First Baptist Church
Fairbanks, Alaska
805 Sixth Avenue
(907) 456-4923
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Fairbanks, Alaska 805 Sixth Avenue (907) 456-4923 |
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The Night Before “Jesus is about to be betrayed…and He knew it.”John 13-17 Mark Howdeshell (March 9, 2008) John 16:33 "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." Introduction The greatest single life-altering event was about to happen, the crucifixion, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ…and Jesus knew exactly what was to happen. How did He spend His last night of freedom as a person on this earth? Heart of the Matter John records some of the most important teaching from Jesus in these 5 chapters. Jesus cuts through all of the “red tape” and opens the Word in a deep and personal level for each of us. That is exactly what the Word should be to us now…deep and personal. The Meat of the Message
John 13:1 It was just before the Passover Feast. Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full extent of his love.
1. The Acts He Performed (Chapter 13) a. Passover Meal i. Same meal we share with Jesus during the Lord’s Supper ii. More in depth in Luke 22 b. Foot Washing i. Peter went overboard (as usual) ii. No Master is greater than his servant iii. He led by example by washing their feet c. Pronouncement of Judas’ Betrayal i. Satan entered into Judas as soon as he took the bread from Jesus ii. “What you are about to do, do quickly.” d. Pronouncement of Peter’s Denial i. Peter stated that he would die for Jesus ii. Jesus pronounced his trifecta denial
John 14:1-4 "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. 2 In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. 4 You know the way to the place where I am going."
i. Going to prepare a place for us 1. There wasn’t a place for us before 2. It is not our “right” to get into Heaven 3. Why? We aren’t sinless or “holy” enough to sit next to the perfect Father ii. Going to come back and get us! 1. The only way in is through Him 2. He knew the path because He was perfect and had a natural transgression iii. He is our only WAY! 1. The Way a. The path to God b. The path to Salvation through atonement of our sins c. The path to Heaven 2. The Truth a. He is the Truth personified b. Must know Him, not know about Him 3. The Life a. Because of the Truth b. Because He is the Way c. We can have eternal life (The ONLY WAY)
i. “Anyone who has seen Me has seen the Father.”
i. World cannot see nor accept Him
John 14:15-17 15 "If you love me, you will obey what I command. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. John 14:26 26 But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.
ii. One of the Counselor’s missions 1. Remind us of everything that Jesus says
John 15:5 "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:8 This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.
i. Gardener = God, Vine = Jesus, Branches = Us, Fruit = Results ii. Our individual mission is to bear fruit iii. Can only bear fruit if we are attached to the vine iv. “Bear Fruit” 1. Cannot produce fruit (God’s job) a. Apples, oranges, or grapes b. New Christians 2. Carrying and caring for fruit that God’s produced a. In bearing HIS fruit we should be: i. Reading God's Word Daily ii. Being intercessors - praying for others every day iii. Reaching others by practicing kind deeds in HIS name iv. Being a Godly example to friends and family in our daily life v. Lifting others countenance when they are down vi. Encouraging our pastors and teachers vii. Standing with those that are going through trials b. Also includes i. Correcting ii. Rebuking iii. Teaching iv. Mentoring
i. Obey His commands and remain in His love ii. Why? 1. His joy may be in us 2. Our joy will be complete iii. Commands us to love each other (said it twice)
i. Took out their excuse for sin ii. We are not of the world but have been chosen out of it
i. So we will not go astray ii. Purpose of His going away 1. Counselor will come a. Convict the world of guilt i. Sin--Because men do not believe ii. Righteousness—Because He went to be with the Father iii. Judgement—because Satan is condemned b. Guide us into truth c. Speak the Words of the Father to us iii. John 16:33 "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."
i. Jesus suffered all for the glory of God
i. Jesus revealed God to those that followed them
i. John 17:15vMy prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one.
i. John 17:17 Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.
i. John 17:24 "Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world. The Bottom Line Jesus’ last night of freedom was filled with finishing His ministry on this earth. He chose to finish by 1) showing us examples of how to treat others 2) teaching us things of the highest spiritual level 3) teaching us things at our limited individual level 4) giving us final explanations and 5) saying a final prayer for us. Shortly after this prayer, He was betrayed, falsely convicted, and brutally punished. Then He was crucified. During the next few weeks, look closely at these final lessons of Christ. See what He wants to teach you individually. Respond to Him accordingly.
INVITATION As we approach Easter Sunday, explore your heart. Why is it that when we do something wrong, it really bothers us? Is the Counselor convicting you through guilt? Is there sin in your life that does not glorify God? This morning, pray for forgiveness, strength, and courage to overcome the prince of this world. Glorify the Prince of Peace! |
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