Sunday Message Notes
Key Scripture
Matthew 5:14-16 “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. 15 No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father. (NLT)
Jesus is the light and we have Jesus in us.
People should see Jesus in us and through us.
How do people see Jesus through us?
The way we live our lives and the things that we do should point to God’s goodness and it should attract people to us.
Jesus came to BUILD His Kingdom here on Earth so all could BELONG to the Community of God.
How did Jesus Build a Kingdom so that all could Belong to the Community of God?
Through His Birth -
The celebration of Christmas has always been centered around community. Jesus’ birth brought people together.
It set everyone on an even playing field. Everyone was in need of Savior, no one more so then another. Jesus drew all people to himself, regardless of race or social class.
Examples: The Shepherds, the Magi, Simeon
Through His Ministry
Jesus’ mission was to make sure all knew that He was the Savior and that He came for everyone.
This included the marginalized and all sinners.
We were a part of Jesus’ plan to establish His Kingdom on Earth.
We have been empowered to Continue what Jesus Started.
Through His Church
As a church we exist to build the community/kingdom of God.
The church equips people to go out into the world, to bring others into the community of God.
We have a plan and purpose given by God.
The Purpose of the Church is to serve the community and point the Community towards Jesus which brings Salvation— Hope and unity to the community.
Through Us Individually Being the Church
Matthew 5:14-16 “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. 15 No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father. (NLT)
Jesus came to BUILD His Kingdom here on Earth so all could BELONG to the Community of God
The Church was established to Continue What Jesus Started.
Additional Scriptures:
Luke2:8-20, Matthew 2:1-12, Luke 2:25-32, Luke 4:42-43, Mark 2:15-17, John 3:16-17, Luke 9:1-29, Ephesians 4:11-14, Ephesians 2:10, Acts 2:42-47 42, Matthew 5:14-16
Reflection Questions
Do people know that you’re a follower of Jesus or do you hide your light?
If people know that you are a follower of Jesus, do your actions point to Jesus?
Have you invited people to church?
Christmas Eve is a great opportunity.
Let’s Build a Community that people want to Belong to, this starts with each of us individually being the light in the world.
Key Scripture
John 7:1 After this, Jesus traveled around Galilee. He wanted to stay out of Judea, where the Jewish leaders were plotting his death. 2 But soon it was time for the Jewish Festival of Shelters, 3 and Jesus’ brothers said to him, “Leave here and go to Judea, where your followers can see your miracles! 4 You can’t become famous if you hide like this! If you can do such wonderful things, show yourself to the world!” 5 For even his brothers didn’t believe in him. 6 Jesus replied, “Now is not the right time for me to go, but you can go anytime. 7 The world can’t hate you, but it does hate me because I accuse it of doing evil. 8 You go on. I’m not going to this festival, because my time has not yet come.” 9 After saying these things, Jesus remained in Galilee.
Jesus is in Galilee and this conversation is about leaving to go on a trip to Judea.
This conversation with His brothers is a very typical, ordinary, human moment.
God Himself became humanity by sending the Word, His son to live among us…
John 1:14 So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.
This interaction highlights the reality of the opposition and hostility Jesus faced - some want to kill Him for what He’s been doing and saying and even His brothers didn’t believe Him!
Death
John 7:1b…He wanted to stay out of Judea, where the Jewish leaders were plotting his death…
- “if Jesus is delaying His crucifixion until a later date, what does Jesus plan to accomplish before His death and resurrection?”
His death means death to the old, His life means we find new life.
Romans 6:1 Well then, should we keep on sinning so that God can show us more and more of his wonderful grace? 2 Of course not! Since we have died to sin, how can we continue to live in it? 3 Or have you forgotten that when we were joined with Christ Jesus in baptism, we joined him in his death? 4 For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives. 5 Since we have been united with him in his death, we will also be raised to life as he was.
Jesus delayed the crucifixion because a significant part of His ministry was to be a teacher - and if He was to die before His time - it would mean that He wouldn’t have taught the things He needed to teach us.
