What Does Jesus Want Us to Do Next? | Acts 9:19b-31

What Does Jesus Want Us to Do Next? | Acts 9:19b-31

Darien Gabriel

What Does Jesus Want Us to Do Next?

Acts 9:19b–31

When Saul met Jesus on the road to Damascus, everything changed—including the direction of his life. The man who came to Damascus to stop people from proclaiming Jesus soon began proclaiming Jesus himself. In Acts 9:19b–31, we see what happened next: Saul told others about Jesus, learned to follow Jesus alongside other believers, and became part of a church that was strengthened, encouraged by the Holy Spirit, and growing. The same question Saul faced is one we need to ask today: What does Jesus want us to do next?

Bottom Line: When Jesus changes your life, He also changes the direction of your life.

Scripture: Acts 9:19b–31 NIV

Series: Acts

Preacher: Darien Gabriel dariengabriel.com

Grace Christian Fellowship GraceToday.net #followJesus #acts9

Don’t Waste the Wait | 2 Peter 3:11-18

Don't Waste the Wait | 2 Peter 3:11-18

Ken Dorrity

2 Peter 3:11-18
Live for What Lasts v:11-13
Wait with Purpose v:14-15
Grow & Stand firm v:16-18

Day of God - When Christ returns

Does Scripture show that the holy conduct, godliness, and prayer hasten Christ's return?  Peter seems to think so.  See also Matt 6:10; 24:14; Acts 3:19-21.  Some may feel uneasy because they worry about the understanding of the sovereignty of God being undercut.  But God knows in advance what his people will do, say, pray, and think.  He even foreordains it (Prov 16:33; Isa 46:6-9; Lam 3:37-38; Amos 4:13; Eph 1:11).  It’s okay to live in the tension between God’s divine sovereignty and our human responsibility.

Is Jesus Coming Back? | 2 Peter 3:1-10

Is Jesus Coming Back? | 2 Peter 3:1-10

Darien Gabriel

Is Jesus Coming Back? | 2 Peter 3:1–10 | Faithful to the End

Everyone asks, “When is Jesus coming back?” But the apostle Peter asks a different—and even more important—question:

Why hasn’t Jesus come back yet?

In this message from 2 Peter 3:1–10, we discover that Christ’s apparent delay isn’t evidence that God has forgotten His promise. It’s evidence of His patience and mercy. Every day that Jesus delays His return is another opportunity for people to repent and receive eternal life.

At the same time, Peter reminds believers to stand firm when the world mocks the promise of Christ’s return. Jesus is coming back. The only question is whether we’ll be ready—and whether we’ll use the time we’ve been given to help others know Him.

Bottom Line: Jesus is coming back. Until then, He’s preaching through us.

Scripture:

• 2 Peter 3:1–10

• Matthew 24:42–44

• Matthew 25:31–46

• 1 Thessalonians 5:2–3

• Acts 1:11

• John 14:3

• Psalm 90:1–4

• Isaiah 24:1–6, 19–20

If this message encouraged or challenged you, we’d love to hear from you in the comments. Please like, subscribe, and share this message with someone who needs the hope of the gospel.

Preached by: Darien Gabriel Grace Christian Fellowship 🌐 https://GraceToday.net 🌐 https://DarienGabriel.com

#JesusIsComingBack #2Peter

How Do You Spot a Fake? | 2 Peter 2:10-22

How Do You Spot a Fake? 2 Peter 2:10-22

Mikey Brannon

How Do You Spot A Fake?

Grace Christian Fellowship

2 Peter 2:10-22

Introduction:

It has been such a great study through 2nd Peter. I have enjoyed the different

sermons and perspectives each week. One thing has become clear that Peter has

really been focusing in on these false prophets. And this week he is going to turn

the volume up to 10 as he helps us to answer the question, How do you recognize

a fake?

Peter is going to use extremely vivid language to express this issue with false

prophets. And one thing that I was thinking about this, is this picture is really not

what Peter thinks about false prophets. A better description is that this is what God

thinks about false prophets as revealed through Peter. It’s not just that Peter has an

obsession with exposing these fakes, but God himself, is perfectly revealing his

hostility toward these evil men. I think its important to remember, its not just Peter

talking.

One of the coolest things I remember learning when I was in Old Testament was

when were studying the prophets in the OT. And I always thought of prophecy

working like this: God gives a vision to the prophet, prophet writes it down or tells

people what God has said.

But did you know that sometime God did that differently he actually gave the

prophet a vision, and then prophet wouldn’t speak, but they would begin to

essentially act out the prophecy in an unspoken or unwritten way. And sometimes

this would happen over the course of years!

One example is Ezekiel

• The Toy Siege: He drew the city of Jerusalem on a clay brick and built a miniature

siege wall around it. He then stared at it to symbolize God's judgment.

• The Starvation Diet: He lay on his left side for 390 days and his right side for 40 days

to bear the sins of Israel and Judah. During this time, he ate rationing bread baked over

fuel made from feces to represent impending starvation.

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• The Haircut: He shaved his head and beard with a sword. He burned one-third of the

hair, struck one-third with a sword, and scattered one-third to the wind to show the fate

of Jerusalem's population.

• The Baggage Pack: He dug through the wall of his house at night and carried his

belongings on his shoulders while covering his face. This acted out the future captivity

and flight of King Zedekiah.

I don’t consider myself a prophet, but I have to admit as I was preparing for this

sermon, I felt like God was making me more real to me in a New Testament

prophecy kind of way, by using those around me. Now don’t get nervous, I

promise I’m going to fill this in and it’s gonna be okay.

I’m going going to go back just a bit a read to you verse 9, because the rest of the

text is really describing something that is said here.

9 then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials, and to keep the

unrighteous under punishment until the day of judgment,

So the text says God know how to keep the “unrighteous under punishment”. The

reference here is back to these false prophets.

We will see in the following text that Peter wants us to know some characteristics

of these false prophets. This because he knows this is a problem that we will have

to deal with. Just like the early church, we too have false teachers. We need to be

able to identify them. To understand them how they work, what motivates them.

10 and especially those who indulge in the lust of defiling passion and despise

authority. Bold and willful, they do not tremble as they blaspheme the glorious

ones,

A defining characteristic is that they indulge in lust, and they despise authority.

This is a person who doesn’t receive correction. Part of being under church

leadership is submitting to the authority of the church. The pastors of a church are

spiritually responsible for the congregation that they serve. To be part of a church

is to submit to the authority of that church’s leadership. One of the first things we

see is that these false leaders despise this kind of authority.

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They also lack a reverence for spiritual things. Both good and evil. “Do not

tremble”. Most of what I read translates these “glorious ones” as fallen angels or

demons. There is a certain amount of respect required, or treating these things

carefully. However, these false prophets lack that and delt with these thing

flippantly.

11 whereas angels, though greater in might and power, do not pronounce a

blasphemous judgment against them before the Lord.

Now we see “angels”, who are greater in might and power than these fallen

angels, the text says they don’t dare deal with these spiritual beings in the way

these false prophets do. They in effect place themselves above the angels by

daring to do this.

I think what Peter is trying to convey here is there is a certain arrogance about

these false prophets. There is a general lack of respect for Spiritual things both

good and evil. It is a dangerous way to do this. We can think of this in modern day

terms as someone who dabbles

12 But these, like irrational animals, creatures of instinct, born to be caught and

destroyed, blaspheming about matters of which they are ignorant, will also be

destroyed in their destruction,

This verse is the one that stuck with me this week. What are false teachers like?

They are like irrational animals. Animals are very interesting creatures. You don’t

have to teach a fox how to be a fox. The mother fox never says, okay kits this is

how you hunt. This is how you hide. Like well designed computer programs they

execute their foxiness to perfection.

Notice the contrast in this language between a teacher, who is often called a pastor

or a shepherd of a flock, and a false teacher who is described as a predator of the

flock. I can’t help but think of how Jesus described them in Matthew 7:15

[Mat 7:15 ESV] 15 "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's

clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.

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I think Peter uses this language because he doesn’t want us to fall into the trap of

trying fix them. Or even to just get along with them. He wants us to see that they

are dangerous creatures. They cannot be changed. You cannot ask a fox to be nice

and not kill your chickens. He is a creature of instinct. This is the picture of the

false teacher.

They are born to be caught and born to be destroyed! Wow! Always a predator.

Back in verse 9, who can do this “The Lord knows how”.

Next Peter points to the boldness in which they sin.

13 suffering wrong as the wage for their wrongdoing. They count it pleasure to

revel in the daytime. They are blots and blemishes, reveling in their deceptions,

while they feast with you.

They are bold to do wrongdoing even in the daytime, not waiting for the cover of

darkness. They are blots and blots and blemishes, the word can be translated as

scab. So when they show up to a function, to a gathering, they literally stain it and

deface it with their mere existence.

Verse 14 is particularly disturbing to think about.

14 They have eyes full of adultery, insatiable for sin. They entice unsteady souls.

They have hearts trained in greed. Accursed children!

2 Characteristics used to describe them. First eyes of adultery, hearts trained in

greed.

Their eyes are “full of adultery”. What an expression. Everywhere they look,

every woman they see, is a lustful object of adultery. The hunger that they have

for sin is unrestrained. They have been given over to the flesh and it has taken

control of them in a way that cannot be stopped.

The phrase “entice unsteady souls” I think is disturbing. This points to an

exploitation of the vulnerable. Like a predator they will look for those who are in

need, perhaps financially, perhaps emotionally, or even spiritually, and the false

teacher sees opportunity for exploitation. I think in our day and time this could be

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taking about homeless people, victims of domestic abuse, those who are

financially vulnerable, elderly, children. The false prophet sees these as

opportunities to satisfy both his lust and his greed.

I am reminded of the fox we have been dealing with around our house. How he

selects his prey. When the fox looks to attack a chicken, he doesn’t go for the big

strong rooster. He goes for the one that seems week. Easy to exploit. The one who

is maybe not standing with the group. Maybe a little smaller and slower than the

others.

Or if the fox is going to attack the kittens he goes for the one who is most trusting.

The one who maybe is more gentle. This is the way the false teacher fulfills his

desires.

The motivation of greed was true in Peter’s day and it is still true for us. That is

why Peter warns us.

I will never forget when I lived back in Alabama we had a local network that had

broadcast “Christian” content 24 hours a day. I sometimes we would sit in watch

in total disbelief. They would do things like sell objects that they called

“anointed”. All you had to do was call in and give them your credit card number

and they would put your “anointed prayer cloth” in the mail for all 29.99 plus tax.

And they would make big promises for how you would be blessed if you called

and got one. Predators, false teachers, exploiting the vulnerable.

The founder of the church of scientology L. Ron Hubbard is attributed with this

quote, “If you want to make money start a business. If you want to make a lot of

money then start a religion.” False prophets motivated by greed. The church of

scientology raises about 1⁄2 a billion dollars a year. When he died in 1986 his estate

was estimated at over 26 Million dollars.

We also see that they have hears that are “trained in greed”. It’s interesting that

Peter uses this word “trained”. Its from the same Greek work that we get the word

gymnasium from. The false teacher exercises his greed muscles. He trains them he

develops them so that they perform like an athlete trains for an event.

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This is great Peter is going to use some imagry from the OT to make his point

about these false teachers.

15 Forsaking the right way, they have gone astray. They have followed the way of

Balaam, the son of Beor, who loved gain from wrongdoing, 16 but was rebuked

for his own transgression; a speechless donkey spoke with human voice and

restrained the prophet's madness.

If you go back to the book of Numbers you will recall that the children of Isreal

were about to go into the promise land. They were camped just outside. The King

of Moab was nervous about the strength and the numbers of them so he

summonsed Balaam, who was a prophet/sorcerer to pronounce a curse on them.

Now Balaam in Peters analogy is the one being compared to the false prophet.

Now God told Balaam not to do this because they were his people.

So the King gave Balaam even more money and he reluctantly agreed to go.

But on the way, God put a fierce angel in his path that was holding a sword.

Balaam was blind and couldn’t see the angel. The donkey gets scared and runs

while Balaam is beating the donkey half to death because he doesn’t know what is

going on. And then through a miraculous work of God the donkey begins to speak

and the presence of the angel is revealed to Balaam.

Balaam was a man with evil intentions. A profit for hire if you will. Motivated by

greed and money he set out to destroy the people of God. Peter says that is just the

same was as the false teachers are.

17 These are waterless springs and mists driven by a storm. For them the gloom of

utter darkness has been reserved.

These false teachers are not what they appear to be. Like a waterless tream. A

place that you expect to find refreshment, but they are empty. They are not what

they appear to be.

They are like a storm that blows up and appears that it is going to provide

significant rainfall only to bring a cloud or a mist with no substance.

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18 For, speaking loud boasts of folly, they entice by sensual passions of the flesh

those who are barely escaping from those who live in error.

19 They promise them freedom, but they themselves are slaves of corruption. For

whatever overcomes a person, to that he is enslaved.

Some people use these last couple of verses as a proof text that people can lose

their salvation. They say see there in verse 20 the know Jesus and then in 21 they

are in worse shape than ever. There is only one problem with that. We know from

earlier that these false prophets do not know Jesus. They never knew Jesus. In fact

Peter made it clear back in verse 12 that they are ignorant and were born for a

purpose of being destroyed. That doesn’t sound at all like someone who was

redeemed. So lets look at this.

20 For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world through the

knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them

and overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first.

To some degree they have escaped the “defilements of the world” because they

have infiltrated the church. In order to do that, you must pass the duck rule. Look

likes a duck, quacks like a duck, it must be... So they pass the duck rule. They are

part of the church so in a physical sense they have some security and fellowship in

that role.

How did they get in this position. In order to be a teacher, these people had to have

some knowledge of Jesus Christ. They had head knowledge enough that they

could fake people off. The problem is that knowledge of Jesus is not the same as

faith in Jesus. You can be here today, memorize scripture, be baptized, fully

understand the gospel, and be full of Bible knowledge and guess what. You could

be lost. If you have not trusted in Jesus by faith. Placed your faith in Jesus. Then

you cannot be his child. That is where these false teachers are.

Peter says having this knowledge has put them in a place that is “worse for them

than the first. This is a very interesting truth that is taught in scripture. Your

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eternal punishment is proportional to the amount of knowledge that you have.

Look at the next verse.

21 For it would have been better for them never to have known the way of

righteousness than after knowing it to turn back from the holy commandment

delivered to them.

Having knowledge of the truth and rejecting it is a much worse position than one

who never heard the truth in the first place.

Peter closes this chapter with 2 final thoughts about the nature of the false teacher.

His like 2 animals. the dog and pig. In bible times both of these animals were

considered pretty nasty. Dog’s really weren’t cute cuddly house hold pets. They

dwelt in the streets and dumps ate garbage and carried diseases. So Peter borrows

from imagry from proverbs and tells us that this about the false teacher.

22 What the true proverb says has happened to them: "The dog returns to its own

vomit, and the sow, after washing herself, returns to wallow in the mire."

Peters point is that this disgusting nature is just a part of who they are. You can put

lipstick on a pig, but its still just a pig. It reminds me of what he said in verse 12.

They are “creatures of instinct”. And the instinct is wickedness. True false teachers

will never change who they are. They were born to be destroyed and God will

fulfill that mission with completeness.

When we think about these false teachers or false shepherds if you will. They

pretend to protect the flock, but they are wolves in sheeps clothing who have

infiltrated the flock to destroy it from the inside for their own lust and greed. But I

want to give you the other side of that story. There are bad shepherds, we need to

be able to spot them, that is why Peter is telling us this. And we need to be ready to

listen to the good Shepherd and the people he is using to speak truth into our lives.

Brooke and I were sitting on the back porch a couple days after we lost 2 of our

chickens. We finally were brave enough to let them out to free range around the

yard, but we gave Joe the task to shepherd the chickens. Don’t let them get near the

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woods. They didn’t learn to stay away from the woods as soon as we let them out

man they tore out running strait for the spot that was most dangerous where the

others were killed. So Joe had his hands full. And after a few minutes I noticed Joe

had gotten a broom stick and he was using the broomstick to guide the chickens

away from the dangerous tree line and push them back into the green grass where

they weren’t in danger. And Brooke and I were watching, and I said (out loud).

[Psa 23:1-4 ESV] 1 A Psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not

want. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. 3

He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 4

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil,

for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

So many times we are just like those chickens. We run to danger. Exactly to the

place where we shouldn’t be. And the Lord has given us Shepherds good

Shepherds to guide us. But we have to listen to them. Ultimately though, The Lord

is our Shepherd. And just like Joe with his broomstick he guides us back to green

pastures that he has prepared for us.

[Jhn 10:11 ESV] 11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life

for the sheep.

Closing Prayer/Communion

What Does God Do With Our Sin? | 2 Peter 2:3-10

What Does God Do With Our Sin? | 2 Peter 2:310

Greg Gibbs

2 Peter 2:3-10

Opening story about 2 Peter

3:God has dim view of False Teachers- 

Mathew 7:15:Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.

Galatians 1:8-9 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. 9 As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed.

4: I don’t know but that won’t stop me.

Here and Jude references the Book of Enoch

I believe that everything that God wants us to know is in the Bible.

God is just which means he must punish sin.  Even the angels are not speared His judgment.

5: Genesis 6:5-6: The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. 6 And the Lord regretted that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him to his heart.

Even the most depraved people touch God’s heart.  Noah didn’t stop warning and teaching about God’s righteousness. 

More than that Jesus died for his enemies  Romans 5:10: For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son

God’s commands us to witness and leave the results to him.

6-8: Agan we see God’s righteous judgement carried out on the ungodly and his rescuing of the righteous.

God calls Lot righteous, who am I to disagree.  Praise God what He calls righteous is righteous. 

9: God’s justice will be done.  

How does he rescue us from his Justice?  By taking on the punishment for our sins Himself.

Car example

God rescues and redeems: 

Peter saw this in 3 ways:

Heard stories about it- The prodigal son Luke 15

Saw it happen: The women at the well. John 4

Lived it- Denal and calling.

How Can I Spot a False Teacher? | 2 Peter 2:1-3a

How Can I Spot a False Teacher? | 2 Peter 2:1-3a

Chris Karpus

How Can I Spot a False Teacher?

2 Peter 2:1-3a

“But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers

among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign

Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves.  2  Many will follow their

depraved conduct and will bring the way of truth into disrepute.  3  In their greed these teachers

will exploit you with fabricated stories. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them,

and their destruction has not been sleeping.”

- Peter reminded us in Chapter 1 that the apostolic witness and the prophetic word are the

reliable sources for the believers’ confidence in Christ’s coming.

- Chapter 2, Peter shifts his focus to remind believers about the unreliable sources: False

Teachers.

- Peter reminds us that not all prophets are from God – similar language that Jude used.

- The targets are unsuspecting people who at least profess to be part of the community of

faith.

What Do I Need to Know That I Already Know? | 2 Peter 1:12-21

What Do I Need to Know That I Already Know? | 2 Peter 1:12-21

Clay Jernigan

Sermon Title: What Do I Need to Know that I already Know?

Main Idea/Question: What if your spiritual growth is less about new information and more about obedience to what you already know? We often believe that our growth depends on learning new things. However, true growth may rely less on acquiring new knowledge and more on being obedient to what we already know. In this passage, Peter reminds his audience of truths they have heard before, knowing these reminders are vital to their maturity in Christ.

