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Four Life-Connections in Jesus

Four Life-Connections in Jesus. From the Gospel of John, Chapters 14-16. Introduction. Christ offered Israel (and the world) the Life that comes from God . Only the Son possesses this kind of Life, only He can bestow it .

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Four Life-Connections in Jesus

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  1. Four Life-Connections in Jesus From the Gospel of John, Chapters 14-16

  2. Introduction • Christ offered Israel (and the world) the Life that comes from God. Only the Son possesses this kind of Life, only He can bestow it. • The life that Jesus offers is a dynamic thing. It allows usto participate in the spiritual nature of God. Ephesians 4:23-24; 2 Peter 1:4 • Jesus reproduces this life in us through the Holy Spirit. John 3:5-6; 4:14; 7:38-39 • Our Lord lived a life of sacrifice and died for our sakes. The nourishment for His spirit was doing God’s will. John 4:34

  3. Introduction(2) • We expect to see the life of Jesus mirrored in the way his people live. • So we may observe in them such qualities as: Love, joy, peace, patience, faith, hope, humility, self-control moral courage and integrity – and dependence on the Father

  4. Introduction(3) Also they often share in: • His sorrows and being hurt by others • Loving others who spurn their love • Struggles in prayer, yet obeying God • Yearning to please the Lord • Hoping in God – even when in despair

  5. Introduction(4) Like the life-Giver, those who share in His life: • Show compassion for the weak, • care for the sick, • encourage the faint-hearted They also: • Embrace outcasts, • seek out the lost, • care for the members of God’s family

  6. Introduction(5) • Jesuslife in usis notlike: • the desiccated remains of an insect in a spider’s web, • Nor like a fossilized ancient quadruped. • It is not like a fallenautumn leaf that has lostits photosynthetic function.

  7. Introduction(6) • God actively nurturesthe growth of Jesus life within us1. • His nurtureelicits a response of spiritual growth2. • Only God, who gives the increase (growth) can discern motives and is competent to evaluate the fruit that we (or someone else) produce(s). 1Corinthians 3:6-7; 4:4-5 1 1 Cor 12:6; 15:10; Galatians 2:8; Philippians 2:13; Hebrews 13:21 2Ephesians 4:15-16; Colossians 2:19

  8. Introduction(7) • In order to receive and retain the divine life of Jesus, we must have certain life-connections with him. • We will look at fourlife-connections the Lord Jesus establishedfor our sake.

  9. I. I. Belief in Jesus: Our Initial and Perpetual Connection | John 12:35-50 • Life in and with Jesus Christ begins when we place faith in Him. • This saving faith has a defined object: the Son of God and His Father. • Faith is more than knowing basics of the Gospel.

  10. I. Belief in Jesus: Our Initial and Perpetual Connection John 12:35-50 • Faith opens the heartto receive the Servant-Lord: the Christ, sent from God, who, as God personified, reveals Himself for our salvation. • At the end of John Ch. 12, John presents seven aspects of beliefor faith in Jesus, as the Christ and Son of God (John 20:31b).> Acts 2:36; 5:26-30; Titus 3:4-5 • I will read portionsfrom John 12:35-50as we go.

  11. A. Christ is the light– John 12:35-36(John 1:4-5; 8:12; 9:5; Isaiah 60:1-3; Rev 21:24) • 35aThe light will be among you only a little while . . . 36 While you have the light, believe in the light, so that you may become (sons) of the light. – Jn 12:35a . . . 36 • A son or a child of the light will resemble or reflectthe source of his/her light. • How someone habitually thinks, speaks and acts evincesthe light of Jesus– or its absence.

  12. B. Jesus The Messiah isthe revealed Arm of Yahweh[Isaiah 53:1a_John 12:38c] To whom has the Arm of the Lord been revealed? – John 12:38c • F.F. Bruce defines the Arm of the Lordas the exertion of God’s saving power or mightin behalf of His people. • When the Messiah came to Israel, his authoritative words and miraculous signsdisplayed the Arm of the Lord.

