Passage: John 16:1–15
Theme: Glory and Grace displayed by the power of the Spirit
Jesus’s challenge calls us to
1. Pay attention to the time (1–4a).
a. This time is characterized by
i. Mounting pressure
ii. Misguided view of service to God
iii. No relationship with God through Jesus
b. Application:
i. Don’t give up
ii. Remember to look to Christ
2. Recognize the failure of doing life focused on self (4b–6).
a. We easily miss God’s mission
b. We display fear rather than hope
3. Live by taking advantage of the Holy Spirit (7–15).
a. He convicts the whole world of their ...
i. Sin, because they don’t believe Jesus
ii. Mistaken Righteousness, because they miss the work Jesus is doing
iii. Judgment, because they follow a defeated leader
b. He guides believers in a hostile world. How?
i. He directs us in Truth
ii. He reveals Christ
iii. He glorifies Christ by indwelling us
Main Idea: We must live and serve by the Spirit if we are to maintain hope in the midst of a hostile world.
Application Questions:
• Given the mounting pressure that we will face from this world, how do we discipline ourselves to look to Jesus (vv. 1–4a).
• In what ways do find that you get focused on self and easily miss God’s mission within this world?
• Why would Jesus point to the disciples’ grief and fear as a negative response since he is departing from them? Should we not grieve and or be sorrowful at times? When does grief become unhealthy according to this passage?
• How might the Holy Spirit convict the world today of their sin, righteousness, and judgment?
• From this passage, how do we discern the leading of the Holy Spirit in our own lives?
August 23, 2020
Glory and Grace displayed by the power of the Spirit
August 23, 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.