You tube Description : Message on Growing as a Christian | 2 Peter 1:12-21

Where Do We Grow From Here? | 2 Peter 1:5-11

Where Do We Grow From Here?| 2 Peter 1:5-11

Drew Nethery

Where Do We Grow From Here? | 2 Peter 1:5-11

Sermon Series: Faithful to the End

1. Intro: 4th of July – 

   1. Illustration Pilgrims- Pilgrim’s Progress  

2. Question to Answer: What do I do with what I have received? Grow in your Faith

3. Context

4. For this Reason (2 Peter 1:1-4) Take this personally- your sin, your life, claim his promise for you, spend time with him

   1. God has called you out of corruption

   2. God has equipped you to live a godly life

   3. God keeps his good and precious promises

   4. God invites you to himself to share in his divine nature.  

1. Make every Effort (Luke 5:1-11) (Listen to the Master (intake of God’s Word), Put out into deep water (make faith decisions) keep at it or leave and follow Jesus 

2. Add to - Generous and Costly Participation (Theater Patron) – What are you investing in the kingdom of God? Time, Finances, Opportunity Cost

   1. Growth

      1. Growth takes Effort (Generous and Costly Participation 

      2. Growth is Gradual (Peter’s Journey, Saved by GRACE) 

      3. Growth is effective (you will see evidence) 

   2. Faith (Hebrews 11: 1- confidence in what we hope for, assurance of what we do not see) 

      1. Faith is the foundation- virtue without it is like a screen door on a submarine (Hebrews 11:6-without faith it is impossible to please God)

      2. Faith is a Gift (2 Peter 1:1)

      3. Faith does not stand alone (verse 5-11)

1. Goodness (Mark 10: 17-18 No one is Good but God alone) | Let God’s Word be your Moral Authority, Let it come from your faith 

2. Knowledge (Gnosis, Practical Wisdom, Proverbs- the fear of the Lord is the beginning of Wisdom, Listen to Wise Counsel, be Humble, Phone illustration What kind of knowledge do we seek (tree of knowledge of good and evil)

3.Self Control (1 Peter 2:11 Abstain from desires that wage war) Christian and Faithful in Vanity Fair)

4. Perseverance (Endurance- Ernest Shackleton, Romans 5:3-5)

5.Patience- Waiting on Jesus, Suffering-perseverance-Character-hope, God does not waste it. He is the God who sees you (Genesis 16:13)  But we are not meant to be alone (Genesis 2:18)

6.Godliness (godliness- Godliness- Eusebia- piety, holiness, reverence, respect) (1 Peter 2:17)

7. Mutual Affection (Philadelphia brotherly love, (1 Peter 1:22) 

6. Vulnerability of Being known, power of Christian Community – Outward- love God, love people 

   8. Mutual Affection to Love (Agape) The Fathers Bargain

   6. (John 13:35-Love one another)- We are called to love each other in this manner. 

7. Possess these qualities in increasing measure-Growth = increase in size or complexity- one of the traits used to determine if something is alive. Have these and you will be effective and productive (Living things Grow)

Epignosis knowledge of Jesus Personally. To know him. 

8. Near sighted and Blind (blind by way of being near sighted, driving example, you are a danger to others) 

9. Forgetting they have been cleansed (Pilgrim’s Progress , Christian being tempted to turn back- but remembering when his burden fell- The Gospel 

10. Therefore- make every effort (again) to confirm your calling and election

Two Plants- Because Living things grow – If you are growing – it is evidence you are alive in Christ. Consider this. How to confirm- Pursue Jesus. Repent and Believe, Continue to repent and believe

11. Stumble- What causes people to stumble? This is an eternal type of stumbling block. (lack of faith, perverted good, worldly knowledge, lack of self control, etc.)

12. Rich Welcome- Arrival at the end of the Journey- take of your pack, put down your burden- Hospitality of Heaven – Worth striving for, waiting For, dying for

    1. 2 Peter 3:18 – Read aloud

13. Gospel Presentation/Communion

I

Do You Have Everything You Need? | 2 Peter 1:1-4

Do You Have Everything You Need? | 2 Peter 1:1-4

Darien Gabriel

Download

Series: Faithful to the End

Title: "Do You Have Everything You Need?"

Scripture: 2 Peter 1:1-4 NIV

2 Peter 3:18

Matthew 26:31-34

Luke 22:31-32

John 17:3

Jeremiah 9:23-24

Bottom Line: In Christ, we've been given everything that we need to be fully restored to the person God created us to be in the first place.

INTRODUCTION

CONTEXT

OUTLINE

CONCLUSION

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

NOTES

YOUTUBE DESCRIPTION

MAIN REFERENCES USED

INTRODUCTION

The Last Lecture

Many universities have a tradition called “The Last Lecture.” A professor is asked to imagine this is the last opportunity they’ll ever have to teach their students.

What would they say?

They don’t waste time on trivia.

They don’t chase rabbit trails.

They talk about what matters most.

Peter is writing his own last lecture.

He’s asking,

“If these are my final written words, what do believers absolutely need to remember?”

In essence, a last lecture is a professors attempt to leave you with the main things you need to have to thrive in life.

Peter is writing his last lecture to remind Christians of all they already have in Christ. It doesn't require a special knowledge (gnosis) but it is the same knowledge the Apostles enjoyed.

CONTEXT

"Second Epistle of Peter was likely written near the end of the Simon Peter’s life to churches in Asia Minor that were facing the growing threat of false teachers. These teachers were distorting God’s grace, denying the certainty of Christ’s return, encouraging immoral living, and undermining confidence in the apostolic message. Peter writes as a spiritual father who knows his death is near, urging believers to stand firm in the true knowledge of Jesus Christ. The letter emphasizes that Christians already possess everything they need for life and godliness through Christ, calls them to grow in grace and experiential knowledge of Him, warns them to recognize and reject false teachers, and reminds them to live holy, expectant lives in light of Christ’s promised return. Throughout the letter, Peter contrasts the life-giving truth of the gospel with the destructive deception of false teaching, encouraging believers to remain faithful until the day Christ returns." -ChatGPT

OUTLINE (Influenced by J. Shaddix)

I. The Background (1:1)

II. The Blessing (1:2)

III. The Big Idea (1:3-4)

I. The Background (1:1) - See CONTEXT above

I. Verse 1

Who am I? A servant and apostle.

↓

Who are you? Believers possessing faith equal to mine.

↓

How did you get it? It was given through Christ’s righteousness.

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Who is Christ? Our God and Savior.

⸻

Peter starts by saying:

“Every true believer already possesses the same priceless faith because it comes from the same Savior.”

No elite Christianity.

No higher class of believers.

No insider spirituality.

Everything begins with the same gracious gift from the same divine Savior.

That theme naturally prepares for verses 2–4, where Peter explains that God has already given believers everything they need for life and godliness. In other words, Peter begins the letter not by emphasizing what Christians lack, but by reminding them of what they have already received in Christ.

II. The Blessing (1:2)

A. The blessing of knowing Jesus.

1. 1. 1. Not just knowing facts about Jesus (gnosis)

      2. Knowing Jesus personally and experientially (epignosis)

      3. “Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.” John‬ ‭17‬:‭3‬ ‭NIV‬‬

B. The blessing of being reminded.

1. 1. 1. Peter begins the letter not by emphasizing what Christians lack, but

      2. By reminding them of what they have already received in Christ.

III. The Big Idea (1:3-4)

A. The power to be like Christ. (1:3)

1. 1. 1. Dynamite!

      2. Resurrection power!

B. The process of becoming like Christ. (1:3)

1. 1. 1. It's a gift.

      2. Through knowing Jesus personally.

      3. Called by Jesus to come.

C. The promise of being like Christ. (1:4)

1. 1. 1. Again, it's a gift.

      2. The gift of grace: Participating in the divine nature of God himself in the midst of an evil and corrupt world.

"Second Epistle of Peter was likely written near the end of the Simon Peter’s life to churches in Asia Minor that were facing the growing threat of false teachers. These teachers were distorting God’s grace, denying the certainty of Christ’s return, encouraging immoral living, and undermining confidence in the apostolic message. Peter writes as a spiritual father who knows his death is near, urging believers to stand firm in the true knowledge of Jesus Christ. The letter emphasizes that Christians already possess everything they need for life and godliness through Christ, calls them to grow in grace and experiential knowledge of Him, warns them to recognize and reject false teachers, and reminds them to live holy, expectant lives in light of Christ’s promised return. Throughout the letter, Peter contrasts the life-giving truth of the gospel with the destructive deception of false teaching, encouraging believers to remain faithful until the day Christ returns." -ChatGPT

CONCLUSION

Bottom Line: In Christ, we've been given everything that we need to be fully restored to the person God created us to be in the first place.

• In the midst of false teachers, Peter points to the epignosis of knowing Christ personally and experientially.

• In the midst of distorting God's grace, Peter points people to resting in his grace as a gift that empowers us to live the godly, abundant life.

• In the midst of his final days, Peter urges people to stand firm in the true knowledge of Jesus Christ as we await his return.

Peter knows what it's like to fail; to fall.

Matthew 26:31-34

Luke 22:31-32

He also knows what it's like to be restored.

John 21:15-19

So, as you open your spiritual baggage, what do you see? Is it full? What's it full of? Do you have everything that you need to live an abundant, godly life?

Let's read the last verse in 2 Peter 3 together as a prayer...

Pray

NOTES

2 Peter 1:1–4 provides a stronger connection to Superman than the typical “hero who dies for us” comparison.Peter’s emphasis isn’t primarily on rescue; it’s on transformation. The gospel doesn’t just save us from something—it changes us into something.

Everyone knows Superman’s origin story.

A baby is sent from another world by his father. He grows up among ordinary people. As he matures, he discovers abilities no one else possesses. He can fly. He’s stronger than anyone. He sees farther. Hears better. He’s capable of living at an entirely different level.

The question isn’t, “Can Superman become Superman?”

The question is, “Will he live according to who he already is?”

That’s surprisingly close to Peter’s point.

Peter begins his letter by reminding believers of what God has already given them.

“His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life…” (v. 3)

Notice the tense.

Not will give.

Has given.

Peter isn’t telling Christians to become something they aren’t.

He’s reminding them of what God has already made them in Christ.

Like Clark Kent eventually discovering his identity, Christians often live far below the resources already available to them.

Where the analogy breaks

Clark Kent discovers power that was always inside him because of his Kryptonian nature.

Christians do not discover hidden divinity within themselves.

Peter says our new life comes through the knowledge of Him who called us (vv. 2–3). Everything we have comes from Christ, not from ourselves.

Our strength is received, not innate.

The astonishing statement

Verse 4 contains one of the Bible’s most breathtaking promises:

“…so that through them you may participate in the divine nature…”

Peter is not saying we become gods.

He’s saying we begin sharing in God’s moral character and life because His Spirit now dwells within us.

We become increasingly like Christ.

In other words:

God doesn’t simply rescue us. He restores us to become the people He created us to be.

That fits beautifully into our overarching metanarrative:

• Creation: Made in God’s image.

• Fall: That image is corrupted.

• Redemption: Christ rescues us.

• Restoration: We increasingly share in His character and will one day perfectly reflect His image.

Superman is fiction’s dream of a man with extraordinary powers.

Christianity is God’s declaration that ordinary men and women can receive extraordinary life—not because of who they are, but because of whose they are.

Superman shows us what power can do.

Jesus shows us what grace can do.

Clark Kent’s life changes when he discovers his true identity and embraces it.

Peter says our lives change as we know Jesus more deeply. The Greek term Peter uses for “knowledge” points to relational, experiential knowledge—not merely acquiring facts.

The more we know Christ, the more we experience His grace, His peace, and the transforming power He has already supplied.

That leads naturally to the sermon’s central idea:

The Christian life isn’t about striving to become someone new. It’s about growing in the knowledge of Christ and learning to live out what God has already given us through Him.

This fits remarkably well with 2 Peter 1:1–4 because Peter begins not with a list of commands, but with a declaration of identity and provision. Before he ever tells believers what to do (vv. 5–11), he tells them what God has already done. That order is the gospel: grace precedes growth, and knowing Christ fuels becoming like Christ.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

Discovery Bible Study process:

1. Retell the story in your own words.

2. Discovery the story

   1. What does this story tell me about God?

   2. What does this story tell me about people?

   3. If this is really God’s word, what changes would I have to make in my life?

3. Who am I going to tell about this?

Final Questions (optional or in place of above)

• What is God saying to you right now?

• What are you going to do about it?

Find our sermons, podcasts, discussion questions and notes at https://www.gracetoday.net/podcast

Alternate Discussion Questions: Based on this passage:

1. Who is God?

2. What has he done/is he doing/is he going to do?

3. Who am I? (In light of 1 & 2)

4. What do I get to do? (In light of who I am)

Final Questions (index cards optional)

• What is God saying to you right now?

• What are you going to do about it?

YOUTUBE DESCRIPTION

MAIN REFERENCES USED

“1 - 2 Peter and Jude,” by David Helm, Preaching the Word Commentary, Edited by Kent Hughes

“1 & 2 Peter ” by RC Sproul

“1 & 2 Peter and Jude” by Thomas Schreiner

“Look at the Book” by John Piper (LATB)

“The Visual Word,” Patrick Schreiner (VW)

“The Bible Knowledge Commentary” by Walvoord, Zuck (BKC)

“The Bible Exposition Commentary” by Warren Wiersbe (BEC)

Outline Bible, D Willmington (OB)

Willmington’s Bible Handbook, D Willmington (WBH)

NIV Study Bible (NIVSB) https://www.biblica.com/resources/scholar-notes/niv-study-bible/

Chronological Life Application Study Bible (NLT)

ESV Study Bible (ESVSB) https://www.esv.org

ChatGPT

Claude.ai

Why Hold On if God Won’t Let Go? | Jude 24-25

Why Hold On if God Won't Let Go? | Jude 24-25

Darien Gabriel

Series: Contending for the Faith

Title: “Why Hold on if God Won’t Let Go?”

Scripture: Jude 24-25 NIV

Psalm 37:23-24

Psalm 139:23-24

Proverbs 24:16

John 10:27-30

Romans 8:38-39

Ephesians 1:13-14

Hebrews 13:5

1 John 2:19

1 John 5:13

Bottom line: We hold on because he holds us.

INTRODUCTION

CONTEXT

OUTLINE

CONCLUSION

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

NOTES

YOUTUBE DESCRIPTION

MAIN REFERENCES USED

My opening prayer: Lord God, help us grow to be and do like Jesus, while abiding in him and leading others to do the same.

OPENING STORY

"He is able to keep..."

Watch a parent walk a small child along the edge of a busy sidewalk. The child is doing real walking — short, wobbly, determined steps, working as hard as little legs can work. And then she trips. Of course she does; her foot catches the curb and she pitches forward. But she doesn’t hit the pavement. She never even gets close. Her hand is wrapped inside a bigger hand, and the instant she goes, that hand lifts and steadies and sets her back on her feet before the fall can finish. She stumbled — but she did not fall.

Jude has spent his whole letter telling us to walk a dangerous edge: in the midst of false and deceptive teachers, contend, build, keep, rescue — right alongside the place where others have already gone over and not come back.

Now, in the last two verses, he shows us the hand. “To him who is able to keep you from stumbling.” Or as the psalmist said it long before: "Though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the LORD upholds him with his hand" (Psalm 37:24).

The missteps still come. The fatal fall never does — because the grip holding you is not your own.

Said another way, we may find ourselves in the ditch along the narrow way...but he's right there pulling us out of the muck and mire back onto the highway of our God.

Too Busy in this life

A traveler once walked more than 700 miles to see Niagara Falls. As he neared his destination, he heard a distant roar and asked a nearby farmer, “Is that Niagara Falls?”

The farmer replied, “I don’t know. It might be.”

Surprised, the traveler asked, “Do you live here?”

“Born and raised here,” the farmer said.

“And you’ve never gone to see the falls?”

“No, stranger. I’ve been too busy looking after my farm.”

What a tragedy—to live within the sound of one of the world’s greatest wonders and never take the time to see it.

And yet many Christians do something similar. We know heaven is coming. We know we will stand in the presence of God’s glory. We hear about it every week. But we become so busy with the things of this world that we lose our appetite for the world to come.

Jude reminds us that God is keeping us for something far greater: to be presented before His glorious presence, blameless and with great joy.

Poem

"Some want to live within the sound

Of church or chapel bell;

I want to run a rescue shop

Within a yard of hell."

CONTEXT

The entire letter begins and ends with God’s keeping power:

• Jude 1 — “To those who have been called, who are loved in God the Father and kept for Jesus Christ.”

• Jude 21 — “Keep yourselves in God’s love…”

• Jude 24 — “To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you…”

• Jude 25 — Doxology praising the God who does the keeping.

That creates a beautiful tension:

Kept by God (v.1) → Keep yourselves in God’s love (v.21) → Kept by God (v.24).

The question practically preaches itself:

“If God is holding me, why does Jude tell me to hold on?”

Imagine being swept toward a waterfall.

You know you cannot save yourself.

Then a strong rescuer reaches you and takes hold of your arm.

The question isn’t whether he will hold on.

The question is: Why would you not hold on to him?

That’s the tension in Jude.

God has taken hold of us.

Therefore, we keep ourselves in His love.

Not to earn His rescue.

Not to maintain His rescue.

But because His rescue is already underway.

“Why Hold On If He’s Holding You?”

That raises one of the most important questions in the Christian life:

Is my salvation ultimately dependent on how tightly I hold onto God—or how tightly God holds onto me?

OUTLINE (Help from Shaddix/Akin)

I. God holds/keeps me. (Jude 1, 24) i.e. I am saved and secured by God's power, promise, person, and praise.

A. We are secure because of God’s power

“To him who is able…”

Not merely willing.

Able.

Cross references:

• John 10:28-29

• Romans 8:38-39

• Philippians 1:6

B. We are secure because of God’s promise

If eternal life can be lost, it was never eternal.

Cross references:

• John 6:37-40

• John 17:12

• Hebrews 10:14

C. We are secure because of God’s person

God does not change.

The One who called you is the One who keeps you.

Cross references:

• Malachi 3:6

• 2 Timothy 2:13

• Hebrews 13:8

D. We are secure because of God’s praise

Verse 25 is worship.

Jude cannot discuss salvation without ending in doxology.

The doctrine of eternal security is not merely comfort.

It is fuel for worship.

The point is not:

“Look how strong my faith is.”

The point is:

“Look how great my Savior is.”

II. I am to keep hold of God's love. (Jude 21) God keeps me by helping me hold on to him and his love.

Many people have asked:

“If God keeps me, why must I keep myself?”

Answer: Because security is not an excuse for passivity.

Illustrate: A child walking through a crowded airport.

The child holds Dad’s hand.

Dad also holds the child’s hand.

Which grip matters most?

Dad’s.

Yet the child still holds on.

The father may even let go of the child's hand in the airport to give the child a little more freedom and the child may stay close because they know that's where they're secure.

But the human condition is that we are prone to wander from his grip hurting our fellowship with him. Not that we can get away from him and his security, but that we can wander far enough to impact our fellowship and assurance negatively.

Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing

“Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it, Prone to leave the God I love.”

“Here’s my heart, O take and seal it, Seal it for Thy courts above.”

…because relationship requires abiding

John 15.

…because obedience strengthens assurance

Not salvation.

Assurance.

…because spiritual drift is real

The false teachers in Jude prove this.

…because God uses means

Prayer.

Scripture.

Church.

Worship.

Fellowship.

…because the kept become keepers

Verses 22-23.

We rescue others.

…because God’s preserving grace produces perseverance

This is the key theological answer.

The evidence that God is keeping us is that we continue following Him.

God’s sovereignty and human responsibility are friends, not enemies.

You might even summarize:

God’s grip is the cause.

Our grip is the evidence.

CONCLUSION

Bottom line: We hold on because he holds us.

As I've said, we have four daughters. All are married.

As we wait for the music to start--in those few moments where your life flashes before you--before you begin to walk down that aisle before God and all those people--I established a tradition that goes back to the days when selfies were the rage.