John 8:31 Jesus said to the people who believed in him, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. 32 And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
Different Goals
Jesus is waiting for the right timing for His crucifixion - but He also has a very different idea of success than His brothers…
John 7:3b…Jesus’ brothers said to him, “Leave here and go to Judea, where your followers can see your miracles! 4 You can’t become famous if you hide like this! If you can do such wonderful things, show yourself to the world!”
John 7:6 Jesus replied, “Now is not the right time for me to go, but you can go anytime. 7 The world can’t hate you, but it does hate me because I accuse it of doing evil.
If Christians everywhere lived like this we would change the world. We know this because that’s how Jesus changed the world, and we’re called to continue what Jesus started.
Timing
John 7:6a Jesus replied, “Now is not the right time for me to go…8b... I’m not going to this festival, because my time has not yet come.”
Jesus talking about timing is a challenge to us to also submit to God’s timing. But to live in God's timing takes trust.
To trust God even when we disagree is a step towards life before the fall. To trust God’s timing instead of our own best guess and instead of popular opinion - is to return to how things should be.
Being a follower of Jesus means having Different Goals and a different definition of success.
Additional Scriptures:
Isaiah 40:12, Isaiah 45:18, Isaiah 30:21
Reflection Question 1
Are you looking to Jesus as a teacher?
He has many roles and descriptions - but teacher is important.
His crucifixion needed to wait so He could teach the world about who He is and the values of His kingdom
We need to stop believing lies and start believing the truth - and that will set us free.
Reflection Question 2
Do we trust God’s timing?
Expect that it’ll be frustrating and against our best judgment.
But trust that He is faithful to guide and direct our steps
We read that this moment was the wrong time - what do we know about the right time?
John 12:23 Jesus replied, “Now the time has come for the Son of Man to enter into his glory. 24 I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat is planted in the soil and dies, it remains alone. But its death will produce many new kernels—a plentiful harvest of new lives. 25 Those who love their life in this world will lose it. Those who care nothing for their life in this world will keep it for eternity. 26 Anyone who wants to serve me must follow me, because my servants must be where I am. And the Father will honor anyone who serves me.
Jesus knew that His mission meant He would have to die when the time was right.
And when the time was right Jesus was ready.
It was His death that meant countless others could find life
Not just happiness - but eternal life in Him.
Key Scripture
John 6:22 The next day the crowd that had stayed on the far shore saw that the disciples had taken the only boat, and they realized Jesus had not gone with them. 23 Several boats from Tiberias landed near the place where the Lord had blessed the bread and the people had eaten. 24 So when the crowd saw that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they got into the boats and went across to Capernaum to look for him. 25 They found him on the other side of the lake and asked, “Rabbi, when did you get here?”
John 6:26 Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, you want to be with me because I fed you, not because you understood the miraculous signs. 27 But don’t be so concerned about perishable things like food. Spend your energy seeking the eternal life that the Son of Man can give you. For God the Father has given me the seal of his approval.”
The Crowd
Selfish Motives →
“...you want to be with me because I fed you…”
Misunderstanding How God Is At Work →
“…not because you understood the miraculous signs…”
Faulty Priorities →
“...don’t be so concerned about perishable things like food…”
Small Perspective →
“Spend your energy seeking the eternal life that the Son of Man can give you…”
What can we expect Jesus to address in the passage?
Selfish Motives
Misunderstanding How God Is At Work
Faulty Priorities
Small Perspectives
Now Jesus has created this tension, this is the crowd's response…
John 6:28 They replied, “We want to perform God’s works, too. What should we do?” 29 Jesus told them, “This is the only work God wants from you: Believe in the one he has sent.” 30 They answered, “Show us a miraculous sign if you want us to believe in you. What can you do? 31 After all, our ancestors ate manna while they journeyed through the wilderness! The Scriptures say, ‘Moses gave them bread from heaven to eat.’” 32 Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, Moses didn’t give you bread from heaven. My Father did. And now he offers you the true bread from heaven. 33 The true bread of God is the one who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” 34 “Sir,” they said, “give us that bread every day.”
An important and possibly understated point that’s being made here - you can’t survive on blessings and blessings alone - even if they’re absolute miracles.