  13. The Arm of Yahweh(John 12:38c) God exerted His powerthrough Jesus to • remove our sin, to • free us from its power, to • acquit us as not guilty, to • dethrone the Evil One1, and • to conquer death by means of His cross and resurrection, ascensionand present session at God’s right hand. Today, the same power of God is available to and for us, because we, as His Church, are under the authority of the LordJesusChrist.2 1(Now) the Ruler of this world is cast out– John 12:31 (NKJV) 2Ephesians 1:19-22

  14. C.(12:40e)Jesus is the onewho heals us [Isaiah 6:10; Matt 13:15] • They might. see with their eyes and understandwith their heart and be converted (turn); (then) I would heal them. – John12:40e • Isaiah predicted (6:10 and 53:5b) that the hearts of Israel would be spiritually blind. • Yet if they turned to the Lord, repenting of their obduracy, He would heal them. John 12:40e, NIV; 2 Corinthians 3:16 • We are no different. If we are too proud to admit our need of Christ, our hearts will become calloused and our eyes, blind to the truth of the Gospel.

  15. C.(12:40e)Jesus is the onewho heals us Gary Burge writes that: “Judgment . . . (and) salvation begin now. The consequences of our decision begin to work themselves upon our lives in the present. (We are) like a person with an incurable disease,” in need of an antibiotic. Gary M. Burge, John (NIVAC), Zondervan (Grand Rapids: 2000), 359 • If we fail to take all of the doses, our illness may return with a vengeance, and we will be worse off than before. (2 Peter 2:20 – 22) • Christ’s sufferings heal the incurable disease of sin, with its guilt and power over the individual who, in response to the word of Christ, humbles himself and repents.1 1 Repentance is the starting place of conversion, according to many scriptures. Admitting that one needs the salvation God offers in Jesus constitutes repentance from a person’s previous attitude toward the Gospel. Scriptures(Repent): Mark 1:15; Luke 13:3; Acts 3:19; 17:30 (Repentance): Matt 9:13; Luke 24:47; Acts 11:18; 13:24; 20:21; 26:20; Romans 2:4; Hebrews 6:1, 6; 2 Peter 3:9

  16. D. Jesuswas thehumanembodiment of the Father– John 1:18; 8:19; 14:9_John 12:44-47 • In Jesus, God made Himself visible, understandable, approachable – but only to those who wanted to move from the darkness into the true light.1 • Not even Moses was allowed to see God’s face, but in Jesus, the glory of the Father remained. Those who beheld his glory were transformed.2 1John 3:20-21; 1:9 2John 1:14, 16; 2 Corinthians 3:18; Ephesians 1:6

  17. D. Jesus: thehumanembodiment of the Father– John 1:18; 8:19; 14:9_John 12:44-47 • When we meet and come to know Jesus, we encounter the Fatheras well. • When we trust and rely on Christ for salvation, and for the grace we need for daily living, we are trusting in the Fatheralso.

  18. D. Jesus: thehumanembodiment of the Father– John 1:18; 8:19; 14:9_John 12:44-47 44Jesus cried out and said, “Whoever believes in me believes not only in me but also in the one who sent me, 45and whoever sees me sees the one who sent me. 46I came into the world as light, so that everyone who believes in me might not remain in darkness.” 47If anyone hears my words and doesnot observe them, I do not condemn him, for I did not come to condemn the world but to save the world. – John 12:44-47

  19. D. Jesus: thehumanembodiment of the Father– John 1:18; 8:19; 14:9_John 12:44-47 • From John 12:44-47 we learn three thingsabout God the Father: • God wanted to reveal Himself so that, as humans, we could relate to and understand Him better. • He cared enough about us to enter our world in Jesusto deliver us from spiritual darkness. • God’s primary aim in sending His Sonwas notfor judgment but for the salvation of sinners.

