” (last weeks sermon)
If you believe in Christ then you will have a desire to change, to be like Him.
Once you start taking action, and applying God’s Word to your everyday living then here is the promise…

F) As The Scripture Hath Said

verse 38) …as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.
I personally believe that the scripture that Jesus was referring to may have been the one found in Isaiah 58:11…And the Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.
In other words…I will continually satisfy your soul when you lack something you need. I will give you more than you ask for, and the spirit of God will fill you and never fail to lead and guide you.
Or maybe Isaiah 44:3…For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground: I will pour my spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring: 4) And they shall spring up as among the grass, as willows by the water courses.
In other words… I will fill a person that is thirsty with the Holy Spirit, and will also see to it that their children are fed with the spirit. I will bless your children that believe in Me. And they will be like grass by the water (Never to be thirsty for the Spirit)

G) Out of His Belly

“Out of his belly” meaning… Out of his midst, or out of his heart.
The word belly is often used in the Bible to mean “in the middle” or “in the center.”
Matthew 12:40….For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale’s belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.
So, in John 7:38 when it says “out of his belly shall flow”… It means here that from the man shall flow; from his actions people will see, from his attitude people will feel, from his lips people will hear, (or for deaf, from his hands people will see), and from his feet others will have a desire to follow.

H) Living Water

This is the heart of our message today!
When your heart is right with God then it will cause others to have a desire for the same thing that you have… “The Living Water”

VIII. Defender of the weak

A) What do we mean by “Defender of the Weak?”

One definition is “weak in the flesh.”
Look at Matthew 26:41… Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
In this story Christ was wanting the disciples to stay awake and be alert for those who sought to kill Christ. Jesus wanted peace to pray in the garden. But the disciples fell asleep just like we do sometimes in church after staying up too late the night before. Our flesh is weak in that way.
Paul preaches in Miletus of another “weak in the flesh” act in Acts 20:35… I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.
In this passage of scripture, weak means the “weak in the doctrines” of Jesus Christ or rather the knowledge of God.
Many people in our churches today are “weak” in their knowledge because they only come when they have nothing else to do.
In Romans 14:1…Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations.
This verse is referring to “weak” as in “weak faith.”
Then in Romans 15:1… We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.
This is “weak in health” Some people’s health is better than others.
In I Cor. 1:27… But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;
“Weak” here means “weak in wisdom”
Weak in conscience” in I Cor. 8:7… and their conscience being weak is defiled.
When Christ said for us to defend the weak…He meant weak in anything!

B) This woman who is accused

Let us look at our text in John 8:

Vrs. 1.. Jesus going to the mount of Olives
Vrs. 2... went to the Temple early in the morning.
Vrs. 3… The scribes and Pharisees interrupted Christ’s teaching to bring in a woman who had committed adultery (a married person having sex with another person) and they put her right in the middle for everyone to see so they could embarrass her.
Vrs. 4… Now the Pharisees wanted to see what Jesus would do with this woman that they caught (saw with their own eyes) having sex with another man.
Vrs. 5.. The Pharisees quoted the Law that God gave to Moses. Now the Pharisees believe that they understand God’s Laws more than anybody else! (How many Christians do you know with this kind of attitude?)
Now they are trying to tell Jesus the Law. The funny thing about this is that they are trying to tell the writer of the Law what He wrote! They, being influenced by Satan here, quote only half of it saying that Moses said to stone the woman, and ask Jesus.. “What do you say we should do?”
In verse 6…What does Jesus do? He acted like He didn’t hear a word they said and then Jesus stooped down and wrote with His finger on the ground.
Do you know for many years I had thought that Jesus wrote on the ground… Father forgive them for they now not what they do, or something like that.
After searching the scriptures I believe that Jesus wrote the Law found in Leviticus 20:10… ¶ And the man that committeth adultery with another man’s wife, even he that committeth adultery with his neighbour’s wife, the adulterer and the adulteress shall surely be put to death.
Now stop and think! They caught the woman in the act of adultery. Where was the man? Who was the man?
If you are going to see that justice is done and that the Law of Moses was kept… how did the man get away and the woman get caught?
The man seen with this woman was likely a popular Pharisee or a scribe.
Now look at verse 7…So when they continued asking him,
They continued to ask Jesus questions about “The Law” because they wanted to test His knowledge and cause him to “slip up” in order to rebuke him.
The problem I believe with these scribes and Pharisees were that they had “one wife” but were living in adultery daily.

7b…he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.
Now this hits the heart of every believer… Who is without sin? (Rom. 3:23…For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
Now then look at verses 8, 9.. Jesus wrote on the ground again.
It had to be something that got their attention. And cause them to leave.
I believe that Jesus probably wrote the name of “the man” who was also caught in bed with this woman. (likely one of the most popular top scribe or Pharisee that everyone loved)

C) Jesus’ Judgment on the guilty

Look at how Jesus passes sentence on to the woman and man caught in adultery.
Verse 10… When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee?
All Christ had to do is write something in the ground, let those accusers read it, become convicted, and let the accused be punished by God.
The Old Law of Moses commanded that both be stoned.
Christ was ushering in the New Law of grace in that we are to forgive them. It is up to the individuals themselves to kneel before an almighty God, confess and repent of that sin.
Then the hard part for some is.. to go and “sin no more.” Do not continue in it!
Note what Christ said in verse 11) She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.
Christ does not condemn the weak!
Once again, who are the weak? (weak in the flesh, weak in faith, weak in doctrine, weak in the knowledge of God, etc.)
Look at Mark 2:17…When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
“Christ came” for many reasons…

Matthew 10:34…I came not to send peace, but a sword.
John 10:10…I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
atthew 5:17…Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.
Matthew 10:35…For I am come to set a man at variance against his father…That people would not let their earthly fathers lead them, but rather their heavenly Father lead them.
Luke 12:49….I am come to send fire on the earth; and what will I, if it be already kindled
John 1:31“..therefore am I come baptizing with water.”
John 12:46…I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.
John 12:47…And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world.

God will see to it that man is punished for his sins.
What we fail to realize is that God is a God of…

Mercy
Grace
Justice
Judgment
Love
Peace

Jesus Christ came to tell us all these things, but man had to make it more complicated and harder than what it was intended.
We also need to remember that God is on the throne not us!
We are not to judge others but rather…

Show others what Christ wrote (The Bible)
Let them become convicted of their sins
Let God punish them or deal with them.

D) Do we defend the weak or do we condemn the weak?

Luke 6:36…Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful. 37) Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:
This verse says it so plainly… Do not judge or condemn others. Our Job is to forgive them.

IX. Light of the World

A) The Blind Man

Read John 9:1-7…
Verse 1.. gives us a little history of this blind man. He had been blind since birth.
Verse 2.. Now the disciples ask a question that many today ask. We must understand that then and some countries today believe that if a person is blind, deaf, crippled or dumb(Can’t talk) then they are of satan and a curse upon the family due to sin either in the maimed person or their parents.
The question is this… “If a person is maimed, who is the sinner?”

If you want the answer look at verse 3…Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents:
Who said the KJV is hard to understand? It is very clear that Jesus said… “Neither hath this man sinned , nor his parents.
Christ is revealing to them at that time, and to us of our time… Physical disabilities are not a judgment upon man for his sin!
So, Why are people born deaf, crippled or maimed in some way? Jesus answer was this… “but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.”
What does this verse mean? “God is made manifest in him”
God is made manifest means … the evidence of God being in you, which brings 1)Salvation to the soul, 2)Edification to others, and 3)Glory to GOD.

Important Note: Christ also points out how unimportant it is of “how” you were healed, but rather “who” healed you!

Jesus healed two blind men by just touching their eyes (Matthew 9:27-31)
He healed another blind man by putting spittle on his eyes (Mark 8:22-26)
And here in John 9, he puts clay made from spittle on the blind man’s eyes.

It really doesn’t matter how the man is healed, but the fact that Christ is the Great Physician.

