How seriously do you take following Jesus? Should we expect opposition from our world? The world will hate you. Verse 18 …if you remain in Jesus Verse 19… we can belong to Jesus… or we can belong to the world They claim to follow God but they hate Jesus John 16:1-4 … from those who claim to be followers of God. They…
How do you choose the perfect gift for someone you love? Questions to ask – What do they need? – What don’t they have? – What is good for them? – What have I already promised them? – Will it last? – Can I afford it? – What will be the effect if I do not give this gift? The Context Sennacherib,…
Christmas in Australia The Shepherds The Message The Sign
Taking comfort in the shelter of ‘the vine’. – Israel: The symbols of temple, land, Torah. – Australia: peace, wealth, family? “I am the true vine” – The existence of the ‘true vine’ implies that anything else is false. Warnings and Encouragement – Remain in me and bear fruit, or – be ‘cut off’ from the vine, and wither. – Have faith…
Due to technical difficulties, the first reading (Proverbs 21:1-31) was not recorded and the second reading (John 14:1-14) starts part way into the reading, from v3 We live in a stressful world! (picture??) > (picture – piggy bank) > (picture – parents arguing) > (picture – homework) “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, trust also in Jesus.” 1)…
My finest hour! God’s finest hour v 31-32 Jesus immanent departure – v 33 An incredible command v 34-35 “A new commandment I give you. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this will all men know that you are my disciples, if you love one another”. > a command > deeply practical > Jesus set the…
Hindsight is a wonderful thing. John 20:30-31 – Why John has recorded what he has recorded Jesus knew John 13:18 Jesus loved 1) Jesus washes 2) Jesus let Judas know 3) Jesus offers friendship For us today Firstly, have confidence in who Jesus is. Secondly, accept those Jesus sends Verse 20, “I tell you the truth, whoever accepts anyone I send, accepts…
Foot-washing: the power of symbols… “It was just before the Passover…” (verse 1) – Jesus is preparing for the cross What does Jesus’ ‘foot-washing’ mean? – The act: washing the disciples feet – The meaning: Jesus acts like a low-level servant – The punch: what the Christian life must look like. Application: “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.”…
If I had seen Jesus heal the sick, feed the 5000, calm the storm, give sight to the blind, enable the lame to walk and raised the dead then and only then would I properly believe. 1) How could they not believe? John 3:2, “we know you are a teacher who has come from God for no one could perform the miraculous…