John 6:35 Jesus replied, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. 36 But you haven’t believed in me even though you have seen me. 37 However, those the Father has given me will come to me, and I will never reject them. 38 For I have come down from heaven to do the will of God who sent me, not to do my own will. 39 And this is the will of God, that I should not lose even one of all those he has given me, but that I should raise them up at the last day. 40 For it is my Father’s will that all who see his Son and believe in him should have eternal life. I will raise them up at the last day.”
What is important for us to catch from this - is it shows the heart of God:
Those who come to me, I will never reject them
I don’t want to lose even one of all those the Father has given me
It is my Father’s will that all who see his Son and believe in him should have eternal life. I will raise them up at the last day.”
John 6:41 Then the people began to murmur in disagreement because he had said, “I am the bread that came down from heaven.” 42 They said, “Isn’t this Jesus, the son of Joseph? We know his father and mother. How can he say, ‘I came down from heaven’?”
John 6:43 But Jesus replied, “Stop complaining about what I said. 44 For no one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them to me, and at the last day I will raise them up. 45 As it is written in the Scriptures, ‘They will all be taught by God.’ Everyone who listens to the Father and learns from him comes to me. 46 (Not that anyone has ever seen the Father; only I, who was sent from God, have seen him.)
It’s God who takes the initiative and takes the first step to bring us home to Him.
The broken relationship between God and humanity because of our sins and shortcomings - motivated by love, He took the initiative to fix this broken relationship.
He sent His son - to pay the price humanity owed but could never pay for ourselves - He became humanity to fix humanity's biggest problem
John 6:47 “I tell you the truth, anyone who believes has eternal life. 48 Yes, I am the bread of life! 49 Your ancestors ate manna in the wilderness, but they all died. 50 Anyone who eats the bread from heaven, however, will never die. 51 I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Anyone who eats this bread will live forever; and this bread, which I will offer so the world may live, is my flesh.” 52 Then the people began arguing with each other about what he meant. “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?” they asked. 53 So Jesus said again, “I tell you the truth, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you cannot have eternal life within you. 54 But anyone who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise that person at the last day. 55 For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. 56 Anyone who eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in him. 57 I live because of the living Father who sent me; in the same way, anyone who feeds on me will live because of me. 58 I am the true bread that came down from heaven. Anyone who eats this bread will not die as your ancestors did (even though they ate the manna) but will live forever.” 59 He said these things while he was teaching in the synagogue in Capernaum.
But if someone has got selfish motives or faulty priorities or a small perspective or you’re misunderstanding how God is at work - why would they stick around?
John 6:60 Many of his disciples said, “This is very hard to understand. How can anyone accept it?” 61 Jesus was aware that his disciples were complaining, so he said to them, “Does this offend you? 62 Then what will you think if you see the Son of Man ascend to heaven again? 63 The Spirit alone gives eternal life. Human effort accomplishes nothing. And the very words I have spoken to you are spirit and life. 64 But some of you do not believe me.” (For Jesus knew from the beginning which ones didn’t believe, and he knew who would betray him.) 65 Then he said, “That is why I said that people can’t come to me unless the Father gives them to me.” 66 At this point many of his disciples turned away and deserted him.
John 6:67 Then Jesus turned to the Twelve and asked, “Are you also going to leave?” 68 Simon Peter replied, “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words that give eternal life. 69 We believe, and we know you are the Holy One of God.” 70 Then Jesus said, “I chose the twelve of you, but one is a devil.” 71 He was speaking of Judas, son of Simon Iscariot, one of the Twelve, who would later betray him.
The disciples’ response:
Selfish Motives Faithful Motives →
“Are you also going to leave?”
The wrong motive will mean you’ll leave - The right motive will cause you to stay.
Faulty Priorities Correct Priorities →
“Lord, to whom would we go?
Small Perspective Eternal Perspective →
You have the words that give eternal life.
Misunderstanding How God Is At Work Appreciating How God Is At Work →
We believe, and we know you are the Holy One of God.
Embrace humility as a strength, seek first the kingdom of God, arrange your schedule around your faith - instead of squeezing God into whatever time is left over, find moments of silence to contemplate and reflect on the promise of eternal life, and look around and see what God is doing and how He’s changing lives.