B) How the blind man was healed

Note first of all that in order for someone to see anything, there must be “light.”
Jesus said in verse 5…As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.
Of coarse the light Jesus is talking about is the “spiritual light,” meaning salvation, love, peace, happiness, and eternal security.
Read verses 6,7…Note the doctor’s (the Great Physician) treatment…

he spat on the ground,
and made clay of the spittle,
and he anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay,

C) How he was healed

Note that 4 times people had asked.. “How were you healed?”

Verse 10 – The neighbors, ”Therefore said they unto him, How were thine eyes opened?”
Verse 15 – The Pharisees, “Then again the Pharisees also asked him how he had received his sight.”
Verse 19 – The Jews, “how then doth he now see?”
Verse 26 – More Jews,“Then said they to him again, What did he to thee? how opened he thine eyes?”

No matter the situation in this world, people will always look for a way to criticize someone for their blessings given by God.
Once again, these people asked the wrong question. “How” not “Who?”
Who? The light that opens the eyes of the blind physically and spiritually.

D) Examining “This Light”

Look at John 11:9… Jesus answered, Are there not twelve hours in the day? If any man walk in the day, he stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of this world. (This light of the world Jesus is talking about is “The Sun”)
The “light of this world” (Sun):

Is only helpful to our physical needs (to grow food, light to see, etc.)
It has nothing to do with “the Light” that Jesus is talking about!
Too much of “this light (sun)” can be harmful or fatal to our bodies.
God made this light, and gave us this light in Gen. 1:3…And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. 4 And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness.

Now back into John 9:10) But if a man walk in the night, he stumbleth, because there is no light in him. (As long as we are depending of the “light of this world,” we will stumble.
Why? Because when “this light(Sun)” goes out, it gets dark and you cannot see where you are going!)

E) Examining “The Light”

Jesus also says in John 12:46… I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.
Anyone who believes on Jesus(obeys His commands), will not be in the dark(Spiritually)

They will hear and know His voice
They will obey the conviction of the Holy Spirit
They will long for Him and a close relationship
They will understand His Word and obey it.

F) What about “Our light?”

Jesus tells us in Matthew 5:14-16…Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. 15)Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
16) Let your light (Your testimony) so shine before men, WHY? …that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Luke 11:34…The light of the body is the eye: therefore when thine eye is single, thy whole body also is full of light; but when thine eye is evil, thy body also is full of darkness.
35) Take heed therefore that the light which is in thee be not darkness. 36) If thy whole body therefore be full of light, having no part dark, the whole shall be full of light, as when the bright shining of a candle doth give thee light.
But, since we are really studying what John has to say about Jesus (portrait)…
John 1:4….In him (the Word, Jesus) was life; and the life was the light of men.
“the life” is explained in II Timothy 1:10…But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:
5) And the light (gospel light) shineth in darkness; and the darkness (the world) comprehended it not.

John 1:9…That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. 10) He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.
John 12:35…Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you.
One day…Jesus will not be in the world! That means there will be no salvation, it will be too late!
35b…Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you:
“Walk” Jesus said meaning obey and follow Jesus or darkness(Satan) will come upon you!
35c“…for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth. A person who walks with Satan, has no vision of the Holy Spirit about the things of God.
36) While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light.
While Jesus remains on earth, in our hearts…Believe in Him so that we can be as followers of “the Light.”
The problem with men today….John 12:43)For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.
Now this is what every Christian should know about their pastor and their Savior… 44)Jesus cried and said, He that believeth on me, believeth not on me, but on him that sent me.
Does this sound confusing? You that believe what the pastor is preaching, don’t really believe in him (the pastor) but rather believe in Him(God the creator).
45)And he that seeth me seeth him that sent me. And when you look at your pastor you should see God, a Godly example! This is why I really don’t feel qualified to lead you, because there are times I would say that I am not a Godly example!
Now look at Jesus Christ the author and finisher of our faith...46) I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.

WILL YOU ACCEPT THE LIGHT ?

X. The Good Shepherd

A) Verily, Verily

Note verse 1…Jesus said “Verily, verily”
Our Lord introduces this parable in a very humble manner with… “Verily, verily”—it is true, it is true!—a Hebraism for, This is a most important and interesting truth; a truth of the utmost concern to mankind.
So, What is the “truth” that Jesus feels is so important for us to know in John 10:1-16

B) Reason for this parable

Remember the story last week? The blind man that Jesus healed.
The Pharisees and others did not believe his salvation when he preached to them of Jesus Christ in the temple and How Jesus healed his eyes.
Remember how all people thought that blind, or crippled people were sinners and the disability was a punishment from God.
After Christ healed this man’s blindness, the blind man went around praising the Lord and preaching of his healing.
Then in John 9:34… They answered and said unto him, Thou wast altogether born in sins, and dost thou teach us? And they cast him out.
So now Jesus is rebuking these Pharisees and “false” leaders of the church in Chapter 10 for the treatment of the blind beggar.

C) He that entereth not by the door

…1)Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.
This is not that hard to understand! Sheep that do not wish to enter through the front door that is guarded for the protection of those within the fold, are thieves and robbers.
If you know anything about criminology, you will know that very rarely does a thief come through the front door. WHY?

1. 1. It is guarded by a security officer
  2. It is being watched by a camera.
  3. People driving or walking by can see you enter without permission.
  4. It may cost them more than they want to pay.

Note Jesus said… “He that entereth the sheepfold”
The “sheepfold” is the nation Israel!
The “flock of God” His Church!
Those who trust in Jesus enter the flock and the fold!
Verse 2…But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.
Only the true shepherd is the one called of God to lead His flock.
All others are “thieves and robbers”

D) All that came before Christ

Look at verse 8)All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them.
Who were the “all that came before me (Jesus)?”…Buddha, Thales, Pythagoras, Pharaoh, Socrates, Plato, Nebuchadnezzar, Prometheus, Adonis, Cyrus, Bacchus, Mithras, Alexander, Isis, Osiris, Brahma, Krishna, Siva, etc.
“but the sheep did not hear them.” Because of verse 4… They “know” the shepherd’s voice when they hear it.
An Arabic shepherd will tell you that the only time that a sheep follows a stranger’s voice is when they are sick.
This is what happened to the “body of Christ” in America between 1900 and 2000.
They followed the advice , counsel, and recommendations of highly-educated PROFFESSIONAL LIARS within their own ranks: Look at Acts 20:30…Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.
Verse 9) I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.
10)The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: These are the Christian men who stole your bible between 1800-2012. They steal God’s words, kill His truth and destroy His church! These are the men who established “counterfeit bibles.”
God gave us our Bible for a reason… “to lay it to heart”
Malachi 2:2…And now, O ye priests, this commandment is for you. 2) If ye will not hear, and if ye will not lay it to heart, to give glory unto my name, saith the Lord of hosts, I will even send a curse upon you, and I will curse your blessings: yea, I have cursed them already, because ye do not lay it to heart. 3) Behold, I will corrupt your seed, and spread dung upon your faces, even the dung of your solemn feasts; and one shall take you away with it.
God said here…if His pastors do not preach with God’s Word laid to their hearts then God would send a personal curse upon the pastor and then a curse upon the blessings which the Lord had given him (possibly his sheep).
It is vitally important for God’s men to preach with conviction and not dance around the truth.