  20. E. If we hear Jesus’ words as truth from a lovingFather,we will obeyHim 47If anyone hears my words and does not observe them, I do not condemn him, for I did not come to condemn the world but to save the world. (John 12:47) On the other hand, Jesus told the Twelve: The one who has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me . . . If anyone loves me, he will keep my word . . . The word that you hear is not mine, but is from the Father who sent me. (John 14:21a, 23a, 24b, HCSB)

  21. E. If we hear Jesus’ words as truth from a loving Father,we will obeyHim • The one whosefaith is genuineobeysJesus Christ >Gen 22:18; 1 Sam 15:22; Matt 7:21; 21:29; Rom 1:5; 1 Tim 1:5; Luke 6:43 – 6:46 • Obedience isbeliefin action – a belief that perceives the reality of Christ’s deity, holiness, truth and grace. 2. Obedience to JesusAffirms and Confirmsthat We believe andloveHim – John 14:15, 21, 23(> Luke 10:27, 36-7; James 2:5)

  22. E., 1. - Obedience to JesusAffirms and Confirmsthat We believe andLoveHim – John 14:15, 21, 23 So our Lord told the Twelve (NASB trans.): 14:15“If you love Me, you will keep My commandments. 14:21He who has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me; and he who loves Me will be lovedby My Father, and I will love him and will disclose Myself to him. 14:23Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our abode with him.”

  23. F. Jesus’words came directly from God the Father[John 3:34; 7:16; 8:28; 14:10] “Idid not speak on my own, but the Father who sent me commanded mewhat to say and speak.” – 12:49, NAB, rev. Jesus makes this assertion on at least 4 occasions[John 3:34; 7:16; 8:28; 14:10]. • He never spoke on his own authority, but only the words that the Father gave him. (John 7:16) • The words of Jesus are weighty, since we will be judged or healed, condemned or acquitted – by how we receive them. • Jesus’ wordsdemand a response: to follow him, to turn away, or to reject him. John 6:67-68 – (Jesus) “Do you want to leavetoo?” (Peter) “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the wordsof eternal life . . .” Roger Fredrickson, John, The Communicator’s Commentary, Vol. 4, Word Books (Waco, TX, USA: 1985), 216

  24. Jesus’words came directly from God the Father: I did not speak on my own, but the Father who sent me commanded me what to say and speak. – John 12:49, NAB, revised • John’s message is clear that: Faith believeswhatJesussaysabout himself. > We do what Jesussays because we are convinced of who he is.

  25. G. JesusGivesEternal Life_(the Life of the Age to Come) I know that his commandment is eternal life. So what I say, I say as the Father told me. – John12:50 At least 4 times in John’s GospelJesusdeclares that he gives eternal life. (See – John 5:24-26; 6:51-54; 10:27-28; 11:25) • Those He makes aliveare His sheep. • Theyhear His voice and follow Him; they will never perish (John 10:27-28a)So– when we believe in Jesus, we become his sheep, listening to his voice and following the Shepherd who laid down His life for us. We trust no stranger, but we followJesus, our good and trueShepherd(John 10:5, 11).

  26. II. Connecting to Jesus as Servant-Lord&Teacher(By His word & example) John 13:3–5, 12–15 3Because Jesus knew that the Father had handed all things over to him, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, 4 he got up from the meal, removed his outer clothes, took a towel and tied it around himself. 5 He poured water into the washbasin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to dry them with the towel he had wrapped around himself. 12 So when Jesus had washed their feet and put his outer clothing back on, he took his place at the table again and said to them, “Do you understand what I have done for you? 13 You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and do so correctly, for that is what I am. 14 If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you too ought to wash one another’s feet. 15 For I have given you an example—you should do just as I have done for you. – John 13:3-5 | 12-15 (NET Bible)

  27. As God’sMessiah, Jesus came to fulfill, the prophecies of his kingship and of his servanthood. (Prophecies of servanthood, i.e., the four Servant-Songsof Isaiah: 1. 42:1-9; 2. 49:1-13; 3. 50:4-11; 4. 52:13 – 53:12) • Jesus’ immediate calling was to serve, rather than be served1 • Hekept reminding his disciples, “but I am among you as one who serves.”(Luke22:27, NIV) • Removing his outer clothing, taking up towel and basin, then washing his disciple’s feet, the Lord illustrated the meaning of his impending death, by which he would purify them for service – • To proclaim the good newsto all the world2: of peace under the reign of Christ3and Jesusas the Savior from sin4 Footnotes: • Mark 10:45; Matt 20:28; Luke 22:27; Romans 15:8 • Isaiah 52:7, 10; 49:5-6; Romans 10:15; John 1:49 (Nathanael); John 4:42 • Psm 96:10; Isa52:7 – who bring good news . . . proclaim peace (and) salvation, who say to Zion “Your God reigns”; 1 Cor 15:25 • Matthew 1:21