The Disposition of a Disciple
Faithful Motives
Correct Priorities
Eternal Perspective
Appreciating How God Is At Work
Key Scripture
John 6:16 That evening Jesus’ disciples went down to the shore to wait for him. 17 But as darkness fell and Jesus still hadn’t come back, they got into the boat and headed across the lake toward Capernaum. 18 Soon a gale swept down upon them, and the sea grew very rough. 19 They had rowed three or four miles when suddenly they saw Jesus walking on the water toward the boat. They were terrified, 20 but he called out to them, “Don’t be afraid. I am here!” 21 Then they were eager to let him in the boat, and immediately they arrived at their destination!
When The Storm Hits, Make Sure Jesus Is In The Boat!
John 16:33b…Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”
Three Things That Made The Storm Worse:
Darkness
Uncertainty
Exhaustion
A storm is bad enough - but to face it without Jesus is infinitely worse!
When the disciples were struggling in the darkness and facing uncertainty and utterly exhausted - they needed Jesus.
John 6:19b…they saw Jesus walking on the water toward the boat. They were terrified, 20 but he called out to them, “Don’t be afraid. I am here!”
Deuteronomy 31:8 Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you.”
In the middle of the darkness and the middle of the storm, what they needed was Jesus - the light of the world.
The Difference Between The Crowd Who Left And The Disciples Who Stayed Was The Storm
He has overcome the world therefore it makes sense to eagerly want Him to be with us in the worst seasons of our lives. We should listen to what He says so we can build our life on Him, His promises & His teaching.
Whether you’re in a storm or not - it’s always the right time to eagerly - with passion and certainty - to invite Jesus into the boat
------------------------------------------------------------------
Philippians 2:3 Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. 4 Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. 5 You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.
John 14:15-31
15 “If you love me, keep my commands. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and 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. 18 I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. 19 Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. 20 On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. 21 Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.” 22 Then Judas (not Judas Iscariot) said, “But, Lord, why do you intend to show yourself to us and not to the world?” 23 Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. 24 Anyone who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me. 25 “All this I have spoken while still with you. 26 But the Advocate, 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. 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. 28 “You heard me say, ‘I am going away and I am coming back to you.’ If you loved me, you would be glad that I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. 29 I have told you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe. 30 I will not say much more to you, for the prince of this world is coming. He has no hold over me, 31 but he comes so that the world may learn that I love the Father and do exactly what my Father has commanded me. “Come now; let us leave.
Just like us, the disciples asked:
JESUS … CAN YOU GIVE US SOME PEACE IN THIS CRAZY MOMENT?
Jesus is teaching His disciples they need to:
LEARN: God wants to teach you who He is.
KNOW: God wants you to know him intimately.
LOVE: God wants you to love Him and receive a love from Him that transforms you.
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. (v. 27)
2 Timothy 2:1 I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. 2 Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. 3 This is good and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth.
John 6:1 After this, Jesus crossed over to the far side of the Sea of Galilee, also known as the Sea of Tiberias. 2 A huge crowd kept following him wherever he went, because they saw his miraculous signs as he healed the sick. 3 Then Jesus climbed a hill and sat down with his disciples around him. 4 (It was nearly time for the Jewish Passover celebration.) 5 Jesus soon saw a huge crowd of people coming to look for him. Turning to Philip, he asked, “Where can we buy bread to feed all these people?” 6 He was testing Philip, for he already knew what he was going to do. 7 Philip replied, “Even if we worked for months, we wouldn’t have enough money to feed them!” 8 Then Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up. 9 “There’s a young boy here with five barley loaves and two fish. But what good is that with this huge crowd?” 10 “Tell everyone to sit down,” Jesus said. So they all sat down on the grassy slopes. (The men alone numbered about 5,000.) 11 Then Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks to God, and distributed them to the people. Afterward he did the same with the fish. And they all ate as much as they wanted. 12 After everyone was full, Jesus told his disciples, “Now gather the leftovers, so that nothing is wasted.” 13 So they picked up the pieces and filled twelve baskets with scraps left by the people who had eaten from the five barley loaves.14 When the people saw him do this miraculous sign, they exclaimed, “Surely, he is the Prophet we have been expecting!” 15 When Jesus saw that they were ready to force him to be their king, he slipped away into the hills by himself.
