Knowing Christ in Suffering and Glory
John 18 - 21
Your Life as Jesus' Disciple
April 21, 2024 • Pastor Mark Johnson • John 21:15–25
Welcome to the conclusion of the Gospel of John and our recent series on Knowing Christ in Suffering and Glory. Next week, Pastor Phillip will launch our next series on the Book of Esther, Silent Sovereignty. Our mission as a church is “to make Christ-like disciples who love God, God’s Word, God’s people, and God’s world.” Are you Christ’s disciple? Are you a disciple-maker? As Peter learned in John 21 on the seashore of Galilee, discipleship is all about a very personal relationship between you and the Lord Jesus Himself.
Because He Lives
April 7, 2024 • Pastor Mark Johnson • John 21:1–15
"Never the Same" is a remarkable video about our Missions Weekend speaker Steve Richardson and how, thanks to his parent, the Sawi people were never the same. Remember John’s Prologue in 1:1-18? Today, we study his Epilogue to this remarkable Gospel. It comes after 20:30-31 and reveals many important themes to tie up loose ends and show His involvement in the lives of His followers after His resurrection. What will life be like now that Christ has risen?
"My Lord and My God!"
March 31, 2024 • Pastor Phillip Macdonald • John 20:19–31
On Sunday morning, the heart of Jesus began to beat and his blood began to flow. He put death to death, removing its sting and swallowing it up in victory. Because of the resurrection, we can have confidence in the gospel, purpose in this present life, and hope for the future. But, it’s not enough to simply believe the resurrection happened. We must confess that Jesus is our Lord and our God. When we do, Christ radically changes our lives…
"I Have Seen The Lord"
March 24, 2024 • Pastor Phillip Macdonald • John 20:1–18
Songwriter Andrew Peterson captures the scene of John 20:1-18 in his song Risen Indeed: “Look at Peter go, he’s racing to the tomb to see. Where has my Jesus gone? He is not dead. He is risen, Risen Indeed. Oh Mary, the sun will rise again. Daughter, listen, He speaks your name.” John 20:1-18 is an invitation to come and see the empty tomb, and then to go and tell of your risen Lord!
Dead and Buried
March 17, 2024 • John 19:31–42
John 20:31 is true even in Jesus’ death and burial… These are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. 1 Corinthians 15:3–5 gives the Gospel by which we are saved: For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared…
Glory in Death
March 10, 2024 • Pastor Mark Johnson • John 19:16–30
John 20:31 gave the theme of the Gospel of John and 1:14 explained how this works—“the Word became flesh and dwelt among us and we have seen His glory…” This was true even in the record of His death. John (and the other Gospel writers) did not emphasize the physical torture of crucifixion, but the glory of the God-man even on the cross. Remember that Jesus was fully in charge and committed to fulfill His Father’s plan in every way (John 18:4-8).
The Cursed King
February 25, 2024 • Pastor Phillip Macdonald • John 18:28–40
The High Priest and Sanhedrin declared Jesus was guilty of blasphemy because he claimed to be the Christ, the Son of God (Matt. 26:63-65). Following the Jewish court trials, Jesus was sent to Pilate to be tried under the Roman government. As Jesus is interrogated, he confirms that he is indeed the long-awaited suffering Messiah and glorious King. The Jews rejected him; what is your response?
Jesus' Trial, Peter's Denial
February 18, 2024 • Pastor Phillip Macdonald • John 18:12–27
The Apostle John interweaves writing about Jesus’ trial and Peter’s denial in John 18:12-27. In doing so, John shows the staggering contrast between Christ’s faithfulness and Peter’s unfaithfulness. Peter’s story resonates with anyone who has ever been painfully reminded of their unfaithfulness to their Savior, and their failure to live up to their own commitments to Christ. But, restoring hope is always found in Jesus, our faithful Savior.
Jesus Under Arrest
February 11, 2024 • Pastor Phillip Macdonald • John 18:1–12
Welcome to our series Knowing Christ in Suffering and Glory (John 18-21)! John wrote this inspired biography of Jesus “so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name” (John 20:31). As we study Christ’s arrest, trial, crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension, we hope that you will come to know Christ and the abundant life He promises (John 10:10). In John 18:1-14, we see that “Jesus was not a helpless victim or a courageous martyr, but a sovereign savior” (Carter and Wredberg).