E) He is the “Good Shepherd”

Sheep need to be sheared once in a while! One Bible believing pastor of a church said… “These are my sheep. If they look pitiful, it is because I have been shearing them.”
There is a high demand right now today for pastors who will shear their sheep! Preach God’s Word without apology!
I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
Christ came to give us life! Christ gives us a better life way beyond our comprehension… if we obey His Voice!
What is a “better life?” New cars, fancy house, cigars, money? NO! We are talking about … a spirit filled life, peace, joy, long suffering, gentleness, meekness, happiness, etc.
11) I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.
The Holy Spirit says to every lost sinner upon this earth… (Rev.3:8… I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.
The door that is open is salvation through Jesus Christ! One day soon.. the door of opportunity will close and all that will be around you is “thieves and robbers.
Now let us look at verse 12) But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. 13) The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.
This shepherd is an “idol shepherd.”
In the original Greek, the word used here for hireling means “idol shepherd.” Zechariah 11:17…Woe to the idol shepherd that leaveth the flock! the sword shall be upon his arm, and upon his right eye: his arm shall be clean dried up, and his right eye shall be utterly darkened.
The new translations (perversions) of God’s Word (NIV, NASV, RSV, NRSV,ASV,etc.) changes this word “idol” to “worthless.”
I believe it is talking about such churches as …

1. 1. The Roman Catholic Church- worships the Pope, and Mary.
  2. The Morman church- who worships Joseph Smith
  3. The Pentecostal church- worships the Holy Spirit
  4. The Muslim church- worships “Allah.” and created the “Koran”
  5. The Buddist church- worship Buddah

A “hireling” doesn’t care for the sheep! The worst Pope ever was Pope Pius XII in the twentieth century(1944) delivered 320 of his own sheep (Church members) to the Nazis to be murdered in the caves of Ardeantine in Rome.
Did you know that Adolf Hitler was a baptized, confirmed, Catholic church member who killed over 2,000,000 Jews inside Roman Catholic Polland. Hitler had signed a concordat with Pope Pius XII.
14) I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. 15) As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.
The funny thing about sheep,

They are innocent, meek and easily led.
By nature, they have the smallest brain size of any 4 legged mammal that size.
They will follow a black goat up the chute to certain death.
They get lost easily when upset, scared or searching for greener grass.
They cannot clean themselves.
Sheep are great imitators. When going across the field in line, the leader suddenly jumps up and clicks it’s heels together, nearly half the sheep behind him will do the same.

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. 17) 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.
Note the reason why God loves Jesus… “because I lay down my life,”
Love is “SACRIFICE.” Sacrificing something you enjoy, something you love, something you want to hold on to.
The Sacrifice Jesus made was a decision of giving it not having it taken.

XI. The Prince of Life

A) What Does God mean by calling Jesus “The Prince of Life?”

He has the power over death
Read John 11:1-6…
Verses 1-6… John tells us several things here…

There was a man named Lazarus who was very sick.
He was from Bethany
He was the brother of Mary and Martha
Jesus loved (was very close) this family

Jesus told the sisters not to worry about him dying… “This sickness is not unto death (the soul not dying), but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby.”
We note that in verse 6… Christ shows no urgency to heal His friend.

B) God’s time is not our time

Psalms 145:17…The Lord is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works.
Eccl 3:1…To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: 2)A time to be born, and a time to die;
Many people may say …

Christ was wasting time to make Mary and Martha sweat it out.
Christ was punishing these ladies for some sin they committed.
Christ was teaching these people to be patient.

C) The real reason for Christ’s delay in healing this man

The real reasons Christ gave was in verse 5..

“..for the glory of God,”
“..that the Son of God might be glorified thereby.”

It was (and still is) customary for the Jews after death was confirmed, that they leave the body for 3 additional days to make sure the body is dead.

D) Did Jesus change the subject?

Read verses 7-10…Was Jesus referring back to his story of the blind man in chapter 9?
Twelve hours–The Jews divided and the day from sunrise to sunset into twelve equal parts.
If any man walk -If any man travels. Jesus was talking about a journey into Judea,
He stumbleth not -He is able, having light, to make his journey safely. He sees the obstacles or dangers and can avoid them.
The light of this world -The light by which the world is illuminated—that is, the light of the sun.
In the night -In darkness he is unable to see danger or obstacles, and to avoid them. His journey is unsafe and perilous, or, in other words, it is not a proper time to travel.
No light in him -He sees no light. It is dark; his eyes admit no light within him to direct his way. This description is figurative, and it is difficult to fix the meaning. Probably the intention was the following:

Jesus meant to say… There is a certain amount of time for him to live and do his Father’s will (represented here by the twelve hours of the day)
His life was almost over but not completely as God still had work for him to do.
A person on a specific journey was to go all twelve hours, not short cut.
So it was proper for Jesus to labour until the close of the day. It was the proper time for him to work. His insurance policy was still in affect!
God would defend Jesus in this until the appointed time of his death. He had nothing to fear, therefore, in Judea from the Jews, until it was the will of God that he should die. He was safe in his hand, and he went fearlessly into the midst of his foes, trusting in him.

This passage teaches us ..

a) That we should be busy doing God’s work to the end of life.

b) Don’t be afraid of our enemies.

c) Be sure you understand that God requires us to work for Him.

d) In His hand only are we safe!

E) Back to Lazarus

Now read vrs. 11-16…Jesus tells the disciples what He is going to do and they misunderstand Him.
Jesus says… “Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep. “ He was talking about death.
But let us notice what Jesus said in verse 14) …Lazarus is dead. 15)And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there,
Why would Jesus say “I am glad” that he was not there when Lazarus was very ill and not dead yet?

The constant begging of his sisters and friends would not have allowed Jesus to heal him.
Jesus could not refuse them without appearing to be unkind.

Verse 15b)… to the intent ye may believe; nevertheless let us go unto him.
Christ is saying that He wishes to give you evidence on which you might be established in the belief that I (Jesus) am the Messiah.

F) The grieving family

Now read verses 16-20… Everyone grieves differently.
Martha was upset and willing to show her anger.
Mary was patient and knew that God was in control singing to herself… “It is well, with my soul.”

G) “Like Father, like Son”

Read verses 21-29…
Let us note Jesus in verse 25… I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: 26) And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?
Since God (The Father) raised His Son from the dead, so will Jesus (the Son)raise His church from the dead.
This is of course talking about the souls being raised from the dead. Because we are dead in sin until we receive Jesus Christ into our soul then he makes us alive!

H) The rest of the story

Read verses 30-42…
Here we see Jesus weeping with the family and friends of Lazarus because He loved them, grieved with them, had compassion on them, hurt when they hurt, etc.
Note Jesus selfless prayer in verse 41…Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me. 42 And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me.

Our prayer while in grief should be the same…

He thanked His heavenly Father.
Assured God that he had no doubt about His excellent hearing.
He asked for the Father’s blessing to the benefit of others (not self)
He asked that this miracle be done unto Lazarus to glorify the Lord!

There was nothing in this prayer that had his own interest at heart. Jesus was concerned for others and His Father.

I) The results of the prayer

Read verses 43,44…
Lazarus had been in what we call “mummy clothing.”
I would be scared to death to see a mummy walking.
Lazarus (Body) was risen from the dead.
I stop to think of the verse Paul wrote in II Corinthians 5:8…We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.”
So when Lazarus died, he rested in the arms of the Lord, or was visiting lost loved ones that had went on before him, and then all of a sudden got pulled back down to earth. What a bummer! What a drag!
But did Lazarus mind? No, because he knew that God was not finished with him yet on earth.
Christ petitions God for our life on earth and in heaven because He is “The Prince of Life!”

Review: Portrait of Jesus up to now…

I. He is the Son of God
II. He is the Son of Man
III. He is the Divine Teacher
IV. He is a Divine Soul Winner
V. He is the Great Physician
VI. He is the Bread of Life
VII. He is the Water of Life
VIII. He is The Defender of the Weak
IX. He is the Light of the World
X. He is The Good Shepherd
XI. He is The Prince of Life

TODAY’S PORTRAIT of Jesus … He Is… “The King”

XII. The King

A) The King of what?

Read John 12:1-10…
Today we may thing of Kings such as… The “King of England” or the “King of Pop” or the “King of Rock and Roll.” These are worldly Kings.
But as Christians, There is only one King! Jesus Christ.

B) He was treated as a King by most people

In these verses we see Jesus being treated as a King by some of His followers and others tried to find fault.