Key Lessons From the Feeding of the 5,000 (John 6:1-15)
1. Jesus is where we find life
2. Jesus is a different kind of king
3. This is worth thinking about
John 6:29 Jesus told them, “This is the only work God wants from you: Believe in the one he has sent.” 30 They answered, “Show us a miraculous sign if you want us to believe in you. What can you do? 31 After all, our ancestors ate manna while they journeyed through the wilderness! The Scriptures say, ‘Moses gave them bread from heaven to eat.’” 32 Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, Moses didn’t give you bread from heaven. My Father did. And now he offers you the true bread from heaven. 33 The true bread of God is the one who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” 34 “Sir,” they said, “give us that bread every day.” 35 Jesus replied, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.
John 6:1 After this, Jesus crossed over to the far side of the Sea of Galilee, also known as the Sea of Tiberias. 2 A huge crowd kept following him wherever he went, because they saw his miraculous signs as he healed the sick. 3 Then Jesus climbed a hill and sat down with his disciples around him. 4 (It was nearly time for the Jewish Passover celebration.) 5 Jesus soon saw a huge crowd of people coming to look for him. Turning to Philip, he asked, “Where can we buy bread to feed all these people?” 6 He was testing Philip, for he already knew what he was going to do. 7 Philip replied, “Even if we worked for months, we wouldn’t have enough money to feed them!” 8 Then Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up. 9 “There’s a young boy here with five barley loaves and two fish. But what good is that with this huge crowd?” 10 “Tell everyone to sit down,” Jesus said. So they all sat down on the grassy slopes. (The men alone numbered about 5,000.) 11 Then Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks to God, and distributed them to the people. Afterward he did the same with the fish. And they all ate as much as they wanted. 12 After everyone was full, Jesus told his disciples, “Now gather the leftovers, so that nothing is wasted.” 13 So they picked up the pieces and filled twelve baskets with scraps left by the people who had eaten from the five barley loaves. 14 When the people saw him do this miraculous sign, they exclaimed, “Surely, he is the Prophet we have been expecting!” 15 When Jesus saw that they were ready to force him to be their king, he slipped away into the hills by himself.
John 6:35b…Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.
John 6:14 When the people saw him do this miraculous sign, they exclaimed, “Surely, he is the Prophet we have been expecting!” 15 When Jesus saw that they were ready to force him to be their king, he slipped away into the hills by himself.
“Christianity will go, it will vanish and shrink. I needn’t argue about that; I’m right and I will be proved right. We’re more popular than Jesus now; I don’t know which will go first—rock ’n’ roll or Christianity.”
John Lennon: London Evening Standard, March 1966
John 6:26 Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, you want to be with me because I fed you, not because you understood the miraculous signs. 27 But don’t be so concerned about perishable things like food. Spend your energy seeking the eternal life that the Son of Man can give you. For God the Father has given me the seal of his approval.”
John 6:15 When Jesus saw that they were ready to force him to be their king, he slipped away into the hills by himself.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
John 18:33 Then Pilate went back into his headquarters and called for Jesus to be brought to him. “Are you the king of the Jews?” he asked him…36 Jesus answered, “My Kingdom is not an earthly kingdom. If it were, my followers would fight to keep me from being handed over to the Jewish leaders. But my Kingdom is not of this world.”
Matthew 4:3 During that time the devil came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become loaves of bread.” 4 But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say, ‘People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”
Matthew 5:6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied
Matthew 20: 25 But Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. 26 But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever wants to be first among you must become your slave. 28 For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
John 6:12b…Jesus told his disciples, “Now gather the leftovers, so that nothing is wasted.” 13a So they picked up the pieces and filled twelve baskets with scraps left by the people…
Mark 8:19 When I fed the 5,000 with five loaves of bread, how many baskets of leftovers did you pick up afterward?” “Twelve,” they said. 20 “And when I fed the 4,000 with seven loaves, how many large baskets of leftovers did you pick up?” “Seven,” they said.
