Knowing Jesus - Knowing His Comfort

Introduction:

Knowing His Comfort (John 14:1-6):

1. Receive the peace Jesus Provides (John 14:1)
2. Look to the place Jesus is Preparing (John 14:2-4)

   Revelation 21:2 - And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

3. Walk the path Jesus Prescribes (John 14:5-6)

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Small Group Discussion
Read John 14:1-6

1. What was your big “take-away” from this passage / message?
   

2. On a scale of 1-10, how much do you need comfort right now?
   (1 = I am as calm and peaceful as a human can be, 10 = I am despondent.)
   What is giving you the most stress right this minute?
   

3. Why is heaven compared to a bride (Revelation 21:2)? How should this thought comfort God's people?
   

4. Someone says to you, “Jesus is the only way to heaven? Isn't that narrow minded?” How would you respond?

Breakout
Pray for one another.

Knowing Jesus - Knowing His New Commandment

Introduction:

3 Things Jesus Said About God's Glory (John 13:31-38):

1. Jesus Glorified God on the Cross. (John 13:31)
2. God Will Glorify Jesus with the Resurrection. (John 13:32a,32b)
3. Jesus Will Be Glorified Without Delay. (John 13:32c)

Knowing His New Commandment:

1. I Must love people how Jesus loves. (John 13:34)

   How did Jesus love? (His action)

   • Served Them (John 13:5)
   • Comforted Them (Matt 14:27)
   • Prayed for Them (John 17:9)
   • Admonished Them (Matt 16:8-11)
   • Forgave Them (John 21:15)

   How did Jesus love? (His heart)

   • Patient
   • Impartial
   • Self-sacrificing
   • Forgiving
   • Gracious
2. I Can't love Jesus how people love (John 13:36-38)

   John 7:38-39 - "Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, 'Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.'" Now this he said about the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were to receive, for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.

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Small Group Discussion
Read John 13:31-38

1. What was your big “take-away” from this passage / message?
   

2. What is “New” about the New Commandment? (John 13:34)
   

3. What are some ways you see love lacking in the church?
   

4. “We must revel not in our love for Jesus, but in His love for us.” Explain what this means. How do we go about doing this, specifically?

Breakout
Pray for one another.

Knowing Jesus - Knowing He Knows

Introduction:

Warnings to Hypocrites (John 13:21-30):

1. Jesus Knows if you are a hypocrite. (John 13:21)
2. Your hypocrisy will be Found Out . (John 13:22-27)

   Luke 12:1-3 - Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. Nothing is covered up that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. Therefore whatever you have said in the dark shall be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in private rooms shall be proclaimed on the housetops.

Proverbs 28:13 - Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.

3. Hypocrisy only leads to Regret . (John 13:28-30)

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Small Group Discussion
Read John 13:21-30

1. What was your big “take-away” from this passage / message?
   

2. Why didn't Jesus make sure everyone knew Judas was the betrayer (John 13:28)?
   

3. Did Judas have a choice here, or was this predestined for him – and he had no choice? Defend your answer.
   

4. If Judas was never really on board with Jesus, why do you think he became a disciple in the first place? What does this say about why hypocrites stick around the church today?

Breakout
Pray for one another.

Do It Afraid

Introduction:

Do It Afraid: (Isaiah 43:18-19)

Isaiah 43:18-19 - "Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way..."

God's timing is just as important as His direction.

Ezekiel 37:14b (NIV) - "Then you will know that I, the Lord, have spoken, and I have done what I said. Yes, the Lord has spoken!"

Matthew 6:26 (NIV) - "Look at the birds of the air. They do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your Heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?"

When God guides, He will always provide.

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Small Group Discussion
Read Isaiah 43:18-19

1. What is one thing that God revealed to you personally during the sermon?
   

2. How are you going to obey what God revealed to you?
   

3. What is an example of something you’ve done afraid?
   

4. “God’s timing is just as important as His direction.” What does this statement mean to your and your current circumstances?

Breakout
Pray for one another.

Because Jesus Was Raised...We Labor in Victory.

Introduction:

1. He won the greatest Prize . (1 Cor 15:50-53)

   1 Thessalonians 4:16 - For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.

Why I Believe in a Pre-Tribulation Rapture:

1. It's the most Straightforward understanding of the biblical language.
2. We never see the church in the Tribulation in Revelation.
3. God has a track record of Removing His people before He judges the wicked.

2. He defeated the greatest Enemy . (1 Cor 15:54-57)
3. He gives us the greatest Purpose . (1 Cor 15:58)

   Revelation 21:8 - But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.

Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
Hint: Highlight blanks above for answers!

Small Group Discussion
Read 1 Cor 15:50-58

1. What was your big “take-away” from this passage / message?
   

2. Do you believe in the rapture? If yes, when do you believe it will happen? If not, why not?
   

3. What, specifically, is “the work of the Lord” (1 Cor:58)? How is this carried out in our pandemic age?
   

4. What can we be doing NOW to be “steadfast and immovable” when persecution comes (1 Cor:58)? How can the church help prepare people for this?

Breakout
Pray for one another.