It was 2016. Selfies were a new phenomenon. I'm standing there with Samantha and I can tell she's excited, happy, and, well, emotional,m - on the verge of tears.

Now we can't have her makeup running at this moment! So I suggest we do a selfie together as we wait for the thumbs up. It only takes a few seconds. But it gave her a reason to focus on this pic (I'm about to give her away, remember, so I'm emotional too). She leans in with a huge smile and relief and joy swallow us as we take the picture as I miraculously press the right button on the first try. It's an amazing picture.

So, yes, I had the privilege to escort them down the aisle and move their hand from mine to another's. It's a humbling moment.

There’s a moment a father knows well — standing at the back of a sanctuary with his daughter on his arm, about to walk her down the aisle and present her, radiant and whole, to the joy of the whole room. This is a foretaste of the moment when each of us will walk an aisle with our Father and King to meet Jesus in all his glory.

Jude 24 says God will one day “present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy.” Notice whose joy that is. Not just ours — His.

The God you’ve been contending for, the One who kept you the whole way, doesn’t grit His teeth at the finish line. He delights to present you.

That’s where this series lands: you held on, yes — but only because He was holding you, and He was glad to do it the entire time. To Him be glory, majesty, power, and authority. Amen.

“without fault and with great joy”

Most Christians believe:

“God will tolerate me in heaven.”

Jude says something entirely different.

God will present you:

• without fault

• before His glorious presence

• with great joy

And I would emphasize:

Whose joy?

Certainly ours.

But also His.

God is not reluctantly dragging His children into heaven.

He delights to present them.

There is a moment a father knows well—standing at the back of a wedding venue with his daughter on his arm, about to walk her down the aisle and present her, radiant and whole, to the joy of the whole room.

Jude says something even greater is coming.

One day God Himself will present His children before His glorious presence without fault and with great joy.

The God who called you.

The God who saved you.

The God who kept you.

Will be the God who presents you.

And when that day comes, you will finally discover what Jude has been teaching all along:

You were able to hold on only because He never let go of you.

Pray

Questions (Write this down) - grab an index card and pen

What is God saying to you right now?

What are you going to do about it?

Write this down on the index card in the seat pockets.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

Discovery Bible Study process: https://www.dbsguide.org/

Read the passage together.

Retell the story in your own words.

Discovery the story

1. What does this story tell me about God?

2. What does this story tell me about people?

3. If this is really true, what should I do?

What is God saying to you right now? (Write this down)

What are you going to do about it? (Write this down)

Who am I going to tell about this?

Find our sermons, podcasts, discussion questions and notes at https://www.gracetoday.net/podcast

NOTES

"William Booth was the founder of the Salvation Army. Booth is often credited with saying,

If I had my way, I would not send my workers to four years of college. If I had my way, I would not put them through three years of seminary. If I had my way, I would put all of my workers in hell for five minutes! That would be the best theological training they would ever receive. (Source unknown)" -Shaddix/Akin

Why hold on to God's love?

• It's a reminder to you when you doubt that you're his.

• It's evidence to others.

• It's a testimony of change in your life.

• It's a make of obedience which is a mark of your love for God.

• It's how we grow to be more like Jesus in practice.

• He calls me to! (V. 21)

• It's what faith looks like:

  • Deny self

  • Take up your cross

  • Follow Jesus

  • Cling to the cross

  • Rest in his arms

  • Walk the narrow way

  • Stand firm

  • Suit up

YOUTUBE DESCRIPTION

MAIN REFERENCES USED

“Jude" by David Helm, Preaching the Word Commentary, Edited by Kent Hughes

Exalting Jesus in Jude, Shaddix & Daniel Akin

“The Bible Knowledge Commentary” by Walvoord, Zuck (BKC)

“The Bible Exposition Commentary” by Warren Wiersbe (BEC)

Outline Bible, D Willmington (OB)

Willmington’s Bible Handbook, D Willmington (WBH)

NIV Study Bible (NIVSB) https://www.biblica.com/resources/scholar-notes/niv-study-bible/

Chronological Life Application Study Bible (NLT)

ESV Study Bible (ESVSB) https://www.esv.org

The Bible Project https://bibleproject.com

“Look at the Book” by John Piper (LATB)

“The Bible in One Year 2023 with Nicky Gumbel” bible reading plan on YouVersion app (BIOY)

Claude.ai

Are You Spiritually Healthy? | Jude 17-23

Are You Spiritually Healthy? | Jude 17-23

Darien Gabriel

Series: Contending for The Faith

Title: “Are you spiritually healthy?”

Scripture: Jude 17-23 NIV

Bottom line: Healthy Christians remember the Words of God, remain in the love of God, and rescue those who wander from the mercy of God.

INTRODUCTION

CONTEXT

OUTLINE

CONCLUSION

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

NOTES

YOUTUBE DESCRIPTION

MAIN REFERENCES USED

My opening prayer: Lord God, help us grow to be and do like Jesus, while abiding in him and leading others to do the same.

OPENING STORY

Watch what a firefighter does before running into a burning building, and you’ll notice the order. The gear goes on first. The mask, the tank, the suit — minutes of careful preparation before they ever touch the fire. To an anxious bystander it can look like delay. It isn’t.

An unequipped rescuer doesn’t save anyone; he just becomes a second victim. This is exactly Jude’s order in verses 20–23.

First — build yourselves up, pray, keep yourselves in God’s love.

Then — go pull people out of the fire.

Most people hear “contend for the faith” and picture an argument. Jude pictures a rescue, and rescuers prepare before they run in.

CONTEXT

Up to this point Jude has kept the false teachers under the spotlight — Israel, Sodom, Cain, Balaam, Korah, waterless clouds and wandering stars, all paraded across the stage in a dozen blistering verses. In verse 17 the camera turns: “But you, dear friends.” For the rest of the letter the subject is no longer them but us. Jude’s first move is to steady the church — don’t panic, and don’t assume something has gone wrong. The apostles said this would happen; scoffers chasing their own ungodly desires were predicted, not accidental, a fixed feature of “the last times” we now live in. So corruption showing up in the church isn’t proof the faith has failed — it’s proof the apostles were right. Having calmed their fear, Jude hands them something to do, and notice its shape: one command sits at the center — keep yourselves in God’s love — ringed by the actions that make it possible (building up, praying, waiting) and the mission it spills into (mercy and rescue for others). This is where the “contend for the faith” of verse 3 finally gets its job description.

Bottom line: Healthy Christians remember the Words of God, remain in the love of God, and rescue those who wander from the mercy of God.

OUTLINE (Help from Shaddix/Akin)

God's prescription for spiritual health aka 3 Remedies that lead to healthy Christians:

I. Remember the words of God. (17-19)

A. Expect false teachers. (17-18)

B. Recognize false teachers. (18-19)

C. Jude and Paul call us to expect and be able to recognize false teachers:

“Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood. I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. So be on your guard! Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears.” -‭‭Acts‬ ‭20‬:‭28‬-‭31‬ ‭NIV‬‬

II. Remain in the love of God. (20-21)

A. "Build" on the word of God. (20)

B. "Pray in the Holy Spirit" of God. (21)

C. "As you wait for the mercy of" God which comes from the Son of God. (21)

III. Rescue those wandering from the mercy of God. (22-23)

A. Deal gently with those who doubt. (22)

B. Deal quickly with those in danger. (23)

C. In 2004, during the devastating Indian Ocean tsunami, a British family was vacationing on a beach in Thailand when their 10-year-old daughter, Tilly, noticed something strange.

The ocean was behaving oddly. The water was frothy. It kept surging instead of rolling normally.

Two weeks earlier, her geography teacher had taught her about tsunamis and the warning signs that precede them. As she watched the water, she realized: This is exactly what he described.

She started warning her parents: “There’s going to be a tsunami!”

At first, they didn’t believe her. The sky was blue. The beach looked peaceful. There was no giant wave in sight. But Tilly became more urgent, more insistent, until finally her father trusted her warning and alerted others on the beach.

Moments later, a massive tsunami crashed ashore.

Over 230,000 people died across the region. But at that particular beach, not a single person died.

Why?

Because one little girl recognized the warning signs and refused to stay silent.

Her father later said, “If she hadn’t told us, we would have kept walking. I’m convinced we would have died.”

Jude is writing like that little girl. He sees warning signs others are ignoring. False teaching. Distorted grace. Spiritual drift. And he refuses to stay silent because the danger is real.

D. Deal carefully with those who are defiled. (23)

E. Alex the Jehovah's Witness encounter or

F. Every trained lifeguard learns one hard truth: a drowning person will pull you under. The instinct of someone panicking in deep water is to climb on top of whatever is closest, and that includes the person trying to save them. So lifeguards are taught to rescue and protect themselves at the same time — to reach the drowning without being dragged down by them. That’s the strange balance of verse 23: “snatch others from the fire,” but show “mercy, mixed with fear — hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh.” Go in after people. Love them enough to reach. But don’t let the very thing you’re rescuing them from get its hands on you on the way out.

CONCLUSION

Bottom line: Healthy Christians remember the Words of God, remain in the love of God, and rescue those who wander from the mercy of God.

"The second picture is of the great preacher of the First Great Awakening, George Whitefield. His final day on earth exemplifies what it looks like to keep yourself in the love of God. He was only fifty-four years old, he had suffered much for the gospel, and he was near death. And yet he was intent on finishing well. His biographer writes:

'After preaching for a week in the Portland [Maine] area, Whitefield was again forced to recognize that he was too unwell to proceed....

Accordingly, he once more turned southward, to begin, as he thought, the long journey back to Georgia. The date was Saturday, September 29, 1770.

By noon of that day he reached the town of Exeter. He had not planned to preach there but on arriving found he could not refrain from doing so.

That is, an outdoor platform had been erected and a large company of people had gathered and were waiting to hear him.... Whitefield's sermon ... was two hours in length....

Following this tremendous effort Whitefield continued his journey and late that afternoon arrived at... Newburyport, Massachusetts ... the street in front of the house had filled with people, and as he began to make his way up the stairs, several of them were at the door, begging him to preach.

Unwilling, despite his weariness... he stood on the landing, halfway up the stairs, candle in hand, preaching Christ. He was soon greatly alive to his subject and becoming heedless of time he continued to speak, till finally, the candle flickered, burned itself out and died away. That dying flame and that burned out candle were representative that evening of the man himself and of his life?'

Whitefield went up to his room and died that very night. He had kept himself in the love of God — which meant keeping himself all the way to death. His message never changed. He kept the faith. He never perverted it by accommodating it to the age. He never denied Christ. He disciplined his life. He fled from the presence of sin. And he did it all until the candle of his life was extinguished. And on that night, as a result, he entered into the presence of God.

May it be so for you and for me. May our lives burn brightly in our keeping. And may we not live one day beyond their flame. Do you want to contend for the faith? Then remember the apostolic testimony and "keep yourselves in the love of God" until death." -Helm/Hughes

Next week Jude will remind us that the God who tells us to keep ourselves in His love is also the God who is able to keep us from stumbling.

We keep because we are being kept.

Pray

NEXT STEPS for you:

Questions (Write this down) - grab an index card and pen

What is God saying to you right now?

What are you going to do about it?

Write this down on the index card in the seat pockets.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS for your small group:

Discovery Bible Study (DBS) process: https://www.dbsguide.org/

READ the passage together.

RETELL the story in your own words.

DISCOVER the story

1. What does this story tell me about God?

2. What does this story tell me about people?

3. If this is really true, what should I do?

4. Who am I going to tell about this?

Find our sermons, podcasts, discussion questions and notes at https://www.gracetoday.net/podcast

NOTES

"William Booth was the founder of the Salvation Army. Booth is often credited with saying,

If I had my way, I would not send my workers to four years of college. If I had my way, I would not put them through three years of seminary. If I had my way, I would put all of my workers in hell for five minutes! That would be the best theological training they would ever receive. (Source unknown)" -Shaddix/Akin

YOUTUBE DESCRIPTION

MAIN REFERENCES USED

“Jude" by David Helm, Preaching the Word Commentary, Edited by Kent Hughes

Exalting Jesus in Jude, Shaddix & Daniel Akin

“The Bible Knowledge Commentary” by Walvoord, Zuck (BKC)

“The Bible Exposition Commentary” by Warren Wiersbe (BEC)

Outline Bible, D Willmington (OB)

Willmington’s Bible Handbook, D Willmington (WBH)

NIV Study Bible (NIVSB) https://www.biblica.com/resources/scholar-notes/niv-study-bible/

Chronological Life Application Study Bible (NLT)

ESV Study Bible (ESVSB) https://www.esv.org

The Bible Project https://bibleproject.com

“Look at the Book” by John Piper (LATB)

“The Bible in One Year 2023 with Nicky Gumbel” bible reading plan on YouVersion app (BIOY)

Claude.ai

How Do We Recognize Dangerous Spiritual Influence? | Jude 1:11-16

How Do We Recognize Dangerous Spiritual Influence? | Jude 1:11-16

Darien Gabriel

Series: Contending for The Faith

Title: “How Do We Recognize Dangerous Spiritual Influence?”

Scripture: Jude 1:11-16 NIV

2 Cor 13:5 "test yourselves to see if you are in the faith. Examine yourselves."

Genesis 5:21-24

Galatians 5:16-26

John 15:14-17

Numbers 16:1-3; 25:1-9; 31:1-16

Luke 6:41-42

Bottom line: False spirituality is ultimately revealed by its fruit: self-centeredness, greed, rebellion, and empty influence. Therefore, believers must examine themselves, discern others wisely, and remain anchored in humble obedience to Christ.

Or shorter:

Spiritual danger is revealed by fruit, not merely appearance.

For them, Self-interest > Submission to God.

INTRODUCTION

CONTEXT

OUTLINE

CONCLUSION

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

NOTES

YOUTUBE DESCRIPTION

MAIN REFERENCES USED

My opening prayer: Lord God, help us grow to be and do like Jesus, while abiding in him and leading others to do the same.

OPENING STORY

This is a strong illustration for Jude because it connects vigilance, discernment, warning signs, and the importance of listening before disaster strikes. Here’s a condensed and more sermon-ready version with a little more narrative flow and punch:

In 2004, during the devastating Indian Ocean tsunami, a British family was vacationing on a beach in Thailand when their 10-year-old daughter, Tilly, noticed something strange.

The ocean was behaving oddly. The water was frothy. It kept surging instead of rolling normally.

Two weeks earlier, her geography teacher had taught her about tsunamis and the warning signs that precede them. As she watched the water, she realized: This is exactly what he described.

She started warning her parents: “There’s going to be a tsunami!”

At first, they didn’t believe her. The sky was blue. The beach looked peaceful. There was no giant wave in sight. But Tilly became more urgent, more insistent, until finally her father trusted her warning and alerted others on the beach.

Moments later, a massive tsunami crashed ashore.

Over 230,000 people died across the region. But at that particular beach, not a single person died.

Why?

Because one little girl recognized the warning signs and refused to stay silent.

Her father later said, “If she hadn’t told us, we would have kept walking. I’m convinced we would have died.”

Jude is writing like that little girl. He sees warning signs others are ignoring. False teaching. Distorted grace. Spiritual drift. And he refuses to stay silent because the danger is real.

CONTEXT

Jude writes to Christians living in a dangerous spiritual moment. False teachers had quietly entered the church, distorting God’s grace and leading people away from faithful obedience to Jesus.

In verses 1–10, Jude warned believers to contend for the faith and stay spiritually vigilant. Now, in verses 11–16, he exposes the character and fruit of these false teachers more directly.

Using examples like Cain, Balaam, and Korah, Jude shows that rebellion against God often looks attractive, spiritual, or self-confident on the surface—but underneath it produces pride, division, greed, and destruction.

Jude’s goal is not to create suspicion or fear in the church, but discernment. Jesus said we would recognize people by their fruit. Jude wants believers to pay attention to the warning signs before spiritual drift becomes spiritual disaster.

Jude is exposing the inner motives and outward fruit of false teachers.

He is not merely warning against bad doctrine intellectually. He is warning against corrupted hearts that distort communities.

These people:

• Look spiritual

• Participate in the church

• Speak confidently

• Influence others

• Yet are inwardly driven by self-interest rather than submission to God.

Jude’s concern is not merely:

“Watch out for wrong ideas.”

But:

“Watch out for people whose lives reveal rebellion against God.”

And the application is not only outward:

“Watch others.”

But inward:

“Examine yourself.”

This fits beautifully with:

“Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith.” — 2 Corinthians 13:5

Main Movement of the Passage

Jude moves in 3 major directions:

1. Historical Examples of Corrupted Hearts (v11)

2. Present Evidence of Dangerous Influence (vv12–13)

3. Future Certainty of Divine Judgment (vv14–16)

So the sermon naturally flows:

Root → Fruit → End

• Root motivation = Corrupted hearts (11)

• Visible fruit = Dangerous influence (12-13)

• Final outcome = Divine judgment (14)

That structure is extremely strong homiletically.

OUTLINE

1. Dangerous Spiritual Influence Begins With a Corrupted Heart (v11)

“Woe to them!”

Jude compares these people to:

• Cain

• Balaam

• Korah

These are not random examples.

Each reveals a different form of rebellion against God.

A. The Way of Cain — Self-Centered Worship

Cain wanted acceptance from God without surrender to God.

B. The Error of Balaam — Greed Wrapped in Spiritual Language

Balaam used spiritual influence for personal gain.

C. The Rebellion of Korah — Pride Against God’s Authority

Korah rejected God-ordained authority because he wanted authority himself.

A. The Way of Cain — Self-Centered Worship

Genesis 4 - Key Insight

Cain wanted acceptance from God without surrender to God.

Application

It is possible to:

• Participate in worship

• Be religious

• Serve in ministry

• Yet still be centered on self.

Self-Examination Questions

• Do I want God—or merely God’s approval?

• Am I teachable?

• How do I respond to correction?

• Do I resent others whom God blesses?

B. The Error of Balaam — Greed Wrapped in Spiritual Language

Numbers 22–31

Balaam initially appears obedient:

“I can only say what God says.”

But his heart loved reward.

Eventually:

• He manipulated people spiritually

• Encouraged compromise

• Profited from corruption

Key Insight - Balaam used spiritual influence for personal gain.

Application

This can happen through:

• Platform-building

• Manipulative leadership

• Financial exploitation

• Using spirituality to gain power, attention, or admiration

Self-Examination

• Am I serving Jesus or leveraging Jesus?

• Do I secretly crave recognition?

• Is ministry becoming about me?

C. The Rebellion of Korah — Pride Against God’s Authority

Numbers 16

Korah claimed:

“Everyone is holy.”

Sounds humble.

Sounds fair.

Sounds democratic.

But underneath was rebellion.

Key Insight - Korah rejected God-ordained authority because he wanted authority himself.

Application

Our culture often:

• Rejects accountability

• Distrusts authority

• Equates submission with weakness

Yet biblical humility submits to God’s order.

Self-Examination

• Am I humble and teachable?

• Do I resist accountability?

• Do I constantly criticize leadership while avoiding responsibility?

Transitional Summary

Cain = self-centeredness

Balaam = greed

Korah = prideful rebellion

Different expressions.

Same root:

Self above God.

2. Dangerous Spiritual Influence Eventually Reveals Itself Through Fruit (vv12–13)

Now Jude shifts from historical examples to vivid metaphors.

False spirituality cannot stay hidden forever.

A. Hidden Reefs

Dangerous beneath the surface

They appear safe but destroy ships.

A hidden reef does not announce itself.

It destroys quietly.

Application

Not every danger in the church is obvious.

Some dangers:

• Sound smooth

• Look charismatic

• Feel helpful

• Yet slowly wreck faith

B. Shepherds Feeding Themselves

Leadership without sacrifice.

Contrast with Jesus

Jesus lays down His life for the sheep.

