Introduction:

Theme: Six foundational questions regarding the gospel of John so you can have greater confidence that what we read in this gospel is trustworthy.

I. Who was John?

A. John the man
1. Other’s by the name “John” in the NT
a. John the baptist (1:6, 15, 19; Luke 1; all synoptics)
b. John connected to Simon Peter (1:42; 21:15-17; also translated Jonah)
c. John, of high-priestly descent (Acts 4:6)
d. John who was also called Mark (Acts 12:12)
2. His vocation was a fisherman in partner with his brother James and Peter (Matthew 4:21-22; Mark 1:19; Luke 5:10)
3. Never named in the gospel, though all three synoptics identify and name him as the brother of James and son of Zebedee (Matthew 4:21; Mark 1:19, 29; Luke 5:10)

B. John the disciple/apostle
1. One of four earliest disciples called by Jesus (Matthew 4:18-22//Mark 1:16-20)
2. Included among the twelve apostles (Matthew 10:2; Mark 3:13-17; Luke 6:13-14)
3. Included among the circle of disciples closest to Jesus (Matthew 17:1; Mark 5:37)
4. Self described as the “disciple whom Jesus [He] loved” (John 13;23; 19:26; 20:2; 21)

C. John the author/evangelist
1. Overwhelming support of early church writers
2. Identifies himself in the epistle as the author, though not by name
3. Determined by process of elimination
4. The volumes he penned
a. His gospel
b. His epistles
c. His apocalypse

II. When did John write the gospel account bearing his name?

III. Where did John write this gospel from? Ephesus, based on the witness of the early church fathers

IV. Why did John write this gospel? John 20:30-31

V. How should we understand John’s relationship to the synoptic writers?

VI. What are the major themes of the gospel?

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The Ten Commandments, Part 2

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The Ten Commandments, Part 1

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Mark 14:22-24 (NASB)
22 While they were eating, He took some bread, and after a blessing He broke it, and gave it to them, and said, “Take it; this is My body.”
23 And when He had taken a cup and given thanks, He gave it to them, and they all drank from it.
24 And He said to them, “This is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many.

Introduction:

Review:

Theme: Three historic aspects of the Lord’s supper you must understand, so you will understand our own tradition of practicing it.

Important Question: What did Jesus mean when He said: This is My body . . . This is My blood?

I. The Historic Debate – 4 Views

• A. Roman Catholic View – Transubstantiation
• B. Martin Luther’s View – Consubstantiation
• C. John Calvin’s View – Spiritual Presence
• D. Ulrich Zwingli’s View – Symbolic

II. The Historic Meeting – The Marburg Colloquy

III. The Historic Consequences

• A. For the Church
• B. For You

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Sermon20140302

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Sermon20140223

Introduction:

2 Corinthians 13:11-14 (NASB)
11 Finally, brethren, rejoice, be made complete, be comforted, be like- minded, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will bewith you.
12 Greet one another with a holy kiss.
13 All the saints greet you.
14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all.

Review:

Theme: Six distinctly Christian traits that should characterize a local church so we might experience greater intimacy with God and one another.

I. Six Closing Exhortations vv. 11-13

A. Rejoice

B. Be made complete

C. Be comforted.

D. Be like – minded.
E. Live in peace.

F. Greet one another.

II. One Trinitarian Benediction vs. 14

A. GRACE.

B. LOVE.

C. FELLOWSHIP.

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Sermon20140216

Introduction:

Review: Three prerogatives of Christ’s leader:

1. Prerogative to discipline
2. Prerogative to speak for Christ
3. Prerogative to call for testing

2 Corinthians 13:5-10 (NASB)

5 Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you — unless indeed you fail the test?
6 But I trust that you will realize that we ourselves do not fail the test.
7 Now we pray to God that you do no wrong; not that we ourselves may appear approved, but that you may do what is right, even though we may appear unapproved.
8 For we can do nothing against the truth, but only for the truth.
9 For we rejoice when we ourselves are weak but you are strong; this we also pray for, that you be made complete.
10 For this reason I am writing these things while absent, so that when present I need not use severity, in accordance with the authority which the Lord gave me for building up and not for tearing down.

Theme: Three core commitments of Christians and their leaders so you will be approved in the faith

Commitment #1 Priority of the test vv. 5-6

A. Christians must take the test and pass vs. 5

B. Christian leaders must also take the test and pass vs. 6

Commitment #2 Practice of the truth vv. 7-8

A. Christians must do right according to the truth vs. 7

B. Christian leaders must do all for the sake of the truth vs. 8

Commitment #3 Purpose of the task vv. 9-10

A. Christians must be made complete in Christ vs. 9

B. Christian leaders must use their authority to make Christians complete in Christ vs. 10

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Sermon20140209

Introduction:

Review: Three prerogatives of Christ’s leader:

1. Prerogative to discipline
2. Prerogative to speak for Christ
3. Prerogative to call for testing

2 Corinthians 13:5-10 (NASB)

5 Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you — unless indeed you fail the test?
6 But I trust that you will realize that we ourselves do not fail the test.
7 Now we pray to God that you do no wrong; not that we ourselves may appear approved, but that you may do what is right, even though we may appear unapproved.
8 For we can do nothing against the truth, but only for the truth.
9 For we rejoice when we ourselves are weak but you are strong; this we also pray for, that you be made complete.
10 For this reason I am writing these things while absent, so that when present I need not use severity, in accordance with the authority which the Lord gave me for building up and not for tearing down.

Theme: Three core commitments of Christians and their leaders so you will be approved in the faith

Commitment #1 Priority of the test vv. 5-6

A. Christians must take the test and pass vs. 5

B. Christian leaders must also take the test and pass vs. 6

Commitment #2 Practice of the truth vv. 7-8

A. Christians must do right according to the truth vs. 7

B. Christian leaders must do all for the sake of the truth vs. 8

Commitment #3 Purpose of the task vv. 9-10

A. Christians must be made complete in Christ vs. 9

B. Christian leaders must use their authority to make Christians complete in Christ vs. 10

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Sermon20140202

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