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June 7, 2020

The Good Shepherd

June 7, 2020 • Pastor Phil Burggraff

Passage: John 10:1–21
Theme: The Good Shepherd

The illustration of the shepherd and his sheep teaches us ...

1. Jesus is the door to life (7–10).
a. Only through Jesus will we find salvation and nourishment.
b. Every other door leads to destruction and death.

2. Jesus is the Good Shepherd that lays down his life ... (11–18)
a. To protect and deliver his sheep (11–13).
b. To allow his sheep to know God (14–15a).
c. To bring unity to his entire flock (16).
d. To demonstrate love to his heavenly Father (17–18).

Main Idea: We need to follow the lead of our Good Shepherd.

Application Questions:
1. What do the illustrations of Jesus as the Door and Good Shepherd indicate about him?
2. What in this life do you find yourself seeking nourishment and fulfillment from that competes with Jesus Christ?
3. In light of what is going on in our country presently, what does the fact that Christ lay down his life to bring unity to his entire flock mean for our lives? How do we seek to live in unity within our divided and divisive country?
4. How do we emulate Christ as our good shepherd within our own lives?

October 18, 2020

October 18, 2020 • Pastor Phil Burggraff

Passage: John 21:1–25 Theme: Glory and Grace Followed What following means for the church: 1. We have a mission to continue Jesus’ work. 2. Our catching of people depends solely on the person and work of Jesus. 3. Church life reflects participation in and fellowship with Jesus. What following means for the leader: 1. Our love for one another stems from Christ’s love for us. 2. Love for Christ leads to the action of caring for Christ’s sheep. 3. Our lives are at Christ’s disposal. Main Idea: Those focused on the glory and grace of Jesus Christ will follow their Lord wherever he leads to accomplish his mission and care for his sheep.

October 11, 2020

October 11, 2020 • Pastor Phil Burggraff

Theme: Glory and Grace Commissioned Passage: John 20:19–31 As the new creation of Jesus Christ, we possess: 1. Peace grounded in Jesus’ work (19–20) 2. a Mission started by the Father (21) 3. Participation in God through the Spirit (22) 4. the Authority of God on earth today (23) 5. a Faith based on witness to Jesus Christ (24–29) Main Idea: God culminates his work on earth in the body of his Son, the church. He has commissioned us to • Declare Jesus is the Christ. • Display Jesus is our life. Application Questions: • When you think of peace, what comes to mind? From what you recall from the sermon and what is spoken of elsewhere in scripture, how does the Bible describe peace? • How does v. 21, “as the Father has sent me, I am sending you,” impact your view of missions? What does it indicate about you personally? • How do we as believers forgive sins today (v. 23)? • What do vv. 24–29 teach us about belief? Do you truly “believe” Jesus’ words that you are blessed because you haven’t seen but believed? Why do you think we still look for signs/indicators from Jesus in order for us to believe? • How do we live out the purpose of the gospel in vv. 30¬–31 today?

October 4, 2020

October 4, 2020 • Pastor Phil Burggraff

October 4th 2020 - The Reality of the Empty Tomb John 20: 1-18 The reality of the empty tomb: • The report of Mary and the women (1–2) • The discovery of the two disciples (3–9) • The elicited response of the disciples (10) Truths that we can make from the empty tomb: 1) The empty tomb produces belief in those who are truly the children of God. 2) The empty tomb indicates a new creation has dawned. 3) The empty tomb demonstrates Jesus possesses the power and authority of God. Mary’s experience indicates the following concerning our sorrowful condition: 1. The resurrected Jesus made atonement to overcome grief with grace. 2. The resurrected Jesus made a relationship with God possible again for fallen sinners. 3. The resurrected Jesus made his followers into the true family of God. Main Idea: By his resurrection, Jesus overcomes grief by enabling a relationship that will never end.