Jesus' Continuing Intimacy and Comfort (John 15:1-17)

The Gospel of John

January 22, 2023 • Ron Comoglio • John 15:1–17

"By this my father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples."

If you have spent a fair amount of time in a church that worships Jesus, you may have heard a lot of references to being fruitful and "bearing fruit". My memories of this actually are somewhat negative as the way I learned about what fruit was focused solely on the salvation of souls, and how we were responsible for this to happen. The takeaway therefore was along the lines of "you better get busy, follower of Christ, or you won't have any fruit to show"! The effect of that emphasis produced in me stressors and undue pressure to get people saved. Then, if someone I witnessed to didn't respond, I felt I was failing the King of Heaven!

Having a desire for people's salvation is of course a desired outcome of all our ministry efforts, but those misplaced pressures on us to effect such a salvation is incorrect. We are powerless to give life to anything when we think about it, why would we ever assume we can give eternal life? As his name implies ("YWHW saves"), Jesus alone has the power to save us from our sins. It is his work (2 Tim 1:9) and he is faithful to complete it (Phil 1:6).

Join us on Sunday as we study John 15:1-17, the familiar account of Jesus identifying himself as the vine, and us as the branches. The Father addresses our fruitfulness as he tends the vine, as only he can. Let us together discover that fruit has a variety of applications but the key to growing it and sustaining it is abiding in Christ. Then we really just need to trust Christ to grow this in us all.

Lord willing, I look forward to seeing you this Sunday!

To the praise of his glory, in gratitude for our joy,

Pastor Ron

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Discussion & Response Questions for John 15:1–17How does Jesus' declaration of being the "true vine" tie him back to historical Israel?

Who is the audience for this section of the discourse? How does this help us understand verses like verse 6?

What are the scriptural references to fruit? What can we learn from these examples?

Notice the recurring themes in these verses: what does "remaining in me" imply?

How are the spiritual disciplines of prayer, immersion in scripture, and fellowship illustrated in this text?

What does Jesus promise if we keep his commands? Compare with earlier promises from 13:15-16, & 23.

What is significant about how Jesus moves from calling his disciples branches to his friends?

O Love That Will Not Let Me Go: How Jesus Restores Souls and Prepares Living Sacrifices

April 30, 2023 • David Schrock • John 21:15–25

After 4 years, 55 sermons, and 1 pandemic, we come to the final message of John. Or least, the final message in this sermon series. Every time we finish a sermon series, I stand amazed at the kindness of God. He has spoken to us, he has sustained us, and he has fed us with this Word. And actually, on that point, it is fitting that we spend our final Sunday in this series chewing on the ways that God feeds us with his Word. For this is what he told Peter to go and do! As you prepare for Sunday, take time to read John 21 and also, give thanks to God for the way his Word feeds us. In my Bible reading, Psalm 119 is on my calendar tomorrow. The 29th day of the fourth month = Psalm 119; it’s not gematria, but I guess its close. And for those looking to prepare their hearts to feed on God’s Word, Psalm 119 (some or all of it) would be a fitting way to pray for our time on Sunday. May God be praised that he has led us through this glorious book. And may we gather on Sunday with anticipation that he will feed us again. As the Lord allows, I look forward to seeing you on Sunday. As a reminder, the River Ridge Community Group is in the overflow this Sunday. For His Glory and your joy in Christ, Pastor David ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Discussion & Response Questions for John 21:15 – 25 In this account we see three questions, three responses, and three exhortations. While there is repetition, there are distinct nuances between each of them. In the first question, what is Jesus’ specific question about Peter’s love? How does Jesus’ question change? (vv. 15, 16, 17) What should we observe about Peter’s answers? What tasks are being entrusted to Peter? What responsibilities are entrusted to him? As a sheep, what might we learn from this? What do we need? How do Jesus’ words provoke grief and give comfort to Peter? When we see that our love for the Lord is deficient, how should Scripture direct our hearts and minds? What truths should we turn to? What does Peter’s question about John reveal? How does Jesus conclude his words to Peter? How does this compare to the beginning? As we consider how the church has been built upon the foundation of the apostles, what applications should we draw from this text? How ought we to respond to this text?