False shepherds use sheep for themselves.

Application

This applies to:

• Pastors

• Leaders

• Parents

• Anyone with influence

C. Waterless Clouds

They promise refreshment but deliver nothing.

Illustration

Like seeing storm clouds after drought—

but no rain falls.

Application

Some people:

• Sound deep

• Speak constantly

• Promise transformation

• Yet produce no spiritual nourishment

D. Fruitless Trees — “Twice Dead”

This is one of Jude’s strongest images.

Not merely weak.

Dead.

No fruit.

Uprooted.

Jesus Connection

Jesus repeatedly taught:

“You will recognize them by their fruit.”

Application

The issue is not perfection.

The issue is trajectory and fruit.

E. Wild Waves & Wandering Stars

Restless.

Chaotic.

Unstable.

Instead of guiding people they confuse and disorient them.

3. Dangerous Spiritual Influence Ends in Divine Judgment (vv14–16)

Jude quotes Enoch.

The emphasis:

God sees.

God knows.

God will judge.

This matters because false teachers often appear successful temporarily.

But Jude says: Their future is already settled unless they repent.

Important Balance

This passage should produce:

• Sobriety

• Humility

• Discernment

NOT paranoia. Not fear of those around us.

The goal is not:

“Become suspicious of everyone.”

The goal is:

“Stay anchored in Christ and evaluate fruit carefully.”

Key Applications (Luke 6:41-42)

1. Examine Yourself Before Examining Others

This passage is not merely ammunition against false teachers.

It is a mirror.

Ask:

• Is my heart humble?

• Am I teachable?

• Am I becoming self-centered?

• Is my faith producing fruit?

2. Evaluate Spiritual Influence By Fruit, Not Charisma

Not:

• Popularity

• Intelligence

• Confidence

• Platform size

But:

• Humility

• Faithfulness

• Holiness

• Love

• Obedience

3. Remain Anchored in Jesus

The solution is not cynicism.

The solution is abiding in Christ.

CONCLUSION

Pray

Questions (Write this down) - grab an index card and pen

What is God saying to you right now?

What are you going to do about it?

Write this down on the index card in the seat pockets.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

Discovery Bible Study process: https://www.dbsguide.org/

Read the passage together.

Retell the story in your own words.

Discovery the story

1. What does this story tell me about God?

2. What does this story tell me about people?

3. If this is really true, what should I do?

What is God saying to you right now? (Write this down)

What are you going to do about it? (Write this down)

Who am I going to tell about this?

Find our sermons, podcasts, discussion questions and notes at https://www.gracetoday.net/podcast

NOTES

YOUTUBE DESCRIPTION

Series: Contending for the Faith

“How Do We Recognize Dangerous Spiritual Influence?”

False teaching rarely looks dangerous at first. Like hidden rip currents beneath calm water, spiritual danger often operates beneath the surface—quietly pulling people away from Christ.

In Jude 11–16, Jude exposes the heart, fruit, and outcome of dangerous spiritual influence through the examples of Cain, Balaam, and Korah.

Bottom Line

Spiritual danger is revealed by fruit, not merely appearance.

Final Applications

1. Examine Yourself Before Examining Others

2. Evaluate Spiritual Influence By Fruit, Not Charisma

3. Remain Anchored in Jesus

#Jude #ContendingForTheFaith

MAIN REFERENCES USED

“Proverbs,” by Ray Ortland, Preaching the Word Commentary, Edited by Kent Hughes

Exalting Jesus in Proverbs, Daniel Akin

Windows of Wisdom, Stephen Olford

“The Bible Knowledge Commentary” by Walvoord, Zuck (BKC)

“The Bible Exposition Commentary” by Warren Wiersbe (BEC)

Outline Bible, D Willmington (OB)

Willmington’s Bible Handbook, D Willmington (WBH)

NIV Study Bible (NIVSB) https://www.biblica.com/resources/scholar-notes/niv-study-bible/

Chronological Life Application Study Bible (NLT)

ESV Study Bible (ESVSB) https://www.esv.org

The Bible Project https://bibleproject.com

“Look at the Book” by John Piper (LATB)

“The Bible in One Year 2023 with Nicky Gumbel” bible reading plan on YouVersion app (BIOY)

Claude.ai

How Do We Stand Firm in Truth and Love? Part 1 | Jude 1:1-16

Series: Contending for The Faith

Title: "How do we stand firm in truth and love?" Part 1

Scripture: Jude 1:1-16 NIV

2 Cor 13:5 "test yourselves to see if you are in the faith. Examine yourselves."

Numbers 14 12 spies

Ezekiel 16:49 Sodom and Gommorah's sins

1 Cor 6:9-11 Wicked Corinth received cleansing

Bottom line: Standing firm means contending for The Faith, rejecting distorted grace, and staying vigilant in fruit-bearing of both ourselves and others in love and by love.

INTRODUCTION

CONTEXT

OUTLINE

CONCLUSION

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

NOTES

YOUTUBE DESCRIPTION

MAIN REFERENCES USED

My opening prayer: Lord God, help us grow to be and do like Jesus, while abiding in him and leading others to do the same.

OPENING STORY(ies)

From the Lord of the Rings second book, The Two Towers

In The Lord of the Rings, King Théoden has slowly fallen under the corrupting influence of Gríma Wormtongue. Wormtongue constantly whispers lies, fear, half-truths, and discouragement into the king’s ear until Théoden becomes weak, passive, isolated, and unable to discern reality clearly. The corruption is subtle, not obvious. Wormtongue presents himself as a loyal counselor while actually undermining the king and the kingdom from within.

Then Gandalf confronts the deception directly. He exposes Wormtongue’s influence, calls Théoden to wake up, and helps him see clearly again. Once freed from that corrupting voice, Théoden rises, regains strength, and leads courageously.

That parallels Jude well:

False teachers rarely arrive looking dangerous.

They infiltrate quietly (“have slipped in among you” — Jude 4).

They distort truth while pretending loyalty.

Over time they weaken discernment, courage, holiness, and mission.

Jude, like Gandalf, is sounding the alarm: wake up, see clearly, contend for the faith, and do not surrender the community to corrupt influences. -ChatGPT

Jude is giving the Church a wake-up call to arms. It's a challenging call that most Christ-followers brush aside so it won't disturb their spiritual slumber.

Through Jude's letter, God is calling his church--his body--to rise up and contend for the faith, reject distorted grace, and stay vigilant with ourselves and others regarding ungodliness. We do all of this in love because we're loved.

This calling is for everyone. And it's a calling few are willing to step into. It reminded me of Shackleton's newspaper ad when recruiting and hiring men for his expedition to cross Antarctica:

Right image courtesy of John Hyatt http://johnhyattillustration.com

SHACKLETON Newspaper ad:

"Men wanted for hazardous journey. Low wages, bitter cold, long hours of complete darkness. Safe return doubtful. Honour and recognition in event of success."

CONTEXT

The book of Jude was written by Jude, who identifies himself as “a servant of Jesus Christ and a brother of James” (Jude 1). Most scholars believe this means Jude was also a half-brother of Jesus, making him part of Jesus’ earthly family (cf. Matthew 13:55). Rather than emphasizing his family connection to Jesus, Jude humbly identifies himself as Christ’s servant. He likely wrote the letter sometime before AD 70 to a group of Christians facing the growing threat of false teachers infiltrating the church from within.

Jude originally intended to write a positive letter about “the salvation we share,” but felt compelled instead to urge believers to “contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to God’s holy people” (Jude 3). The danger was not primarily persecution from outside the church, but corruption from inside it. These false teachers distorted God’s grace into permission for immorality, rejected God’s authority, and influenced others through arrogance, sensuality, and selfish ambition. Jude responds with some of the strongest warning language in the New Testament, drawing repeatedly from Old Testament history and vivid illustrations to remind believers that God takes both truth and holiness seriously. Yet the letter is ultimately framed by hope: believers are loved by God the Father, kept by Jesus Christ, and sustained by God’s power.

Bottom line: Standing firm means contending for The Faith, rejecting distorted grace, and staying vigilant of both ourselves and others in love and by love.

OUTLINE

I. Contend for "The Faith" by holding fast to the Truth (1-4)

• It's about who we are in Christ. (1-2)

• It's about being loved so that we love others. (1-2)

• It's the purpose of this letter (3)

• It's why this is the purpose of this letter (4)

II. Reject the distortion of grace and don't give in to licentious ways

• You will be judged

• Old Testament examples

CONCLUSION

““Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when you yourself fail to see the plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭6‬:‭41‬-‭42‬ ‭NIV‬‬

https://bible.com/bible/111/luk.6.41-42.NIV

“Because the church here is under a satanic lullaby and I’m falling asleep. Every time I try to wake up, the lullaby goes faster. Let’s go back to my country.”

According to the testimony, an Iranian Christian couple escaped persecution and moved to a Western country (often retold specifically as America). The husband believed they finally had “the abundant life” — safety, money, comfort, freedom. But after only a short time, the wife became deeply troubled and told him she wanted to return to the Middle East because the spiritual complacency of the Western church was more dangerous to her soul than persecution in Iran. 

It appears to come from interviews and testimony connected to the documentary Sheep Among Wolves Volume II and was later repeated on podcasts and blogs, including an interview on  Jennie Allen’s podcast/blog. https://www.jennieallen.com/blog/the-underground-church?utm_source=chatgpt.com

Pray

Questions (Write this down) - grab an index card and pen

What is God saying to you right now?

What are you going to do about it?

Write this down on the index card in the seat pockets.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

Discovery Bible Study process: https://www.dbsguide.org/

Read the passage together.

Retell the story in your own words.

Discovery the story

1. What does this story tell me about God?

2. What does this story tell me about people?

3. If this is really true, what should I do?

What is God saying to you right now? (Write this down)

What are you going to do about it? (Write this down)

Who am I going to tell about this?

Find our sermons, podcasts, discussion questions and notes at https://www.gracetoday.net/podcast

NOTES

"A ten-year-old started screaming about a wave no one could see—and 100 people lived because her parents believed her.

December 26, 2004. Mai Khao Beach, Phuket, Thailand. Christmas holiday. Perfect weather. The Smith family walked along the sand on their first overseas vacation together.

Then Tilly noticed something wrong.

The water wasn't behaving normally. ""It wasn't calm and it wasn't going in and then out,"" she later recalled. ""It was just coming in and in and in.""

The sea had turned frothy—""like you get on a beer,"" she said. ""It was sort of sizzling.""

Any other ten-year-old might have thought it strange. Tilly knew exactly what it meant.

Two weeks earlier, her geography teacher Andrew Kearney had shown the class footage of the 1946 tsunami that devastated Hawaii. He taught them the warning signs: sea receding unusually far, frothy bubbling water, ocean behaving strangely.

Tilly was watching those exact warning signs unfold in front of her.

She started screaming at her parents. ""There's going to be a tsunami!""

They didn't believe her. They couldn't see any wave. The sky was clear. The beach was calm.

But Tilly wouldn't stop. She became more insistent, more frantic.

""I'm going,"" she finally said. ""I'm definitely going. There is definitely going to be a tsunami.""

Her father Colin heard the urgency in her voice. He decided to trust his daughter.

By coincidence, a Japanese man nearby overheard Tilly use the word ""tsunami."" He'd just heard news of an earthquake in Sumatra. ""I think your daughter's right,"" he said.

Colin alerted hotel staff. They began evacuating immediately.

Tilly's mother Penny was one of the last to leave. She had to sprint as the water began rushing in behind her. ""I ran,"" she recalled, ""and then I thought I was going to die.""

They made it to the second floor with seconds to spare.

Then the wave hit. Thirty feet tall.

Everything on the beach—beds, palm trees, debris—was swept into the pool and beyond. ""Even if you hadn't drowned,"" Penny later said, ""you would have been hit by something.""

The 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami killed over 230,000 people across 14 countries. Entire beaches in Phuket were wiped out.

But at Mai Khao Beach, not a single person died.

Because a ten-year-old girl paid attention in geography class.

Tilly was hailed as the ""Angel of the Beach."" She received awards, spoke at the United Nations, met Bill Clinton. Her story is now taught in schools worldwide.

Her father Colin still thinks about what could have happened. ""If she hadn't told us, we would have just kept on walking,"" he said. ""I'm convinced we would have died.""

Tilly still credits her teacher. ""If it wasn't for Mr. Kearney,"" she told the UN, ""I'd probably be dead and so would my family.""

Two weeks. One lesson. One hundred lives.

That's the power of education.

YOUTUBE DESCRIPTION

Contending for the Faith | “How Do We Stand Firm in Truth and Love?”

Preacher: Darien Gabriel Series: Contending for the Faith Scripture: Epistle of Jude 1–16 (NIV)

Grace Christian Fellowship Grace Christian Fellowship

In a culture filled with spiritual confusion, distorted grace, and growing compromise, the book of Jude gives the church a wake-up call.

Jude urges believers to “contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to God’s holy people” (Jude 3). The danger wasn’t primarily persecution from outside the church—but corruption from within. False teachers quietly slipped into the church, distorted God’s grace into permission for sin, rejected God’s authority, and weakened discernment among God’s people.

In this message, Pastor Darien Gabriel walks through Jude 1–16 and explores what it means to stand firm in both truth and love.

Bottom Line

Standing firm means contending for the faith, rejecting distorted grace, and staying vigilant in fruit-bearing of both ourselves and others in love and by love.

In This Sermon

• What it means to “contend for the faith”

• Why false teaching is often subtle and deceptive

• The danger of spiritual complacency

• How grace can be distorted into license for sin

• Why vigilance and discernment matter in the church

• The examples of Israel, Sodom & Gomorrah, and rebellious angels

• How believers can examine themselves faithfully and lovingly

• Why truth and love must stay together

Key Scriptures

• Epistle of Jude 1–16

• Second Epistle to the Corinthians 13:5

• Book of Numbers 14

• Book of Ezekiel 16:49

• First Epistle to the Corinthians 6:9–11

• Gospel of Luke 6:41–42

Opening Illustrations

This sermon includes reflections on:

• The Two Towers and the corrupting influence of Gríma Wormtongue on King Théoden

• Ernest Shackleton’s famous Antarctic expedition recruitment ad

• Testimonies from persecuted believers who warn against the spiritual complacency of the Western church

Jude reminds us that false teaching rarely announces itself openly. It slips in quietly, weakens discernment gradually, and lulls believers into spiritual compromise. But God calls His people to wake up, see clearly, and remain faithful to Jesus Christ.

Opening Prayer: “Lord God, help us grow to be and do like Jesus, while abiding in Him and leading others to do the same.”

If this message encourages you, please like, subscribe, and share it with others seeking truth, discernment, and faithful discipleship in Christ.

#Jude #ContendForTheFaith

MAIN REFERENCES USED

“Proverbs,” by Ray Ortland, Preaching the Word Commentary, Edited by Kent Hughes

Exalting Jesus in Proverbs, Daniel Akin

Windows of Wisdom, Stephen Olford

“The Bible Knowledge Commentary” by Walvoord, Zuck (BKC)

“The Bible Exposition Commentary” by Warren Wiersbe (BEC)

Outline Bible, D Willmington (OB)

Willmington’s Bible Handbook, D Willmington (WBH)

NIV Study Bible (NIVSB) https://www.biblica.com/resources/scholar-notes/niv-study-bible/

Chronological Life Application Study Bible (NLT)

ESV Study Bible (ESVSB) https://www.esv.org

The Bible Project https://bibleproject.com

“Look at the Book” by John Piper (LATB)

“The Bible in One Year 2023 with Nicky Gumbel” bible reading plan on YouVersion app (BIOY)

Claude.ai

How to Walk God’s Way in God’s World

Series: Walking Wisely

Title: "How to Walk God's Way in God's World"

Scripture: Proverbs 3:1-12 NIV

James 1:5-6

Hebrews 11:6 "Without faith [trust] it is impossible to please God, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him." NIVish

Bottom line: Wisdom is learning to walk in God's way (aka wisely) in God's world.

1. INTRODUCTION

2. CONTEXT

3. OUTLINE

4. CONCLUSION

5. DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

6. NOTES

7. YOUTUBE DESCRIPTION

8. MAIN REFERENCES USED

My opening prayer: Lord God, help us grow to be and do like Jesus, while abiding in him and leading others to do the same.

Bottom line: Wisdom is learning to walk in God's way (aka wisely) in God's world.

OPENING STORY

A few years ago, our youth group had Pastor Ed Newton speak to them at camp. They loved him! Well, I at some point started following him on Twitter (back then) but X and had saved this tweet/post in my files. This was his quote:

"God's will? Find where you have been given favor, then follow favor, then be faithful to the place that God gave you favor!"

So this resonated with me. So I posted a question asking him the source of that inspiration. He replied Proverbs 3.

"Over the past several months, we walked through Book of Genesis in our series God’s Promises, Our Journey.

In Genesis, we watched God call imperfect people to trust Him with their future:

• Abraham leaving home not knowing where he was going

• Isaac learning to trust God’s covenant promises

But that raises an important question:

How do we actually walk that journey day by day?

That is where Book of Proverbs comes in.

If Genesis teaches us to trust God with the big story of our lives, Proverbs teaches us how to walk wisely with God in everyday life.

Proverbs is not primarily a book of random sayings or good advice. It is a father teaching his children how to live skillfully in God’s world.

Wisdom in Proverbs is not merely intelligence, information, or success. Wisdom is learning to see life from God’s perspective and walk in God’s ways.

At the center of Proverbs is this foundational truth:

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” (Proverbs 1:7)

In other words: true wisdom begins with a right relationship with God.

That is why Proverbs 3:5–6 is one of the most loved and well-known passages in the Bible. It speaks directly into moments of uncertainty, transition, decision-making, and future direction.

And that makes this passage especially fitting today as we celebrate our graduates.

Many of them are standing at a major crossroads:

• decisions about school

• work

• relationships

• calling

• identity

• future direction

And Proverbs reminds all of us — graduates and non-graduates alike — that our greatest need is not simply a good plan, but wholehearted trust in God." -ChatGPT

We just spend 9 weeks learning that our journey is shaped by our belief/unbelief in God's promises. We said that God's promises (rightly believed) shape our journey for good.

Proverbs 3 seems like the next right step.

Why? Because it tells us how to walk God's way in God's world. Our journey.

• “Wisdom is where knowledge and love kiss each other.”

• “Power is simply operating in Christ’s authority with his resources.”

Father (King Solomon) is discipling his Prince son. Parents, are you paying attention here?

“Genesis showed us God’s promises in the journey. Proverbs teaches us how to walk wisely in that journey.” -ChatGPT

Or

Bottom line: Wisdom is learning to walk in God's way (aka wisely) in God's world.

CONTEXT

What are the key traits of the book of Proverbs?

• "Proverbs as wisdom literature" #wisdom #promises

• "Solomon/father-to-son framework" #relationships #discipleship

• "Fear of the Lord theme"

• "Connection to Jesus as wisdom incarnate" #incarnation

-ChatGPT

"We're in Proverbs and that means wisdom literature. Why does that matter? Well, we read wisdom literature differently from other types of literature like narrative or didactic.

• Wisdom literature often communicates general patterns.

• Gospel and covenant texts often communicate definitive redemptive promises.

In other words, Proverbs teaches us the normal pathways of wisdom. Jesus announces the guaranteed promises of the kingdom."

-ChatGPT

Genesis showed us Abraham learning to trust God's audible voice with the big story of their lives.

Proverbs teaches us how to walk wisely with God's written word in everyday decisions.

“This is generally true now and will always prove true later.” -Daniel Akin

• "Proverbs describes the normal moral order of God’s world,

• but the fullness of these blessings is ultimately eschatological." -ChatGPT

Bottom line: Wisdom is learning to walk in God's way (aka wisely) in God's world.