(verse 2) “…they made him a supper;” Everybody prepared their favorite dish.
(Verse 3) “…and Martha served:” There were those that served
(verse 3)“Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair:” His feet were anointed with the best perfume possible in that day. His feet
verse 3) “…and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment.” They made the place smell nice!

C) He was ridiculed by others

Note verse 5) Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor?
Judas was supposed to be a disciple of Christ! May I say that if a man in my church acted this way I would be tempted to remove him from the staff for acting like Judas did.
What was wrong with what Judas did?

He criticized another member of the church for the way she was wasting something valuable.
He was being a hypocrite… (This he said, not that he cared for the poor;) He acted like he cared for the poor, but in his heart, he did not.)
He was a thief… “but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein.” The money he had in a bag is money that he had stolen from others, and quite possibly from the poor also.

D) Jesus response to Judas remark

Note verse 7…Let her alone: against the day of my burying hath she kept this. 8) For the poor always ye have with you; but me ye have not always.
Jesus response was…

Quit picking on others who are doing their best to serve Him!
I know what she does is from her heart and she has saved the best to give to the best.
There will always be poor people on this earth.
Christ will not always be here. Enjoy your loved ones while you can. Enjoy the church members while you can.

E) Others came for other reasons

We must realize first… That not everyone that comes to church is here for the worship of the Lord! Some come for the music, the fellowship, the food, the activity, to ruin the fellowship, to make themselves look good to others.
Note verse 9) Much people of the Jews therefore knew that he was there: and they came not for Jesus’ sake only, but that they might see Lazarus also, whom he had raised from the dead.
They knew Jesus (The King) was there, but really went because they wanted to see for themselves if what they heard was true!
The chief priests were there not to hear Jesus preach but rather there to put to death the proof (Lazarus) that Jesus was the “Prince of Life.”

F) The Next Day

Read verses 12-15…
12) On the next day much people that were come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem,
This is what separates Kings apart from anyone else! Popularity!
People had heard “Jesus is going to be in Jerusalem” There were lines being formed, people camping overnight outside of Jerusalem, family coming from other cities to be with family in Jerusalem, people trying desperately to get the choice spot to the King.
They “Rolled out the red carpet” 13) Took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord.
This reminds me of…

David in Psalms 7:17 …I will praise the Lord according to his righteousness: and will sing praise to the name of the Lord most high.
Paul tells in Romans 15:11 And again, Praise the Lord, all ye Gentiles; and laud him, all ye people.
John said in Rev.21:10 “…shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, and back in chapter 19…And after these things I heard a great voice of much people in heaven, saying, Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honour, and power, unto the Lord our God:
John also gives us a picture of what he saw in Revelation 19:16 And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND Lord OF Lords.

Jesus is “The King” of all Kings and “The Lord” of all Lords! AMEN!
The humbleness of Jesus was mentioned here in verse 14) And Jesus, when he had found a young ass, sat thereon; as it is written, 15) Fear not, daughter of Sion: behold, thy King cometh, sitting on an ass’s colt.
Revelation 19 11..And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True,

G) The world has gone after Him

Let us read back in John 19: 16-19…
Note verse 19: The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, Perceive ye how ye prevail nothing?
The Pharisees express their frustration in “all their work being in vain.” They did not prevail(win)!
They were trying to prevent Jesus from becoming popular!
What the Pharisees noticed was this…“…behold, the world is gone after him.”
THE SAD THING.. Today the world does not go after Jesus, the King of kings!

What are you going after today?

XIII. A Servant

What do you think of when you see the word “servant”

Read John 13:1-3…
When we think of the word “servant” we think of a bell boy at a hotel, a waitress at a cafe, a stewardess, a shoe shine boy, a trash man, and some may say their children, or wife/husband.

Let us take a close look at what Jesus said…

The preface of the story

Verse 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,
Right before the feast of the passover (The celebration of the Exodus from Egypt), “ Jesus knew that his hour was come…” He knew that His time to be sacrificed was now, then His time to be buried was near, and finally His time to be risen from the dead was near.
“…having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end.” Note it said that he had loved “his own” who is His own? His disciples. The men who stuck by him through thick and thin, the men who would have given their life for Him, the men who worshiped the very ground He walked on. TRUE MEN of God!
Now note something else… “ ..he loved them unto the end” A true man of God, pastor, leader, father of his children, will love his followers to the end of his life with an agape love!
2) And supper being ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him;
We noticed here in verse 2, that Satan “put into the heart of Judas”. What did Satan put into the heart of Judas? You see, Judas formed his plot six days before this. Now then it was planned in the house of Simon the leper. Note: we must be very careful what we do in our house, the plans made in our house, who we allow to come into our house!
3) Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God;
“.. the Father had given all things into his hands” Note: Matthew 28:18… And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
“He was come from God” Note: John 8:42…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.
“and went to God “ Note: John 6:61,62… When Jesus knew in himself that his disciples murmured at it, he said unto them, Doth this offend you? 62) What and if ye shall see the Son of man ascend up where he was before?

He washes His disciple’s feet

Look now into verses 4… He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments;
“his garments” was his robe which had no seam. It was Jewish custom to lay this aside when they worked or ran, or in the heat of summer.
“..and took a towel, and girded himself.” This was the manner of a slave or servant. Can you imagine the disciples of Jesus looking at him to ask… “What in the world is he doing?”
Now look at verse 5) After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded.
The principle thought here is this… A Godly man, The Prince of Peace, The King of kings, the great Physician, and Saviour of the world is doing something that only a servant or slave does (Washes the dirty feet of sinners)

Do we understand WHY Jesus done this?

Why did Jesus wash the feet of His disciples?
Was it a new Law, or ceremonial act to be performed? No. There are churches who have adopted this act of “feet washing” in their church. Is it wrong? No.
Note what Jesus said in verse 15)… For I have given you an example, Totally obvious here what Christ had done… gave us an example of what we are to do to fellow Christians.
The example is “being a servant” not “feet washing.”
“Feet washing” was a very lowly, humble, needful duty.
Note that Jesus said also… “…that ye should do as I have done to you.”
Jesus continues to talk about “being a servant” in verses 16,17…

“The servant is not greater than his lord;” This is a truth that is a standard for our world today. A servant is never better than his master or boss.
“… neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him.”

When Christ says… “he that is sent”, He means, the disciples, pastors, missionaries, Sunday School teachers, etc.
When Christ said … “he that sent him..” He was referring to himself. Jesus sent out the disciples, sends out pastors, missionaries, Sunday school teachers, church workers, etc.

17) “If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.” Note that he says if you know this fact, then you will be happy (or satisfied, fulfilled) if you practice being a servant.

Matthew 23:10…Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ. 11) But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.12) And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.
Here is how a church calls a pastor… Christ establishes this…

1. Realize first that … “one is your master” That is Jesus Christ, head of the church.
2. “.. he that is greatest among you shall be your servant”

A pastor is to be a servant of God to His people.
Not a feet washer, not a slave, but a servant of God.
Giving to the spiritual needs of the sheep.

What every servant wants to hear

Matthew 25:21… His Lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
Every one who is under a boss, a president, a pastor, parent, or leader of any kind, wants to hear his master say.. “well done, or good job, or I’m proud of you.”

XIV. Consoler

A) Difference between Consoler and Comforter

John 14:1-3…
A “consoler” is a person who consoles. To console means…to comfort someone in times of grief or disappointment. One who refreshes another.
Philemon 1:7…For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother.
Paul and Timothy are in a jail in Rome and they write this letter to Philemon telling him how great a blessing he has been to them! Paul write… “for we have great joy” WHY? Because Paul and Timothy had apparently heard from other church members of how Philemon had refreshed them.
What does it mean to “refresh” something or someone? A Remodeled house or person? Once a house has been treated badly by it’s previous owners, it becomes an eyesore with it’s inward and outward beauty gone, sweet smelling aroma gone, and it’s usefulness gone. People can become the same way in that their inward and outward beauty is gone because of the way someone has mistreated them, They can give off a bad attitude (aroma), and therefore they become un-useful for God.
Our attitude, conversation, and heart when we are around others should be reflecting the spirit of God in a “positive” way causing others to want what you have in Christ!

