In John 15:1-17, we saw the blessings of abiding in Jesus: a fruitful life. Here, in verses 18-27, we get the cost of our union with Christ: Persecution. Jesus warned us, the apostles wrote about it, and now we are seeing it throughout the world. As wickedness increases, persecution against those who represent righteousness increases as well. How should we respond? Do not be surprised; Love your enemies; Bless those who curse you; Do good to those who mistreat you; Pray for those who hate you; and, in all things, commit yourself to the Lord
John 15:18-27 - The Promise of Persecution
February 13, 2022 • John Cowan • John 15:18–27
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John 17:20-26 - High Priestly Prayer - Pt.3 - Jesus Prays For All Believers
May 15, 2022 • John Cowan • John 17:20–26
In His prayer for all believers (“those who will believe in Me through [the disciples’] word”), focuses on Spiritual Unity, Heavenly Hope, and Perfect Love. Many see this as a mandate exhorting believers to work to build unity. It is not. We are exhorted elsewhere to seek unity (i.e. Phil. 2:1-4). But here, Jesus prays that we may be so united with Him - as He is with the Father - that unity in the church will be the natural by-product. Unity in the Body of Christ requires humility and mutual respect. That only comes as we are joined in intimate union with Jesus. How personal is your relationship with Jesus?
Luke 22:42
May 8, 2022 • Andrew Hamilton • Luke 22:42
Have you ever realized that your expectations were different from God's expectations? Have you ever wondered what happened in the history of the Bible from when Israel split into two kingdoms until the time of Christ? This sermon starts with a fictional character who gives a true historical account of those time frame. We see the character, Aaron, unable to align His expectations with Jesus' expectations, even after He has died and rose again. Aaron wants to fight for the freedom of his people, and is determined that the Messiah will too. The sermon then goes to Luke 22 where Jesus is praying at the Mount of Olives and says, "Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done." (Luke 22:42). We are then faced with this question: Are we aligning our will and expectations with the Father, or are we, like Aaron, unwilling to change our expectations?
John 17:6-19 - High Priestly Prayer - Pt.2 - Jesus Prays For His Disciples
May 1, 2022 • John 17:6–19
In verse 3, Jesus gave the essence of salvation - knowing Him. Here He gives 1) More of what it means to trust Jesus: Holding on the God’s Word and Living it out in our lives, 2) The Assurance we have in trusting Him: He keeps us and prays for us, and 3) the Mission we have as believers: As Jesus was sent into the world, so He sends us. To fulfill our calling we need to be in the world, not of it. The challenge is to be in the world without the world getting into us!