Theme: Glory and Grace through Love
Passage: John 13:31–38
Notice three truths from this passage:
1. Glory and Grace are works accomplished by God alone (31–33).
a. For all of time, the glory and grace of God centers around the work of Jesus on the cross.
b. While God accomplishes glory and grace, he prepares us for what lies ahead.
2. We reflect God’s glory and grace by loving one another (34–35).
a. Jesus’ love enables us to love one another.
b. Witness and Discipleship take place in our love for one another.
3. Attempting to display God’s glory and grace by other means than loving one another actually opposes the Gospel (36–38).
a. It opposes it by relying on our own strength.
b. It opposes it by denying the Truth.
Main Idea: Our love for our fellow believers displays that we have received and are coming to understand the glory and grace of our loving God.
Application Questions:
• How do verses 31–33 relate to the command to love one another? Why does Jesus introduce the command with this emphasis on glory and grace (hint: cf. 1 John 4:7–11)?
• When you think of the concept of love, do you think of it more as an emotion or an action? How does this affect your understanding and application of Jesus’ command here?
• In following Jesus’ own example of love for us (v. 35), how can we apply this command to our lives?
• How can Peter’s failure to grasp what Jesus commanded (vv. 36–38) serve as a warning to us?
July 19, 2020
Glory and Grace through Love
July 19, 2020 • Pastor Phil Burggraff
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.