OUTLINE (influenced by Danny Akin)

In the early 90s, Anita and I lived in Tampa Florida. Our time included joining Bell Shoals Baptist Church, where I was baptized. This is where I responded to Ministry. This is where I heard the preaching of Danny Akin for the first. I had never heard preaching like this before. It so impressed and influenced me that summer, that I went to the seminar where he was Dean of students. (SEBTS) He's now the president of the seminary. Today's outline is influenced by him and his son's efforts in a commentary I read this past week.

I. We Should Keep the Covenant PROVERBS 3:1,3,5,7,9

• The odd verses give the obligations that we are called to live up to if we

are in a covenant relationship with the Lord.

II. God Blesses Covenant-Keepers PROVERBS 3:2,4,6,8,10

• The even verses give the divine partner’s obligations.

III. This Is Generally True Now and Will Always Prove True Later

Proverbs 3:11-12

• The proverbs are generally true now, but they are always ultimately true.

IV. Jesus Kept the Covenant for You

• "The good news is that he represents us before the Father in this covenant relationship. He lived up to our obligations for us, and then

he took the curses of covenant breaking in our place." -Daniel Akin

CONCLUSION

Bottom line: Wisdom is learning to walk in God's way (aka wisely) in God's world.

From ChatGPT:

The Pilot Through the Clouds (Excellent for “straight paths”)

One of the most dangerous moments for a pilot is flying through thick clouds without visual reference points.

Everything in the body starts lying:

• up feels down,

• left feels right,

• motion feels still.

Pilots are trained not to trust their feelings in that moment. They must trust the instruments.

Some pilots have crashed perfectly good airplanes because they trusted their instincts more than the guidance system.

Proverbs 3 says: “Lean not on your own understanding.”

There will be seasons where:

• your emotions will mislead you,

• your instincts will fail you,

• your understanding will be incomplete.

In those moments, wisdom means trusting the Lord more than yourself.

I found the incident you’re referring to, though the pilot’s name appears to have been spelled Vinson Kyle Perdue in newspaper reporting, not “Purdue.” The crash occurred in August 1981 near Dorchester Road in the Summerville area. 

What I could verify:

• He was a young Air Force pilot from Summerville.

• The jet crashed during a routine training mission near Dorchester Road.

• The crash happened close to the Kings Grant area you mentioned. 

I could not verify from available sources that vertigo/disorientation was officially determined as the cause, though your memory of local reporting may absolutely be correct. Spatial disorientation/vertigo is a well-known factor in military aviation crashes, especially during instrument conditions.

For sermon purposes, I would be careful not to state definitively:

“The crash was officially caused by vertigo…”

unless you locate a direct source confirming that.

But you can still use the illustration powerfully and honestly by framing it like this:

When I was growing up in Summerville, there was a military jet crash near Dorchester Road across from Kings Grant where we lived.

I still remember how sobering that was as a kid.

And one of the things pilots are trained to understand is that when visibility disappears and disorientation sets in, your senses can begin lying to you.

Up can feel down. Motion can feel still. Your instincts can become dangerous.

That’s why pilots are trained to trust their instruments more than their feelings.

Proverbs 3 says something very similar spiritually:

“Lean not on your own understanding.”

There are moments in life where:

• your emotions will mislead you,

• your instincts will fail you,

• your understanding will be incomplete.

Wisdom means learning to trust God more than yourself.

That keeps:

• the local authenticity,

• the emotional weight,

• the aviation imagery,

• and the pastoral application—

without overstating what can be historically verified.

And honestly, because this is tied to your own childhood memory in Summerville, it will likely land much harder emotionally than a generic illustration ever could.

From Claude.ai

What Was Found on Vinson Kyle Perdue

The primary verified source is a newspaper clipping from The Greenville News, dated August 26, 1981 — a clipping published in The Greenville News on August 26, 1981, mentioning Vinson Kyle Perdue in Greenville, South Carolina.  That confirms the name spelling (Perdue, not Purdue) and the August 1981 date align with newspaper reporting. The Newspapers.com record exists but sits behind a paywall, so the full text of the article wasn’t accessible — which means we can confirm existence of reporting but not the article’s specific content on cause of death.

No publicly accessible official USAF accident investigation report for this specific crash surfaced. The Aviation Archaeological Investigation & Research database (which houses USAF accident reports from that era) exists but didn’t return this specific crash in searches.

Bottom line on the Perdue crash: Name, date, and general location are confirmed by newspaper record. Cause of death (vertigo/spatial disorientation) remains your childhood memory of local reporting — plausible and consistent with the era, but not independently verifiable from open sources right now.

What Was Found on Spatial Disorientation — and Why It Strengthens Your Illustration

This is where the research gets genuinely useful for your sermon. The data on spatial disorientation (SD) as a cause of military aviation fatalities is extensive and striking:

• Spatial disorientation accounted for 11% of all USAF crashes, with a crash fatality rate of 69% — and the SD rate was significantly higher in fighter/attack aircraft and helicopters than in training and transport aircraft. At night, 23% of all crashes were SD-caused.

• Even as overall military aviation accidents per flight hour decreased dramatically from 1958–1992, the rate of SD-caused crashes remained nearly constant — actually increasing as a percentage of all crashes, from 6% in 1958–1971 to 16% in 1972–1992.  Technology didn’t solve it. The problem is human physiology.

• Over a 21-year period (FY1993–2013), there were 72 spatial disorientation mishaps in the USAF, resulting in the loss of 101 lives, 65 aircraft, and $2.32 billion.

Spatial disorientation occurs when a pilot’s response to false sensations — of attitude, motion, velocity, acceleration, or position — causes the pilot to misinterpret his or her position in flight relative to the earth or other aircraft.  The instruments tell the truth. The pilot’s body lies to him.

How This Serves the Sermon

You don’t need the Perdue crash to be officially documented as an SD case to use SD as the theological hinge of your illustration. Here’s why: the statistics above are so overwhelming that you can say with complete accuracy:

“Spatial disorientation — where a pilot’s senses tell him up is down and motion is stillness — is one of the leading causes of military aviation fatalities. The pilot feels completely confident. His body is lying to him. That’s why pilots are trained to trust their instruments over their instincts.”

Then the transition to Proverbs 3 is natural and devastating: “Lean not on your own understanding” isn’t just piety — it’s survival logic. The human perceptual system is not reliable in conditions of low visibility and high stress. Neither is the unregenerate heart.

The local crash becomes the emotional anchor. The SD research data gives it theological weight that doesn’t depend on what you can or can’t verify about that specific August morning in 1981.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Pray

Questions (Write this down) - grab an index card and pen

• What is God saying to you right now?

• What are you going to do about it?

• Write this down on the index card in the seat pockets.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

Discovery Bible Study process: https://www.dbsguide.org/

1. Read the passage together.

2. Retell the story in your own words.

3. Discovery the story

   1. What does this story tell me about God?

   2. What does this story tell me about people?

   3. If this is really true, what should I do?

4. What is God saying to you right now? (Write this down)

5. What are you going to do about it? (Write this down)

6. Who am I going to tell about this?

Find our sermons, podcasts, discussion questions and notes at https://www.gracetoday.net/podcast

NOTES

Proverbs 3:5-6 outline by Stephen Olford, Windows of Wisdom, pp. 17-19

• The decision of trust must be foremost in our lives.

  • Starting point

  • "All" "to cling to"

  • Focal - lean NOT on anyone or anything else

• The devotion of trust must be fostered in our lives.

  • We must live in the scriptures (Rom 10:17)

  • We must lean on the Spirit (Gal 5:22)

  • Acknowledge = "To consciously know or recognize"

• The direction of trust must be followed in our lives.

  • He makes the best way forward clear by

    • Removing obstacles

    • Giving clear instructions/directions

    • Immediate obedience to his word demonstrates total and focal trust

5 Capitals that we are in charge of stewarding for God's kingdom as disciples of Jesus:

1. Spiritual Capital

   1. How much spiritual equity do we have to invest?

   2. The currency is wisdom and power.

2. Relational Capital

   1. How much relational equity do we have to invest?

   2. The currency is family and friends. 

3. Physical Capital

   1. How much time and energy do we have to invest?

   2. The currency is hours and health.

4. Intellectual Capital

   1. How much creativity and knowledge do we have to invest?

   2. The currency is concepts and ideas.

5. Financial Capital

   1. How much treasure do we have to invest?

   2. The currency is money.

YOUTUBE DESCRIPTION

MAIN REFERENCES USED

“Proverbs,” by Ray Ortland, Preaching the Word Commentary, Edited by Kent Hughes

Exalting Jesus in Proverbs, Daniel Akin

Windows of Wisdom, Stephen Olford

“The Bible Knowledge Commentary” by Walvoord, Zuck (BKC)

“The Bible Exposition Commentary” by Warren Wiersbe (BEC)

Outline Bible, D Willmington (OB)

Willmington’s Bible Handbook, D Willmington (WBH)

NIV Study Bible (NIVSB) https://www.biblica.com/resources/scholar-notes/niv-study-bible/

Chronological Life Application Study Bible (NLT)

ESV Study Bible (ESVSB) https://www.esv.org

The Bible Project https://bibleproject.com

“Look at the Book” by John Piper (LATB)

“The Bible in One Year 2023 with Nicky Gumbel” bible reading plan on YouVersion app (BIOY)

Claude.ai

How Can I Know the Way of Jesus? | John 14:1-14 | Darien Gabriel

How Can I Know the Way of Jesus? | John 14:1-14

Darien Gabriel

Series: Signs & Glory

Title: How can I know the way of Jesus?

Subtitle:

Scripture: John 14:1-14 NIV

Bottom Line: Because Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life, we can trust His promises in the midst of our fears, follow His words, ways, and wisdom with confidence, see the Father clearly, and rely on Him to provide all we need for the mission.

1. INTRODUCTION

2. CONTEXT

3. SERMON OUTLINE

4. CONCLUSION

5. NOTES

6. QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER

7. DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

8. MAIN REFERENCES USED

Opening prayer: Lord God, help us grow to be and do like Jesus, while abiding in him and leading others to do the same.

INTRODUCTION

“I’m sure that everyone reading this book has been touched by the death of a loved one. I have; by the mercy of God, both of my parents died at home in bed. My mother slipped away at night when I was asleep, but I was next to the bed, more than fifty years ago, when my father breathed his last. I watched death in front of my eyes, and in that moment I lost the person who meant more to me than any person on the face of the earth. When it happened, something stabbed my soul, causing me to say: “This is insane. This can’t be real. He must merely be sleeping. O God, will he live again?” -R.C. Sproul

Moments like this leave us asking: Are we really prepared for what’s ahead?

His disciples faced a similar challenge 2,000 years ago, beginning with a turning point of cosmic proportions with the betrayal of Judas Iscariot.

I submit that we should proceed as Jesus led his disciples to on the night of his arrest and the eve of his crucifixion.

Bottom line:

CONTEXT

Jesus's disciples are deeply troubled because they have just heard 3 things:

1. One of them will betray Jesus,

2. Jesus is about to leave them and go where they cannot go, and

3. Peter will deny Jesus 3 times that night.

On top of all of this, Jesus is still wanted for arrest and likely crucifixion for treason and blasphemy. If they are looking for him, they are likely looking for them as well. They're terrified.

OUTLINE (w/ help from ChatGPT)

Bottom Line: Because Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life, we can trust His promises in the midst of our fears, follow His words, ways, and wisdom with confidence, see the Father clearly, and rely on Him to provide all we need for the mission.

1. Jesus Calms Troubled Hearts (vv. 1–3)

• Context: Jesus has announced His departure (13:33) and Peter’s denial (13:38). The disciples are shaken.

• Truth: “Let not your hearts be troubled.” The antidote to fear is faith.

• Explanation:

• Believe in God; believe also in Me → Jesus calls for the same trust we give to God.

• In My Father’s house are many rooms → heaven is real, personal, and prepared.

• I will come again → the return of Christ guarantees our eternal presence with Him.

• Application:

• When anxiety rises, put your weight down on His promises.

• We don’t just long for a place (heaven) but a Person (Jesus).

Illustration: A child afraid of the dark sleeps peacefully when she lies next to her parents bed because they are with her.

2. Jesus Is the Way, the Truth, and the Life (vv. 4–7)

• Thomas: “We don’t know where you are going. How can we know the way?” (v. 5)

• Jesus’ Answer: “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (v. 6)

• Explanation:

• The Way → He doesn’t show the way; He is the way. The cross and resurrection open the road.

• The Truth → Not one truth among many; the full reality of God revealed in Him.

• The Life → Eternal life is only in Him (cf. John 11:25; 1 John 5:11–12).

• Application:

• In a culture that says “all paths lead to God,” Jesus insists: only one does.

• Jesus is not just useful; He is essential.

Illustration: GPS apps give different routes to the destination. Some take longer while others are easier. We won't all follow exactly the same way. But we do follow him his way rooted in his truth to true and lasting life.

3. Jesus Reveals the Father (vv. 8–11)

• Philip: “Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.” (v. 8)

• Jesus’ Reply: “Whoever has seen Me has seen the Father.” (v. 9)

• Truth: Jesus is the full disclosure of God (cf. Col. 1:15; Heb. 1:3).

• Application:

• You don’t have to wonder what God is like—look at Jesus.

• If we’re confused about God’s character, we must return to Jesus’ words and works.

Illustration: Like a high-resolution picture bringing clarity where once it was blurry, Jesus brings the Father into perfect focus.

4. Jesus Empowers His Followers (vv. 12–14)

• Promise: “Whoever believes in Me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do.” (v. 12)

• Explanation:

• Not greater in quality but in extent—global reach through the Spirit.

• Through prayer “in My name,” Jesus continues His work through us.

• Application:

• We are not powerless—we are prayerful participants in Jesus’ mission.

• Ask boldly in His name, aligning with His will.

Illustration: A relay race—the baton of Jesus’ mission is passed on, but with Spirit-powered expansion beyond what the disciples could imagine.

Conclusion: Bringing It All Together

• When your heart is troubled → Trust His promise (vv. 1–3).

• When you wonder about the way → Follow Him as the only way (vv. 4–7).

• When you want to know what God is like → Look to Jesus (vv. 8–11).

• When you feel powerless → Pray in His name and live on His mission (vv. 12–14).

Bottom Line: Because Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life, we can trust His promises in the midst of our fears, follow His words, ways, and wisdom with confidence, see the Father clearly, and rely on Him to provide all we need for the mission.

CONCLUSION

Bottom Line: Because Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life, we can trust His promises in the midst of our fears, follow His words, ways, and wisdom with confidence, see the Father clearly, and rely on Him to provide all we need for the mission.

INVITATION

What about you?

Peter puts it all in perspective in his first sermon:

““Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.” When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”” ‭‭Acts‬ ‭2‬:‭36‬-‭39‬ ‭NIV‬‬

How do we respond? Answer 2 questions:

Take out a card or piece of paper right now. Write down the answer to these questions:

1. What is God saying to me right now?

2. What am I going to do about it? Write this down on a sheet of paper.

What I hear you saying, Lord, is ___________________.

[my name] is going to believe/do __________________________________________________ as a result.

Finally, share this with your Home or Mission group this week when you gather as a testimony about what God is doing in your life. You don’t have to get too specific to give him praise.

Lord's Supper, 1 Cor 11:23-26 is good passage.

Also, say something like, "Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again." (past, present, and future)

Pray

NOTES

“I’m sure that everyone reading this book has been touched by the death of a loved one. I have; by the mercy of God, both of my parents died at home in bed. My mother slipped away at night when I was asleep, but I was next to the bed, more than fifty years ago, when my father breathed his last. I watched death in front of my eyes, and in that moment I lost the person who meant more to me than any person on the face of the earth. When it happened, something stabbed my soul, causing me to say: “This is insane. This can’t be real. He must merely be sleeping. O God, will he live again?”

R.C. Sproul

QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER

1. What do I want them to know?

2. Why do I want them to know it?

3. What do I want them to do?

4. Why do I want them to do it?

5. How do they do this?

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

Discovery Bible Study process: https://www.dbsguide.org/

1. Read the passage together.

2. Retell the story in your own words.

3. Discovery the story

1. What does this story tell me about God?

2. What does this story tell me about people?

3. If this is really true, what should I do?

4. What is God saying to you right now? (Write this down)

5. What are you going to do about it? (Write this down)

6. Who am I going to tell about this?

Find our sermons, podcasts, discussion questions and notes at https://www.gracetoday.net/podcast

Alternate Discussion Questions (by Jeff Vanderstelt): Based on this passage:

1. Who is God?

2. What has he done/is he doing/is he going to do?

3. Who am I? (In light of 1 & 2)

4. What do I do? (In light of who I am)

5. How do I do it?

Final Questions (Write this down)

• What is God saying to you right now?

• What are you going to do about it?

MAIN REFERENCES USED

“John,” by R. Kent Hughes, Preaching the Word Commentary, Edited by Kent Hughes

Exalting Jesus in John, by Matt Carter & Josh Wredberg

The Gospels & Epistles of John, FF Bruce

John, RC Sproul

John, Köstenberger

The Gospel According to John, DA Carson

Let's Study John, Mark Johnston

The Light Has Come, Leslie Newbigin (TLHC)

The Visual Word, Patrick Schreiner (TVW)

“Look at the Book” by John Piper (LATB)

“The Bible Knowledge Commentary” by Walvoord, Zuck (BKC)

“The Bible Exposition Commentary” by Warren Wiersbe (BEC)

Thru The Bible with J. Vernon McGee (TTB)

Outline Bible, D Willmington (OB)

NIV Study Bible (NIVSB) https://www.biblica.com/resources/scholar-notes/niv-study-bible/

Chronological Life Application Study Bible (NLT)

ESV Study Bible (ESVSB) https://www.esv.org

The Bible Project https://bibleproject.com

Nicky Gumbel bible reading plan app or via YouVersion

Claude.ai

ChatGPT AI

Grok AI

Perplexity.ai

Google Gemini AI

How Does Jesus Prepare Us for What's Next? | John 13:18-38 | Darien Gabriel

How Does Jesus Prepare Us for What's Next? | John 13:18-38

Darien Gabriel

Series: Signs & Glory

Title: How does Jesus prepare us for what's next?

Subtitle: Learning how to shine together in these dark days.

Scripture: John 13:18-38 NIV

Bottom line: Even (Especially) in dark times, Jesus prepares us to shine together.

Bottom line 2: Jesus prepares us to shine in the dark together by showing us his love, calling us to love one another, and showing us how to love each other even when we fail.

1. INTRODUCTION

2. CONTEXT

3. SERMON OUTLINE

4. CONCLUSION

5. NOTES

6. QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER

7. DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

8. MAIN REFERENCES USED

Opening prayer: Lord God, help us grow to be and do like Jesus, while abiding in him and leading others to do the same.

INTRODUCTION

On September 10th, 2025, thousands of people gathered at Utah Valley University to hear Charlie Kirk, the founder of Turning Point USA and Turning Point Faith. Just 31 years old, outspoken, and unafraid to share his Christian faith — Charlie was shot and killed in front of a live audience. The news has shocked our country. Whatever you think about his politics, the suddenness of it all reminds us how fragile life really is, and how quickly everything can change.

Moments like this leave us asking: Are we really prepared for what’s ahead?

No doubt his death has shaken not only his followers but many of us who are for civil dialogue in the pursuit of truth and better ideas for our future as a nation. How should they at Turning Point proceed? How should we as Americans proceed? Most importantly, how should we as followers of Jesus Christ proceed?

His disciples faced a similar challenge 2,000 years ago, beginning with a turning point of cosmic proportions with the betrayal of Judas Iscariot.

I submit that we should proceed as Jesus led his disciples to on the night of his arrest and the eve of his crucifixion.