  28. II. Connecting to Jesus as Servant-Lord& Teacher (By His word & example) • Caring and cheerful service to each other, to our fellow workers, to colleagues, our customers – even to our enemies, demonstrates our faith in Christ, who was a servant to all. • [Compare the mind of Christ(1 Cor 2:16b; Phil 2:5 – 8) to that of our culture today – exalting self-promotion, exhibition and selfish ambition.] • If we follow His example, we also will serve and lay down our lives for each other. Thus, we affirm our spiritual connection to Jesus, the Son of Man, who came to serve us rather than be served. – Matthew 20:28; Mark 10:45

  29. II. Connecting to Jesus as Servant-Lord& Teacher (By His word & example) Paul exhorted us to serve one another in love.(Gal 5:13b,NIV) The Christian is the most free Lord of all. The Christian is the most dutiful servant of all. – Martin Luther

  30. III. We Enter, Through Jesus, into the Father’s Presence “Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. 2 In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, Iwould have told you; for Igo to prepare aplace for you. 3If Igo and prepare aplace for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that whereI am, there you may be also. 4 And you knowthe way where I am going.” 5 Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know whereYouare going, how do we know the way?” 6Jesus said to him, “I am theway, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me. – John 14:1-6 (NASB)

  31. A. Jesus(Reserves) a Place for Us in the Father’s House,(A PLACE in God’s House– John 14:2)– Ephesians 2:18-19; Hebrews 3:6; 10:21; 1 Peter 4:17 How does he do this? By dying, rising, and entering the Father’s presence for us. In dying, Jesus freed us from the control of our sinful nature. In rising, hegave us Life that comes from the Spirit. When Jesusentered God’s presence, He took us with Him and God received us into His family. Because the Son has set us free1, we have a permanent place in the Father’s family. We are His house. (Hebrews 3:6) 1John 8:36, 35

  32. B. For anyone who is seeking God, Jesus alone is “the Way, the Truth, and the Life.” |John 14:6_Calvin suggests that the Lord was offering Himselfas the beginning, middle & end of our lives. (John Calvin, John, p. 338) • Heis the only Way to God: Our WAY into God’s Presence – Romans 5:2; Heb 4:16; 7:19; 10:19-20 We all must begin by placing faith in Christ, Who then becomes our constant companion, (through the Holy Spirit) as we prepare for the life to come. 2. Heis the Truth. – “Thistruth is the self-disclosure that alone comes from God; truth is not just what is right, but what is divine – and this is right. Jesus can claim he is the truth”, Gary M. Burge, John(NIVAC), Zondervan (Grand Rapids: 2000), 60

  33. 2. He is the Truth. “Jesuscan claim he is the truth”, since hereveals the likeness of the Fatherto us and bears the Father’s message in his wordsand in theworksthat he does.1 Those who imitate the example of Jesus2 are freely living in the truth3of Jesus. 1Gary M. Burge, John (NIVAC), Zondervan (Grand Rapids: 2000), 60 21 Corinthians 11:1 3 2 John vs 4

  34. 2. He is the Truth. No other person is: • Worthy of our unreserved trust • So purely interested in our welfare • So utterly true and dependable • So strongor wise

  35. 3. He is the Life. • We receive eternal life from the moment we believe in Jesus, and yet we anticipate a more glorious experience of that life, when he returns to receive us to himself, that where he is, there we may we be also.1Every Christian who dies goes into the presence of God, to be with Christ. Stephen saw the Lordstanding to receive him, just before he died by stoning.2Paul also looked forward to when he would “depart to be with Christ, which would be “better by far.”3 1 John 14:3; 1 Thessalonians 4:17 2 Acts 7:55-59 3 Philippians 1:23

  36. IV. Christreturns to live within us through the Counselor John 14:15 – 26; 16:7 – 15 To summarize briefly, Chapters 14 & 16 of John, tell us: • That Christ is the first Counselor; the Holy Spirit is the second. • The disciples will not be orphans because the Father is sending the Spirit of Truth • The disciples are acquainted with the Spirit, who has been with them in Jesus • When the promised Spirit comes, He will bring the living presence of Jesuswith Him • The Spirit of Truth, guides us by revealing what Christreceived from God to our minds/hearts.1 There is so much more about the Holy Spirit that should be said, but we must leave that for another occasion– Perhaps 7 more sermons! 1Isaiah 40:13; Romans 11:34; 1 Corinthians 2:16

  37. V. “Mutual Indwelling” (by the Spirit)&Bearing Much, Lasting Fruit| John 15:1 – 8 • I made seven slides about this passage, but again, I must skip this magnificent illustration of Jesus’ life-connection with us through the Spirit, and relegate it for another time.