Let us go to the book of Job 15:
Here is a so-called-friend of Job’s trying to help him after his loss, but is he really helping him with this kind of attitude? Is he consoling Job? Let us examine Eliphaz…

Verses 1,2… Should a wise man utter the science of wind? Or Should you be complaining Job about how much heat you are enduring (east wind) within yourself to cause ulcers.
Verse 3… Job, is it doing you any good to babble on with things that make no sense?
Verse 4… you cast off fear– have no reverence for God, “restrainest prayer before God” instead of humbling yourself and begging God for forgiveness you are not doing anything but complaining and having a pity party.
Verse 5, you are using words that make yourself look good with a tongue of the wicked who lie, and deceive.
Verse 6… What you have said has made you look guilty.
Verse 9… What do you know or understand that we don’t.
Verse 11… Are the consolations of God small with thee? :—“Can it be a difficult thing for God to comfort you?

Do these things sound like words of “consolation?” NO!
A “comforter” is a person who makes you comfortable in “any” situation.

B) How does Jesus console us?

Through his Word…
Our words to others should be as this messenger in I Kings 22:13…And the messenger that was gone to call Micaiah spake unto him, saying, Behold now, the words of the prophets declare good unto the king with one mouth: let thy word, I pray thee, be like the word of one of them, and speak that which is good.
David said in Psalms 119:50…This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me.
Jeremiah said in 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.
Jesus said in John 17:17… Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

C) Some consoling words Jesus has given us

We can be “joint heirs”– Ephesians 3:6…That the Gentiles should be fellow-heirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:
We are promised life– II Timothy 1:1…Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus,
We are promised a crown of life– James 1:12…Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
Hope of eternal life- Titus 1:2…In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;
We are sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise– Ephesians 1:13…In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
He is preparing a place for us- OUR TEXT- John 14:2…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.
He is coming again– John 14:3…I will come again
Where He is, we will be also– John 14:3…and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
He will give us what we ask for- John 14:13…And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
He will always comfort us- John 14:18…I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.

D) Good advise to us on being a “consoler”

Paul gives Timothy some advise on how to minister to others in I Timothy 4:12…Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, HOW?

in word, …In the “kind”words we speak
in conversation, … in our conduct
in charity, …in our love towards God and the brethren
in spirit, …the heart (or reason) for why we do what we do.
in faith, … Showing others how unshakable our faith in God is.
in purity. …remaining as pure as possible.

Are you consoling to others?

XV. True Vine

A) He is the “True Vine”

Read John 15:1-15
Jesus has already said…

“I am the light of the world” (John 8:12)
“I am the bread of Life” (John 6:35)
“I am the Way” (John 14:6)
“I am the Door” (John 10:9)
Today “I am the True Vine” (John 15:1)

What does He mean by “the True Vine?”
The night’s drama…

This was the night before Jesus was to be Sacrificed on the Cross
The beloved disciples were with Christ.
In chapter 14, we seen where he “consoled” them with words.
God the Father was in his thoughts because of the events tomorrow.
The betrayer (Judas) was in His thoughts.

“The Vine” is Christ.
“The Vine Dresser (farmer)” is God.
“The eleven disciples” represent fruit bearing branches. (These are true followers of Jesus Christ.)
“The betrayer (Judas)” represents the non-bearing branches. (These are the ones who were not true followers of Jesus Christ.)
So, if Jesus is the “true vine”, then who are the “false vines?”
A TRUE VINE yields proper juice and nourishment to all the branches, whether they are large or small.
In Scripture, the word “true” is often used to describe what is eternal, heavenly, and divine. Israel was not perfect, but Christ is perfect.
“The choicest vine” was Israel in Isaiah 5:1-7… but it “produced worthless grapes” and therefore God removed “the hedge” of protection around it’s vineyard.
The “false vines” are those claim to be gods. The J.W.’s say they can become gods. The priests in the Catholic churches claim to be able to forgive you of your sins, they are playing God.

B) God is the Husbandman (vine dresser or farmer)

“…I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.”
A “husbandman” in the Bible means… the real word translated into English means “vine dresser” or one who takes care of the vineyard. But, basically speaking it means…farmer.
The vine dresser has two duties.

Remove the non bearing branches from the vine. (Because they are useless)
Purge or prune the branches that are bearing fruit. (So they will bring more fruit)

C) We are the branches

What does Christ say about the branch…

2a) Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: Let us look at “bearing fruit”… bearing fruit only comes when we are “abiding in Christ.” Abiding in Christ will bring evidence (Proof) that you are true to Him.

A believer who abides in Christ will have prayers answered (John 15:7), they will experience a deepening Love for Christ and other believers (John 15:9), They also experience Joy (John 15:11).

Verse 2b)… and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth (pruneth)it, that it may bring forth more fruit. Every Christian who does as He is asked to do, then Christ will keep pruning them, or help them to trim the sin off, the bad areas cleaned up if you will, so that the branch can produce more fruit. Their fellowship is made sweeter.
Look at verse 3) Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. We note the word “clean.” this is the same word as “purgeth.”

Adam Clarke’s Commentary said this… God (through the reading of God’s Word) removes every thing that might hinder the branch from increasing fruitfulness.
God’s Word (the reading of it, the application of it) prunes us, keeps us from sin. You may have heard the saying… “This book will keep you from sin and sin will keep you from this book.”

4) Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.

“Abide” means to live in. Don’t quit or waiver in faith, or action.
Note the very important part… “ …the branch cannot bear fruit of itself,” This is true of any thing that grows. A branch cannot grow by itself, it needs the main vine(or trunk) to supply it’s food to grow.
So as we need God’s food (The Word, the Bible) to grow. We cannot produce Godly fruit by ourselves. We must have God, His Spirit and His Son to provide the proper spiritual nourishment.
Verse 5a) I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit:
As long as we read God’s word, live by His Word, Honor His Word then we can see the blessings fall around us, watch others influenced by or testimony so that they grow too.
Verse 5b) “… for without me ye can do nothing.”
We need to realize this truth… When a branch does not get feed or cultivated… it will die.

This same truth applies to us Christians spiritually.
Without Christ, meaning separated from Christ we die, Spiritually speaking. What do we mean by “Die Spiritually?” We become useless in our knowledge, lack the blessings of God.
Verse 6) If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.” To be cast into the fire and burned does not mean cast into hell. First of all, when you are cast into hell… you will not burn. You will be in everlasting torment! I believe this verse is talking about “backsliders” whose life on earth is being consumed with the fires of deaths of loved ones, the loss of the joy, peace, and love that comes from the fellowship of God.
Note the part of the verse that says… and men gather them, and cast them into the fire,” Men do not gather Christians and put them in hell, that is God’s choice, not mans.
Some people believe this verse means “You have lost your salvation.” If that were true then that contradicts His Word in 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. And John 10:27-30…My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: 28) And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. 29) My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand. 30) I and my Father are one.

Hebrews 12:6 says…For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. 7) If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? 8) But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.

D) Fruit bearing requires much cultivation (pruning, work)

When you read verses 7-17, you will see the cultivation that is necessary.

Verse 9…“continue ye in my love.”
Verse 12… “That ye love one another, as I have loved you.”
Verse 14… “do whatsoever I command you.”
Verse 16… “ ye should go and bring forth fruit”
Verse 17… “These things I command you, that ye love one another.”

If you do not tend to the needs of the plant… it will die!
Be a part of the “True Vine,” endure his pruning, and bear fruit!

XVI. Giver of the Holy Spirit

A) The world’s hatred towards His disciples

John 16:1-15… John continues his thoughts on how the world hates any disciple of Christ.
In these verses, John explains how the Holy Spirit confronts the world.
The Holy Spirit testifies about Jesus and convicts men of their sin.
Through this conviction of sin and testimony of the gospel, the Spirit turns hostile, cold and indifferent hearts away from rebellion and prepares the heart for a closer walk with their Savior.