John 6:12 After everyone was full, Jesus told his disciples, “Now gather the leftovers, so that nothing is wasted.” 13 So they picked up the pieces and filled twelve baskets with scraps left by the people who had eaten from the five barley loaves
Key Lessons From the Feeding of the 5,000 (John 6:1-15)
1. Jesus is where we find life
2. Jesus is a different kind of king
3. This is worth thinking about
Colossians 1:15 Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation, 16 for through him God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth. He made the things we can see and the things we can’t see— such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world. Everything was created through him and for him. 17 He existed before anything else, and he holds all creation together. 18 Christ is also the head of the church which is his body.He is the beginning, supreme over all who rise from the dead. So he is first in everything.19 For God in all his fullness was pleased to live in Christ, 20 and through him God reconciled everything to himself. He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth by means of Christ’s blood on the cross.
Lord Jesus
I believe you died for me
I want to follow you
I invite you
To be Lord of my life
Help me follow you everyday
I want to leave my old life of sin behind
And heal my broken relationship with God
In Jesus name, Amen
------------------------------------------------------------------
Philippians 2:3 Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. 4 Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. 5 You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.
John 5:1 Afterward Jesus returned to Jerusalem for one of the Jewish holy days. 2 Inside the city, near the Sheep Gate, was the pool of Bethesda, with five covered porches. 3 Crowds of sick people—blind, lame, or paralyzed—lay on the porches. 5 One of the men lying there had been sick for thirty-eight years. 6 When Jesus saw him and knew he had been ill for a long time, he asked him, “Would you like to get well?” 7 “I can’t, sir,” the sick man said, “for I have no one to put me into the pool when the water bubbles up. Someone else always gets there ahead of me.” 8 Jesus told him, “Stand up, pick up your mat, and walk!” 9a Instantly, the man was healed! He rolled up his sleeping mat and began walking!...
John 5:9b…But this miracle happened on the Sabbath, 10 so the Jewish leaders objected. They said to the man who was cured, “You can’t work on the Sabbath! The law doesn’t allow you to carry that sleeping mat!” 11 But he replied, “The man who healed me told me, ‘Pick up your mat and walk.’” 12 “Who said such a thing as that?” they demanded. 13 The man didn’t know, for Jesus had disappeared into the crowd. 14 But afterward Jesus found him in the Temple and told him, “Now you are well; so stop sinning, or something even worse may happen to you.” 15 Then the man went and told the Jewish leaders that it was Jesus who had healed him. 16 So the Jewish leaders began harassing Jesus for breaking the Sabbath rules. 17 But Jesus replied, “My Father is always working, and so am I.” 18 So the Jewish leaders tried all the harder to find a way to kill him. For he not only broke the Sabbath, he called God his Father, thereby making himself equal with God.
John 1:1 In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God…10a He came into the very world he created…14a So the Word became human and made his home among us…
John 1:12b…all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. 13 They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God…16 From his abundance we have all received one gracious blessing after another.
John 5:5 One of the men lying there had been sick for thirty-eight years. 6 When Jesus saw him and knew he had been ill for a long time, he asked him, “Would you like to get well?”
John 5:7 “I can’t, sir,” the sick man said, “for I have no one to put me into the pool when the water bubbles up. Someone else always gets there ahead of me.”
John 4:9b…But this miracle happened on the Sabbath, 10 so the Jewish leaders objected. They said to the man who was cured, “You can’t work on the Sabbath! The law doesn’t allow you to carry that sleeping mat!” 11 But he replied, “The man who healed me told me, ‘Pick up your mat and walk.” 12 “Who said such a thing as that?” they demanded…16 So the Jewish leaders began harassing Jesus for breaking the Sabbath rules.
John 5:14 But afterward Jesus found him in the Temple and told him, “Now you are well; so stop sinning, or something even worse may happen to you.”