  38. VI. Secure in His Love, Joy and Peace John 14:21, 23; 15:9; 15:11, 16:22; 14:27, 16:33(Through the Holy Spirit) – Romans 5:1 – 5; Galatians 5:22 • Three Wonderful Gifts | First: LOVE • 21 Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who lovesme. The one who lovesmewill be loved by my Father, and I too will love themand show myself to them.” 23 (Jesus replied), “Anyone who loves me will obeymy teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. – John 14:21, 23 • 9 “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. – John 15:9 (NIV)

  39. 1. Secure and Fruitful in His Love – We love(Jesus) because he first loved us. (1 Jn 4:19) • No one can pluck us from his hand, so nothing can separate us from His love. JN 10:19; Rom 8:38-39 • We obey Christ out of love for Him. • So long as we remain in the sphere of His love by obeying Him, we will be fruitful. • His love is the source of our security, • When our behavior needs to change or our obedience is incomplete (2 Cor 10:6), our loving Father prunes us to make us morefruitful.

  40. B. Strong and Resilient with the Joy of Jesus 11I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow! 22 So you have sorrow now, but I will see you again; then you will rejoice, and no one can rob you of that joy. – John 15:11; 16:22(NLT) Happiness and joy are not the same. Exhilarating experiences, new adventures, tasty food, nice cars, a lovely garden, good friends, a child’s success in a test, a sport, a performance, and meaningful work – These enhance our happiness. Yet such things depend on circumstances or our ability to obtain them.

  41. B. Strong and Resilient with the Joy of Jesus • Joy is confidence in the Lord’s inner strength . . . to do His will with gladness. • The more completely we surrender to the Holy Spirit and devote ourselves to fulfilling God’s purposesfor us, the more joy we will have. • It makes us joyfulto see others doing God’s will. • Joy is undiminished by external thingslike persecution, hardship, losses, temptations, or even illness. • Joy is securely rooted in the knowledge that Christ has already overcome the (forces of evil in) the world.(John 16:22, 33d)

  42. C. Secure and Whole in His Peace 14:27“Peace I leave with you. Mypeace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Your heart must not be troubled or fearful. 16:33I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world.” – John 14:27; 16:33 (HCSB) Peace (Gk, eirene | Hebrew, shalom) denotes God’s gracious provision for our – especially spiritual – needs. – even in the midst of trouble and the ascendance of evil doers. Peace is the inner security of knowing that God will defend, lead, and reward those who rest in Him alone. (Psm 62:1, 5) The peace of Jesus transcends the tribulations we experience in the world, because our life is hiddenwith Christ in God (Col 3:3, NIV). His gift of peacesecures to us the present and future blessing of God. • Psalm 100:3 – His sheep, the people of His pasture • Psalm 37:1, 11, 17, 22, 26, 33-34; 73:3-10 • John 16:33 • Numbers 16:24-26; Matthew 5:5, 9

  43. C. Secure and Whole in His Peace Banish thoughts of sadness, for the Lordof gladness, Jesus, enters in; though the clouds may gather, those wholove the Savior still have peace within. (Lutheran Service Book, online – 2006)

  44. C. Secure and Whole in His Peace Let us pray – Spiritof God,“ who indwells . . . our poor and shabby human life, lifting it . . . above the dominance of . . . (selfish desires) and greed, allowing (our lives) to shine with the borrowed lights of love, joy and peace (to) mirror the beauties of (an) unseen world . . . (May) . . . the splendor of (Christ’s) presence (within us) (Be) more plainly visible to the eyes of (those) around (us)” so that Hewill be honored by the way we live.1 Amen. 1Philippians 1:20, 27

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