B) Verses 1-15 divided into 4 parts

Vrs. 1-4… The killing of the disciples by the world
Vrs. 5-7… The comforting of the disciples by the Lord
Vrs. 8-12… The Conviction of men by the Holy Spirit
Vrs. 13-15… Th guidance of the believer into the truth by the Holy Spirit.

C) Purpose for these verses

In verse 1… These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended.
The word “offended” here means… stumble, fall, become hurt.
Jesus did not want the disciples to be caught unaware of what the world was planning.
The hatred of the world was so much that they wanted to trap the disciples, and destroy them.
If you know that someone is in danger, you should do all you can to protect them or keep them from getting hurt. That’s what Jesus was doing here.

D) Doing “God Service”

They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service.
There are many people who believe they are doing a
“God service.”
What do we mean by “God service?” It means that you are doing a service or work for God.
Paul thought that he was doing a service to God also when he was killing Christians who followed Jesus. (Note Acts 22:4 And I persecuted this way unto the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women. 5) As also the high priest doth bear me witness, and all the estate of the elders: from whom also I received letters unto the brethren, and went to Damascus, to bring them which were there bound unto Jerusalem, for to be punished.)
Barnes’ Notes on the New Testament said this… The Jews who persecuted the apostles regarded them as blasphemers. They felt the apostles were seeking to overthrow the temple service, the system of religion which God had established.
The Jews had their own little system, their own rules and regulations and their own Law that they continued to add to as they deemed necessary.
They felt they were doing a “God service.”
PROBLEM #1: They were not following the leading of the Holy Spirit! The Holy Spirit will not lead you to do something that is contrary (Opposite) of God’s Word. Where would you get the idea that it is alright to kill when God’s Word says… “Thou shalt not kill.”
PROBLEM #2: John 16:2… “They shall put you out of the synagogues: verse 3) And these things will they do unto you,” –“they”(the Jewish leaders) were playing God! “they”were dealing out the punishment. This is God’s duty not ours! Our duty is simple… Follow Him and keep His commandments.
We are all guilty of doing the same thing today!!!
When we are made aware of someone’s sin, we feel that it is our job to punish them by our actions towards them. When in reality according to God, we are to forgive them immediately and work at trying to salvage their life. Instead we are too busy trying to do a God service and kill them (make them look bad, feel bad, destroy them.)
It is the Holy Spirit’s duty to convict people of their sins, God’s duty to be judge and jury and executor of the punishment for their sin.

E) Helping His disciples and apostles to understand

Look at verse…3) And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me.
Now lets stop right there… The “they” are the Jews claiming salvation, leaders of the church, certain members in the church.
Note the word “known.” the word “known” in the Bible means an intimate relationship. This is what Jesus is telling them… They did not have an intimate relationship with God. They were following the “laws” of Moses and the additions that they had made to the law and not following God.
Look at what Jesus says in verse 4)But these things have I told you, that when the time shall come, ye may remember that I told you of them. And these things I said not unto you at the beginning, because I was with you.
In verse 4, Jesus is telling the apostles “ I didn’t need to tell these things up to now because I was with you to protect you, and stand up for you.”
5)But now I go my way to him that sent me; Now Jesus says I must go a different way back to my father. Jesus won’t be there to protect the apostles, lead them, direct their goings. BUT… He has in mind to send someone to them to lead them, convict them, to show them the way to go… The Holy Spirit!
Look at the human side of Jesus in verse 5b)…and none of you asketh me, Whither goest thou? 6)But because I have said these things unto you, sorrow hath filled your heart.
Note that He said… “none of you asketh me..” I believe that they were so absorbed with their sorrow of His departure and some what confused as to what Jesus was telling them that they didn’t think to ask Jesus where he was going.
Then we note verse 7… Nevertheless I tell you the truth;
In John 14:6 …Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life:
Back in John 16:7, Jesus said…..It is expedient (useful, profitable) 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.

F) The purpose of the Holy Spirit

Look at verse 8...And when he is come, At this point, the Holy Spirit is 40 or more days away from being sent.

Now Jesus goes into the purpose of the Spirit….

“..he will reprove (Convict, convince, or blame) the world of sin,
“..and of righteousness,” (convince people that only through Christ comes our righteousness, not of works lest any man should boast. )
“..and of judgment:” Convince people that the ruler of this world (Satan)will be judged)
Verse 9) Of sin, This is the focus of one particular sin…
WHICH ONE ? “…because they believe not on me;” The sin that damns people to hell.. the one of not believing in Jesus Christ.

G) The work of the Cross

Jesus had to die on the cross in order to give us the Holy Spirit…. Back in John 16: 7…It is expedient (useful, profitable) for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you;
Let the Holy Spirit Guide you today!!!

XVII. Great Intercessor

He offers an intercessory prayer for the Church
John 17:1-26…

A) The word “Intercessor”

What does the word “intercessor” mean? Noah Webster’s 1828 dictionary says this… 1) A mediator; 2)one who interposes between parties at variance, with a view to reconcile them; 3) one who pleads in behalf of another.
We are not holy enough to stand before God and plead our sins and ask forgiveness.

B) Being “glorified”

The word “glorify” means…To praise; to magnify and honor in worship; to ascribe honor to, in thought or words.
One of our goals should be that of Jesus… Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee:

Christ prays to His Father to glorify (praise) His Father

C) Looking at the heart of Jesus intercession for us

Desire to glorify His Father– verse 1) These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee:
Desire to give to others– Verse 2) As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him. Note also not willing to give just a “little bit” of life… but willing to “give more” than necessary which is eternal life…3) And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. Christ in this verse is putting us on an even plain with His inheritance. In reality, Christ deserves much more than we do because our sinful estate and His sinless estate.
Good work ethic– verse 4) I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do. He received a command from His Father and finished it. He did not quit. It was tough, it was tiring, it was painful, it was , it was rewarding, it was sorrowful, and it was needful.
Desire to have a relationship with God that previously existed– 5) And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.
Thoughtful to preserve His brethren-6) I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word. 7) Now they have known that all things whatsoever thou hast given me are of thee. 8) For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me. 9) I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine. 10) And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them. Christ speaks volumes about these apostles who were not perfect but yet he lifted them up as though they were perfect. I also thought it interesting that Jesus did not feel it important to pray for the world but rather our brethren! Christ also takes ownership of these apostles saying… “for they are mine.” But he in turn gives them back to God as we do our children that God has given to us. How many times do we (me included) turn our brethren away for their faults rather than try to preserve their goodness.
Desire to be in unity with the others– Look at verse 11) 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. Do you know what the sad thing is here… Christians today do not have this desire at all… Their desire is to be happy, and if these people make me upset.. then I’m leaving!

People today are selfish, childish and ungodly in their membership with God’s people. They care not for others feelings. They care not for others salvation. They care not for the Word of God and it’s teachings. They wish to please themselves.

While on earth (or in the membership) protect the brethren– Look at verse 12) While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled. We are to protect or do all we can to keep our brethren’s name in tact. What do Christians today do? The exact opposite. They try to make them look bad. This ruins Christ’s name as well. The only one that was lost in the group was Judas whom Christ called “the son of perdition.” Noah Webster’s 1828 dictionary gives this on the word “perdition” 1) Entire loss or ruin; utter destruction; 2)The utter loss of the soul. The destruction of Judas’ faith was not Christ’s fault, but it was prophecy being fulfilled. An example to us all lest we fall into condemnation and not repent. Note these passages…Psalms 133:1…Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! Judas chose the path of Satan (money, greed, and self) rather than the path of Christ and unity with the brethren.
Pray for Joy, separation from the world, and protection against Satan– now in verse 13) And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves. 14) I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. 15) I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil one. 16)They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
Be sanctified in God’s Truth– 17) Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. 18) As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world. 19) And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth. The word “sanctify” means… 1)to set apart and make it holy. 2) to purify something 3) To cleanse from corruption. How does God sanctify us through His Truth?

