John 21:24-25

I apologize for the fast pace of my delivery for this message! There were many Scripture references that I wanted to include, probably too many for one sermon. I hope that God's Word will be a blessing despite my mistakes!

John 21:15-23, part two

This sermon continues last Sunday's consideration of the dialogue between Jesus and Simon Peter that completes the last narrative section of the Gospel of John. We can learn much along with Peter from our Lord's words here, which set before us once more the heart of the gospel itself: the call to follow Jesus Christ as Lord.

John 21:15-23, part one

In the second narrative section of the epilogue to the Gospel of John, we read a poignant and thought provoking dialogue between Jesus and Simon Peter. By identifying with this disciple who denied his Lord, we can learn many things about how God views and deals with our own sin and restores us to fellowship with Him and other believers.

John 21:1-14

The Gospel of John ends with a masterful epilogue, or "added words," that enhance the overall message of the book. This section, chapter 21 in our Bibles, adds a wonderfully personal and intimate experience that draws us into the gospel call to follow Jesus as Lord and God.

John 20:30-31

In this text, John states clearly the purpose of his Gospel, and this purpose statement provides an effective conclusion to the book as a whole. (There is another chapter to follow in the form of an epilogue.) This conclusion serves as well to remind us of the centrality of faith and the blessing of eternal life that is ours by faith in Jesus.

John 20:24-29

The narrative of Thomas in this text is used by John to bring to our attention important teaching relative to belief in Jesus, which has been a key theme of the Gospel from its opening. 

John 20:19-23

Continuing the Gospel of John's narrative of the Sunday when Christ arose, the text focuses on what is known as Jesus' Great Commission. The significance of Jesus' commissioning of his disciples to preach the gospel is seen in the fact that all four Gospels and Acts include elements of his teaching concerning this subject.

John 20:1-18

For poignancy and reversal of emotion, this passage is perhaps unmatched in literature, expressing with an amazing brevity of words an incredible range of feeling. What is even more remarkable is that this narrative is meaningful because of its historicity! There is so much to learn here, and this sermon barely touches upon its truth.

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John 19:31-42

"Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in Thee;
Let the water and the blood,
From Thy riven side which flowed,
Be of sin the double cure,
Cleanse me from its guilt and power." - Augustus Toplady

John 19:16b-30

This narrative of Jesus’ suffering and death is structured around Jesus’ completion of the work he received from his Father. He had already spoken of that work as accomplished in his prayer prior to his arrest. What was so certain that he could speak of it in the past tense he now fully executes in harmony with the Father’s sovereign will and the empowering of the Spirit. God in three persons acts in Jesus’ suffering and death to save sinners while yet showing himself to be righteous.

John 18:28-19:6a

This narrative presents in seven scenes, alternating between outside and inside Pilate's palace, which serves as his court of law. The fourth and central scene is the flogging and mocking of Jesus as "King of the Jews," and the theme of Jesus as king dominates the entire narrative. 

John 18:12-27

The narratives of Christ and Simon Peter in this text perfectly confirm Jesus’ words that “Of those whom you gave me I have lost not one.” By giving his own life in atonement for Peter and for all his elect, Jesus saves them. This passage is not to be read as a moralistic story to elicit from us better behavior. Rather, here Scripture shows us Jesus as the one who is the only true and faithful witness to God without sin, the one who made the only good confession not marred by any wavering from his Father’s will, and by that confession accomplished our redemption.

John 18:1-11

The gospel of John gives us a unique view of the events directly associated with the death of Jesus. The apostle John was inspired by the Holy Spirit to focus on different elements than those seen in the other three gospels, and this serves to draw our attention to key truths that reveal to us the true meaning of his death. John 18 opens with a narrative scene that makes it clear that Jesus' death was unique from that of any other human.

Romans 8:31-39

This passage has been called "Paul's Song of Triumph," and that name suits this wonderful affirmation of faith with its emphasis on the surpassing victory that Christ has gained for those who are united with him by faith. There is a wealth of encouragement to be found for us here!

Romans 8:29-30

It may have been John Calvin who first referred to the sequence of verbs in these verses as a chain of God's saving works in our salvation. Here is the foundation for the wonderful promise that is given to all who are called by God.

Romans 8:29

This text states with clarity the purpose of God in saving sinners through the power of the gospel. His purpose in them is at the same time the greatest purpose that they can have for life now and for eternity!

Romans 8:28

The noted Romans commentator C. E. B. Cranfield provides a helpful translation for this verse: "For we know that all things prove advantageous for their true good to those who love God, that is, to those who are called according to his purpose." Here is a wonderful encouragement to us as Christians!

Romans 8:17-27

Holy Scripture captures here a vivid image of the state of tension in which Christians live. In this present time, we know both the reality of suffering and the expectation of glory. What sustains us in the midst of that tension is the hope that is ours through the Holy Spirit.

Romans 8:12-17

It is interesting to note that the terms the flesh and death occur frequently in the first half of chapter eight of Romans, but in this text there is a shift, and at the same time the appearance of the terms sons, children, and heirs. This reflects the focus on the Spirit in this chapter, and the Spirit's role in the lives of believers to overcome the flesh and to enjoy the blessings of being God's children.

Romans 8:9-11

The Holy Spirit is central to the teaching of Romans 8, and in this text there is an important affirmation of the truth that the Spirit indwells all of the members of the Body of Christ, the Church. This doctrine has remarkable implications for our understanding of what it is to be a Christian in the here and now, and it gives us an unshakeable hope for eternity.