Bottom line: Even (Especially) in dark times, Jesus prepares us to shine together.

CONTEXT

We've reached a turning point in the book of John not only from public ministry (mix of believers and unbelievers) to private (his followers) but even more so as Judas removes himself from The Twelve leaving the group made up solely of those who have been cleansed by belief in Jesus. We see this happen in verse 31.

As a result, and building on his call for them to serve one another, Jesus calls them to love one another as he has loved them. This is the most appropriate response to his cross-centered, obedient love for his Father and for us.

These are dark days, no doubt. And it's weeks like this when we feel like they're darker than ever.

The question is: Are you prepared and preparing yourself and your household (oikos), your family, your friends, your people--those you do life with?

Jesus gives us another example of his love and then sends us out as his ambassadors to shine brightly together in this dark world.

How? Well, let's read this and find out.

OUTLINE (w/ help from Kent Hughes and ChatGPT)

I. Love's Demonstration (18-30)

Jesus loved Judas and gave him every opportunity to embrace him then and there.

A. The Betrayal Foretold (18-30). Jesus reveals his knowledge of a betrayal by one of his 12 to the group. He loves his betrayer to the end giving him every opportunity to repent and believe.

He also expresses his pain in light of Psalm 41.

B. Psalm 41:9--Connection to John 13:

• Jesus applies Psalm 41:9 to Judas. Just as David experienced betrayal from a trusted friend, so does the Son of David.

• John presents it not as coincidence but as fulfillment of Scripture (13:18). Judas’ betrayal shows Jesus is the greater David, suffering the righteous one’s fate.

• Key difference: David prayed for deliverance from his enemies; Jesus embraces betrayal as part of the Father’s plan to glorify Him through the cross.

II. Love's Demand (31-35)

Judas walks in darkness. Jesus willingly let him knowing it will lead to the cross. This willing obedience that will require infinite suffering will bring the Father glory and Jesus glory. It will also bring infinite good to those who trust and follow Jesus.

The demand of love is that we love each other as Jesus loved his disciples and loved us.

Last week we saw Jesus' love for his disciples exemplified in the washing of their feet. He called them to do this to/for one another. He continues this theme of light and love here.

A. The Glory Revealed (31-32)

B. The New Commandment Given (33-35) This "new commandment" is an expansion of his old command from Leviticus which said, "Love your neighbor as yourself."

1. Love demands a new object: "one another" and not just your neighbor.

1. Believers

2. A very diverse group of people

1. Masters and slaves

2. Jews and Gentiles

3. Men and women

4. Rich and poor

5. Gay and straight

6. Strong and weak

7. And yet the became a community of people held together by their love for God and each other. And this is how people knew they followed Jesus.

2. Love demands a new means: "as I have loved you" not just as you love yourself.

3. While it is admittedly difficult to love your neighbor as you love yourself, it's much more difficult to love others as Jesus loves us. (And maybe even harder to love each other this way)

C. The Denial Predicted (36-38)

• Even our best intentions fail, but Jesus restores us by grace. Our weakness doesn’t cancel His mission.

III. Love's Denial (36-38) - Even our best intentions fail, but Jesus restores us by grace. Our weakness doesn’t cancel His mission.

CONCLUSION

Bottom line: Even (Especially) in dark times, Jesus prepares us to shine together.

King David was betrayed not only by his friend and chief advisor. I mean, you better trust your chief advisor. But he was betrayed by his son. You don't know pain until you've been betrayed by a close family member. (2 Samuel 15-17)

“David felt the sting of Ahithophel’s betrayal, but his greatest grief was for Absalom, his rebellious son. In the same way, Jesus felt the sting of Judas’ kiss, but even more, He bore the grief of a whole world of lost children — and He went to the cross so that rebels could be restored as sons and daughters of God.”

• When darkness comes, we can hold on to his light and love as seen in:

• His sovereignty (He knows).

• His glory (He redeems suffering).

• His command (love one another).

• His grace (He restores the weak).

Think of a time when you were betrayed. Picture them. Now, think about God's light and love:

• He knows about that and knew about that before you. He's sovereignly aware.

• He redeems suffering. He can work grace into your life in and through the suffering you experienced.

• He commands that you love them instead of hate; to forgive them and find healing for yourself.

• His grace restores the weak and brokenhearted. His grace is enough for you.

• Even in the darkest nights, Jesus prepares us not just to survive, but to shine — and to shine together.

“Friends, this is how Jesus prepares us for what’s next:

• He knows — nothing surprises Him.

• He redeems — suffering is never wasted.

• He commands — love one another deeply.

• He restores — even our failures can’t stop His grace.

So what’s next for you? Start with loving one another, serving one another, shining together in His light. That’s how we walk through dark days — not alone, but with Jesus, and with each other.”

INVITATION

What about you?

Peter puts it all in perspective in his first sermon:

““Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.” When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”” ‭‭Acts‬ ‭2‬:‭36‬-‭39‬ ‭NIV‬‬

How do we respond? Answer 2 questions:

Take out a card or piece of paper right now. Write down the answer to these questions:

1. What is God saying to me right now?

2. What am I going to do about it? Write this down on a sheet of paper.

What I hear you saying, Lord, is ___________________.

[my name] is going to believe/do __________________________________________________ as a result.

Finally, share this with your Home or Mission group this week when you gather as a testimony about what God is doing in your life. You don’t have to get too specific to give him praise.

Lord's Supper, 1 Cor 11:23-26 is good passage.

Also, say something like, "Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again." (past, present, and future)

Pray

NOTES

Kent Hughes Outline

I. Love's Demonstration (18-30)

II. Love's Demand (31-35)

QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER

1. What do I want them to know?

2. Why do I want them to know it?

3. What do I want them to do?

4. Why do I want them to do it?

5. How do they do this?

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

Discovery Bible Study process: https://www.dbsguide.org/

1. Read the passage together.

2. Retell the story in your own words.

3. Discovery the story

1. What does this story tell me about God?

2. What does this story tell me about people?

3. If this is really true, what should I do?

4. What is God saying to you right now? (Write this down)

5. What are you going to do about it? (Write this down)

6. Who am I going to tell about this?

Find our sermons, podcasts, discussion questions and notes at https://www.gracetoday.net/podcast

Alternate Discussion Questions (by Jeff Vanderstelt): Based on this passage:

1. Who is God?

2. What has he done/is he doing/is he going to do?

3. Who am I? (In light of 1 & 2)

4. What do I do? (In light of who I am)

5. How do I do it?

Final Questions (Write this down)

• What is God saying to you right now?

• What are you going to do about it?

MAIN REFERENCES USED

“John,” by R. Kent Hughes, Preaching the Word Commentary, Edited by Kent Hughes

Exalting Jesus in John, by Matt Carter & Josh Wredberg

The Gospels & Epistles of John, FF Bruce

John, RC Sproul

John, Köstenberger

The Gospel According to John, DA Carson

Let's Study John, Mark Johnston

The Light Has Come, Leslie Newbigin (TLHC)

The Visual Word, Patrick Schreiner (TVW)

“Look at the Book” by John Piper (LATB)

“The Bible Knowledge Commentary” by Walvoord, Zuck (BKC)

“The Bible Exposition Commentary” by Warren Wiersbe (BEC)

Thru The Bible with J. Vernon McGee (TTB)

Outline Bible, D Willmington (OB)

NIV Study Bible (NIVSB) https://www.biblica.com/resources/scholar-notes/niv-study-bible/

Chronological Life Application Study Bible (NLT)

ESV Study Bible (ESVSB) https://www.esv.org

The Bible Project https://bibleproject.com

Nicky Gumbel bible reading plan app or via YouVersion

Claude.ai

ChatGPT AI

Grok AI

Perplexity.ai

Google Gemini AI

How Do We Become People of the Towel? | John 13:1-17

How Do We Become People of the Towel? | John 13:1-17

Darien Gabriel

Series: Signs & Glory

Title: How Do We Become People of the Towel?

Subtitle:

Scripture: John 13:1-17

Philippians 2:6-8

Mark 10:45

Bottom line: We become people of the towel when we believe Jesus' love, receive his cleansing, and follow his example.

1. INTRODUCTION

2. CONTEXT

3. SERMON OUTLINE

4. CONCLUSION

5. NOTES

6. OUTLINES

7. QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER

8. DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

9. MAIN REFERENCES USED

Opening prayer: Lord God, help us grow to be and do like Jesus, while abiding in him and leading others to do the same.

INTRODUCTION

“In 2003, when the United States invaded Iraq, I sat glued to my television set for days and watched the amazing footage that was broadcast.

One scene that stands out in my mind from those days was the jubilant celebration of the Iraqi people as U.S. Marines pulled down a forty-foot statue of Saddam Hussein in Baghdad. The statue was torn from its pedestal and dragged through the streets, and children were shown riding on the head of the statue as if it were a sled.

But I also remember the way in which the people of Iraq used their shoes or their sandals to pound against the statue and the posters of Saddam that were still being displayed in Baghdad. The commentators explained that among the Iraqi people, to beat a person or even a person’s image with one’s shoe is to show the deepest possible form of contempt for that person...

The Iraqi people’s actions helped me understand the depth of lowliness to which Jesus stooped when He handled His disciples’ filthy feet in this ritual of cleansing.

We have already discussed the fact that in antiquity, when a rabbi had disciples, they typically acted as his servants. However, they were never required to wash the rabbi’s feet; that task was reserved for slaves.

But even some slaves were spared this task. Within Israel, if a Jewish person had a Jewish slave, the slave owner was not permitted to require that slave to wash his feet. Only a Gentile slave could be required to perform such a menial task.

So the fact that Jesus Himself undertook this task, and that He did it during Holy Week, fills this narrative with theological and ethical significance for us.”

John - An Expositional Commentary, R.C. Sproul

Bottom line: We become people of the towel when we believe Jesus' love, receive his cleansing, and follow his example.

CONTEXT

"Jesus had entered Jerusalem on Sunday, and on Monday had cleansed the temple.

Tuesday was a day of conflict as the religious leaders sought to trip Him up and get evidence to arrest Him. These events are recorded in Matthew 21–25.

Wednesday was probably a day of rest, but on Thursday He met in the Upper Room with His disciples in order to observe Passover...What was this divinely appointed “hour”? It was the time when He would be glorified through His death, resurrection, and ascension.

From the human point of view, it meant suffering; but from the divine point of view, it meant glory."

Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 344). Victor Books.

OUTLINE (w/ help from Kent Hughes and ChatGPT)

I. Believe the Heart of His Love (John 13:1–3)

• Jesus loved His own “to the end” — pointing to the cross (Romans 5:8).

• His mission has always been loving service: "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." Mark 10:45

• Application: You cannot serve others well until you rest secure in Jesus’ agape love for you.

II. Be Washed by His Cleansing (John 13:4–11)

• Jesus lays aside His garment and stoops to wash dirty feet — a preview of the cross.

• Peter resists, but Jesus insists: “Unless I wash you, you have no share with me.”

• Only the Servant who came to save (Luke 19:10) can cleanse us fully.

• Application: Humble service flows only from hearts first cleansed by Jesus’ sacrifice.

III. Follow His Example in Humble Service (John 13:12–17)

• After washing, He asks: “Do you understand what I have done to you?”

• If the Lord and Teacher has washed feet, we must do likewise.

• Paul echoes this: “Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus… He humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross” (Philippians 2:5–8).

• Application: Knowing His love and cleansing, we pick up the towel and bless others through ordinary, humble acts of service.

⸻

"The Upper Room Discourse begins with a dramatic call to follow Christ's example as a servant--to be people of the towel." -Hughes

"How do we become people of the towel?

1. We must observe the marvelous example of our foot-washing Lord and Savior and then listen to Jesus' challenge: 'If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet.'

2. Perhaps most important, we must have the quality of Jesus' heart. 'Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.'

3. Finally, we become people of the towel by realizing who we are. The power, the impetus, and the grace to wash one another's feet is proportionate not only to how we see Jesus but how we see ourselves. Our Lord saw himself as King of kings, and he washed the disciples' feet. Recovery of a kingly consciousness will hallow and refine our entire lives. We are 'a royal priesthood.' (1 Peter 2:9)" -Hughes

"If you know these things, blessed areyou if you do them." John 13:17

The Heart of the Servant (13:1-3)

"The final sentence gives us his heart: "Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end." The servant's heart is a heart of love.

A story about Czar Nicholas I of Russia tells us something of that love. The czar was greatly interested in a young man because he had been friends with the young man's father. When that young man came of age, Czar Nicholas gave him a fine position in the army. He also stationed him in a place of responsibility at one of the great fortresses of Russia. The young man was responsible for the monies and finances of a particular division of the army.

The young man did quite well at first, but as time went along, he became quite a gambler. Before long he had gambled his entire fortune away. He borrowed from the treasury and also gambled that away, a few rubles at a time.

One day he heard there was going to be an audit of the books the next day. He went to the safe, took out his ledger, and figured out how much money he had, then subtracted the amount he had taken. As he sat at the table, overwhelmed at the astronomical debt, he took out his pen and wrote, "A great debt, who can pay?" Not willing to go through the shame of what would happen the next day, he took out his revolver and covenanted with himself that at the stroke of midnight he would take his life.

It was a warm and drowsy night, and as the young man sat at the table, he dozed off. Now, Czar Nicholas had a habit of putting on a common soldier's uniform and visiting some of his outposts. On that very night he came to that particular great fortress, and as he inspected it, he saw a light on in one of the rooms. He knocked on the door, but no one answered. He tried the latch, opened the door, and went in. There was the young man. The czar recognized him immediately. When he saw the note on the table and the ledgers laid out, his first impulse was to wake the young man and arrest him. But, overtaken with a wave of generosity, he instead took the pen that had fallen out of the soldier's hand and wrote one word on the paper, then tiptoed out of the room.

About an hour later the young man woke up and reached for his revolver, realizing that it was much after twelve. Then his eyes fell upon his note: "A great debt, who can pay?" He saw immediately that one word had been added -"Nicholas." The young man dropped the gun, ran to the files, thumbed through some correspondence, and found the czar's signature. The note was authentic! The realization struck him —"The czar has been here and knows all my guilt. But he has undertaken my debt, and I will not have to die." The young man trusted in the czar's word, and sure enough, the needed monies came?

The czar's love, paying the price for his guilty young friend, was only a faint shadow of the atoning love of Christ. Nicholas's deed was an easy matter for him —as easy as signing his name. But the atoning love of Jesus cost him everything!

The tenses at the end of verse 1, "having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end," means that in the whole range of Christ's contact with his disciples he loved them!" -Hughes

The Example of the Servant (13:4-11)

The Challenge of the Servant (13:12-17)

"According to John, the Lord gave the disciples two explanations of his washing of their feet - one while he was engaged in washing them, and the other after he had taken his place with them at the supper table again.

The former, as we have seen, is theological in character: the foot-washing symbolizes Jesus' humbling himself to endure the death of the cross and the cleansing efficacy of his death for the believer.

The latter, unfolded in verses 12-17, is practical in character: Jesus has washed their feet in order that from his example they may learn to perform similar service one for another.

There is no incongruity between the two explanations; it is quite unnecessary to suppose that they must be due to two different authors. The second explanation is very much in line with Luke's account of the conversation which took place between the Lord and the disciples at the Last Supper (Luke 22:24-27), in which he drew their attention to his own example; but in Mark's counterpart to that conversation, which appears in an earlier context (Mark 10:35-45), Jesus' example of lowly service is brought into the closest association with the sacrifice of the cross: if any one of their number wants to be first, he 'must be slave of all' - because 'the Son of man also came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many'. The close association of the two themes in this Johannine context, accordingly, is perfectly natural`..." -FF Bruce

Judas was an unbeliever (John 6:64–71), so he did not have a “shield of faith” to use to ward off Satan’s attacks...

Even in His humiliation, our Lord had all things through His Father. He was poor and yet He was rich. Because Jesus knew who He was, where He came from, what He had, and where He was going, He was complete master of the situation. You and I as believers know that we have been born of God, that we are one day going to God, and that in Christ we have all things; therefore, we ought to be able to follow our Lord’s example and serve others...

What Jesus knew helped determine what Jesus did (John 13:4–5)...

The Father had put all things into the Son’s hands, yet Jesus picked up a towel and a basin! His humility was not born of poverty, but of riches. He was rich, yet He became poor (2 Cor. 8:9). A Malay proverb says, “The fuller the ear is of rice-grain, the lower it bends.”

...Jesus was the Sovereign, yet He took the place of a servant. He had all things in His hands, yet He picked up a towel...

It has well been said that humility is not thinking meanly of yourself; it is simply not thinking of yourself at all. True humility grows out of our relationship with the Father.

Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 345). Victor Books.

Rick Warren used to say, "Humility isn't thinking less of yourself. It's thinking of yourself less."

We today, just like the disciples that night, desperately need this lesson on humility. The church is filled with a worldly spirit of competition and criticism as believers vie with one another to see who is the greatest. We are growing in knowledge, but not in grace (see 2 Peter 3:18). “Humility is the only soil in which the graces root,” wrote Andrew Murray. “The lack of humility is the sufficient explanation of every defect and failure.”

The word translated “wash” in John 13:5–6, 8, 12, and 14 is nipto and means “to wash a part of the body.” But the word translated “washed” in John 13:10 is louo and means “to bathe all over.” The distinction is important, for Jesus was trying to teach His disciples the importance of a holy walk.

When the sinner trusts the Saviour, he is “bathed all over” and his sins are washed away and forgiven (see 1 Cor. 6:9–11; Titus 3:3–7; and Rev. 1:5). “And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more” (Heb. 10:17). However, as the believer walks in this world, it is easy to become defiled. He does not need to be bathed all over again; he simply needs to have that defilement cleansed away. God promises to cleanse us when we confess our sins to Him (1 John 1:9).

But why is it so important that we “keep our feet clean”? Because if we are defiled, we cannot have communion with our Lord. “If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with Me” (John 13:8). The word translated “part” is meros, and it carries the meaning here of “participation, having a share in someone or something.” When God “bathes us all over” in salvation, He brings about our union with Christ; and that is a settled relationship that cannot change. (The verb wash in John 13:10 is in the perfect tense. It is settled once and for all.) However, our communion with Christ depends on our keeping ourselves “unspotted from the world” (James 1:27). If we permit unconfessed sin in our lives, we hinder our walk with the Lord; and that is when we need to have our feet washed.

Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 346). Victor Books.

Referring to Jesus humbling himself and cf. to Philippians 2:5-9, RC Sproul writes, “It was not His deity but His dignity that Jesus laid aside. He emptied Himself of the glory that He enjoyed with His Father from all eternity. He laid aside His prerogatives as the second person of the Trinity. For the sake of His people, He descended from glory to lay down His life.”

“That is proper, for Jesus was not instituting a sacrament that was to be repeated on a regular basis among the people of God, and we know that for this reason: the central significance of Jesus’ washing of His disciples’ feet has to do with baptism, which is the sacrament of the entrance into the new covenant. Baptism signifies many things, but at the very heart of the symbolism of baptism is the idea of cleansing” -R.C. Sproul

“He knew who would betray him, but He washed all their feet, even the feet of Judas, but not without the warning that the cleansing He spoke of would not apply to every one of them.”

“Those who give themselves in service to others find deep joy in it.”

Excerpt From

John - An Expositional Commentary

R.C. Sproul

CONCLUSION

"The Upper Room Discourse begins with a dramatic call to follow Christ's example as a servant--to be people of the towel." -Hughes

How do we become people of the towel?

1. We must observe the marvelous example of our foot-washing Lord and Savior and then listen to Jesus' challenge: 'If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet.'

2. Perhaps most important, we must have gthe quality of Jesus' heart. 'Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.'