Believers are set apart for God and His purposes alone.
The believer is supposed to do what God wants and hate what He hates. (I Peter 1:16…Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.)
Sanctified through His (God’s) Truth means to be set apart as holy by the way we live, act, and think according to His Word (Jesus Christ)!

Have a heart that prays for others– 20) Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;

I think it is important to note that Christ stresses the point of being in unity yet the second time in His intercession with the Apostles and God.

Note verse 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. This point is important in a marriage between husband and wife, Christ and the church, and the members of a church with one another… “ that they also may be one in us:”
The most important reason you choose to be a member of a certain church is because you feel at unity with the other members in their doctrines!
Another point about “unity” is that many times tragedy or pain brings unity among those who possess love. Look at any calamity and it’s unity of others. (Tornado or hurricane Sandy, 911 and the N.Y. City towers, The town of Greensburgh, etc.)
Note again a third time the point is expressed in verse 22)And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: 23) I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one;
The purpose for “being in one” or being in unity…that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.

D) The Purpose of His intercessory is His love for us

The reason He wishes to act as an “intercessor” for us is because He has a desire to be together with His loved ones… those who are at true unity with the brethren and Christ!
Note 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.
The key to any relationship is “intimacy” or as the Bible uses the phrase “to know Him…25) O righteous Father, the world hath not known thee: The world does not have an intimate relationship with God!
But Christ and his apostles did... 25b) but I have known thee, and these have known that thou hast sent me. 26) And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it: that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them.

ALLOW CHRIST TO BE YOUR INTERCESSOR TODAY !

XVIII. Model Sufferer

A) Jesus (God in the flesh) is Omniscient

John 18:1-11…
The word “omniscient” means …all knowing. We find this in verse 4… “knowing all things that should come upon him..”
So when we see Jesus going into the garden with His disciples, and Judas knowing this place quite well had snitched on Jesus and His whereabouts. None of this caught Jesus off guard. In fact He knew the events of the day before He woke up and set His feet on the ground!
But back up to verse 3) Judas then, having received a band of men and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, cometh thither with lanterns and torches and weapons.
Here we see Judas bringing all that he could “knowing” the power that Jesus possesses. Judas also knew that His followers were protective of Him as well. No way would Judas come with one or two men.

B) A model sufferer will choose to suffer alone

I believe that it is very important to know that Jesus being the model sufferer did as anyone willing to protect others and suffer damage to themselves . Jesus protected His followers (disciples) as we see in verses 4-6…Except with Jesus we note the power of His Words…. 6) As soon then as he had said unto them, I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground.
Jesus was not “showing off” His power to the officers, chief priests, and Pharisees… He was merely telling them “I am Jesus, God in the flesh, and I will protect my sheep!”
Note verses 7) Then asked he them again, Whom seek ye? And they said, Jesus of Nazareth. 8) Jesus answered, I have told you that I am he: if therefore ye seek me, let these go their way:
So you see, He said I already told you that I am the one you are looking for, let the others go about their business. The Jews always sought to punish or kill all involved with anything that goes against their teachings. God is trying to teach them that He does not judge others by comparison or by standardization. God judges us individually, separately.
Jesus did not wish to drag others into His suffering just because they chose to follow Him and not the king, scribes or Pharisees.
… 9) That the saying might be fulfilled, which he spake, Of them which thou gavest me have I lost none. Up to this point, Jesus had not lost any of His followers or Apostles that God had given to Him (This we studied in the previous chapter 17:12…While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition;(Judas) that the scripture might be fulfilled.

C) There are those who will fight for the suffering ones

Note verse 10) Then Simon Peter having a sword drew it, and smote the high priest’s servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malchus.
Peter was always the brave one, who acted first and thought about afterwards….kinda like me. There always a penalty for those kinds of actions. The Bible tells us in James 1:19) Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: 20) For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.
I also thought it strange that John did not tell all the story as did Luke in Luke 22:51…And Jesus answered and said, Suffer ye thus far. And he touched his ear, and healed him.
John was a lover not a doctor. Luke was a doctor thus it intrigued him that Jesus healed the man’s ear with not a stitch.
Jesus did not rebuke Peter by saying.. “Son, You need to practice more with your sword if you want to fight with me!”…11) Then said Jesus unto Peter, Put up thy sword into the sheath: the cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it? Jesus was teaching Peter that he needed to trust God in carrying out the Divine plan and not be the one to make sure what happens happens. God is in control.
Again Luke brings out another point that John left out…Luke 22: 52) Then Jesus said unto the chief priests, and captains of the temple, and the elders, which were come to him, Be ye come out, as against a thief, with swords and staves? 53) When I was daily with you in the temple, ye stretched forth no hands against me: but this is your hour, and the power of darkness.
Jesus told these nerds.. “Look boys, you come at me like I am an armed thief and yet when I was in the temple preaching you never so much as raised a hand against me. Fortunately, for you boys that are on the dark side, it’s your time to shine. Now shine, do what you gotta do.”
Then we see that they fell into the Divine plan…12 ) Then the band and the captain and officers of the Jews took Jesus, and bound him,
The model sufferer “Jesus Christ” willingly gave himself to suffer for us!

D) What do we know about suffering?

Many people think they are suffering. Mostly because of what they do not have.
They have no job, no T.V., no boat or travel trailer, not enough money, no friends, no time for self, no rest, no blessings of any kind.
Let us see what God’s word says about suffering in I Peter 2:18… this is talking about in the work place, “..Servants, be subject(Submissive) to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward.”
verse 19… For this is thankworthy, (This is accepted by God and will “thank us” or rewards us for our patience in the matter) if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully.
“ for conscience toward God” What is meant here is that if you suffer because God asks you to, if you accept the will of God for you to suffer for this brief time, if you choose to let God take the reigns… then you will be rewarded for your “heart’s condition” in the matter.
20) For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.
God is telling us here to be patient in our suffering as was Christ!

E) Christ the example sufferer

Note verse 21) For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example,
Do you think that this is talking about the suffering of Jesus on the cross only? NO! When did Christ suffer?

Before He left heaven to be born in a manger, He suffered the separation between Him and His Father!
When He suffered temptation in the wilderness- Luke 4
When he suffer criticism from the scribes and Pharisees for the New Law to be established.
When He suffered the thought of what was about to happen in the garden, sweating drops of blood…
When He suffered the trials of His own people hollering “Crucify Him”
Then He suffered wrong judgment from the courts of man.
He suffered the pain and agony of the Cross, the nails in His hands, His feet, His brow, His side, and even His pride as a man being stripped of His garments.

F) Are we suffering as Christ did?

Paul advises us as per inspiration of God in I Cor 12:25) That there should be no schism(division) in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.
We as members of the body of Christ (The Church)should be willing to suffer for one another whether it be in criticism, temptation, thought, trials, wrong judgment, or even pain and pride.
Verse 26) And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.
Note the last part of I Peter 2:21… “that ye should follow his steps:”

Whose steps are you following?

XXI. Uplifted Saviour

A) Who can be a savior?

Anyone! (a sea captain, a child, a president, a parent, a co-worker, a relative, a neighbor, a friend, or even a total stranger!
This morning I want to talk about a Savior above all saviors.
When you look the word “savior” up in the dictionary, you will read it’s meaning to be this… One that saves or preserves;
The Savior I am talking about this morning has these attributes and more.
As we read let us look at John 19:16) Then delivered he (Pilate) him (Jesus) therefore unto them (The Jews, the chief priests) to be crucified. (Note vrs. 6) And they (the Jews) took Jesus, and led him (Jesus) away.
Note that our Bible says… “And they took Jesus..” Last week we studied that he was “the Model Sufferer.” He still is. They did not have to force Jesus, He did not try to escape, nor did they need to convince Him to be hung on the cross and get it over with, but rather He willingly gave His life, humbly, without a fight, and endured the cross.
Any one could have saved Jesus from death… Pilate, the Jews, the chief Priests, or scribes, His disciples, the apostles, or anyone for that matter.
But God had a plan long ago that needed to be followed through. Prophecy needed to be fulfilled. God’s Word must remain true.