Galatians 6:7 Don’t be misled—you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant. 8 Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
James 1:14 Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. 15 These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Romans 6:19 Because of the weakness of your human nature, I am using the illustration of slavery to help you understand all this. Previously, you let yourselves be slaves to impurity and lawlessness, which led ever deeper into sin. Now you must give yourselves to be slaves to righteous living so that you will become holy. 20 When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the obligation to do right. 21 And what was the result? You are now ashamed of the things you used to do, things that end in eternal doom. 22 But now you are free from the power of sin and have become slaves of God. Now you do those things that lead to holiness and result in eternal life. 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 5:8 But God clearly shows and proves His own love for us, by the fact that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Amplified Bible)
John 5:15 Then the man went and told the Jewish leaders that it was Jesus who had healed him. 16 So the Jewish leaders began harassing Jesus for breaking the Sabbath rules. 17 But Jesus replied, “My Father is always working, and so am I.” 18 So the Jewish leaders tried all the harder to find a way to kill him. For he not only broke the Sabbath, he called God his Father, thereby making himself equal with God.
1 John 2:12 I am writing to you who are God’s children because your sins have been forgiven through Jesus. 13 I am writing to you who are mature in the faith because you know Christ, who existed from the beginning. I am writing to you who are young in the faith because you have won your battle with the evil one. 14 I have written to you who are God’s children because you know the Father. I have written to you who are mature in the faith because you know Christ, who existed from the beginning. I have written to you who are young in the faith because you are strong. God’s word lives in your hearts, and you have won your battle with the evil one.
Lord Jesus
I believe you died for me
I want to follow you
I invite you
To be Lord of my life
Help me follow you everyday
I want to leave my old life of sin behind
And heal my broken relationship with God
In Jesus name, Amen
John 4:43 At the end of the two days, Jesus went on to Galilee. 44 He himself had said that a prophet is not honored in his own hometown. 45 Yet the Galileans welcomed him, for they had been in Jerusalem at the Passover celebration and had seen everything he did there. 46 As he traveled through Galilee, he came to Cana, where he had turned the water into wine. There was a government official in nearby Capernaum whose son was very sick. 47 When he heard that Jesus had come from Judea to Galilee, he went and begged Jesus to come to Capernaum to heal his son, who was about to die. 48 Jesus asked, “Will you never believe in me unless you see miraculous signs and wonders?” 49 The official pleaded, “Lord, please come now before my little boy dies.”50 Then Jesus told him, “Go back home. Your son will live!” And the man believed what Jesus said and started home. 51 While the man was on his way, some of his servants met him with the news that his son was alive and well. 52 He asked them when the boy had begun to get better, and they replied, “Yesterday afternoon at one o’clock his fever suddenly disappeared!” 53 Then the father realized that that was the very time Jesus had told him, “Your son will live.” And he and his entire household believed in Jesus. 54 This was the second miraculous sign Jesus did in Galilee after coming from Judea.
Times “Believe” or “Belief” is written in Matthew, Mark and Luke combined = 34
Times “Believe” or “Belief” is written in John = 85
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bonus Stat for my fellow nerds…
John’s Gospel (by word count) is 8.4% of the New Testament
Of all the times the words “Believe” or “belief” is used in the New Testament - 36.4% of those are in John’s Gospel
Times “Believe” or “Belief” is written in Matthew, Mark and Luke combined = 34
Times “Believe” or “Belief” is written in John = 85
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bonus Stat for my fellow nerds…
John’s Gospel (by word count) is 8.4% of the New Testament
Of all the times the words “Believe” or “belief” is used in the New Testament - 36.4% of those are in John’s Gospel
29 Then Jesus told him, “You believe because you have seen me. Blessed are those who believe without seeing me.”
30 The disciples saw Jesus do many other miraculous signs in addition to the ones recorded in this book. 31 But these are written so that you may continue to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing in him you will have life by the power of his name.
John 20:31…these are written so that you may continue to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing in him you will have life by the power of his name.
John 20:28 “My Lord and my God!”
If You Believe That Jesus Is Who He Says He Is,
The Only Logical Response Is To Follow Him With Everything
John 4:43 At the end of the two days, Jesus went on to Galilee. 44 He himself had said that a prophet is not honored in his own hometown. 45 Yet the Galileans welcomed him, for they had been in Jerusalem at the Passover celebration and had seen everything he did there.