3. Finally, we become people of the towel by realizing who we are. The power, the impetus, and the grace to wash one another's feet is proportionate not only to how we see Jesus but how we see ourselves. Our Lord saw himself as King of kings, and he washed the disciples' feet. Recovery of a kingly consciousness will hallow and refine our entire lives. We are 'a royal priesthood.' (1 Peter 2:9)

"If you know these things, blessed areyou if you do them." John 13:17

This basic truth of Christian living is beautifully illustrated in the Old Testament priesthood. When the priest was consecrated, he was bathed all over (Ex. 29:4), and that experience was never repeated. However, during his daily ministry, he became defiled; so it was necessary that he wash his hands and feet at the brass laver in the courtyard (Ex. 30:18–21). Only then could he enter the holy place and trim the lamps, eat the holy bread, or burn the incense...

We can learn an important lesson from Peter: don’t question the Lord’s will or work, and don’t try to change it. He knows what He is doing...

John was careful to point out that Peter and Judas were in a different relationship with Jesus. Yes, Jesus washed Judas’ feet! But it did Judas no good because he had not been bathed all over. Some people teach that Judas was a saved man who sinned away his salvation, but that is not what Jesus said. Our Lord made it very clear that Judas had never been cleansed from his sins and was an unbeliever (John 6:64–71)...

John 13:17 is the key—“If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.” The sequence is important: humbleness, holiness, then happiness. Aristotle defined happiness as “good fortune joined to virtue … a life that is both agreeable and secure.” That might do for a philosopher, but it will never do for a Christian believer! Happiness is the by-product of a life that is lived in the will of God. When we humbly serve others, walk in God’s paths of holiness, and do what He tells us, then we will enjoy happiness...

The servant (slave) is not greater than his master; so, if the master becomes a slave, where does that put the slave? On the same level as the master! By becoming a servant, our Lord did not push us down: He lifted us up! He dignified sacrifice and service. You must keep in mind that the Romans had no use for humility, and the Greeks despised manual labor. Jesus combined these two when He washed the disciples’ feet. The world asks, “How many people work for you?” but the Lord asks, “For how many people do you work?"

When I was ministering at a conference in Kenya, an African believer shared one of their proverbs with me: “The chief is servant of all.” How true it is that we need leaders who will serve and servants who will lead. G.K. Chesterton said that a really great man is one who makes others feel great, and Jesus did this with His disciples by teaching them to serve...

Be sure to keep these lessons in their proper sequence: humbleness, holiness, happiness. Submit to the Father, keep your life clean, and serve others. This is God’s formula for true spiritual joy.

Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 347). Victor Books.

“We can transfer that warning to everyone reading this book. If you are reading this and have not been washed by Christ, you will have no part with Him in the Father’s house. Jesus was preparing His disciples for that cleansing that would once and for all deliver them from their sin” -R.C. Sproul

“We’ve already seen Jesus making the point in the final weeks of His life, “Unless you’re willing to participate in My humiliation, you have no part in My exaltation.” Our very baptism is a sign not only of our being raised with Christ, but of our being buried with Christ. It is a sign that we join Him in His humiliation so that we may have a part in His glory.”

“Jesus told Simon, “He who is bathed needs only to wash his feet, but is completely clean” (v. 10a). In the ancient world, when a person took a bath, he was clean until he walked outside in the dust in his bare feet or in open sandals. He could keep the rest of his body relatively clean, but his feet got dirty quickly. That’s why there was the ritual of the cleansing of the feet without having to take a complete bath. Jesus told Peter, “When I wash your feet, I make you clean all over.” One touch of the cleansing power of Christ cleanses us from all sin.” -RC Sproul

Illustration:

In 1912, when the Titanic struck the iceberg, there weren’t enough lifeboats. Hundreds were left in the freezing Atlantic waters. One survivor later testified that while clinging to debris, she heard a man swimming from person to person, shouting, “Are you saved? Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved!” That man was John Harper, a Scottish pastor. He gave away his life jacket to another passenger, and with his last breaths he pleaded with people to turn to Christ before they slipped under the waves.

Connection to Sermon:

Like those passengers, every one of us is sinking without Christ. The signs have been given, the call is clear—Jesus is the light of the world, sent not to condemn but to save. His words are life, but they will also be our judge. Don’t harden your heart. Step into His light today while there is still time.

INVITATION

What about you?

Peter puts it all in perspective in his first sermon:

““Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.” When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”” ‭‭Acts‬ ‭2‬:‭36‬-‭39‬ ‭NIV‬‬

How do we respond? Answer 2 questions:

Take out a card or piece of paper right now. Write down the answer to these questions:

1. What is God saying to me right now?

2. What am I going to do about it? Write this down on a sheet of paper.

What I hear you saying, Lord, is ___________________.

[my name] is going to believe/do __________________________________________________ as a result.

Finally, share this with your Home or Mission group this week when you gather as a testimony about what God is doing in your life. You don’t have to get too specific to give him praise.

Lord's Supper, 1 Cor 11:23-26 is good passage.

Also, say something like, "Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again." (past, present, and future)

Pray

NOTES

"In 1970 I was among 12,300 delegates to Inter-Varsity's Urbana conven-tion, where we heard John Stott give a masterful application of the truth of this passage. He told a story about Samuel Logan Brengle:

In 1878 when William Booth's Salvation Army had just been so named, men from all over the world began to enlist. One man, who had once dreamed of himself as a bishop, crossed the Atlantic from America to England to enlist. He was a Methodist minister, Samuel Logan Brengle. And he now turned from a fine pastorate to join Booth's Salvation Army. Brengle later became the Army's first American-born commissioner. But at first Booth accepted his services reluctantly and grudgingly. Booth said to Brengle, "You've been your own boss too long." And in order to instill humility into Brengle, he set him to work cleaning the boots of the other trainees. And Brengle said to himself, "Have I followed my own fancy across the Atlantic in order to black boots?" And then as in a vision he saw Jesus bending over the feet of rough, unlettered fishermen. "Lord," he whispered, "You washed their feet: I will black their boots."

If we are to count ourselves as followers of Christ, there must be humble service in our lives. We must be people of the towel." -Hughes

"Perhaps as good a commentary as any on our passage is supplied by the following paragraph from the biography of Robert Cleaver Chapman:

No task was too lowly for Chapman. Visitors were particularly impressed by his habit of cleaning the boots and shoes of his guests.

Indeed, it was on this point he met with most resistance, for those who stayed with him were conscious that despite the simplicity of his house he was a man of good breeding, and when they had heard him minister the Word with gracious authority, they were extremely sensitive about allowing him to perform so menial a task for them. But he was not to be resisted. On one occasion a gentleman, having regard no doubt to his host's gentle birth and high spiritual standing, refused at first to let him take away his boots. 'T insist', was the firm reply. 'In former days it was the practice to wash the saints' feet. Now that this is no longer the custom, I do the nearest thing, and clean their shoes." -FF Bruce

OUTLINE

See above

QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER

1. What do I want them to know?

2. Why do I want them to know it?

3. What do I want them to do?

4. Why do I want them to do it?

5. How do they do this?

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

Discovery Bible Study process: https://www.dbsguide.org/

1. Read the passage together.

2. Retell the story in your own words.

3. Discovery the story

1. What does this story tell me about God?

2. What does this story tell me about people?

3. If this is really true, what should I do?

4. What is God saying to you right now? (Write this down)

5. What are you going to do about it? (Write this down)

6. Who am I going to tell about this?

Find our sermons, podcasts, discussion questions and notes at https://www.gracetoday.net/podcast

Alternate Discussion Questions (by Jeff Vanderstelt): Based on this passage:

1. Who is God?

2. What has he done/is he doing/is he going to do?

3. Who am I? (In light of 1 & 2)

4. What do I do? (In light of who I am)

5. How do I do it?

Final Questions (Write this down)

• What is God saying to you right now?

• What are you going to do about it?

MAIN REFERENCES USED

“John,” by R. Kent Hughes, Preaching the Word Commentary, Edited by Kent Hughes

Exalting Jesus in John, by Matt Carter & Josh Wredberg

The Gospels & Epistles of John, FF Bruce

John, RC Sproul

John, Köstenberger

The Gospel According to John, DA Carson

Let's Study John, Mark Johnston

The Light Has Come, Leslie Newbigin (TLHC)

The Visual Word, Patrick Schreiner (TVW)

“Look at the Book” by John Piper (LATB)

“The Bible Knowledge Commentary” by Walvoord, Zuck (BKC)

“The Bible Exposition Commentary” by Warren Wiersbe (BEC)

Thru The Bible with J. Vernon McGee (TTB)

Outline Bible, D Willmington (OB)

NIV Study Bible (NIVSB) https://www.biblica.com/resources/scholar-notes/niv-study-bible/

Chronological Life Application Study Bible (NLT)

ESV Study Bible (ESVSB) https://www.esv.org

The Bible Project https://bibleproject.com

Nicky Gumbel bible reading plan app or via YouVersion

Claude.ai

ChatGPT AI

Grok AI

Perplexity.ai

Google Gemini AI

To Believe or Not Believe... That is the Question | John 12:44-50 | Chris Karpus

To Believe or Not Believe…That is the Question

John 12:44-50

These verses are a summary of Jesus’ teaching – aimed at those who are still undecided…or unbelieving.

These verses, in some ways, are Jesus’ last verbal response to unbelief – He has already said all of these

things in part or in full elsewhere in the Gospel of John

- Jesus gives us a very clear presentation of the gospel

- Possibly Jesus’ final public address

Last week, Darien discussed why so few people believed in Jesus by going back even further to Isaiah

…God made it such that they could not believe because they would not believe

44  Then Jesus cried out, “Whoever believes in me does not believe in me only, but in the one who sent

me.  45  The one who looks at me is seeing the one who sent me.  46  I have come into the world as a light, so

that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.

47  “If anyone hears my words but does not keep them, I do not judge that person. For I did not come to

judge the world, but to save the world.  48  There is a judge for the one who rejects me and does not

accept my words; the very words I have spoken will condemn them at the last day.  49  For I did not speak

on my own, but the Father who sent me commanded me to say all that I have spoken.  50  I know that his

command leads to eternal life. So whatever I say is just what the Father has told me to say.”

- These verses contain a summary of Jesus’ message in which He emphasizes the close

relationship between Himself and His Father and between Himself and His words. He’s making

the point that choosing not to believe in Him means rejecting God Himself.

- Belief in Jesus is equal to embracing God

- To choose unbelief is choosing to willingly reject God

(v.44) to believe in Jesus is to believe in God

(v.45) to see Jesus is to see God

(v49) to listen to Jesus is to listen to God

There is an urgency in the last appeal of Jesus

- We are confronted with having to make an eternal decision about who we believe Jesus is, but we

don’t have eternity to make that decision.

- The implications of turning away from the light of God are so terrible in the extreme that Jesus is

making sure that people are clearly aware of them.

- Sin unrepentant of is sin condemned, and will be when the King returns “a dreadful thing to fall into

the hands of the living God’

Hebrews 10:26-31

26  If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for

sins is left,  27  but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies

of God.  28  Anyone who rejected the law of Moses died without mercy on the testimony of two or three

witnesses.  29  How much more severely do you think someone deserves to be punished who has trampled

the Son of God underfoot, who has treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant that sanctified

them, and who has insulted the Spirit of grace?  30  For we know him who said, “It is mine to avenge; I will

repay,” [d]  and again, “The Lord will judge his people.” [e]   31  It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the

living God.

- There are consequences of the decision you make about Jesus – eternal consequences

- 44  Then Jesus cried out, “Whoever believes in me does not believe in me only, but in the one who

sent me.  45  The one who looks at me is seeing the one who sent me. 

o Believe in Jesus – if we submit our lives in allegiance and obedience to Jesus – receive

eternal life – received by grace through faith

 Brought out of darkness and receive eternal life

 Because Jesus is God and one with the Father

John 1:1-3

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  2  He was with

God in the beginning.  3  Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been

made.

 There is still condemnation for sins, but that is what Jesus took on at the cross

v46: 46  I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.

- Not the first time Jesus refers to Himself as light

John 8:12

12  When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will

never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

o Reject Jesus – If you reject Jesus, you are rejecting God – remain in darkness and be

condemned in the judgement on the last day…spiritual darkness…this is your verdict

- What does it mean to stay in darkness?

o Have you seen what’s going on in the world? (praying children murdered by an enabled

mentally ill man)

o Jesus is referring to spiritual darkness which results in wickedness, misery and suffering

o There is no wickedness or injustice in God – those come from man’s darkness – people who

do not know God

Example – walking around your house in the dark, when the light is available

- People might want the darkness because they think it hides their actions

- The problem with that is that everything will be brought into the light

Luke 8:17

17  For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be known or

brought out into the open.

- The light’s coming on whether you accept it now or not…so why not accept it now…why not accept

HIM now and live the life He has for you IN THE LIGHT?

To remain in darkness, means that the wrath of God remains on you – why would you choose that?

- To keep those idols we talked about a few weeks ago?

- To maintain a lifestyle you know is wrong?

Judgement has already been rendered on sin…sin has been condemned – we were already condemned.

Jesus has given us a choice to receive the pardon for our sin, which Jesus was condemned for… or do we

reject Jesus and His pardon and accept the judgement for our sin.

- Why would we accept the judgement for our sin if Jesus has already received that punishment for

us?

o Why would anyone choose to remain in darkness when the light is available?

Romans 6:23

23  For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in [a]  Christ Jesus our Lord.

Jesus paid the penalty for our sin so that OUR verdict is not death

47  “If anyone hears my words but does not keep them, I do not judge that person. For I did not come to

judge the world, but to save the world. 

Jesus didn’t come to condemn the world because it was already condemned. He came to save us…to

deliver us from death that we had already earned in our sinfulness.

Romans 5:8

8  But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Out of God’s great love for us, Jesus came to save us from the wrath of God – the wrath for those

walking in darkness…choosing to walk in darkness

48  There is a judge for the one who rejects me and does not accept my words; the very words I have

spoken will condemn them at the last day. 

The words of Jesus will serve as additional evidence for condemnation.

- Those who have heard about Jesus (all of us here) knowing what we have heard and seen, if we

choose to reject Him…and thereby reject God, it will convict us.

What about people who have never heard of Jesus and don’t have access to the Bible? They never heard

Jesus’ words…right? Why would God condemn someone for not believing in Jesus when they have never

heard of Him?

- They go to hell because they are sinners. Paul says in Romans 1 that God holds them accountable

for the general revelation of truth through creation and their conscience.

Romans 1:18-20

- 18  The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of

people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness,  19  since what may be known about God is plain

to them, because God has made it plain to them.  20  For since the creation of the world God’s

invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood

from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.

What Paul may be saying is that Ultimately, people are judged for their sin, not for their ignorance of

Jesus. (ignorance meaning – lack of knowledge of…)

Paul is telling us that God reveals Himself in ways that ALL humanity can and will experience.

The law of God is written on our hearts…even those tribes and communities that have never heard of

Jesus…try stealing something or killing someone…there will be punishment

The fact is…There is only one way to the Father

John 14:6

6  Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through

me.

You cannot say “I believe in the Father”, but don’t believe in Jesus. If you say I believe in God, but not

Jesus, then you don’t really believe in God.

- It’s easy to equate unbelief with indecision

- In this case, our unbelief is not a lack of information – In this passage, the Jews had seen and heard

enough to make a well-informed decision…so have we.

If you fail to turn to Jesus in faith, you will not be accepted by God. – In other words, If you choose not

to believe in Jesus, then God will judge you for your unbelief on the last day. (v.48)

- UNBELIEF is the conscious rejection of God and His word

Jesus draws a close relationship between Himself and His words.

What you do with Jesus’ words now, determine what those words will do to you later.

Jesus did not come into the world to judge it, but when He comes again He will judge

Matthew 25:31-46

31  “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious

throne.  32  All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another

as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.  33  He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on

his left.

34  “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your

inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.  35  For I was hungry and you

gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you

invited me in,  36  I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison

and you came to visit me.’

37  “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and

give you something to drink?  38  When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes

and clothe you?  39  When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

40  “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and

sisters of mine, you did for me.’

41  “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal

fire prepared for the devil and his angels.  42  For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was

thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink,  43  I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed

clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’

44  “They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes

or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’

45  “He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do

for me.’

46  “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”

A couple more questions…

Why Don’t People Believe in Jesus?

We’ve already talked about the answer to this – in some ways…

- People want to hold on to their idols

- People want to operate in the dark to conceal their actions

- Regarding the Jews who saw Jesus - In spite of overwhelming evidence that substantiated the

claims of Christ, why did most Israelites not believe?

- Unbelief is not due to intellectual deficiency or lack of knowledge. It is a response of a heart in

rebellion against God.

- You cannot coerce or manipulate someone into true belief from unbelief

- At times, the modern American church response to that is coercion…What!?

o We’re not going to overwhelm your senses and emotions and pretend that’s experiencing

God.

 It can happen, but manipulating people into thinking they believe when they

actually don’t is not what the Bible teaches us – it’s the worst thing we can do to

them

 Repent – Believe and Follow Jesus – commit everything you are to Him and walk in

the light…accept the redemption that He offers and change –

o Thank God He can and does use our feeble and misguided attempts

sometimes – He uses us in spite of ourselves – but he doesn’t want

us to use crutches or gimmicks – just the Word of God manifesting

itself through our lives…our words and actions

- That’s also part of why Christianity is not a religion that spreads by the sword – that’s not who Jesus

is. He pushed back on that while He was walking the earth, and pushes back against it now…

- Why Do People who DO believe in Jesus not act like it or share it?

- You’ve choses to walk in light…you’ve made that decision…

It should not be a surprise to the people around you that you follow Jesus

What you say and do reflects on who or what you follow.

Later in John, Jesus said to His Disciples “…As the Father has sent me, I also send you” (John 20:21)

The Lord himself was sent by the Father to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10) and He passed the baton

to His disciples…and to us

- We live in a culture that embraces pluralism and relativism and we are told every day that

proselytizing people or trying to be disciples who make disciples is taboo.

Penn Jillette – well know magician and atheist

“I don’t respect people who don’t proselytize. If you believe that there’s a heaven and hell, and

people could be going to hell or not getting eternal life or whatever…and you think that it’s not really

worth telling them this because it would make it socially awkward…and atheists who think that people

shouldn’t proselytize…just leave me alone – keep your religion to yourself…How much do you have to

hate somebody to not proselytize? How much do you have to hate somebody to believe that everlasting

life is possible and not tell them that? I mean, if I believed beyond a shadow of a doubt that a truck was

coming at you and you didn’t believe it…that a truck was bearing down on you – there’s a certain point

where I tackle you, and this is more important than that.”

“He cared enough about me to proselytize and give me a Bible”

If you’re walking in the light, act like it…live like it…talk the talk and walk the talk too

Love God – Love people enough to share the gospel…the good news

Matthew 5:14-16

14  “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.  15  Neither do people light a

lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the

house.  16  In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and

glorify your Father in heaven.

There’s a decision to be made about Jesus… today is the day of salvation…now is the appointed time…

Jesus is reminding us in His final public address that an eternally consequential decision must be made…

2 Corinthians 6

 As God’s co-workers we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain.  2  For he says,

“In the time of my favor I heard you,

    and in the day of salvation I helped you.” [a]

I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.

If you haven’t trusted in Jesus and chosen to believe in Him and accept His sacrifice for our sin, or

publicly declared Him as Lord of your life – would you do that today?

If you have chosen to make Jesus the focus of your life…I implore you to show that to the world.