B) When is a savior needed?

A savior is needed …

When someone or something is condemned.
When something terrible is about to happen.
When another person’s life is at stake.
When all hope is lost.
When something or someone is worth saving and they cannot save themself.

For the same reasons as listed above, is also the very reasons WHY we need a Saviour!

C) Why do we need a Savior?

1. Something terrible was about to happen – After the fall of man (Adam and Eve sinned) God punished them by telling them that man had to work by the sweat of his brow, and woman would have to be in pain during labor.
Genesis 3:16) Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee. 17) And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life; 18) Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field; 19) In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.
The terrible thing to happen was that man and woman will be punished upon this earth for as long as they live.

For woman- Sorrow during conception, sorrow in child birth, thy desire is to be with thy husband, loss of being equal ruler with man and now to be under the husband because “he shall rule over thee.”

For man- The ground will become cursed, all mankind will be forced to eat from the ground and which will cause pain to your body as you work. You will be required to work until you die.

2. We are condemned – Man was created at the beginning to live forever. Since man disobeyed God, death passed upon all men…

Then God inspired Paul to write in Romans 5:12…Wherefore, as by one man (Adam) sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:

3. Our life is at stake here- Since Adam’s sin we are condemned to hell for our sins unless we accept Jesus Christ as our Savior.

Romans 6:1… What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? 2) God forbid.
Romans 6:6…Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
Romans 6:23…For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

4. All hope for the future is lost –

For the lost, those who continue in sin- Those with no hope are sorrowful…
I Thess 4:13…But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.
Eph 2:12…That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, (Because we were Gentiles not Jews) and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:

But for those of us who are saved…Romans 8:23..And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. 24) For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? 25) But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.
I Thessalonians 5:8..But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation. 9) For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, 10) Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.

5. We cannot save ourselves – There is nothing we can do to save ourselves.

Gal 2:16…Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.
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;
Matt 24:12And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. 13) But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
Mark 16:15…And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 16) He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
If you are not saved today I wish to encourage you to make a decision for Christ now.

D) He is the “Uplifted Saviour” because…

Of His willingness to bear our sins, to drink “the cup“ that was placed before Him. (I Peter 2:24…Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, )
Of His suffering in heaven as He left the Father, His suffering while on earth of ridicule rejection of His own, and slander, His suffering of the flesh, and His suffering of the cross. (Matt 16:21…From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day. )
Of His amazing love for us. A love that is unconditional, with no respect to person. (Romans 8:39… Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. )
Of His wonderful spotless testimony. (II Tim 1:8…Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, )
Of His wisdom from the Father. ( Luke 2:40…And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him. )
He is the Truth. John 14:6…Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
He gives us life. (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.)

Do you believe in the “Uplifted Savior?”

XX. Conqueror of Death

A) Conqueror over others deaths

He raises from death the widow’s son at Nain…
Luke 7:11…And it came to pass the day after, that he went into a city called Nain; and many of his disciples went with him, and much people. 12) Now when he came nigh to the gate of the city, behold, there was a dead man carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow: and much people of the city was with her. 13) And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said unto her, Weep not. 14) And he came and touched the bier (Dead body): and they that bare him stood still. And he said, Young man, I say unto thee, Arise.
He raised the widow’s son out of compassion for the widow. Now, I personally believe that this widow was very popular by the town folk, and maybe she was compassionate and now Christ wishes to share His compassion.
He raises Lazarus after 4 days of being dead…
John 11:43) And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. 44) And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes:
Here Christ raises a personal friend from the dead. And in verse 5, we see where Christ “loved” Lazarus and his sisters deeply. So one could say this miracle was performed out of love.
Many resurrections were performed by Christ that were not told or wrote down. But these are two examples.

B) Conqueror over His own death

Now back to our text in John 20:1-10…
Christ had already been crucified and then buried.
Vrs. 1… We see Mary Magalene went to Jesus tomb early (while it was yet dark) and saw that the tomb stone covering the opening of the tomb had been rolled away. (NOTE: This story of Mary was told in Luke 8, where Jesus had healed her of evil spirits and infirmities. Some claim she was a prostitute but there is no mention of that in any of the four gospels. Some claimed she was Jesus wife…really? Now, come on, this kind of heresy comes from those who do not study their Bible !)
Verses 2-10… Mary had informed Peter who then informed other disciples to visit the empty tomb.
I thought it interesting in verse 9…For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead.
Is Jesus not considered to be “The Word” the author of the scriptures?

Now according to my study and knowledge of the scriptures, Christ told the disciples and apostles many times of His death burial and resurrection.

Matt 16:21…From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.
Matt 20:17…And Jesus going up to Jerusalem took the twelve disciples apart in the way, and said unto them, 18) Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be betrayed unto the chief priests and unto the scribes, and they shall condemn him to death, 19) And shall deliver him to the Gentiles to mock, and to scourge, and to crucify him: and the third day he shall rise again.
Mark 9:31…For he taught his disciples, and said unto them, The Son of man is delivered into the hands of men, and they shall kill him; and after that he is killed, he shall rise the third day.
Again in Mark 10:34, Luke 9:22, Luke 13:32, Luke 18:33, Luke 24:7,25-27

This is clearly proof that people many times wish not to accept what God is trying to tell them.
They hear it, but either do not understand and sluff it off or they blatantly ignore what Christ had taught.
By the time John wrote this gospel, the church had more of an understanding of the Old Testament prediction of the Messiah’s resurrection.

C) Jesus’ proof of His resurrection given to an unexpected first

Let us now read verses 11-18…
Why did Jesus not show Himself first to the apostles for whom he traveled with and worked with?
Why not Peter who lived in Capernaum where Jesus lived mostly? Peter was also clearly known as the leader of the apostles.
Or why not John, the well “beloved” of Christ?
But Mary Magdalene, A born again sinner and demon possessed woman with no authority whatsoever over the church (Christ’s bride to be?) WOW!
So what is the explanation of this?
When you study The Bible (God’s Word, which is Jesus Christ according to John 1:1) about Christ you help but see His heart.
She had a meek heart- 1 Peter 3:4…But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.
The last shall be first- Matt 19:30…But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first. And 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.
God honors the humble- Matt 18:4…Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

D) My Sheep hear my voice

Look now at our text of John 20:16…Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master.
When she first saw Jesus in verse 15, she thought He was the gardener. But then she hears His voice. This reminds me of John 10:27…My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
This woman had truly turned from her sin and was one of His sheep! Yet others abused her. God help us when we get caught up in making others feel depressed!

E) He is also the conqueror over our death

Note in John 20:19-20… Jesus proved he was who He said He was. He also wanted to comfort them.
Let us note especially verse 30…And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book:
I believe that Mary Magdalene went and told the disciples and they did not believe her so Christ had to come again and again to show these dumb sheep that He was the Christ!
Now here is the reason why God allowed a few of these stories to be told…31) But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.
Did you note what salvation is to the lost? Believing.
It is not some little prayer you said, it’s not how much you gave to the church last year, it’s not all the good things that you have done that out weigh the bad… it is simply believing that Jesus Christ is who He said He was!
Cor 15:54…So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. 55) O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? 56) The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. 57) But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
AMEN BRETHREN ! Praise God Almighty for His precious Son Jesus Christ who is the “Conqueror over Death.”

F) Restorer of the Penitent

He welcomes Peter back into the fold and commissions him to feed his sheep.
John 21:1-17…

Silent Bible Baptist Church

John’s Portrait of Jesus (series)

“John’s Portrait of Jesus”

John 1:1,2

XV. True Vine

A) Who can be a savior?

“John’s Portrait of Jesus”

John 1:1,2

XV. True Vine

A) Who can be a savior?

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