John 4:46 As he traveled through Galilee, he came to Cana, where he had turned the water into wine. There was a government official in nearby Capernaum whose son was very sick. 47 When he heard that Jesus had come from Judea to Galilee, he went and begged Jesus to come to Capernaum to heal his son, who was about to die.
John 4:48 Jesus asked, “Will you never believe in me unless you see miraculous signs and wonders?”
John 4:49 The official pleaded, “Lord, please come now before my little boy dies.” 50 Then Jesus told him, “Go back home. Your son will live!” And the man believed what Jesus said and started home.
Faith Is Believing In And Committing To A Promise
John 4:51 While the man was on his way, some of his servants met him with the news that his son was alive and well. 52 He asked them when the boy had begun to get better, and they replied, “Yesterday afternoon at one o’clock his fever suddenly disappeared!” 53a Then the father realized that that was the very time Jesus had told him, “Your son will live.”...
John 1:1 In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He existed in the beginning with God. 3 God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him.4 The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.
John 4:52b… “Yesterday afternoon at one o’clock his fever suddenly disappeared!” 53 Then the father realized that that was the very time Jesus had told him, “Your son will live.” And he and his entire household believed in Jesus. 54 This was the second miraculous sign Jesus did in Galilee after coming from Judea.
Daniel 3:15 I will give you one more chance to bow down and worship the statue I have made when you hear the sound of the musical instruments. But if you refuse, you will be thrown immediately into the blazing furnace. And then what god will be able to rescue you from my power?” 16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you. 17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty. 18BUT EVEN IF HE DOESN’T, we want to make it clear to you, Your Majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up.”
The Good Things in Life Should Give Us an Eternal Perspective & The Bad Things in Life Should Also Give Us an Eternal Perspective
If You Believe That Jesus Is Who He Says He Is, The Only Logical Response Is To Follow Him With Everything
John 20:27b…Don’t be faithless any longer. Believe!” 28 “My Lord and my God!” Thomas exclaimed…31b…these are written so that you may continue to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing in him you will have life by the power of his name.
Lord Jesus
I believe you died for me
I want to follow you
I invite you
To be Lord of my life
Help me follow you everyday
I want to leave my old life of sin behind
And heal my broken relationship with God
In Jesus name, Amen
Philippians 2:3-11 (NLT)
Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.
You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to.Instead, he gave up his divine privileges he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross. Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names,
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
One obstacle to humility is comparison
Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves.
A second obstacle to humility is selfishness
Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.
Verses 5-8 NLT
You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had
Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being.
When he appeared in human form he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross.
There would be unity in the church because there would be humility rather than comparison and competition
Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose.
Psalm 133 (NIV) Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brethren to dwell together in unity!It is like the precious oil upon the head, Running down on the beard, The beard of Aaron, Running down on the edge of his garments. It is like the dew of Hermon,Descending upon the mountains of Zion;
For there the Lord commanded the blessing—
Life forevermore.
There would be a lack of hypocrisy because we would fully be on mission, rather than crusading for our own interests or preferences
Matthew 28:19-20 (NLT)
Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
-There would be a constant recalibration to make sure we are the reflection of Christ rather than the reflection of ourselves, or those we aspire to be, showing the lost less and less of ourselves and more and more of Him
COl 1: 9-10 (NLT)
So we have not stopped praying for you since we first heard about you. We ask God to give you complete knowledge of his will and to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding. Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit. All the while, you will grow as you learn to know God better and better.
John 3: 30-31 (NLT)
He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less.
He has come from above and is greater than anyone else. We are of the earth, and we speak of earthly things, but he has come from heaven and is greater than anyone else.
What difference do you think it would make in your life if you had Jesus’s mindset?
What kind of an impact could serving others with humility have on the unity of our church community?
Think of one relationship with another Christian in your life —maybe with someone you don’t see eye to eye with. What could you do to humbly serve that person?
How can you reflect the love of Jesus to someone who does not know Him this week?
Philippians 2:9-11 (NLT)
Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Lord Jesus
I believe You died for me
I want you
To be the Lord of my life
Help me follow you everyday
I want to leave my old life of sin behind
And heal my broken relationship with God
In Jesus’ name, Amen