A Tale of Two Fishermen: Jesus, Peter, and the Mission of God

April 23, 2023 • David Schrock • John 21:1–14, Ezekiel 47:1–12

A whole sermon about fishing, really? In a word, yes. This Sunday we are going to go fishing with Jesus and on the shores of Galilee we are going to see how Jesus turns a handful of fishermen into fishers of men. And remarkably, what we will see is not just a clever turn of phrase, but a glorious fulfillment of prophetic witness. Indeed, the Old Testament is filled with places that speak about fishing and in two places in particular (Jer. 16:16–21; Ezek. 47:1–12) we find promises that Jesus fulfills in John 21. As you prepare for Sunday, take time to read John 21, as well as these Old Testament passages. On Sunday, we will see how John shows the arrival of God’s kingdom through the fish, the fishing, and the fisherman in John 21. As the Lord allows, I look forward to seeing you on Sunday. For His Glory and your joy in Christ, Pastor David ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Discussion & Response Questions for John 21:1 – 14 Fill in the gap between John 20 to John 21. How does the scene change from the disciples being in the Upper Room in Jerusalem? What does John continue to highlight in these verses? What repeats? How does that reveal his focus? As we read this narrative, elements of this story echo earlier events in the Gospels. Compare John 21 with Matthew 4:18-22. What is similar? What is different? How do they relate to OT prophecies (Jeremiah 16 and Ezekiel 47)? If Matthew 4:18–22 connects most explicitly to Jeremiah 16:16–21, how does John 21 apply Ezekiel 47:1–12? If John is applying Ezekiel 47 to Jesus’s catch of fish, how does that relate to the building of the temple and the outpouring of the Spirit? What is Jesus teaching his disciples? What about Jesus is being revealed to us? How should we respond to this text? What is the mission for us? Is it the same or different from the apostles? What encouragement does this passage give you?

Three Good Gifts: The Spirit of Peace, the Word of Faith, and the Book of Life

April 16, 2023 • David Schrock • John 20:19–31

If you joined us on Good Friday, you heard the good news that "https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3a%2f%2fobc.us14.list-manage.com%2ftrack%2fclick%3fu%3ddd23918991ea6f542a8065bed%26id%3d382873981c%26e%3df5b57025e0&data=05%7c01%7c%7c4649836d05e544cafed408db3d29170d%7c84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7c1%7c0%7c638171018919855739%7cunknown%7ctwfpbgzsb3d8eyjwijoimc4wljawmdailcjqijoiv2lumziilcjbtii6ik1hawwilcjxvci6mn0%3d%7c3000%7c%7c%7c&sdata=f2pe1m53j%2f0llc7nyrb5w%2brgdxwfapn1hcrnwixrzqi%3d&reserved=0" is a reference to the temple. On the cross, Jesus finished his temple building. Like God in Genesis 2, Moses in Exodus 40, and Hezekiah in 2 Chronicles 31, Jesus‘s words harken back to the completion of a temple. But if the cross finished the temple, what does that mean for us now? Where do we see the temple? And how does the finished work of Christ relate to the resurrection, the outpouring of the Spirit, and the formation of Spirit-filled temples (i.e., local churches)? To those questions, we will find answers this Sunday. In John 20:19–31, we will see the way that Jesus brings peace to his disciples, pours out his Spirit upon them, and begins to grant life to them. John even says that this is the purpose of his book. And so, as we draw to another meditation on Christ’s resurrection, we will see how the word of Christ, and the Spirit of God, and the word of Scripture bring life to all those who are made a part of Christ’s living and growing temple. As you have time, read over John 20, as well as, Acts 2. Sunday we will see the way that the Spirit of Truth begins to assemble the finished work of Christ. As you come, please pray for our church. Last Sunday, we had the joy of hosting more than 350 people at OBC. We continue to rejoice in those who are coming, even as we feel the stewardship of caring for all who join us. As a reminder, the Community Group scheduled for our overflow seating is the Montclair Community Group. If our parking lot is filled to maximum capacity, we encourage you to take advantage of the overflow parking along the shoulder of Springwoods Drive, and also at Old Bridge Veterinary Hospital. As the Lord allows, I look forward to seeing you on Sunday and worshiping our resurrected Christ. As we said last week and should say every Lord’s Day: He is risen. He is risen indeed. For His Glory and your joy in Christ, Pastor David -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Discussion & Response Questions for John 20:19 – 31 How does Jesus greet his disciples (vv. 19, 21, 26). Why do you think he greets them in this way? (Cf. John 14:27; 16:33) How does the breathing of the Spirit relate to John’s Gospel? What is the significance to the number 10 — ten disciples receive the Spirit. So what? Consider the connection between the commissioning of the disciples and Jesus breathing on them. How do we understand this text about the Spirit in relationship to Pentecost? How would you explain what Jesus is teaching about forgiveness? How does the context shape our understanding of this? How does the church pronounce forgiveness today? By what authority does the church make this proclamation? Is it an authority given to individuals or churches? Why did John write his gospel? How does the Gospel give life today? Think about what just happened in vv. 19–29. Considering the thesis for John’s gospel, how does the drama of this book reach its height with Thomas? What have you believed about Jesus? Why have you believed? What is the encouragement for those who have not seen Jesus? What is the promise for all who believe? How should we respond to the Gospel of John?