What Jesus Says About Belief & Unbelief | John 12:37-50 | Darien Gabriel

What Jesus Says about Belief and Unbelief | John 12:37-50

Darien Gabriel

Series: Signs & Glory

Title: What Jesus says about belief & unbelief

Scripture: John 12:37-50

Isaiah 6:1-11; 10:16-21; 52:13-15; 53:1

Mark 4:9-12

John 1:9-12; 3:16-18

Acts 2:23; 28:26

Romans 11:7-25

Bottom line: Jesus tells us that belief requires God to sovereignly act and people to respond by grace through faith.

1. INTRODUCTION

2. CONTEXT

3. SERMON OUTLINE

4. CONCLUSION

5. NOTES

6. OUTLINES

7. QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER

8. DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

9. MAIN REFERENCES USED

Opening prayer: Lord God, help us grow to be and do like Jesus, while abiding in him and leading others to do the same.

INTRODUCTION

Imagine a chess grandmaster playing against an amateur.

• The amateur makes his own moves—freely, willingly, even thinking he’s clever.

• Yet every move he makes only brings about the outcome the grandmaster already foresaw and planned.

• The grandmaster isn’t forcing the amateur’s hand; the amateur plays by his own desires. But every move still accomplishes the grandmaster’s strategy.

In the same way:

• The people in John 12 made real choices—they saw the signs and would not believe (responsibility).

• Yet their choices fulfilled Isaiah’s prophecy, because God had already declared the outcome—they could not believe apart from His sovereign purpose (sovereignty).

• Like the master chess player, God is never surprised. Even unbelief fits into His strategy to reveal His glory in Christ.

Bottom line: Jesus tells us that belief requires God to sovereignly act and people to respond by grace through faith.

OUTLINE (w/ help from Outline Bible)

Jesus & the Passover Crowd (12:30-50)

• The first session (12:30-36) LAST WEEK

• Jesus tells them both the world and Satan will soon be judged (12:30-31)

• He will save men by way of the cross (12:32-34)

• They need to accept him before it is too late (12:35-36)

• The second session (12:37-50) THIS WEEK

• The prophecy (12:37-41): Jesus tells the Jewish crowd their unbelief was predicted centuries before by Isaiah (Isaiah 53:1; 6:10)

• The praise seekers (12:42-43): Some Jewish leaders believe Jesus is the Messiah but will not confess him, for they love men's praise more than God's praise.

• The promise (12:44-50): To accept Christ is to accept the Father, which leads to life everlasting.

• NOTE: FF Bruce says that John is summarizing the main themes of Jesus' public ministry in 44-50 and

• Reflects the lack of positive response he had from the Jews.

• Jesus explains why this happened--it was prophesied to.

• He withdraws now to prepare for his inner circle--those who do believe.

• John prepares the reader for this lack of positive response in John 1:11.

• It's not Jesus' purpose to judge but judgment is coming. "It's not the purpose of the sun's shining to cast shadows, but when the sun shines, shadows are inevitable."

CONCLUSION

How to break a hard heart according to Ray Comfort: Use the 10 Commandments.

Chat GPT says, "Ray Comfort’s style is very direct, urgent, and law-to-gospel focused. He often uses the Ten Commandments to expose sin, then pivots quickly to the cross of Christ. Here’s a summary of how he might say it:

Many people think they’re good enough for God. But let’s test that by the Ten Commandments. Have you ever told a lie? That makes you a liar. Have you ever stolen anything, no matter how small? That makes you a thief. Have you ever used God’s name in vain? That’s blasphemy. Jesus said if you look with lust, you’ve committed adultery in your heart. By your own admission, you’re a lying, thieving, blasphemous adulterer at heart—and that’s just four of the commandments.

When you stand before a holy God, will you be innocent or guilty? Guilty. And if God is just, He must punish sin. The punishment is eternal separation from Him in Hell.

But here’s the good news: God loved you so much that He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to take your punishment. He lived the perfect life you could not live, and then died the death you deserve. On the cross, He bore your guilt, and then He rose from the dead, defeating sin and death.

If you repent—turn from your sin—and put your trust in Jesus alone, God will forgive you, give you a new heart, and grant you eternal life. Not because you’re good, but because Jesus is good, and He paid it all. That’s the mercy He offers you today.”

Illustration:

In 1912, when the Titanic struck the iceberg, there weren’t enough lifeboats. Hundreds were left in the freezing Atlantic waters. One survivor later testified that while clinging to debris, she heard a man swimming from person to person, shouting, “Are you saved? Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved!” That man was John Harper, a Scottish pastor. He gave away his life jacket to another passenger, and with his last breaths he pleaded with people to turn to Christ before they slipped under the waves.

Connection to Sermon:

Like those passengers, every one of us is sinking without Christ. The signs have been given, the call is clear—Jesus is the light of the world, sent not to condemn but to save. His words are life, but they will also be our judge. Don’t harden your heart. Step into His light today while there is still time.

INVITATION

What about you?

Peter puts it all in perspective in his first sermon:

““Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.” When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”” ‭‭Acts‬ ‭2‬:‭36‬-‭39‬ ‭NIV‬‬

How do we respond? Answer 2 questions:

Take out a card or piece of paper right now. Write down the answer to these questions:

1. What is God saying to me right now?

2. What am I going to do about it? Write this down on a sheet of paper.

What I hear you saying, Lord, is ___________________.

[my name] is going to believe/do __________________________________________________ as a result.

Finally, share this with your Home or Mission group this week when you gather as a testimony about what God is doing in your life. You don’t have to get too specific to give him praise.

Lord's Supper, 1 Cor 11:23-26 is good passage.

Also, say something like, "Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again." (past, present, and future)

Pray

NOTES

Passage Flow

1. Persistent Unbelief (vv. 37–41)

• Despite so many miraculous signs, people still don’t believe.

• John interprets this through Isaiah 53:1 and Isaiah 6:10—hard hearts, blinded eyes.

• Even some leaders believe but won’t confess, because they love human praise more than God’s glory.

1. Jesus’ Final Appeal (vv. 44–50)

• Jesus cries out publicly one last time.

• To believe in Him is to believe in the Father who sent Him.

• He came as light, not to judge, but to save.

• Yet His word will judge those who reject Him.

• His words are the Father’s words—life-giving and eternal.

Major Themes

• The Tragedy of Unbelief: Signs are not enough if hearts are hardened.

• The Cost of Secret Faith: Loving human approval more than God’s glory leads to compromise.

• Jesus’ Mission and Authority: He came as light to save, but rejection of His word brings judgment.

• The Father’s Voice in Jesus’ Words: To receive Jesus is to receive the Father Himself.

"These words from Isa. 6:10 constitute one of the most primitive Christian 'testimonies' from the OT, adduced at an early date to account for the problem of Jewish unresponsiveness to the gospel.

In Mark 4:12 and the two Synoptic parallels the passage is associated with our Lord's choice of the parabolic method in teaching; in Acts 28:26 f. it is quoted by Paul to the leaders of the Jewish colony in Rome, while its thought (and possibly its language) underlies Paul's exposition in Rome. II:7-2s of the partial and temporary 'hardening' which has befallen Israel. (Paul there uses the same word for 'hardening' or 'making obtuse' - G. poroo - as John uses here to render Heb. hashmen, strictly 'make fat', which is rendered more literally in the xx.

When Isaiah was commissioned to undertake his prophetic min-istry, he was warned in advance that the people to whom he was sent would pay no attention to him - that indeed all his words would be counter-productive and make them close their ears the more decisively. This would be the effect of his ministry, but it was not its purpose (its purpose was that they might turn and be healed'); it is expressed, however, as though God were actually sending him in order that his hearers would not listen to him. This Hebraic fashion of expressing result as though it were purpose has influenced John's wording - both in the introductory formula in order that the saying of Isaiah might be fulfilled' in verse 38 and again in the words "This is the reason they were unable to believe' in verse 39. Not one of them was fated to be incapable of belief; it is made plain below (verse 42) that some did in fact believe. But the OT prediction had to be fulfilled, and fulfilled it was in those who, as a matter of fact, did not believe. From the NT writers' point of view, the unreceptive hearing which Isaiah was promised was not exhausted in the circumstances of his personal ministry: it was experienced by one prophet after another and found its..." -FF Bruce

"In that sense God himself, through the prophet, hardens the heart of people - a point later recognized by the prophet when he begs the Almighty to display himself in more merciful ways (Is. 63:15-19). The assumption that God may judicially harden men and women frequently surfaces in the New Testament (e.g. Rom. 9:18; 2 Thes. 2:11).

If a superficial reading finds this harsh, manipulative, even robotic, four things must constantly be borne in mind:

(1) God's sovereignty in these matters is never pitted against human responsibility (cf. notes on v. 38);

(2) God's judicial hardening is not presented as the capricious manipulation of an arbitrary potentate cursing morally neutral or even morally pure beings, but as a holy condemnation of a guilty people who are condemned to do and be what they themselves have chosen;

(3) God's sovereignty in these matters can also be a cause tor hope, for if he is not sovereign in these areas there is little point in petitioning him for help, while if he is sovereign the anguished pleas of the prophet (Is. 63:15-19) - and of believers throughout the history of the church - make sense;

(4) God's sovereign hardening of the people in Isaiah's day, his commissioning of Isaiah to apparently fruitless ministry, is a stage in God's 'strange work' (Is. 28:21-22) that brings God's ultimate redemptive purposes to pass. Paul argues rather similarly in Romans 9:22-33." -DA Carson

OUTLINE

See above

QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER

1. What do I want them to know?

2. Why do I want them to know it?

3. What do I want them to do?

4. Why do I want them to do it?

5. How do they do this?

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

Discovery Bible Study process: https://www.dbsguide.org/

1. Read the passage together.

2. Retell the story in your own words.

3. Discovery the story

1. What does this story tell me about God?

2. What does this story tell me about people?

3. If this is really true, what should I do?

4. What is God saying to you right now? (Write this down)

5. What are you going to do about it? (Write this down)

6. Who am I going to tell about this?

Find our sermons, podcasts, discussion questions and notes at https://www.gracetoday.net/podcast

Alternate Discussion Questions (by Jeff Vanderstelt): Based on this passage:

1. Who is God?

2. What has he done/is he doing/is he going to do?

3. Who am I? (In light of 1 & 2)

4. What do I do? (In light of who I am)

5. How do I do it?

Final Questions (Write this down)

• What is God saying to you right now?

• What are you going to do about it?

MAIN REFERENCES USED

“John,” by R. Kent Hughes, Preaching the Word Commentary, Edited by Kent Hughes

Exalting Jesus in John, by Matt Carter & Josh Wredberg

The Gospels & Epistles of John, FF Bruce

John, RC Sproul

John, Köstenberger

The Gospel According to John, DA Carson

Let's Study John, Mark Johnston

The Light Has Come, Leslie Newbigin (TLHC)

The Visual Word, Patrick Schreiner (TVW)

“Look at the Book” by John Piper (LATB)

“The Bible Knowledge Commentary” by Walvoord, Zuck (BKC)

“The Bible Exposition Commentary” by Warren Wiersbe (BEC)

Thru The Bible with J. Vernon McGee (TTB)

Outline Bible, D Willmington (OB)

NIV Study Bible (NIVSB) https://www.biblica.com/resources/scholar-notes/niv-study-bible/

Chronological Life Application Study Bible (NLT)

ESV Study Bible (ESVSB) https://www.esv.org

The Bible Project https://bibleproject.com

Nicky Gumbel bible reading plan app or via YouVersion

Claude.ai

ChatGPT AI

Grok AI

Perplexity.ai

Google Gemini AI

Will You Follow the King of Peace... to the Cross? | John 12:12-36

Will You Follow the King of Peace... to the Cross?

Darien Gabriel

Series: Signs & Glory

Title: Will You Follow the King of Peace…to the Cross?

Subtitle:

Scripture: John 12:12-36

Bottom line: Jesus is the King of Peace who dies to bring life. We follow Him by dying to self and walking in His light.

1. INTRODUCTION

2. CONTEXT

3. SERMON OUTLINE

4. CONCLUSION

5. NOTES

6. OUTLINES

7. QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER

8. DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

9. MAIN REFERENCES USED

Opening prayer: Lord God, help us grow to be and do like Jesus, while abiding in him and leading others to do the same.

INTRODUCTION

"My wife and I used to tell our children a story to explain the love of Jesus.

A little boy wanted a model sailboat. So he began saving his money until finally he had enough. He went to the toy shop and picked out his kit, making his selection with great care. He spent weeks perfecting that boat, and finally when it was finished, he took it down to the lake. It sailed beautifully - right across the lake and out of sight. Naturally the young boy was distressed and began a frantic search. But despite his efforts he was unable to find his boat.

Several weeks later he was walking past a store window and to his amazement saw his boat with a sizable price tag attached to it. He went in and told the owner, "Sir, I would like to have my boat back." The owner said, "Well, I'm sorry, but I paid good money for it. You will have to pay for it." That poor boy worked and worked until he finally got enough money together, again, and bought his boat back. As he walked out of the store, he said, "Now you are twice mine — once because I made you and once because I bought you." Jesus created us, and he purchased us by his death on the cross, and now we can be twice his. How wonderful is the love of Jesus!" -Kent Hughes, p. 314

Bottom line: Jesus is the King of Peace who dies to bring life. We follow Him by dying to self and walking in His light.

Summary of John 12:12–36: The King of Peace and the Call to Follow

Jesus enters Jerusalem not on a warhorse, but on a donkey’s colt—fulfilling prophecy and announcing Himself as the King of Peace. This is not the triumphant warrior king Israel expected, but the humble, sacrificial king they truly needed.

At last, Jesus declares that His “hour has come”—the time to be glorified by being lifted up (on the cross), like a seed that must be buried to bear much fruit. His death is not a tragic end but the turning point of salvation history. The King of Peace willingly dies so that others may live.

God the Father speaks audibly, affirming that Jesus does not walk this road alone—His mission is divinely appointed, and the cross is the path to glorification, not defeat. In this act of self-giving, sacrificial love, judgment is overcome by mercy, and light overcomes darkness.

Jesus calls His followers not just to celebrate Him, but to imitate Him:

• To die to self (as Jesus did)

• To live in service of the King (for He is worthy)

• To walk in the light while they have the light (an urgent call to believe)

This passage challenges us to ask:

Have I truly received Jesus as my King of Peace?

And am I following Him down the road of self-sacrifice and light-bearing obedience?

OUTLINE (w/ help from ChatGPT)

Palm Sunday in Liberia – 1996

During the civil war in Liberia, a group of Christians held a Palm Sunday procession through the streets—singing, waving palm branches, and declaring peace in a time of terror. Bullets were flying, but they walked in faith, believing Jesus was King even in chaos.

Their worship didn’t change the political reality that day, but it did remind everyone that peace isn’t the absence of conflict—it’s the presence of the King.

1. Receive Jesus as the King of Peace

• vv. 12–15 — Jesus enters humbly on a donkey, fulfilling prophecy (Zechariah 9:9).

• He comes to bring peace, not war—salvation, not oppression.

• Application: Don’t just cheer for Jesus; crown Him. Receive Him on His terms.

2. Recognize that His Glory Comes Through Death

• vv. 23–26 — “The hour has come… unless a grain of wheat falls…”

• Jesus embraces the cross to bring fruit—He dies that we might live.

• Application: True life comes from letting go of control, comfort, and self.

3. Trust That God Is in This with Him—and with You

• vv. 27–30 — The voice from heaven reminds us Jesus isn’t alone.

• God affirms this path of suffering and glory.

• Application: You’re not alone either. The Father honors those who serve the Son.

4. Walk in the Light While You Have the Light

• vv. 35–36 — The light won’t always be available. Follow now.

• Application: Walking in the light means obeying Jesus, even when the path includes a cross.

CONCLUSION

CLOSING ILLUSTRATION IDEA (true story):

Bottom line: Jesus is the King of Peace who dies to bring life. We follow Him by dying to self and walking in His light.

Maximilian Kolbe – A Life Given for Another

In Auschwitz during WWII, a man was chosen to die. Another prisoner—Fr. Maximilian Kolbe—stepped forward and offered to take his place. He willingly died so that the other might live.

This sacrificial love changed not only one life, but echoed through history.

Connection: Jesus said, “Unless a seed falls into the ground…” He laid down His life so that many might live. Will we follow Him in dying to self and living for others?

Charles Ross Weed captured the idea of a servant king in his poem "Christ and Alexander."

"Jesus and Alexander died at thirty-three, One died in Babylon and one on Calvary.

One gained all for self, and one himself he gave.

One conquered every throne, the other every grave.

When died the Greek, forever fell his throne of swords, But Jesus died to live forever Lord of lords.

Jesus and Alexander died at thirty-three.

The Greek made all men slaves, the Jew made all men free.

One built a throne on blood, the other built on love.

The One was born of earth, the other from above.

One won all this earth to lose all earth and Heaven.

The other gave up all that all to him be given.

The Greek forever died, the Jew forever lives.

He loses all who gets and wins all things who gives." -Hughes, p. 309

Moses and the serpents John 3, Numbers 21

INVITATION

What about you?

Peter puts it all in perspective in his first sermon:

““Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.” When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”” ‭‭Acts‬ ‭2‬:‭36‬-‭39‬ ‭NIV‬‬

How do we respond? Answer 2 questions:

Take out a card or piece of paper right now. Write down the answer to these questions:

1. What is God saying to me right now?

2. What am I going to do about it? Write this down on a sheet of paper.

What I hear you saying, Lord, is ___________________.

[my name] is going to believe/do __________________________________________________ as a result.

Finally, share this with your Home or Mission group this week when you gather as a testimony about what God is doing in your life. You don’t have to get too specific to give him praise.

Lord's Supper, 1 Cor 11:23-26 is good passage.

Also, say something like, "Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again." (past, present, and future)

Pray

NOTES

OUTLINE

See above

QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER

1. What do I want them to know?

2. Why do I want them to know it?

3. What do I want them to do?

4. Why do I want them to do it?

5. How do they do this?

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

Discovery Bible Study process: https://www.dbsguide.org/

1. Read the passage together.

2. Retell the story in your own words.

3. Discovery the story

1. What does this story tell me about God?

2. What does this story tell me about people?

3. If this is really true, what should I do?

4. What is God saying to you right now? (Write this down)

5. What are you going to do about it? (Write this down)

6. Who am I going to tell about this?

Find our sermons, podcasts, discussion questions and notes at https://www.gracetoday.net/podcast

Alternate Discussion Questions (by Jeff Vanderstelt): Based on this passage:

1. Who is God?

2. What has he done/is he doing/is he going to do?

3. Who am I? (In light of 1 & 2)

4. What do I do? (In light of who I am)

5. How do I do it?

Final Questions (Write this down)

• What is God saying to you right now?

• What are you going to do about it?

MAIN REFERENCES USED

“John,” by R. Kent Hughes, Preaching the Word Commentary, Edited by Kent Hughes

Exalting Jesus in John, by Matt Carter & Josh Wredberg

The Gospels & Epistles of John, FF Bruce

John, RC Sproul

John, Köstenberger

The Gospel According to John, DA Carson

Let's Study John, Mark Johnston

The Light Has Come, Leslie Newbigin (TLHC)

The Visual Word, Patrick Schreiner (TVW)

“Look at the Book” by John Piper (LATB)

“The Bible Knowledge Commentary” by Walvoord, Zuck (BKC)

“The Bible Exposition Commentary” by Warren Wiersbe (BEC)

Thru The Bible with J. Vernon McGee (TTB)

Outline Bible, D Willmington (OB)

NIV Study Bible (NIVSB) https://www.biblica.com/resources/scholar-notes/niv-study-bible/

Chronological Life Application Study Bible (NLT)

ESV Study Bible (ESVSB) https://www.esv.org

The Bible Project https://bibleproject.com

Nicky Gumbel bible reading plan app or via YouVersion

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